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Hi! I'm enjoying reading where everyone is so I will check in too -- I had surgery on 5/20 so I'm about 7.5 weeks out. The worst part about this for me has been no caffeine. I'm really looking forward to being cleared for step 4 which includes caffeine allowed at my appointment in about a week. I'm also really missing wine but I think I need to stay away from alcohol for as long as possible. I'm 50 lbs down overall (355 to 305ish -- I lost a LOT during the 3 week liver-shrink) and about 25 of that is post-surgery. I'm definitely noticing that it's easier to move around and my clothes are looking different on me, which has been great. In terms of taste, shredded cheese tastes a little weird to me, milk is disgusting, and butter tastes a little... off. I'm really interested to know if I'll dump/if I can ever have sugar again, but I'm not going to mess with trying something until I hit the step 4 diet. I'm REALLY stressed out about the hair loss that people say starts at around 4 months. But the only way out is through..... and it'll be worth it. I'm just worried I'll have bald spots!!!!! 😧

I agree. I would HOPE that people would have enough sense not to marry their sisters, or at least not to have children with them, but to legislate stupidity is....well, a losing battle. Are we going to legally prohibit drug addicted, alcoholic women from marrying and delivering brain-damaged babies? I doubt it. My oldest son and his wife are not related, yet their first child was born with Hirschsprung's Disease, a rare birth defect that is genetic, and which never shows up unless both parents carry the recessive gene for HD. Should they have been denied by law the right to choose to have more children? (They had a second child, by the way, and he does not have HD.) People should be entitled to choose their marital status, and that includes WHO they marry, as long as both are consenting adults. Every state in the union allows convicted criminals to marry, even though the marriage will never be consumated. That does not fit the mold of "traditional marriage", yet it's not illegal. I think it's a shame that violent offenders are given more consideration than productive, tax-paying citizens.

Comfort.. It's why I ate. Numbing myself with each bite, from what? Past trauma? Disappointment? Boredom? Life? The answer? All of the above. As you know a lot of us struggle with addictive personalities here. If you've been around here you've heard me talk about my problem with the pain meds at night, I started taking them in the evening ( the same time I did my best eating) long after I "needed" them.. I shocked myself because drugs or alcohol have never been a problem for me. It's like an addiction is waiting around every corner just waiting for me some days. I've been sick this last week and had bad allergies to top it off. I have always stayed away from Benadryl because I have a bad drugged type reaction and then it knocks me out. Well a few days ago I got so desperate I took one, worked awesome! I went back for more the next night. Last night I couldn't find them, my husband took them. He said I know you just want to knock yourself out.... Was he right? Maybe. We have additive personalities, and we are sneaky beings. So we are always looking for ways to fill that hole. My husband knew about the pain meds in the beginning because I told him. That's how he knew to take the Benadryl away and confront me on it. You need to do the same. Shine a light on the problem, talk to a close family member, friend, and counselor. And us of course, I talk about my daily struggles here, sometimes in real time as I am trying not to binge. It makes me sad that you can't come here as "you" because this does not take away from your successes and value here as a person, but I will respect your privacy.

Brain chemistry. I read a study that indicated that our brains are quite crafty at getting us to ingest sufficient calories to avoid perceived starvation. You need to be very careful about withdrawal. If you are using that much alcohol every day, you will need doctor supervised detox. Cold turkey without medical attention can be deadly to a heavy drinker. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Alcohol is a depressant and could be contributing to your lack of energy. Maybe increase protein intake and stop drinking alcohol to see how your energy level.

Jon, thanks for that post. That's exactly my problem - addiction, in many different forms. I've been to hundreds (literally) of Overeaters Anonymous meetings which used to be part of my regular life till I moved to Vegas. OA meetings in California are great places for support and help with food addictions. I was able to attend a different amazing meeting every night, but then I moved to Vegas. Vegas meetings are few and far between, and they never really got off the ground like in California; probably because Vegas has so many GA, AA, NA, CA, DA (Gamblers, Narcotics, Alcoholics, Cocaine, Debtors, etc.) So OA meetings are small and completely different here. In California, the meetings are actually focused on food addictions, but the meetings here are just sessions where people vent about their day without ever correlating the issues to food. It's a shame, I'd love a good OA meeting here. So thanks for making me NOT give up. I'm gonna keep on keeping on. Sue, you aren't the first person who I've heard about "oops, nicked ya." Not funny at all. One girl had her stomach accidentally cut during band surgery, then her surgeon fixed the cut and put the band OVER the cut! She ended up in really bad shape and had her band removed by a US surgeon. She even knew something went wrong in surgery, but the doc said everything went fine; the "oops nick" didn't even reflect in the Operating Report.

I thought my band would have given up on me after my long camping trip. Certain things work better for some people, and my savior is a morning Protein shake instead of food. Once I start my day chewing, food is too near to my brain, so the shake works wonders for me. Also, some people can drink with meals or soon after, but I need a good hour before and after drinking before eating, otherwise my band is wide open and doesn't work well. Making shakes while camping would be too much hassle, so I brought Protein Bars for b-fast. But I never ate one! All those smells got the better of me. But my problem was drinking and eating... I was in the middle of the desert and drank gallons per day, so waiting the hour before/after liquids didn't happen. Plus, I planned on doing a healthy, sober, hiking, climbing trip and packed tons of Water, OJ & Gatorade... not a single drop of booze in our coolers. However, we blew a tire on the highway, got lost, couldn't find a campsite, found out the rivers we were going to use were dried up, lost hubby's gold band, etc., my hair was standing on end and I was a nervous wreck. So when we found the last campsite on earth, that bottle of wine in the camp store ended up in my hands. Within a few hours I drank most of the bottle, but I drank so much water that I didn't feel buzzed. Then hubby started drinking my favorite, which is non-alcoholic beer. That used to be my drink of choice, but I can't have carbonation, so now I'm hooked on Bloody Marys or White Zin. But Virgin Marys are gross. I need a non-carbonated non-alcoholic beer! HELP! My whole point is that between gallons of water and cocktails, I never felt hungry so I ate very little all day. Then by 9pm, I'd realiz I needed food, so I'd eat stuff I haven't had since pre-band. I ate an entire can of nuts in 2 days. Nachos, chips, pork rinds! And never at meal times, just "whenever." So I figured I'd be in big band trouble today, but I'm pretty restricted and passed on my morning shake. I brought one of the leftover protein bars and it's after 10:00 a.m. but my band says NO. So, after my abusive weekend, looks like I'm getting another chance. Thank God. Thank Inamed. Thank you all! And I'm dead tired so I hope my writing/spelling makes some sense.

No dreams that I remember! Or nightmares as of yet... I have had a beer, margarita & martini in the last few weeks...my doctor says it is fine to imbibe in moderation. I will tell you though that my hubby is excited that I am a "cheap" date all of a sudden...boy, it hits you hard! The beer tasted so damn good! I took baby sips to eliminate some of the fizziness! I haven't tried wine which is supposedly the easiest for lap-banders to tolerate. Melissa--are you not allowed any alcohol?

Has everyone completely cut out alcohol?

I'm not on Lovenox, but I am on a blood thinner shot called Arixtra. I just finally started it tonight because the pharmacy had to order it for me. No one had it because I'm on the max dose. I am the biggest chicken in the entire world, and in the end I could not give myself the shot. I had to ask my mom to give it in my arm for me. Thankfully, it did not hurt, and it didn't burn at all. I am no expert, and I've never had Lovenox, but is possibly burning because you don't let the alcohol dry on the swabbed spot before injecting? I have had shots that do burn going in, and I hate them. At least yours is only seven days. I have to do mine for a month. x[

I am almost 7 weeks and was told to wait 8.. I had a Malibu rum and crystal light orange (light on the flavoring.) I had no problems and did not even get a buzz. I had in large glass. Malibu is a lower alcohol content...I had one more..drank half but felt nothing... I am an ex bartender and beer drinker...a shot now and then...I could handle my alcohol pre sleeve though. In bar business 19 years..working two jobs...loved the money! If I couldn't or can't in future then I would not drink since I hate drunk girls falling down..lol. Everyone is different so it is hard to say. I am going to miss hot summer days and cold beers but not the calories.

Not all alcohols are the same. Cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are good alcohols, they are fatty alcohols and emollients and in a complently different class than straight alcohol or rubbing alcohol. CeraVe contains cetyl alcohol which is a good alcohol. Which is why dermatologist recommend CeraVe, for people with dry skin. I wouldn't put the body lotion on my face though, they make a line of face products.

Hi all! I'm simply putting this out there to see what YOUR experience has been- not for a thorough lambasting! Regarding carbonated beverages ( non-alcoholic)- on my NUT list it clearly states no carbonated beverages. I asked her about this. We have a very good report and she knows I'm ridiculously compliant. However, I have always been a Diet Coke fanatic. I asked her why it was forbidden. (Keep in mind I'm dealing with a HUGE top rated health care system, some of the best bariatrics in the states- so I really value their knowledge and opinion.) Her reply was this- MOST patients are not compliant. If you give them an inch, they take a foot. And then they get into trouble. An occasional Diet Coke turns easily into a three can a day addiction. Sometimes people go all the way over and start drinking "regular" pop. However, there really isn't any solid evidence that carbonated beverages ON OCCASION do any harm to your new stomach. This was MY experience- what has yours been? I will say that YES I have had a few Diet Cokes since my surgery. However, where I once would have downed the thing in an hour, I only had 5 or 6 sips and that was enough for me to "taste" my old friend

So pi**ed off! My restriction that I had since late in November has decided to leave me once again and I can eat absoluately anything! This for me means that I can't get enough white bread in to me - worse than an alcoholic. I've 4 pounds on over the weekend, which basically translates as 2 full pan of Brennans white bread - no sandwitch filling or butter required!! Why did I even bring the bread in to the house. It couldn't come at a worse time as I am trying so hard to fit in to a way too small wedding dress that I need to wear in only a few weeks. Have an appointment with Lou on Saturday next and just need to work hard at not undoing all my good work between now and then until I get a fill! Elsie - well done on making the appointments and investigating both options. As you pointed out you saw how happy and healthy the girls were who you met last Saturday and what a diference we had made in prolonging our own lives!! Keep us informed how you get on. Kermit - keep on this site and post what you are struggling with so the rest of us can help you.

:thumbup: Way to go kermie, keep up the good work twin. Siepie, if you in or around Dublin wo do meet up, keep checking the thread or else we will personal message you and let yu know. See the top right of the screen where it says messages, click in there and check. Coco, I have found that I can hardly drink alcohol at all. I used to be able for say two bottles of wine on a good night, now its barely the one. This has happened only when I reached my sweet spot. Anywho too many calories so Im trying to lay off it until next week, when I have my hen weekend. It will be my biggest test yet. Im a bit nervous about eating. Somebody actually asked me the other day was me and my SIl, you know who she is, where we on some secret diet that we told nobody about:eek: . I just brushed it off. Jesus I just read back what I wrote I sound like a right dipso, i promise you im not (now). Elsie, woo hoo. Im so happy for you. Good luck with the op and we will meet up soon and have a good natter. Allure, where are you??? HOw are you getting on???? When is the wedding. Twinkletoes, where are you too??????

Yeah, I'm in several community groups and social clubs whose night/evening meetings are at hotels (as in bars) and bistros/cafes. People are going to wonder, indeed, when I don't order food or alcohol or soft-drinks in future.

I told my family. Most of my family is overweight and has diabetes. I told them to tell them they have a choice to make their lives healthier. They all told me how much better and healthier I look. They really don't want to make the change and give up their love for food and alcohol. That is their choice. I have done this for me. I want to live a healthier lifestyle to me a role model for my two children. My daughter is 26 and my son is 20. They are so very proud of me. I guess it depends. I have always had a huge family and we have always gotten along well and loved each other. I thank god for my moms support as well. I just wish my dad would get the surgery. But he won't make the lifestyle change. I am so glad I have made that change.

I don't believe that driving drunk is a largely accepted social crime. I don't need or want to drink to be social, and I have no sympathy for anyone who gets a DWI. My own adult son got one once and I hoped they would throw the book at him! Don't get me wrong, I love him with all my heart, but how do you correct a wrong behavior? With discipline. Alcohol consumers have no business getting behind a wheel, and that goes for pot smokers as well. Anytime you are impaired mentally or emotionally (like right after the news of the death of a loved one, or a fight or intense argument with someone, after drug use, etc.)you should walk, not drive.

I'm trying to understand why wine would be a problem or anything under 7%. They gave me hydrcodone and it has 7% alcohol.

I'm not doing resolutions....I think they are a trap for me and I want to just make a commitment to more exercise. To make it more consistent in my life. I'm also considering doing the coolrunnings training for a 5 k race..not that I'm thinking about running a race..I actually hate to run...but in my history, the only time I've been "thin" was when I've run. I was in a police acadamy in 1989 and ran three miles a day every morning....I weighed 169 (not exactly thin, but I wore a size 12 and thought I looked pretty good) and I was in shape. We also did a bunch of strength training as well. Ahhh, those were the days and I loved it. But I'm more thinking of as a personal challenge. I did get, a few years ago...Bob Greene's book on working out...the Oprah Boot Camp Challenge...sort of the same idea...just an intense workout regime. I am going to quit drinking alcohol for a good while. I'm an occasional drinker now but I can do without. I'm going to really cut out the sugars such as cookies, sweets, etc. And really watch the carbs. I want to sort of clean out my system.

GGRRRRR... PM isnt working... Ok... this is a long story.. but I'll try to sum it up the best I can. Exactly 2 years ago I lost about 30 or so lbs (do not know the exact amount as I was allergic to scales..however it was when I bought those seven jeans I am now back into)... anyhow I was in a very nasty situation with my ex bestfriend/ex roommate/ ex friends... I was working out about 4-5 times a week, eating right and stayed away from alcohol and the weight came off quite fast. Around this same time I started talking to my now fiance... very nice guy, sending me flowers and such - I was very happy and had every reason to be. I had a job I loved, lost weight and felt wonderful and had a great man in my life. Needless to say the 3 girls who I hung out with on a regular basis felt the need to poke fun at everything behind my back. The first straw with the one girl "J" was when she came on to my dad.. which is a HUGE no-no in my book... Me and my dad are very close and what she did was completely unacceptable (and made my dad feel very uncomfortable, which is hard to do.. he's a very laid back and joking kind of guy).. well, I confronted her about this and told her until she got herself together (this girl had/has MAJOR mental and substance abuse issues) I wanted nothing to do with her. Well, the other girls "M" and "A" rallied around "J" and decided to gang up against me.. all this time "M" and I shared a house ..which my daughter lived in also. It started with little comments here and there, mostly behind my back - which I found out about and turned into basically harrassing me via myspace. My last straw was when "M" began to treat my daughter badly. Right away I gave our landlord notice that I was moving out. The harrassing continued for months afterwords. The thing is that all 3 of these girls have/had their own weight issues.. even if at the time they were of normal size. "M" would pop every diet pill and jump on every trend that came out.. liquid diets, prescription pills, over the counter pills... and wouldnt lose anything. "A" had an eating disorder so bad that she had a social worker assigned to her...and was still popping pills and making herself throw up... and "J" was the worst of them all... she went from a size 8 to size 18 in no time b/c of medication... but dropped to a size 0 once she became a coke addict. Her husband left her and both her children's fathers filed for sole custody... not to mention all the diet pill popping she did/still does. Funny, b/c they all had nerve to poke fun at my weight... After looking back on everything I came to realize it was all jealosy that fueled the conflict. They were all fine with being my friend as long as I was the heavy one - the one who was always depressed or fat. The fact that I was slimming down and in a healthy relationship and was HAPPY for the first time in years just killed them. I'm SO much better off without them. So, basically what I'm telling you is this= all the people who make harsh comments about you losing weight ... or dont want to be your friend all of a sudden now that you are slimming down are jealous. Sad for them... its their loss.. you seem like a GREAT person!!

I haven't had dreams but I did have an extremely horrible day a few weeks ago and I drank some alcohol but surprisingly, I didn't get/feel sick! Not that it means it's good for me, I know it isn't but.. it was just a really bad day! lol

I'm allowed alcohol...just nothing with carbonation.... no more beer or gin and tonics for me. At 3 weeks out I had my first mixed/frozen drink and I sipped very slowly... My Dr does not want to promote alcohol use...only because it tends to be very high in calories.... but a drink or two every so often isn't bad in his eyes.

Hello all! You have been all busy posting, I have been away for a few days, for my son's big day! His wedding was on Saturday, 7/7/07! It was beautiful. I had a food scare, popped a piece of chicken in my mouth down my throat with out thinking. I have had problems with chicken from the start, and I was not paying attention. Well, it hurt and it finally moved after much pain! I did not eat then the rest of the day and as a result the aclohol went straight to my head! I had a rough Sunday recouperating. So, for those of you asking about drinking alcohol, be careful! I had pizza this weekend too, only one slice. I cut it up in tiny peices and chewed it well. My husband did make a comment regardign the bread factor. But it is different texture than a slice of bread or roll. My nurse said not to eat bread now before a fill because once I have it, most likely I won't be able to. So, I haven't tried a roll, sandwich, etc. I read people eating toast, crunchy bread is ok. Dan Your salmon recipe sounds great, I actually have some in the freezer and will try it. Where do you buy wasabi? Pippz great w loss:clap2: Suzzzie I am glad to hear you are doing better!! Glad to be back. I feel like I have been away from my band and need to get on it! If that sounds strange.. I just have had company and so much to do, I have not been focused as much. I have been ok on what I have been eating, but just not sure, if that makes any sense:confused:

Good morning all! If a good restriction is supposed to put us in the green zone where we feel satiety and not thinking about food, maybe you aren't in the green zone. Just maybe. I'm still trying to figure this out. My goal, I hope, is just like the book says, not having an interest in food. I know I am there sometimes and sometimes not quite. I WANT to be there. I WANT to not be obessed with food. Maybe the band is our antibuse. You know, the drug alcoholics take. I think if someone asks me what I am doing to lose weight I'll tell them I'm on bantibuse. People are looking, but so far no one has said anything about the weight loss. I've drop a size or two but still wear the big pants. If I hold out the waist band on my shorts I can see the floor! Couldn't do that before! Bye for now, gotta go buy pinapple juice! Thanks for all the daily info and support, I sincerely mean that.:car: