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OK guys... I made a mistake the group cruise thread I saw was on LowCarb Friends.. but STILL we could all go and get in on the group rate! (I got DH to AGREE to it, and so I went ahead and booked my deposit...... here is the copy and paste of the thread.... soooooo if anyone wants to join us.. simply click and register... meaning it could be a Mini Violet Bash, under the group discount and planning of LCF!) NOTE: I JUST PLUNKED DOWN $400 deposit for Charles and I so WE ARE GOING! Low Carb Cruise 2009 It is time to announce the NEXT cruise!!! Everyone who went last year had so much fun that we just KNEW that we wanted to do it again -- and there are so many more of our online friends that we want to meet. I am posting this across our Low Carb community to encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to meet up and have a great time. The 2008 Cruise was a lot of fun. We had 46 people from all over the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. It was a relaxed time and so fantastic to meet such wonderful people. If you might be interested there is a link at the bottom of this page where you can get more information OR you can PM me directly. Here are the particulars: WHEN: January 19-23, 2009 (Monday through Friday) WHERE: Sailing out of Galveston Texas; going to Cozumel & Progreso Mexico COST: $400.19 per person double occupancy (AND GOOD NEWS -- this includes the taxes AND port charges; please note that their might be another fuel surcharge - I am not certain about this yet approx $25-$35) -- AND this is for the cheapest inside cabin only. When you actually go and sign up you will be given the option for other cabins with different rates. This is inclusive!which means all meals and beverages are included. What it does NOT include are any special excursions (optional), alcohol, gambling, and souveniers. DEPOSIT: $50 per person, or $100 for the cabin -- REFUNDABLE. If you want to go and are still not sure about the details, you can go ahead and sign up to reserve your place. IF something happens and you cannot go, this is refundable (up to 30 days before we sail). DEADLINES: .....deposit -- May 6th (if this is a problem drop me a PM for alternatives) .... 1st payment -- $150, due September 8th .... 2nd (final) payment -- balance due November 6th CABIN-MATES: ANYONE you would like. You can take a family member, friend, OR stay with one of your low-carb friends. That is up to you. Cabins are for DOUBLE occupancy which means that if you don't have a cabinmate you will pay double for a room by yourself. Feel free to post your questions here because there may be others who have the same questions or you might find your answer at one of these links. General Information Link Cruise Reservation Link I am using a very reputable company. This is my 3rd year doing business with them and I have not had ANY problems. They really go out of their way to work with our group and to make this a fantastic trip. I HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!!! Post here and let me know if you are considering it. (Thanks again, Tom, for helping us get the word out. Hope YOU can make it!!) __________________ Becky

My friend took pics Friday night at our get together. That's sparkling grape or something (I didn't have any) so we looked all sophisticated. 2x of us are pregnant 1x still breastfeeding, so no real alcohol among us.. hah hah.

HEY, when I was trying to upload the signature that Laura made for me, this popped up. I can't upload my signature right now, but can do this!!! I am going to try for a fifth time to post this!! I am writing it first on word, then cutting and pasting so if I lose this post nothing else will be lost. I want to express and my thanks and gratitude for a GREAT time that I had. I was reluctant to go, but am so glad I did. The first thanks are to Haydee, Terry, and Tracy for the great food, drinks, alcohol, and the wear and tear on their cars. Special thanks for my magnet (Judy), which will proudly hold the group picture on my refrigerator, candle (Michelle), note pad and purple pen (Kat), my purple beanie baby (Laura), and last but not least, Pam for the wonderful corsages we all had, and the violets we had in EACH room!!! A special hug for Judy for her EXTREME patience while her plane was very very very late!!! You were such a trooper. There was an incident on the river, where Haydee, Terry, and Tracy W came to my rescue!!!! Does everyone remember Martin Short playing that slow synchronized swimmer on SNL? He had water wings and a nose plug and said he wasn’t a very strong swimmer?? Well I am not a strong toober. That is putting it mildly. Let me just say it was not pretty, and Haydee and Terry took control of the situation while Tracy was risking life, limb, and back/butt to save me (I really wasn’t in that much peril, but it adds to the story!!)! All three of them didn’t even think before helping me and I applaud them!!! I really am moved to tears when I think about how much people helped me. All I can say is aren’t you all glad I wasn’t drinking?!?!?! Thanks to everyone for the hurried get away we had on Sunday!! It was a mad rush and nerves I am sure were shot, but nobody complained!! That leads to the next thank you to Haydee, she washed and dried our wet clothes! How nice was that!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to Laura for befriending technically challenged me and taking control of my pictures. THANKS!!!! I guess the same can be said for PAM?!?!? I have never laughed so much and so hard in my life. So exceptional thanks go to Haydee, Jennifer, Judy, Kat, Laura, Michelle, Pam, Terry, Tracy M, and Tracy W. This was a great trip. Last but not least extra special thanks to Terry for all her help in planning, organizing, and carting me around!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!! Jane

Maria - they had a big scolding last night at the meeting about alcohol...its a major no no...yet my friend who had the RNY does still drink once in a while....I dunnooooo....

I'm gonna print this out & show it to her!! SMART LADY. I truly hope she gets a grip on it before it gets way out of hand!! And ur right, her body has compensated - she can eat ANYTHING - even sweets & alcohol - no dumping symptoms. I'll find an RNY support group for her. And, Tina, you better get use to that male attention, girl - i don't see it going away any time soon - It must suck to be beautiful

Dudettes, if I had junk in my house I would so be eating it!! Tina you are so so right! Intensity in relationships scares the crap out of me, esp. right at the beginning - too much too fast! I refused to go out with Chris the first 2 times he asked, I was not ready. Pami, you need to tell this guy to slow the heck down because it makes you want to turn and run the other way. I have had to tell Chris that . . . I really, really like the guy at this point, but I only met his a couple of weeks ago, and already he wants a relationship? Well yeah I want one too, but how do I know that I want HIM, rather than if I JUST want "a relationship?" So we had this big talk and I kept telling him how scared I was of all this, and the intensity, so his reaction has to back off, which is fine and it MUST be what I wanted, right? . . . BUT . . . . then I start getting worried that he's quit calling me 5 times as day!! and then MY reaction to his backing off - which is to feel almost panicked - REALLY scares me! So he took all of his stuff home, no Chris over here last night, no phone calls last night, we hung out separately with friends and as it turns out I would rather have spent the evening with him. But I have to be rational and step back enough for my feeling to lose some intensity so I'm not blinded, right? So I don't call . . . I see him log on this morning and I quickly lof off - but I am feeling strangely vulnerable about the whole thing. Then he calls me on his way to work this morning, and as soon as he hung up he got in a bad accident, totalled his truck and just got out of the ER! Nothing is broken but he is banged up pretty good and his knee is all swollen - and I feel just awful! Argh! I hate feelings!! Honestly, this is my real first emotional challenge since banding. I am having strong feelings which are making me uncomfortable, and I cannot stuff them with food - even if I tried, my band would stop me. So then I am jonesing for a drink to stop the feelings, but that is REALLY bad because the stats on replacement addictions are phenomenal - something like 35% of weight loss patients end up having a problem with alcohol! I am super vigilant about that one, so what do I do with me feelings?? OMG, I am going to have to FEEL them! Even if they are uncomfortable. I went for a run & that helped, and to the gym and that helped, and to church and that REALLY helped, but the bottom line is this: I can't stuff my feelings anymore - I actually have to feel them. Blast.

Yep. Also the 8-10 month lull is a real thing. I've seen it in myself and in so many other sophomores! Bottom line, to lose? I need to be at 600-850cals per day, <25-30g net carbs, 60-75g protein, and healthy fats to fill up the remaining cals. It's about 30-45g fat per day. Absolutely no alcohol. Very little artificial sweeteners. And I do IF. LOL. It helped me get my last 20lbs off. I started IF in my 9th month. I can easily get my protein in from food and get 100+oz water/liquid daily.

Yesterday: I was super bad yesterday and somehow someway still lost 1 lb. Here goes: Breakfast:1/2 cup egg beaters and 3 slices of turkey bacon Snack-Ham and cheese kolache Lunch-1/2 cup of chicken salad and 6 crackers Snack-strawberry donut Dinner-4 shrimp tempura 2/3 cup of edamame Had several coronas because I went out for girls night. I lost count so felt extremely bloated last night. Total-1434 Calories (food) Alcohol (not too sure just know that it was alot) Protein 89g Protein

I don't drink beer, so i can't answer this question, however, i do enjoy my sodas daily. . .diet of course. . so why can't you have carbonation ever? makes no sense. . . anyhow, i drink sodas, and alcohol with soda mix. . . love it and started drinking such (with doctors approval) at 3 months out. . . yes i said with doctors approval. . . and i'm out now 2 years and haven't died yet. . . hehehehe . . . good luck

My family, co workers and facebookers know. Everyone on my Facebook is MY family (no in laws) and a few closer friends. I have also told a few strangers in conversation (hence I accidentally met someone on this site inadvertently! Lol). However, I have ZERO intentions of telling ANY of my in laws. They don't care about me to begin with...cause I'm not their religion, I don't drink alcohol with them, I don't smoke, I don't party, cause I'm a BBW...so many reasons. I have only had 1 coworker say negative things...that it's not gonna work...she knows ppl that didn't change their habits, etc...she's the b!£€* of the office anyway, so...that's my story. I have 3 more months to wait.

I was sleeved aug 13,12 I started 204 and today I'm 140 down 64 lbs! My average day is under 1200 cal. I can eat thick soups, salads, chicken, pork, fish. I don't do bread or pasta too good. I can't drink alcohol. If u like join my fitness pal and u can see a lot of sleevers and what they eat daily.

Been thinking about you girls... I've read all the posts that I've missed, and I truly love you all! My mind is foggy and I'm not sure I remember how to type! It sounds like some exciting news for some (vacations yay) and weight loss for others hooray! And holding steady for others (which is a feat in itself sometimes) an adventures in dating for others! Daisy he sounds like a superficial judgmental guy that lacks a filter. Trust me don't settle! Ok my week, it's been a mind game. I have had a rough time with food. I've done my fasts. I went over a little bit but trust me my mind wanted me to go over all the way! I've fought hard this week with insatiable hunger. I've talked about the "hole" and the need to fill it before, this week the hole was bottomless it seemed, and there were plenty of times I felt like falling into the abyss of it. I've been in a depression. Losing weight does not change everything as you know. I think part of the mind, mouth stomach struggle this week is a combo of things. The foods I ate last weekend just fueled my appetite that's for sure! And that in itself is so depressing! I'm coming up on my year, and it's a heady time. thinking about where I have been, where I still need to go and the struggle that I will always live with. It's not so easy for some of us huh? Just like life, it's the luck of the draw sometimes. Halloween is next week. It is driven by candy yeah? and I'm hoping to avoiding buying anything I like... So sweet tarts it is. Halloween is also my brothers birthday.. Addiction..... What can I say here, he was addicted to drugs and alcohol, he was also a successful man. Who fought his addictions tooth and nail so successfully sometimes.. a lot of the times actually. One day he got tired of fighting... He plays on my mind, because he was the stronger of the two of us I always felt. He was also my other half we knew each other's demons more so than anybody else. We were each other's witness to our past. You know our addictions were different, but actually he was fat as a child and it was most unacceptable to him. It was worse than drugs or alcohol to him.. His weight fluctuated a bit as an adult but like I said it was unacceptable. As long as he looked good that's all that matter and he did look good he spared no expense on his upkeep and went to spas and anti aging centers. He presented to the world, a very accomplished, well groomed, fit man. But behind the scenes the "hole" existed for him too. That hole scares me. It's about so much more than food, food is just what I fill it with. Even with the years of therapy it still exists.. Wow. If you read this far I applaud you! It has been a rough week. I have my anchors that help keep my from going to far adrift my husband my children (ok the are more like albatrosses sometimes ) And you guys... So here I am to fight another day.

I had my first drink (diet coke and rum over ice) at 4.5 months out. I felt a little tipsier than I would have felt from one drink before, but I've never been a big drinker. Several weeks ago, I attended a bachelorette party where I drank 8 drinks over the course of about 7 hours, along with several glasses of water to combat the diuretic effects. I felt buzzed for a bit, then sobered up REALLY fast. I'm sure my liver hated me, but I had no adverse effects. No weight gain, no hangover and we had a blast. I did dance all night, so maybe that affected my alcohol absorption.

I was told I could not have alcohol for the first year. Was anyone else told this? Can we have it in moderation? I'm really not a big drinker. I can go months without having a drink so I wasn't too upset about not having any alcohol for the first year. However, holidays are coming up in the next few months. Can I have a drink or two?

So Wasa.....I would like for you to tell me exactly what it is that Dr. Gonzalez is doing to cause all these erosions. From the information that I have read, it is due to the way we as patients follow the rules. Below is a list of potential things that could cause erosion. I would like everybody to read this because I am not seeing where the doctor is causing the erosions. WE are the ones that are responsible for following the directions. The doctor CANNOT follow us around to make sure we are doing the things that will keep erosion and slippage and other possible complications from happening. You have been slamming Dr. Gonzalez's complication rate.....but what you don't seem to get, is that if somebody has an erosion.....it is not necessarily due to anything that the doctor may have done. If you find somewhere that it says....erosions are completely the doctors fault. Please post.....I would love to see that, but until then....I think this erosion rate discussion is over. Quit trying to discredit the man. He is a good doctor and has a wonderful staff. For some reason, you cannot accept that and you have to just keep stirring the pot! EROSION Erosion can become a problem for a patient if the patient Doesn’t follow the simple guidelines set forth by the doctor. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES You should not consume alcohol, if you consume any alcohol you may cause damage to the stomach at the neck of the band (an ulcer). If you eat spicy food or certain types of medication you may also cause harm to the stomach. If you DON’T protect your stomach while you have gastritis (like eating Tums or any other antacid), this can and usually does cause the acid in your stomach to erode to the band.

On this site, I have noticed that surgeons reccomendations vary widely. Personally, my surgeon said no alcohol for at least 1 month. I waited almost 2. Since then, I have had wine and harder alcohol (no mixers) and the occasional beer. Beer is tougher for me, because the carbonation. I go regularly (monthly) to my doctor/nutritionist and let them know what I'm eating/drinking. They say its fine as long as it doesn't bother me and they remind me to be mindfull of the calories. Bottom line - listen to your doctor !

A question was asked to people who are in a similar situation. I think your personal lectures on "backsliding" and such is really uncalled for and rude. We all have vices but they're not the same. The analogy using AA was good except when you go to a meeting and admit you fell off they don't get lectured they get support to fight another day. The purpose of this forum so I thought was for support. The purpose of our new tool is ultimately to learn how to live life with things in moderation. If you can drink soda, eat dessert, drink alcohol and any other taboo behaviors in moderation then your on point!! Less judgment people we get enough of that from "regular" people no place for it here. Have a blessed day! ; )

Ok this is how it is dang it. I was and am and always be a Dr.Pepper and Coke Cola addict!!! All of you out there who thinks its gonna be ok to have a sip and not go back to it again you are wrong. Its like any addiction whether it be certain foods, sodas, alcohol, illeagal drugs, prescription medicine, pornography or anything else that you have withdrawls from. You need to really look inside yourself and be honest! Dont lie! Ask yourself am I addicted and will my world end if I do not have this soda ( or what ever it is). I know I an addict. I got this way because of sodas. A 12 pack a day or more. And no they were not diet, matter of fact diet are worse for you. Good luck and realize who is going to win this battle? You or the sodas( or whatever your addiction is) I ve been there and Im still here fighting.

Naw, your joke about methadone is not offensive. I am not some fragile person that cannot take a joke. The only drug I ever struggled with was weed, I still love it. But sadly I cannot use it or it will consume me, all I will want to do is get high. And I don’t mean just a little high, I mean like semi coma high. I am an alcoholic to the bone, I cannot even have one drink or I will drink every day after that. The only option I have is to abstain and stay sober. I used to go to OA about 10 years ago. I never got really that active into it, but liked the meetings. I have found a meeting near my house, but haven’t gone yet. I am a food addict for sure, I will abuse food just like a drug.

@Sheribear68 Ouch! So sorry to hear about your friend!!! ((hugs)) TG you are escaping that fate with every day of your lifestyle change!!! I know how you feel and can relate! And for anyone who is genuinely interested in hearing my journey and not just a rubbernecker, I will discuss the specifics. But for anyone else who looks at me, there is no doubt that I'm somewhat fanatical religious about making good choices--cuz like you, we have some big strikes we deal with. But sadly, no one likes reformed smokers or reformed alcoholics. So we do just have to live our lives. And sometimes the best testimony is through action rather than words. Live your life hon. Let your friends feel safe, coming to you when or if they are ready. ((hugs))

LOL, yeah me too (laxative). I still adore some of the SF chocolates with Sugar Alcohols...they're still lower in calories than real chocolate even when counting all the carbs, but if I eat more than one or two in a day......instant colon cleanse.

Oh Heather, I forgot: I'm not a good example as I don't track things except when I need to get back on track. When I do track, I usually keep it 1000-1200 cals. I hardly get in any fruit now and that's something I need to work on (I love fruit). A typical day: B - 1/2 serv. reg. oatmeal w/1.5 T soy protein powder & 1T Benefiber added, topped with several squirts of SF maple syrup (I have this every morning) - About 3 cups of coffee before B L (about .75-1C total) - Almost always leftovers and I start w/about 3-4 oz. of protein (it's usually chicken or beef) - 1/2C of veggies or 1/4 C veggies and 1/4 C of another side (sometimes a starch like potatoes or rice) D (about 1- 1.25 C total, I'm allowed 1.5 C, but I almost never eat that much) - I eat whatever my family is having for dinner (DH is the chef) so pretty similar to what I had for lunch. -I do try to eat the protein first, I only take a small spoonful of the 'bad carbs' (he's 'Mr. Potato Head'), and I usually end my dinner with one SF Russell Stover's chocolate (I don't eat a lot of SF/diet foods at all, but I'm a chocoholic and I love these, so it gives me something to look forward to and I don't feel deprived of my beloved chocolate). -I do drink alcohol in moderation- usually only on the weekends (both wine and beer-which I pour so it gets a lot of bubbles out, and yes my doc allows this)...yes, it's probably slowed my WL some to drink calories, but it's a lifestyle for me, not another diet. -I have 'traded' some items out, but still feel like I eat 'normally', just a lot less...ie. we have tacos one night most weeks- always have; I used to eat 5 + spanish rice, now I have traded the hard shells for a soft low carb tortilla (I think they're wheat) and I spread Greek Yogurt (I've traded this for reg. yogurt and sour cream and love it) on it and add 1/2C meat and some of the reg. toppings. I usually have a hard time finishing a whole 1. I never feel deprived or hungry...hope something in there helps. Great WL this week...way to go!! Fingers crossed that fill works for you. -BG

food anesthetised me. When I ate, nothing bothered me. But I paid big time for it...ballooning up to nearly 270 lbs. on a very small frame. I was morbidly obese and heading towards life in a wheelchair. I absolutely could not walk away from a half eaten meal. I could eat copious amounts of food and I felt entitled to finish all of it. I'm working on the core psychological issues with a therapist now because I fear gaining it back even though I've met and exceeded goal. I know that I have a problem that is both physical and psychological. Just today, I went into the fridge at work to portion out some eggplant parm and spaghetti that I had leftover from lunch yesterday. Even now, it was hard for me to throw away the extra spaghetti. I really wanted to eat it even though my life is 1,000% better than it was a year ago. I see it as an addiction same as any other addiction. If I was an alcoholic and found a bottle of booze in my fridge...I'd probably have the same issues with throwing it out as I did with the spaghetti. But I'm not an alcoholic and many a time, I've poured the lefover wine in a bottle down the sink because I didn't want to bother putting the bottle back in the fridge with only a glass or so remaining. Wish I could do that as easily with food. I see this as a lifelong battle and am just hoping that now that I have my life and mobility back, I never take it for granted again and use that as my incentive. Good thread! Thanks for letting me respond.

try to do a half hour of cardio a day,walking,just a half an hour,before or after wk,it will boost ur metabolism,despite the alcohol & make u feel so much better.u can do this.like u said,u didnt go thru all of this to not eventually get healthier & dwn to ur goal.keep networking for a new job.u have got to force yourself to get out or it will only get worse.u can do this.

Well, you have to do what you think is best, but think about it this way. If you had a good friend who was an alcoholic, and they decided to sober up, would you sit down with a six pack and drink it in front of them the first week they're trying to stay sober? If you're a good friend, then probably not. You're not asking him to quit eating forever, you're just asking him to not chow down right in front of you while you are literally starving in preparation for surgery. Anyway, sorry for throwing my 2 cents at you. I'm on my liquid diet right now too, so I know how hard it is. If my husband came home with a sack of cheeseburgers I think I'd have to kill him.