Search the Community

Great! I'm glad they could get u in. Try to take a cool shower / bath too. My mom would always say rub yourself down with rubbing alcohol when I would get a fever. Keep us posted on what happens!!

Wow. Really? Wow. I am utterly speechless (very rare, believe me). Firstly, who do they think they are? What gives them the right to even SPEAK to the gentleman about this weight? Secondly, that man is SETTING an example for his kids. He's shown them that the responsible thing to do is take control of your own health. He's showing them that as an adult, you must contribute to your own positive future and make informed adult decisions about how to adjust a lifestyle to increase your longevity, enjoyment and be less of a burden on society (with less future health-care drain, disability and dependency on your family and relatives due to poor health, etc.). He should be commended for his brave choice (as should YOU, msslechix) in meeting this challenge head-on and using all available resources to succeed. Do smokers who want to quit get berated for using nicotine gum or the patch when they try to quit? Do alcoholics get berated for joining AA or another 12-step program? Do drug addicts get belittled and denigrated for going in to detox and rehab? For some reason I still don't understand, it is still socially acceptable for overweight people to be everyone's punching bag. If we gain weight we're considered lazy, gluttonous and stupid. If we lose weight, some people are just waiting to pounce on us the minute we gain an ounce. back, and silently rubbing their hands in glee (see, I knew they couldn't keep it off). And heaven help us if we use weight loss surgery such as the VSG to lose weight (and are brave enough to admit it). Now we've "cheated". We've taken the "easy" way out and don't deserve to be happy; to be healthy; to feel normal and accepted. Never mind the fact that many VSG patients spend countless hours exercising, counting Protein and carbs and calories (all the things a "regular" dieter does). Somehow, the surgery did ALL THE WORK. Msslechix, you are having this surgery for you. People will make comments. Don't let it get to you. Some will support you (stay close to them, you need the support!). Those that are belittling you and making you feel bad could be doing it for many reasons, not the least of which may be jealousy. Whatever the reason, just remember. This surgery and this journey are YOURS. Don't let anyone take that away from you. I am just a few days away from 1 year post-op. I have been fortunate to have had a lot of support. There have been a few people along the way who were judgmental, and I've withheld the "truth" from some because I didn't think they would appreciate just how hard this decision and this process have been. It is CERTAINLY not "the easy way out". But I could not be happier. I'm down 136 lbs and I have another 48 lbs to go until goal weight. I am playing sports I gave up 25 years ago. I can breathe without asthma meds (even when exercising hard) whereas before surgery I had 3 puffers and 2 oral meds. I have significantly reduced my risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, joint replacement, and arthritis. I'm 43 years old and I feel like a teenager again. Life is exciting and a world of possibilities have opened up to me that I thought were gone forever. I would do this again 1000x. Msslechix. This is YOUR journey. Enjoy it, and let the others be damned.

Well I was hoping to hear some first hand information NOT second hand edited from a book info. For instance I didn't know that some people replace their food cravings with other substances like alcohol. I didn't know this till after my mothers friend became an alcoholic. I'd just like to hear from real individuals and their REAL experiences. Thanks

Hi - I'm new to this forum, but not to banding. I first got banded in 2007 at a weight of 210 lbs. I had a lot of issues, definitely not using the band properly. It ended with a slipped band in 2008, all the Fluid was taken out and 6 week rest period before being refilled. You would think I had learned something. I did, I learned how not to get stuck by eating slider foods, ice cream, Cookies anything sweet and sugary. From 2008 until 2012 I had kept 50 lbs off, but still eating crazy. I went back to doctor for a fill and got to the point of living on ice cream and Soup, thinking this was normal. Finally, I realized how Un-normal this was, I went back and got fluid taken out of my band. Let me tell you - no restriction - I felt like Denzel Washington in the movie Flight when he finds the key to the mini bar and stares at all the alcohol. I went on an eating frenzy eating every thing that I handing been able to 4 years. In March 2013, I went back to doctor and got adjusted,I know band is where it needs to be, I just need to get my head on straight. In the last 2 months I have done a lot of soul searching and realizing what I'm sure everyone else already knows - the band is a tool. I come to the website today for all the right reasons - support from others and for others. This is not an easy thing to do, if it was the industry wouldn't be full books and diet plans to follow. Without being to preachy - we have it all inside ourselves to do it - sometimes we just need someone to help us a little along the way. So good luck to me and everyone else along this journey and hope to talk to some of you soon.

You may find after a period of not drinking that you have no desire to. You might only go out once or twice every couple months now, but when you lose weight and have more energy and a new attitude towards life, you will probably go out more. Plus 21 is coming up and you will actually be legal. I expect you will want to party and enjoy life. A lot of people your age binge drink anyway, I know I did at that age, well kinda. You can drink socially, just be careful. Everything that OkPirate said was good advice. Now I enjoy being sober and being the designated driver. I have a big personality and I don't need alcohol to be fun. It is also interesting to watch other people drink and how it affects them. Just think about it carefully and proceed with caution. Sometimes when these alcohol threads come up everyone says you will be come a drunk or whatever. That really isn't the case for everyone. Just being aware can help you avoid a lot of the pitfalls.

Ok, I've had to do some journaling to stop and change perspective. Instead of focusing on what's ahead of me, to focus on what's happening today and what I've done this week. 1) Stopped drinking alcohol and I have only wanted to have a drink last night when **** hit the fan at home. 2) Stopped drinking soda and didn't miss it, crave it or anything. 3) Have gotten better about watiting at least 30 min between eating & drinking fluids 4) Consistenly getting about 68 oz of fluids each day 5) Reduced my caffiene intake (on 1/2 caff, not extra bold) coffee. I had caffeine withdrawal one day, and I've been fine since 6) Started exercising each day on my bike at home. 7) Started logging my food again and wearing my fitbit 8) Writing in my journal daily about EVERYTHING! That's a lot ot accomplish and I'm just gonna focus on this for today!

Now that I have started mentioning my work towards a band I have had a few ask questions that I really didnt have the answer for. One coworker is about 250, admits to drinking too much beer. When he has stopped drinking, along with watching his calories he only dropped about 40lb and nothing more. He slipped back into drinking and has maintained his weight. I can agree that alcohol is a wasted calorie, but what do I say to the fact he stopped drinking for 3 months, dieted and lost no weight? Just trying to find something constructive to tell him, besides just telling him to stop drinking totally.

Hello … I’ve just been approved to be sleeved. I’ve been reading here for months, so wanted to introduce myself. 41, female, single, no kids, located in Los Angeles. I’ve been curvy my whole life, but really heavy the last 10 yrs or so. I had never considered WLS until now because of all of the negative side effects from the Lap Band or Bypass. But last fall my neighbor told me she was getting sleeved. So I started to research, and was excited by so few “cons” to the procedure. I went for my initial consultation in October, was told I was a good candidate. But I couldn’t have the surgery before the end of 2017 because of my work travel schedule. So I held off proceeding until January, so I wouldn’t have to pay more out of pocket than necessary. On January 9th I went back to my surgeons office and had nutritional counseling, psych eval, EKG, and then went to the hospital to get my blood work, chest X-ray & echocardiogram done. On January 9th I went to a PCP who works with my surgeon to review the results. I had one blood result she didn’t like, so I went back to get blood drawn again. Once that was all back and she signed off, it was submitted to my insurance. Approval came back in about a week! Surgery date is set for February 12th. Random thoughts: I’m really happy my insurance (Anthem BSBC) and my surgeon didn’t have a lot of requirements, or waiting periods, like nutritional counseling etc., or required preop diets or weight loss. I just want this done with, and have a skinnier me, sooner rather than later. My surgeon office was also really efficient about me getting all my tests, counseling, evals done within one week. I’m also glad my surgeon and my hospital are located about 3 miles away from my home. My job and this process is my biggest concern. I’m in sales and travel for work extensively. I have my first business trip 3 weeks after my surgery. It is a long flight and a weeklong trip, so I’m worried about my energy level, and eating (I’ll be in the pureed stage). I’ll also be with my boss (who won’t know about my WLS) from 7am-10pm, 3 meals a day, and also with a lot of customer and associates throughout the week. I’d love to have more time to recover, but traveling is a big part of my job so it’s unavoidable. On the job topic, because of the fact I’m in sales, entertainment, meals & drinking, is a big part of what I do. The difference in my eating habits & drinking will definitely be noticed and commented on. Also, I see a large number of business contacts & coworkers throughout the year. But everyone I see is infrequent, from less than monthly, to annually, so my weight loss is going to be very noticeable (hopefully!). I’m not sure how I’m going to answer well meaning questions about my eating or weight loss. I’m naturally an open book, but I don’t want to be open about my WLS. So I’ll need to come up with an answer that is truthful enough I won’t appear to be lying, but not the whole truth. I’m curious to find out what it will be like to drink post op (but once healed). I don’t intend to give up drinking, and my surgeon doesn’t require that I do. I have a reputation of being able to hold my liquor (considered an asset in my career). I know my tolerance will get lower as I lose weight. But I wonder how the sleeve will change the alcohol absorption and effects for me. I’ve told my mom and a few friends about my upcoming WLS, everyone is supportive (I obviously only told people who I knew would be). Last night I told the guy I’m dating, so that felt a little awkward. We didn’t have a big discussion about it, so I’d love to mind read and see how he really feels about it. Does he like my figure now and not looking forward to it changing? Is he just ok w my figure now, but looks forward to a thinner me? I’m obviously doing this for myself, so it doesn’t matter in the end, but I am curious. Definitely planning on plastic surgery when I get at or near my goal weight. Very fearful of the pain of a mommy makeover (even though I don’t have kids), but looking forward to the end result of being happy with my body. Any SoCal plastic surgeon recs appreciated!

I am waiting for my insurance to OK my lap-band surgery. But in the mean time i am eating like i always have,its like i know i will never be able to have these foods again. And i guess maybe i will feel deprived and have mad cravings? why do i do this knowing i need to change? I feel like i want to eat everything ,i guess like a alcoholic having his last drink before going in to rehab. I just hope that i can get over these feelings and have better control of my eating. Maybe i will have to change or die.

I haven’t had a surgery yet but honestly, these sound like typical thoughts of a person that’s not been on the dating scene for a while surgery or not, these are all hang ups that people worry about when getting ‘back in there’. If you meet for drinks, make an excuse for not drinking alcohol, perhaps you had a few too many the night before (they’ll be amazed by how well you handle a hangover!) and as for food, just don’t arrange a dinner date? Maybe arrange a walk in a park or bowling? This way, you can always figure out if like a person enough before you give them your entire history? Good luck

i’m 7 months out and started dating again 3 months out. honestly, everything the person above me said is great, try and make plans for dates that don’t revolve around drinking/food. and most people don’t even notice the amount of food we eat or don’t eat, it’s really mostly something you notice yourself. also- not gonna encourage smoking weed cause that gets you nowhere on this forum, but before i was able to drink alcohol, i just suggested smoking instead of getting drinks. there’s alternatives for everything in life!! everyone has insecurities about their bodies, surgery or not! fake the confidence until you make it. anyone worth dating doesn’t care what size you are anyway, just try to remember that! although i am only 23 so my dating life might be very different from yours and some of this might be easier said than done.

I didn’t start dating until after 6 months so I was cleared for alcohol, but typically went out for a drink and an appetizer. I’d prep by having a larger breakfast and a smaller or earlier lunch, and then I’d eat whatever I felt like during the date (which is usually quite little). The good thing is that unless you’re going out to dinner, no one’s likely to notice what you eat and “I’m not really hungry” is a perfectly valid statement. By the time you progress to dinner, the guy usually already likes you enough to brush it off or is adjusted to eating 50% of whatever you ordered. The key thing is feeling comfortable with you. Someone will notice if you eat lightly AND guiltily. They’re less likely to note anything if you’re so casual about it that it’s a non-issue (because it is). Just be careful about what you order early on, it’s really easy to have eyes bigger than your new stomach and you can get tricked by old budget-conscious habits. One of my first real post-op meals with a friend we ordered the cheap fixed-price lunch deal, and I finished half the soup and started laughing because I was full and had a main and dessert still coming! (I got them both boxed up) For body image... it takes a while. And probably depends quite a bit on how much you’d internalized your overweight self-image. But it’s really not worth worrying about, and do NOT apologize or explain for anything about your body. Attraction is about so much more than whether or not you unveil an impressive set of bingo wings. Power throughout and be confident.

I'll be four weeks out from surgery but I was wondering about alcohol intake.... The academy is holding a DWI Detection Course and are asking for volunteers to be drinkers. It's a controlled environment and will steadily increase drinks (no shots). Would I be able to handle it for one day? Anyone's thoughts?

Dump the sugar and simple carb laden foods, no soda, alcohol, added sugar, etc and then add some exercise. Do all that first if you have not already done that. I made all those significant small changes first, then went harder. The week I attended the seminar I ditched the diet coke, done. Then let go of pasta, rice, any bread except rye and then only one piece toasted once a day, etc. These changes are pretty much permanent. To go hardcore to get to your most important goal - which is surgery scheduled - you may need to go lean protein and vegetables sooner - which is the lifestyle we all have after surgery anyway. You don't need the shake routine until your doc says do the shake routine, unless for you that seems easier. Me - I would rather have tuna or chicken than a shake. Good luck.

I am scheduled to get my band on December 18th. I start my liquid diet on December 11th. Every year, I host an Ugly Ornament Party for some long time friends and usually most people imbibe many spirits for the party. I will be on my third day of the liquid diet. I know I probably should not have a lot of alcoholic drinks, as they tend to be high in sugar and calories, but I would really like to have at least a couple of drinks. Does anyone have any good suggestions for a low calorie alcoholic drink that would be possibly "acceptable" on a liquid diet? Also, do you think the alcohol would affect me differently while on a liquid diet? For anyone with a band, what alcoholic drinks have you drank with the band?

My understanding is the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver so the surgeon can get install the band efficiently. Alcohol is not going to help shrink the liver. Maybe a party without drinking is good practice for a new lifestyle -- not that you can't drink once banded but that there are going to be times when you need to make a healthier choice. This may be one of those times! Good luck to you with your upcoming surgery. Very exciting new chapter beginning!

The intention of the liquid diet is to shrink the liver. I would not advise consuming alcohol as the liver will enlarge making it difficult for the surgeon to see where he needs to place the band.

I do not but I am only 8.5 months post op. I do not drink alcohol and have not for years so that’s not an issue for me. If I eat out I order an ice water, sip it a bit before my meal comes, then I leave it there when my meal arrives. If anyone has noticed they haven’t said anything. I am sure plenty of people enjoy a glass of wine with their meal now and again.

I sometimes do when at restaurants or when invited to dinner (think alcoholic beverages). I try to not making it a habit.

Just found these! Yummy!!! And no I am not an alcoholic, although I do love the occasional Margarita!! [ATTACH]2703[/ATTACH] xo Hilary

I had my eval with a therapist last night. She confirmed that I was a good candidate for WLS and LB. It was great talking to her. I had forgotten how good it feels to open yourself up like that. I used to do indiv and group therapy, years ago (just after college). I have been a school counselor for 10 years and ran an alcohol treatment study as a therapist for a time - you would think I would know how important talk therapy is! While talking to her, I articulated some of the feelings I have been having. She suggested journaling, and I thought, "Aha! I can blog on lapbandtalk!" I have come to the conclusion that I am a spoiled brat.:drool: I never really experienced much hardship in my life. I have never been really poor, never did without anything growing up. I hated cleaning my room or any other "manual labor" and would get "stomach aches" when required to do something I didn't want to do. (Ugh. This sounds so terrible! But I have to be honest if I am going to get past it.) I have suffered bouts of depression and had low self confidence for a long time. My confidence has improved, but I think there is still part of me that feels "unworthy". The therapist named my view as "self-indulgent". Totally. I do not want to feel discomfort of any kind. I want to have what I want, when I want it. I don't want limits. I feel like I "deserve" to have whatever I want, including food.:drool: What am I rewarding myself for? I am quick to take medicine for any discomfort, headache, allergies, etc. The therapist talked about the feelings I am suppressing with this self-indulgent behavior. If I didn't distract myself with food, what else would be bothering me? It is so hard to identify! I know I fear feeling sad. I lost my mom Feb 09 and my dog Aug 09. I went up on my Lexapro for a time, but I still cried a lot. Some days, I cried pretty much all day. It was horrible. I am so afraid that feeling sad will push me into that dark pit of depression. I still take Lexapro, and it helps, but I know how it feels to be so low...and I don't want to be there.:drool: Then there is the depressioon that being fat brings. I hate feeling the inertia that keeps me on the couch. I am an artist - but I don't feel like doing anything. I have bajillions of beads, art supplies, etc...but I don't seem able to do anything with them. Why? I have no desire/energy to cook. It used to be a passion. Now, frozen something is a relief - nothing to worry about. I worry that I will end up like my mom: sitting ALL DAY in fron to the TV, doing NOTHING, including bathing, eating, dressing, or anything that requires effort. I get those feelings periodically. Scary. So how do I start? How can I make myself do things? I don't WANT to push myself. I hate discomfort. I told the alcoholics in group that cravings (for alcohol) are like a wave, and they will crest and then pass. Somehow, I can't talke my own advice. I don't want to feel "hunger". Also, I worry about there being "enough" of anything for me, esp. food. Is 1 bottle of wine enough to bring to a party? Is an 8 oz steak enough? Are three yams enough? I buy way too much food. I feels like there is never enough. I envy our cat. She gets all the food/petting and sleep she wants. When she wants more, she just asks. I could sleep all day. I have vivid dreams that sometimes are better than life. Wow. I do ramble on. But it feels good to get it out there. These are all thoughts/feelings I discovered or articulated last night. I think I need some more therapy.

I had my eval with a therapist last night. She confirmed that I was a good candidate for WLS and LB. It was great talking to her. I had forgotten how good it feels to open yourself up like that. I used to do indiv and group therapy, years ago (just after college). I have been a school counselor for 10 years and ran an alcohol treatment study as a therapist for a time - you would think I would know how important talk therapy is! While talking to her, I articulated some of the feelings I have been having. She suggested journaling, and I thought, "Aha! I can blog on lapbandtalk!" I have come to the conclusion that I am a spoiled brat.:ohmy: I never really experienced much hardship in my life. I have never been really poor, never did without anything growing up. I hated cleaning my room or any other "manual labor" and would get "stomach aches" when required to do something I didn't want to do. (Ugh. This sounds so terrible! But I have to be honest if I am going to get past it.) I have suffered bouts of depression and had low self confidence for a long time. My confidence has improved, but I think there is still part of me that feels "unworthy". The therapist named my view as "self-indulgent". Totally. I do not want to feel discomfort of any kind. I want to have what I want, when I want it. I don't want limits. I feel like I "deserve" to have whatever I want, including food.:mad: What am I rewarding myself for? I am quick to take medicine for any discomfort, headache, allergies, etc. The therapist talked about the feelings I am suppressing with this self-indulgent behavior. If I didn't distract myself with food, what else would be bothering me? It is so hard to identify! I know I fear feeling sad. I lost my mom Feb 09 and my dog Aug 09. I went up on my Lexapro for a time, but I still cried a lot. Some days, I cried pretty much all day. It was horrible. I am so afraid that feeling sad will push me into that dark pit of depression. I still take Lexapro, and it helps, but I know how it feels to be so low...and I don't want to be there.:frown: Then there is the depressioon that being fat brings. I hate feeling the inertia that keeps me on the couch. I am an artist - but I don't feel like doing anything. I have bajillions of beads, art supplies, etc...but I don't seem able to do anything with them. Why? I have no desire/energy to cook. It used to be a passion. Now, frozen something is a relief - nothing to worry about. I worry that I will end up like my mom: sitting ALL DAY in fron to the TV, doing NOTHING, including bathing, eating, dressing, or anything that requires effort. I get those feelings periodically. Scary. So how do I start? How can I make myself do things? I don't WANT to push myself. I hate discomfort. I told the alcoholics in group that cravings (for alcohol) are like a wave, and they will crest and then pass. Somehow, I can't talke my own advice. I don't want to feel "hunger". Also, I worry about there being "enough" of anything for me, esp. food. Is 1 bottle of wine enough to bring to a party? Is an 8 oz steak enough? Are three yams enough? I buy way too much food. I feels like there is never enough. I envy our cat. She gets all the food/petting and sleep she wants. When she wants more, she just asks. I could sleep all day. I have vivid dreams that sometimes are better than life.:wub: Wow. I do ramble on. But it feels good to get it out there. These are all thoughts/feelings I discovered or articulated last night. I think I need some more therapy. :smile2:

@@cbonet I think therapy pre-op is so important. Obesity is a disease - there's no reason to beat yourself up. It's important to get emotionally ready for WLS. It's often more emotionally challenging than physically challenging. You won't have food to deal with your emotions and certainly don't want to turn to alcohol or prescription drugs as some family. Also - this is your journey - take care of yourself! We all have similar issues with food.

My psych needed to sign off on me, she sent something to my surgeon that said I don’t have an eating disorder, and the worst thing I am addicted to is carbs. She didn’t make final decision on me having surgery but if I did have (past or present) an eating disorder or an addiction to drugs/alcohol she would not recommend me for surgery. Have a great day! Amanda [emoji16] HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

I bet if you bring something health-ish your friends will thank you! What about doing fruit skewers with strawberries, watermelon and grapes. You could make a sugar free (sweeten with Stevia) yogurt dip and add a little food color to make it pink. There are tons of ideas on pinterest. A good old fashion veggie tray always seems to be a hit! Pink or not! If you don't want to drink alcohol but want to feel like you are celebrating, bring some pink crystal light! Stick to your plan and try to focus on the companionship versus the food! Good luck and have a great day!