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If I'm out sampling groundwater, spray from sampling gets all over your clothes and your equipment. Dust from drilling contaminated sites also settles all over you and your stuff. Some days when I get home I look like I'm ready to be deep fried becuase I'm covered in dust batter. Potentially contaminated dust batter. Some days I pretty much strip in the driveway because I can't bring the clothes I wore to work into the house for washing without turning them inside out. Bringing food and drink into the situation is generally a company no no because of the potential for it to get contaminated dust and splashes all over it. In the short term that's not a big deal, but after a few years of constant intake of low levels of contamination, you can get quite sick. I'm thinking maybe it's time to patent the beer hard hat. I'd fill it with non-alcoholic beverages of course...

Hi everyone, My partner and I made it safely back to New Orleans late last night after three-and-a-half weeks in Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam). It was an amazing trip -- enlightening, exotic, beautiful -- but I am very happy to be back home. I weighed on my own scale this morning for the first time since December 19. Preliminarily, I lost 13 pounds during this time. I say preliminary because I'll be curious to see what my weight is Monday or Tuesday after I settle back into my normal routine and lose some of the bloat from the long airplane ride and the sodium from the airplane food. Here are some things I learned (or remembered) and experienced while I was gone: 1. Changing my relationship with food is the key to this entire battle: This was the first time since my surgery that I had to come outside of my protective food bubble. While I took some Protein powder with me, it was used up pretty quickly, and once we left Singapore, there wasn't any appropriate powder available. String cheese wasn't readily available anywhere, and what they call cottage cheese over there is very different than ours. I had to work with what I could find and make it work within the parameters I set for myself. One time, we ate at a fried chicken place. I pulled the skin off and ate the chicken breast underneath. Many times, I had to get a stir fry concoction and then pick out the protein and green vegetables and eat that. The point is, I was in less than ideal food situations, and I was able to successfully get the appropriate fuel I needed (and avoid undesirable food) because of my new relationship with food. 2. A little bit of alcohol didn't cause me any problems: I gave up alcohol after the first month of my six-month pre-op diet and I abstained from it for almost nine months total. While I did not consume alcohol every day during our trip, I did have at least one glass of red wine on probably 75% of the days, and two nights (New Years Eve and the next-to-last night of the trip), I drank quite a bit. Even on the "heavy" drinking days, my carbs never went over 50, and my calories stayed nicely in check. Now that we are home, I am planning on alcohol being an every-now-and-then indulgence (meaning no more than once per week), and if there is going to be a night that we have some drinks, I'll use Protein Powder to get my protein needs and keep the calories down and in check. The point is, the alcohol didn't hamper me in any way and my stomach was fine with it (just like my NP said it would be). 3. Exercise is important, but this journey -- right now at least -- is about consumption: We walked A LOT on this trip. I mean like 10-12 miles per day a lot. I was so proud that I could do it, and I was exhausted most days by the end of the day. And the walking probably did offset the alcohol I had, but all-in-all, my loss was along the lines it usually is. I will continue to exercise like I am supposed to, but this journey is still more about consumption at this point than it is any kind of exercise. 4. I still can't do carbonated drinks -- even a sip or two: Pre-departure drinks in international first class usually are champagne and juice. On one of the flights, I got a glass of champagne and took a few sips to see how I would do with it. For a while, it was fine. I ate a little bit during the meal service, and a little while later, I thought I was going to have to throw up in the little bag. (The seatbelt light was on for an extended time and I couldn't get up.) While I didn't actually throw up, I kept having to spit up Water until I had this enormous (and loud) burp. Once that happened, I was instantly fine. As much as I miss Diet Coke, I can't have it or anything else carbonated. I'm envious of those on there who say that they can have it, but I am not going through that again. 5. Food doesn't control my life any more: This trip was about the experience -- the culture, the people, the places. It was not about the food. That was the biggest victory for me. As we New Orleanians now Celebrate Carnival season for the next six weeks or so, I will approach the celebration in the same way. I am going to enjoy the season and be out and about proudly, but it isn't going to be about food, even if it is for others. So now, I continue my journey. And I will proudly crawl back into my protective food bubble for a little while! Best to all!! Blair

I'm almost three months out and I don't take TINY bites any more, although I am taking much smaller bites than the giant ones I took pre-surgery. As for alcohol, I have had a small glass of wine or half a margarita a few times, but haven't had much alcohol because (a) the sweet drinks fill me up and take a long time to drink -- same as a Protein drink or any caloric drink would, (:scared0: I don't choose to ingest too many empty calories via alcohol, and © it does hit me a little harder and faster than it used to. For a couple of weeks I had a lot of social occasions where there was alcohol served and it seemed to stop my weight loss dead in its tracks. SO not worth it!!

1. I still have to take small bites and chew well. If I don't, especially with Protein, it'll come back up or i'll begin to feel discomfort. 2. I haven't attempted to have alcohol yet but I was advice to limit alcohol as it will hit me much harder now. My doctor said that I could try having 1 drink but must take an acid pill 45 minutes prior. 3. I am on solids and eat anything I want. I've tried different foods in small amounts and haven't had the greatest results. You don't want to introduce too many foods at once. I mainly focus on protein and some vegetables. I've had other foods like sushi rolls and even an egg roll. I really limited my portion and I took really small bites. Usually I would stuff the piece of sushi in my mouth but this time I had to use a knife and fork.

:thumbup: Please help me fill out the medical history questionnaire.. I have no idea what to put or what they want me to write. 1. Musculoskeletal (Bone/Muscles) system review Bursitis Tendonitis Arthritis or swollen joints Back problems Sciatica Necl pain Muscle or extremity weakness Morning stiffness Jaw pain, popping or clicking X rays 2. Please comment on above question (14) answers. 3. Metabolic system review Diabetes mellitus Gestational diabetes Thyroid problems or disorder Are you on or have been on thyroid replacement medications? Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides 4. Do you have any of the following ? Rheumatic Fever Pneumonia COPD Pleurisy or other lung disease such as sarcodosis Pulmonary Artery Hypertension High Blood pressure Heart Attack Diabetes Mellitus GERD Esophagitis Gastric Ulceration Duodenal ulceration Helicobactor pylori infection Upper Gastrointestinal bleeding, bleeding ulcer Esophageal or Gastric Varices Congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectases (Sturge Weber Syndrome) Crohn's Disease Atresia's or Stenosis of the GI tract Cirrhosis acute or Chronic Pancreatitis Anemia Bleeding Tendencies Psoriasis Cataracts Radiation Treatement Thyroid dsease Accidents or major trauma Other hospitalizations Addiction to alcohol or drugs (must be clean and sober 5 yrs with proof) Bi-polar disorder (patients have to document compliance with medication and follow up) Have you ever been diagnosed with a connective tissue disease, such as Lupus, Scleroderma, or Sicca syndrome? Anyone in your immediate family? Are you on large doses of Steroids? Other illneses 5. Please comment on above question (20) answers 6. Systems Review General Weight loss or Gain Chills Fever Night Sweats Weakness Easy fatigability Intolerance to Cold or Heat 7. Please comment on the above question (6) answers. 8. Please comment on above question (12) answers. 9. Respiratory (Lungs) Shortness of Breath Cough up blood Pleurisy Chronic Cough Asthma Abnormal Chest Xray Last Chest X ray 10. Psychiatric Depression Bipolar disorder Anxiety (nervousness) Suicide thoughts or attempts Psychiatric trreatment Counseling 11. Genitourinary (kidneys) system review Get up at night to urinate Kidney or Bladder infections Difficulty with Urination Blood in Urine Kidney Stones Surgery Prostate Problems Kidney xrays or ultrasounds 12. Plese comment on above question (18) answers 13. Please comment on the above question (4) answers. 14. Please use this area to tell us about any of the diagnoses, hospitalizaations, or other major illness you might have in the 1st question. 15. Please comment on above question (24) answers 16. HEENT System Review Headaches Sudden vision changes Glaucoma Dry eyes Do you wear glasses or contacts Have you had any eye surgery such as LASIK or LASEK or RK If Diabetic, when was your last retinal eye exam? Ear infections Vertigo Nose Bleeds Allergies Sinusitis Dentures Bridges Mouth ulcers Hoarseness Dry mouth SICCA syndrome 17. GI system review Difficulty swallowing food getting stuck Indigestion Change in Bowel Habits Blood in stool Dark or tar colored stools Surgery Vomiting Nausea Diarrhea Constipation Irritable Bowel Syndrome Pain Vomiting Blood Jaundice Gallbladder problems Pancreatitis Stomach Xray Colon Xray Gallbladder Ultrasound EGD or colonoscopy 18. Please comment on above question (16) answers 19. Please Comment on above question (10) answers 20. Neurological (Brain/Nerves) system review Dizziness Fainting or Blackouts Irritability Seizures (epilepsy) Numbness Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) Spasm Xrays Nerve conduction studies 21. GYN History for Women Age at Menarche: Age first preganancy: Age at Menopause: Last mensturual period: Number of Pregnancies: Miscarrages, abortions?" Eclampsia or premature delivery? Number of living children: Did you breast feed? 22. Please comment on above question (22) answers 23. Heart System Review Chest pain or discomfort High Blood pressure Heart Murmur Palpitations or Fluttering Edema(swelling of feet) Myocardial infarction (heart attack) Pacemaker Coronary angiogram Angioplasty or Stent placement Recent Stress test or cardiac evaluation for chest pain 24. Pease comment on the above question (8) answers. 25. Skin Review Ulcers or Nodules Rash Easy Brusining Unusal change in Body hair Skin Cancer Recent Change in a mole Color Chnage in fingers Tightness

Julie, I had my surgery Nov. 10, 2005 and I lost 109-111 lbs. in 8 months with no fill. I weighed 251 lbs. and I go between 140-143 lbs. Everyone thinks that I am absolutely crazy when I say that the band is just a helpful tool and it still has to be up to the individual to lose the weight. We truly have to make it up in our mind first that we will finally succeed this time and not fail our life long, change of life journey. I have become crazed with staying physically fit now. I do cardio 3 times a weeks and I am also with a weight trainer 3 times a week also. I can't believe I am starting to myself tone up. I love seeing the veins in my arms and the somewhat bulge in my thigh from a muscle. I quit smoking December 25, 2006 and I feel SOOOO healthy. I went from a size 22 to a size 4-6. I am almost 5'7" and I am 42 years old and have never felt better. I will say though that I will NEVER trust myself with my food ADDICTION and that is Fast Food. I haven't eaten that since Nov. 2005 but the smell of it still gets to me. It is like someones alcohol or someones chocolate. If I ever start back to my old ways though I know that as long as I have this band I can always go to my doctor and get a fill if needed. I didn't need it during my weight loss journey. I have maintained my weight loss for over a year now and that was July 25, 2006. The opportunity is there for me though if it is needed. You CAN lose the weight without a fill, it is possible. Strive for healthy foods and you will be on the right track. You need to believe in yourself, the power of positive thinking. To be honest with you, I have never even gotten sick and I can eat any kind of Lettuce or spinach and any kind of meat imaginable. I have never PB'd, thrown up, or anything. Good Luck Julie, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Josephine

Yes. I would. The recovering alcoholic's sobriety is his/her own responsibility.

Ah, maybe that was related to the alcohol content? Alcohol seems to affect people differently post WLS and maybe she wasn't ready for it?

This is most definitely something you should ask your surgeon and not a bunch of strangers on the internet. There are very good reasons not to be drinking alcohol that have nothing to do with the calories. A blood thinning barbiturate is not the best thing for someone who just had surgery on their digestive system. A bleed or death is not unheard of because of alcohol consumption. After you hit 6 months or a year, you'll have the rest of your life to drink. Is it really worth it to have a drink now?

I have heard after you get your new tummy that you don't need much to feel a buzz. I am curious what ha been your limit? What did you drink? I'm 6 weeks Post op and would love a glass of wine. Don't judge me please, we're all adults lol I've been very good with holding down food and getting liquids in. I've never had any issues. Thank you!

Mine never mentioned alcohol. I am young, so I could be different. I drink hard alcohol when I do drink. i make a low calorie mixed drink and it keeps me chillin all night. Just one, your stomach will be so small and your food intake so much less. I saw no beer because of carbination. I didn't drink until about 4 months post op though. and i heal even faster. I'd wait at least 6. I have had absolutely no trouble with it either. No irritation or throwing up. Nothing. But everybody is differnt. You should contact the surgeon you will have and they should let you know.

I've never heard this, nor does it make sense. Is it part of your surgeon's guidelines? Most guildelines I've read and/or come across recommend limiting alcohol intake, but do not say you're never supposed to drink it. Yeah, alcohol is liquid calories. So? If someone wants a drink, have a drink. A day of extra calories isn't going to kill anyone, and anything done in moderation can add to the special occasion. I've certainly had nights where I go to BnR, and take in well over 95 calories I'm sure, so what? I want a treat and I have it. Treats won't kill us as long as they're "treats" and nothing more. If the issue is that you're concerned you won't be able to control your drinking, then you have a bigger issue than your band to take care of, which may up your chances for complications. If your concern is that you want to drink tequila and tequila specifically makes you sick, then you pretty much have to make a choice between drinking it and taking the risk, drinking something else, or not drinking (alcohol). Few people have been "perfect" (whatever that really looks like) since getting the band. And those that have been are probably newer bandsters. I do know a few who have been ideal, but many of us see our bands as a way to enjoy the same life we did before, just with some forced moderation... no special diets, no absolute restrictions other than those imposed by the band, etc. It's a special occasion, we're talking about a few drinks. Have responsible fun, and be ready to get back on track when the occasion is over.

I never comment on postings, but COME ON! of course you "shouldn't" do things, none of us "should've" eaten to the point that we had to have surgery....Let's get real, you're going to Mexico and chances are you're gonna party. I don't know how old you are, but its just like when you first start drinking. You gotta learn your limits or you will be sick and you will pay for it. I was always a beer drinker and knew how many I could have without being sick, after banding I switched to liquor (usually diet cran and vody) but I had to figure out how much was too much. I went to Hawaii and we drank from sun up to sun down and guess what...I got SICK! I'm not sure if others have had this, but I cannot throw up. I've slimed and PB'd but no actual vomit. So, there I was in Hawaii missing all the fun cuz I was dry heaving on the toilet. I COULDN'T EVEN GET RID OF THE ALCOHOL...BLAH....needless to say, I slowed down the drinking for the rest of the trip. So my advice to you is to do the same you've always done, know that if you play hard, you will pay hard.

Atrial Fib Can be tricky. And it is not always the same with all people. For instance I see one person said that they sit down until the episode passes. My episodes never pass. I always have to be cardio verted. I too had an ablation and had no problem for three years. I am not typically a big drinker but over indulged one time and went out of rythym. I am sure well almost sure it was from the alcohol. Ablations are statistically 70 percent effective (with a touch up). The ablations are not extremely painful but terribly draining. I was just banded on thursday and I would tell you not to schedule banding just 10 days afterward. Too much TOOOO soon. This banding is not a piece of cake either. The pain is not too bad but the gas is terrible. Oh for a simple bowel movement! The little things in life are suddenly important! amwell

No alcohol for the first year. Never any carbonated alcoholic beverages. Also, the doctor said alcohol should really be avoided due to the possibility of addiction transfer.

I am doing really good on core. I've lost 5 lbs this week. I haven't loss in 7 months. I do have really good restriction though. I eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food at a time. Some days my band is looser so on those days I do eat more. I do have trouble with my alcohol intake though. I am working to only consume 1 drink a day now. cross addiction.

Just had to share some great new foods that I have tried recently. You are probably aware of these if you ever read the thread "What Did You Eat Today?" But if not... PB2 - It's powdered peanuts that you can either reconstitute with a little Water into Peanut Butter spread, or you can add to a chocolate Protein shake to make the most delicious peanut butter cup shake ever!!! :thumbup: Best of all, for 2 Tblsp. it only has 53 cal., 1.8 g fat, 5.6 g. protein. And it blends right into your Protein Shake -- much better than regular peanut butter! Here's a link for the cheapest place I found it ($3.99/jar): Bell Plantation PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter DaVinci sugar free Flavored Syrups -- YUM. I bought three flavors: chocolate, English Toffee, and coconut. They're great in Protein shakes, coffee, milk, etc. The best thing is they don't have any sugar alcohol in them (which, if you don't know, causes a lot of intestinal distress *ahem*). These are 0-calorie, made with Splenda. Here's a link to the gazillion flavors: DaVinci Sugar Free Syrups If you have any food finds that you'd like to share, please do! I love trying new things. :sneaky:

I am sorta-technically approved, but denied officially until I can get my insurance company the results of my drug/alcohol screening and Upper GI test. I had the drug screening on 3/22 and the upper GI last Wednesday (3/28). So far, I haven't been able to get anyone to call me back from my doctor's office, so I haven't been able to get them to send my results to the surgeon's office. I am getting really worried now, because they are scheduling surgery dates for late summer already, because my surgeon is going on maternity leave. When I talked to the office manager a few weeks ago, she said the earliest date available would probably late July. They technically aren't supposed to give me a date until I get officially approved. This is a problem because I have to change insurance policies when I turn 24 on August 2nd. I'm starting to get really tense and worried that I'm going to have to go through all of this again because I can't get a date before I have to change insurance. :omg: I just emailed the office manager to see if we could go ahead and at least tentatively schedule my surgery, since all my insurance needs to approve me are the results of those tests. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I really don't want this to keep going and going and going....

Yes, people tend to have a warning. You get immediate nausea, then there is sliming (heh, that's always a treat for newbies to hear about), and sometimes it goes down, sometimes it doesn't. You LEARN to chew well and not make mistakes in public. I drink alcohol once in a while but with any WLS you get drunk VERY VERY fast. I used to be able to put it away, not anymore. A half glass of wine the other night and I wanted to climb the palm tree outside my hotel room balcony, it seemed more reasonable than taking the elevator.

oh honey, im so sorry you are having such a hard time. your story sounds like mine not too long ago. first, take a deep breath, and think to yourself: all things that are meant to be will find a way. now, when i emotionally ate, (i say ate because i cant eat near the volume of food i used to, but i still emotional eat) i would eat a large pizza from pizza hut in one night. then i would have the 2 liter pepsi i ordered with it (not diet mind you) and then usually i would have at least 1 or 2 candy bars before retiring to bed. emotional eating is an addiction, and just like ANY addiction, you cant just walk away from it, and again like any addiction, it gets worse when you are stressed, sad, mad, whatever. i couldnt do this alone. an eating addiction is a little more tricky than other addictions. i wont say harder because drug,alcohol, etc. are incredibly hard to beat as well. the difference is though is that an eating addiction is still IN YOUR FACE all the time. you cant just walk away from it. you HAVE to eat. it was my drug of choice as it is yours and pretty much everyone else on this site. know that there are others out there that are going through the same exact, IDENTICAL struggle you are going through, and if not now, they were at some point. i will be sending good wishes your way. keep us all posted on what progresses with your surgery!!!!!!!!!!

I was told no alcohol for 6 months Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

Ke Bear, I have to admit first thinking about the band 6 months before I made the call. I too kept thinking if I exercised more and ate better, I could do it all on my own. In fact last year I ate well and exercised and lost 10 kgs. But then I broke a bone in my foot and gained all 10 kgs back and then some. I realised that every time I've EVER lost weight I put it back on eventually. I was sick to death of it. To me, it was the realisation that to have some success, I needed help. And there is no shame in that! If we quit smoking, we use nicotine Patches. If we quit alcohol, we need support. If we quit drugs, we need medical help. food is my addiction, and I needed help with my addiction. Being banded means that I cannot physically give in to any cravings to eat more than I need. Of course, I can still sabotage myself by eating 'around' the band with milkshakes and high fat 'slippery' foods like potato chips, but if I am honest with myself, hunger was my problem, both physical and mental, and at least with the band, I'm not fighting both physical and mental hunger, just mental hunger, and with 50% of my 'enemy' being kept at bay with the band, it gives me a fighting chance of conquering that other 50% of my enemy - the head hunger! Yes, I still get cravings, but tbh when I know I can only eat x amount of food, I really don't want to waste that space on junk. So I tend to eat well, because I want eat like a queen, and queens don't eat KFC. I know some people can lose weight with exercise and diet and keep it off forever. But there aren't many of them out there. And once I admitted I wasn't ever going to be that sort of a person, the band became a no brainer. I've lost 10kgs already, and I'm only 1 month post op. My only regret now is not doing this sooner.

Alcohol isn't going to be good for shrinking your liver, so don't do that! Never heard of a milk diet though, I'd imagine a lot of poo'ing is involved!

I agree that your portions don't look too big, just not the best choices. I've not heard that about waiting for 1 year for alcohol. I'm not a big drinker but do love wine! I just have to be careful because it can aggravate my GERD sometimes. You can eat mussels but not fruit? Aren't mussels super rubbery? As for the fruit - you can blend a few berries in milk and make a smoothy. You can bake apples with a little cinnamon and brown sugar. You can squeeze oranges and have fresh OJ. Most people do ok with melons. As long as you add more veggies, I wouldn't worry *too* much about the fruit part. A woman should get a minimum of 60 grams of Protein a day but most docs suggest at least 70-80 grams. Do you think you are getting that? Protein really does keep you full longer and carbs just make you want more and more and more ...

If something has calories it must be a protein carb or fat. I believe alcohol is considered a carb. It is not a protein or fat. I am not sure what you mean by the body processes alcohol first. Could you explain?