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I think is it safe to say that most everyone here has certain foods that are addictive for them. Some people have soda or sweets. For me it was chips. I'm pretty proud when I can have a handful and then just walk away. I suppose not everyone can do this with addiction. Alcohol and drugs .... you can't have just one drink or one hit of cocaine. It's a life long journey we are on and it is very individual.

Hi Carole, I say this without judgement: it sounds like you could really use some counseling, to help with the grief and the self-medicating use of alcohol. And I hear a lot of self-blame, when I think it's amazing you lost 130 lbs! We're not perfect but we do need to be accountable to ourselves. Counseling or therapy can help with that. I don't know quite what a behaviorist does, but changing behavior is easier when you address the underlying feelings that drive the behavior. Be well, Chris

my doc basically said... I am a carb addict... stay off the carbs (bread; rice; pasta) while I am in the weight loss phase. Once I have achieved my desired weight loss, then I can add those back in, in limited quantities. You wouldn't give alcohol to a recovering alcoholic, why tempt our bodies with those triggers? That doesn't mean I can't have veggies and fruit, though... so keeping a good low GI balanced "diet" is, IMO, a good thing. food for thought...

Your story sounds so much like mine. Was even born a big baby, and overweight as a child, but not obese until I got into college (which also happens to be when they finally tested me for hypothyroidism and reluctantly started to treat me for it). I was really active in high school - lettered in two sports - and as much as I walked in college, the cafeteria food did me no favors! Bad eating, a decrease in intense physical activity, the alcohol that frequently accompanies college days, and hypothyroidism led to a 50 lbs weight gain in less than two years. I just had my endoscopy today, no abnormalities found, so I'm excited for my sleeve date of May 12. I, too, had some initial good results with the Band, but slowly gained back a bit over time and then it just seemed to be rejected by my body.

I had one apt. He asked me question about my life, support, surgery etc... for about 10 min then I had to take a 600 true false question test, a 20 question test on drug and alcohol history and two other small tests simmilar to the others then I went home. But really dont worry about the phych eval unless you think this is going to be a cure all and you hear voices that tell you to murder then you should be fine.

Yummy, mixed it in my ninja bullet with some ice, tastes like a pina colada!!!! Minus the alcohol of course. Great for a nice warm May Day in the backyard Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey guys. I'm 21 and just got the sleeve on Monday. The first 2 days were rough, really bad gas pains that led to non stop burping, which led to dry heaving. I still tried to get liquids down, but it wasn't easy. I was released Wednesday afternoon and have been doing okay since then. Getting my 3 Protein shakes in a day as well as some jello/broth here and there. But the shakes are filling me up, even though it's hard to get them down. It's not even the discomfort that makes it hard to get them down but the consistency and that fake sweet taste (ugh). The pain isn't as bad in my stomach... I mean I've been taking my pain killers so maybe that's why. I was prescribed dissolvable pills for the gas/stomach acid. I'm still burping but not as much. I guess things are going okay, not really that hungry obviously but I'm able to get liquids down and the shakes without pain. There is a stiffness in my chest though, I don't know what that is. It's only sometimes when I'm swallowing. I've been walking, took a walk around the block 2 times yesterday and did the same today. However there are some things on my mind. I feel as though I have been giving a sugar coated version of what this is going to be like by everyone around me. My surgeon is one of the best in my states, and has never had 1 leak, so I do trust him and he seems very confident and good at what he does. But I feel like I've been told things aren't as serious as they are just to get my nerves down. It's hard to explain. I'm still burping 5 days out of surgery, not as bad as 1-3 days out, but still. My surgeon and the nurses at the hospital told me it is because of the gas they put in you during surgery. However, I see horror stories on this site and others of people burping a lot 1-2 years out surgery. Why would my Dr tell me that isn't going to happen when it does happen to people? I know the weight loss is worth it, but I'm 21 years old and very social. I work, go to school, and have a lot of friends I go out with. Not to sound shallow but I really do not want to burp every 2 minutes when I'm out talking to people, or even at the gym with a trainer. Will the burping stop in a few days? Another thing is the saggy skin. I know everyone talks about it, but my Surgeon, Nutritionist, AND exercise consultant (all part of the bariatric team at the hospital) have told me because of my age this can be prevented with steady exercise (cardio and weight training) and Water. I obviously don't expect a 6 pack but I really do not want saggy flappy man boobs lol. The whole point of this surgery was to be more confident. I have seen guys online (instagram esp) around my age who got the surgery and don't have flabby skin. They told me they do a lot of weight training, so I'm hoping that works for me. As for the hair loss, my nutritionist and dr told me i can prevent that as well as long as I get enough protein and take all my Vitamins every single day. However, people still claim they lost a lot of hair while taking protein and their vitamins. So this makes me think.. are the professionals lying to me? Or is everyone different?? I'm just nervous about what to expect. This is also a small concern on my mind, and I don't want hate from it. I'm 21 and in college, I still plan on having a social life. I obviously know that I cannot drink until 3 months out (thats what my nutrionist... who is employed by the hospitals bariatric center.... told me). But I do plan on drinking later down the road. I'm not talking about craziness, but on a friday and saturday night I would like to be able to have some vodkas with crystal light or low sugar drink. I don't plan on binging beer or crazy sugary drinks, just something light. I work with a man who get gastric bypass done years ago and later became an alcoholic, which obviously is not my plan!, but still.. he had no problems getting liquor down. I don't want to hear how I shouldn't drink, or how alcohol has calories, because I know this. At the same time I am 21, and I don't plan on stopping my social life. I still want to go to clubs and lounges with my friends and have a few drinks that are somewhat of a healthier choice. I'll be working out and eating right, so I don't see a problem with a few drinks on the weekend if i live a very healthy lifestyle during the week. So my question isn't SHOULD I drink, but CAN I drink down the road? I don't plan on it soon, but if my nutritionist (who again, is employed by the bariatric center and not some random nutritionist i found in the yellow pages) told me I can 3 months out, why would she lie?? I have self control, I don't plan on chugging 12 packs and blowing this. I mean a few low sugar drinks... some gluten free vodka and sugar free juice or crystal light By the way, when I started this process in June (nutritionist, psychologist) I was 319 lbs. I am not 279 lbs. My goal is 170-180 lbs the most. I'm a taller guy so I don't expect to be rail thin. I want to lose at least 100 pounds and work it into muscle. I'd really appreciate if anyone who has had the sleeve for at least 6 months or over try to answer some of my questions. Thank you so much.

I waited until 4 months post op. My drink of choice has always been vodka and Red Bull. So, I had vodka and sugar free Red Bull. I actually had a sugar free Red Bull by itself prior to mixing the two, that way I'd know if it was the alcohol or not causing an issue. I had no problems at all. I did about half of an airplane sized bottle mixed with a full Red Bull. I had several of them throughout the night. Spread out and with food mixed in. My NUT said the only time its okay to eat and drink is with alcohol.

Amy surgery in 4 days???? its perfectly normal to be dealing with different emotions post op........ you just had major surgery - take it slow!!!!! if you have gas, walk and walk some more in the hospitaal sip Water sllllowly at home, rest as much as you can if you have kids, tell them to go run around the block for one week going to stand up in a wedding a few days post op some people feel fine in a few days, even go back to work hopefully you will be feeling ok drink only liquids no champagne though docs usually tell you to wait "at least" a few weeks - or maybe up to 6 months before alcohol is allowed the one thing we have in common is that we're/docs-NUTS are all different always listen to YOUR doc/NUT good luck speedy recovery kathy

Not following the eating and behavioral WLS instructions re what and how WLS patients should eat post-op obviously hasn't stopped some people from losing all their excess weight and maintaining that weight loss -- as evidenced by some posts above. But it seems clear that those "independent" folks have indeed reduced considerably the amount of food and the calories they ate pre-op. But this "independent" approach to navigating WLS is disastrous for others -- particularly those who have diagnosable eating disorders, who can't stop drinking significant amounts of "liquid calories" (think sweet tea, sugar sodas, high-calorie coffee drinks, sugary alcoholic drinks, beer, etc.), who snack continuously ("graze") on "slider foods" (those foods that have lots of carbs, are heavily processed and have little Fiber in them, and that move rapidly through the stomach into the intestines -- leaving the stomach empty and wanting more). I don't think it's a question of proving one's "worthiness" for surgery. I think if you have eating disorders and/or horrific eating habits pre-op that you know you're still going to be challenged by post-op you really will have to build some very different new habits and tools. One of those additional tools IMHO is the support and guidance of a therapist who knows what bariatric patients are struggling with and can support the changes you're trying to make in your lifestyle. None of us is guaranteed an excellent result post-op. But we can increase the odds of our success if we know our own personal challenges and try to reduce the risk of failure by pushing all the success levers we possibly can.

Ok, I admit it... I’ve been slack. For the past six weeks, I’ve not been concentrating on ANYTHING related to my post-sleeving care. I’ve not been making sure I’m having enough protein… I’ve not been getting all my Water in… I’ve not been thinking about what I eat.. Yes, I’ve still been going to the gym… Yes, I’ve still been losing weight… But what if I’d stuck to my plan all along and kept up the water/protein/good food thing? How much further along would I have been? Relatively speaking, six weeks is a long time. It’s 17(ish)% of my sleeved life. 17%. It doesn’t sound like much. It’s not even a fifth of something. But think about this… What if I was 17% ahead of where I am with my weight loss… What if, instead of being thrilled that I’ve lost 150lb, I was celebrating losing 175.5 lb. That’s nearly 80kg in my terms. And it’s 17% more… But fear not… I know what the reality is… The reality is that I’ve nobody to blame but myself. I chose to not get my Protein in… I chose to not keep check on my water… I chose to not watch my calories… (And I also chose to drink alcohol a few times in there too… Shhhhhh) Well you know what… I’m choosing again. Actually, I chose it last week. That’s when I started a countdown in my profile feed. To those who noticed it, it would have been random and quite possibly, nonsensical. But to me, it was making a choice. Re-making a choice. Call it a do-over.. A re-launch.. Call it whatever you like As of 0445 this morning (when I woke up), I’ve taken responsibility for myself again. No more coasting thru this sleeved life.. No more taking losing weight for granted.. No more forgetting where I came from.. What I came from… How far I’ve come… This sleeve shit is NOT easy!! This sleeve shit is NOT cheating!! I have lost this weight… Me.. Nobody else… And you know what? I’m about to lose a whole lot fu***ng more!!!

I will fully admit that I am new to this. I have never blogged before. I'm fairly new to weight loss surgery. But one of the ways that I think I can help hold myself accountable for my weight loss is through this blog. If people read, great. If not, that's fine too. At least it's a spot for me to journal what I'm going through. So here I go... Lap Band. I've got one. I'd thought about getting one in the past as my weight continued to balloon out of control. But I was always so nervous about it. I didn't want to be one of those people that couldn't lose the weight on my own. So I would diet. I would exercise. I'd lose weight -- 20 pounds here, 50 pounds there -- but it would always come back. However much I lost and then some. So I finally decided I needed to do something to save my life. I set up an appointment with Dr. Hung to discuss having a lap band. I hadn't been on a scale in a couple years. Even at my annual physicals, the physician stopped weighing me. I think they knew I was big. Real big. And they didn't do much more than that. So I stepped on the scale at the doctors and there it was. The number I was dreading to see. 345.7 pounds. I immediately thought -- I have no idea how I got this big. But that's a lie. I knew exactly how I got that big. Mindless eating, fast food, eating way more than one person should, drinking alcohol to the point of excess, late night food, not exercising. There was a list that went on and on. And I could have stopped right then and there. But the nurse that weighed me knew what I was feeling and knew what to say, "Okay, that's the last time you're ever going to see that number." So fast forward through the doctors appointments, through the pulmonary specialists, the psychiatrists, the physicians, the pre-op diet, the actual surgery to six months later. Here I am. I have lost weight ... quite a bit of weight ... and I'm happy with that. But not happy enough. Today I weigh 287.8. I've lost 57.9 pounds since that first day at the doctors. And I'm ecstatic about that. I feel better. I look better. People have commented how well I'm doing. But it's not enough. I have officially stalled. I weighed 286.6 before Christmas. Since then I've fluctuated between 283 and 290. That was seven weeks ago. In almost two months I haven't lost anything. Fortunately, I'm not completely upset with that to the point of quitting. I try to be positive about it. It was the holiday season. It's not an excuse. It's an inevitability. And looking at the last how many years of my life, I've never continually lost. It's always been an increase in weight. But I'm not settling for 60 pounds. I want another 60 gone, and then some. I was a self-pay patient for this surgery, so my wallet has lost $16,000. I don't want that to be for nothing. I know all the tools. I know what I need to do. I know the band isn't a cure-all. It's a tool to use in order to help you lose weight. So I'm getting back to basics. I'm journaling all my food and drinks. All day every day. Not just during the week and then letting things slide during the weekend. I'm not going to sneak food off of my family and friends plates like I have been lately. I'm going to start exercising again. I'm going to make this work for me. I have to. Sure 60 pounds is great. But I'm still obese. 287 pounds isn't where I want to spend my life. I want to be able to feel more comfortable with myself. So here we go, band. Let's get this journey going again. The six month honeymoon period is officially over. Now the real work begins. And I want it to. I want to be successful and hold myself accountable. Which is why I've started this blog. Time to be accountable for my actions. February 9, 2011 ... 287.8. Let's see how it goes for the next six months!!

There is always non-alcoholic beer! The weight loss is really more important, but you are a grown up and your priorities are your own.

Why can't you have alcohol. I am only 12 weeks banded but I have had alcohol twice (a friend's birthday party and New Years Eve) with no problems. You just have to be accountable for the calories and make choices about what you are willing to do (either accept the weight gain or work it off). No whining if you don't lose weight the week you chose to drink alcohol.

Interesting reports of increased alcoholism risk after Roux-en-Y. I don't know that the sleeve has been studied. See: http://www.m.webmd.com/diet/news/20121015/addiction-risk-weight-loss-surgery?page=1

I was not a huge drinker pre op. I would go out every now and then for a few, and to be honest, I don't really miss it. I am almost 8 weeks out. BUT.....in just about 2 weeks my husband and I are going on a cruise. THAT was always a drink-fest! I haven't had any alcohol since surgery and I am afraid to try! I can't see going on the cruise and NOT drinking, so if you were me what would you try drinking? You know those frozen fruity drinks are always being passed around. What do you think is the easiest going down? Please don't get on my about empty calories and all that. I already know. It's vacation....and we are celebrating my 40th!

Surgery has totally changed my relationship with alcohol. I only drink wine or Irish cream now. I get buzzed immediately and I'm a jerk the next day. Mostly I avoid it.

I don't drink, so it's no bother to me, but alcohol is a big no-no on my doctor's list of things to avoid.

I'm very open about having had surgery. If someone asks how I lost all the weight, I say, "I had bariatric surgery last June. I haven't had a starch, or a sweet, or fruit juice, or a soda, or alcohol since then. I eat mostly Protein and vegetables, and I get exercise 4-6 times a week. It;'s hard work, but it's SO worth it because I feel great and I'm much healthier than I was before." Then if they have more questions, I answer them honestly. If anybody has a negative response, they haven't shared it with me. They usually say, "Wow, good for you!"

Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Care Guide Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Aftercare Instructions Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Discharge Care Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Inpatient Care En Espanol Non-diabetic hypoglycemia is a condition that causes the sugar (glucose) in your blood to drop too low. This can happen in people who do not have diabetes. The 2 types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia are fasting hypoglycemia and reactive hypoglycemia. Fasting hypoglycemia often happens after the person goes without food for 8 hours or longer. Reactive hypoglycemia usually happens about 2 to 4 hours after a meal. When your blood sugar level is low, your muscles and brain cells do not function properly. What causes non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Fasting hypoglycemia: Certain medicines or herbal supplements such as fenugreek, ginseng, or cinnamon Alcohol Exercise Medical conditions such as liver disease, hypothyroidism, and tumors Eating disorders or malnutrition Stomach surgery or hemodialysis From what I have read it suggest something to eat or drink. I am going to try a cup of milk when I wake up tonight. I will let you know how that works. Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Care Guide Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Aftercare Instructions Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Discharge Care Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Inpatient Care En Espanol Non-diabetic hypoglycemia is a condition that causes the sugar (glucose) in your blood to drop too low. This can happen in people who do not have diabetes. The 2 types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia are fasting hypoglycemia and reactive hypoglycemia. Fasting hypoglycemia often happens after the person goes without food for 8 hours or longer. Reactive hypoglycemia usually happens about 2 to 4 hours after a meal. When your blood sugar level is low, your muscles and brain cells do not function properly. What causes non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Fasting hypoglycemia: Certain medicines or herbal supplements such as fenugreek, ginseng, or cinnamon Alcohol Exercise Medical conditions such as liver disease, hypothyroidism, and tumors Eating disorders or malnutrition Stomach surgery or hemodialysis From what I have read it suggest something to eat or drink. I am going to try a cup of milk when I wake up tonight. I will let you know how that works.

I believe chronic acid reflux is the curse of long term use for many of us. It a matter managing it, if possible. I had a slip in the Spring. I had losts of reflux then, but also could barely get anything past the band, food & eventually water. I was unfilled for 4 months, no reflux during that time. About a month after being refilled it came back, but I can still eat & drink so I'm working to manage it. A good part of my life centers around managing these unpleasant complications. My coffee consumtion is very limited, as is alcohol, tomato based foods, spicey foods,etc. I do not eat or drink after 7 PM, and sometimes still suffer the dreaded night backup. This is the most unpleasant. I try to avoid forced pbing because I think that's what made my band slip before. Maalox helps take away the acid burning. I have some Prilosec, I think I'll try that again, but I expect even if it helps it won't totally eliminate the problem, at night at least. At night it seems that falling asleep relaxes the hiatal muscles & if there's food or liquid there, it shoots right up. I'm just guessing, but it feels like it's something like. I think many of us who have been banded longer than a year experience it. Does anyone have more info on the mechanic of what happens? Funny thing is, I'm not sorry I had the band put in. I have gone from 218 to 155, less than 20 pounds to go. I need the band to lose the rest & will need it filled off and on for the rest of my life, if I can make it work. When I was unfilled for 4 months I worked like the devil to keep it off & still gained 7 pounds. I can only take it a day at a time & hope I can keep it working for me.

Are you drinking alcohol? I was understanding that we could not drink any alcohol for at least 6 to 9 months. What does your doctor say?

Read this on another WLS forum.... Slider Foods Spell Weight Regain For Weight Loss Surgery Patients By Kaye Bailey For most people eating sliders is a good thing. Popularized by the American food chain, White Castle, a slider (originally slyder) is a miniature grilled hamburger or cheeseburger on a steamed bun often served with onions and dill pickle and other condiments. They originally sold for a nickel a piece in the 1940s making it affordable to add a side of fries for just pennies. By all accounts this is a good kind of "slider" food. To the weight loss surgery patient slider foods are the bane of good intentions and ignorance often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain. Slider foods, to weight loss surgery patients, are soft simple processed carbohydrates of little or no nutritional value that slide right through the surgical stomach pouch without providing nutrition or satiation. The most innocent of slider foods are saltine crackers, often eaten with warm tea or other beverages, to soothe the stomach in illness or while recovering from surgery. The most commonly consumed slider foods include pretzels, crackers (saltines, graham, Ritz, etc.) filled cracker Snacks such as Ritz Bits, popcorn, cheese snacks (Cheetos) or cheese crackers, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips, sugar-free Cookies, cakes, and candy. You will notice these slider foods are often salty and cause dry mouth so they must be ingested with liquid to be palatable. This is how they become slider foods. They are also, most often, void of nutritional value. For weight loss surgery patients the process of digestion is different than those who have not undergone gastric surgery. When slider foods are consumed they go into the stomach pouch and exit directly into the jejunum where the simple carbohydrate slurry is quickly absorbed and stored by the body. There is little thermic effect in the digestion of simple carbohydrates like there is in the digestion of Protein so little metabolic energy is expended. In most cases patients in the phase of weight loss who eat slider foods will experience a weight loss plateau and possibly the setback of weight gain. And sadly, they will begin to believe their surgical stomach pouch is not functioning properly because they never feel fullness or restriction like they experience when eating protein. The very nature of the surgical gastric pouch is to cause feelings of tightness or restriction when one has eaten enough food. However, when soft simple carbohydrates are eaten this tightness or restriction does not result and one can continue to eat, unmeasured, copious amounts of non-nutritional food without ever feeling uncomfortable. Many patients turn to slider foods for this very reason. They do not like the discomfort that results when the pouch is full from eating a measured portion of lean animal or dairy protein without liquids. Yet it is this very restriction that is the desired result of the surgery. The discomfort is intended to signal the cessation of eating. Remembering the "Protein First" rule is crucial to weight management with bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass, gastric banding (lap-band) and gastric sleeve patients are instructed to follow a high protein diet to facilitate healing and promote weight loss. Bariatric centers advise what is commonly known among weight loss surgery patients as the "Four Rules" the most important of which is "Protein First." That means of all nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol) the patient is required to eat protein first. Protein is not always the most comfortable food choice for weight loss surgery patients who feel restriction after eating a very small amount of food. However, for the surgical tool to work correctly a diet rich in protein and low in simple carbohydrate slider foods must be observed. The high protein diet must be followed even after healthy body weight has been achieved in order to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight regain. Kaye Bailey 2010 - All Rights Reserved

Don't be nervous. I was sleeved two weeks ago and I have lost 18 pounds. The surgery is not bad at all. If you get nauseated after surgery ask the nurse to bring you some alcohol wipes and fan them in front of your nose...it takes away being nauseated. Crunch and suck on ice chips! The third day of surgery you will think....what in the hell was I thinking! You will feel tired and want to sleep on the third day. Each day gets better! And when you jump on that scale and your down.......it will kick in. Your brain will no longer think about food like you use to. It is amazing. Be sure and get that 65 grams of protien in with your protien shakes. Be sure and sip, sip and get up and walk around. You can have sugar free popcyles, sugar free pudding, sugar free jello. Tomatoe soup, creamy or classic. They have a new Campbell's Tomatoe soup parmesan creamy bisque...YUM!!!! Also, after a week, get some Idahoan potatoe mix (find with micaroni mixes) add water and make a semi thick potatoe soup....eventually you will not have to add so much water and can make them a little thicker. You will do just fine. You will enjoy your new life and all this will behind you in less than a week. - Addison

Ok so lets see if this dang thing will let me post today It's really miserable weather here today. Another snow/sleet/rain storm. My street isn't plowed yet and I have a feeling it won't be today and it's going to be a frozen mess tomorrow. DH worked hard cleaning up our driveway while I worked on the walkway and cleaned the cars. We drove DS to work today because it's really slick and he's not experienced in the snow yet...THAT makes for a nervous mom! I have a feeling his boss is going to ask him to stay after 2pm since he's there anyway and others may not make it in. We'll see :Banane11: We went to DH's work party last night and they had it at a race track. The restaurant was pretty nice, loud group but, fun. Ummmm I was buzzin to say the least. We got there early so DH and I waited in the bar area..they had this martini called a Tiramasu Martini. Ok I'll try that...WHEW it blew my socks off and when his boss came in he bought me another one. Ohhh I was a happy girl lmao. Prior to Chrispy's sangrias at my house party last weekend I hadn't had any alcohol in almost a year. So I'm a lightweight for alcohol anyway lol. Of course trying to save calories all day so I wouldn't go over with this meal meant I hadn't eaten much before drinking either lol. Both DH and I had upset tummy's this morning but, we're back on track again today. I think that's the end of parties so that's a good thing lol I only have 5 gift certificates to get and I'm done shopping. I'm suppose to be wrapping gifts today but, man I'm feeling pretty lazy after shoveling, salting and cleaning cars. Still have laundry calling my name too UGH. Sundays are FAR from a day of rest in this house! Betty - Are you feeling better now? I sure hope so. I hope you had fun at your party. I'll get a picture posted one of these days *wink...just hate having them taken lol Cindy - You're right...things get really crazy this time of year. Not enough hours in the day huh? Hope you've been able to relax a little bit between your job, school and volunteering stuff. Eileen - Hmmm can't figure out what to get DH huh? Does he have a cordless screwdriver? Got my DH one of those last year and he uses it constantly! Very helpful when fixing small things and in my DH's case the computers. Taking the casings off and on etc. He's told me several times he loves it. I got it at Sears and it has it's own case with lots of bits with it and rechargeable battery...it's not a huge thing, most like the size of a hammer handle but strong enough to do the job. I think last year it was $20 on sale or something like that. Not too pricey. Diane/Signgirl - Take a few more days of liquids and if you're having trouble even with those then consider a slight unfill. I just went through that myself. In the dr. office I was able to get Water down no problem but, as the day went on things swelled and the water wasn't going down right either. This is the 2nd time that's happened to me. The first time I couldn't even swallow my own saliva this time I KNEW it was too much. He had put in more than I told him I wanted and sure enough I was right. He thought i was nuts when I went back and asked him to please take out .25 since I wanted 1.25 not 1.50 that he gave me. He suggested that if I lost 10 pounds it would losen up but, HONESTLY did I want to wait 5 more weeks and not be able to drink or eat to get there? I was also suffering once again from acid reflux so I knew the slight unfill had to happen. Even with it I still had a little reflux but, I've since lost 15 more pounds and no more reflux :Banane08: I wish you the best with your fill...take it slow and easy and YOU know your own body :Banane23: Patty - sorry you're still having computer trouble. I know I hate it when mine isn't working right. I hope the boys are all feeling good and ready for Santa. Pat - I love the hair especially the coloring. Is it hard to style yourself? Don't you just wish you had a 3rd hand sometimes when stying hair? I know I do. They do it so nice at the shop and then I try to repeat it at home it's like I need another hand lol. Have you finished your shopping and wrapping? Chrispy - ya still busy huh girl? hee hee. Been really snowing lately here hope you're staying warm with your new booo. (Psssss he's really nice ladies...I got to meet him last weekend. It's about DANG time as I tell Chris :success1: ) Kat - I think it's great that you do so much with your granddaughter. I would have a blast making the gingerbread houses with her. I love it when kids make them and you're clueless on what the heck they're putting on there and yet you KNOW they're doing it just to get as much candy on the dang things as possible hahaha. I've made a few with my friends daughter to learn that one lol. I think it's really special and your GD is very lucky to have you for a grandma. My mom never really got close to my son or her other grandkids....she loves them but, never really did anything with them and still doesn't. On the other hand my son is lucky my ex's mom spoils him rotten and loves spending time with him. She's 89 and absolutely adores "her boy" as she calls him. "Grammy" cooks him and his dad dinner every Wednesday night so they can spend time together and she loves making my son's favorite Fried chicken just for him. He puts in a request and you know it's made lol. She is so sweet and I miss her. Anyway....you're the sweetest to do all that you do for your family. Jetti - Your post is correct..one step at a time and it doesn't matter fast or slow as long as its something. You're really doing great with your walking and I used to do the same thing...tell myself ok today was 20 min, tomorrow i'll stay on the dreadmill 22,then 23 then 24...you build up to it. I've found if I put on a 30 min show then it goes by quicker and I don't watch the clock because I want to see the end of the show anyway :Banane27: Walking the mall has helped me too. Around here they open it up at 6am for people to walk so on weekends DH and I go for our walk around 7:30 or so and get in over 6000 steps before we leave. We'll go back again at night if we need to, to get to our 10K steps a day. Good luck my friend...keep up the great work. Diane - Oooo candy is a tough one. If I don't take the first piece I do great...take that one damn piece and I'm a gonner for the day. My favorite saying "One is TOO many and 12 isn't enough" helps me get past that urge to take that first piece...ON MOST DAYS. I'm far from perfect so I'm with ya on some of those days. Good luck staying away from it...now if you come up with a trick to trick our minds that that stuff is NOT tastey...pleasssssssse let me know hee hee Mandy - NICE gift from DH! :waytogo: You know I think the Honda I have in our shed is the same thing. DH and I bought it when I first got my motorcycle license and he painted the gas tank, fender and motor side covers this pretty paint that is green when you look at it one way and at a different angle it's purple. SOOo pretty but, ..... it's too tall for me to ride. Yeap....I'm too nervous on it for me anyway. So now it's sitting in the shed waiting to be sold along with my DH's Honda Hawk (I think it is) because when we went to look for another motorcycle for me I ummmm ended up picking up a Yamaha Midnight Venture instead. lol. Yeap I sit on the back and let him drive it. I'm holding out for an automatic motorcycle...maybe next summer or the year after. I'd be more comfortable with that for myself actually. I don't enjoy the shifting thing. Anyway, DH was suppose to post the things on Craigs list but, he's been stalling. I don't know enough about them to do it myself UGH. 3 motorcycles in a small shed just doesn't make sense lol. I wish you the best with yours..they really are a sharp looking bike and Hondas last so long :scales: Drive safe and you're right stay using your gear! May the angels ride alongside your bike :woot: (Yours too Betty!) Anne - Your dad is in my prayers and so are you and your family. Thinking of you my friend Hmmm ok I'm afraid I'm going to lose this dang post again so I'm going to click send now. So sorry if I missed anyone and I hope you're all doing well and shrinking. Oh and thank you so much for all the well wishes and congrats on my onderland. I truly appreciate it and I'm still finding it hard to believe that it's finally happened. Hopefully I'll keep it there with all this dang holiday stuff being around me lol