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This is such a good web site to go to for so many things and nobody knows you on a everyday basis!!!! The sad thing about me is that I have several additions, Food, cigarettes, alcohol. I had my band Feb. 18,2008 and lost 20 lbs., I am so excited about that (could not have done that without the band.) I'm doing okay with that I know it will be slow for awhile, but very excited that I will have sucess, as for alcohol and cigs., I have to stop or slow down on alcohol first because when you drink your cravings for cigs are very high. I quit cig for about 5 years and raising teanagers I started again.(dumb I know, just a fact that additions never go away.) I am going to stop alcohol next when I get my sweet spot and then cig after that. I am one that has to do one thing at a time. Thanks for listening to all of my venting.

I wouldn't recommend it! Not because I'm "old", OR because I'm a mother, OR because you're underage...but because you will have a new lap-band that hasn't settled into place yet. You will still be healing, and most likely not be eating solid foods yet. When prom night rolls around, you will not have had much to eat for the past 6-8 weeks. You won't be eating much that day/night, then you'll add alcohol on top of that. It will take a lot less alcohol to do way more damage than ever before. If you drink to the point where you throw up, then you risk damaging your band and having major problems. You made the decision to have the surgery so that you can be healthy. Don't take a chance on losing all that for a night of drinking. It's just not worth it. And, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to drink later, when you are completely healed. Have a happy and safe prom night!

I believe rubbing alcohol works.

Eh. Nothing has hurt my sleeve but diet coke. (A sip at that). Alcohol has not affected me any stronger.

Paul Simon’s, aptly names anthology of solo hits is called “Negotiations and Love Songs.” He does a great job of capturing the often bizarre and illogical discussions and negotiations we have with ourselves. I think he has done a better job than most in capturing the 5 Stages of the Mourning (Denial, Sadness, Anger, Bargaining, and Acceptance). Well…last night I found myself locked in a mortal battle of wills with Denial. Obviously, I have spent years denying that I had a real problem and that I could overcome it with “will power” or the other great line “…I’ll just stop eating…” I have a friend, that is a recovered alcoholic, and he always said giving up booze was easier than food. Because, you CAN just stop drinking, stopping food eventually kills you… he always said that recovery rate would be zero, if every AA member had to take three shots a day, but was still required to stop all other drinking. So how did Denial sink it’s claws into me? I have been doing much better than I thought I would with the liquid diet, and the Queen of Denial was whispering to me last night…If you have done this good so far, just keep it up, skip the surgery and save the money…maybe your will power will hold out this time…ARRRRGGHHH. Denial is one seductive bitch! So how do you combat Denial? I use the mirror test. I taped a picture of me from high school/college times (about 190LBS), and one of a friend of mine who has the look I want when I get to the other side, then I stand naked in front of the mirror and ask myself do I look like the picture? Obviously the answer is No. Denial, I abjure you, I reject you and I will overcome you. The sweet siren song of Denial will not lead me to the rocky shores to find myself, again wrecked and wondering how it all went wrong. I know the Lapband is only a tool, but, it is also a weapon in a lifelong battle that I will win this time.

Been drinking sodas since I've been about 3 months out. I'm out now heading into 3 years. They are diet sodas of course and in the beginning I would always defizz mine and take it really slow. . now i don't defizz but still take it really slow. I also have my coffee, alcohol drinks and everything else. . . I'm living my life and am lovin it. . AND LOOK GOOD AT THE SAME TIME! yAHOO!!!! Good luck!

At your local pharmacy (CVS etc) there is a spray that is used to remove bandage residue. It's medically stable (so safe around wounds) and won't sting or dry out your skin like rubbing alcohol will. I can't remember the name but we used it constantly on our baby when he had a feeding tube. It never damaged his tender skin. I always have some around...it's great on price tags Peanut Butter works as well but I wouldn't use it near a wound.

Thank you for your support luckyinlove, I really do appreciate it! Janetsjourneytoslim, please google HCG diet, its a pregnancy hormone. There are several different ways to to take it. I have tried both the homeopathic kind and the perscription kind. I got my perscription from alldaychemist.com and it took about 3 weeks to get it since it is coming from out of the country it also has to be approved from customs (I also order latisse from them for $10 a bottle vs $120 here in the US and you wouldn't believe my beautiful eyelashes and how quickly it works) I learned how to mix the RX kind by watching youtube by mamaclock. I also had to buy the mixing kit which I got from EBAY. You can also inject, which I chose not to inject. Injections are 1x per day, oral sublingual RX HCG is twice a day, and the Homeopathic HCG is 3x's per day. The homeopathic kind I got from healingpowerwithin.net, and it has worked too. Its the best price and very reputable with all the women I've talked too. Many are using it and having great great success. I've been trying to decide which brand I like the best and I am almost leaning toward the homeopathic kind, so either one is great. If you want to start soon, I would order the homeopathic kind and you will have it in 3 days. The key to the homeopathic kind is to figure out what dose of drops you need, many do not do well on "10" drops as the instructions state, and find themselves hungry, most do better on 6 drops or .35 on a dosing surringe (1 cc surringe) which is what I do. You can pick up a 1cc/ml surringe at the walgreens pharmacy, they just gave me 3 of them at no charge. No needles on them, just the surringe part. I hate to confuse people more, but there is so much information out there on HCG, and if you want to know more, please PM me and I will send you Dr. Simeons Manuscript called pounds and inches - google that too and you can find it online, free. He outlines the entire plan. I follow his plan to the T. Except in his plan he talks about how sensitive HCG is to oils, so you can't wear your makeup, lotions etc. A lot has changed since this manuscript was writtin in the 50's, so I continue using my makeup and a lot of women I have talked to do to and have no problems. So I did ignore that part of his program. There are many clinics out there and charging $$$$'s big bucks for it, $500 to $1000 a round. I am doing it for less than $1 a day on my own. Also many of the clinics "tweak" Dr. S's program, this slows down the weightloss so you keep coming back to the clinic - therefore, they make more money. If you follow his progam to the T - you can expect to lose 1/2 pound a day average. A 30 day program and you will more than likely lose 15 pounds. I lost 22 in 39 days and I had a few "cheat days". I then went off it for a "planned interruption", drank some sugary alcohol drinks and gained 8 lbs back. Lost the 8 lbs in about 10 days after I got back on it, now down an addtional 10 lbs - and want to lose just 10 more! Weighing around 150, and hoping to get to somewhere between 135 to 140. My doctors goal was 155 and I've passed that now! I'm no longer overweight! So happy and pleased. I wear anywhere from a size 6 to an 8, depends on the style. But I own several size 6 clothing peices now, and some of my 8's are swimming on me. I havent been in a size 6 since, I can't even remember ever buying a size 6 to be honest. Also, I took a break from it for most of April and just stuck to eating "bandster" style, and I maintained my weight. It is not a starvation diet and many claim, even though you are eating very few calories. Your body is surviving on the "stored" abnormal fat and getting nutrients from that. So that is why there is no hunger. I did find I had slight hunger for the first 10 days, mainly because I didn't load correctly (this is outlined in the manuscript). But it was a managable hunger. But after the 10th day, had absolutely no hunger, almost like when I first got banded. I hope I didn't confuse anyone more, but please feel free to PM me and I can send you some information I have on it. Best wishes!

any kind of oil, or vaseline... haven't tried alcohol

If you are counting total carbs you need to be under 50 grams total carbs to maintain ketosis. If you are counting net carbs you need to be under 30 grams net carbs to maintain ketosis. They aren't interchangeable. Some believe fiber and sugar alcohols don't impact blood sugar so they can be subtracted and net carbs followed, but that doesn't apply to everyone. I can't eat any of the high fiber "keto" products like breads. For me, carbs are carbs and keto bread will knock me out of ketosis just as fast as a chocolate bar. 🤣 I am not the norm, but it is incredibly annoying!! And I know others like me. Regardless, my dietician said we should count total carbs because net carbs are not a recognized measurement by whatever association decides these things. LOL Most fruit is high in carbs, yes, and so most people watching their carb count choose coconut and berries as opposed to citrus or bananas. Same with veggies, green beans would be a better choice than a sweet potato. Keep in mind this state of ketosis is not intended to last forever, so what might not be the best item to eat right now will fit perfectly later on in your nutritional picture when you can increase your carb count.

I just joined a 6 week body transformation - it is a food program plus high intensity workouts. It's a different approach, and I am only a week into it, so I am not sure I can recommend it yet. Bottom line, a lot more food - the idea is to prevent the hunger/binge on the wrong food cycle. It is heavy on very lean protein, green veggies, healthy carbs (small portions) and small amount of healthy fats. No cheese, no wine - ha. For 6 weeks it is an abstinence approach to sugar, alcohol and most fats. Anyway, I had to have them cut my portions because it was too much food, but I have stuck with it beautifully, because it is very satiating. I know that is way different approach that many of us have taken in the past. Week 1 I lost 4 pounds with zero hunger, but my bodyfat % did not change which was a little disappointing, but lets give it more time.... I will keep you posted.

Maybe I'm kidding myself, but I dont think so. I just dont really have "issues". Oh, I tend to eat inappropriately, boredom being a main factor and I love those sweet carbs. But what person DOESNT have some bad eating habits? I truly believe I was fat because I simply cannot eat as much as the next person without gaining weight. I *only* moderately obese at a BMI of 35 as I simply never did the sort of eating that would take me further. I ate basically healthy foods, with too many extras, simply because it was an enjoyable thing to do when I went out, when I went to the shops, when I was with friends. What I ate made me fat, but it didnt make many of my friends fat. The higher alcohol intake you tend to have when you're young and and at uni and first working made me fat, it didnt make others fat. I gained appropriate weight in pregnancy and lost it so i cant blame that, but after the babies were born and I spent long hours at home, I ate more Snacks and did less exercise, so I gained a bit. I also believe that breastfeeding (which I did for six years in total) caused me to gain a fair bit, it never worked as a weight loss tool for me. That's all there is to it, I simply needed to eat less. I really havent had to change a long with the band, I just eat less than I did but basically in the same way. I had no trouble adjusting to that. I have managed to break a few bad habits and increase my exercise. I'm very lucky really. There simply has been nothing to really deal with. I have a childhood, adolescence and early adulthood as being "heavy" but not obese, and I tended to diet a lot to try to get skinnier, and I think that was detrimental as well but I dont really have self esteem issues, bad memories of my youth, traumatic experiences related to my weight other than just not feeling attractive.

I am now 10 days into the full 3mg dose. The side effects, if any, have been minimal for me. I have had some general sour stomach, other than that, not much negative from it. My appetite has decreased substantially, but my late night cravings for a sweet snack have not left completely. With the medicine, I've also started the intermittent fasting, not eating anything until 10AM. Once I eat my lunch, I am ready to eat dinner at 6PM and typically the late night cookie or jello cup goes down. Overall I feel good having dropped 26 lbs in 6 weeks, but most of the loss came in the first 4 weeks with the new medicine and reduction in alcohol. I'm still having a glass of wine or two, but not the daily 2-4 drinks prior to the new year. Overall, I like the appetite suppressant....yet it's the lifestyle change that has me wanting more.

Can you drink alcohol at all after the surgery or ever? I like to drink and fear that part of it?

I just have a harder time knowing when it's going to hit me and I seem to get reoccurring drunk with it. I'll be buzzed then be fine, then have another drink and end up being drunk unintentionally. I could always hold my booze before surgery but I have to be careful now. Two glasses of wine is pushing it, three is probably a mistake. Hard alcohol is way less predictable for me for some reason.

I'm 52 and just had the surgery in August, glad I did even though the weight is coming off pretty slow (my fault for not exercising). My reason for the surgery was health, which is a thread with those of us who are older it seems. After 50 I was so tired I almost couldn't function, years of a highly compeditive stressful job, combined with packing around 100 lbs made me feel like I had a couple of years left (at the most). It was just one health problem after another including sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, asthma, back pain, knee pain, and mobility problems (1/2 block I was out of breath). I hope to loose 100 lbs but will be happy with 80, and I plan to take early retirement in 2 years (as soon as I am eligible). Can really afford to start over with something new, but can't take the pressure of the corporate environment either. I'm just sorry I didn't wake up years ago, but grateful I did wake up. Even though the weight is coming off slowly, my life is improving. I can walk almost a mile (slowly), I eat primarily healthly (white bread, white rice, white flour and white sugar, has become a thing of the past), mostly vegetarian, some fish. I don't feel bloated all of the time, and I don't feel like a glutton when I eat. I feel better when I take my vitamins, but I forget alot. Drink alcohol alot less, 1/2 glass of wine is the most I have. Before surgery 2 dark beers followed by a large glass of wine with dinner was the norm. I guess what I'm trying to say is the surgery won't cure everything, I do have to work with good healthy choices too, but the band helps to make me think everytime I eat and drink. I too think it's the best thing I've done for me so far, retirement just might top it however in a few years.

When was the first time you had a drink after surgery? What alcohol works best for you? Share your stories about booze please!

And she was allergic to the sugar alcohols anyway.

Sounds to me as if you have some folks who are uneducated and scared to take responsibility for your coumadin/warfarin maintenance. If he thinks you may have a problem because of a fill, He is really very naive. It's a pin prick. They're not going into an open vein or artery. The amount of blood loss you may have is minimal, less than a nose bleed for sure, barely more than a finger stick, in my experience. True, blood thinners are critical drugs, but with patient knowledge and doctor's education, it's very manageable and easily maintained. I was bounced between my PCP and finally, a cardiologist to monitor mine because the PCP just was not comfortable with being responsible for the maintenance. Today, I do my own home testing, I call in the PT/INR to my Cardiologist's coumadin clinic and all is well. Of course, I know that the last thing I want to do is get dumped off the back of a motorcycle going down the freeway, or be involved in a major collision in my car. I don't skydive on a regular basis, but if I knick my legs shaving, I am NOT going to bleed to death. The day I got my lapband, they also inserted a vena cava filter, so that I might prevent any further major issues in my lungs, brain or heart. I have had numerous fills since without ever having to halt any meds or taking any extra precautions. To help manage your INR be sure to arm yourself with knowledge about different foods and drink that effect the drug levels. If you eat too many foods that contain Vitamin K/green foods, it will decrease the effect of the coumadin and thicken the blood - hence your levels become to low and clot faster. If you drink too much alcohol, cranberry juice, grapefruit, other things, you could cause it to become too thin. These are all serious but manageable things as long as you empower yourself with the knowledge it takes to maintain. Check out this website for great information www.ptinr.com Good luck!

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

I have watched 3 episodes of that show, and I have to say that I am sick of it. It does nothing to help the plight of the super obese. I you ask me, many of the people on that show just defiant and the clinic is a big joke. They are allowed to cheat, the head physician does not believe in WLS and from what I have seen there is very little in the way of addiction counselling for these people. It just looks like a warehouse for the superobese where they are able to do what ever the hell they want. If you look at the rate of "relapse" it seems to be almost 100%. Why dont they try to get some real help for these people. At first I had sympathy for these people, but now when I see them milling about the front door waiting for thier take out i get frustrated. That Dr. that is in charge of the place is out to lunch. You dont see the Betty Ford clinic allow drug addicts and alcoholic to order out for more drugs/booze? I am looking forward to the show Big Medicine which starts monday on TLC. It is about Dr.s who perform WLS. Andrew

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!

The holidays remind us of family get-togethers sharing food, laughter and bonding. If you are a food addict, the holidays may be one big guilt ridden binge. Food addicts think about food and have memories of food too, but they will most likely be linked with memories of hiding food, being punished by withdrawal of food, or being abandoned from loving relationships and using food for comfort. This is one reason the holidays are so stressful for people who struggle with food addictions. The frenzy and excitement brings stress, and food addicts comfort and calm their stress with food. Many people don’t understand the obese person’s journey with food. Nor can they relate to actually being under the influence of the intense food cravings, but ask any alcoholic or drug addict what these cravings feel like, and a food addict will be able to recount a very similar craving. The substance most craved with food addicts is sugar, and anyone who has tried to remove sugar from their diet knows how incredibly difficult that can be. The majority of food addicts have been brought up with another addiction. Maybe their parents were alcoholics, abusive, gamblers, smokers or hoarders. The child learned it was safer to turn to food or some other substance for comfort, because turning to a human for a hug or soothing words was impossible. Many food addicts lose weight to get married, only to find that they don’t have the skills to communicate loneliness, boredom, or anxiety to their partner. They slowly begin to turn to what has helped soothe them in the past, which is food. Before long, communication is compromised in the relationship. There is severe weight gain, which begins a disastrous cycle of withdrawing from sex, and turning to food. Soon the partner isn’t happy and the food addict feels shameful and guilty. These feelings of guilt and shame lock the cycle of turning to food even more securely. Weight loss surgery can help minimize disease and help people become more confident and mobile, but if there is an underlying sugar or food addiction, the weight will be re-gained. Sometimes that is in excess of eighty pounds. How can you help if you are addicted, married or know a food addict during the holidays? The key is to plan now. Realize that your partner or friend has a bigger problem than just eating too much. They need professional help, and they need it now. Find out who is on your plan for insurance and what it allows for help with eating disorders. Begin journaling your intake and talk to your partner about journaling theirs as well. This helps you become a team and to feel supported. Encourage your partner to begin turning to you for comfort or if you are alone, have someone who can accompany you to the party. Stay close to them, and when you feel alone turn to them for conversation or hold their hand. This helps delay your sense of needing food. Help them join a food addiction group, and if they are your partner, go with them if they need your support. There are several in Houston, and “Over Eaters Anonymous” offers a 12-step program for food addicts. Your partner suffers shame and guilt every day. Try to remember this, and be gentle. There is a lot of secrecy in this disorder. If they let you in, respect that. Food addicts are hurt, and we as a society can become part of the problem or part of the solution. Most addicts of food (and other addictions) have an enabler. The enabler complains about the behavior, but also supplies the fix. People who are co-dependent or have a low self-esteem may derive their security from enabling an addict. If you live with a food addict, or you suffer a food addiction, the best thing you can do prior to going to the party or being with friends where a lot of food will be present is to have a plan. Set a time limit for yourself at the party and have someone you are accountable to who helps you stay on track. –Mary Jo Rapini *As with all addictions, interventions only work if the addict wants to heal. Harping, nagging and pleading will be met with resistance to change until the addict is ready to make the change.

Many people don’t understand the obese person’s journey with food. Nor can they relate to actually being under the influence of the intense food cravings, but ask any alcoholic or drug addict what these cravings feel like, and a food addict will be able to recount a very similar craving. The substance most craved with food addicts is sugar, and anyone who has tried to remove sugar from their diet knows how incredibly difficult that can be. The majority of food addicts have been brought up with another addiction. Maybe their parents were alcoholics, abusive, gamblers, smokers or hoarders. The child learned it was safer to turn to food or some other substance for comfort, because turning to a human for a hug or soothing words was impossible. Many food addicts lose weight to get married, only to find that they don’t have the skills to communicate loneliness, boredom, or anxiety to their partner. They slowly begin to turn to what has helped soothe them in the past, which is food. Before long, communication is compromised in the relationship. There is severe weight gain, which begins a disastrous cycle of withdrawing from sex, and turning to food. Soon the partner isn’t happy and the food addict feels shameful and guilty. These feelings of guilt and shame lock the cycle of turning to food even more securely. Weight loss surgery can help minimize disease and help people become more confident and mobile, but if there is an underlying sugar or food addiction, the weight will be re-gained. Sometimes that is in excess of eighty pounds. How can you help if you are addicted, married or know a food addict during the holidays? The key is to plan now. Realize that your partner or friend has a bigger problem than just eating too much. They need professional help, and they need it now. Find out who is on your plan for insurance and what it allows for help with eating disorders. Begin journaling your intake and talk to your partner about journaling theirs as well. This helps you become a team and to feel supported. Encourage your partner to begin turning to you for comfort or if you are alone, have someone who can accompany you to the party. Stay close to them, and when you feel alone turn to them for conversation or hold their hand. This helps delay your sense of needing food. Help them join a food addiction group, and if they are your partner, go with them if they need your support. There are several in Houston, and “Over Eaters Anonymous” offers a 12-step program for food addicts. Your partner suffers shame and guilt every day. Try to remember this, and be gentle. There is a lot of secrecy in this disorder. If they let you in, respect that. Food addicts are hurt, and we as a society can become part of the problem or part of the solution. Most addicts of food (and other addictions) have an enabler. The enabler complains about the behavior, but also supplies the fix. People who are co-dependent or have a low self-esteem may derive their security from enabling an addict. If you live with a food addict, or you suffer a food addiction, the best thing you can do prior to going to the party or being with friends where a lot of food will be present is to have a plan. Set a time limit for yourself at the party and have someone you are accountable to who helps you stay on track. –Mary Jo Rapini *As with all addictions, interventions only work if the addict wants to heal. Harping, nagging and pleading will be met with resistance to change until the addict is ready to make the change.

Mine was a joke. They didn’t even ask about my eating. Seemed like more of a formality than anything. They are supposed to pickup on any untreated issues like mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse or eating disorders.