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It is more likely that your body cranked out insulin in response to your eating and drinking the other night, triggering your body to want you to eat for the insulin to have "something to do". If you drop back to a high Protein, vegetables, no simple carbs, no alcohol, no fruit way of eating for a few days your hunger perception and cravings for more food will most likely disappear.

I like the Pure Protein bars. 20 grams protein, around 180 cals, 3 net carbs (17 carb - 13 sugar alcohol - 1 fiber = 3 net carbs... At least I think that is how that works!)

Just stay away from carbonated beverages and recognize that any alcohol you drink is going to slow down your loss for that period of time.

Alexandra, my dear, you are NEVER wrong. And if you are, you're never wrong here. "Desat" refers to oxygen desaturation. You wear that little pulse-ox thingy on your finger while you sleep and the machine records and prints your O2 levels. I think that would be a very reasonable primary screening thing. People whose O2 levels never drop to below 92% or some other figure could be sent on their merry way. Let's work on legislation or something. The testing is not only expensive AND an overnight excursion, but the crap they use to glue the electrodes to your scalp ought to be illegal. And the VA pretty much just SANDS them off your skin, with alcohol-soaked emery paper or something.

I, like most of you, have been over weight my whole life. I battled with weight right next to a thin younger sister. She is now a stuck, materialistic kind of person who doesn’t care about other people. To tell you the truth, I hate being fat and hated the years I had to grow up fat but I wouldn't have traded it for the world. I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I not been. I feel I have confidence in my personality, my brain, and my work ethic. I strive so hard to be what people wish they could be or just be someone people want to be around. This could have something to do with having a father who was a productive alcoholic. He liked to work more than he liked being with his family. At a younger age, I prided myself off the fact that no one hated me. This, I feel, has caused me a lot of emotional and mental damage. I know I did things out of lack of self worth and as ashamed as I am to say it, lack of self respect. I mean I slept with people so they would like me more. I have matured since than, so I can see the errors in my ways. I just find it’s difficult for people to understand why I did it. All I can say was I wanted people to like me, I wanted to be that girl and if I gave people what they wanted, I thought I would be. You know it turns out life isn't that way. AAHH! I just blamed so many things on being fat. I mean I had girls be so mean to me in middle school who said they were my friends and had been for previous years. A girl who said she was my best friend dared her neighbor to see how far he could get with me. He did, but I was innocent than. He had me backed in a corner... I'm sure you can imagine the rest. My own friends. How sick. I never thought what crazy people. I thought wow something must be wrong with me. Honestly even today, telling that story out loud brings me to tears. I lived with my Grandparents at the age of 7 while my parents were building the house they live in today. My Grandpa was a heavy machinery mechanic so he worked nights. He taught me to read and watched me everyday after school. He was like my father since my real one was never home. We eventually moved out and had been over at their house visiting. My cousins were there and my mom said we had to go home. I threw a baby fit and went to sit in the car. My Grandpa was standing outside and lipped Olive juice to me (cause it looks like I love you). I just gave him a dirty look because I was so mad and than we left. My grandpa died that Friday; Father’s day weekend. I have never felt so guilty about anything in my life. My Grandpa’s death has haunted me since the day he died. Even typing this right now is making me sick to my stomach. Since I had been so confident to go to middle school, and the girls were so mean, I was dreading high school. I started smoking pot over the summer. I just had such a big fear of saying something wrong that I wanted to make sure I could have an excuse. Saying oh because I was high gave me the illusion of being cool. I started getting into heavier drugs and hanging out with people who only wanted to take advantage of me. I let them. Knowingly. I just wanted so bad to be a part of a group, I was dumb. Eventually I transferred schools and started living better and made real friends. One day I had missed the bus and my mom was really mad that she had to take me to school. We had been talking about a family friend of ours that my mom had always kept on a Pedi stool even though she’s stupid as shit. She had always compared my sister and me to her and her brother. My mom than started talking about me losing weight and here are her exact words, “I just don’t think you are the kind of girl that guys look at.” Today I know my mom didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I just felt like mentally I had grown up a lot and no longer had a surface hate for myself, had good grades and was off drugs. It just felt like it was never enough. It was never going to be enough. Let’s just say my high school cycle repeated itself with the self hate and the drugs. Today, my mom is so proud of me. My whole family is. My mom had called me one day and said you need to take a new picture because when you call I see one of this fat girl. I know it was supposed to be a compliment but it hurt. I felt like if I ever gained the weight back she wouldn’t love me as much. I mean I know it’s because she wants me to be all I can but my mind just won’t take it that way. I know I still have self hate in my body. It’s deep in there but I can feel it. When I have time to think, I don’t have very happy thoughts. After losing 90 pounds I should but just don’t. I go in for a screening for counseling on September 3rd but have nothing in the meantime. I have a guy who’s like my brother to confide in, but he has been away for the past year and doesn’t have much time to talk. Oh and I do have a boyfriend but don’t tell him anything about this because he takes it personally. Stupid I know but he’s been here since before I had the surgery and is now more insecure now that I am thin. I just wish I didn’t care about what other people think.

Welcome all. I was banded July 1 2013 down 78 lbs by far the best decision of my life. Grateful I found this site some people here are amazing and so motivating . I can't explain how the band has changed my thinking as well which is why I think I have been so successful. I follow the drs rules protein small bites n portions no drinking while eating my vitamins. I also got the gym 5-7 days a week combination of cardio j weight training. I started at 297 wearing size 22/24 I am Now 217 wearing a size 16 . And only 6 months out . There will be some emotions along the way especially as you get closer to surgery I was scared to go through with it but then I said if I d nothing in letting bad things happen to me as well so let me try and do the healthy thing. I have been on a diet since age 10 27 tears of dieting at at age 38 I decided to get banded actually got the approval on my 38 bday. I still go out to dinner eat way less and don't really drink alcohol but the drinking is by my chose. Good luck and we are here for you !!!!

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 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 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.

Yes that is what the dr told me too but you explained it so much better. I have had all these symptoms except being hot, I FREEZE ALL the time. No feeling in my fingers freezing 24/7. I haven't broke a sweat in over 2 years The gastric dr sent me to a diabetic dr who found this in a blood test. He prescribed Potassium and another pill to help my body absorb the salt. I have low BP and don't know how long I've had it, I've been falling, about to pass out and fell once at work and ended up in the ER overnight because my BP was too low to send me home. Somewhere around 80/48. After 3 iv bags, it went to abt 96/56...where it pretty much stays now. I have always had perfect Blood Pressure. My heart rate has always been around 56-60. it dropped to 45-48 in the ER. During the fall, I pinched and damaged a nerve in my left leg...Now I have drop foot. I can't move my left foot up at all...I can move it down and slightly sideways but nothing up. I have a brace on my leg and foot now that I got this week. It helps me not lose my balance and trip over my foot. But I till fall over to my right. My left leg is the one messed up. I started the new meds last night. So, if I get my sodium up and potassium up, my bp will go up and I will stable out? I was skin removal at the end of this year and don't want it to cause me to not have the surgery. As far as how I lost the weight...I still try to keep my calories under 1000 a day. I've had grape Gatorade for the past month. I crave it ...I guess because of the sodium I'm missing. I stalled for almost a month until yesterday. I started drinking chocolate Muscle Milk two days ago for Breakfast and sometimes for lunch and eat what ever I want at night. My stomach is still small and I can't eat a lot. Up until I messed up my left and foot,, I was always on the go..I have a sit down data entry job so I dont get up much during the day but when I get home, I hardly sit. Weekends, I spend window shopping and trying on clothes for fun. This morning I woke up to 203. Its been 205-209 for a month. Hopeful I'll be under 200 and in Onederland by Easter. I don't drink colas at all. Sometimes unsweetened tea with sweet n low. If I have alcohol, its about once a month and is a "sample" from Olive Garden for 25 cents. Its all I need and satisfies me. I am so surprised and excited and how much I have lost and how fast. I don't think its any certain secret but each person is different in losing.

Wow ok, Honestly you will be able to drink again but not for quite a while. Beer is one of the harder things to drink because of the carbonation... Now for the reality slap part. Food addiction and the way you drink now. I worry about the very real problem of "cross addiction" issues. Unfortunately a fair number of weight loss patients become alcoholics. If you are not one now becoming one is a very real possibility. I would say that a real deep look into this issue and perhaps counseling, before you take this step. Why trade one really bad thing for another.

Hmmm, at 3 months out folks WILL notice the weight loss and that you are eating and drinking "differently". Unsure how you can keep the secret much longer. At 3 months out, assuming all goes well, and it should, you can eat soft foods easily. Yes to H2O and protein suppliments, depends on your program whether you should drink any alcohol, and when you eat, try to eat what you've already tried to avoid any 'surprised' (at either end).

another fun idea is going to an arcade or something at the mall. that doesnt really involve food or alcohol.. i did this the other day with my daughters father and we had a nice time

How long did anyone wait to have an alcoholic drink? My dr said to drink on special occasions but never now long I should wait.

Hello! I know I'm posting a lot of topics, but I am just so anxious about this procedure, and I want to make sure I am 100% prepared. I just have a few questions about what to expect and what to do. It's ok if you're unable to answer all of my questions. Any advice is very much appreciated. 1. How long should I expect to be off from work after surgery? I know that it is up to the doctor, but I just want an estimated idea. I work a very low physical job. So, there will be barely, if any, physical duties. 2. Will I have to avoid carbonated drinks for the rest of my life? I'm not a huge soda drinker, but I do drink it from time-to-time. I know that I'll have to avoid anything carbonated 6 months post-OP. But does that mean for the rest of my life, as well? It's ok if I have to. I'm just curious. 3. Are Protein drinks, like Muscle Milk, the type of Protein Drinks that I'll be able to drink, or will they have to be made? 4. Will I have to stop drinking alcohol completely? I rarely drink, but when I get around my childhood friends, they love to drink, and sometimes I'll drink a little. 5. Has anyone with PCOS had any improvement with their symptoms? If so, please explain. 6. What would you say is an emotional eater? I've noticed a few people get depressed after having the surgery because they aren't hungry enough to eat a lot of food like they used to be able to do. I don't necessarily know if I'm an emotional eater or not. I think I'm more of a 'boredom eater'. I'm mostly bored because I'm so overweight that I can't do the things I wish I could. My weight has caused me to become a hermit and very tired/lazy. But I hardly ever snack when I'm at home. I usually just eat big meals and then I'm done. When I do snack, I make it my meal. Strangely enough, when I'm depressed, I can't eat. My eating habits make people wonder why I am as big as I am, since I don't snack. I tell everyone it's my PCOS, which I'm sure is the truth. 7. Will I still be able to take Adderall after the surgery? Adderall helps my OCD. My OCD causes me to lose concentration on important things, so Adderall helps keep me focused. 8. Is there any long-term pain after the surgery? 9. Will I be able to have kids? I'm only 24 years old (25 in about 2 weeks) and I have no kids. I want kids in my future. 10. Will I really have to drink 6-8 cups of Water a day? I barely drink 3 cups a day because a lot of water makes me feel sick. 11. Is it true that laying down after eating should be avoided? So far, those are the only questions I can think of. I may have more later.

Waterlily, I know how you feel. I am just at 50 lbs in 10 months. Its been an average of 1 lb a week for me. I want it now too. I like the fact that I can still eat sweets and drink alcohol being banded. My doctor is thrilled at my weight loss to date as yours probably is. Just enjoy the journey. Its going to take at least another year. Good luck.

Tell the morons at the VA that they're "emotional eaters " too, it just might not show up on the scale. It might show up on the unseen scale, like high BP, heart problems, sleep issues, etc. I bet if you asked them if any of them had grabbed a chocolate when they were stressed, relaxed after a long day with a n alcoholic drink, or ever lit a cigarette ( or something else ?) to calm themselves, you'd get a resounding " yes ." Well I bet you money they would pay for AA, drug rehab, or wharever else the the medical addiction was. But God forbid anyone need a little help to with a food problem!!! Keep fighting , and if you cant get help from VA, consider a CareCredit Card for your surgery. I think you just make monthly payments, like a car payment. Good luck to you ! YOU DESERVE TO BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY !!!

For the first 3-4 months I couldn't do artificial sweeteners or plain water. I was also lactose intolerant. But those things passed, and I'm good to go with everything except carbonation. I will get a bit of gastritis if I drink too much alcohol or have too many sweets.

Hang in there! As others have wisely pointed out, this may not be your finest hour, but it is the gateway to a happier, healthier you. Your body has endured a trauma and that will spill out. Emotions begin coming up that you don't foresee because of chemical and hormonal changes, not to mention your main coping (speaking for myself, was removed)-it necessitates new methods of dealing with life; which is new ground. The avoidance of emotions is all but gone because like an alcoholic who becomes sober, you are truly alert and awake in a new way-that takes time, training and coaching. Support groups are a great place to learn those skills. Sending you good thoughts! Daniel Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

When I was banded the first time I waited a few weeks and then slowly drank just little amounts of alcohol like wine. I would drink it and Water at the same time ( not mixing) The second band around I drank a glass of wine a week after being banded and couldnt even drink half a glass it hit me hard. I think its better to wait a while ( guess I should take my own advice:P ) But of course ask your doctor first. My doctor says small amounts of alcohol is ok.

I'd ask your doctor this question, but off hand, I'd suggest waiting until you are at least on full solids before doing so. You want to be healed up before adding alcohol to the mix.

Baby oil didn't work on mine I bought some special. I dabbed it on I let it sit I tried pouring it on I let it sit 15 minutes No joy. Alcohol pads didn't work either. Lighter fluid MIGHT have worked but I drew the line at that flammable stuff. I ordered "allkare" adhesive remover for $20 It didn't work either. BUT over time, it finally wore off.

I'm 12 days post surgery. I was told no alcohol for a year. I don't know about cake though. It's a lot of sugar which could make you feel bad. Good luck and Happy Birthday!

I had to sign a waiver that I would not drink alcohol for a year if not longer. The way it was explained to me, it has nothing to do with hurting you stomach, but it has everything to do with how your body will handle alcohol. The smaller stomach has fewer enzymes to break down the alcohol and you have teh potential to become inebriated much more quickly. 21 is a special year, but like everyone else said, you should wait. It doesn't matter that there may be alcohol in your Loratab. When you are on Loratab, you are not allowed to drive or handle large equipment/machines because of impaired judgement.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe lortab has 7% alcohol. However, the 500mg acetaminophen is super harsh on your liver as it is. Combining that with the 7% alcohol content is really putting a lot of pressure on your liver. Given that a lot of people are drink lortab multiple times a day, you don't want to add anything extra that would stress your liver out even more