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I second what f14aman324 said...be careful if you do drink. I am not a drinker anyway but with dinner every now and then when we go out I will have a cocktail...talk about knock me on my $^(@#(@. Holy cow. Pre-band, I could drink several mixed drinks and be ok. I drank one...thats right one and was buzzing horribly. You forget that you don't eat as much and alcohol really does affect you differently, at least in my experience....talk about a cheap date! Hehehe

I work in a brewery so my job is to drink (well not really Taste is a better discription). So yes you can drink with the band. The issue with drinking is moderation. Since it is a liquid calorie you don't feel full like you would if you were eating a solid protien. The liquid passes straight through to your lower stomach. Subsequently you can drink whatever you want. Albiet some folks have issues with carbonation. That being said - my dr said the target caloric intake for me should be 1200 calories or less a day. if you can have a beer or a glass of wine in that and hit all your protien requirements, no problem. For me it is next to impossible to hit under 1200 calories a day on my present restriction and not feel hungry. At about 1350 i am not feeling any hunger pains. Still a far cry from the 6000 i was used to eating. so after all that - moderation is the key - have one not 6 in a day and you will be fine. But always keep in the back of your mind that liquid calories (unless a low cal protien shake) are your enemy. (this also includes ice cream, shakes etc). i have included a link to a website with a ton of calories for beers. check it out. the brewery i work for produces 4 beer (3 of them contract brewed) but on average our amber is about 140 calories for a 12oz bottle. Beer Alcohol and Calories

I think it's because the alcohol went down so easily. Carbonation, not a problem. Sugary combination, not a problem. Like I dipped my toe in the water and hoped I'd get bit by a shark. But, nah, the water's fine. Come on in. I didn't want to really know that I'd have zero reaction to a high sugar drink. I'm doing better today. And biked 10 miles at the gym so I'm feeling better about myself for at least getting my butt there and doing it. It reset my head. Today's a new day.

PB...I couldn't agree with you more....maybe he is a little scared, you know, when you lose all of this weight and want to move on with your life. Or, is he typically a pessimistic person? If he typically is this way, chalk it up to his typically negative personality and look him in the face and say "screw you, this is about me for a change". He can either take it or leave it. It seems, most of us women, that we get so wrapped up in our marriages and children that we lose sight of us, who we really are. We have let ourselves go and sucumb to the everyday stressors in our lives that afford us the ability to turn to food as our comforting agent. Our junk food is like someone elses crack, alcohol, heroine, meth, etc. etc. You do what you feel is right for you, not what is right for your husband or kids for a change. You will be surpirsed how much happier you will be knowing you did something for yourself, something that will not only make you feel better about yourself on the outside, but something that your body/health will appreciate you for for years to come. To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying amen to what society tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive~Robert Louis Stevenson

Hi there, I'm Angela joining you from the UK. First of all, please let me tell you that I myself am not a very religious person. I do, however, have great respect for the beliefs and chosen religion of others whatever they my be. Who am I to knock whatever comfort people get from their beliefs. I would like to say, surely if God has given the skills and knowledge to perform this surgery to our doctors it was intended to be used. Why should we not take advantage of the help that they can offer to us ? It is very easy for people who have never had serious weight issues to simplfy it by saying stop eating, if only it was so easy !! They must realise that if that was the case there would be no world wide obesity epidemic. I personally have never smoked, taken drugs or had issues with alcohol. My addiction throughout my life has been food. I do, however, have the sense to know that you can't say to an alcohilic for instance " just stop drinking " and the problem will go away. I see this surgery as an amazing tool that will help me to loose the weight and keep it off, but only if I work hard at it. It has not been an easy decision to make, in fact I would say it is the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life and it has taken almost a year for me to make it. Like yourself, I have lost the same 30lbs over and over again only to see it go back on again. I am lucky to have no co-morbidities at all and I hope this surgery can help me stay that way. I know I am not going to wake up thin after the surgery IF ONLY !!! LOL It has taken nearly 52 years for me to arrive at this weight and it isn't going to magically melt away with the surgery ALTHOUGH WOULDN'T THAT BE WONDERFUL !!! LOL I too am due to have my surgery Dec 7th so we will be sleeve sisters. Keep me posted on how you are progressing pre and post op. I have to start a 3 week milk based diet mid Nov, won't that be fun !! LOL Look forward to hearing from you Best wishes Angela.

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

I've been to happy hour recently - they had a soup on the menu, and they had baby back ribs that were super tender, so that's what I ended up with. I ate 2 ribs and 2-3 teaspoons of soup over 2 hours and no one noticed a thing (I used to always get the nachos but I wouldn't have been able to enjoy them so I skipped them). I did stick with water, though, because I still don't know the effects of alcohol on my sleeve and I had to drive home solo. Good luck!

Yep, I have to say I drink coffee every day with FF French Vanilla Creamer. I won't give that up, well maybe someday but the coffee stays. My doc is fine with coffee, soda in moderation and even some alcohol again, in moderation. Singingpeaches you are a genius! I have been advised to mix my Protein in with my morning coffee and I can soooo do that recipe. Just brilliant!

Just as everyone suggested...I would try OA. It is free and then everyone there would know exactly how you feel. When you feel like you want to binge, try going on the chat here or if you do start going to OA maybe you could call someone there. It is an addiction, just like alcohol or drugs, and that is why those people have "sponsers" to talk them out of going back to old habits when they are under pressure.

Children of alcoholic parents often get stuck in a care giving role of responsibility for the parent. They end up being thrust into a parental like role, which is enabling and unhealthy. You are NOT responsible for your mom, for her decisions, for her lies to the doctor, for her weight loss or lack there of, or for her long term success or failure. You are only responsible for YOU. For heavens sake, go to your OWN follow up appointments and let her go to hers. You are each on your own journeys in this. She is not going to stop drinking or smoking because of this surgery, and she may well develop complications because of that. You are not responsible for that - SHE is. She has you wrapped around her little finger. You can love your mom and wish the best for her, but you cannot live her life for her. You have one big job right now and that is to take care of YOU! Get yourself out of the house and back to college. You are putting your own success at risk by trying so hard to ensure your mom's success - but that is HER journey, not yours. I strongly suggest you get to some Alanon meetings and learn how to be supportive without enabling, and how to take care of yourself. Please do this, or get some kind of counselling. Alcoholism is not a benign disorder. It deeply affects all members of a family in profound and damaging ways, You are on a whole new path now - a path to a healthy, long, happy life. You will be making many dietary and lifestyle changes, and I can tell you are determined to do this well and be successful. I truly believe you will achieve your goals in this. Be warned that your mom is probably going to try to undermine you, as her own progress slows down because of her compromises. You need to be as far away as possible so you can disconnect yourself from her issues. Your own life is complicated enough, and a responsible young lady like you does not need to be looking out for Mom. She is a grown up and can look out for herself and make her own choices. Please use this time to get healthy in every way - including mentally and psychologically. Some counselling regarding the alcoholic influence will be very helpful. Very best wishes to you.

Ok I'm clearly having a rough night and just need to vent. I feel like I have been jipped (sp?) out of this surgery so many times. My mom worked at ADP for 6 years with UHC and they covered it...but only if I was 18...then when I was 17 and 7 months she changed jobs to Key Payroll online and still has UHC but they dont cover it!!! Gah just my luck. Then 6 months ago she got a credit card for 20,000 but it is maxed out now cause she took alovely trip to Arizona....Then she refinanced the house and spent 20,000 on our kitchen alone (more than the cost of surgery) and normally she has great credit and could get financed for a surgery here in the USA but now her debt to income ratio is too high because of her new stupid southwest airlines credit cards. So basically I have been told oh yeah this will work...Siiikk! too many times. I feel like I am so close yet so far. I have been researching this for 5 years now ever since They had that girl from wilson phillips on TV for the NWWLS commercial (if u live in WA im sure you know what I'm talking about). I just feel like my time is never going to come. And I have applied at ADP (the place my mom use to work, which I know for sure covers the surgery) for receptionist and admin jobs for over a year now and they just won't hire me.<br>I just wonder when my time to shine is going to come<br>Sorry to vent I just feel hopeles....and today I was crying and my mom told me "It's not my responsibility to pay for your stupid weight loss surgery...I didn't make you fat." All I could think was uhm...maybe if I had some emotional stability when I was a child and didn't have an alcoholic father I'd have felt more loved and not needed food to comfort me. I know most of you bandsters on here are older than me and maybe are parents too....but it's very difficult when both of your parents were bombshells and popular in high school and never been overweight...I mean my mom simplifies it to "Why should I finance a surgery when you can't even pay your cell phone bill." I duno I just think she needs to take a step back and realize that spending $20,000 on new kitchen isn't as important as your daughters lifelong happiness, health and success. Maybe I feel like it is owed to me because I truley feel like she should have provided more stability in my life. I rememebr beign in 3rd grade and beign called fat for the first time...and I didn't realize that I was different until then...I just know that if I saw my kids gettign chubby I'd enroll them in basketball or some form of fun exercise and have activites for them to make healthy Snacks....like celery and Peanut Butter with little raisens on them. I wouldn't wish beign 275 on my worst enemy....and just can't figure out why my mom didn't fight harder for my health when I was so little.

Perfectly said @The Greater Fool. Using food to numb ourselves from emotional pain, depression, anxiety, stress, etc. is very common especially with people here. It’s the same as those who use drugs & alcohol to mask their pain & become addicted. Eating, regardless of how much is consumed, never stops the pain because it’s still there. So yes, you are experiencing withdrawals & grieving your inability to eat the same volume of food & food choices. Seeking support to understand & learn how manage the emotional or mental pain will be helpful. All because you can’t have your whisky now doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a glass in the future. As long as you’re aware of addiction transfer & your greater susceptibility to it, having a glass on a Saturday night will be okay again. Congratulations on your weight loss so far & the life you are regaining. So much to celebrate & be joyful about.

My surgeon said no alcohol for 3 months and I hung out for 10 before I drank. It's empty calories and you have a window to maximise your weight loss in the first 6 months so use - it does get harder the longer time goes on and the closer you get to goal. So technically the answer to your question is another question - what does your surgeon say? Then follow his or her's advice. You have a fresh start to get good habits going with your eating and drinking - use this time wisely, not to immediately go back to doing what you did pre surgery. It will be worth it :-)

It took 2 weeks for my itching to go away, but mine was from the surgical glue the doc sewed me up with. If you take rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and go over the places where the tape was it'll get the extra glue off. I'm also allergic to adhesive in tapes and bandaids.

Byron Katie's (AKA Katie) Besteselling Book, "Loving What Is", is the singularly best book I have every read (and teaches you her simple 4 question and "turnaround" process to follow) to deal with the thinking that leads to overeating, drinking or any of the other things we do to medicate our thoughts. I could NEVER have gotten through this lapband process without using these 4 questions. I also gave up alcohol, drugs and cigarettes over 1 1/2 years ago using the process which is called "The Work". It helps me identify my stressful thoughts, question them, and miraculously they "let go of me". I don't need to change my thoughts, I just question them, and they leave me - and "Peace" is what's left. I rarely eat "emotionally" anymore. If, like me, you start reading it and it sounds too simple, don't give up - I stuck with it, and as my husband says, "I have a whole New, Wonderful, Wife!" And this is PRIOR TO WEIGHTLOSS. Also her book, "I need your love is that true" Is just as amazing and explains how to do this work and also a lot more about how we seek "Love, Appreciation and Approval. You can see video demos of the process, called "The Work" at www.thework.com. You do not need a teacher or to buy a bunch of stuff; it is a simple process where YOUR answers are all you need, these 4 questions are soooooo penetrating and you get to tap into a self-wisdom that you may have had no idea you possessed. And the process is SIMPLE! You can contact me anytime if you need help - at no charge of course. I just love sharing this remarkable tool. There is a free hotline too, at the website, and so much free support from Katie, it is unprecedented. Give it a try, and if you want, I still have some boxes of free cds and mini-books I can send you until they run out. I will send you a set. But her book is at any bookstore, or you can ask them to order it, or get it on her website. I am not affiliated with Byron Katie International. I am not trying to sell anything. I just think this the THE WORK for those of us that struggle with food and other compulsions and I love spreading the word. LOVE TO YOU ALL!

Ok trying again to respond but sent you a PM with what I found VASELINE TOTAL MOISTURE CONDITIONING LOTION. With the following ingredients Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Glycol Stearate, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil or Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Protein, Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Carbomer, Lecithin, Keratin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Potassium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Collagen Amino Acids, Mineral Water, Fragrance, Triethanolamine, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Urea, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). Looks to have both ingredients you want. Good luck

I really use to like a glass of red wine with a good meal maybe twice a week. Post sleeve I find that if I dont eat before I even take the tiniest little sip of wine it hits me right between the eyes for a few minutes and then I am dog tired. I tried diluting the wine (stupid to spoil good wine like that IMO) it still does the same. When I have had the meal first and then take a sip it doesnt do the same and I can at least take a sip or 2 before I start feeling tired. I have given it up as a bad job and have quit trying to drink wine at all. I can understand how people can get dependant on alcohol post surgery but you dont need 10 of anything,I would pass out looooong before finishing number 2. People that needs a crutch will find a new one post surgery,being it biting nails,drinking,smoking whatever.

Bridget, this is Penny.......the other scared girl on your thread. I can relate to what you say about "I eat because I want to eat." Actually, that is what scares me. That is what I hear from alcohol and drug addicts who are fighting treatment. Even though their health, career, family are on the line....they won't consider stopping the destruction. It's the addiction that has them convinced that they are drinking or drugging because they want to. The fact is, they drug and we eat because we are addicted. You and I are faced with early deaths and yet we still are hanging on to the lifestyle that will take us from our families "just because we want to." I agree with IndigoGirl, you and I need to have a plan beyond just the band and diet. We need to have a plan to address our addiction. I am glad your husband loves you just the way you are but with your family history, he won't have that luxury for long. I am a health care social worker, I watch young people (50's and 50's) die every day from earlier life choices. It isn't pretty and the families suffer so deeply. Love yourself and your husband as much as he loves you and be healthy to grow old together. Maybe now isn't the right time for the band, but it is the right time to do your addiction work. Here's to us and our future!!! Penny

OK Lipstick Lady... here's one.. I did not tell my husband's family. They live 1000 miles away. However my husband told his mother. Now this lady has never had a weight problem in her life.. she is simply too self disciplined and full of nervous engergy to become over weight, and I am sure, thinks anyone else should be able to control their own weight also. She is also very OPINIONATED and has on more that one occasion told me what she thinks... Once told me I was an alcoholic.( I am not). I wont see her until next Summer, a full YEAR after my surgery. And I avoid talking to her on the phone. However my husband calls her a couple times a month and I know they talk about me. He will even holler at me " HEY, how much have you lost?" to tell her. And Yes I have told him not to discuss me with her. I am a pretty private person, and I don't discuss my health with my mother in law. But it will come up when we go there. She won't leave it alone, I know her. She LIVES to Gossip about people. What can I say to this 80 year old woman? I can't be rude, but I do not want to be the topic of conversation while we are there. HELP!

I don't smoke, but I will just pass along that my doctor told our pre-admissions class that they test for nicotine in the blood and urine on the morning of surgery. I kind of thought, That seems a bit extreme. I bet they don't really do it, it's just a scare tactic. I tend to be a bit skeptical, heh. Anyway, sure enough, I went to the hospital on the morning of surgery and the admissions staff confirmed I had orders for blood and urine samples, specifically to test for drugs, alcohol and tobacco/nicotine. I will say this - my surgeon took very, very great pride in his work and didn't look too kindly on increased chance of complication due to smoking when we were given clear expectations to quit. Whether it's because your surgeon cares about you, or cares about his stats,... if they say no, they don't mess around!

Ugggh!! I can relate to that. I think... I know, the only reason my wife's okay with the surgery is because I won't be able to drink alcohol for several months. She is excellent at sabotaging my weight loss efforts.

I have seen many different recommendations from surgeons on here, so above all, check with your surgeon. I have seen some posts that say none for 6 months and some say none for a year. I waited almost a year, except for communion My tolerance was very low for awhile, but I have never been a big drinker. Stay away from carbonation and drink a glass of water with every alcoholic drink you have. My favorite is a bloody mary. Good luck to you on your journey!

Ive got DVD's, and almost everything else here. But still bored to death. Most of our outings here are eating out. It is all you have to do in this country. I didnt care if someone ripped me for asking about alcohol. If we were all angels we wouldnt have had to have the lap band. And I sure dont need a sermon at age 53, nor will I listen to one. So I appreciate the advice I recieved. Thanks

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

Their regular protein bars are amazing...like 5 net carbs/20g protein. They are endorsed by Eggface and hungrygirl. Good ingredient list and some have no sugar alcohols at all, for people that have issues with that. Lots of great flavors too...chocolate chip cookie dough is awesome as well as apple pie and others. I got these peanut butter cups but haven't tried them yet either. Hopefully this product means they are branching out into the snack bar world similar to the Atkins snack bars that are more of a sub for candy bars. Anything that helps satisfy our cravings for the bad stuff is great!