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I would agree with what everyone has said about finding a different therapist. It can take a few tries to find someone who is a good fit. Don't feel bad about switching therapists; that is something they are used to and the will not be offended. You could also try a support group for alcohol use. Many people use AA, but there are probably others if AA is not your cup of tea. Try to take it one day at a time, can you go today without a drink? If you find yourself wanting a drink, can you distract yourself with a walk or an exercise video or a hot bath or shower? Good luck!

I walked away from cigarettes November of 2016 then booze a few months later. I was already over 300 lbs and I knew I had to start somewhere. I've been reading up on addiction transfer and it's real. This is not specific to the subject but might help get you started: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19033853-the-emotional-first-aid-kit?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=Ubhhurkvj4&rank=2 I'm also still fighting with what I call the "munchie monster" and I'm still working through my childhood traumas. I'm also re-reading Atomic Habits by James Clear and trying to incorporate little changes in my daily routine to ensure these habits and/or rituals become second nature. Alcohol destroyed my dad as it has many others. I hope you can find away to address what's really going on and start walking down a healthier path. I'm here to vent to or talk to if you need .

It's called trichotillomania and I am not in the position to diagnose people but my guess would be that before surgery you would have been living with an underlying anxiety or stress issue. Maybe your mode of coping mechanism was eating, cooking or planning meals previous to surgery? Now that you are unable to use that coping mechanism, you are pulling hair... That's OK and well done to you for picking up on it. People develop very sophisticated means of directing their attention energy into tasks, chores, hobbies etc and can quite successfully 'cope' through this. Meaning that they can continue to live quite happily.... but if the coping mechanisms are noticeable to others or you are prioritizing carrying out the behavior without the ability to anticipate negative impacts on yourself, others or your lifestyle; drugs, alcohol, obsessive behavior like shopping, eating, gambling or even self harm etc ... Then the means of coping has become toxic to you, not helpful at all. We all carry 'baggage' and most people aren't aware... Just look into some cognitive brain therapy, counselling or whatever form of help you feel most comfortable with. Above all, remember that you are human and humans are strange, complex and amazing animals . . . we all need a bit of help figuring out what is really up with us. Xx

Aw come on Pride of the Badgers, you know better than this. It is no longer your job to eat food just so it doesn't get away from you. You are not the world's trashcan, that was one of my failings, I'm a mommy, rather than refrigerating the end of the cassarole after casserole, i ate it. Now I have a rump that won't fit through the rabbit hole, shoot it barely fits through a metal drainpipe. I wouldn't say it's head hunger you aren't even using your head to think. You are suffering from terminal boredom and unconscious engorgement. You are abusing your new tool, it's like putting it in a vise grip and pounding it with a sledge hammer. You know you know better, there isn't anyone stuffing things in your crumb cruncher but you. Put the Reese cups down, no not down your throat, child. If you were in Texas Fluffy Chix would administer a b***h slapping and I might just let her.Now up off of your rump, drink some Water or chrystal lite, you are a foodaholic and just like an alcoholic trying to reform you need to stay on that wagon, even if it's an uncomfortable haywagon.Yeah food is all around you, it's trying to seduce you back into its clutches. I live 30 miles from Dublin Ohio, the home of Wendy's. You think I don't have a barrage of commercials headed my way? Buck up Buckaroo, don't sit and feel sorry for yourself, yeah you made a mistake, wonder you didn't get sick, but you can And should vow to nor do it again. Think you want a fry? A moment on the lips, forever on your hips. Think how greasy slimy cold frenchfry grease is.Get up and clean but do some knee bends, March in place, sing Go you chicken Fat Go. You can do it, take some of that resolve that got you past your surgery, nothing to it but to do it. You're having a pity party and catering it yourself. Besides I'm wise but I haven't had my surgery yet, you've got to get mentally stable so you can mentor me! Your Buckeye friend ME Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi! I'm 2+ years out and my sleeve is just as effective as ever, in terms of portion control. The main difference, honestly, between now and the first year-ish is that I am less militant about what I put in my mouth. I was very strict during weight loss phase, and have since loosened the reins since being in maintenance. I don't go nuts or anything, I just allow myself stuff now that I didn't before (i.e., alcohol and dessert, and the occasional processed carb). Given that, I have still basically maintained my weight +/- 5-6 lbs for the past 1.5 years. When I go up a few lbs for a sustained period of time, I cut calories and get back down to my happy place. My sleeve still works as it always did, its just my choices and behaviour has changed.

Ah - Another day has passed... I have tracked my exercise at 11 days for the month-to-date. I will check in with my total in the AM. I am planning on going again tonight. 12 days out of 28 is still pretty wimpy - so I am going to have to do a whole lot better than that in March. Unofficial weight for today (per my scale + 4 lbs variance) would be 292. That's still only 39 pounds since my surgery date - and 55 pounds all together. I need to move that along just a smidge. I need to have this a little bit more under control by the time the next set of food holidays roll around. I think I will be able to pass up Easter Candy - so then I am clear until at least the fourth of July - and probably until Thanksgiving. Today, I have successfully avoided eating any of the evil carb laden treats lying around the office. With the exception of some veggie-dip which had some sugar in it, I was pure. I purposely avoided the dessert section of the office... I resisted the chips that were staring at me all afternoon - and I didn't even smack my idiot co-worker when she repeatedly blathered on about how delicious the Desserts were - AFTER I asked her not to mention it. GOLD STARS for me. (and lucky for her that I didn't snap) So, going into March - it isn't all that bad. I have lost a few pounds, I am hitting the gym, and I am not doing too badly on the whole food concept. Now all I have to do is improve on my ability to stop eating when I am full. Since this has always been the hardest thing for me to do, I forsee some fluctuation in my success rate... I will try not to bore you too much with the blow by blow daily report. I am determined to lose a minimum of 5 lbs in March. That is my goal. I would like to see at least 10 - but 5 is an attainable number, considering a week of travel food & no exercise might occur. That trip is a double edged sword. It's so fun - but so bad for me! Mary - sorry your computer is such a punk. Hugs to you and the boys. Cindy - I will totally call you when I get back from Tuscon. I could really use some veteran assistance. And I am so there with you on the body changes being the flip side of no weightloss. I only lost a couple of pounds in the whole month of February - but I am wearing a shirt today that I wouldn't wear three weeks ago cause it was too tight in the belly. How cool is that?!? Mandy - I hope you actually got some rest today. How nice that your DH isn't Kitchen-Phobic. Kat - I worry about you with that nut-ball around. Geez - the mediator thought she needed an escort to her car! All I can say is I hope the judge doesn't spank him so hard that the Nut-Ball feels the need for revenge. He sounds almost as scary as Crispy's neighbor. I hope he isn't someone that you will have to see on a regular basis in the future. Sherry - hope you get a break from the late hours soon. xo Eileenie - Hugs!! I can't wait for tomorrow! Now, how can we arrange for Boss Man to be away... permanently.... :heh: LOL! Darcy - Huge Hugs! I hope FIL is ok and the surgery was a great success - but there isn't anything you can do if people won't take care of themselves. I am thinking good thoughts for you & your DH. It's hard when your Daddy is sick - even when Daddy is an alcoholic. Well, I am off toward home, now. DH is flaking on the gym - but I am going without him. So there, NYAAAAA. Love you guys! (Where ARE those stinking flying Monkeys, anyway?? We are still short of a few of our peeps...)

I knew that surgery was going to be very hard, requiring discipline and a new way of eating. Wanting to give myself every chance for success, I tried to give up every addiction I could PRIOR to surgery, so that the battle would be less complex afterward. Prior to surgery I gave up sugar (my joints never felt better!), caffeine, soda, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors and flavors, processed foods, and snacking. I also started 16/8 Intermittent Fasting. I had already given up wheat/gluten several years ago, I was never a smoker. The sugar, caffeine and snacking were especially hard, but I am SOOOOO thankful I am not dealing with those now that I am only 2 weeks post op. I would suggest this to anyone in their preop period. Get rid of the junk NOW! You don't need to deal with cravings after surgery - food deprivation is enough! It will give you the confidence to comply with the post-op restrictions, and will set you up for a much healthier life style for life.

Look, food can't replace real freinds and lovers, you just want it that much and that's an addiction. Just like an alcoholic or drug user the addiction drives you and controls you and all you know is you need it. Fear of failing or succeeding? Probably more likely afraid to take the first step on the journey you know you need to make, and that you can't come back once you make that decision. I had a lot of the same fears, but now I'm about 5 months out and I couldn't be happier. Now I control my relationship with food and not the other way around. I still enjoy many of the foods I love, but I can't abuse them, my sleeve won't let me. I'm still in the early part of my journey, what I didn't realize until I got here, is that the path behind me is darker than the path ahead. Good Luck to you.

I haven't figured a way to cook for 1.5 people.... And for the past year my daughter and 18 month old granddaughter have been living with us... So i now cook for 3/4 which is most likely what i cooked for before. But I can honestly say my bill stayed about the same. If I was single I would be saving a bundle. What has gone down is eating out. When it just the two of us hubby eats like he did but I get an appetizer or something of the child's menu and no alcohol for me or sodas so our eating out bills have decreased dramatically. Also I used to spend at least $50 a week on lunches and that has dropped dramatically to basically nothing. However once in a while I will go out with coworkers for a treat but my bill is usually under 5$ depending on where we go.

God give me patience and give it to me NOW. Up 0.8. This, after a week of decent food choices, no alcohol, no food at the movies, some (not enough) walking, and clean fasting days. My clothes are falling off and I had to replace several items this week. Well, I will just keep on plugging along. I'll have a good day of outdoor exercise with some friends today and we have great weather for it. I will just keep the food clean and keep tracking faithfully. Oh, just noticed this. I just reread my MyFitnessPal diary for the last seven days. My week of so-called decent food choices averaged out to 1,770 calories for a non-fasting day. I'm supposed to be aiming for 1,000. Maybe a little less hummus this week as a meal, and a little more solid Protein. And in my food diary I just noticed also that five different days this week I either went to a restaurant or ate restaurant takeout food. My old nemesis fried food is back. Thai food twice, once being last night. Hmm. My daughter was in town for a couple of those days, but that "special" eating sure explains a lot. Ok. Well, clean up the food choices, eat more solid protein and less hummus, cook more, eat out less, and get more walking in. I gotta WORK for my pass through the Onederland gates, huh? Mission accepted.

Ahh.. I didn't realise there are deeper issues. Sorry to hear. As your confidence and self esteem grows you will know if that's the life you want to live. No judgement I hope their isn't kids in this situation with an alcoholic. There is lots of support available if you need it. All the best. Sent from my Vivo 5R using BariatricPal mobile app

So, is it for sure this person got a sleeve? I could see this effect coming from a bypass where there's less opportunity for the intestine to absorb alcohol, in which case this makes more sense. This also sounds like a huge health hazard though, right? The no alcohol rule in the first month isn't a matter of calories, it's a matter of shock to your stomach, particularly along the suture line.

This whole thread went in a totally different direction -- so much so I have to go back to the original post to refresh myself it was NOT about vets v. newbies and the various definitions of each, which I don't care about anyway. FWIW, I *think* if I remember correctly, the gist of the original thread was a bit of frustration that newbies/recently sleeved people asking questions about risky behavior very soon after surgery and getting bent out of shape if they are having their wrists slapped. Then there was the usual brouhaha about "vets" being snobby, rude, and unhelpful to the put-upon newbies. Whatever. I mostly lurk and read and try to absorb the knowledge of everyone on here; newbies AND vets. I have been very surprised at a few posts regarding, basically, people insisting they can eat/drink/smoke things off plan very soon after surgery or blowing the pre-op diet. Honestly, I thought a lot of these were trolls in the beginning, but at the informational seminar I went to for WLS -- the very first one -- they told the group within 30 minutes that, if they proceed with surgery, they will have to quit smoking for good, and quit caffeine, pot, recreational drug use, and alcohol for 60 days before and after surgery. Seriously, half the (large) group got up and left after that. The people remaining, several engaged in arguing with the NUT running the informational session who wanted to be the exception and still use pot/smoke/drink the whole time -- and who wanted diet pills to help them lose lbs before and after. IDK what the answer is. I used to be defensive and kinda pissy about telling people I was considering WLS and it seemed that EVERYONE *knew* an uncle's brother's wife's cousin's friend who died or regained 200+lbs after surgery. I THOUGHT it was BS and just ambulance-chasing mentality, but after the informational session and seeing people asking about bacon, booze, steaks, etc., I guess there ARE people out there doing this crazy stuff -- and they are ruining it for the people who are very serious and are paying big bucks to have this done. As well, they are truly risking their lives, and if someone gets their feelings hurt by yet another person who has insight telling them, no, young grasshopper, you really shouldn't do X when you are Y days post-op -- too bad! These are the people who regain and DO die that the rest of the WLS population has to defend the surgery from -- the random people who don't follow any guidelines and get horrible complications and regain or are in serious trouble for the rest of their lives. And I have seen some posts from people who haven't had WLS yet, or who are VERY post-op, basically saying, yeah, I did X/harmful thing and didn't die. Go ahead, you should probably be fine. Buyer beware.

I am really sorry to those who are feeling the actual hunger. I can not imagine feeling that way all the time. For me, the thinking is real. There is a lot going on around me, that normally a pint of ice cream and a spoon would help fix. I have been an over eater since I became a ternager, and it has gone up and down over the years. Psycolical hunger is a habit. Alcoholics, you do not give a drink to, drug users, you do not give them more drugs. Unfortunately we dont have a choice but to eat. And, for me at least, I would eat for everything. For happy, to celebrate, sad, anxious, my brain aways looks to food as a comfort. I am not sure it will ever go away, but at least I became aware of it. And truly I would fell like i am starving with about 800 calories a day, if it wasnt for the surgery. I hope ot gets easier for the ones who feel hungry all the time.

BTW....post op wind pain can be awful. In the Alex they give you peppermint tea but it doesn't work. From getting home I got peppermint cordial (from tesco in the alcohol aisle). A warm glass first thing in the morning got rid of any wind for the day and really helped getting fluids down. I still have a glass every morning. Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

I have been using food to alleviate stress- even though I know it doesn't really work, I will feel bad (physically and emotionally), should try other things. Bottom line is, this is a tool and you have to still make choices- and the band isn't around our head or emotions. So, I backslide, and then I pick myself up, dust myself off and start over- but still from a MUCH better place than where I would have been pre-band. So, please don't judge. No one is perfect, if I were I wouldn't have needed a band. I still will eat slider foods, I still will go through good times and not good times- but my band will be there to help when I choose to use it (which I do choose more often than not). And I have found that I don't go as "crazy" as I did pre-band- I can't! The band won't let me. It's a learning process, a mental process, and a marathon, not a sprint. I am NOT trying to justify eating poorly, etc- I know it's MY choice, no one is making me eat badly. I know B-52 says he CAN'T eat badly, but I still can- ice cream is my nemisis, and it's a total slider food, though I can't eat nearly what I used to. Perhaps my band isn't tight enough (though I think it is, it's the slider foods that I should be avoiding anyways that will go down even with a tight band). Each time I backslide, I learn something- one of my favorite LOL movies is "what about Bob" with Bill Murray. I'm baby stepping it SO I agree in theory with you, but you liken it to being an alcoholic- which I agree with- but unlike alcohol, you can't live with out food, so it's harder to just avoid. I hope I'm expressing myself here- I guess the point to this post is I'm not perfect, but my band helps me even when I'm not perfect, and as I go on this journey I learn new things all the time and I just- to quote my favorite Disney movie- Keep moving forward. Nicki

Well funny you should post this. My parents are not overweight. I am 49 always struggled with weight as food was my coping mechanism soon after I was molested as a small child. Fast forward, being attractive and stylish a lot of times saved me from the wrath of being a slob but not always. I tried in 09 to be approved for bypass failed yet lost 60 lbs. So the fact that family and friends can see that I am capable of losing weight to them pure willpower alone should do it. My aunt is the next obese person in my immediate family. She is the family feeder, food hoarder and the reason costco stays in business. What single person needs to shop at Costco weekly? Right! The people who have 2 freezers and 2 fridges. My aunt said she will support me that was back in March when I started WLS process. Now I am approved and she says she does not understand why I am having it. Now she is conditioning me saying I better not be this way or that after then bragging about my weight loss. Saying things to me like well now I cannot take you out to eat anymore. Or wow you will never get to have BBQ ribs again knowing they are one of my fav's. And the hatched flew right into my back when at a dinner party that I was not present at she proceeded to talk about my weight issues and surgery to a guy I was in grade school with. Who cares? Further more she has to be 100 overweight worry about yourself. Food is love in my family always was and to my dad and my aunts and uncles who struggle with alcohol and or pills. No one wants to see someone one else rise up out of misery. Despite what they say. I am being sleeved June 8th. The victim hood mentality is staying on that operating table while I walk to a stronger, healthy me. If I can inspire anyone else and not alienate them so be it. But I will not allow anyone to make me feel bad for my choice. Scare me with loose skin stories all you want at least it will not be fat. Even my dad does not understand why surgery. The conversation is going to change now for my family how they relate and talk about me. What does it matter they already talk about my weight nothing new really. And I have a daughter who is 15 and healthy weight thank goodness! That is always something they talk about too she does not take after me. Probably more than you wanted to know!! Give me a mic or platform because I have lots to say only scratched the surface here. Thank you Sent from my LGLS990 using the BariatricPal App

Just wanted to share this today....It doesn't take a marathon! http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/28/even-a-5-minute-run-can-help-prevent-heart-disease/ Even a 5-minute run can help prevent heart disease Good news for runners: A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests running, even for a few minutes a day, can reduce your risk of dying from heart disease – whether you plod along or go at race speed. Researchers studied more than 55,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 100 over a 15-year period, looking at their overall health, whether they ran and how long they lived. Compared to nonrunners, those who ran had a 30% lower risk of death from all causes and a 45% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, investigators found. In fact, runners on average lived three years longer than those who did not hit the pavement. When data was broken down by age, sex, body mass index, and smoking and alcohol use, the benefits were still the same. “That’s important to note,” said Dr. Warren Levy, a cardiologist and chief medical officer of Virginia Heart in northern Virginia. “Even with all the negative factors, such as obesity, smoking and diabetes, those who were, let’s say, obese and ran had a less likely chance of dying from heart problems than those obese people who didn’t run. Same with smokers, diabetics, etc. ” The speed and frequency of a person's running routine did not make a huge difference either. The data showed novice runners who ran less than 51 minutes, fewer than 6 miles, slower than 6 miles per hour, or only one or two times per week still had a lower risk of dying than those who did not put on running shoes. D.C. Lee, lead author of the study and an assistant professor at Iowa State University's kinesiology department in Ames, Iowa, said the researchers found runners who ran less than an hour per week have the “same mortality benefits compared to runners who ran more than three hours per week.” So more may not be better. “Its been shown that after a certain amount of running over a certain period of time, the benefits seem to wane,” said Levy. “We aren’t quite sure why.” However, researchers did discover that consistency was key. They found participants who ran consistently over a period of six years or more gained the most benefits, with a 29% lower risk of death for any reason and 50% lower risk of death from heart disease or stroke. There have been many studies that have shown the benefits of exercise on the heart. But this study is one of the largest to pinpoint the positive effects of running, especially for nonmarathoners or nontriathletes. "Since time is one of the strongest barriers to participate in physical activity, the study may motivate more people to start running and continue to run as an attainable health goal for mortality benefits," Lee said. Activities like running can lower your blood pressure and decrease the production of glucose, which cuts your risk of developing diabetes, according to the American Heart Association. Running also seems to protect the innermost lining of the arteries, keeping the walls and cells intact, which cuts the risk of blockages or clots that can cause strokes or heart attacks. Levy, a runner himself, said people considering taking up running programs should talk to their doctors first, especially if they have chronic conditions. “A lot of weekend warriors just go out without preparing for their run. It’s the runner who takes it gradually and trains correctly, even for a run around the block, who's the one who avoids injuries and other complications."

Yeah some people don't get that for a lot of us going through this (not all but still quite a few) there is an addiction aspect. Why should you HAVE to learn to eat just one cookie? There is no reason why you have to eat a cookie at all. So if you choose not to have any, that should be fine. Just like it should be fine for someone to eat just one cookie. I applaud you for knowing yourself and your triggers well enough to know what to avoid so you don't fall prey to the addiction side of it. Seriously - would she tell an alcoholic they have to learn to drink just one beer? or a heroin addict that they have to learn to just shoot up once?

Here is a statement that was passed on to me regarding the "easy way out" reference. So, it is my turn to pass this on. Enjoy. Why surgery is the "easy way out" for weight loss! Yep, you heard that right. I've decided that I agree with the myriad non-surgical, gym-loving, overwhelming weight loss successes that feel strongly (and vocally) that surgery is the easy way out. They really are correct. We all should be ashamed of ourselves for taking the shortcut approach and racking up an "un-earned win". Just think about it. To successfully lose weight without surgery, all you have to do is two things: eat less exercise often With surgery, you only have to do one thing: pay a surgeon to make you lose weight Well, perhaps that's a minor oversimplification. There are a few other steps, but they are tiny and insignificant. Not everyone has to do them either! But, just for the sake of objectivity I’ll list most of them that I can think of. (I might miss a couple, but since surgery is the easy way out who cares really.) Let’s see, there is: Convince yourself that you want to do this. This is much more complicated than it seems, so take your time. Don’t get sick before you make a decision. Convince your doctor that this is medically necessary. Convince him/her that you really do want this and you aren’t just someone unwilling to sweat a little. Convince them that you won’t die on the table. Convince them that you aren’t doing this so you can keep eating cake for Breakfast. And lunch. And dinner. Because that’s the only reason big people are big people. Spend anywhere between 3 months and a year working with your PCP to make a preliminary run at losing weight. This should include: A special diet Exercise Constant office visits to measure progress Significant expense to participate in the diet (Nutrisystem, Medifast, and Jenny Craig, I’m looking at you!) Lots of documentation Likely (if not anticipated) painful, humiliating failure (PS, this is a requirement!) Spend hours to days or more working with your insurance company website, phone reps, and via letter to determine if weight loss surgery is covered at all, assuming they will admit to it. Once you find out it is covered, find out what exactly is covered. Type of surgery, location, type of doctors required, pre-op programs necessary, pre-op medical requirements, pre-op diet requirements, and documentation. Make sure you understand it all clearly because… Meet with your PCP to go over all of the above. Explain to them what most of it means, because they don’t understand. Make sure your work so far will meet the needs of the insurance company. Convince him/her to do the work to get the approval. If not, return to step 1 and try again. (Note: make sure you do all of this quickly- most of these rules are subject to change on January 1, even if you have a 12 month diet requirement. You’ll need to find a way to violate the laws of space and time on your own.) Get a psych evaluation. People who want this surgery are invariably crazy, so we need to confirm that. Don’t use a doc you know. Go somewhere you’ve never been so that they can get that first-blush, cover of the book impression of your particular brand of crazy in the 45 minutes you get with them. Let them write their report confirming your “crazy flavor” to your docs and insurance. They will approve you anyway. Take an online class that confirms the crazy diagnosis. Take another online class that basically tells you if you have the surgery you will likely die horribly on the table, if you’re lucky. You might just become a vegetable and be a possibly fabulous looking skinny burden on everyone you know and love! Find a surgeon that can both perform the surgery (practically, legally, and allowable by the insurance) as well as doing so without causing Errors Infections Hernias Leaks Death Make sure that doc can take your insurance. Not just yoru insurance, but your exact insurance. This may require them to check at least a dozen contracts. Do the same for the hospital. Make sure that hospital you’ll have the surgery in isn’t a festering wound itself. The surgeon can only do so much if when you get to the floor you’re placed in the same bed last used by an Ebola patient with a cold and cleaned by “Blind Larry”. Fortunately there are many websites sponsored by government agencies to help you with this. They will all disagree with each other. Get insurance authorization to have the surgery. Fortunately this process starts the weight loss, as one arm and one leg weigh a surprising amount when removed and given to them. This should take no more than a day or two, tops. Have a discussion with your employer. Let them know that you’ll need a full week off from work in the near future. You know, when you aren’t busy and won’t be missed. Again, if you’re lucky you’ll have vacation and can use that. If not, think of how much extra weight you’ll lose when you can’t afford to eat for lack of a paycheck! OH, you may need more than a week. If you come out healthy. If not, it’ll be more. A lot more. Have a discussion with your family, if you haven’t yet. If you haven’t yet, shame on you for your discretion, personal space, and recognition of the gravity of this decision. Make sure that you convince them that you won’t die, runaway with David Beckham or Eva Longoria (or both if you’re flexible), or otherwise ruin the home. Get answers to all of the questions you have. Fortunately ObesityHelp is a great place for that. You will get no less than 10 answers to every question. Some may actually agree. ☺ Make sure that this is really what you want. This isn’t like buying a car or getting married. This is permanent and there is no going back. Still confident this is the right choice? Now you know your flavor of crazy from item 7. Go on a liquid diet. You may not have anything that you cannot “read a newspaper through”, is solid, has calories, has carbs, has Protein, has flavor, or is made of a natural substance. This will last anywhere from two days to a month. Your surgeon will tell you how long. While on the clear liquid diet, please try not to cheat on the diet. More importantly, please try not to defecate on yourself. Here’s a mantra for you: “Never trust a fart!” Have the surgery. This will include: Large, but not quite large enough gowns with special butt exposing panels Freezing rooms Needle fears Vein scavenger hunts Panic attacks Several other fun moments no one will spoil for you to discover Recover from the surgery. This will include: Amazing drugs that will make you fear for the poor 110lb nurse that will help you walk at first. Please don’t fall during this time or you will crush her. You’ll fear this, but only briefly (great drugs remember). Just don’t fall. Walking. Yes, you’ve just had your entire insides rearranged and have more stitching in you than a rented tuxedo, but hey, let’s go for a walk. Every hour. Eating. This is really a game. You have a 3ish ounce container that replaces your stomach. It is swollen, but you don’t really know how much. If you over fill it, you will be in serious pain, and may hurt yourself severely. Here’s the fun part- you’ll be given a selection of hald a dozen Clear liquids to choose from. Some will make you retch. Some will taste like heaven. All are more than 3 oz. You- the person who’s complained that Mickey D’s quarter pounders have never once been a quarter pound – now get to determine what 3 oz looks like. Don’t forget two very important things. You are stoned on anesthesia. Your judgment aint what it should be. So is your stomach. It’s not going to help you by saying “I’m full” for about 2 weeks to a month. Going to a bathroom. The author of this article is a male, so with that perspective in mind, consider the male stereotype of urinating. Now imagine that sharpshooter in the hands of someone who cannot see straight, or single vision, is falling asleep on their feet, whose prostate is not yet awake from surgery but whose bladder most definitely is, and who is currently on their 4th IV bag of saline with lactated ringers running wide open. Don’t forget to measure your output! Go home! This is the easy part. Stuff your swollen and now anesthesia free self into a car and try to avoid potholes, cough, sneeze, or breathe too hard. Continue the clear liquid diet for a few more days Progress to Protein drinks. These are a joy. There are few if any samples, so make sure you get the 5lb bottle to be sure you love it. Progress to pureed or baby food Progress to cat food or tuna Progress to gourmet cat food or flavored tuna / canned chicken Progress to dog food or chunky Soups / heavily cooked soft and unflavored chicken Progress to human food. During this time you will need to learn a few things. These will include: How to eat. Remember you’ve been doing it wrong all your life so this should be easy. You may only have dense protein. You must take in no more than 3-4 oz. You must take an entire 30 minutes in which to do so. You may not drink before, during, or after the meal. You may not have anything spicy. You may not have anything with carbs. No alcohol for at least 6 months, or maybe forever. Nothing liquid. Carbonated anything is permanently off the menu for the rest of your life. Nothing with caffeine. Nothing with less than a 10:1 ratio of protein to carbs Keep calories as low as possible. Learn to keep something that meets all of your dietary needs handy. If you need to eat, not every place can meet your “special needs”. Make sure that you understand that you need to do this for the rest of your life. You can’t change this. Non Surgical people can indulge once and awhile. They can cheat. We rupture. Please remember to keep your intake to levels that would make Ethiopians send you food. This is generally 800 calories, less than 40 carbs, and more than 80 grams of protein per day. You must do all of this in 3 meals with no Snacks. Take your supplements: Calcium. Note that it isn’t the same calcium that you can get for a dime on any gas station shelf (Calcium Carbonate). This is a highly refined form of easily absorbable calcium (Calcium Citrate). It will come in three forms: A disgusting snot textured liquid found at Wal-Mart for $11 per week, a myriad of chewable pills that all taste like flavored drywall and cost about $20 per month, and delicious chewable candies that cost $40 per month. Multivitamin. You’ll be doing double doses. Get the adult gummy ones. Find the ones with no carbs. Fiber. Get the adult gummy ones. Find the ones with no carbs. Iron. Some people will take iron. Get chewables. B12. You can do pills under your tongue that taste like yesterday’s fish for $10/month, injections at the doc’s office every 3 weeks, or a nasal spray that costs $350/month. Do all of the above for the rest of your life. Don’t stop or you’ll die. Start to exercise! What, you thought that you didn’t have to exercise? Yep, here’s the trick. You are going to lose weight even if you don’t. Here’s the other trick. It’s easier to take that weight from your bones and muscles if you don’t exercise, so if you don’t work out, all that’s left will be fat! No really, you have to exercise. Yes, that means sweating. Make sure that while you’re going through this easy time in which every hormone you have is at full tilt, every part of your body looks and feels funny, nothing fits, and you generally are proud that you’re losing while also being weirded out by how different everything feels you also take into account everyone else. Remember, this is about them and how they perceive you. You can’t be the popular kid. The healthy person without diabetes, hypertension, edema, or apnea. The more confident employee. The more confident lover. The physically stronger person. The person who wants attention. The person with self-esteem. You need to apologize frequently for these failures and must work hard to gently help these people along to where they can think of you as a lesser person for altogether different reasons than they did before, to preserve their psyche. Stop making your weight loss about you. See? Even with these minor things, it’s obvious. Surgery is the easy way out. Don’t be a sucker. Be strong, and just eat less, and exercise more. It’s that simple!

Thanks for your good wishes. I am sure that you will all be ok but I was quite a heavy drinker although I would never have admitted it to anyone. Prior to my accident I was knocking it back as I was under a lot of stress but in some ways I think it has done me a favour and made me take a good look at myself. I haven't admitted it to any of my friends or family, you guys are the only people I have told, that I was drunk that night although people did ask and I denied it. After a few months out I could down quite a lot of wine, although never as much as before my op, and it was slowing my weight loss down significantly. I have an addictive nature and cannot do anything in moderation, eat, smoke or drink. It's all or nothing with me and for me quitting the booze is the best thing I have done. Only 5 weeks out though and it's not easy now I am feeling better and summer is on the way. We went to a barbecue yesterday and it was quite difficult watching everyone around me drinking but I stuck to orange juice and was fine. I am determined to stick to this as the upset and stress I caused my husband and children has made me sick with guilt. They were devastated. I was stupid with alcohol. I'm sure you lot will be able to control it better than I did!

Whilst new to the lap band, i have traveled on a number of cruises and long term holidays and successfully avoided gaining weight on holidays. A few tips I can recommend, especially for cruises: - Keep active! Look at offshore activities that involve more sport, swimming, diving, snorkeling, adventure activities etc. Use the time on shore to walk around and explore the town and ports. Additional exercise will help burn off any extra treats you do have. - I also aimed to spend the daylight hours outside or on deck in the pool. Being in a bikini or swimsuit more often will also make you avoid wanting to eat too much. - Alcohol, i'd focus on enjoying a few very nice drinks (either top shelf or a cream free cocktail) rather than a night of getting plastered. - Drink plenty of Water. I've been surprised how little water many people drink, while on cruises especially. I've never had to fight anyone to get to the fresh water vs the soda machine or bar! Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day. Often the buffets have fresh lemon and lime as well to make it taste better. Alternatively a herbal tea can be a pleasant end to a meal vs a heavy milky coffee. - Stick to a plate or portion size your used to. If your at a buffet, no need to take multiple plates or a tray if you want to stick to a single plate. - Use the opportunity to taste various items at the buffet, just dont eat a full portion of everything you try. You'll be shocked how much food others leave behind so you wont look out of place at all. - Soups on board cruises are great. After an active day, lunch was often a Soup first then i would see if i was still hungry before seeking more food. - Keep a book or magazine with you if you have some time free or if you end up on your own.Travelling alone quite often, i find even if I do have to eat out by myself, having something to read makes me eat a lot slower and I enjoy my food. Hope some of that helps! Enjoy your cruise!

RE: These caramel nut chew bars. Are they a protein bar ? Atkins has protein bars and some other ones that are more like snacks/treats? The nougat protein bars are fabulous. Atkins changed the taste of their shakes and not for the better. :-( Doesn't the sugar alcohol give you horrible gas? One more question. Eating low carb always constipates me. That benefiber gives me gas too. Some advice as to what others are doing to keep constipation until control would be really appreciated! I've been lurking on this thread. I don't know what happened to the other low carb thread.

tooo many carbs last night, but I think I did OK. We went to a cookout at our friends house last night and I ate a burger on a bun AND had about half a cup of pasta salad. I know this is not good on the induction part of the diet, but I didn't totally pig out AND we hung out until 1:00am and I didn't drink any alcohol, I didn't munch on chips or crackers or ANYTHING. I woke up this morning down .02 (okay its not A LOT but its not a gain!) and I thought for sure I would be out of ketosis and would have to work to get it back, but there is still a trace! This morning I went right back to having my protein drink instead of my usual "well I blew it last night...may as well have Lucky Charms (or something else bad) for breakfast" I am excited and I have lost just over 7 pounds in 6 days!!! I know the weightloss wont continue like this and most of it was probably water weight but who cares! I'm shrinking!!!:ohmy:

Hi, everyone! I have been low-carbing it since I was banded on May 7, 2009. Years ago I tried Atkins and South Beach, with very limited success, but this time I took my own approach. I don't count how many carbs I take in, but I do limit them considerably! After two consultations with my surgeon and a few sessions with a therapist, I realized that I was *truly* addicted to sugar, just like an alcoholic is addicted to alcohol. During the time between my first consultation and my surgery, I made the very difficult decision to completely give up sugar and all white carbs (bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes). It's been going good so far, and the longer I go without those items, the easier it is. I guess you would say my diet is closer to South Beach. My foods include: unjury Protein shakes in the morning (when my band is usually tight); fat-free Greek yogurt (really high in protein); lentil Soup or black bean soup with low-fat cheese melted in; refried Beans topped with low-fat cheese, fat-free salsa, low-fat sour cream (eat with whole wheat baked pita chips or just with a spoon!); hummus & tahini with fresh veggies and sometimes a few All Bran Multigrain crackers or pita chips; low-carb "sandwich": any deli meat, cheese, condiments, etc., between two slices of low-fat swiss cheese (the swiss allows you to hold it without getting your hands wet or sticky :thumbup:); Breakstone's 2% high-fiber cottage cheese mixed with 1 small container of pre-made sugar-free Jell-o (don't knock it till you try it -- got the idea from someone else on this board! :thumbup:); scrambled eggs with cheese; and if I'm out at a fast food restaurant, I choose a salad with grilled chicken on top, or I get a cheeseburger with all the toppings, take off the buns, use a fork and knife, and cut it all up into "cheeseburger salad." :thumbup: I have a question for you all: Has anyone found a good whole wheat/whole grain low-carb bread? :mad2: I was shocked to see to sugar content in most whole wheat breads! TIA! PS - A big hello to Minxz and LindaD, my fellow Mayo Banditos! :thumbup: