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I pay $700 a month for my family to have health insurance that doesnt even get used unless theres an emergency, which there hasnt been in the last 5 years. The way I see it, I dont owe my insurance company, or anyone else, ANYTHING ! I've figured out that no matter what anyone on a message board says, I'm the only one who knows what I'm capable of. I know I'll succeed no matter how much alcohol I drink (My surgeon actually advocates a glass of wine per day. Too bad I prefer cognac :smile:). I know that just because I might have 1/2 a tall frappucino once in a blue moon, that doesnt mean I'm going to fall back into the habit of a venti every single day. I read these boards every day, but rarely post because most of what I see is people telling others "You messed up so now you fail" or "This has been asked before and I'm tired of answering it" Wow! If you dont want to answer, than dont, and save the replies for someone who does. If all you have to pass on is "You dont deserve a band" then keep it toyourself.

You sound very well prepared!! I also had some decent success over about a 1-1/2 year span where I exercised at least 3 hours a day and ate 1000 cal or less. It was great. BUT it started climbing back up. I couldn't have eaten any less and I certainly could not have exercised any more. So, I gave up. I feel I can easily do the work...I'm not a binge eater, emotional eater, stress eater, etc. I actually like low carb foods, I can give up soda and alcohol. I'm not a big sweet eater. I just don't want to be hungry all the time. So, I feel this surgery would be a good option for me. I will probably get more excited and start stocking up more when it becomes more real...after I finish the various appointments! Let me know when you get your date!

I had VSG because portion control is hard. It's hard to eat only a little, or restricted foods while dieting. You're hungry, and it takes a lot of food to fill you up. But with VSG, I have much reduced hunger. And when I do eat, the quantity is so small, it's max a few hundred calories, and I'm full. I have lost nearly 70 lbs in 5 months, and it has been easier than any diet I've ever been on. You also seem to think that you have to be on a crazy restrictive diet after VSG. I'm certainty not. I eat quite healthfully when I'm home, focusing on protein and otherwise fairly low cal foods. But I don't restrict anything, I eat fruit, bread, protein pasta, cheese, frozen yogurt bars, frozen fruit bars, etc. But for example I don't make fettuccine alfredo or fried chicken at home. So it's balanced and moderate, IMO. I actually eat out multiples time per week for work. I wouldn't recommend eating at as much as I do, because it is harder to make healthy choices, and hard to track restaurant food. But for me it is unavoidable. Sometime I make healthy choices dining out, sometime I don't. I could eat healthier while dining out, but with clients and colleagues it's not appropriate to customize dishes very much. I've seriously eaten just about everything in the last 4 months, including bites of dessert. And most days even with 3 meals out, I'm still under 600 calories because my stomach size is so restricted. But I am very conscience of what I consume, I log everything. So even though I might have biscuits and gravy for breakfast, I'm not off the rails and have a f it attitude, if that makes sense? As far as FOMO, there is only one hard decision I made. I've cut out all alcohol. I didn't have to, it doesn't have an adverse effect when I do have it. I just don't want to add the empty liquid calories to my diet. It was a big deal because of the travel and entertaining I do. I'm in bars multiple times a week, and I'm drinking water, so definitely awkward. But if it was only glass of wine or two a week, I wouldn't have cut it out completely, as that's pretty immaterial in the scheme of things. But for me, many weeks would be 20+ drinks, so it just would have counteracted my WLS too much.

I've been reading this thread since it popped up. WOW!!!!! is all I can say...Lots of emotions. Which I believe in 100%. This is a VERY EMOTIONAL subject for everyone involved. It seems we've all been to the point of being overweight and can't do alot about it no matter what we do. The weight will drop and then come back with more attached to it. As I say all the time 'my fat and I, we've bonded. we're best buds' lol. I think the questions everyone has asked are legit. All doctors have different ways of treating there patients and giving advice. Mine won't do the surgery if you are going to continue drinking sodas or alcohol. As he said why waste his time and yours if your not into it 110%. Alot of it is trial and error. What works for one may not work for another. I believe the rules are put in place to help you. Not necessarily hurt you. If you didn't want to loose weight and have a better quality of life then you wouldn't have made the first step to do the research on it and go to the doctor and inquire about it. The way I compensate for the cravings or 'rules' is I tell myself that I'm allergic to it and I can't have it. That way I won't be tempted to eat and/or drink it. So for me that is my rule. I'm sure at one time or another anyone of us will have something we aren't supposed to. BUT I know with me it won't happen again. I have to much invested into this to screw up and throw it all away. If you aren't serious about wanting to loose weight then go have the band taken out and be on your merry way. It's not a miracle band that will make you loose weight. It's a tool to HELP you loose weight. You are the one that is in control of what you put in your mouth. So if you deem that you want sodas, beer, or whatever else your not supposed to have and your not loosing weight then it totally falls back on you. There is no one else to blame but yourself. You are in control of your own destiny.

I hear ya. My alcohol consumption had increased dramatically since March, which also happened to coincide with my early-covid weight gain.

My Husband has a fatty liver or fatty liver syndrome. He was accused of being an alcoholic because his enzymes were off the chart. After changing Dr.s his liver panel came back off the chart still. The new Dr. knows my DH personally and knows that he never drinks. He then put my DH on a no sugar, no carb diet at first and began to treat him for a candida overload. Aparently, candida takes the sugars in you digestive track and may manufacture as much as a quart of alcohol a day, causing sleepiness, headaches, and a craving for more sugar and refined carbs, as this is the food they need. It is a large and strong bacteria in our gut and is usually kept in check by proper levels of acdidophilus and bifidus ands bulgaricus and other heathy bacteria. If we have a long haul of antibiotic, these friendly bacteria are the first to go and the candida usually survives, and takes over so to speak in the gut. BTW, good bacteria in our gut takes things like complex protiens,(beef) breaks it down and produces b complex and enzymes that cause candida to be surpressed. Another thing that happens with good bacteria is that the enzymes they produce makes an unfriendly environment to virus, thats why they are sometime referred to as a probiotic. Ok back to the liver. The candida was producing alcohol inside his body, the liver was getting damaged, producing the fatty liver syndrome. He had his gut cleansed, and liver detoxed, and his gut rebuilt with healthy bacteria, It took about 6 mo. In the process, he lost weight, lost major sunus problems and allergies bothered him so much less that he stopped the decongestants and antihistamines. His sinus infections dissapeared, which can be aggrivated by the candida. He did not need to keep going back to powerful antibiotics for sinus infections. His liver panel is normal now and he no longer has fatty livey syndrome. When we get the lapband, our diet changes to higer protien, low sugar and low carbs. This alone can cause the candida levels to be surpressed. Thats how so many of us seem to loose the fatty liver problem, on top of the fact that many of us have increased energy. No more overrunning candida giving us alcohol, and causing us to crave more sugar,etc. No more sleepiness after our meals and all of those benifits come after we get the band and get help controlling what we eat. I see it as a win, win.

My doc says no alcohol for four months post-op. I thought this would be a very hard rule for me to follow (we are very social and drinking is usually always involved!) but it has me feeling a bit empowered, if I do say so myself! He also says no caffeine 2 months post op. I went cold turkey on both, the day i started my pre-op on July 5. Haha, had a great 4th and then the party ended! I feel more awake and alert since I have given up caffeine and giving up alcohol has saved me a lot of empty calories and bad decisions on post-party eating. Right around Thanksgiving will be the 4 month mark for me, so I might enjoy some wine with my Turkey. When I do go back to drinking, I think it will be a weekend only thing for me...not daily like it used to be. No beer, though. I've given up carbonation, too! I like the idea of crystal light, G2, and Fuse Slenderize with a little vodka My husband is AMAZED that I have given up alcohol so easily. I always tell him that food is my vice, not alcohol. I really can take it or leave it even though I used to enjoy it quite frequently.

my surgeon said no alcohol for 4-6 weeks after banding. Then thereafter in moderation (which i admit i sometimes go overboard). There's something about alcohol and the healing stomach that they are concerned with. When you said you may try wine soon i just thought i'd share in case your surgeon had rules on when you could have your first "nip".

I laughed almost as hard at the people who scolded you as I did at your phunny post. When I first started reading your post I almost couldn't believe my eyes. I couldn't imagine how in the world you were able to eat enough pizza that there was none left for the kiddo. You're funny. Pizza is one thing that I've wondered about. I had surgery on the 28th of April so I'm a month out. I'm trying very hard to do all the right stuff. I want success so very much!! And so far, I'm doing fine. Losing little amounts every day. But I do worry that I'm going to eat too many calories so I write everything down all day long. I think that helps. I meet with the dietician in a couple of weeks. I'll probably ask her about pizza and alcohol. Not ready to party yet, but one day maybe..... Good luck with your new tummy Mr. Bigga and keep the funny stuff coming. We need to keep our sense of humor and stay happy on this journey!

Hey everyone, <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> I am a 25 year old male from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:State>. I weigh, as of today, 228 pounds and have a BMI of 33. Two months ago I went for several lap-band consultations, at which time my BMI was a 36 (weight was 246 I believe). I since gave Optifast a 5<SUP>th</SUP> try, and went down to 220, and then up to the weight I am at now. During all this I went through the hoops to get Lap-band approved. I wasn’t even 100% sure – I figured if they say no then theres nothing to think about, and if they say yes I can decide from there. I even considered going to one of two places in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> that do it highly discounted for non-insured procedures. Well, in addition to the acid reflux disease and stuff, I just found out I have obstructive sleep apnea. On that basis, my insurance just approved it, and I am scheduled for surgery THIS TUESDAY 8/21/07. Naturally, I am a little scared, but yet I feel highly inclined to want to proceed with getting it. I have been overweight since I was 7. I have gain and lost the same 70 pounds several times now. My senior year of high school I was able to get down to 170 briefly, but then it gradually went back up – eventually hitting the 200s. Then I was able to get back to the 180s, followed by going up into the 220s and then hitting a high of 249. I have done every diet in the book, both commercial and medical weight loss programs, and been on every prescription – Meridia, Phentermine, Adderall, Bontril SR, Xenical, etc. Even if I can manage to get the weight off, I just don’t want a lifetime of yo-yoing back and fourth. My problem has always been I take my anxiety/stress out on food. I was never into alcohol or drugs, and never smoked, so food was my drug. Having said that, I don’t like to vomit or feel sick and I would NOT eat to the point of making myself like that – which makes me believe lap-band would fore me to get down to a normal weight and, more importantly, stay there. I also have a hiatul hernia – I asked the doctor to fix this while im under (since I live on Nexium for GERD), but he said he will not be able to tell till the day of the operation. If its bad, he said he will repair it. But he said mine is not that big (5cm) and that the lap-band alone may be sufficient in stopping the stomach from going up my chest. He said he would not be able to make that decision till he is in the O.R. though, but that he assures me he will do whats best for the implantation of the lap-band the safety of such. <o:p></o:p> Naturally, I am scared. It doesn’t help that the site states “You should know death is one of these risks, it can happen anytime during the surgery or immediately following the procedure.” Even if I focus on the more common problems, the idea of nausea and band slippage or a tear in the stomach all sound scary. Plus I will be in law school in one year and can not imagine what I would do if I got an infection or became very sick (people get ulcers in these programs as it is, let alone having extra stomach problems). Then the issue of not being able to eat certain foods scares me – I love steak, Chinese food, etc. And is it true most people can’t tolerate breads or pasta??? <o:p></o:p> As much as the health benefits sound great, I am not going to lie – I am interested in the procedure mostly for cosmetic reasons. I just simply want to end the cycle and feel good about my body once and for all. I gay a lot of criticism from many people that I am not overweight enough – the “YOU’RE getting lap-band?” I admit it seems a little extreme, especially risk to reward in terms of complications. Then some tell me I should wait till I’m 30 and see if I still want it, that’s definitely not what I want to do though – frankly I’m sorry I did not get it five years ago when I was 20. I can only imagine how much difference my high school or college experience would have been… The clubs and all were very into looks – tight clothes, very in shape, etc. I have never in my life been able to shop at Abercrombie, for example. My weight is the only thing I hate about my appearance and I would just love to feel 100% confident for once. Plus I will never be able to convince my insurance to swing this again – especially as I lose weight. <o:p></o:p> I just feel like at least this would give me the major tool to commit to keeping the weight off once and for all. I do know in the back of my head I could probably lose it on my own – maybe. But everyone who I know says they lost it on their own once is currently overweight, meaning they gained the weight back – it just seems like they inevitably gain it back, that is, how many people truly keep it off on their own without the help of something like this? The other thing that scares me is I know certain medicines interact, like anti-inflam’s. What about A.D.D. medicines – will I be able to take Adderall (amphetamines) or Ritalin while in law school or does it cause problems with lap-band? Anyone have experience with this? (And does anyone have a link for the diet that should be followed after surgery?) <o:p></o:p> Just in case I started an all liquid diet today to prep for the surgery and had my pre-op testing done today. So, if the world does not think its crazy to base this on cosmetic reasons, I guess I am good to go… I am basically writing to see what people think or would do in my situation. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. <o:p></o:p> Paul <o:p></o:p>

OK, my weakness is wine not ice cream. So I was a bad girl last night and had a glass of white wine. (I am still on liquid phase and this is liquid right??!!). Anyway, it tasted bad to me and my taste buds were not ready for it after having protien drinks for 13 days. My mouth was dry as the desert all night as I slept even though I drank 2 glasses of Water after the wine. Anyway, I am glad because I am not going to hurry to have another glass now. That will make me fall off the health wagon faster than ice cream. Does anyone else that likes an occasional drink have a story of their experience of alcohol with the band??

My doctor said a glass of wine but not all the time. He said beer is ok if it is not very carbonated. I had my first glass of wine a week post op. I find alcohol slows my weight loss down so I dont have it often. I drink any kind of alcohol I want but not in large portions. I always tells my doc about the amounts I drink and he has never had a problem with it those always tells me it is better not to drink because of the calories etc.

Drinking alcohol helped to get me where I am weight wise. Alcohol bloats me terribly. I have not had any wine since a couple of days before my surgery and I have already released so much of the bloat . I won't be doing alcohol for a long time to come. It's not worth it to me. Losing weight is my top priority now.

Sorry.... I can't let this one slide by without comment... First the disclaimer... the following is my opinion only... You know what they say about opinions... Okay... that part is done... Now... I don't want anyone to think that you can just get banded, eat chips, drink alcohol, and full sugar soda and lose weight so long as you just walk around the Home Depot all day... :eek: Oh if it were only that easy... She was just banded in March? She may be losing weight right now... Well guess what, come along August or September she's going to be due for a big a$$ wake up call... She'll be complaining that she's plateau'd and stalled out and this damn band thing isn't working at all... that'll be followed by "maybe I should go get a fill." If she isn't exercising, but has a good calorie deficit from intake alone (diet), then the weight she's losing is, percentage-wise, far larger Fluid and lean muscle tissue when compared to someone who is sufficiently exercising. What's the difference? The exerciser is maintaining a healthy metabolism by keeping as much lean muscle tissue as possible, which will keep the FAT loss going. The other is slowly but surely crashing their metabolism, losing lean body mass, and when the equalibrium is met - the plateau arrives. And walking around the home depot, or anywhere else for that matter, is a part of a good active lifestyle, but that aint exercise. Ok... I'm done... Brad

Penni, read post "Lisa is in the funny farm." I'm not sure I can meet the challenge since I'll need food, drugs, and alcohol to feed my emotional breakdown. Oh, but now that I have a new (go read the post) I need my Total Gym pronto... maybe in 2 weeks we'll meet cuz I need buff arms if I'm gonna be a "HC" (again, read post.)

Yeh. I think all docs tell you that. But my dietician told me that it was fine to drink non-carbonated drinks (i.e. sugar free margaritas/daquiris (see www.bariatriceating.com for GREAT mixers) and my personal favorite is WINE. Also, if I can spare the calories I'll go for a Cape Cod (cranberry juice and vodka). The bubbly drink thing is supposed to be for the rest of your life (or at least your banded life) because "supposedly" the carbonation can expand the pouch and the extra gas causes discomfort. About 2 months out I had a sip of champagne and it didn't bother me, but I just don't want to risk it. Generally docs say no alcohol for a year or so because they don't want you to have the empty calories. Kristin P.S. LMAO at your screen name! I love it!!

The band is NOT surgically induced bulimia! NO! no! No! The band is about restricting you portion sizes, not restricting your life. My DH and I go out all the time, and yes, I have drinks, but many bandsters find that alcohol affects them much easier than before, and blended drinks like margaritas will Close lots of folks down from the restriction it brings. We usually order off the appitizer menue too, or we share, or we bring home all the left overs so I have "good" lunches for days! I know that not being "normal" is the fear of so many baby bandsters, that and worry that the band won't work for them. Because the Band is a lifestyle, it will take some work and mental adjustment on your part to figure how how to live with your new lifestyle. Like figuring out that eating in your car is a thing of the past... Or at least eating while you drive is ...

I'm sorry that you are struggling with this tough issue on top of dealing with all the other "band rules". My doctor makes his patients sign a "contract" that says we won't drink for atleast a year. He said that alcohol is liquid calories but more importantly causes stress to the body which releases cortisol and cortisol causes the body to store fat, particularly in the belly. I hope this helps.

Well, I hate to admit it, but I am worried about this same thing. I often socially drink and usually have a couple of beers or drinks to 'wind down' at the end of the day. It DOES add up. I wonder if I start looking at this as calories rather than a nice relaxation thingie would that make a difference. Truthfully, I can't see myself giving up my nightcap, but I know with alcohol, like food, I will have to make adjustments to my life and figure out what is working and what is not. Cashley-that is too funny...let me go through my cabinet and see what 'alcohol substitues' I can fine....(kidding yall)

Hello, I’m currently going to doctors and collecting my documents for surgery. My dietologist telling me scary story of future: no alcohol, no sugar, no fat and spicy food for all my life after the surgery. And it can’t leave my head, because I’m only 21 and my future life will be in China. So there is a lot of “problem” food that I want to try after year or two. I really want to ask you all about your life after surgery. Do you able to have fun? How was your pregnancy after the surgery (if you had)? (My weight is 100 for hight 165 and I have pco, so maybe surgery covered by my insurance. I’m thinking about different types of surgeries, maybe you can give me some advice)

I think compulsive eating is EXACTLY like alcoholism. My step father (who is an alcoholic) tells me, "why don't you just quit eating". I say to him, why don't you quit drinking?! When I finally admitted that I can't control myself, I began to understand him a little better, and now I no longer judge him as much. He criticized me for wanting to go through with surgery, and I told him that at least I could admit I have a problem and need help. There are so many other parallels. I will eat very little for days at a time, and then I will go on an eating binge for days- he does the same thing, except with alcohol. The longest he has been sober is 2 months. I can stay on a diet for a few months and then, I too, fall off the proverbial wagon. He can't have just one drink. I can't have just one bite. They are both addictions, but in two different forms.

There was a special that talked about that. How successful would a crack/cocaine addict or alcoholic be if they had to take just a hit or just a drink, each and every day? Unless you've been overweight, you just can't understand.

Hi there! I was banded 11/5, too -- just had my first fill a couple of days ago and will go back next week for another (no fluid in band at surgery). I had no hunger for quite a while but then started getting hungry and hungrier sooner -- still seems to be a few hours and I need food again rather than the 4-5 hours my doctor is looking for. I know I'm not having enough protein so today I began having a shake each morning. I have had one stuck episode when I just ate too fast and probably too much (steamed veg -- was craving beets). I have been exercising a lot. My weight loss was good but plateaued recently -- gained a few back just before fill. Had alcohol around Thanksgiving and a trip we took -- doctor good with that but I think it stalled weight loss or just a coincidence. May be time for my body to regroup -- 20 down, rest, now for 20 more! I am down one jean size and just so happy to be less obsessed with food.

Law school is awful. I put my husband through. He graduated in the top 5% of his undergraduate class and struggled with his grades in law school. The not being able to work thing almost killed us. I was working a crap retail job that really didn't pay enough. He didn't get any scholarships and now has $150k in student loan debt because we took every cent possible to make sure we had a roof over our head (seriously, DC area is freaking expensive - my paycheck didn't even cover our rent). When he got out, it was right in the middle of this last recession and no jobs were available. He interned with all the public-interest groups who were all in hiring freezes. The situation is pretty bad when you go to a tier I school with no employment prospects afterwards. All the people who got hired when they graduated had family firms and connections, which we had none of. When the freezes ended, they only wanted people fresh out of school. It really didn't prepare him for anything afterwards at all. He does criminal defense and he had to learn pretty much everything. Like right now, he just started a new firm and is learning the civil sides because trying to get people to pay their bills is nearly impossible sometimes. I'm just glad his stuff is doing well enough so that I can go to school full-time and not work, especially since my college is tough (it's an honor's college). The kicker is, his school keeps begging us for money. We haven't even started paying his loans back. And the fact that they changed their name to "honor" one of the biggest disgraces to the legal profession (and Supreme Court - sorry to get political, but yeah, not happy about that name change) means they can go well.. uh.. yeah. If they had the money to do that, then they don't need the money we don't have. Relax, breathe, relax. Drink a glass of wine (if that's your thing). Don't go overboard: law school almost made my husband an alcoholic. Yes, an F can be catastrophic. But it sounds like you've done pretty well other than that class. Fingers crossed for you that it pulls you up over that hump. If they try to kick you out or pull your stuff, appeal it. Explain your situation: your life, stress / mental health factors, etc. They might have programs to help with that (my husband's law school did). I have to keep a 3.0 to keep my scholarships and get into the graduate program I want to do. The pressure is on there. I feel ya. I couldn't afford to stay in school if it weren't for my scholarships. Oh, and the way classes are graded are terrible. I remember his grades being determined 100% by the final exam. Nothing else mattered except that exam.

Well i am just doing a healthier diet. No soda or sugar drinks, no alcohol, five to nine servings of fruits and veggies. No simple carbs, high Protein, Breakfast everyday. Limit dairy. It's been pretty doable. I'm also going to the gym 2_3 times a week and wearing my bodymedia arm band