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I've never been much of a drinker because alcoholism also runs in MY family, so the most I drink now is a glass of wine (and this only once or twice a month). I just know I get "buzzed" much more quickly now -- but I stop after one so I can't really comment on the rest of your experiences. And yes - transfer addiction is real. I unfortunately know of some WLS patients who are now dealing with alcohol addiction. I never feel social pressure to drink, fortunately. Even before WLS, I'd usually just order soft drinks after my one and only drink - and sometimes I wouldn't drink alcohol at all - just soft drinks. Even at bars. I never felt particularly weird about doing that, thankfully...

I don't drink often. May be once every 3 to 4 months. I don't dump much. If I have a bit too much of sugar or carbs, may feel little dump-ish but nothing intolerable. So I can drink fine without worrying about dumping. But after bypass, I do get buzzed easily with a glass of any kinda alcohol. And the effect for me persists a good time and doesn't fade away quickly. It's a good thing since a glass is all I need and I am good to go for the evening 😂

I've had no problem with beer - I choose the light variety all the time though as it does really make a difference in calories consumed. when drinking from the bottle straight though you may find it a bit hard to swallow because of the carbonation. I found beer easier to drink from the glass. It's no fun when you take a nice swig and it all comes back up and maybe hits somebody in the face (unless it is someone who is giving you unwanted attention). That's been my experience with beer. Other alcohol, no problem. :Banane34:

Did I say cutting off the poor? I said give aways. I have always said that there will always be some poor who will need a hand up, and the government should give it. It is when the government decides to give away to those who DON'T need it. Like home improvements mentioned earlier, and cash for clunkers, and up tp $8,000 towards your house and a playground, and well here, take a read: The 102 worst ways the government is spending your tax dollars: 102: Protecting a Michigan insect collection from other insects ($187,632) 101: Highway beautified by fish art in Washington ($10,000) 100: University studying hookup behavior of female college coeds in New York ($219,000) 99: Police department getting 92 blackberries for supervisors in Rhode Island ($95,000) 98: Upgrades to seldom-used river cruise boat in Oklahoma ($1.8 million) 97: Precast concrete toilet buildings for Mark Twain National Forest in Montana ($462,000) 96: University studying whether mice become disoriented when they consume alcohol in Florida ($8,408) 95: Foreign bus wheel polishers for California ($259,000) 94: Recovering crab pots lost at sea in Oregon ($700,000) 93: Developing a program to develop "machine-generated humor" in Illinois ($712,883) 92: Colorado museum where stimulus was signed (and already has $90 million in the bank) gets geothermal stimulus grant ($2.6 million) 91: Grant to the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance to support the traditional arts apprenticeship program, gathering and festival ($30,000) 90: Studying methamphetamines and the female rat sex drive in Maryland ($30,000) 89: Studying mating decisions of cactus bugs in Florida ($325,394) 88: Studying why deleting a gene can create sex reversal in people, but not in mice in Minnesota ($190,000) 87: College hires director for a project on genetic control of sensory hair cell membrane channels in zebrafish in California ($327,337) 86: New jumbo recycling bins with microchips embedded inside to track participation in Ohio ($500,000) 85: Oregon Federal Building's "green" renovation at nearly the price of a brand new building ($133 million) 84: Massachusetts middle school getting money to build a solar array on its roof ($150,000) 83: Road widening that could have been millions of dollars cheaper if Lousiana hadn't opted to replace a bridge that may not have needed replacing ($60 million) 82: Cleanup effort of a Washington nuclear waste site that already got $12 billion from the DOE ($1.9 billion) 81: Six woodlands Water taxis getting a new home in Texas ($750,000) 80: Maryland group gets money to develop "real life" stories that underscore job and infrastructure-related research findings ($363,760) 79: Studying social networks like Facebook in North Carolina ($498,000) 78:18 North Carolina teacher coaches to heighten math and reading performance ($4.4 million) 77: Retrofitting light switches with motion sensors for one company in Arizona ($800,000) 76: Removing graffiti along 100 miles of flood-control ditches in California ($837,000) 75: Bicycle lanes, shared lane signs and bike racks in Pennsylvania ($105,000) 74: Privately-owned steakhouse rehabilitating its restaurant space in Missouri ($75,000) 73: National dinner cruise boat company in Illinois outfitting vessels with surveillance systems to protect against terrorists ($1 million) 72: Producing and transporting peanuts and Peanut Butter in North Carolina ($900,000) 71: Refurnishing and delivering picnic tables in Iowa ($30,000) 70: Digital television converter box coupon program in D.C. ($650 million) 69: Elevating and relocating 3,000 feet of track for the Napa Valley Wine Train in California ($54 million) 68: Hosting events for Earth Day, the summer solstice etc. in Minnesota ($50,000) 67: Expanding ocean aquaculture in Hawaii ($99,960) 66: Raising railroad tracks 18 inches in Oregon because the residents of one small town were tired of taking a detour around them ($4.2 million) 65: Professors and employees of Iowa state universities voluntarily taking early retirement ($43 million) 64: Minnesota theatre named after Che Guevara putting on "socially conscious" puppet shows ($25,000) 63: Replacing a basketball court lighting system with a more energy efficient one in Arizona ($20,000) 62: Repainting and adding a security camera to one bridge in Oregon ($3.5 million) 61: Missouri bridge project that already was full-funded with state money ($8 million) 60: New hospital parking garage in New York that will employ less people ($19.5 million) 59: University in North Carolina studying why adults with ADHD smoke more ($400,000) 58: Low-income housing residents in one Minnesota city receiving free laptops, WiFi and iPod Touches to "educate" them in technology ($5 million) 57: University in California sending students to Africa to study why Africans vote they the way they do in their elections ($200,000) 56: Researching the impact of air pollution combined with a high-fat diet on obesity development in Ohio ($225,000) 55: Studying how male and female birds care for their offspring and how it compares to how humans care for their children in Oklahoma ($90,000) 54: University in Pennsylvania researching fossils in Argentina (over $1 million) 53: University in Tennessee studying how black holes form (over $1 million) 52: University in Oklahoma sending 3 researchers to Alaska to study grandparents and how they pass on knowledge to younger generations ($1.5 million) 51: Grant application from a Pennsylvania university for a researcher named in the Climate-gate scandal (Rep. Darrell Issa is calling on the president to freeze the grant) ($500,000) 50: Studying the impact of global warming on wildflowers in a Colorado ghost town ($500,000) 49: Bridge built over railroad crossing so 168 Nebraska town residents don't have to wait for the trains to pass ($7 million) 48: Renovating an old hotel into a visitors center in Kentucky ($300,000) 47: Removing overgrown weeds in a Rhode Island park ($250,000) 46: Renovating 5 seldom-used ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border in Montana ($77 million) 45: Testing how to control private home appliances in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts from an off-site computer ($800,000) 44: Repainting a rarely-used bridge in North Carolina ($3.1 million) 43: Renovating a desolate Wisconsin bridge that averages 10 cars a day ($426,000) 42: 4 new buses for New Hampshire ($2 million) 41: Repaving a 1-mile stretch of Atlanta road that had parts of it already repaved in 2007 ($490,000) 40: Florida beauty school tuition ($2.3 million) 39: Extending a bike path to the Minnesota Twins stadium ($500,000) 38: Beautification of Los Angeles' Sunset Boulevard ($1.1 million) 37: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival ($10,000) 36: Developing the next generation of supersonic corporate jets in Maryland that could cost $80 million dollars each ($4.7 million) 35: New spring training facilities for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies ($30 million) 34: Demolishing 35 old laboratories in New Mexico ($212 million) 33: Putting free WiFi, Internet kiosks and interactive history lessons in 2 Texas rest stops ($13.8 million) 32: Replacing a single boat motor on a government boat in D.C. ($10,500) 31: Developing the next generation of football gloves in Pennsylvania ($150,000) 30: Pedestrian bridge to nowhere in West Virginia ($80,000) 29: Replacing all signage on 5 miles of road in Rhode Island ($4,403,205) 28: Installing a geothermal energy system to heat the "incredible shrinking mall" in Tennessee ($5 million) 27: University in Minnesota studying how to get the homeless to stop smoking ($230,000) 26: Large woody habitat rehabilitation project in Wisconsin ($16,800) 25: Replacing escalators in the parking garage of one D.C. metro station ($4.3 million) 24: Building an airstrip in a community most Alaskans have never even heard of ($14,707,949) 23: Bike and pedestrian paths connecting Camden, N.J. to Philadelphia, Penn. when there's already a bridge that connects them ($23 million) 22: Sending 10 university undergrads each year from North Carolina to Costa Rica to study the rainforests ($564,000) 21: Road signs touting stimulus funds at work in Ohio ($1 million) 20: Researching how paying attention improves performance of difficult tasks in Connecticut ($850,000) 19: Kentucky Transportation Department awarding contracts to companies associated with a road contractor accused of bribing the previous state transportation secretary ($24 million) 18: Amtrak losing $32 per passenger nationally but rewarded with windfall ($1.3 billion) 17: Widening an Arizona interstate even though the company that won the contract has a history of tax fraud and pollution ($21.8 million) 16: Replace existing dumbwaiters in New York ($351,807) 15: Deer underpass in Wyoming ($1,239,693) 14: Arizona universities examining the division of labor in ant colonies (combined $950,000) 13: Fire station without firefighters in Nevada ($2 million) 12: "Clown" theatrical production in Pennsylvania ($25,000) 11: Maryland town gets money but doesn't know what to do with it ($25,000) 10: Investing in nation-wide wind power (but majority of money has gone to foreign companies) ($2 billion) 9: Resurfacing a tennis court in Montana ($50,000) 8: University in Indiana studying why young men do not like to wear condoms ($221,355) 7: Funds for Massachusetts roadway construction to companies that have defrauded taxpayers, polluted the environment and have paid tens of thousands of dollars in fines for violating workplace safety laws (millions) 6: Sending 11 students and 4 teachers from an Arkansas university to the U.N. climate change convention in Copenhagen, using almost 54,000 lbs of carbon dioxide from air travel alone ($50,000) 5: Storytelling festival in Utah ($15,000) 4: Door mats to the Department of the Army in Texas ($14,675) 3: University in New York researching young adults who drink malt liquor and smoke pot ($389,357) 2: Solar panels for climbing gym in Colorado ($157,800) 1: Grant for one Massachusetts university for "robobees" (miniature flying robot bees) ($2 million) GRAND TOTAL: $4,891,645,229 Imagine how many poor people you could help with that total!

Where is everybody? Missing you since I`m feeling pretty lonely here. Well, I`m doing well but have been fighting with the carb and nuts monster recently. It`s amazing though that I didn`t do the alcohol phase for a lengthy period. Very proud of my pretty little socks. LOL Chocolates were not an issue this X`mas at all so that`s an achievement too. I`ll like to hear from all of you, Claire.

Renee hun, how did the fill go today? Paying for them is a drain, isn`t it? I`m a self-paid and pay £100 per fill. About $160ish? Hope this one gives you maximum restriction and takes you to your sweet spot. Even with 6cc in 10cc, you should not be getting as hungry as you do inbetween meals but each individual is unique. if you`re getting some restriction, that means that the band is well placed. Sometimes it gets placed too low which means that the top pouch becomes too large. Thanks for making a list of the intake. I will give you my take and hopefully others will chip in with their support as well. When you previously logged your intake did you check the calories being consumed and considered cutting down or what you could sacrifice for the time being? I feel that your daily intake is a lot and needs to be reviewed. You seem to be eating 6 times a day so you need to reduce the portions of the 3 main meals. My approach and bariatric team`s advice is that you try to eat 3 meals a day or 5-6 small ones. I know you mentioned that you are creature of habits and don`t want to deprive yourself but I think you need to make a change to your lifestyle and habit for the band to work. You need to make the tool work for you and the only way you`re going to do that is to make some sacrifices for now. I`m saying for now because it will get to a point that you will not even want to eat certain items. They simply will not appeal to you after you`ve made away with them for a while. Some habits could / should definitely be broken or do away with. Hun, try to cut off all processed foods, such as donut, ice cream, whipped cream and shop bought sauces from your diet or minimise the intake. Peanut butter can be a real killer so if you can`t do without it, buy the no added sugar bland and limit your intake to a spoon or two per go. I hardly go near that stuff because I can easily sit down and consume a 340 gram bottle in a go. Worse still, it is a sliding food. You have to also consider whether wheat-based products are trigger foods for you and minimise your intake. They are very addictive and don`t give you the necessary nutrients needed by your reduced pouch to function properly. Have you also considered upping your Protein and cutting down on carbohydrate? Personally, I see increase in my weight loss when I reduce my carbohydrate intake, especially the processed ones. Even wholemeal crackers soon add up. I guess in my simple and lay-person`s way, what I`m trying to say is that you need to make some sacrifices which will be rewarding in time. You did not mention what you drink, apart from the coffee. Are you drinking enough Water? Do you drink alcohol or carbonated sugary drinks? Sometimes people drink their calories without realising. Some drinks can contain as much as 500 calories, I`m told. So one needs to be careful with drinks. Keep to water whenever possible. You mentioned that you exercise in your previous post. Do you go to the gym or do you go for aerobics? Walking, running, swimming / aquafit, spinning, cross training, rowing etc are all quite effective in burning the calories and most of them cost nothing. For instance, I can walk and jog up to 10 miles a day in the fresh air. As well as burning the calories, it clears my mind as well. Oh Boy, I`m turning into my mum. I know you do so much of the above already or have done it before but will you consider re-doing it as a challenge? Renee, you will be fine. Just make some adjustment to your lifestyle. You`ve taken the biggest step of all by getting the tool, make it work for you. Please ignore anything that will not be beneficial to you and keep in touch. Thinking of you.

BoycottLiberalism.comgovernment waste When I created this page someone asked, "Why don't you list the money spent on the war with Iraq?" Please be advised that the primary responsibility of government is to protect its citizens. Government should do those things that we cannot as individuals do for ourselves. I could not personally take down the Taliban government or Saddam Hussein, but the U.S. Government can. This is not to say that the U.S. military should not be efficient in its spending. However, below are examples of your tax dollars wasted. The next time a government official wants to raise your taxes- think of the below list. Our cumulative running total of government waste is: $1,230,956,867,592.00 Liberalism Defined Exposing Liberalism to Light The Stimulus Plan The National Institutes of Health spending more than $400,000 in taxpayer money by paying researchers to cruise six bars in Buenos Aires to find out why gay men engage in risky sexual behavior while drunk -- and just what can be done about it. The U.S. government is spending $2.6 million to make sure prostitutes in China consume less alcohol while working. As part of the five-year study that the National Institutes of Health bankrolled, researchers are visiting more than 100 houses of prostitution to monitor their employees, designated as FSWs, or female sex workers. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is funding a study on the use of ecstasy, LSD and other “party drugs” in Porto Alegre, Brazil. To do this, U.S. taxpayers will invest $117,876 for the three-year study, conducted by researchers from the University of Delaware, who will work in collaboration with researchers from Brazil's Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Federal employees wasted at least $146 million over a one-year period in business- or first-class airline tickets bought in violation of travel policies, congressional investigators say. It looks like Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., is going to get his wish – $2 million in taxpayer funding for a library commemorating his 37 years in the House of Representatives. The Charles B. Rangel Center for Public service will serve as a repository for his "papers," and the congressman will have his own office in the Harlem complex. The earned income tax credit (EITC) provides $31 billion in refundable tax credits to 19 million low-income families. The IRS estimates that $8.5 billion to $9.9 billion of this amount—nearly one-third—is wasted in overpayments. A recent audit revealed that between 1997 and 2003, the Defense Department purchased and then left unused approximately 270,000 commercial airline tickets at a total cost of $100 million. Since World War II, the U.S. has spent $1.2 trillion on foreign aid to 70 countries – and all are worse off than they were in 1980, according to the U.N. For the Department of Commerce for giving the City and County of Honolulu $28,600 in 1981 to study how they could spend another $250,000 for a good surfing beach. For the Health Care Financing Administration for Medicaid payments to psychiatrists for unscheduled, coincidental meetings with patients who were attending basketball games, sitting on stoops, etc. -- the cost of which was between $40 and $80 million from 1981 to 1984. The National Endowment for the Humanities for a $25,000 grant in 1977 to study why people cheat, lie and act rudely on local Virginia tennis courts. The Office of Education for spending $219,592 in 1978 to develop a curriculum to teach college students how to watch television. The Environmental Protection Agency for spending an extra $1 million to $1.2 million in 1980 to preserve a Trenton, NJ sewer as a historical monument. In 2005 - $469,000 for the National Wildlife Turkey Federation in South Carolina In 2005 - $100,000 for the Punxsatawny Weather Discovery Center Museum In 2005 - $350,000 for the Inner Harmony Foundation and Wellness Center in Scranton, Penn. In 2005 - $1,430,000 for various Halls of Fame, including $250,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn., and $70,000 for the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame in Appleton, Wis.; Medicare, the U.S. health-insurance program for the elderly and disabled, erroneously paid out $19.9 billion during fiscal 2004, up from $19.6 billion a year earlier, because of mistakes, waste and fraud, a government report said. In most cases, hospitals and doctors billed for medically unnecessary services or didn't provide proper documentation to support the fees for services. The GAO estimated that between 1997 and 2003, the Defense Department spent an estimated $100 million for airline tickets that were not used over a six-year period and failed to seek refunds even though the tickets were reimbursable. While Andrew Cuomo was HUD Secretary under Bill Clinton, the agency set up a "Creative Wellness" program that spent $1,100,000 million taxpayer dollars on “gem” bags and taught public tenants to burn incense. The study, titled "Status/Dominance and Motivational Effects on Nonverbal Sensitivity and Smiling," attempts to find out if it's really true that women smile more than men, and if people of higher status smile less. Judith Hall, a highly respected researcher at Northeastern University in Boston, is conducting the smile study — and it is not her first. Since 1993, she has been awarded more than $500,000. A National Science Foundation study looking at whether White House reporters have become more adversarial sounds a bit strange to reporters and critics. Even more surprising: the study cost taxpayers $180,000. In 2001 more than $600,000 in tax money was spent on researching the sex lives of South African ground squirrels. The head of the IRS sent out a notice to every person advising them that they would be receiving a tax refund in 2001 - the estimated cost $30,000,000. In 1998 more than $800,000 was approved for a coal library in Pennsylvania. Defenders staed that it would provide historical insight into a very important part of Pennsylvania and history. In 2001 the U.S.. Government gave $5,000,000 to the University of Alaska, North Pacific University, and the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation to fund the "stellar sea lion recovery plan." In the year 2001, Congress appropriated $340,000,000 in federal tax dollars to PBS (Public Broadcasting Services). In 1999 the U.S. government spent $500,000 for a Mississippi research project on "manure handling and disposal". In 1999 the U.S. government spent $1,500,000 million to promote silk production in Laos In 1999 the U.S. government spent $1 ,000,000 for the "eradication of Brown Tree Snakes" (Hawaii). In 1999 the U.S. government spent $1,000,000 to "develop and train Alaska natives for employment in the petroleum industry." In 1999 the U.S. government spent $500,000 for water taxis in Savannah (Georgia) In 1999 the U.S. government spent $200,000 for a transit center for the Toledo Mud Hens minor league baseball team. In 1999 $1,200,000 million to subsidize a park on the Galapagos Islands. In 2000 the U.S. government spent $100,000 to study the causes of sediment buildup at a Santa Cruz, New Mexico dam. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $50,000 for a tattoo removal program in San Luis Obispo, California. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $400,000 for the Montana Sheep Institute to improve the profitability of the state's sheep industry. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $273,000 for the Blue Springs (Missouri) Youth Orchestra Outreach Unit for educational training to combat Goth culture In 2003 the U.S. government spent $1,000,000 appropriation for the Center for Public Service and the Common Good (a think tank) at the University of San Francisco. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $400,000 for manure management research at the National Swine Research Center. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $1,100,000 for the MountainMade Foundation in Thomas, West Virginia for business development and the education of artists and craftspeople. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $4,000,000 to implement the forest and fish report of the Washington State. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $500,000 for exhibits on the Sullivan brothers at the Grout Museum in Waterloo, Iowa. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $61,000 for the State Historical Society to archive the history of Iowa workers. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $1,200,000 for the Ohio Arts Council to expand international programs. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $2,900,000 for the Mountaineer Doctor Television program at West Virginia University; In 2002 the U.S. government spent $2,000,000 for an educational mall at the Raleigh County Commission in Beckley. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $2,000,000 for West Virginia University to establish a Center on Obesity. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $260,000 for asparagus technology in the stae of Washington. In 2002 the U.S. government spent $1,200,000 for music education at the GRAMMY Foundation In 2000 the U.S. government spent $50,000 for the development of a Welcome Center Facility City for Enumclaw, Washington. In 1997 - $4,000,000 for the Gambling Impact Study Commission. In 1997 - $330,000 for Stellar Sea Lion research of the North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Consortium. In 1997 - $785,000 for bluefish/striped bass research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 1997 - $2,700,000 added by the Senate for the Animal Resource Wing at South Dakota State University In 1997 - $4,000,000 added in conference for the Discovery Center of Science and Technology. In 1997 - $19,600,000 added by the House for the International Fund for Ireland, a program that tries to aid the peace process in Ireland by paying for golf videos, pony trekking centers, and sweater exports. In 1997 - $16,369,000 added by the Senate for public library construction. In 1997 - $9,469,000 added in conference for Migrant Education programs including: $7,441,000 for the High School Equivalency Program; and $2,028,000 for the College Assistance Migrant Program In 1997 - $3,100,000 added by the Senate for the National Writing Project. In 1997 - $8,200,000 for a new classroom building at the Rowley Secret Service Training Center in Beltsville, Maryland, which is the district of House Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations subcommittee member Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and the state of Senate appropriator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.). In 1998 - $220,000 added by the Senate for lowbush blueberry research in Maine. In 1994 - $221,000 for lowbush blueberry research at the University of Maine in the state of Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-ME). In 1998 - $150,000 added by the House for the National Center for Peanut Competitiveness. In 1998 - $127,000 added by the Senate for global marketing support services in the state of Senate appropriator Dale Bumpers (D-Ark.). According to testimony, the goal of this research is to identify “potential foreign markets for Arkansas products….” In 1998 - $32,000 added by the Senate for the Center for Rural Studies in the state of Senate appropriator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). A portion of this grant money is used for analytical reports to guide the development of Vermont retail shopping areas In 1998 - $500,000 added by the House in the district of House appropriator Richard Durbin (D-IL) for the construction at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Illinois, of Chalres Corneau’s house, a neighbor and friend of Abraham Lincoln. In 1998 - $10,912,000 added by the Senate for foreign language assistance. In 1994 - $200,000 for locoweed research at New Mexico State University in the state of House appropriator Joe Skeen (R-NM). Since 1992, $716,000 has been appropriated, and there is no expected completion date for this research. In 1994 - $1,000,000 added in the Senate for the Multispecies Aquaculture Center in the state of Senate appropriator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) In 1994 - $19,600,000 added in the House for the International Fund for Ireland. The conference report “restores language stricken by the Senate and appropriates up to $19,600,000 for the International Fund for Ireland.” In the past, this program has used American taxpayer dollars for a golf video and pony trekking centers. In 1993 - $19,704,000 for the International Fund for Ireland requested, according to committee sources, by House Speaker Thomas Foley (D-WA). In 1993 - $9,170,000 added in conference for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission in the district of House appropriator John Murtha (D-PA) In 1992 - $2,000,000 added in conference by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) for a New York Bight Center for undersea research. <FONT size=3>

Lemme see...one month, I feel terrific. I feel bad for saying that for those still experiencing pain! Sorry and I hope it will get better for you. I'm struggling with my decision to get a fill in a couple of weeks. I have lost 23 pounds since banding so I feel that it a good amount for where I'm at and it appears that I am losing about 1-2 pounds per week. I'd like to lose quicker but I know that isn't in my best interest. I am thinking since I have the VG band, I will go ahead with the fill, tho. My Dr. started me out with 2cc's. Did anyone else start out with some saline in their band from the onset? I haven't got the exersize routine down yet. My car was in the shop and so I carpooled to work with my DH, during my normal workout time. But I'm going to get after it. I know it needs to be a part of my life and for the most part, I do enjoy it. I can hardly wait to be able to get outside and walk. I just got an XM Roady radio and I see they have a headset for them so you can walk and listen to tunes! I also have to say, that after the first of the year, I am off sugar, bread, sodas, alcohol and eating well, so I feel more energy and just basically feel good physically. I have not cheated once on my eating regime and only have some moderate hunger pains when I go a bit too long between meals. What a great month for me as far am mental, emotional and physical well-being. I'm excited about this process. All the best to the rest of you. Shawn

Larraine, I want affordable health care for all Americans. I don't want our government to be that insurance company. The government has the power to make laws and they should enforce these laws that they can make on private insurance companies. They should drop the law that states you can't cross state lines for medical insurance because that would encourage competition between states. They should enforce tort reform, because that would stop all trial lawyers from making these multi million dollar cases. There should be caps on ins. payouts. Then doctors wont have to perform unneccessary tests just to cover their butts should someone choose to sue them. They should make it a law that noone can be denied health coverage or pay a higher premium because of pre-existing conditions. There are many ways to enforce the private insurance industries to comply. They don't want to do this because the lawyers and the insurance companies are lining these politicians pockets to keep the laws from ruining their greedy wealth. Maybe they could make a law that puts a cap on insurance premiums. If you don't have the ability to pay for ins., then you can apply for medicaid, which is government ins. that is already set up for those who can't afford to pay. The gov. can simply raise the income guidelines for people who can't get on it because they are borderline income and don't meet the eligibility. God wants us to be good stewards with our money and the government has shown us many times over that they can't be. When the government runs something, they don't have a care about waste. It's not coming from their pocket, so why should they care? Just look at medicare or social security, both are bankrupt. So, as a christian, it's not that I am against helping the unfortunate that don't have insurance, for I do want help for them. Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you." What about the 450,000 who die every year from tobacco, should we help them, how about the hundreds of thousands who die every year from alcohol, should we help them? This list could go on and on forever, but you get my point. The government should not be in the business of social wellness. Roosevelt did a bad thing when he started welfare in the government. Handouts in the government far exceed what the people here can afford. If the gov. stopped giving away all our money, then we would have more for our own health care and living exenses and will be able to give to the charities of our choosing. We wouldn't be indentured servants to China and other countries either. Your great grandchildren will be paying for their deeds in the future.

I drink 4 oz red wine every night before bed. Got my cholesterol down to 133 (from high 200's) so something is helping. I personally HATE the taste of alcohol and drink this concord grape stuff that is like Welches Grape juice with a shot of Everclear in it It's sickly sweet but I down it in a few slugs. I've been told that this stuff doesn't have all the goodies a more regular dry red wine does but I can't stomach the other stuff.

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.

Meat and Cheese Pizza, thick crust by the 1" surface size. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=250 bgColor=#ffffff border=1><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Nutrition Facts </TD></TR><TR bgColor=#000000><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Amount Per 1 surface inch </TD></TR><TR><TD>Calories 15.84 Calories from Fat 5.91 </TD></TR><TR bgColor=#000000><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right colSpan=3>% Daily Value * </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Total Fat 0.657g </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD noWrap>Saturated Fat 0.237g </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD noWrap>Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0823g </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD noWrap>Monounsaturated Fat 0.296g </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Cholesterol 0.904mg </TD><TD>0% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Sodium 35.55mg </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Potassium 11.6mg </TD><TD>0% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Total Carbohydrate 1.86g </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD noWrap>Dietary Fiber 0.107g </TD><TD>0% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Protein 0.6g </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Alcohol 0g </TD><TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#000000><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=250 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin A</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin C</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Calcium</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Iron</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin D</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin E</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Thiamin</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Riboflavin</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Niacin</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Folate</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin B-6</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin B-12</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Phosphorus</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Magnesium</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Zinc</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Copper</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD>*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=250 bgColor=#ffffff border=1><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Nutrition Facts </TD></TR><TR bgColor=#000000><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Amount Per 1 surface inch </TD></TR><TR><TD>Calories 15.84 Calories from Fat 5.91 </TD></TR><TR bgColor=#000000><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right colSpan=3>% Daily Value * </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Total Fat 0.657g </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD noWrap>Saturated Fat 0.237g </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD noWrap>Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0823g </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD noWrap>Monounsaturated Fat 0.296g </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Cholesterol 0.904mg </TD><TD>0% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Sodium 35.55mg </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Potassium 11.6mg </TD><TD>0% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Total Carbohydrate 1.86g </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD noWrap>Dietary Fiber 0.107g </TD><TD>0% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Protein 0.6g </TD><TD>1% </TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap colSpan=2>Alcohol 0g </TD><TD> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR bgColor=#000000><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=250 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin A</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin C</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Calcium</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Iron</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin D</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin E</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Thiamin</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Riboflavin</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Niacin</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Folate</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin B-6</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Vitamin B-12</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Phosphorus</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>1 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Magnesium</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap><SMALL>Zinc</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD><TD> </TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>Copper</SMALL></TD><TD noWrap><SMALL>0 %</SMALL></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5><HR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD>*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hey everyone! Just checking in, I've been really busy with work and school, but it's all good! I haven't weighed myself, I'm going to wait until my 1st month post-op (2/26), but I have to go to Target today and buy a smaller bra. I'm keeping my old bra to remind myself I'll never be at that place again! Last night was the first time I had a sit-down dinner with my parents. My mom made a crabmeat and scallop casserole with ritz cracker topping and she had asparagus wrapped with phyllo dough for a side dish. So I took a SMALL scoop (less than 1/4 cup) of the casserole, threw out the ritz crackers and split the asparagus with my mom (I just ate the tops), and I did good! I was so nervous. My dad's friend of 40 years comes over every thursday and he was shocked that I was full from that little amount. I also had my first alcoholic beverage. A small glass of merlot before dinner and let me tell you, I was feeling it after one glass! I guess I'm going to be a cheap date from now on. The only bad thing that happened this week was that my PMS symptoms yesterday were SO bad! My ex-boyfriend called to see how I was doing (he found out I had "gallbladder" surgery through the grapevine), and I started crying and had to hang up on him. Then I cried watching a movie, then cried watching American Idol and Grey's Anatomy! I thought I was going to have to call a therapist today, I thought I was going through post-op depression, but no, it was PMS because Aunt Flo is in town! LOL. Oh yeah, and I have a line of pimples across my chin, does anyone know if your PMS symptoms get worse if you are losing weight because I get one pimple a month, not THREE! So, overall, this week has been great for me, I was so scared about eating in front of people, but I'm doing okay with that, so hopefully my next step is eating out with friends in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to weigh myself on the 26th to see how much more I lost (if any)! Talk to everyone soon and keep up the good work!!!!!

The government would never ban cigarettes or alcohol (they tried the latter) but I would be supportive of a very high ($10/pack) cigarette tax to make it economically prohibitive. That money could be used to help fund many things. And people who quit would be healthier. That's a win/win. But the big tobacco lobbyists would never stand for it. People should be required to buy healthcare insurance because those who choose not to buy it (but can afford it) are costing those of us who have insurance higher premiums to pay for their healthcare. For those who can't afford insurance, there will be help to pay for it.

All of a sudden this country is sooooooo concerned about the so called 45,000 deaths a year from lack of medical insurance. How come we never heard of this before? Did you know that 435,000 people die every year from tobacco, Thats 7X more the amount of people annually who die from lack of insurance, but does the government step in and take control and outlaw cigarettes and chewing tobacco? NO! How about the people who die annually in this country from alcohol. The number is 85,000 every year. (twice as many than those who die without insurance) But no, you can't take the 'fun' away from society. Give me a break! the government wants to be in control of what we can and can't do. They are not concerned about your health or mine! P.S. I meant to say a million abortions annually.

Thanks for the info on the alcohol - that's good to know so anyone considering going there won't be alarmed! I couldn't imagine what on earth was wrong with it or what could possibly be growing in it - very strange indeed! I'm very glad to know that is the way it's supposed to be - at least there! Thanks, Andy

Note to Self: Buy cotton balls and alcohol!! LOL Glad to hear your are doing well. I'm going soon and a bit nervous as well. Looking forward not back...

I've been researching the lap band for a few months and know I need to do something about my weight, so I finally convinced my hubby and went ahead and started figuring out a date that would work for me. So I booked with Dr. Rodrigeuz in Del Rio, then I got a call from a different patiant co. and she was telling me the lap band isn't the way to go that i wouldn't be able to drink alcohol or eat spicy food, which I will never give up!! So she suggested the mini gastric sleeve, it really bugs me that I would have 60 % of my stomach removed and besides I cannot afford the price difference. So then I phone Dr Rodrigeuz in Monterrey and spoke to him directly, I liked this, no middle man to deal with. He suggested the band would be the best. Any comments on the lap band or Dr Rodriguez?

I know it is frustrating for me as well. It is difficult because i am pretty far away from my doctor so I have only been able to have 2 fills. I am going in for my 3rd but i am still not satisfied with restriction and want to be loosing weight more quickly. Sometimes I get really full and then other times not at all it is very inconsistent with me. Hopefully he will give me the answer this time but he said once you get to the spot where your fill is correct you should loose about a pound a week. SO you are on the right track with one pound a week! Keep going stick in there. My problem that I struggle with is drinking alcohol because I am 25 years old and it is such a social thing and I love drinking. But it is a waste of calories so I am going to try and allow myself once a month. We'll see how it goes! <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wFkNOVN/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wFkNOVN/weight.png"></a>

No judgement here I love my wine and vodka!! From my experience I started drinking around 6-8months. Just be careful cause you don't want to dump. I had a vodka cooler once before my 1 year was up and it was embarrassing cause was at a social event. Bent over with cramps and running to bathroom. See if wine okay for you but that first year dumping can happen and it's like wth caused that?!! I went on a girls trip 4 months post op and didn't drink - it was hell!! But it's only a few months. Also you'll feel the alcohol very quickly I always have to eat and drink or I'll be under the table. And if I remember correctly we're supposed to be holding off on drinking with meals for the first few months....as that can also lead to dumping. Good luck it does get easier with time and as your body heals!

Having questions & concerns before surgery is very common. It is frustrating though when your surgeon &/or medical team don’t prepare you about what happens after or what could happen. So in answer to the things you’re second guessing: (sorry long response) Most pain post surgery is gone in 4-5 days & a lot of that is gas pain from when they inflate your abdomen to visualise the surgical field. Yes, there may be some foods you can’t tolerate especially in the first couple of months after surgery. Some occurs because your sense of taste &/or smell temporarily changes & some foods taste or smell terrible. Your tummy can also be pretty sensitive. Something you eat one day without issue can cause side effects (diarrhoea, nausea, foamier, discomfort, etc.) tomorrow. Just drop that food for a week or two then try again. Most people can eat anything but do so carefully & watch portion sizes. Honestly, I do still have issues with potatoes, pasta, bread & rice - they sit heavily in my tummy - no loss there though. Char grilled foods are too dry for me & oily fish or fatty foods also are a no go but they were before surgery - stirred up my too acid tummy. Again no loss. I used to have a large glass of wine every night sometimes followed by a scotch. When I was losing I’d have a glass about once a month but I’d nurse it for hours. Now I still only have a drink about once a month. I don’t really miss it & I don’t enjoy it as much. At a lower weight, the alcohol may hit you more quickly & you will register a higher blood alcohol content. Also addiction swapping is real. Swapping your food addiction for alcohol, or something else is something to be aware of. Gerd is a possible side effect of sleeve surgery. I had some reflux before surgery I still have it now - it manifests differently though but is easily managed with medication. Many obese people already have or develop gerd or gerd symptoms like heartburn anyway due to poor diet &/or excessive eating. My surgeon allows me to have the odd nsaid - once a month or two. Regular use of nsaids can cause inflammation of the stomach. Post surgery we gave a much smaller stomach so the damage to our tummy lining caused by the nsaids is amplified. Gallstones form as a result of high cholesterol, losing large amounts of weight, menopause or having high bilirubin levels. I had my gall removed 2 months ago. I had one stone which could have formed because of the weight loss, menopause or from my high bilirubin levels. My cholesterol was always ok. Many obese people have high cholesterol so would already have or would form gall stones at some time anyway. Many obese people already have or would develop hernias because of the weight they’re carrying putting stress in their bodies. Many have their gall removed &/or hernias repaired during their weight loss surgery. Some didn’t even realise they had the problems before all the pre surgery medical tests. The shock of the surgery & reduced diet causes your natural hair loss cycle to accelerate. (It happens after many surgeries, pregnancy, menopause, periods of excessive stress, etc.) Your natural regrowth cycle is unchanged so new hair is regrowing as you’re losing more quickly. The hair loss tends to slow to normal rates after 3 or 4 months. I cut my hair shorter so the new growth would reach full length more quickly. You can’t stop it or slow it. It will happen in its own time (those who claim supplements & treatments helped have no idea because they don’t know when their hair would have stopped shedding anyway). You wouldn’t know almost half my hair fell out now - it’s as thick & as healthy as it was before. Yes, some people do experience complications or take longer to get through the initial side effects. But all surgeries have the potential for complications. Sleeve surgery is pretty low risk in comparison. I guess, in summary most of your concerns are temporary, short term side effects or are things you may have developed anyway if you didn’t lose your weight. Is the surgery worth it? Yes! Yes! Hell yes! I didn’t have any comorbidities before surgery but they were very close by now there’s an extremely low to no chance of ever developing them. The balls of my feet used to ache & my stamina wasn’t great. Feet are pain free & stamina is improved. The oddest thing is now I sometimes have difficulty finding clothes to fit me because I’m too small. 😆 Rather have that problem then being too big to find nice clothes. Good luck whatever you chose to do.

Not sure if it’s too late to chime in to be helpful but I’ll give you my experience and advice. I was not given much guidance by my program about alcohol other than to avoid it for the empty calories aspect. As a Jew, wine is part of our holidays, rituals and celebrations so it’s hard to avoid. Yea, I could do juice but I don’t want to, I like wine and I’m an adult, damnit. I had a small glass at home a week or so post op and noticed that it feels a little funny when it hits my stomach but that goes away quickly and I drink a lot less than I used to. I feel it sooner, but once I stop drinking the buzzed feeling goes away sooner too. So overall for me a pro. I drink 1-3 glasses a week (still much less than I did before) and do not binge cause I don’t want to get hammered in a hurry. If you’re going to drink at an event, I’d recommend trying it at home to see how you handle it. That way if you have a problem, you’re in a safe place. I can’t speak to the dumping as although I drink sweet wine, I haven’t had an issue. I just treat it like any other liquid and don’t chug or take big sips. This way, one glass lasts a lot longer too. Another bonus in my opinion. If your program specifically forbids it, I’d recommend following that recommendation just to save the hassle of having to tell them what you did lol. And I agree that if you chose not to drink then it shouldn’t be a problem. If you need to lol like you’re drinking you can always have the bartender mix up a cranberry and water cocktail or similar mixed drink minus the alcohol. If you chose to drink, you can nurse a glass of wine for an hour or more at a time and ask the bartender to pour you a weak cocktail, should you desire you a mixed drink. Bartenders are like hairdressers, they’re good at keeping secrets 😉

I'd also be careful with alcohol regarding possible ulcers.

We can argue stats and studies all day long, but in the end it doesn't matter for my success or failure. Whether 200 people in Italy or 20,000 people in the US lost weight and kept it off or gained it all back has nothing to do with ME. I control what I eat and whether or not I maintain my loss. With a few exceptions of certain medical conditions and/or medications that may affect weight gain, every individual controls their own success/failure when it comes to the numbers on the scale. IN general, Regain comes with poor food choices and bad eating habits. There is a big gap between the surgeons responsibility for a successful surgery and the patients responsibility for lifestyle changes. That gap needs to be filled with nutritional education and psychological support. Having a VSG and then eating Oreos or drinking alcohol in excess 5 years out is no different than getting a lung transplant and smoking cigarettes. Who's fault is it when that patient dies of emphysema/cancer/COPD? As a measure of success, of course they are going to look at weight as the main criteria rather than the comorbidities. After all it's called Weight Loss Surgery, not Diabetes Cure Surgery or Blood Pressure Reduction Surgery.

Found my surgeon's answer about sugar alcohols in my paperwork: "Avoid sugar alcohols... If something you eat has sugar alcohol, make sure it contains 7 grams or less to avoid dumping syndrome." The Reese's has 12g, so that's my answer. Oh well, probably for the best. Thanks for bringing that up.