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Ask for a Skinny Girl Margarita next time they are approximately 100 calories. Or you could do Vodka and Crystal Light, bring your own packets in your purse. Instead of Cranberry Juice Cocktails. Get the alcohol with no juice and add Crystal Light packets.

I have a big event 3 days before my surgery. Is there any danger to having a few drinks at the event?

Well said Kat, its all about reaching the point where NOT doing it is scarier, until then you're not ready. And its hard to have someone else suggest it to you when you've not considered it yourself. However, even pizza and McDonalds can fit into a healthy diet when you learn what reasonable portion size is and if you dont eat it every day. I have not eliminated one single food. Reading this board frightened the sh*t out of me because of all the high Protein diets everyone does, and all the shakes! I dont think that's a healthy diet and I dont want to eat that way, so much so that I decided not to have surgery. Till I joined an Australian board and realised that that was not the only way to work a lapband. I dont do ANY of that stuff. I dont have shakes, I dont measure, count calories or fat or protein. I eat whatever I want but I've learned to eat small quantities and not eat all day. My diet is more *normal* than it was before I was banded. I occasionally eat take away food, I occasionally have a piece of cake, I drink small amounts of alcohol quite regularly and bread, cereals and Pasta are regular items in my diet. Its really not hard or weird or different. Its how you should be eating anyway, for the sake of your health.

Hey, whats up, i am a student at university of ottawa in canada. I'm 3 weeks out of surgery. Going into 3rd year next year, I know how you feel, about the eating in public thing....i think that as fat people, we think that people are watching everything we eat. I know that i always look at what others eat and i judge people, (i feel like an asshole) Anyways, yeah, i always thought if i would eat well, but then if somebody would see me eat some junk food they would snark and be like, no wonder he's fat...whatever, i think it might be true to some degree, but on my 10 day pre-op diet i thought for sure i'll have to become a lie master (not sure about telling my friends yet). But guess what...not 1 time did anyone ask about my eating changes. I guess people don't really put it high on their list of important things to know, lol its silly now that i think of it, but it's not because i REALLY thought it would be a big issue. I am having mixed feelings about the alcohol, i am for sure not drinking beer anymore, 1. It has a LOT of extra crap, carbs calories....2. Carbonation, not good for the band. I might be tempted to have a low carbonation beer in the summer one day, something like a corona or something, but it will be in a long time. 3. Hard liquor is probably the best bet for drinking, although alcohol still has calories, the more alcohol dense, the better. 4. there is the issue of casual drinking and getting shitfaced...if thats the plan, might not be too good, throwing up is bad for the band, slippage is not fun. I think it's going to be weird not drinking, but my health is more important, plus alcohol is not that great for you in big quantities. (low doses have proven beneficial health effects) But drinking too much...no. So yeah, Hope it helps you somewhat. if you have a questions send me a private message or post on this thread or something. Good luck

You can do this!!! It's funny I told my family the same thing about having things in the house that I couldn't have and to think of me like an addict. I have teens so they can bring anything home...especially around easter. I finally broke down and said...look please don't put that stuff in front of me. I am just in the beginning stages. They thought I was joking but I told them that you wouldn't put a bunch of beer in the fridge and a keg stand in the kitchen for a recovering alcoholic...then please don't put my vices in the house right now. I think they saw the light and are more supportive in that area now. I think as you progress your body will get more and more used to the diet. What Protein shakes are you drinking. I kind of like the EAS shakes from Wal-Mart. They have 17G of protein and only 100 calories...they seemed to keep me full for a while....which helped.

I've never been told no spices neither. Just can't have caffeine, carbonation or alcohol.

What about Protein intake, is it higher than carbs? Frequency of your meals? I find if I go over the 3 hour mark, I get ravenous. Alcohol, any stress, any recent illness ? Any new medications? Anything different for you recently, @@cbruce125 ? This post is really helpful, looking forward to more replies.

Yea my cross addiction is alcohol So I try to only drink occasionally Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Does anybody know if they test for alcohol Sent from my N9560 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello and Good Luck on your up coming surgery!!! We have a lot in common. Our surgery dates are the same, we read a lot, and of course we have the same fears!!! I asked questions of my psychologist and dietician at Temple, but realize after reading these boards not everyone gets all their questions answered. Regarding pre-op diet. I have followed mine to the "T", the previous post is exactly right about the liver etc. That being said, your mind and body plays tricks on you, so I journal, blog and I play my own version of Survivor. I keep telling my self this is getting my body ready for my "new life". The people I have chosen to tell are supportive, if someone says something negative or says something that sways my motivation "like, how can you only drink shakes?, or how can you only live on bites of food after your surgery?", I explain it to them, but I almost start to feel superior!!!!! I explained this to the psychologist and he said it is normal and that is a tool that would help in my success! I am not going to let people make me feel bad about my choices in life anymore!!!!! I'm done, so I think everyone should surround themselves with a great support system first and foremost and educate themselves and the motivation to succeed will come also! Regarding the post-op. My team has me following a two day clear liquid then two weeks shakes then progression to full, then slowly to healthy eating (I am speeding it up here!!!), it's explained to me simply but when I was stressed out about reading some of the failure rates. If you don't follow the plan EXACTLY, the likely hood of failure greatly increases (that includes, slippage, hernias, increase reflux, ulcerations, pouch expanding, etc). So it is important to learn healthy eating habits with this tool. The first thing they said is to avoid eating and drinking at the same time (your banding will act as a funnel, and flush the food out), drink 1/2 hour prior to and 45 min. after a meal to stay full longer. Eat Protein first, ALWAYS. You will always fill up faster and less bloating. Our neurotransmitters that tell our stomachs that we are full lay at the top of our stomachs so if the band fit in that area food hits those transmitters sends a signal to your brain saying you are full. Of course the trick is getting to the reason of why we have to stuff ourselves! Tips that Temple has gives me to help overcome this are: Like previously posted, chew your food (over chew actually) When we actually chew are food we start sending those signals to the brain that trigger those transmitters telling us that we are starting to get satisifed and in 15 min. we should be full. (that's why it helps to have a small stomach because it takes us longer to eat!!!! pretty cool huh!!! So don't over stuff never ever!!! The no no on eating and drinking together! Keep a food journal, this is a must!!!! I use one on my phone. Myfitnesspal.com It also has a forum great tool!!!! Exercise, we all know why this is important! Small bites, no carbination, preferred no alcohol for at least first 18 mths. No sweet drinks that slide through or ice cream!!! Call MD for anything out of ordinary and keep all appointments. I think these are the important ones that stood out for me, but I know this board can add to this!!!! They are great support. Peace, Joleen

:wink2:<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">It's 1:52 AM and I just had a horrible dream about my band... I went to get a fill and they told me I was too tight. They said I'd have to get an unfill. "But I ate nachos for breakfast!" Then they charged me $365.00. I asked for their director's name and number. Last time they only charged me $100.00 and I got a fill! Anyway, I woke up and my band was bothering me.... ? I felt like I could feel pressure in the area. I've only felt this once before when i really was too tight. I'm not too tight right now though. I am thinking that maybe I irritated my stoma b/c I drank wine today at a BBQ. I usually don't drink that much alcohol. Anyway, it's hard for me to sleep. It's not super painful, but some sharp pains and hard to sleep on my stomach. I feel fine now that I am sitting up. Does Crystal Light bother anybody? It is to harsh on the stoma? I am always so fearful that my band is going to 'go wrong'. I feel my body is going to reject the band. Has this happened to anybody? I keep having these horrible thoughts about my band. Why? Please help me! I'm going crazy! </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Drinking with meals, avoiding alcohol and fast foods.

I love me some wine and partake about every other weekend. I read an article today on WebMD that said alcohol calories are the worst calories for belly fat. It said that your liver is so busy trying to burn off the alcohol that it doesn't have time to use your fat stores. Uggh. Still, a girl's gotta have some fun every now and then. I did go out last weekend and imbibe just a little too much and found myself in a situation where I was worried I was going to throw up. For lapbanders it's a hige no-no. I'm going to be much more careful in the future. I did enjoy the laxative side effect the next day, though.

I drank 4-6 cans of diet soda a day before I got the band. I haven't had one in 3 months, I can tell you that once in a great while I have the urge to grab a soda and chug the entire can down, but I don't....I paid out of pocket for this and I need it to work. Plus, I don't know what it is, but my skin is in much better condition, much less dry, and I think it has to do with not having the soda.... As for sugar and alcohol, I have had some of both, but I do it in moderation. The sugar thing is the hardest, because so many sweet things are still very easy to eat....chocolate, ice cream, caramel.....the band doesn't really restrict those things, so I do my best to stay away from because they just slow down the progress. Good luck!

I'm on hold right now for banding for other medical reasons, but I have 8 beautiful grandchildren. I would love to be around many more years to enjoy them. Unfortunately, I'm sidelined for awhile, but the band is in my future. I hope you are being banded here in the states even if it means jumping through a lot of hoops. My problems were found here, and I don't think if I had gone out of country they would have been discovered. I think out of country is fine for the younger ones, but I think anyone older should have everything available to them in the way of testing. By he way I was married twice myself. The first ended in divorce after 16 years of his being an alcoholic. I couldn't stick around anymore and he died at an early age from cirrhosis of the liver. I married my soul mate the second time around and had 18 wonderful years with him before he died in a motor vehicle accident. There isn't a day I don't miss him. I wish you the best of luck and God Speed. Dody

I am at the stage in life where I divide everything into two categories: my problem - not my problem. If it's my problem I fix it. If it's not my problem I don't worry about it. When you do this life becomes very simple. I avoid toxic people. I avoid negative people. I don't tolerate whining well. I have a list of coping skills on my bulletin board. When I feel I need food to cope I read through the list first. Be realistic Get perspective on the problem Be optimistic Give up perfectionism Meditate Reflect Think Relax Journal This will not last for ever Create positive energy Talk to yourself Talk to others Visualize One thing at a time Exercise or engage in physical activity Hobbies Do something you enjoy Look to the future Make healthy lifestyle choices Eat less, decrease caffeine, decrease alcohol Sleep, exercise, seek balance Share feelings, talk Use groups Use your relationships Love, support, guidance Give in, be flexible Go easy on the criticism of self and others Change your reaction to the situation Change your thinking Change your feelings Change your behavior Get help Get professional help

So I've gotten thru my 1st seminar, my 1st support group and my 1st visit with the director of the bariatric department. All has gone well. My main concern was when can I have this surgery. I feel as though my life is on hold until I can have this done and so I am battling the anxiety of having to wait. My doctor is telling me that it will be late winter, early spring when I can finally have the surgery done. Being that its September now, I can handle that. Especially since this is my favorite time of year. Of course it is for most fat people am I right? No shorts to wear anymore, no embarrassing sweating because you can't handle the heat, no sandals to show off the swelling in your ankles, no struggling to pull the shorts that have mysteriously ridden up between your thighs down in an inconspicuous way, and lest I forget that this is the time of year when everyone overeats so us fat people always fit right in and we aren't usually judged for it! This all gets me into an excited frenzy of what ifs and what may come. What it will feel like to want to go out to eat and not always go to places that have a drive thru. What it will feel like to walk into a regular size store and not feel like an intruder. What it will feel like to be able to come home from work and not immediately put my feet up because my legs, knees, ankles and calves are swollen. To finally put to rest that "fat guy in little coat" or in my case, "fat girl in little coat" syndrome. To not worry that when you bend over the pair of pants you squeezed yourself into is not going to burst at the seems. So I'm finally on my journey, starting it out big as life and hopefully by the end partaking of life...in decent size portions! LOL My next visit with the doctor is on October 9th. I go in for my whole bundle of tests. I have an excellent group of family and friends backing me. Although some with reservations but they are entitled to their opinion. I am so glad I found this website. I keep telling my husband that just like an alcoholic needs AA, I need some form of support group method to keep me on the straight and narrow. Otherwise it will all be for nothing. I read a post on here that asked everyone to list all the things that you will NOT miss about being fat. It was amazing to me, because its like someone plucking the thoughts out of my own mind. We all feel the same pressures and ridicule, but I think we isolate ourselves so much that we don't realize that everyone is going thru it and thinking the same thing. Why me? Why do I have such a hard time losing? Why can I gain 5 pounds just looking at a slice of pizza? K, I've rambled enough, wish me luck!

The most important part to remember about being banded is that it is a tool...you can either use it or not, but it wont go away unless you have it removed...SOOOOOO unlike Weight Watchers or those other diets, you can start back right TOMORROW and MAY not even show any effects from your slip up...Probably most if not all of us here have cheated one way or another...it happens, we all screw up, but Tomorrow is a new day. Ya know? When drug addicts and alcoholics go to rehab they dont have to HAVE that addiction to survive. But WE are addicted to food, something WE HAVE to partake in everyday....How successful would a person addicted to Coke or Alcohol be if they had to take a little 3 times or more a day (depending on the specifics of your eating regimen)??? I heard that on a Discovery Channel special...its not excuse by far, but it makes slip-ups more managable and understandable in our heads. Dont beat yourself up, but realize that the continuence of slip-ups will be a waste of time, money, and sick-feelings.

It is strange how I struggled for years with losing weight and keeping it off yet I have been able to maintain my weight for the last 5 months. Yes I have a balloon in my stomach but it doesnt so much for me as I can drink and eat whatever I want ( sometimes too much like alcohol ooops ). I am actually surprised I didnt gain any weight as the last few months have been easy. These last 20 lbs will be hard though for sure. But trust me it is possible :bored:

No difference in actual eating (but i did/do) burp an awful lot. Fullness felt different…it was/is a pressure in my chest instead of a bloated feeling in my lower abdomen. further…when drank alcohol the first time (about 3 weeks post op) for swear i could feel it travelling down my intestines. After a few months (can’t remember exactly when) alcohol no longer produced that sensation.

Hi Tlmiller2971. The death of somebody close is bound to bring up a variety of emotions. You recognised that drinking so early after your surgery was not wise, so just forget what happened and think forward. Don't be too hard on yourself. Give yourself time to grieve for your friend. My only advice is for you to try and separate the feelings of loss due to your friend's death and the feelings linked with the lack of food and alcoholic drinks that would have been your crutch pre-surgery. You will have to find a way to cope differently from now on. Sorry for not being more helpful. I send you a big hug.

thanks everybody. Well the good news is my mom and I are very close. We can talk anything or joke about anything. I was a very tough kid to deal with and I pretty much rejected authority. As a young adult I found myself in a not so good place. When my chips were down I called her for help and she was there. With her help I dusted myself off and started a new life literally. Through the years I have thanked her many times. Maybe I use that to her advantage. The bad news is she is the type of person who is scared to death of anything. That may have even saved her life once. I was young but I remember the phenphen craze and her saying h@# no I'm not taking that stuff. Smart move. She's never smoked. Has never in her life drank alcohol, no drugs. I know her and she's also affraid she will find out bad news about her health other than the obvious. Its going to be hard and take a lot of work. I will look into a seminar immediately. Someone had mentioned to me something about being too big for surgery. That she may have to loose x number of lbs before she would be elligible? These type forums are excellent. I want you guys to know that. When I quit smoking seven years ago my support group was a user forum kinda like this. Its hard to explain how helpful it was.

I am not a heavy drinker by means, but I do enjoy my glass or glasses of wine..and now all of a sudden it hit me, I am not sure how to incorporate it? I wont right away due to I am on the liquid diet.. but I am turning 40 in a couple of weeks and I dont know what to do, or how to introduce it?? I hope this does not sound dumb..I know I can not drink while eating, so does this mean I can have a have a glass of wine just before, then eat, wait an hour...then have another glass..lol..who knew this would be something that is making me confused!!! Thanks for all your help!!

I'm not sure if there is already a thread here for cancer survivors or people who currently have cancer, with the sleeve or pre-sleeve? Would love to know that I'm not alone! I am a bladder cancer survivor. I have my 2.5 year scans coming up next week, along with all my pre-testing for my sleeve surgery. I have my story all printed up already because it's a long one...but I wanted to see if others have gone through cancer here? I believe it puts things into a different perspective if you've come through cancer. I was diagnosed with bladder cancer when I was 42. We found out that I was pregnant, surprise! We had already lost two babies, our son Daniel in the second trimester and then an early loss. We are foster parents and had already had three failed adoptions as well. When we found out I was pregnant, they did an ultrasound. They could not see the baby, but did find numerous tumors in my bladder. There started a whirlwind of tests, day surgeries, chemo, and finally major 12 hour surgery in March 2011, to remove my bladder and rebuild a "fake" bladder inside of me. 2.5 years later, I'm recovering still, have a hernia the size of a basketball due to the surgery, and need to lose some weight before I can have my "big" hernia surgery to fix my hernia, and start living again. My story This is what we consider to be our "last chance" at having a child in our lives. I'm 45 now. I've lost three children and two years ago lost my bladder and uterus to cancer. We've fostered children for years and had four failed adoptions. Last chance adoption. If we can afford it. My life reads like a soap opera. When I was 11, my sisters and I were hit by a car while waiting for the school bus. My little sister Kathy didn't survive. I was raised by a wonderful Mom and an abusive alcoholic Father. And then I married an abusive, drug addicted husband. Stayed with him for 12 years until I had the strength to leave. In 2001, I met Mark, the most wonderful man ever. We married in 2003. In 2005, at the age of 37, Mark and I conceived our first child. In 2006, I gave birth to our son Daniel, too early for him to survive. Later that year, we lost our second child. Fast forward to 2010 (time spent between 2006 and 2010 resulted in our becoming foster parents and having three failed adoptions). At the age of 42, I found out I was pregnant. Went for an ultrasound, where they found numerous tumors in my bladder. I lost the baby and started chemotherapy in Dec 2010. In March 2011, I had my bladder surgically removed, along with my uterus....losing any chance of having our own baby. But, in the end, I was/am currently cancer-free. We named our third baby "Angel" for saving my life. We became licensed as foster parents again, and had a 15 month old baby girl placed with us. On March 1, 2013, after living with us for over a year, baby girl was taken and given to an Aunt in another state. Failed adoption number 4. Through all of this, my husband Mark has been the best friend, nurse, Father, husband, caretaker ever. He deserves to have a child. WE deserve to have a child. We've looked into adoption and have started the process, which could take years.

Thamks for the answers guys, i knew i would have to give up beer but i was wondring about any alcohol thanks again