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One drink is usually enough for me. Two just makes me a little sick and adds no benefit in buzz factor. Started drinking again at 6 months or so and have on average two drinks a month. Really just had them when out with wife for dinner or on weekend chilling out with bro. I had my last drink about 2 months ago, just don't have the desire any longer because it does not really offer any health benefits ( at least for the hard drinks I had like Long Island or even fine white wine). I don't know, I just lost the desire for it. Maybe it will come back, maybe it will not. It was kind of a waste to get buzzed for like 2 minutes only. I want to eat and drink foods that are going to contribute to optimal health. Unfortunately, alcohol is not one of them. Just my opinion.

Mine came of by my 2nd shower with a soapy washcloth. I needed a little rubbing alcohol to get the residual adhesive off.

Hi there I'm a nurse and iodine is a toughy. Use rubbing alcohol for an initial scrub but than soap/water will do the rest. Mind you, iodine stains readily and is hard to remove. It will be absorbed and will diminish with time, but it does take time. Unfortunate that the med team didn't wipe the initial gunk off post surgery for you. Large iodine doses screws with the thyroid so it's common practice for nurses to take as much off as possible.

Our center said no alcohol (ever) after surgery. It is crazy how different post-op messages are from do. to doc.! I am still pre-op, but I wanted to tell you that you are only human! I am glad you got the chance to enjoy your evening with a glass of wine! Have you ever tried peppermint tea? I even like it iced, and I find it helps when my stomach isn't feeling well. Also, "Gas-X" sells a product that disolves on thr tongue. They are minty and have always helped with an acid tummy for me. Best. Amy

I think I finally made a ticker and am I had to go on the site. Hope you all have a wonderful day and we all reach personal goals. I also had hiccups and they were annoying but they go away once more air leaves your body. I look and feel much better. I cleaned the gross sticky tape off..thanks Aviva for letting me know to use some alcohol. I also weighed myself and I think I am down another 2 lbs but again its on a different scale so I am not counting it. I am going to tutor today. summer school is closed on Fridays. I am sure ill come home exhausted but that's okay with me because my body is doing a fantastic job with healing! enjoy your morning everyone!

My hubby and I were sleeved, he is not a drinker, i am a social drinker. He said that in his last class with the NUT someone said that they took 1 sip of wine and had to be helped home. The NUT also said that you have a higher risk of addiction when you are sleeved. i told him it that the research I did said that was because people trade one addiction (food) for another and i really don't think that will be me! I just REALLY would like a nice margarita dammit, LOL. Any suggestions would be welcome....anyone know anyone that turned into an alcoholic after the sleeve??

Yes Liss and aussiegirl, I will join you. I commit to: continue the zero alcohol intake that I have been on for the last month;not 'sneak' in the easy foods like chocolate and ice cream while on puree (haven't succumbed yet but have been tempted-curse you Cadbury and Sara Lee- lol!); meet my daily 60g Protein intake; drink more fluids following the rules; not weigh myself daily and freak myself out; and start to stretch my arthritic joints regularly. Don't want to put a weight loss goal if that is ok as I am going to be a slow loser.

Sure Liss I will join you. I may make mine 8kgs in 10 weeks (tho I think I may have an upper hand on that, as the surgery will remove about 5 kgs of skin). So in the next 5 weeks (pre-surgery) I will: - Exercise atleast 5 times a week (been hard lately as have been working really long hours) - Eat atleast one piece of fruit a day - I will have 2 days a week that I dont eat meat (to try get my nutrients up and best be able to recover from my plastics surgery) - Separate to the work outs will do 10 minutes of ab/core workouts a day (so that am even less likely to need muscle tightening) - Give up alcohol post 31/7 til post 1/9

It has been a long journey so far. My obesity started in the 6th grade. I was 5'8" tall and weighed nearly 200lbs. Through most of my teens I was highly active so I was able to control my weight through exercise. Soon after graduating High School, I got married and had my son. By the time I was 23 I was 225lbs and heading for divorce court. Although my divorce was a great weight loss tool. I lost 70lbs plus the additional 160lbs of dead beat husband. My weight fluctuated greatly in my 20's. In any given year I could be 135lbs (too thin) all the way up to 235lbs (obese). I was with a really great man for 7 years. We were going through a rough patch in our relationship and we separated. But we were trying to work things out. He even went so far as to go to counselling and even got his 30 day coin at AA (I have always been a non-drinker, he was an alcoholic). The day after he got his 30 day coin he committed suicide. I was devastated. That was 13 years ago. I have since gotten even heavier. Although I am now remarried to a wonderful, loving, supportive husband, I have really packed on the pounds in the last 7 years. My highest weight has been just shy of the 300# mark. I started looking into weight loss surgery last November. I broached the subject with my PCP in November during my yearly physical. She referred me to the Bariatric Team at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. I went to the intro meeting in Dec. Then 1 PCP appointment to chart my diet and exercise every month. I have also attended the monthly Bariatric meetings. Plus a psych eval. Now I am getting down to the wire. In the past 10 days I have met with the nutritionist, the physicians Assistant, and the surgeon. I've also had an upper gi, and an abdominal ultrasound. Here comes the exciting part. They called me today with my surgery date! Woohooo, yippee, yahoo! August 26th at 7:30 am. I do have to do the 2 week stage 2 diet, which will start August 12th. But, I've got the can-do attitude. Bye-the-way...... I have been walking a minimum of 8000 steps a day, some days topping off at 12,000 to 14,000. I have already lost 23lbs since November I got rid of my size 24 jeans and most of my 3x shirts My huge size 10 granny panties are thrown out. Spanx are my new best friend I cleaned out my closets and realized I still have clothes ranging is sizes down to size 18. I now wear size 20 or 22 jeans My boobs haven't deflated yet, but the girth of my bras are getting too loose (thankfully the cups still run-nith over)

This point is very valid! when I was Pre op my surgeon and his team really dug deep in this topic. They really stressed that the sleeve is a TOOL and it will HELP you achieve your goals. Not do it for you. I however had it stuck in my head "yahoo I'm gonna be skinny! I'm gonna shop in a normal store" yada yada. at this point I am only 6 months Post Op, but let me tell you, yes the sleeve does wonders, but unless you really change your life and adapt to all the aspects of what it entails, you most likely will re gain your weight back. I'm not saying that I've been an angel with the sleeve. I still enjoy a beer every now and again and I still love sweets. But you will learn moderation. I am also a mindless eater, I eat when I'm bored, I eat when I'm happy, i like to sit with a bowl of pretzels while I read. But I've made the decision that I don't want to weigh 300lbs the rest of my life. unfortunately with the sleeve you cant "have your cake and eat it too" All that being said, I would highly recommend seeing a therapist of some sort and talk to someone about your vices. (I've even heard of some gals from another support group that go sit in on weight watchers meetings just to be accountable on a regular basis for what they put in their mouths, any little thing can help!) honestly we do have an eating disorder, and if you don't change the way you live, you will find something else like shopping, alcoholism, sex addict, hoarding... (NOT saying that it WILL happen, just saying were a little more prone to replace one bad habit with another). To sleeve or not to sleeve, that is the question, If this is the main concern I'd say there are resources that you can utilize so this isn't an issue. It was the BEST decision I've ever made. Best of luck with your journey, and your decision making. Its so worth it, especially with all of the resources we have at our fingertips!

It's a known fact that there can be transfer addictions. Some people turn to alcohol, some turn to shopping. That doesn't mean it happens to everyone, but it's good to know its a risk. As far as obsessing over how much to eat, I'm not sure it's an addiction for all (could be for some, I suppose), but I think it's more about trying to get this right. There are rules we all need to live by with the sleeve, and in order to be successful, we have to change our ways. The sleeve will NOT change them for us. It takes a lot of energy and thought to do that, so it is a major topic of conversation, and you'll read here because this is where we come for support about changing our ways. I know that I will need to count calories and measure my food forever, or I will not keep the weight off. If it takes "obsession" for me to get there, I'm good with that. I hated being fat more than I knew, and I like being (almost) thin more than I ever dreamt possible. You might feel differently once you are post op. There are people here who say they don't want to ever be on a "diet" again, so they don't weight and measure, but I do believe they are mindful and purposeful in their eating habits. We are all unique, and have to find our own way. Not sure if that answers your question, but I wish you luck!

I am 2 months post op and I have been seeing a therapist for 7 months. I really recommend this because I have an eating disorder. Food is my drug and I use it to avoid the emotional pain of my past. Realizing this was the first step, now I use that information (along with my sleeve) to make better choices. Being aware of my problem and working with an experienced therapist keeps me on track so far. I am also worried about picking up another addiction (like alcohol) so I'm very careful about those other vices.

A little rubbing alcohol will take the adhesive goo off.

Many of the things we get addicted to the answer is to just elminate them all togehter, obviously with food we can't do that... I've quite smoking (haven't had a smoke in probably 30 years, can't even remember when I last smoked). I got way too close with drinking, but was able to turn that one around without eliminating it, then again I haven't had anything alcoholic since well before my surgery. Food so far in my early stages of this process has been easy to manage, I'm still only in my second month, so I have a long, long way to go. People are here to help and support you, but you are the only one that can truley help yourself. You have to fight the cravings, find healthy alternatives, and keep moving in the direction YOU want to go. It is YOUR choice. Then again I'm an old fart, what do I know...making bad choices is what got me here, that is about all I know.

First of all.. welcome.. I'm per op as well.. I went on vacation and you know how vacations do you.. Yummy food, different places, alcohol.. I did it all. And when I went to the nutritionalist the week after it showed! I gained 4.5 pounds in the week at I was gone.. When they told me my actions could prolong the process that I will have to come back the following week and weigh in again.. I knew I had to straighten up.. I came back did a food journal everyday.. Got all my water and protein in.. And the following week I had lost the 4.5 pounds I gained on vacation.. I was so happy with myself I have kept it up.. And lost 10 pounds total since my bad weigh in.. Keep your head up and know that it's ok to fall of the rocker sometimes.. Just gotta climb back on it.. You got this!,

Sugar alcohols [sorbitol, maltitol, etc] always made me "sprint to the bathroom" sick . Splenda and stevia usually don't because they are a very different chemical composition. What sweetener to they list on the ingredients of Protein powder? You could try using unflavored [therefore unsweetened] Protein Powder and add it to Soups or hot Cereal. This is what I have done to break up the monotony. As for regular gatorade, if your plan allows it, my advice is drink a small amount at a time and wait. See how it makes you feel. Don't drink too much of it at once because you may not like the result. Hope you feel better soon!

How are you with sugar alcohol such as Xylitol? If you don't know, try some Ideal. This is my favorite sweetner but I only use it at home as no restaurants carry it. Try agave, it's a syrup made from the same plant that tequila is made from. It's a little pricey, but natural and delicious.

It’s been 18 months since my surgery, and I am a work in progress. I recently posted about the decision to have the sleeve. See, “Down Over 140…The Decision: Fears and Tears” Now I want to write a bit about the emotional changes that I personally had to go through. Maybe some of this will ring true for you, too. As I contemplated this entry, I struggled with what to tell you, a complete stranger, about my process. Finally, I decided to be honest, so that you could know in your heart that if it’s possible for me to change, it is also possible for you. I still think about food all day, every day. I so wish I didn’t, but I have come to know that I am a food addict, and I have to treat it like an addiction. I grew up the oldest of 6 in a poor family. When I was 12, my dad left and my childhood instantly ended. Alcoholism, mental illness, chaos. That was to become my family life. At 18, my stepdad committed suicide. When I was 20 I was raped. When I was 21, I joined the Army. When I was 22, my brother committed suicide. When I was 28, my two-month old baby girl died. I struggled with anxiety attacks. I developed a life-altering auto-immune disease. There were good things, too. Love. My other beautiful daughter. My sister—who was my best friend, my soul mate, my rock--we went through everything together. Getting my college degree over a period of 20 years! Getting promoted. Writing. Photography. My home. Friends. But always, there was food…my constant companion. It never failed to nicely anesthetize me. One night, just before my surgery, I was watching a weight loss show where they were talking about how you MUST deal with the issues from your past if you are going to succeed. I don’t know why this struck such a chord this time, but I really began to think about the girl I used to be and all the fear I still carried inside me. It hit me like a tidal wave! I cried for the girl whose childhood abruptly ended at the age of 12. I cried for all that had been done to me. I cried because I had been so powerless. But then I realized with real clarity that I am no longer that powerless child! I had succeeded at everything I had truly worked for! I had a great job, and would never be dependent on anyone financially again! I had even learned to be assertive. That night, I spoke to that little girl inside me. I made a promise to her. I told her that she would never be a victim again. That she was no longer powerless. That I was going to take care of her forever. But could I do it without food? One of the best things I did for myself was to line up an appointment with a therapist for one month after my surgery. Although that person did not work out and I ultimately found a therapist who specializes in addiction, it was such a comfort to me to have a support system in place. I haven’t gone to her more than a few times, but she is an anchor for me, and I know she’s there. As I said in my previous post, my beloved sister died in my arms on December 28th. I had postponed having my knee replaced to take care of her, and I foolishly thought I’d be doing well enough by the end of February to get through it ok. Well, I wasn’t. March was one of the bleakest months of my entire life between the physical pain, drugs, bad weather, isolation, and grief. So how did I get through it? How else? I ate. Ice cream. Candy. Cookies. Let me tell you right now, you can put down a lot of calories every day in 100-calorie increments. That is why you need to know beyond a doubt that what they say is true: They operate on your stomach, not your brain. So I spent March crying and eating. And then one day, as I was sobbing to my husband about my out-of-control eating, I wailed, “The worst part is, I’m letting myself down!” “I’m letting myself down.” I could not back away from this statement. I called my therapist to discuss the grief/eating cycle. She let me off the hook, saying, “Sometimes you just have to be in survival mode.” I got off the phone and thought about that a lot and realized even though I had been given permission to eat badly, eating badly no longer felt like my authentic self. For the first time, I knew that I had truly changed. The old me believed that self care meant whatever felt good. The new me knows that self care can never equate to self destruction. The next day, all the junk food left the house. I’m still sad. But I am empowered. I am not a victim, even of myself. If you've hung in there through this long post I hope you'll leave me feedback and share your own story. In posting this, I sort of feel like I'm running down the street naked! Soon, I plan to post on some of the logistical things I've found to work for me since my surgery. More practical! Less emotional!!

I'm fasting today. Head is not in the game. I just have too much going on. I don't do well with uncertainty and we won't know about when my husband will go for another week. It could be anywhere from three weeks to six months from now, and until that's settled I will stress. We also have a never-ending stream of guests, because everyone is thrilled we're in the states again. It's nice but also stressful. My stepson's girlfriend came in to meet us and all they've done is bicker since she's been here. Needless to say, I'm hoping that she doesn't join the family permanently. My father-in-law and hubby's stepmother will be here tomorrow night...and then I have more guests at the end of next week. I was up three damned pounds on the scale for no really good reason this morning. Not so thrilled. This puts me up over my where I ended the last week. I hope it falls off quickly. My non-fast days are full of imperfect foods but I'm hanging in my calorie range pretty easily. So long as I stay away from the alcohol, that is! Glad to hear everyone had a pretty decent day yesterday. It's good to see you around, coops! Daisy, I can think of so many wonderful things to make with all those cherries! In Bishkek we had cherry trees in our yard and it was wonderful. FYE, I've had some days like that. In fact, I had leftover tiramisu for Breakfast yesterday, with a huge latte. Massive calories first thing in the morning. Oh, in case anyone was wondering, tiramisu IS a slider and YES the dairy will bother a person with lactose intolerance. Hope everyone has a great day. I'm doing a fast but admit I broke it early today. I normally don't do my Protein Shake until at least after ten but I woke up and just needed to jam food in my face. So I compromised with myself - no, I won't eat that last square of tiramisu but I will have my Protein coffee at 8:30 today. It could be worse. ~Cheri

Kristie, have they given you any um, digestive issues? I remember when I was low carbing on Atkins many years ago and the sugar free candies and bars came out with the no impact sugar alcohols they acted like a laxative for a lot of people, me included!! If they haven't given you issues I might try them, they look good!

"Hi! My name is Lynn B and I am a Diet Coke-aholic!" They say that the first step to overcoming an addiction is to admit that you have an addiction? Well, I am addicted!! A full fledged addiction. I'm an addict! I absolutely LOVE the feeling of the sweet taste complimented by the extra ordinary fizzy bubbles, which go through the body... the feeling of the fizz rushing throughout me, is a high in itself. I'm in heaven. It all started years ago when with just 1 can of Diet Coke. Ironically, I disliked the taste and the fizz. But, it was a 0 calorie drink - a way to lose weight. (It worked - for a while.) One can grew to approximately 1-2 cases a day of 12 oz cans. I admit, It's horrible, but at that time the taste grew on me with each pound that I lost. I quickly graduated to the "hard stuff" ... the 20 oz icy cold bottle of pure fizz! One sip is so exhilarating - only the bottle can give you this immediate rush! That first sip the fizz is so extreme, I can feel it coursing throughout my whole body. I love the feeling and, cant do without. I can identify with an alcoholic or drug addict... I am a Diet "Coke" addict!!! I admit it, I carry my 20 oz bottle with me everywhere I go. I even carry it in my pocketbook for a quick fix! No matter where I am I have access to my 20 oz bottle... And when I run low, I rush to the nearest store for more. My surgery is in less than 8 days... Yes... E-I-G-H-T Days!!! I've actually weaned myself down to only one 20 oz bottle a day. I actually thought this was such an accomplishment! But, the reality... I'm sweating with fear! I'm in panic! My gastric-by-pass new "tummy" will not tolerate this drug of choice. I will hurl over in severe pain with just a little tiny sip of fizz... I will have to go "Cold Turkey"! HOW!?? And, then comes the withdrawal. How will I survive?! How do I get through this? I need help! I need suggestions! I have to do this! Where is "DCA" (Diet Coke Anonomous) when you need it most? Help me!

From my understanding of how the lap-band works is that it creates a pouch and food 'hangs out' awhile after you eat. Sounds like the positioning is ok. While the food is hanging out it sounds like your LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is relaxing and opening and that is causing reflux. The LES is suppose to stay closed unless you are laying down and then it automatically relaxes and opens up which is why you don't lay down or recline after eating. For people with GERD for whatever reason the LES muscle is weak and opens up when it's not suppose to causing food/acid to push back up the esophagus. Your GERD is most likely not caused by the band but aggrevated by it for sure. Maybe try a different medication? Also caffeine, nicotine, chocolate, spicy foods, alcohol makes it worse. I usually deal with the neck up but have a lot of clients who have GERD. Hope this helps!!

I have a slight itch around my port. rubbing a little bit of green alcohol helps.

Good Morning Everyone.. I wanted to share a post with you. I have two Facebook accounts, of course 1 for my WLS and my everybody account!! I posted this on my Everybody account last night.. Yesterday I turned a year older!!! This is a new year, new, plans, new goals, and I’m living in the new me. I have come FULL CIRCLE and I am Free!!! This post is long but Have a Wonderful Hump Day!!!! Hi Every...one!!!! So again I will say a lot of folks wont see or read this and I'm ok with that.. I wanted to let you all know that earlier this year I made a very profound statement on my Facebook page about myself, here is another one.. 1 year ago Yesterday 7/16/13. I made a decision that would change my life forever.. A lot of you know that I had been sick for a long time, it had gotten to a point that I thought Slick would find me dead lying next to him. My sickness had gotten that bad. Although I had a few people that would check on me and Slick during that time, the support needed was not there by many.. Anyway, during March of last year when I was finally diagnosed with my illness, I also decided to have weight loss surgery. I started telling people that I thought would be in my corner and stand by my side but instead was slapped in the face person after person when I would tell them even family members. I had phones hung up in my face, people stopped calling, others would say why when you can lose the weight on your own.. If you had seen me and or if you knew that I was very sick you would have know that it was out of my own hands to do it alone. You would also know that for years I had been trying very hard to lose the weight on my own. I had been on bed rest for months!!!! I was very offended by all of the negative responses that I was receiving from friends and family that I completely shut down. I stopped telling people.. I told less than 6 people... Folks was more concerned about me not losing weight on my own than they were that I could barely move, breath, or take care of myself and was near deaf. It was Just me and Slick!!! On 7/16/13... I had weight loss surgery!! I also lost a lot of friends and family along the way.. I slowly started posting pics here and there and when someone would ask me how did you loss or how are you losing weight, I would say, "high Protein, low carb, no sodas, no sweets, no alcohol, etc..." these were and are still all true but I left out the weight loss surgery part... I am at a place in my life now that as I said in my previous profound post, you can either be on my bus or not.. But I didn't do this for Vanity reasons, If you really knew me, you would know I did it to live.. I have a 2 year old Granddaughter that I could not play with, a family that I could not hang out with.. a husband that I could not take care of.. I Can do all those things now and so much More... I'm living NOW!!! I am Very Happy, I have lots of Energy!! I'm Stronger than before!!! I'm 122lbs lighter!!! I work out 5-7 days a week, I have done several 5k's and I'm running when I was told that I would NEVER run again. I have told quite a few people since and I felt that it was time for me to let you all know.. I did this for me and my Family no one else.. It was time to put me 1st.. For years I have taken care of others and I was the one dying.. I'm loving and living life at the age of 40!!! and Next April I will be running my 1st Half Marathon!!! I am ALIVE!!! and I LOVE ME!!

try new things one at a time. so you can isolate 'issues'. Brocolli did me in and was I surprised! Avoid alcohol, generally for 6 months...