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I drink in moderation but not frequently ...not changed since I had my lap band. But. The others are right ... Empty calories, plus the feeling and ability to be able to consume more food may lead to self sabotage if you cannot keep in control. Foods'my demon not alcohol ... So happy days

So My Pre Op is in about a month or so away and I have been slowing winging myself off of certain food and drinks. I quit soda, alcohol, and now just stopped drinking coffee and that's a big one for me. I am trying to stay focused but some days I just want something sweet and don't know how to fight the craving. I was just wondering how you all fight the craving and stay on track?. Need some motivation and support, please share.

This is the best thing you will ever do for yourself, and you won't regret it. Do everything your dr. tells you to, and take advantage of the opportunity to truly change your way of life. Don't go back to old habits of eating unhealthy food. You will lose hair, but it passes and you won't be bald, though it will feel like you are losing an insane amount of hair. You won't ever feel hungry the same way again, and there is no reason to be an alcoholic. Start working on those triggers that make you turn to food now, and find new ways to cope. Some people will comment on your loss, and some won't. I just told people I changed the priorities in my life, limit my food portions and exercise more: all true. I occasionally tell people I had surgery, especially if they are struggling with weight, just because I don't want to lead them on, but it really isn't an issue. My health is improved beyond expectations, I have a ton of energy, shopping is a delight, and although my husband has always been a true friend and partner, our relationship is like new after 25 years of marriage. You are doing a good thing for yourself, this is exciting! Good luck.

So I got the call Thursday that my surgery was approved and scheduled for the 27th of Feb YAY! Truth is- I am as nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs.... Im 43 let myself go from being a 145 5'8 33 year old who never had a weight problem baloon into a 260 pound 43 year old. And now It has to come to this. I am excited to see what I look like after all this comes off..will my face be full of wrinkles now that I have no more fat? Will all my hair fall out? Will I turn into a raging alcoholic? ( thats one of the big warnings) Will I still be hungry? How will I comfort myself when I am stressed out or my worse eating trigger...exhaustion. These things actually worry me more that the actual surgery.. Will people know I had surgery when I start showing up places getting thinner and thinner? So much to consider...but Id rather not be fat chick anymore...tried it for ten years...not a big fan..

My surgeon was telling us about alcohol....he was tiptoeing around it and he just stopped and chuckled and said you'll be a cheap drunk! We all laughed but he warned us to but drink much and not for months and try to avoid all carbonation

Well just look at calories and protein. That is what I do. My big issue is alcohol and it helps keep me in check.

I started slow. A fancy glass of wine while organizing my closet, a glass while watching a favorite tv show. All of a sudden it was an everyday occurance got up to 2 bottles a night. Also gave me a feroious appetite. Ended up gaining 8#. Being in the health care industry every pang of pain I thought I was getting pancreatitis. Had to stop. Did not like the decisions I made, can't remember conversations I had when I was drinking. It just was not good. I'm on my 3rd full week no alcohol. Feels good to sleep deeply at night, and wake refreshed. I've lost 5 # also. My problem was realized in August. Hoping to stay sober forever and that means for me NO alcohol. Good Luck with what you choose. I never thought I would be a drunk. NO WAY.

so i am going to AC for my friends birthday on March 9th. I will be 8 weeks out at that point. I figured that would be a good time for me to try drinking. I have not been a big drinker since I graduated from college in May but I am only 23 and do like to go out and have fun. i know people will say "oh you dont have to get drunk to have fun" well i do. i hate crowded bars and clubs and i have a good time when i am drunk. i also hate being the only sober one. i want to be able to celebrate with everyone. i figured the week before the trip i might try different alcohol during the week to see what upsets my tummy and what doesn't. so how has drinking been since after surgery? what drinks are your favorite? do you get drunk quicker than before? does anyone actually get drunk and have a good time like they did before surgery? thanks! and if you're going to be rude, then don't comment at all

I drink wine every night before dinner, always have. 5oz of wine is about 120 calories (empty calories). Keep in mind that alcohol makes you hungry and therefore it can be easy to snack too much when you drink (is for me). As long as your doctor doesn't have any restrictions regarding alcohol and you count the calories then enjoy.

I had 1 Cosmo last night and was hammered. I had 3 sips of my 2nd one and had trouble walking so I put it down. Be VERY careful, alcohol is very different on the band. Much stronger. And yes count those calories! On the plus side, with alcohol being so high cal and not nutritional, at least we don't need much at all to get a buzz. P.s I waited a month before my first drink and only drink for really special occasions cos getting drunk makes me wanna eat!!

I wrote this down from a post i read several months ago. Maybe it will help. Top 10 mistakes WLS patients make... 1 not taking their Vitamins, minerals and supplements. 2 assuming you have been cured of your obesity...3 drinking with meals.....4 not eating correctly- Protein first, nonstarchy vegs next....5 not drinking enough Water...6 grazing- have 3 meals and 1-2 PLANNED Snacks.....7 not exercising regularly...8 eating the wrong carbs( not complex) or not limiting even if complex....9 drinking soda again...10 drinking alcohol. Just a reminder of the "rules.". Protein first, get the full daily amount of water but not 30 minutes befor or after meals, no snacking, and get daily exercise. I think it is easy to start off with a bang and then slowly stray from the plan without realizing it if you dont journal your intake and exercise every day. If that is the case, maybe the info above will help. Best wishes.

Ill admit it, I've had a few days where I was probably around there. Ill be honest, alcohol was involved in one of them (no lectures please!). The others were just way too much grazing and where there was food all around me. Those are not normal numbers for me. I am for 600-800 cals most days. I always feel crappy with myself if I go over 1,000, but we are human, we have slip ups. I've been fortunate enough (or unfortunate really) that no food bothers me. Bread is fine, sweat don't get me sick. Nothing. I don't even get drunk off of alcohol the way others say they do. I had my first drink after surgery and was waiting to get drunk and it never happened. So I have to really watch myself carefully with my choices. I wish I had some issues with SOMETHING lol. But yea I've had a few high calorie days but as long as you pull yourself back up and do the best you can after, that's all that matters.

Alcohol tears my stomach up, be very careful to start with. Red wine is the least problematic for me, I no longer drink hard liquor because the time I did it caused pain and acid reflux. I don't want that for sure!

It's been a while since I've posted a new topic. Life got busy when I started a new job about three months ago. Just here to motivate others just starting on their journey, either pre-op or just home from the hospital. I finally reached my goal weight last week, just 13 months after surgery. I met my doctor's goal weight (135) just before my surgiversary Jan 30. Technically, a stomach flu helped me get there faster than I would have liked The best news (as if goal weight wasn't enough) were the numbers on my labs. I was well within all the acceptable ranges and my cholesterol alone is better than it's ever been, even from when I was a teenager! My HDL was gone up, my LDL has gone down and I dropped nearly 2.0 points in my ratio. I am over the moon!! I feel great, I eat just about anything I want, and I live a very normal, productive life. Now, when I say "anything" I want to clarify that I still make very healthy choices 85% of the time, but I don't even have to think of small portions now. What I want is all I need, I get perfectly full and I'm good. I haven't counted a calorie in months, just keeping common sense of Protein first, etc. I eat more Desserts than I care to admit to, Peanut Butter anything is my weakness. Soda is still out of my diet completely, but I enjoy Water, tea, coffee and occasional juice. Tonight I had my first glass of wine, first time having alcohol in over 14-months, and it was great. It did not treat me any differently than before surgery and I kept it to the single glass. I should post pictures soon, my profile pic is now very old and about 40+ pounds ago. I'm loving life, running, playing, sleeping like a champ - so happy I made this wonderful choice for my life! Good luck to everyone!

I've had days where I was close to 2000, and it was also most likely due to the calories in alcohol! I try my best not to feel guilty after days like that, because the point of this surgery was to feel NORMAL. Of course, that's easier said than done. The problem with alcohol is it also increases my chances for snacking on finger foods without thinking twice. So, 3 glasses of wine add up to almost 500 calories. Add in some finger foods, and that's almost a whole day's worth of calories in a single evening. Is it worth it to allow myself that once in a while? Totally.

I'm with you, 100%. You can do it, and THIS is why I weigh every single morning. We may not LIKE to see the scale creep up a little, but a LITTLE, our three lbs, is MUCH easier to handle than getting on there and it's 8 or 10 lbs!!! I'd just crumple, I'm sure!!! LoL These little changes that we are discussing can make us or break us....all depending on whether we are adding a bite here and there or taking them away. Like you.....if it's there and something I like, I swear, it's like...'Hurry up and get it all eaten so it will be gone' Where in the HELL did thinking like that come from???!!!!!!! I don't know, but I am aware of it and know it is wrong, that does not mean it's easy to stop. One thing in my favor is I CAN and DO throw things away now. Prior to surgery......that wasn't something I did. You can do it.....so can I. Find a support group, just like an alcoholic, we need these meetings. I felt revived after the other night!!!

She likely had a duoadel switch or a gastric bypass, both of which change how your bodies process alcohol. The sleeve does not do so. Size of stomach isn't an issue, it's how it's processed through. We don't lose function with this surgery.

My first "holiday" post-op. I have realized even more so - how food was a part of all celebrations. My husband and I didn't plan to go out for Valentine's Day because our youngest is sick. So how to make this day special without centering on food. Wow. Pretty hard for me. Every idea that popped into my head started with some special snack. I could make heart shaped cake...no.....or cup cakes with pink fluffy frosting....no. A fancy dinner with sauces and bread...no. Quite frustrating. What could we do to make it feel like a fun day-- but without the focus being food?? And I am not at stage where I can enjoy alcohol yet. Really looking forward to that! :-) Well I decided to make spaghetti for my husband and our two little boys. And a salad. Nothing special- just an ordinary dinner for the family. I had low fat ; low carb; high protein pureed food.But to the table - I added pink, red, and white candles. And a valentine at each place setting. When dinner was over we decided to go crazy with the boys making Valentines for all the grandparents and aunts and uncles. Sugar-free red jello for dessert- boys loved it. I got through it. No cheating on the bariatric diet. I focused on the atmosphere of love and the memories of the night. I felt fulfilled and happy. To be honest- I am surprised I feel that good. Of course I miss the annual pig-out at the favorite dining place and the big ole box of chocolates. But this year - what I take from Valentines Day is a beautiful card and gift from my husband. Warm memories making valentines with our boys. And knowing the scale will for sure be one pound lighter in the morning. Nothing "sweeter" than that. Happy Valentine's Day everybody.

Hey, Bandsters! Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to LapBandTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder LapBandTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started LapBandTalk.com to help lap-band patients and people who may be interested in getting the lap-band. We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know LapBandTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of LapBandTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Pasta and shrimp can cause problems with your lap-band and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Member Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other bandsters hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Alex ============================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

RNYTalk Newsletter By Hey, RNYTalk Members!Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at RNYTalk.com, you can hardly believe that January is already over! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re still following them, great job! If not, that’s okay. It’s never too late to go back to following your resolutions or to make a few new ones to help you meet your goals for 2013. Whether you’re on track or need to get back on track, we hope this newsletter will provide inspiration and ideas to help you succeed. This is what we have for you this month! Please be Respectful on the Boards! Member Spotlight: Meet worm2872! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Bypass Challenge: Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to RNYTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder RNYTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started RNYTalk.com to help gastric bypass patients and people who may be interested in getting the bypass. We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know RNYTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of RNYTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Chocolate truffles can give you dumping syndrome, and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom Pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Member Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other bypassers hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter Hey, Sleevers!Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at VerticalSleeveTalk.com, you can hardly believe that January is already over! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re still following them, great job! If not, that’s okay. It’s never too late to go back to following your resolutions or to make a few new ones to help you meet your goals for 2013. Whether you’re on track or need to get back on track, we hope this newsletter will provide inspiration and ideas to help you succeed. This is what we have for you this month! Please be Respectful on the Boards! Member Spotlight: Meet iegal! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Member Challenge: Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to VerticalSleeveTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder VerticalSleeveTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started VerticalSleeveTalk.com to help sleeve patients and people who may be interested in getting the gastric sleeve surgery. We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know VerticalSleeveTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of VerticalSleeveTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the terms of service, which you must agree to in order to use the boards. Please use private messaging to contact Alex Brecher, founder of VerticalSleeveTalk.com, if you have any concerns or if you feel that another member is violating the terms of service. We depend on members to keep VerticalSleeveTalk.com positive and welcoming so that all members can feel comfortable expressing their viewpoints. Thanks to the thousands of members who follow the forum rules and make this board the incredible community that it is! Member Spotlight: Meet iegal! We’re delighted to feature iegal from California in this newsletter! iegal decided to get the surgery after years of failing to lose weight permanently and after months of careful consideration and research. Her procedure was in September of 2010, and she has no regrets! Her highest weight was 221 pounds. Now, she’s down to 155 pounds and a healthy BMI of 22.7. “Living life more freely” has been one of iegal’s greatest changes since losing so much weight. She’s no longer held back by obesity or judged by people because of her weight. iegal has also developed the ability to “stop eating too much,” which of course helped her lose the weight and will help her maintain her weight loss long term. iegal says her best moment was reaching her goal weight! She also enjoys her confidence that this time the weight loss will be permanent. iegal also appreciates shopping for cute clothes and showing that her critics were wrong when they thought she couldn’t lose weight. The cost of the sleeve surgery was one of iegal’s first challenges. She justified it by realizing how much she’d spent on “TV promises, weight loss clinics, hypnosis, weight loss clubs, B12 shots, various personal trainers, gym memberships and more.” She also had trouble right after the surgery with “eating like a thin person.” Apparently she did a great job, since iegal reached and maintained goal weight! She gives VerticalSleeveTalk a lot of credit for her success. Members have been there for iegal to keep her on track, be honest and give her a kick in the rear when needed. She loves the way VerticalSleeveTalk members have touched her and changed her life. iegal also depends on VerticalSleeveTalk for information, both from new conversations and from old, archived discussions. iegal chooses to remain anonymous on the boards because she hasn’t told many people about getting the sleeve. She wanted to lose the weight quietly before talking much about the sleeve gastrectomy. Don’t let her anonymity fool you, though! iegal finds herself sharing her positive story with people who are “on the fence” about getting weight loss surgery. iegal’s tip for weight loss surgery patients is to be persistent. The sleeve provides the tool to restrict food intake and let people lose weight. She also reminds sleevers to stop comparing their own weight loss to others. As she says, you will lose the weight if you keep eating right. Even if you’re losing slowly, you’ll still get to your goal weight! iegal wanted to take this opportunity to thank those who challenged her during this journey and never doubted that she would succeed. We’re only too happy to pass the word along – a big thank-you from iegal to all those who have helped her! And we'd like to thank iegal for being in the member spotlight and sharing her story and wisdom. Congratulations on your success, and we can see why you have no regrets from the sleeve! If you want to be in the Member Spotlight, let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum! Also, you can nominate any member that you’d like to see in the spotlight! If you’re a little shy, just send Alex Brecher a private message. We want to hear from you! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Many WLS patients dread Valentine’s Day. For many people, the holiday is about candy, cupcakes and a rich dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Chocolate truffles can give you dumping syndrome and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom Pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Member Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other sleevers hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Alex ============================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

SleevePlicationTalk Newsletter Hey, Sleevers!Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at SleevePlicationTalk.com, you can hardly believe that January is already over! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re still following them, great job! If not, that’s okay. It’s never too late to go back to following your resolutions or to make a few new ones to help you meet your goals for 2013. Whether you’re on track or need to get back on track, we hope this newsletter will provide inspiration and ideas to help you succeed. This is what we have for you this month! Please be Respectful on the Boards! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Member Challenge: Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to SleevePlicationTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder SleevePlicationTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started SleevePlicationTalk.com to help sleeve plication patients and people who may be interested in getting the surgery We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know SleevePlicationTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of SleevePlicationTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the terms of service, which you must agree to in order to use the boards. Please use private messaging to contact Alex Brecher, founder of SleevePlicationTalk.com, if you have any concerns or if you feel that another member is violating the terms of service. We depend on members to keep SleevePlicationTalk.com positive and welcoming so that all members can feel comfortable expressing their viewpoints. Thanks to the thousands of members who follow the forum rules and make this board the incredible community that it is! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Many WLS patients dread Valentine’s Day. For many people, the holiday is about candy, cupcakes and a rich dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Chocolate truffles can give you dumping syndrome and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom Pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Sleever Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other sleevers hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

Don't know where to really share this, so I figured I'd share it in the forum of "my people"... I have a very stressful job and have to spend the work week away from home. Many many night pre-op, after a stressful day, I couldn't get to a mexican food place or Taco Bell fast enough. My typical order would be a 2 lb carne asada burrito with EVERYTHING and chips. At Taco Bell, it would be their new XXL Steak nachos, and of course since I would starve on the 5 minute drive home, I'd always have to get an extra burrito or taco to get me started. I was like a drug addict or alcoholic who couldn't wait to get home so I had to start "using" in the car! Fast forward a few months... Work, more stressful than ever. Being away from home, sucks a** big-time. The difference? I bee-line home and log onto VST to see what I've missed throughout the day. I interact with some really fantastic folks who "get" me. I make plans for the future. I look forward to the future. And oh yeah, if I remember... I go over to the fridge and pull out a greek yogurt and feel completely satisfied. Thanks you guys, seriously!

Hi There 10years ago SO TRUE I had my surgery 5years ago I agree this forum it is Amazing !!! I have had regain with my weight 13kgs 28lbs to be exact if I was to list all the stressful events I simply buckled I just went back to what I always did under stress I picked up food obviously not High Volume but Grazing & drinking A Soy Latte a day didn't help & sometimes 2 a day. I have never drunk alcohol so that was never a problem. I picked up the coffee habit to get thru the work day & having to care for my only son who is now doing OK living with CML Leukemia He's 22 & I am amazed by his attitude. He is a total inspiration Never complains when he's in pain So here I am learning how to take care of me as i seem to have a life filled with drama & stress So it's all back to follow the rules I would love some support All I can say to the Newbie's Having surgery is the Best choice I made & getting back on track has taken more effort than I expected But I'm not a quitter would love support !

I was very strict with myself and I lost 220 lbs in 23 months. I counted every calorie except toothpaste limiting myself to 1000 calories every day. I weighed all my food whenever possible and ate 3 oz protien, 1/2 c veggies or salad and , 1/4 c starch three times every day. I drank more Water then I care to remember and I saw my dr every month without fail. I rarely drank alcohol and cheated less than a handful of times. I didn't exercise except walking which I am not proud of but it's honest. I had plateaus like everyone else but I averaged about ten lbs monthly. I became one with my band and the lesson is now helping me lose a few extra lbs while I am maintaining. I never believed I would not succeed. Getting banded was a drastic decision for me and one I took very seriously. My life depended on it. And the results are amazing.... Because now I am wearing a size 6 and considering I was born a size 14 I am sure... It's an incredible transformation...one that has changed my life.