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I am a worrier by nature... so I had to go get labs drawn... My surgeon wants to test all kinds of stuff so he can give me "clearence" for surgery. If any thing is "abnormal" then that will have to be addressed prior to surgery. So today I get my labs results and to my horror my fasting gluclose and some other test they do for diabetes/insulin resistance PCOS were both HIGH! Not extremely, but still high. My Glucose was 112 (Normal is 65-99)and my HGB A1C is 6.1 (normal is 4.8-5.9). My Cholesterol is high, none too bad except my Triglycerides are really high. The SGPT was 50 (normal is 5-40) which I think is what they use to check your liver. The report said something about alcohol abuse (that is definately not the case with me), viral hepatitis (WHAT???) or a fatty liver. I'm hoping for the fatty liver... but what does it all mean???. I am really worried about the Gluclose stuff and the riglycerides! Just 6 month ago my Gluclose and stuff was all normal... can diabetes or pre-diabetes come on that quick??? 6 months ago my Cholesterol was still a little high but not as bad as it is now. I am starting a pre-op diet anyway just to jump start my weight loss, but what can I do to lower everything else? Any help or advise is greatly appriciated!

I tried the ice...didn't help too much so today I went to my local drugs store and bought alcohol swabs with Benzocaine in them and it worked AWESOMELY!

When I had my GB out, my bellybutton also had a infection deep down. It took months to heal! Rubbing alcohol on a Q-Tip for about 4 days did the trick for me :clap2:

Hi Tuesday35. I am at the point where the work has definitely begun. The first 35 lbs or so were a breeze. I am finding that I can gain weight now when I eat more than I should or drink alcohol. Best of luck to you with your journey.

I couldn't handle alcohol before surgery and I know I definitely won't be able to handle it now! Congratulations on 9 weeks!

My husband and I just booked a 2 week vacation in the Mexican Riviera (long, long overdue!) at a wonderful all-inclusive resort. We're traveling in January 2013 and I will no doubt be challenged with the buffets, a la carte dinners, alcohol, smoothies, etc. However I think my husband will have a great time, we will take part in many physical activities, tours, snorkeling, diving, etc. The food and drink are not important to me. The sun, beach and relaxation are! I will ABSOLUTELY not get my money's worth in food and drink. Nor will my husband be able to make up for my small portions, by eating more himself (he's losing weight also, on a low-carb diet). And I don't care in the least! We will enjoy the resort amenities, the atmosphere, weather and other guests. We'll enjoy what we do eat and drink, and I will get my money's worth of relaxation, recharging my batteries and enjoying my slimmer body. We go out to restaurants now and usually order an appetizer for me and an entree for him (sometimes I just eat a bit of his entree). We've been to a few buffets and it just doesn't make sense to spend the money anymore. I don't miss the buffets at all. At least in an all-inclusive, I can treat the buffet as if it was an a la carte restaurant and just build my own small plate, as if I had ordered it like that on my own. It's already paid for, so less of a feeling of wasted money! Hopefully I'll be down another 30-35 lbs by then (in ONDERLAND for the first time in 25 years!) and be able to do activities I've always wanted to, but never could (zip-lining, horseback riding, para-sailing, diving, etc.)

I am using EAS Myoplex protein shake, with water, several ice cubes and sometimes additional flavoring. I.e. if I use chaocalate I might add banana, almond, etc. With vanilla the sky is the limit. The ice cubes in the blender make seem like a real milk shake. What it is:Myoplex Carb Control Powder delivers the advanced blend of protein, vitamins and minerals—with 3 grams of net carbohydrates. Net carbohydrates are calculated as total carbohydrates minus dietary fiber and minus sugar alcohols. See Nutrition Facts panel for carbohydrate information. Myoplex Carb Control is high in protein and does not sacrifice great taste for great nutrition. 25g of quality protein 25 vitamins and minerals 3g of impact carbs (varies by flavor) Serving Size: 1 packet Best of luck to all on Pre-op diet! We are now on the real journey!

I saw that you are willing to be a mentor/buddy, and if you don't mind I'd like some advice and to ask you some questions..... I have been thinking about lapband since 2007, yet I still havent made any moves towards having it done. I was about 240lbs then,and 3 years later I am now 270 lbs. so, I need to do something asap....What's your advice for someone contemplating surgery ..... -pros and cons? -what was your diet like in the begining and what is it like now? -how often do you exercise? -did you have anyd difficulties? -can you drink alcoholic beverages (not a big drinker, just curious)? -did your insurance cover surgery, and if so what did you have to do for them to agree to cover the surgery? Any extra info you would like to offer would be great! THANKS!

I decided early on that the 1200+ per day wasn't going to work with me and that i wasn't interested in a quick loss that wasn't sustainable. So, that if I was in it and committed for the long run, i was happy to slow down the pace. My nut agreed, although explained that it's best to lose as much as you can because your body does adapt.. But, I wouldn't change a thing. I ear super healthily. watch my Protein. limit just plain bread and opt for other things. Rarely eat Pasta or the foods that just make you hungry 2 hours later. That said, I eat pizza (a slice or two for a meal), a great sandwich now and then and plenty of cottage cheese and greek yogurt and beef Jerky.. chicken, etc. The early instructions helped break the carb habit, although I don't watch my carbs other than being smart. I am now going to be going on year 3 and really feel like i can keep this up for the rest of my life. I just make smarter choices and never ever neglect anything i want. I'll have a full sushi roll with white rice even but then mix in sashimi.. I'll avoid the fried chinese items, but will add a piece or two to my chicken and broccoli. I eat baked chips, but eat some when I crave. I no longer track my calories in an app, but do keep them in my head. If i drink 600 calories in alcohol, i make sure , other than the planned munchies, that I eat mostly protein or less calories that day (or take a long walk after my workout).. I absolutely get full MUCH faster still and that's the key. It's just an amazing tool and so many of the veterans used that word and now I get it.. Nothing comes easy, but this def makes it way easier and cannot be happier.

I spent the six months before my surgery changing my relationship with food. I trained myself to look at food as fuel. I also worked really hard to create a lifestyle where food wasn't central to everything. I no longer Celebrate with food, comfort with food, or do anything else with food outside of getting the necessary fuel I need for the day. Cutting out carbs (20 per day) was central to that for me. I also cut out alcohol for 9 months, and even now (at 4+ months post-op), I only have some occasionally and in very small amounts. You are right. The mental game is the biggest part of this journey. I know that I have issues with food, and I also know that I will have to battle it every day for the rest of my life. Some people won't agree with the stance I have taken, and that's okay. I know that if I don't take this hard line, I'll be 400 pounds again before I know it, sleeve or not. Good luck!

Have banded three months now, and my have been told by my dr that I can have pop once in awhile. At first I didn't want to even drink any with the risk of "over doing it" now within the past two weeks I catch myself drinking a little sip here and there. How much is too much I really can't drink too much cause it is too sweet? What about alcohol? What types of drinks are ok? Not ok?

Short answer, for an occasional drink after you have lost all the weight that you want to lose, yes. The qualification here is that it can be a slippery slope to overdoing it, though compared to an occasional slice of cheesecake, alcoholism is a lot tougher to recover from than carb overload. that's the biggest long term concern is addiction transfer, where what was an occasional indulgence turns to full blown addiction, so care is needed to maintain limits. As with other kinds of "treats" the solution for some is total abstinence as they don't have much control, while others can control an occasional indulgence. You know yourself best.

Thanks for the response. Luckily, I was raised with a healthy respect (and fear) of alcohol and I understand it’s risks. It is good to hear that I won’t have to be the odd man out forever though.

Karen, I would advise against consuming alcohol for a couple reasons (at this stage). 1) right now your stomach is on the high acidic side. Making you prone to things like acid reflux and ulcers. Alcohol and caffeine alike increase acidity in the stomach and can predispose you to these complications. 2) I know you may feel like you don't have to watch calories, but these mindless liquid calories are not what your body needs right now. Protein is essential for recovery. Alcohol is a blood thinner and thus slows healing. It offers no nutritional value. and 3) Right now is the prime time to follow the rules, being diligent with healthful choices etc. You are establishing new habits and a foundation for the remainder of your banded life. Yes, alcohol can be consumed when you are banded. I would just advise against it until you are well established on solids for now.

Lena-I've been looking at these two sites all morning and I'm thinking now that Fitday might work better for me anyway, so maybe it was one of those 'happy accidents' afterall (we'll call this a 'blondes have mor fun moment'). There don't seem to be nearly as many reports on MyFitnessPal (but I put in some questions on the message board). There isn't even a section for goal reports at all. I couldn't even find a way to show a graph of projected weight loss...and what fun is dieting if you can't keep looking at the goal. I love that graph on Fitday with actual weight loss and the goal line together on a graph...Fitday let me do this projected 2 years out. The thing that worried me about Fitday was there's no 'help' button and as a newbie you get stuck sometimes (like where the heck is SUGAR in the nutrients breakdown?...alcohol?). But now that I know SOMEONE on the site...hee hee Did you upgrade or are you on the free version? -BG

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!!

Hello All: Had my surgery 13 days ago, and have begun the discovery process on the board. Lost 18 lbs at my first Dr. visit 10 days out, so happy about that. About to begin my travel schedule again for work after two weeks out. I have my Protein shakes to cover mornings and lunches, thinking about Yogurt, Soups, Underwood deviled products for dinners. Water won't be a problem. Any suggestions. Really just looking to say hello, and anxious to read about other success. If you are from Houston, let me know! I need an alcohol free, easy on the stomach place to watch some football, and my house with the rest of the gang isn't it!! Regards,

So does that mean that splenda is a sugar alcohol? I didn't know that, if that's the case.

So sorry for that horrible experience! Yes, the Dr is correct, the band indeed is not meant for things to "come back up" especially from lower stomach. It's only happened once to me (recently) and it was very painful and a HORRIBLE experience, due to alcohol, so I've learned my lesson as well.

I was banded 01/07/2008. Been sipping on water when we go out since November. Alcohol isn't a big deal to me, but I was curious if anyone had an alcoholic beverage since surgery? Not looking to get wiggidy wasted or anything, but maybe a glass of wine or something the next time I go out or sometime in the coming months. I know that carbonation is a no no, so I won't be drinking any Hard Cider (which is my drink of choice). Just curious your take on the subject as fellow bandsters.

Hi: I'm looking forward to seeing the responses. I haven't had an alcoholic beverage since I was banded last July. However, my dd is going to turn 21 in June, so I'm planning to have one or two to Celebrate. I think I read somewhere that people who've had wls get wasted easy. Make sure you get a designated driver. Have fun. Sue

Welcome to the board!!! We hope you stay a while....As far as the carbonated drinks...my Dr's office told me that they could stretch the pouch...like when you put coke in a sippie cup it spews out the top; that is what it would be like in your stomach....I think that is one of the rules that all the Dr's agree on. I could be wrong. I have had frozen alcoholic drinks...margaritas and stuff like that and they haven't bothered me...I think there are some of us that have the drinks around here.. Good Luck and welcome!!!!!!!!!!!

I have found Overeaters Anonymous to be very helpful with this type of issue. Really, we eat for the same reason other people drink. And it is IMO harder to control it because alcoholics can avoid alcohol and we have to eat food. However, the first step is recognizing it happens. Too bad we can't get our head banded :blushing:

At 5 months out, I can eat most things (except what's on my forbidden list - alcohol, gassy liquids) but choose not to eat certain things such as rice, bread etc. I still find that if I forget to really chew food fully, it can be uncomfortable but that's my fault, not the food's. For me, it's not so much about what I eat, it's about how I eat and mindful eating certainly helps avoid discomfort.

I dont have to lose but losing is a plus my only requirements for the 6 month diet is to not go below 1200 calories and not go above 1600, no soda/caffiene no carbination period, no alcohol lots of protein and EXERCISE