Search the Community

First I want to say thank you to so many of the veteran posters on here. I hope you gals and guys know how much your experiences and feedback have helped me and I suspect many others. There's just such a fantastic mix of people and experiences - It's great knowing you aren't alone in this journey. The first few months after surgery were easy. The weight was simply falling off, there wasn't anything I couldn't eat or drink - And better yet, I couldn't overeat because of the restriction. I felt fantastic most of the time, had all sorts of NSV's and loved my new life. From August until January I lost almost 50lbs - I was so close to Wonderland I could taste it. THEN reality struck - Suddenly I was one of those "slow losers" - It took almost 2 months to lose 13lbs. UGH, I WAS going to be one of those slow losers. OK, fine, I'm 52 and it is what it is, right? From January until May, I "only" lost 33lbs. Again, every week/month I told myself that I would lose the weight, I was just in some sort of a stall and things would magically pick up. Well, they didn't, I would lose 2-3 lbs and then I would gain 2-3 lbs. Again, "it's normal" I told myself. Fast forward to a week ago - I jumped on here for some motivation (reading stories, etc.) and I took a hard look at what I was doing. Basically, I was being lazy - I was eating whatever I wanted and justifying it by saying "I only eat small portions" - Well, yeah, that was true...BUT I was grazing, I was drinking too much alcohol, and I wasn't tracking. I honetly have no idea how many calories I was consuming (especially on weekends with family and friends). I played mind games with myself and said "As long as I'm not gaining, I'm doing things right." - Well, that was a giant load of (@*$. This past Tuesday (after a weekend of Mimosa's, Crown Royal, and some really great BBQ), I woke up to a 5lb gain (BTW, yes I realize some of that was water retention). WAKE UP CALL. 5lbs? Seriously - Time to go back to basics before that's a 10lb gain. For the first time in MONTHS, I tracked every thing I tracked everything that went into my mouth (water, food, etc) - I did 3 days of liquid - In two days, those 5lbs were off. Rather than what I've done in the past, I didn't stop there - I continued tracking, I continued being cognizant of what and when I was eating. I said "no" to many things that I thought I wanted. I lost 6.8lbs from Tuesday to Sunday. What? I'm NOT a slow loser - I'm a LAZY loser. Folks, for many of us, it's EASY in the first few months, it's EASY to convince ourselves that we're doing OK, it's EASY to compare ourselves to others, it's EASY to ignore signs that you're falling into bad habits, and it's EASY to get lazy. In reality, it's HARD to stick to your plan when you're feeling fantastic and patting yourself on the back for losing so much weight. I'm choosing to be thankful that this happened now rather than 2-3 years into it. I'm glad that reality smacked me in the face and forced me to face the fact that i wasn't doing what I needed to do. Right now it was EASY to get back on track before I let it get out of control. For those of you experiencing the same - Buckle up buttercup, start tracking, weigh yourself often if you need to, and take a good look and when and why you're losing weight and when and why you aren't. Again, a very special thank you to you old timers for always keeping things real and giving out such fantastic advice.

I agree with the addiction transference theory(ies). A friend of mine that had bypass transferred to shopping. However, I don't think it's only bypass-related. I'm sure that's why we also go through the psych eval - to make sure that we don't have a past with drug or alcohol abuse so we don't transfer to former bad addictions!

As another one of the men on this site, I can confirm that committed men lose fast. I am averaging 3.2 lbs a week since going to the seminar in October. I was banded in Late November. I have lost 62 lbs in 4 months. Committment takes diet, exercise and thought. I tracked everything for the first three months, but stopped and am maintaining my loss. I feel I know the rules now and don't track because the rules are ingrained in my day to day thinking. I travel a lot for work, and eat out often. I also drink alcohol sometimes when out with business associates. I work out 6 days a week for at least 45 minutes. I eat a lot of Protein, and at least 5 days a week rely on Protein shakes in the morning. I eat beef, chicken, fish and shrimp. I eat salads, vegetables and some carbs (one time a day at most). That is what it takes. I have PB's 3 times and slimed twice. I learned my lesson there to slow down and chew. I have had 2 fills. I do not think I am exceptional, just an average band patient, but I am committed. I am a scale addict too. Oh well. Good luck to you. If you want to lose and keep it off, this may be your best chance. TJ

What alcohol are you able to drink k ? Also what would be the amount you have ? Frequency ? Sent from my SM-G930P using BariatricPal mobile app

I was blessed to have people who supported (and paided) for me to get this tool...gastric sleeve in August 2009. I want to say it here and now, do not step away from this forum when you are feeling good and that all is done. Do not let the embarrassment, shame or even despair keep you away AND if you are new to the forum, please be aware it can happen and always, ALWAYS come back. So here is my deal, I have gained 57 lb. back...totally walked away thinking I've got this and then life continues to happen. I would occasionally come back to the forum; however, was embarrassed because there were discussions about putting 5 or even 10 lbs. back on which made me feel that I really really messed up and feeling like a major failure. So, this is my way of overcoming my first obstacle...my pride AND we all need to talk about the reality WHEN it happens. Now, I'm not saying it is going to happen to everyone...truly, I am only saying WHEN so for those of us it does happen to we have a place to come back and not be humiliated or called out. Does that make sense??? I use food to deal with stress, anxiety and all that other junk...LOL. I want to put a caution out there...I had the food sort of under control and then have come to the realization that alcohol was now my new friend and over a period of the last 3 years the weight started coming back on and then guess what, I noticed one day my eating habits were right back where I started. I am grateful for the ability to have an area to come and begin again. It is my hopes to not scare anyone, I'm not a negative nelly either! Most of my friends see me as being a very positive person and yes, that is pressure as well....LOL. Today, I am behaving like I had my surgery yesterday. I'm scared, cautious and freaked out about what I will put in my body...LOL. The beauty is I know I can do this...one sip at a time. Okay...enough for now, have tears streaming down my face, laughing and glad to be back here....

No one will lecture you. We're all so very different. I sip with my meals especially when wine is involved LOL. I definitely don't gulp or drink a lot of fluids at all while eating, and it has not made me hungrier, and it doesn't really allow me to eat more food per sitting. I eat way too much spicy food not to wet my whistle occasionally during a meal. And, like I said, I drink a glass of wine here and there, and if I were to not drink with my meal, I'd never finish the glass. And, that my dear friends is straight-up alcohol abuse! ! !

Hey Sunny Day, red wine (as it's known for being healthy) or vodka and Water, then add drink mix (bring your own no sugar drink mix, i.e., Crystal Light, Hawaiin punch etc.). Yep, stay away from the regular mixed drinks...way too much sugar on top of the alcohol calories. I'm newly banded and on two occasions, I've had this. Right or wrong, there's lots of social occasions and that go to drink just makes sense for me (or, of course, abstain w/water and lime/lemon) Good luck to you!

First, I must say this: I love my family with all my heart, but a select few are driving me completely insane! It hit me yesterday, that FEELING is not allowed in my family. Voicing your feelings is not tolerated. And I can't live my life like this anymore. I refuse to raise my children that way. Depression is anger turned inward. And if you don't discuss your feelings you stuff them, with food, alcohol, etc. I CANNOT DO THAT ANY LONGER! I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT ANY LONGER! I just end up hurting myself. I chose to have this surgery and change my life for ME! If you love me, then be happy for me and support me. Don't blackmail me emotionally. Don't lay someone else's shit sandwich in my lap. If someone else is depressed or unhappy, that person should DO something about it. It's NOT my fault if someone is upset and too depressed to go to work. Tell THEM to put THIER big girl panties on!! Cuz honey, I've had my big girl panties on for A LONG time. I am dealing with my issues. I am trying to become a better person. I am not crying to my Mommy and blaming others for my unhappiness. I OWN my issues. They are on ME! And don't emotionally blackmail my children when they express their feelings and those feelings upset you. YOU are the adult. Shame on you! SHAME ON YOU! It is only natural for a child to protect his parent. God knows I've tried to protect mine. Even when they probably didn't deserve it. But to not only negate their feelings, and then threaten them emotionally! SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!! That hurts me more than any of the bullshit that has been thrown at me the last year. All of it put together, doesn't hurt as much as when my son told me how he was treated last night. By his own grandparent. I still can't believe it. If you only knew how much you hurt him. And me. I know you want to live your life with your head in the sand and pretend everything is a-okay. Fine. You do that. But don't expect me to. And don't expect me to raise my children that way! I don't want them to wake up twenty years from now, full of self-loathing, and stuffing every feeling because they can't express them. Been there, done that, and it SUCKS! I just realized it's okay to take care of me. People actually DO THAT. Take care of themselves. And it's NOT selfish!! WHO KNEW!? All my life I have been terrified of being a selfish person. So I give till I have nothing left to give. And I wonder why I am empty? Cuz I gave it all away! Someday I hope it is okay to have my wishes respected. I really do. I think that would feel good. I remember when I told you I was going to have this surgery. I SPECIFICALLY asked you NOT to tell my sister. I hadn't decided if I wanted to tell her or not. Even then I had an inkling that she would not be supportive and that my decision would be a problem for her. But you told her. Thanks so much. I also tried to explain to you over Christmas that I needed to keep the negative people at arms length. To take care of me. I was feeling extremely vulnerable. Then you turn around and tell me I need to go talk to her. Practically blame her depression on ME! Thanks for throwing that steaming sack of shit in my lap. Totally appreciate that. And last night, when you thanked me for doing what you asked.... do you know how that made me feel? Like all was right with the world, because Jennifer was happy, and that was all that mattered. You didn't even notice that I was crying. That my eyes were swollen from crying all afternoon. That shows me exactly where I stand. Thank you for that too. You probably didn't notice that I was drinking for the first time in three months either. Or that I was five seconds away from bumming a cigarette off the grumpy guy. After 16 months of being smoke-free, I was completely ready to throw all that hard work out the window. Hello self-sabotage!!! My old friend! But I didn't. I guess I had my big girl panties on after all. Huh, Mom?

This is a topic I'm glad to see, because it's something I wonder about. I enjoy a glass of wine (one!) with dinner most nights, if I stay up later, it may be two, maybe three at the outside (I have a non-drinking spouse to drive me home). I have a friend who is 10 months post GBP and she hasn't had any alcohol yet. I have another who is 2.5 years post sleeve and she waited about three months. I don't have a surgery date yet, but I wouldn't plan my first drink for a big holiday dinner or other event - I'd take it slow and see whether the surgery (and also my period of pre and post-op abstinence) had changed my body's response. No sense making a bigger fool of myself in public than I have to

Basically you should wait. Alcohol can cause ulcers in your new stomach. So maybe 4 oz won't "kill you" at three months but neither will a cheat food. Testing your limits with foods you should avoid and alcohol will more than likely cause you issues. Discomfort or dumping or worse a bleeding ulcer. It's best to let your new stomach heal for a year and then reintroduce alcohol. You are choosing this surgery to be a better you, just wait.

I’ve noticed a number of posts lately from bandsters who are non compliant due to stressful situations in their lives. I am very sympathetic to anyone dealing with difficult situations but not so sympathetic with those who deal by eating too much, or eating poorly. I can’t help but think it’s just an excuse to self sabotage. If you were an alcoholic, you would avoid drinking during stressful times. Otherwise, you would be back to drinking uncontrollably again. Same for us foodaholics...and yes, I'm a foodaholic. If stress makes you reach for a cookie or a taco, what makes you think you won’t eat a box of Cookies or a ton of tacos? We must must must find better outlets for our stress. It’s bad enough when things are not going well, but to risk your success on top of that to me is just completely destructive. I’m not saying I have the answers, I just think this is a topic worth discussing.

I was denied due to recreational drinking and mmj being on my medical record. Has anyone had any success with appealing the process? I was never given an opportunity to appeal officially, either, so if anyone knows who I can call that’d be great. I’ve gained an additional 15 pounds since I was denied. My body is in an awful state. My mental health isn’t much better (the news was pretty devastating). I’ve got another appointment with my doctor in hopes that I can try to talk to her. All I received was a call from her nurse telling me I was denied entry to Options. They told me I have to wait a year for sobriety despite the fact that I am not a heavy drinker nor a heavy pot smoker. I would quit both alcohol and pot cold turkey if I had to - they have no real significance for me. At this rate I am considering paying entirely out of pocket. I’ve never been so disappointed with my insurance before. I am so miserable. Only 25 pounds off 300 lbs which is the heaviest I’ve ever been. I am so afraid.

My BMI was over 48 and I had diabetes, plus heart and blood-pressure problems, so my approval took less than a month in 2002. Since then, however, my medical plan has removed bariatric surgery from it's list of covered surgeries. My daughter-in-law's mother had to gain about 30 pounds to become eligible for her policy's approval. Maybe one day, our disease will be treated like most other diseases. Alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness and morbid obesity are all treated as step-children in the medical insurance industry.

Welcome back, stay and don't leave - even when you are back at the place you want to be. I'm 3 years post op, still not at the place I want to be weight wise, some gain too. I can see how alcohol can be the new 'friend' and I purposely keep an eye on that as there are others who have reported on here how so easily it replaced their friend food. What is your plan of attack, are you going to go Protein drinks for a few days, log using myfitnesspal, low carb, no alcohol? You have done this before and you know what works for you. I need this site, I lurk more than I post but I pick up valuable tips and advice and there is a group of people I can call on if I need help. There is the vets part of the site but I'm a bit unsure on what the conditions are for posting there. I think you have to be so many months post op and have a certain number of postings. Vets post there about their struggles and successes. Take it one day at a time, we can't change what we did yesterday, we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow but we can plan and alter things during today so that by the end of it we can say to ourselves "it might not be perfect but I tried my best".

There's a lot being said on here about replacing one addiction (food) with another (alcohol). How about we all choose our new addiction and throw ourselves into working out. If we can conquer food, then we can take control of and retrain our minds for what we will embrace. This band isn't the one doing the work. It is my tool... but it's still up to me to take control of what goes into my mouth, whether it's food, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. Folks, I don't want to get on a soapbox, but if you think you're having a problem with alcohol, you need to reach out for help before it takes root in your life.

My brother was 429lbs before surgery. He is now 165lbs and needless to say his life has changed dramatically. One big thing I've noticed is his increase in alcohol consumption. HE NEVER drank as much as he does today. After work...its nothing for him to grab a 6 pack (a night) and finish his appraisal work on the computer with drinking. 2-6 beers (a night) is a typical range for him now....with the average being around 3-4 beers a night. Being that I have a behavioral background, my theory is he now has this increased desire to be social(because of his new found self image and overall zest for life from being alot thinner). Being that the American Lifestyle involves drinking when socializing.....he now drinks more..... (they go hand in hand). People with Weight Loss Surgery typically have been "in the closet for many years" (in terms of being very social). My theory is (because of this) they tend to overcompensate their social desires by going out ALOT more (especially when the weight loss has come off). Going out alot more....(in an American Culture) definately means alot more alcohol tendencies and temptations. P.S. Another theory is he is missing the mental stimulation (i.e. endorphins) that he used to get from food. His body still craves these endorphins....so he gravitates towards alcohol because he can't get that from eating a mass amount of food anymore.....alcohol is a very easy thing to replace and get these much needed endorphins. Just my theory

Wow, I guess it really is different for everyone. I did learn more about alcoholism in gastric bypass patients, sorta like the catch the dragon.

Earlier this year I had my second episode of DVT/PE. (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) PE can easily and quickly kill, so I am a very fortunate person to sit here and tell you this. When all was said and done I learned I will be on warfarin (blood thinners) for the rest of my life. There are a couple things you have to monitor and mostly give up while on them...anything rich in vitamin K and alcohol. Vitamin K is the natural anti thinner, it builds your blood. Therefore it will work against your medicine. Since your INR levels have to be monitored and meds adjusted frequently, you really don't want things jumping up and down. Alcohol thins the blood. So drinking on top of taking the meds can cause bleeding in excess. Not changing my consumption of vitamin K wasn't too much of a change as I was not a very healthy eater. ( If I had lived on green leafy foods I would not be needing the sleeve!) But I am a social drinker. I do enjoy a glass of wine now and then. I like to go out for celebrations and have a cocktail. I enjoy a cold beer on a hot day. Being told I could not do that anymore really was harder than anything. I am not an alcoholic, and I don't even drink that often. But it was the idea of being told "no"... Shortly after this all happened I did have drinks. It was Memorial Day weekend and I had friends and family over. I had a couple cocktails and thought "I can do this". But next time I was in for a blood test for my INR my levels were off and my meds had to be adjusted. ( plus I got a lecture) So no, I can't do it. Over the months I have come to accept it and move on.. One reason I chose the sleeve is because there is so much less "never agains". I realize it will be a while, after I am through the weight loss phase. But I know that, at some time in my life, I will be able to have things I really miss and enjoy again. I won't make them my everyday, they will be for rare and special occasions. I want to be healthy and eat healthy. Yet I know that, if I truly want to taste a long missed food, I will be able to again. I will just use my newfound better judgment and eat much less than I once had...

Biggest difference with what you are dealing with, as opposed to the drug addict, alcoholic, or someone who smokes, is We need food to survive. Its this - the need for something so basic as food...that simply drives me up the wall to. I find my thoughts continually thinking about my next meal...when am I going to eat, what am I going to eat and even something so stupid as asking myself if I am really hungry. Food completely controls my thoughts and often times actions. I have the same frustrations, as I bet nearly everyone on this site does. What makes me feel worse at times, is the mere fact that I have never truly had to worry about meals. I have never had to go without food...in fact, my family (being Italian) tends to cook as though we are expecting 100 plus people to randomly stop over. Growing up, all family gatherings, visits with neighbors involved food. In essence, everything you are feeling is Normal! You will make it, you will survive this journey. It may seem impossible, however, you have taken this situation and are being proactive with your health for not just you but for your family. Try to stay positive.....try to stay motivated....the best has yet to come!

Hi everyone, I'm new the forums. I've updated my profile so you know my story. I'm been reading lots and lots on here as I've been looking for information and experiences from both the Optifast diet and WLS. I'm currenlty on the medically supervised weight loss program at Kaiser. Today marks two weeks. As I started this journey, I also wanted to know more about WLS because I thought I would rather eat real food than Optifast for 12 weeks. Well, after the introductory seminar I felt a bit defeated in my Quest as it seems to be more restrictive than I thought. I was hoping to ask my follow up questions here to help me better understand what happens after WLS, what can you eat/drink after WLS, etc so that I can make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed with the WLS orientation. I did receive a referral from my doctor. After WLS: Can you no longer have a glass of wine with a meal? They told us you can no longer consume liquids with your meal. How do you all handle this and how has it worked out? Only 3 meals a day can be eaten, no Snacks or small meals in-between. What do you do in social events, parties, picnics? You need to strictly monitor caloric intake and weigh and measure your food. Is there a standard typical caloric intake per meal and per day recommended? You need to avoid foods high in fat and sugar. Restrict alcohol. Restrict carbonated drinks. Any guidance, learnings and knowledge sharing from your experiences would be greatly appreciated. ~R

alcohol has affected my weight loss, I'm definitely limiting myself to 1 day at week. after the surgery I was feeling depressed and found myself drinking 3 - 4 times per week, n 9 months Ive only lost 60lbs. which makes me sad to know, i let my emotions take over.

Well, thanks for the mention. For me, life is a wonderful journey. I had (have) so many obstacles keeping me from enjoying my life to its fullest. I have one go around on this experience we call life. I'm tired of not being a participant to its fullest. I'm happy to say the quest never ends, but at the same time, it does not monopolize my life, either. My usage of alcohol as medication robbed so much of my life, and I want it back. I'm happy to say, I am getting it back ... one day at a time.

Some of you know my story and others of you may be reading my blog for the first time. So I will summarize my pre-surgery eating habits so that you may understand the title for my entry. Before Hernia Repair and Lap Band surgery, I had a VERY limited diet. I was in pain when I was hungry and in pain when I ate. I also had a habit of regurgitating food in my sleep. Nausea, cramps, burning/stabbing pain all symptoms I was used to on a regular basis. Food getting stuck....yea that is an understatement. You name it I had it. Most foods agitated my condition, the list looking something like the following: carbonated/ caffeinated/alcoholic beverages, fruit, fruit juices (not even orange juice), products with tomato paste (spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, etc), raw vegetables, soup of the non creamy variety, cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, candy bars, and so forth. You are probably asking yourself the following: WHAT ON EARTH COULD YOU EAT? Well that's simple: starch mostly. Rice, pasta, bread, potato, oatmeal, ice cream, pudding, jello, mushy veggies, and most meats. My life was a daily chore of figuring out what food to eat that would cause me the lease amount of pain. Yes, I had meds but it was like taking sugar pills: no effect. Well, Life has changed for me in more ways than one since then. I sleep better, I experience no pain outside of hunger and the occasional gas/air dilemma (burping hiccupping etc). MOST IMPORTANTLY: I EAT WITH NO PAIN. For the first time in THREE years, I had a few bites of lasagna and a few bites of salad. Everything stayed down and hours later I was still pain free. My mom and I almost cried. These two food items alone would have caused me several hours of pain in my pre surgery days. It took this experience to show me just how SICK I've been for many years. What you EAT and DO NOT (OR IN MY CASE CAN NOT) EAT greatly effects how well your body operates. I feel better, I sleep better, and hopefully I will experience fewer illnesses in the future. I have a new lease on life because I am now able to eat a healthier diet. BUT it is still a struggle. I not only have to learn how to eat, I also have to retrain my mind not to fear pain when I eat. In many ways, It makes me feel like an outcast in most lap band groups. While many are fighting their way to portion control and healthy eating, I am fighting my way through fear and years of a non healthy but very restrictive diet. This is the true reason, I share all of my experiences. I know I cannot be the only one with this journey. It also the reason, why it is painful to me when others beat themselves up about eating food (healthy or junk wise). If you only knew what it was like to go so many years without being able to eat. It is not something I would wish on my worst enemy. Anyways, I am on my way to a better/ healthier life and I can't wait to see where it takes me. I wish the best to all of you. May your journey be one full of success and happiness.

Since you mentioned you've posted several times about already having a "stall", I will respond with a excerpt from an article written on Bariatriceating.com because it may be of interest to you: Your internal surgical wounds must heal – this is no time to go to the mall, out to dinner, visiting friends and on vacation. Sew what? In terms of food, you must stick to your surgeons program for post op food stages. You need time to allow the tiny pouch cut and sewn from the fabric of your giant floppy stomach to heal itself closed. We have all glued something only to have the seams pop open. The liquid & soft food stages are to avoid stressing pouch seams and give your stomach a break from the process of digestion. Is ice cream a puree? Sirloin steak is not a soft food. Ice cream is NOT a puree. You can’t eat popcorn, raw carrots or celery ten days after surgery. People ask if we think they could have a pork chop, we say ‘no’, they eat it anyhow, then tell us ‘they didn’t have a problem’. NO alcohol for a year… NON-negotiable… but people push back saying their surgeon said five weeks was okay. Folks… we know better and we are trying to help you. General Tso? NOT your friend The post op dietary stages are not a suggestion, they are a requirement for you own safety. You cannot eat Chinese food the week after surgery because you ‘chew it well’. A ‘craving’ for Orange chicken landed one support group member in the hospital! It’s a very bad idea to push. Being ‘released’ to ‘regular food’ does not mean what you think it does, but you already know that. How long until you can have pizza again? “Pizza is not a food for someone having obesity surgery.” (that’s a quote from Dr. N on My 600 lb Life) Every single week in our support group, these actions land new post ops in the hospital. Sip sip sip sip sip… If you had a back injury, you would not tile your kitchen floor the same week. Yet, people think nothing of making a trip to a theme park when they should be at home resting and taking in fluids. People ask us ‘Do you think I would be able to go on a cruise two weeks after my sleeve?’ (Nooooo!) As high as 30% of post ops are dehydrated enough to land back in the hospital with a Fluid IV. Not drinking enough Water after surgery can cause heart damage. Dehydration is the most common bariatric complication, yet it’s largely avoidable. Stay home and heal… drink hot water, cold water, broth, Diet Snapple, herbal tea, eat sf ice pops and Jello. (We have a free bariatric water app called HY, click for GetHyApp.com) Vitamins are critical It is impossible for you to have your stomach surgically removed or reconfigured and take in the nutrients needed to run your body. While your surgeons group has mentioned Flintstones, that is so you will possibly take something instead of being one of the 67% of post ops who take nothing. They are not optimal and won’t prevent long term problems like broken bones from simple falls and losing teeth, but may keep you from dying in the short term. The idea behind supplements is to prevent issues from grabbing you in twenty years when it’s too late to change the path. Take them! Protein from food? What a novel idea! Yes, yes, yes, we’d all like to get our protein from food and that’s what you want to hear. However, if you are unable to take in 70 grams of protein per day, you can either weaken and lose your hair or you can figure out another way until you are able to learn and eat the right foods. Protein drinks make up the difference between what you can eat and what you need. They are not simply a tasty beverage for your enjoyment for you to be all picky and ridiculous over. They are the antidote for your disease of morbid obesity. Morbid means death and obesity surgery only slows and reverses the disease IF you follow your plan. I personally like their no-nonsence approach to this life altering surgery we've all had. Also, yes to wait staff looking strangely at us but it won't last long. I found it harder for them when I wouldn't want to order anything to drink since we can't drink while eating. Now I tell them, "No thank you, I don't drink when eating". I've been asked "why?" many times. I then tell them how no one should because it doesn't allow your food to be properly digested when liquid is present. 95% of them tell me they're going to try it. I wish you nothing but success

I had a plethora of NSVs this week that I totally didn't even realize! It's probably a good thing since the scale hasn't been moving much (almost 5 weeks out). I need any kind of victory I can get! 1. went off the (low) diving board at a public pool for the first time in years! I have a torn meniscus and was always afraid I wouldn't be able to get up the ladder. I also had fears of snapping the board in half! lol 2. I went out to dinner for the first time since being allowed real food and stayed on the plan. I actually went out twice, got chicken once and seafood once (all baked or grilled)... had maybe two bites of the accompanying mashed potatoes and rice (forgot to substitute my sides). 3. Went out bar-hopping with college friends and didn't drink a single drop of alcohol! These friends do not know about surgery and I want to keep it that way for the time being. I had to get very creative since there were many toasts to the newly engaged friend and to my weight loss (ha ha- the irony). An 8oz bottle of Water fit great in my purse for my trips to the bathroom! lol 4. I actually went to bars both nights this weekend and made it home without stopping for fast food. I used to be the queen of 4th meal- Taco Bell, Wendys, McDs. I was ssoooo tempted (this was the hardest NSV) on my way home because I was actually hungry. Instead, last night when I came home I had a few salami roll-ups and tonight had some milk. 5. I finally joined My Fitness Pal and started tracking my food. It's definitely not as difficult or time-consuming as I expected (the reason I put it off). 6. I went to see my psychologist for the first time since surgery. I was seeing her long before surgery and she was actually the biggest advocate of this for me and facilitated the discussion with my mom because I was too terrified. Anyway... she didn't recognize me! Legitimately, she wasn't just saying that. I was wondering why she didn't say hi to me when I saw her sitting outside the building! Whoo hoo! As always, thanks for all the support! Love this place!