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I ignore several rules now but was 100% compliant for the first nine months. The first "rule" I broke was carbonation. I had a glass of champagne on my birthday. It was definitely not comfortable (I felt so full!) so it was and still is a rare treat. I estimate I drink something carbonated a few times a month. Which ties into the second rule from my surgeon which was no alcohol. I don't want booze to interfere with my WL goals so I drink a few times a month, usually vodka mixed with something low sugar or a glass of wine. I hate working out after a night of drinking and I work out 4-5 days a week so that enforces limited opportunities to drink. Finally coffee, I didn't drink it for over a year and now drink it a few times a week. I try to drink cold brewed for less acid when possible. For all the newbies, I highly recommend you hit your WL goals before going rogue. There are a gazillion rules that I still follow; not eating and drinking, focusing on Protein every day, taking Vitamins, etc. So while an occasional this, that, or the other will eventually be fine. Just because you can do something early out doesn't mean you should. In anticipation of the snap back, here you go. Clearly I'm blowing it.

I didn’t start at as high a bmi as you but I still thought I’d share my experience so far. I chose sleeve with my surgeon’s support, even though I suffered from stress related gerd. Yes, I have some issues but manage it with medication. I chose sleeve surgery because it doesn’t change the digestive tract as much as other surgeries. Yes my stomach is smaller but it is the same length as it was as are my intestines. I think this is why absorption is not as great an issue with sleeve. My nutrient absorption is good. I haven’t taken multi vitamins since I reached my goal a year ago & my blood work come back fine. Yes, bypass patients do tend to lose weight more quickly to begin but the 5 year average of weight lost & maintained across both surgeries is about the same - 60-65% of the weight initially to be lost. Dr Vuong has a great video that explains this very well. Think it’s called how to maximise your weight loss. The amount of weight you successfully lose & maintain really comes down to the individual. Even though I’ve exceeded my original goal (lost about 135%), I’ve had the view that I would find a place of balance between maintaining my weight & maintaining my lifestyle. I believe that if you restrict your food choices & intake to a point you can not enjoy your life & the things you like to do your diet will fail because you will consciously or subconsciously revolt against the restrictions you employed. Honestly, my diet is still pretty restrictive but I’m not quite 2 years out so I have a long way to go to find the balance of what works for me. Currently, I eat low sugar & artificial sweeteners, low fat, moderate carbs (whole or multi grains but no breads, rice, pasta), fruits, vegetables & of course I’m protein & portion control focussed. I have the odd glass of alcohol but I often don’t finish the glass. It’s easy to manage & doesn’t affect how I socialise so far. The keto debate is an interesting one. My 3 week pre surgery diet was keto but I know I could not maintain the high fat requirement long term but that is me - I don’t like overly fatty foods. But it certainly gave me a kick start. There is research that says the high fat content causes cholesterol problems. There’s research that shows that while it may help people with diabetes to begin, long term it can cause erratic insulin levels due to the low carb intake. And of course there’s research that it’s great. I think you have to find the diet that works for you. Good luck whichever surgery you choose.

1. The federal government made at least $72 billion in improper payments in 2008. 2. Washington spends $92 billion on corporate welfare (excluding TARP) versus $71 billion on homeland security. 3. Washington spends $25 billion annually maintaining unused or vacant federal properties. 4. Government auditors spent the past five years examining all federal programs and found that 22 percent of them–costing taxpayers a total of $123 billion annually–fail to show any positive impact on the populations they serve. 5. The Congressional Budget Office published a “Budget Options” series identifying more than $100 billion in potential spending cuts. 6. Examples from multiple Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports of wasteful duplication include 342 economic development programs; 130 programs serving the disabled; 130 programs serving at-risk youth; 90 early childhood development programs; 75 programs funding international education, cultural, and training exchange activities; and 72 safe water programs. 7. Washington will spend $2.6 million training Chinese prostitutes to drink more responsibly on the job. 8. A GAO audit classified nearly half of all purchases on government credit cards as improper, fraudulent, or embezzled. Examples of taxpayer-funded purchases include gambling, mortgage payments, liquor, lingerie, iPods, Xboxes, jewelry, Internet dating services, and Hawaiian vacations. In one extraordinary example, the Postal Service spent $13,500 on one dinner at a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, including “over 200 appetizers and over $3,000 of alcohol, including more than 40 bottles of wine costing more than $50 each and brand-name liquor such as Courvoisier, Belvedere and Johnny Walker Gold.” The 81 guests consumed an average of $167 worth of food and drink apiece. 9. Federal agencies are delinquent on nearly 20 percent of employee travel charge cards, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. 10. The Securities and Exchange Commission spent $3.9 million rearranging desks and offices at its Washington, D.C., headquarters. 11. The Pentagon recently spent $998,798 shipping two 19-cent washers from South Carolina to Texas and $293,451 sending an 89-cent washer from South Carolina to Florida. 12. Over half of all farm subsidies go to commercial farms, which report average household incomes of $200,000. 13. Health care fraud is estimated to cost taxpayers more than $60 billion annually. 14. A GAO audit found that 95 Pentagon weapons systems suffered from a combined $295 billion in cost overruns. 15. The refusal of many federal employees to fly coach costs taxpayers $146 million annually in flight upgrades. 16. Washington will spend $126 million in 2009 to enhance the Kennedy family legacy in Massachusetts. Additionally, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) diverted $20 million from the 2010 defense budget to subsidize a new Edward M. Kennedy Institute. 17. Federal investigators have launched more than 20 criminal fraud investigations related to the TARP financial bailout. 18. Despite trillion-dollar deficits, last year’s 10,160 earmarks included $200,000 for a tattoo removal program in Mission Hills, California; $190,000 for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming; and $75,000 for the Totally Teen Zone in Albany, Georgia. 19. The federal government owns more than 50,000 vacant homes. 20. The Federal Communications Commission spent $350,000 to sponsor NASCAR driver David Gilliland. 21. Members of Congress have spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars supplying their offices with popcorn machines, plasma televisions, DVD equipment, ionic air fresheners, camcorders, and signature machines–plus $24,730 leasing a Lexus, $1,434 on a digital camera, and $84,000 on personalized calendars. 22. More than $13 billion in Iraq aid has been classified as wasted or stolen. Another $7.8 billion cannot be accounted for. 23. Fraud related to Hurricane Katrina spending is estimated to top $2 billion. In addition, debit cards provided to hurricane victims were used to pay for Caribbean vacations, NFL tickets, Dom Perignon champagne, “Girls Gone Wild” videos, and at least one sex change operation. 24. Auditors discovered that 900,000 of the 2.5 million recipients of emergency Katrina assistance provided false names, addresses, or Social Security numbers or submitted multiple applications. 25. Congress recently gave Alaska Airlines $500,000 to paint a Chinook salmon on a Boeing 737. 26. The Transportation Department will subsidize up to $2,000 per flight for direct flights between Washington, D.C., and the small hometown of Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY)–but only on Monday mornings and Friday evenings, when lawmakers, staff, and lobbyists usually fly. Rogers is a member of the Appropriations Committee, which writes the Transportation Department’s budget. 27. Washington has spent $3 billion re-sanding beaches–even as this new sand washes back into the ocean. 28. A Department of Agriculture report concedes that much of the $2.5 billion in “stimulus” funding for broadband Internet will be wasted. 29. The Defense Department wasted $100 million on unused flight tickets and never bothered to collect refunds even though the tickets were refundable. 30. Washington spends $60,000 per hour shooting Air Force One photo-ops in front of national landmarks. 31. Over one recent 18-month period, Air Force and Navy personnel used government-funded credit cards to charge at least $102,400 on admission to entertainment events, $48,250 on gambling, $69,300 on cruises, and $73,950 on exotic dance clubs and prostitutes. 32. Members of Congress are set to pay themselves $90 million to increase their franked mailings for the 2010 election year. 33. Congress has ignored efficiency recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services that would save $9 billion annually. 34. Taxpayers are funding paintings of high-ranking government officials at a cost of up to $50,000 apiece. 35. The state of Washington sent $1 food stamp checks to 250,000 households in order to raise state caseload figures and trigger $43 million in additional federal funds. 36. Suburban families are receiving large farm subsidies for the grass in their backyards–subsidies that many of these families never requested and do not want. 37. Congress appropriated $20 million for “commemoration of success” celebrations related to Iraq and Afghanistan. 38. Homeland Security employee purchases include 63-inch plasma TVs, iPods, and $230 for a beer brewing kit. 39. Two drafting errors in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act resulted in a $2 billion taxpayer cost. 40. North Ridgeville, Ohio, received $800,000 in “stimulus” funds for a project that its mayor described as “a long way from the top priority.” 41. The National Institutes of Health spends $1.3 million per month to rent a lab that it cannot use. 42. Congress recently spent $2.4 billion on 10 new jets that the Pentagon insists it does not need and will not use. 43. Lawmakers diverted $13 million from Hurricane Katrina relief spending to build a museum celebrating the Army Corps of Engineers–the agency partially responsible for the failed levees that flooded New Orleans. 44. Medicare officials recently mailed $50 million in erroneous refunds to 230,000 Medicare recipients. 45. Audits showed $34 billion worth of Department of Homeland Security contracts contained significant waste, fraud, and abuse. 46. Washington recently spent $1.8 million to help build a private golf course in Atlanta, Georgia. 47. The Advanced Technology Program spends $150 million annually subsidizing private businesses; 40 percent of this funding goes to Fortune 500 companies. 48. Congressional investigators were able to receive $55,000 in federal student loan funding for a fictional college they created to test the Department of Education. 49. The Conservation Reserve program pays farmers $2 billion annually not to farm their land. 50. The Commerce Department has lost 1,137 computers since 2001, many containing Americans’ personal data

Kiwijet it is hard working night shift. You need to keep yourself awake, your whole body clock is out of whack. Definately a challenge for you! Hopefully cutting back on the alcohol will help too? I don't really drink, but I do have the occasional sip of wine. Hopefully you can get some healthy Snacks you like and get into a better night routine. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My taste buds changed right after for the first 6-8 weeks, but everything went back to normal there. I still have an aching sweet tooth but I keep it in moderation. Likely, the protein shakes you try and like now will taste completely different. Premier was my friend. And I never tried any crazy things like grinding pork chops. That's just silly. I actually didn't cheat on any of the stages. I did try alcohol earlier than 3 months. Originally, it was to be one night. But I had a DVT (clot in my leg) back in 2009 and they were being cautious. I was perfectly fine with the extra night. You'll probably go home the next day. Remember to get up and walk while there. The pre op group had great info. Write down all of your questions for that nurse. I was sore on my right side for awhile. It was like my muscles in my abdomen had been bruised or strained. I couldn't get comfortable at night and needed help getting in and out of bed. Hopefully, you won't experience that. I didn't notice skin issues then, but I have loose skin now after 85 lost. I know that it will get worse with more loss. But I will pursue plastics if it bothers me too much. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Kiwijet did you find that the alcohol went straight to your head or no difference? Sent from my iPhone

A lot of it has to do with your metabolism has changed. Also, alcohol is a can have a diuretic effect so it's calories, but you might urinate more, and in effort to make up for it, your body is processing stuff differently. Calories in, calories out, pushing Protein and fluids. The closer to your goal, you might find that you have to tweak your intake even more. I had the same issue as I was getting close to goal and trying to get my losing to slow down. You're building muscle which in turn burns fat stores, and takes up less space in the body. You've done great, and for me, there was no rhyme of reason as to the number of the scales, I never stalled, lost consistently and never questioned it. I just kept going until it was maintenance. That's when the real work begins on this journey.

I just found this forum. This is what I need. I'm an RN and have been a Case Manager, for a small hospital, since last August. Prior to that worked ICU, Nursing Home, even owned and operated a Board and Lodging Home for 5 years. I had surgery in Mexico 11/2011. Lost 55# right away. Then started with alcohol slowly, then it turned to every night. My weight loss stalled, and gained 8# from March '12 to Feb'13. Have been dry since Feb4th. Lost 5# so far. Nice to fell normal again. I am so surprised that I had a problem with alcohol, esp. with my job and seeing the devastation that alcohol causes in peoples lives. I'm on the right track now, still get cravings but having no alcohol in the house sure helps. I hope I can help others and we help each other on this forum. Linda

Yes, I think we are! I go to college (yes late in life) AND they drink those drinks more than we drink water! And they do not just drink it for a pick up, they have no inducted them into the alcohol routine as well! It is just nuts. I will admit I tried one once, with my study group and would rather drink motor oil......blah.... My dad lets my 6 year old dunk her doughnuts in his cofffee, I recently learned he now buys her own cup to "just dunk" one night when she was staying overnight she was up till 3 am....and he complained to me...dumbass. I told him in this case I WAS THE PARENT and he was not, and I over rule his choice to turn my 6 year old into a coffee drinker. Kinda fun to pull rank on my own dad, but weird! :girl_hug: And when I told her that she could no longer dunk her doughnuts, she looked me square in the eyes and said "Papa will take me to Starbucks."

My comment was badly worded and even after I edited it, it didn't really convey the sense that I meant. With that said, there are several instances where I see a "believer" as being ostensibly weaker than a non-believer - although in the overall scheme they have the same strengths. One is the believer who has that "conversion" moment after a major life crisis or failure. You know, the ones the Salvation Army claim when they help an alcoholic out of the gutter. Most of the stories I have heard on those lines speak of crying out to the heavens for help and feeling the answer unmistakeably. Their belief ever after is unshakeable because they have FELT the power. The other is the day to day believer, who prays for guidance and help with their daily lives. These people will often say god speaks to them in their hearts, they pray and the answers come to them. They feel a personal connection with him. What all of these people, the hallelujah convert and the daily devout, don't seem to take into account is that ALL of this interaction, emotion and divine response takes place between the bone walls of their own skulls. It is all a state of mind. The human mind is an amazing and powerful thing and it is more than capable of deluding our conscious selves into anything it wants us to believe. We reach out into an uncaring universe and cry "God save me!!" and we hear an answer - that's our own selves answering, in a disguise we can accept. At a conscious level we have no faith in our own ability to make decisions, find strength to face life, etc, so we pray to a god for strength and guidance - what we find is our own inner strengths and our underlying feel for what we should be doing. To me the desire for religion is a remnant of the childhood desire for a loving nuturing parent. As human beings, we NEED that in childhood as a survival thing - without love between parents and children, we would not survive as a species. When it comes time to grow up and face the world alone, many of us are afraid to walk without that comforting parent as our shield. So we create our own "parent" and give "him" all the powers that we need to help shelter us.

Hi All, Had the Gastric Sleeve done on Monday morning 11/11/19 at NYU Medical Center in NY. I’m super pleased to report that everything went extremely well and that I was really surprised with how manageable the discomfort has been post-op. For those of you considering it and nervous about the pain and suffering after surgery, don’t let it be the reason you cancel of postpone. Go through with it and take your future health in your own hands. My procedure was at 7:30 am on Monday. It lasted about 1.5 hours. During the surgery the doctor fixed a hiatal hernia and also took a biopsy of a small growth on my liver which thankfully turned out to be fine by pathology. Basically speaking, I ended up with 3 for 1 and honestly, had that liver thing shown up on a CT scan I would have wanted it biopsied anyway, so this was a blessing in disguise. Immediately after surgery, I was taken to PACU and stayed there for about an hour or so to recover from the anesthesia. Zero nausea, pain or vomiting. In fact, before going up to my room they had me walk several laps, which I did without any difficulty. In the room, the only issue I had was gas pressure (a sort of dull cramping feeling) on the left side of my stomach. Zero pain on the right side where the stomach pouch was stapled and removed. They had me up and around, walking and sitting in a chair for most of the day sipping ice chips and water out of those little one oz plastic cups. Zero hunger, despite basically fasting for 48 hours before surgery and a liquid diet for the two weeks pre-op. They were ahead of all my pain and symptoms by giving me Zofran for nausea, Levsin for inflammation and 10mg of Roxy (Hydrocodone w/ tylenol). The monitored all vitals carefully, had me walk every few hours and made sure that I was peeing. The gas pressure persisted, but it eventually got better. Still had not passed gas. The following day, the goal was for me to complete a drinking challenge, which consists of drinking 4 one ounce cups of liquid every hour for 4 consecutive hours (basically 16 oz of clear fluid). On the first try I got through the first three hours, but couldn’t complete the last hour so they had me wait. Ended up completing it later that evening, so they decided to keep me another night. Finally started to pass gas and even had a movement, so they discharged me today. Only real problem last night and in the morning was some reflux that they gave me Protonix and some Malox to counteract. Moving around and walking is basically normal, but I’m being very careful not to bend down or lift anything heavier than 5-10 lbs. When I got home I did feel a bit hungry, so with the Doctor’s clearance, I attempted small sips of Slim Fast Advanced High Protein. The first ounce went down good, but the second one caused a sharp pain which might have been my first experience with dumping syndrome due to the sugar alcohols in the Slim Fast. Still experiencing some lingering reflux, slight nausea and a bit sore, but definitely progressing. For those of you who are further along, what have your experiences been transitioning with liquids and diet? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Wow - I've been reading a lot of these stories and some reasons are familiar, but even the ones that aren't really resonate with me. For most of life - from my teens to my early 30s, my weight went back and forth over the years and I usually ranged from a size 10 to 14/16. Not obese, but always overweight. But I was an active overweight person, and I felt much healthier than many of my skinny friends who did not exercise and ate junk all the time. I did hit a healthy BMI when I was 24 from all the dancing I was doing, but knee problems forced me to quit and the weight slowly crept up. I did manage to stay under 200 pounds until about 8 years ago the weight started to pile on and nothing I did would last long. WW, Southbeach diet, etc worked for a while, then I would stall and the weight would come back + more. I was depressed and the weight gain just made the depression worse. I remember my personal trainer talking to me about what I needed to do if I was serious about losing weight and I walked out on her - I was angry that she thought I wasn't doing my best, but at the same time I didn't want her to see me break down in tears. I never went back. Like many people here, I had a lot of "well, I'll never let myself get to _____ weight," but it has happened time and again. The first WGD (weight gain defeat) was hitting 200 lbs. Around the same time, realising that I had stop fighting myself in the regular stores - the size 18s were barely fitting, and department stores like Sears had nothing I wanted to wear - and walking into a dedicated plus-size store for the first time. Walking from the parking lot into the store was really embarrassing, but once I was inside I was surrounded by clothes that fit and very positive people around me. Then I hit 220. Then 250. Now I'm fluctuating but hitting a high of 275. Over the past 10 years I have gained, with consistency, 10-15 pounds a year and nothing I do seems to stop it. My overall activity and eating patterns haven't changed (except when I try a new diet or exercise). I don't drink alcohol or any carbonated beverages anymore, no junk food other than chocolate (!), and I still get over 10,000 steps a day. I had a couple of minor health problems last year that really reduced my ability to move and exercise, which is why I've gained so much in the last year (at least 20lbs). At the time I realised that I have no one to help me. I'm single and live alone. Most of my family and close friends are 1000's of miles away. I thought about "what if I die here" (in case of a worse case scenario - some recent events that happened to other people made me more aware) - because being an expat means you can't rely on what you know from home - and realised that it would be much cheaper for my family to cremate me, rather than to have my body flown home (airlines charge by the kilo). But even then, there was no "straw" that broke the camel's back. I woke up one morning, decided to (randomly) research weight loss surgery in Japan, came across a post from this site, and I haven't looked back since. Maybe my brain, my subconscious, whatever, was quietly making a list of problems that I just couldn't ignore, so that when I woke up that morning about 6 weeks ago, it knew that I needed to start making some real changes in my life and that this would be the best way to do it. Now that I've decided to do it, this surgery, this new life plan, has become my new obsession. It's the most positive thing that has happened to me in a while, and I really hope it works out! None of these is the straw, but they've all contributed: Living in a country where absolutely no clothes fit me (I don't even know where obese Japanese women get their clothes - I have a feeling quite a few make them) As a result of the above, spending a ton of money on online shopping and shipping, knowing that it's not worth returning if it doesn't fit, and having to make do with what comes Also because of the above, spending a lot of time looking for stores with plus-size sections when I do travel abroad because I need clothes - bottoms fall apart in the heat and humidity here, and tops seem to shrink with time Worrying about fitting into plane and train seats when I travel Having to bring extra clothes when I travel in case things (especially pants) get ruined by the dreaded chub rub Having to deal with extra heavy or larger suitcases because of my bigger clothes Having 90% of my shoes not fit anymore because of the weight gain and edema (especially in the summer) The looks I get from people all the time. It's not disgust, more like amazement - how can somebody be that big? She must eat 24/7! The fact that people feel they can comment on my weight at any time - from my little nephew asking me why I was so fat, to a Buddhist monk in Burma commenting on my need to exercise more and eat less (!). I'll never see the monk again but I hope the next time I see my nephew he won't even remember asking me that question. My brother laughing at me when we Skyped over Christmas. He hadn't seen me for a few years and he had no problems making me feel humiliated when I was already so depressed. His "just eat one meal a day like I do" didn't help either Friends "forgetting" about me - I get a lot of excuses when I ask people to do things, but they never get back to me about getting together when a time is convenient for them Still single. I've accepted that part of my life but I also want a chance of happiness with someone. That will never happen while I'm in the obese part of the BMI. The only time men seem interested me is when I weigh less than 150 pounds, and it's been a long a time since I was that low. Realising that, over the past 6 years, I have missed 2 family reunions and have avoided visiting friends from a thinner time in my life because I don't want to see the look of shock on their faces when they see the current me. Every time I see that look (like "what the he!! happened!") it's just so depressing Also realising that I keep postponing trips and activities I want to do because I know my weight will either prevent me from doing all that I want, or will really get in the way Looking at photos of myself with my students or other people and realising I am more than double their width Hitting 275. That's a big blow and I definitely do not, cannot, will not hit 300.

I used ooops paint remover, VERY CAREFULLY, LOL. I tried polish remover, alcohol, peanut butter, olive oil, finally got tired of the tread marks on the tummy and got out the oops, put it on a q-tip and gone with the first swipe. WARNING-DO NOT GET ON OR NEAR THE INCISION.

Thank you for you're thoughts and suggestions. I probably could do some on line or phone council but I'm ok just venting here for now. As for the port incision, I saw my nurse practioner two days ago, she advised me to let her know in a day or two and if it is still red, she will put me on meds. I am seeing some discharge now, so I will contact her today. You know that are many women that are in the same boat as me and afraid to even voice their situation here for fear of being told what they aready know. I have read the "Cycle of Abuse" given to me at a womans shelter three years ago. I understand the concept of control, his low self-esteem issues, power.........my goal is to help him understand and if I can't........someone smarter than me. We were making headway with a councilor. She spoke to me in private once and let me know that HE needed at least six months before she could even touch base on our marital issues. He is repeating his childhood. Honestly, I just want to be happy, I wish it could be with him, never the less I am trying to do whatever makes me feel somewhat whole. I am thinking on going to an Al-anon meeting..........cause yes, he's an alcoholic and drug user. He realizes that his outbursts are generally worse when he's under the influence, but do you think he'll actually stop? He's spiralling out of control and by controlling me he thinks he's got a grasp on life. I'm no shrink but I think after nearly 30 years I've got him figured out. Anyway, thanks again, I hate to talk to my friends and family about my situation all the time, cause I never do what they suggest either, I just stay.

Look into zollipops they’re made with xylitol a sugar alcohol which also helps with dental health. My kids like them.

food was my way to make me feel better when I felt bad, it was readily available, it was pleasureable, distracting, and socially acceptable. You can do it at your desk, in your car, at church, anywhere..and they throw it in your face at every chance they can, billboards, TV, magazines...did we have much of a fighting chance?? I have to find a replacement for that "temporary high" Listening to a really good mix while sweating it out on the treadmill, that releases some of those "endorphins" which I like to call dolphins. Sex would work, but too many diseases out there, so yeah, better stock up on batteries..haha. I think I could easily transfer it to some good drugs, but I don't have Rush Limbaugh's connections..hahah...alcohol just makes me wanna eat more..never really like to drink that much. Smoking? I quit years ago and that would interfer with my *dolphins* when exercizing. Shopping? I am not there yet, still too big to really enjoy it and get a *rush*. But, for me, I difinately need to find another *feel* good drug to replace food. So far, exercising is the only replacement I have found. I wish drugs were legal..hehe.

And yes, at your stage, I had to remind myself to eat. I set alarms and would grudgingly eat my scoop of hummus or Beans, not wanting a lick of it, but knowing my body needed it to heal. I spent this last week in Las Vegas and alcohol aside, I probably ate about 500 calories a day because I was so busy. I still don't always remember to get in my nutrients, I just stopped setting alarms.

Well I didn't address the "compulsion" vs. "addiction" thing because I don't think it matters what you call it. Either way, tons of obese people haven't got mental issues as their primary motivation for why they are obese. If you cure the physiological imbalances, then the over-eating goes away. I think it's a chicken and egg thing. The obesity and underlying physiological conditions that cause it also cause the compulsive and/or addictive behavior. If the person wasn't obese, they wouldn't have that behavior. The behavior doesn't cause the obesity. Or, as my surgeon says to his pre-ops, "I'm not worried that I'm going to perform WLS on you and you'll turn into a drug addict or alcoholic." Yes, it happens, just like other complications happen, but it's not the norm, just as having complications is not the norm. But for the last one, I said that my triathlon training isn't an addiction but a hobby and your response was something about how "treatment proves me wrong" which ... um, makes no sense. :001_tongue: I think you must have misread that part.

Okay so the guy I went out with on Saturday just isn't my type, but he was nice. He's the 24 year old, so I am 10 years older than him. And although I have a few body piercings, I don't have them on my face, which he DOES. And he smokes, which I DON'T. But I knew these things beforehand, so I thought I would give it a try. We ate Mexican and saw a movie, don't go see the Hitcher, it's lame. We didn't hit it off, but i really didn't expect us to, so no biggie. I do like him, and I think he and my brother would be great friends, so I may get them together over a beer, or something. Tonight, I met the blind date for dinner. We have been talking on the phone since Friday, so I knew a little bit about him, his background etc. so we had stuff to talk about. He wasn't exactly what I pictured based on his voice, but not in a bad way. He's not Brad Pitt, but he's attractive. I let him smooch me on the lips, it was ackward, but I think I will see him again. So it wasn't the romantic mushy dinner I was hoping for, but it'll do. Oh yeah, and one of my friends at work doubles as a lounge singer, and knows lots of single boy toys for me to get acquainted with, so maybe I will have lots more dates. Yay!! I really just wanted to get back into the swing of dating, I fear I have lost it:faint: completely. OHOHOH yeah, I almost forgot to tell ya, I was a size 22 pre surgery, and now into 16 comfortably, and I can cross my legs again!! I have a joke for you. This lady is at the bar, a guy asks if he can buy her a drink, she says no thanks, alcohol does bad things to my legs. Guy asks what does it do? Make your legs swell or something? Lady says "no, it makes them open". Ha ha got that by email today. Sorry if it offended someone, my bad I won't do it again. BTW, don't ask where the body jewelry is located, not telling.:biggrin1: Peace out, Kristi

It's great reading all these posts. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one wondering/worrying about these things. For me, the part that is the most disturbing about the inevitable weight gain during pregnancy is the return of that old "food is king" feeling, that I had managed to get past because of the band. Literally, I can feel my old obsession with food coming back. My ob doctor said not to worry- it's the hormones and my body's way of making sure I get enough nutrients. And I know deep down that if I'm truly hungry (as opposed to head hunger or emotional eating), there's nothing wrong with eating- even if it's more than what I'm used to. But it kinda scares me to feel this way again. I feel like an alcoholic who's being told to drink for the sake of my baby. I know this is an extreme analogy- but that's the fear that have about my previous food addiction.

Hi everyone I was only banded 2 weeks ago and about to move from liquid to pureed foods but with christmas and new year coming up I was just wondering when it is ok to have a couple of glasses of alcohol. The only thing in my notes from my dietician is that alcohol is ok in small quantities but it doesn't say when. Thanks

Ok, this is gonna sound strange, but I can actually drink more alcohol now than I could before. I can handle it better. I just can't eat and drink at the same time because that makes me feeling violently ill.

I know this is a topic that has been discussed but I am about 2 1/2 months post op and drink occasionally...I know there is empty calories and all that but I was wondering can drinking too much alcohol stretch out the stomach...? Just Wondering...advice anyone...? HW 270lbs SW 258lbs CW 236 Goal Weight 165

Just checking in with my November buddies again. I'm 10 months post surgery. Weight lost 111lbs, BMI 24.4 so I've only lost 3lbs in the last month. One week did include a vacation when I didn't track my intake and had a bit more alcohol to drink than usual. Life's gonna be like that. My goal (that I set 10 months ago and never believed I could ever reach) is now 5lbs away and it feels like I'll probably make it. This surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself. How's everyone else getting along? Lots of us must be close to or at our goal weight now. Anyone not doing so well and needing some support?

@DisneyAddict - I quit smoking on 1/7 with Chantix and had surgery on 1/26. So stopped taking the Chantix on the day of surgery and never started it back. Now with all of the ways I'm feeling deprived currently - no nicotine, no alcohol, no food, etc I'm finding myself having really strong urges to start smoking again. I know I shouldn't for many obvious reasons, and really enjoy saving the money and not smelling like an ashtray. I wish I could truly enjoy going to the gym, but I just don't - at least not yet. I just need to find something enjoyable to do with myself. I feel like I go home and can't do anything except walk for a little bit and watch TV. It's a daily struggle with all of that.