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Okay, so the old feelings of guilt I used to have before surgery are overcoming me once again. Here's the background: had surgery on 1/23/12. I have been very good, all I eat is Protein, only 3 meals/day, and I measure everything. I have lost only 17 lbs and I'm finishing week 6 now. Have felt crappy the entire time---tired and dizzy, and having a hard time keeping down all the vitamens/meds.... get nausea frequently from almost anything (in the car, drinking Water too fast, vitamens...). Haven't been able to exercise yet. So yesterday I was standing for 30mins in a hot room at work and I got very dizzy and sweaty. my sugar was 60. I had to leave work. felt like crap, it was around 10am and I had had 4oz Protein shake at 7am. I got frustrated, I can't do my job and all this for only 17lbs off! Then the kicker, today I ate 5 little Cookies for lunch. 1st time I've had sugar since surgery. they all went down well, suprisingly given my nausea with everything protein. I feel so guilty, don't know why I did it, I'll probably realize why later today. But I feel like it's the beginning of falling into my bad habits, my old emotional overeating self.... it's scary to have a setback. I feel like an alcoholic who has been sober for 6 weeks and just binge drank. HELP from all my formerly fat (always fat at hear) friends!!!!!

my surgeon said no alcohol for 4-6 weeks after banding. Then thereafter in moderation (which i admit i sometimes go overboard). There's something about alcohol and the healing stomach that they are concerned with. When you said you may try wine soon i just thought i'd share in case your surgeon had rules on when you could have your first "nip".

This may sound bad, but I drink often. And I don't find I get drunk THAT much quicker. Sometimes alcohol helps loosen my band if it's a bit tight and I'm having a stuck day. I usually drink once a week (a few), maybe another night a couple glasses of wine. As above, many people get drunk quicker because they aren't eating as much, so just be careful.

I rarely drink anymore, only when I go out and I try to limit it. For me, there are several reasons: 1. I'm a cheap date now. Two glasses of wine and I am trashed. 2. Alcohol slows weight loss. I'm working too damn hard to sabotage myself. 3. Drinking lowers inhibitions and makes me crave fatty foods. After a few drinks all I want is Mexican and ice cream. And more drinks. All in all, alcohol is something I'd rather avoid for now.

When you eat less the alcohol will hit quicker. Also as your body weight drops it will take less alcohol before you are affected. So by all means have a drink or 2 but be very careful and make sure you do not inadvertently end up over the limit. One of my worst experiences since having the band was when I drank too much wine at a friends. I woke up in the middle of the night with a headache and feeling like I wanted to hurl. Preband that is what i would have done - stuck my finger down my throat to speed the process up . Unfortunately vomiting post band is not so easy ( and it is not recommended either as true vomiting can cause the band to slip) so I had to suffer for far longer. Lesson learnt, I have not done it again.

Yay! I got my first fill this morning! I'm so happy, it's ridiculous. Even if I don't reach restriction from this fill, at least I now know that this journey has really started and is really progressing, and as long as I do the work, I can expect to get results. I can't even describe how that feels. It's euphoric! Even though my surgeon had indicated I would likely have a fill at this appointment (4 weeks post-op), I still had paranoia that it might not happen. I'm just that kind of girl--a worrywort! Well, when the nurse escorted me into the exam room, I saw all the accoutrements of a fill already laid out for the doctor, and that soooo made me happy. Never have the sight of needle, syringe, and alcohol swabs given me such a thrill! When the surgeon came in, he asked me if I was on soft solids yet (which I am) and if I wanted my first fill. I don't think he even got to finish the question before I was shouting my "YES!" It turns out that my surgeon does his fills by feel--no barium swallows or flouroscopy. He had me lay back on the exam table and lift my head in a mini-crunch while he located the port. Then came the needle. Now, I'm on the fence about needles; they don't totally freak me out, but I don't love them, either, so it was a little odd for me when, after the initial stick, he spent maybe 15 seconds wigglnig the thing around to get it in precisely the right spot. I can't say it was totally comfortable, but I can't say it was painful, either. It was just a weird sensation. Once the needle was in place, he started the injection, backed it up to be sure it was correctly entering the system, then completed the fill. The whole appointment was like 5 minutes (with another 40 minutes spent completing my form, waiting, weighing in, and getting my vitals checked). After the fill, he gave me a small cup of water to drink and said I could come in after 3 weeks if I felt I needed more restriction. The fill itself consisted of 3.0 cc of fluid. That made me quite happy, since I dreaded getting only 1 cc at a time. The surgeon claims that most patients feel restriction between 3 cc and 8 cc. Right now, I'm not entirey certain what I feel, since I've been instructed to have my first post-fill meal as liquid, then progress slowly back through the stages until I'm on solid foods. The water at the dr's office went down with no issues, so I felt a little worry that I might not have any restriction at all. When I got home, I had a protein drink for lunch, and it took me 45 minutes to drink the 8 oz. I didn't have any trouble with it at all, but I thought I could feel it going down in a way I hadn't before. Whether that's restriction or just swelling, I guess we'll see, but I'm feeling fairly optimistic. And full off just liquid, which is nice. Hopefully that will continue. Anyway, that's my first fill experience. I'm crossing my fingers that the band kicks in and starts holding up its part of this bargain, since I only lost 3.4 lbs since my last dr's visit.

Kris, i buy the QuestBar. It has 20g protein, no sugar or sugar alcohol used, 200 c per bar (I eat 1/2) and has 22g total carb, 18g dietary fiber, sugar 1g. When you subtract dietary fiber from total carbs, your actually getting 4 carbs per bar, and since I only eat 1/2, I'm actually getting 2 carbs. A nutritionist I get news letters from talks about a healthy protein bar called JEN. I still need to search for it. You can get more info on QuestBar on www.wuestproteinbar.com.

Ok, I know that alcohol contains empty calories, and it should be limited or avoided to maximize weight loss, but that being said, does anyone drink with the lap band? A few times a year, I wind up out with my girlfriends, and we tie one on. Is that going to be something of the past, once I have my band? A friend of mine, who is going to be banded after me, thinks that the band will lower our alcohol tolerance. Is that true? What was your experience?

Hi - thought I would share my story. Had a lap band over ten years ago. Worked really well for first 3 years or so but slowly regained almost all of the weight I lost. Two years ago i started on sensible eating plan and virtually no alcohol. The weight dropped off and now I am as low as I ever been and feeling really great. I don't believe that the band has been ' working' over the last several years. I had an infection appear over the port site recently and have been diagnosed with erosion with about half the band in the stomach. I suspect that the band eroded some years ago and it is not a recent event. I will be having the band removed shortly and even though I don't think the band has been working and I have finally got my act together with regards eating sensibly I still harbor an irrational fear that once the band is removed i will regain the weight. Has anyone else got a similar story ?

I tried different OA meetings in my area a few years ago. They were actually quite different from each other. One had a very large group, many different people participating & telling their stories. In another, there were 3 of us, including me. I didn't like the whole sponser thing, personnally. I found it more annoying than accountable- the first sponser I had I thought was crazy. (If I decided to eat a peach instead of a plum, I was supposed to call her and then she would give me a hard time.) I tried another one, but I still felt uncomfortable. There is a website for Overeaters anonymous where you can get an idea of their philosophy and you can read their online magazine sample and buy books. I am pretty sure it is www.OA.org (or just google overeaters anonymous). For me, OA helped me think about different ideas, but some people at these meetings have major issues. (One lady was telling us about how her alcoholic husband hit her and she thought her weight was the problem. I truly felt like speaking to her separately- but I am not a professional, but I felt she needed professional therapy. ) There is no professional in charge- but I did order some of their literature on line, which I found useful. They also have on-line meetings. It may work for you- its costs nothing to give it a try, so you should give it a try.

I was advised by my surgeon NOT to drink alcohol because it's just empty calories, and I'd rather spend them on food with nutritional value. I hardly drink anyway, but if you MUST have some wine, limit yourself to one good-size glass and just sip it for as long as you can make it last. Drink red, which doesn't lose its taste when it gets to room temperature. If your friends comment, just say that you don't like the way you feel when you drink too much or too fast. And that's probably the truth.

We've all been there, many will admit it too. Just make sure your next meal is a good choice! I feel so guilty when I eat something bad that I'm to the point now that I don't eat it because I don't want to get emotional (for example, crying in the bathroom with my cat on my lap in my own home because I had chips and dip I made for my dbf lol). In regards to drinking you're going to tolerate alcohol a lot differently than you were before. I was out on Friday night with two girlfriends (both of who know I have the band) I hardly ate anything for dinner (and was scolded by one friend, but I was full) then after 3 drinks and acting way too drunk for my liking my friends made me eat half a tuna sandwich (I don't recall this but I was told that today lol) so my suggestion to you is go easy on the wine. Or do half wine and half Water. Or have a glass of wine then a glass of water. If this is your first time with alcohol since being banded only try one glass of wine at home or at a safe place. Also be honest with your friends. I didn't tell my friends until I had a possible complication and they are the most supportive people out of everyone. I mean everyone (well with the exception of everyone on here) it's not this bad thing that you have the band, you're not a failure, it's not an easy way out, it's not a quick fix. Be proud that you went through the surgery, most people couldn't handle what we've been through! And if they judge you in a negative way then they aren't your friends.

Just jump back in! In the past it would, for me, be, I messed up, ate something I shouldn't have, the day is ruined mine as well finish the day off eating like crap and start tomorrow. Now it's, ok you had a treat, back to the program. Gotta get your mind around that. One bad meal is NOT going to ruin all your progress. You may initially see the scale go up a little, but it won't be a true gain. As for the alcohol, I hate the taste, so I can't help you on that, sorry.

I am staying off my scale until next Monday--scary thought!!! I'm going to be out of town without scale access... I'm sort of freaked out by the thought of not jumping on there in the mornings and I don't know why. On the up side, I'm heading to a professional conference where I'll be seeing old friends for the first time since surgery. Looking forward to it!!! LOL What a change from previous conferences, where I kind of dreaded seeing everyone and actually looked for reasons not to go or to leave early. I think the additional salads/fruits/veggies are paying off. I feel good, and I seem to have dropped a pound over the last few days, although whether that's a "real" weight loss or just Fluid moving out (I do dehydrate really easily) remains to be seen. I'm about to get in lots of walking and more alcohol than usual (conference!), so I don't know what that combination is going to do. Planning to be careful but also to enjoy myself. Hope y'all have a good rest of the week!

My husband met me when I was a 17 1/2 year old high school senior - taking college calculus because my high school didn't offer the course. We married when I was 24. We became aquaintences, then friends, and then fell in love. We were apart for almost 3 of the 6 years we knew each other - he took a foreign assignment after college graduation, then we got back together and got married. Many years have passed - we have weathered many marital crises, buried loved ones, raised a child, gotten and lost jobs, welcomed grandchildren, sold a much loved home, started and ran a business (with business partners) together for the last 17 years. Throughout this time my weight has gone up and down from a low of 117 (at 31) to a high of 265 (September before surgery). I have lost 100 pounds and regained them (and more) three times - not counting my WLS loss - WHICH I AM NOT GOING TO REGAIN. We certainly don't have a perfect relationship, but we have a very good and loving relationship. He and I put up with each others faults and are forgiving of them. He has been a rock through this post-surgery year. I feel much closer to him now than I did before because I am letting myself feel more than I did before. Before surgery, I was SO UNHAPPY WITH MYSELF that I shut myself off from a lot of my feelings and just ate myself numb. Now, I let myself feel - happy, sad, mad - the whole gamut of normal feelings. I realize I am still very much in love with my husband. Sex is a lot more fun now too. Being a hundred pounds lighter makes lots of things possible that had not been possible for a long time. I am not as tired at night, since I am not hauling a hundred pounds of blubber around with me all day long. SInce I am exercising more, that also increases my sex drive. I am not so self conscious about how I look (either in sexy lingerie or in skin) - so that improves things in the bedroom, too. I think if you have a good, healthy relationship with your SO, it can (and probably will) get better. If you have a bad unhealthy relationship with an SO, statistics say the relationship has a strong probability of not making it. If one of the things you are going to "fix" by losing weight is one of the reasons you and your SO are together in the first place, you may be in for some serious realtionship trouble. Here are some things that can cause problems. If you are together because one or the other of you think "I have to be with this person because no one else will love me" the dramatic weight loss is going to problematic - because the underlying assuption will be challenged when other people start noticing how good you look. If you are together because you abused food together - you have stopped - he has not - that is going to be a problem If you are together and you had different "drugs of choice" - well you have given up your abusive relationship with food - if he is still abusing alcohol or some other subtance - this can be a real source of problems If because of lack of self-esteem, you gave up a lot of control or power to your husband in your relationship, and with your increase in self -esteem as you lose weight you try to "reclaim" that power or control in the relationship, that can cause problems If your significant other likes you better as a "big" woman rather than a normal or thin woman, you are going to have relationship problems If your significant other is not willing to change the way you live your life and not have every celebration and every moment of every day be centered around food, you may have relationship problems If because of lack of self-esteem or other personal issues, you put up with physical abuse in your relationship, as you lose weight, you may get the courage to no longer put up with the abuse. (YEA for you if this is your situation!) Sometimes, leaving a relationship that is not healthy for you is the best choice you can make. Best of luck with you and your weight loss journey, and in your relationship with your SO. I hope it a loving and supportive one. Sharon

You have an image in your mind of what you look like and it is hard to get that image out of your head. I look in the mirror now and there are still times when I think I am way too fat and start getting down on myself. Even though those around me complement me on how I look and I now get attention that I didn't when I was heavier, I had 20 years of putting myself down and seeing myself in a negative way. Even though logically I know what I look like the psychological part of me tends to take over. As for alcohol, stay away if possible, you will now be able to eat only a fraction of what you did before and alcohol wil hit you harder. Good luck and try to do positve things for yourself to build your self esteem. Remember this is a journey not a miracle.

I did not realize you were going through that. My baby sister married my best friend at a young age and he progressed into horrible alcoholism, but I did not see him to know - and she held it in for almost 18 months. For an 18 year old kid it's a lifetime. Hang in there - and don't take any crap!

Jess, My relationship with my SO was horrible before surgery, so I am no expert on this. The one thing I do notice is that, although I had good boundaries before surgery and had moved out from a potentially physically abusive relationship, my boundaries are even stronger now. I attribute that to my growing self-confidence and to therapy. As of yesterday, *I* called off any further attempts at reconcilliation because my alcoholic husband does not have the emotional ability to support ME. He has a little over 30 days in on his sobriety, but, IMO, we're not going to be able to fix this relationship. So, the biggest change is that I am less able to accept negativity from other people. And, as I said, Im not sure it's a result from surgery or if it is a result of therapy. Either way, it's a good thing, IMO!!

Well you got hungover because you hardly ate anything and probably was dehydrated too, not having much in your system will make the alcohol affect you even more than normal, so never never drink on an empty stomach or a nearly empty one As for feeling like you did i totally understand why u felt like it, even with the weight i have lost i still feel big and awkward, this is not how i used to be when i was younger but i feel it 10 times more now.. I can put on clothes even now and i hate myself, not because i am fat because im not really anymore but because i dont see what other see, i still see the person who looked huge felt huge and felt like i dont belong, so you dont hear compliments u dont see what others see and it puts u on edge, it can make u paranoid. Getting ready in a hurry doesnt help, or round someones place instead of your own home all im sure added up to u feeling what i would term as stressed. You werent in the frame of mind to enjoy yourself and you didnt ..what u need to do to avoid feeling that way again is to plan things better, take some food to work to eat before u leave so u arent reliant on fast food, make sure u try on what u want to wear the night before u go out, plan acessories to give u a feeling like the whole package. Think of how some famous people who are heavy look and deal with the 'glamour' side of life.. Just plan things a little better and im sure u wont have an evening like it again

Sorry to hear about your financial problems, I cant imagine how it feels to have restrictions placed on seeking medical care because of finances we dont have that problem in the uk .. Are you still losing weight ? Often the band will loosen with weight loss on its own, and taking the pain meds will slow down your digestion and cause other problems too so i would try and cut them out or choose another type .. I would follow the common sense type tips for any reflux/heartburn and i would research the dietary rules just google it Eat 6 small meals instead of 3 big meals. Don't eat or drink anything 1 to 2 hours before going to bed. Avoid foods that are known to increase heartburn. Avoid bending over soon after eating. Avoid alcohol. Use an antacid. Sleep with your head and shoulder on an incline. Don't wear clothing that constricts the stomach. Don't smoke. Avoid activities that cause abdominal strain. I think if options are available for u to seek medical help then u should, the last thing u need is to take chances that u will end up with no choice but to get medical help if the bands slips or u cant eat/drink at all.. I really hope u can sort this out, some of the answers may be in your hands but some may not so u may end up having to get medical help no matter what .. good luck

hi leslie - was interesting reading this thread starting in 2009 - but we all are food addicts, what ever year it is. In my case, give me Cookies, donuts,etc. and i'll be your friend for ever! Some people (DH) love all the carbs like bread etc.. i don't know why we just cant't limit ourselves from eating the consumption of food that we do eat with. ) Most peoplec can eat a regular portion of desert or plain amount of dinner or whatever, but us food additcts-well wd just ca't stop. The temptations are too strong. Similar to alcohol yet food addition doesn't count to "normal people" Therefore we become' food addicts" don't eat properly, and can't stop eating when we should - ADDICT, ADDICT,ADDICT Oh well - i didn't answe any question, just getting some feeling outs - thanx - welcome leslie Kathy DOS 12/15/11

I am almost 3 months out, and I have had alcohol on two separate occasions, and have come out pretty ok. My surgeon said I could have a drink once and awhile, as long as it was not a regular thing. This first drink was at a Super Bowl party this year, and I had one single drink over the course of 4 hours, with plenty of water. The second was a night out at my best friend and I's favorite bar, and I had three cranberry and vodka's over the course of about 5 hours...however I literally had 6 pint glasses of water while drinking those, and danced the whole time. While I don't see this as something I wil do frequently, it is nice to know that I won't stick out in social situations

I had surgery March 1st and didn't drink until the end of June... I went to the NKOTB/BSB concerts with a friend who is obsessed with NKOTB. I needed alcohol to survive the evening. I've never had any issues with drinking as far as decreased tolerance (other than the fact that I hadn't drank in almost six months). I could not and still cannot tolerate beer- way too carbonated for me. This surprised me as I regularly drink carbonated soda without issue. Interestingly, my preferences in alcohol changes liked a lot of my food preferences did post-surgery. I used to be a vodka or beer girl and now I am a white wine or whiskey gal.

I'm 5'5" and started at 208. I originally set my goal weight at 145 - I'm big-boned and have a decent amount of muscle mass - but I actually got as low as 136. I couldn't really maintain that weight, since it required no desserts, alcohol, or any other sins, and I wasn't really willing to give those up. I leveled out at like 140-141 and at this weight, I can eat anything. My closet has clothes ranging from XS/4 to M/10, depending on the brand. I weighed 145 in like Grade 9, but I had a totally different body composition back then - I never in my life wore a size Small in ANYTHING until the sleeve, let alone X-small.

I had my doubts. I had fears that I wouldn't succeed and would look bad because I failed again I still have to work at this it's still a diet although I thing of it as change of life style like an alcoholic In a way I still get to part take in my drug but I cannt hang out at bar or in my case the fast food place. I still have to fight to push back fears. But wow. Is it easier!!! I'm sooo happy I did this. It gave me the confidence I needed.