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Why would you sabotage your weight loss this early? Did your MD, provide you with a diet to follow the first 6 weeks post-op? There are empty calories in alcohol, personally I rather eat,than waste calories on wine or cocktails.I would wait until you have completely healed. By the way,once you have been banded, alcohol affects you quicker,according to other posters.

This Friday I will be 2 weeks post-op. First of all, I am NOT a big drinker at all. I never get drunk and maybe have one drink once a month. So the calories in alcohol aren't a factor because I don't drink enough to do anything to mess my diet up. That being said, is it ok after 2 weeks though? I am going to a scrapbooking party and they will have margarittas. No carbonation and it's just liquid, so I don't see why not, but maybe I am missing something. My trusty little binder says no alchohol ever because of the calories, but that's dumb and I can factor that into my daily count.

I am feeling the same way as you Chris (I was sleeved 10/19/11). I feel like I am being deprived of food. I was supposed to be on clears for 7 days, liquids for 7 days, and mushies for three weeks. I made it to day 4 on clears and felt like I was starving (in my head not physically) so I decided to move on to full liquids. That did the trick for about 4 days so I moved on to mushies on day 10. Here I am 10 days later and I find myself "topping off" as often as I can because of the head hunger. I fight with myself, I drink Water or a Protein shake, I occupy myself, but none of these things work. I am only 20 days out from surgery and already considering solid foods. I know this is bad and potentially dangerous so I have not seriously considered it yet. I am just saying what I feel. Sometimes I think that I will never succeed in beating this addiction. In the past, I have "beaten my addiction", or so I thought. I learned that I simply transferred my addiction to something else and ultimately, I transferred it to food. I agree with your alcoholic analogy. I was able to stop other things because I simply don't touch them but you can't just stop eating. I would take any advice on how to conquer my food addiction so that I do not sabotage my sleeve. Heck, I would love advice on how to transfer the addiction to something healthy like exercising or volunteering or anything. Just a thought... Can a person have their tastebuds removed? LOL! That would do the trick!

First off, sorry for the long post. I had my surgery 10/20. Am one of the very, very lucky ones and had no complications, almost no pain, eating just fine, healed fast, etc, etc. So I'm only two and a half weeks out. But I'm already finding I'm having food issues. Big surprise...none of would be obese if we didn't :wink1: But there's a couple things going on and I need your input....please! I really didn't think I would have this issue since I was so freakin' prepared for so long and did so much reading and research about this. I honestly thought I would happy and free from food and wouldn't want it anymore and would savor and enjoy my little sleevie amounts and be satisfied. Pshaw.....yeah right. First off, whenever I eat, I notice a feeling of pressure in my lower esophagus. I thought at first it was cause I was really tight. My leak/swallow test showed that the contrast wasn't going anywhere and it was just sitting in my esophagus right after surgery. I had to sit, walk around, sit, etc, for 20 minutes before some of it moved through. But my surgeon wasn't concerned....normal swelling, etc, etc. Was sent home with no problems, drinking got easier, etc, but the pureeds thing always felt pressure, tight and thought it was that. But now I think I'm just overeating. In fact, I'm sure of it. The main problem is that my actual tummy never feels ’full’. I don’t know if, since they cut out the stretchy part of the stomach (fundus), that they cut out the ‘stretch receptors’ that tell you when you’re full, but my tummy itself doesn’t feel full, but I know I’m full when there is food in the lower part of my esophagus. This is not good since I’m now using this as a guide to feel full. Now, bring in the emotional, head hunger part of it. It is hard to stop eating at only a 1/3 or ½ cup of food, especially when it tastes good. We all know that, we all overeat when food is really good and poke it in till we are full, that’s why the obese get obese! But in a way this is worse, because I only get a couple of nibbles in and then I HAVE to be done. Which means I MENTALLY feel unsatisfied and incomplete. My head's like, "Yah, really? So where's the rest of it? That was over way too fast. I'm waiting!!!" I really, really need to get a grip on this because I have started ‘grazing’, or what I call ‘topping off’. Like, I’ll eat a scrambled egg for Breakfast, and I’ll have that full feeling (up top, not in my tummy), then in about 15 – 20 minutes, the pressure feeling goes away, then I’ll go take a couple more bites of something, seafood or chicken salad, or refried Beans, till that pressure feeling comes back, etc, etc, all day!! This is DISASTROUS!! It’s been proven time and again that bariatric patients fail and gain back weight because they learn to graze to overcome the loss of bingeing. They can’t eat huge amounts, so they eat little amounts constantly. The other downside of this, is that because I’m always topping off, I can’t drink my fluids like I’m supposed to. You’re not supposed to drink until ½ hour, 45 minutes after a meal, but I never let my little pouch empty like it should. So, I’m not getting in enough Water, either. *SIGH* This really is a transition and you really, really have to get over the fact that you will not feel mentally satisfied or replete at first, for a while, until this becomes the new normal. At least, I HOPE it’s temporary. I’m also hoping it will get better when I can eat more substantial food, then food will stay in my tummy longer and hopefully I’ll feel fuller longer. But again, most of it is mental and I need to overcome that full feeling with satisfaction and overall well-being. I just need to eat to nourish myself and not for pleasure or comfort. I will be able to enjoy wonderful food again, just not a lot, and I need to be okay with that. I know I will be, but it’s tough right now! Like an alcoholic with just a couple of drops of wine three times a day So, I know I need to get on track with a routine and a schedule, and drink my water, and I've pretty much done that the last day or two. I don't really need advice on what to do (although it's always welcome!), since I know what I'm supposed to do, and I will do it.....but my questions are this: 1. Does the dissatisfied feeling ever really go away? Do you start to feel satisfied and complete mentally once you get used to your new 'normal'? I know everyone's different, but this really is mental for me since I just WANT more food, the taste, the texture, but my body is satisfied. I know this a huge adjustment - I'm just wondering if this is something I will always struggle with, or if it gets better. Did most of you feel this way at first? After your tummy healed, anyway, and you were on your way to regular food? Was your head a little messed up cause it was waiting for more? 2. Will I feel more satisfied when I eat more solid food? Deli meats, harder cheeses, etc. I seem happy now with what I'm eating (chicken salad, scrambled eggs, tuna fish, refried beans) I'm not missing food, but maybe I don't feel full as long because I'm eating mushies? But that really doesn't make sense cause chicken salad is pretty dense and Protein packed. 3. Does your actual tummy start to feel full, or is this just me who can't feel it because I've done so much damage and overeating over the years, lol?? I don't want to keep using the pressure/esophagus litmus test to know when I'm full..... Thanks so much, everyone. I hope you all know how important you are to all of us....I am so grateful I have my sleevie family on here!

The only thing I can add to the excellent advice above is this: We sleeved our stomachs, not our heads. Doing the sleeve work on our heads is just as important as the surgery we went through, but it's WAY harder, IMO. At my psyche appt, the counselor told me that I have an addictive personality and I will always be addicted to something. She went so far as to tell me that I WILL become an alcoholic, but she still gave me the approval for surgery! I started seeing a counselor several weeks ago, for the addictive behavior and some other issues related to my weight. WLS is not her area of specialty, but she's helping me see where and why I mistreat myself. Once I know those things, and it takes time to learn, then I can remove the bad stuff. I agree with removing the temtation foods from the house if you can't bring yourself to use moderation with them. Maybe, once you're back on track, you can learn how to work those things into your diet in a healthy way. For me, knowing that I can have sweets or chocolate later makes it easier to give them up now. Good luck on your journey! You've done great so far, so this is just a bump in the road for you. You will succeed!!!

My suggestions are in two separate areas - 1) work on finding out why you are sabatoging yourself, and 2) external controls you can use until you get your "internal" controls back in order. On finding out why you are sabatoging yourself - have you considered talking to a counselor experienced with weight loss patients? If you can't find one with that experience, one who is used to working with other addictions (other than food)? If you are against talking to a counselor - You are going to have to be a dective and find out what are your triggers that are causing you to go out of control. Keep a food diary that talks about what you were feeling each time you ate something - what at that time was motivating you to put food in your mouth. Also, note the times. If you do this diligently for two weeks, you will have enough data to discern the patterns. Once you know what the triggers are, then you can figure out ways to address them. For the external controls - where are you getting all of these foods you shouldn't be eating? Beer, ice cream, chips, etc? In your house? If so - get rid of them. Don't buy them. If you don't have the strength to get rid of them-have a friend come over and get rid of them for you. Newly "dry" alcoholics do not live in a house with alcohol. And you should have a plan each day of what you are going to eat and when that you try to stick to. If you want to PM me, feel free to. I wish you the best of luck getting in control.

from what i've read, it seems like lower BMI folks don't have to do it, but maybe it also depends on the doctor. i'm having surgery saturday and there is no pre-op diet for me- just nothing after midnight on friday and avoiding alcohol this week. i'm going to do liquids at least one day before, maybe even two, just to sort of let my digestive system rest before the big day.

I eat out all the time w/ hubby or alone. I never seem to have any issues ordering. if I'm w/ hubby, we split a meal, I ask for my own plate. He lets me choose what were gonna eat, based on what i find that has the most Protein. i too find that the appetizers are not much in protein and are often deep fried. (I try to stay away from all fried foods and foods w/ sauces) If i'm out shopping and need to eat something, I often stop in at a taco place and get a chicken soft taco, ask for a fork, throw out the shell and just eat the inside. (it's like a cheap chicken salad) and I'm full when I'm done. or, if there is a subway in the area, i'll just ask for some tuna. Cost's me either $1.00 or $1.50 and that's a cheap lunch too, and I'm full from that lil cup of tuna. i try not to pay for things i'm not going to eat, so just ask and they will often accomodate you. When i was at a casino at the coast recently....i went to the restaurant and asked for a small side order of crab. I told them about 1/4 cup was all i wanted. They charged me $3.00 for the side of crab and it was loaded w/ protein. see what I mean....be creative....it works. you will lose the most amount of weight in your 1st 6 months.......so I am staying away from most all foods like sauces, potatoes, candy, chips, alcohol, beads, Pasta, (carbs in general) trying to mostly only eat protein foods. Best of luck to you.... It's not hard at all, you just need to be creative sometimes. just because it comes that way, you don't have to eat it. I also have a "medical card" issued from my surgon, allowing me to order 'child portions" from a menu. I've only had to pull it out once when they told me that was intended for children under 12.......lol ...... it worked!

Starting month four now and I am eating regular food. Only got sick from spicy shrimp and trying untoasted bread to soon. You should be fine barring any other problem like leakage. Just be wary of the type of food ordered and how they prepare it. In Holland they tend to undercook chicken, Germany you have spicy sausage, England (what can I say except that I found the nearest pizza Hut) Don't forget a pepperoni pizza to the Europeans is made with Hot Peppers not American Pepporoni. Last bit of advice, try to avoid the alcoholic beverages they tend to be a bit stronger (hide the bad taste of some foods no doubt) and with smaller stomach you may be a buzz a lot quicker. At least go slow to test drive the stomach and system first. Enjoy your trip!

Try some lotion, sometimes a little alcohol swab helps, else just try not to bother it, my staples came out two weeks post and itched like crazy for a another week but once those scabs fell off I went to town scratching - felt good.

I hosted a family reunion at 4 months and had 3 days on non stop food of all kinds available to me. My energy level was good and I could eat protein, some veggies, and I had a couple of bites of a couple of other things. I stayed away from sweets and alcohol.

LOL i love it! same as me - i don't see any difference pre-band v. post-band on drinking alcohol - effect is the same. I did go from being a big lite beer drinker to clear (color-less) liquor - usually absolute vodka + water/crystal light - so the buzz is faster and more intense - but i attribute that to the beer v. liquor - again, though, no difference pre and post band (only difference i can see is i eat and weigh less and that may quicken the buzz - but that would happen regardless if i was banded or not)

Alcohol affects me the same as it ever did, it didnt change when i got banded. Im only really a wine drinker, one or two is enjoyable, three is a good buzz and definitely no driving, more is ugly. Same as always.

Ok, my dad went to see his doctor to see if he should do the lap band surgery or some other type of geriatric surgery since his PPO insurance covers it, but his doctor told him NO!!! It was his primary care physician that told him he is not stable enough to have the surgery performed. I told him to get a second and third opinion but he believes whatever his doctor tells him. What do you think? My dad is 64 years old He is 5'8 He weighs 330lbs He has been obese all his life Now for his current health: He is taking blood thinners He is pre-diabetic and takes Byetta injections (as recommended by this same primary care doctor) He was diagnosed with CHF about 15 years ago and is on meds for that He had back surgery twice...last one was March 2009 and takes a gazillion pain killers (but I really think he is addicted to his oxycodone and somas) He is an alcoholic (consumes daily) He has normal blood pressure (120/80) I'm no doctor but I think if he was stable for the same back surgery twice (within a year apart) then he should be able to have a simple laproscopic procedure done! Oh yeah and one more thing...he has a fear of surgery....aka...general anesthesia.

Yahoo! About two weeks before my six month surgiversary I am NORMAL! I've gone from morbidly obese (254 at start of pre-op diet on Feb. 15) to merely obese (Was 222 on day of surgery and down to 216 two weeks after surgery), to merely overweight (185 at about 2.5 months out) to today: 51/2 months and I'm NORMAL! I am so stoked! Just one pound more and I'm in the Century Club. And only 20 lbs. to goal, which will put me at a BMI of 21.8., squarely in the middle of the normal range and will let me bounce up and down 5 lbs. and not be too thin or too fat for my taste. I can feel such a difference in my health and energy levels! I am off all blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I no longer snore (per hubby :-). My knees, feet, and ankles rarely bother me. I have noticed in the last couple of weeks that my gait has changed. There is more spring in my step with nearly 100 lbs. gone. Instead of plodding, I bounce a bit as I walk now. And my sinuses don't stuff up as much. I think the extra weight on my face pressed against them. As for the difference in my looks, people don't recognize me. My Mom had a hard time finding me in a store because she was looking for the bigger me. People react differently to me because I am thinner (rant on this later!). I enjoy squeezing in for a tight hug from hubby, trying on clothes, sitting in chairs with arms, tying my shoes, taking a bath in my newly roomy tub, and keeping up in exercise classes instead of paying a personal trainer. At the beginning of my journey, I wore size 22 jeans and a 3 X shirt. I now wear size 8 or 10 jeans and a small or medium top. My mind is still catching up with the new me. Although I often see the same me in the mirror, I know the change is astounding. When I write my weight, I have a tendency to forget I'm in the 150s. I still think of myself at 180 or 170. And my clothes look too tiny to fit me. I can eat small amounts of any food I have tried, except milk, cottage cheese, and ice cream. I'm still afraid to see if I can tolerate milk now almost six months out, but I think I will try soon. I am tracking my calories, Protein and fluids every day and taking all supplements recommended for my plan. I get at least 60 grams of protein, 64 oz. of Fluid per day and average between 700 and 900 calories per day. Greasy and overly sweet foods upset my tummy if I eat more than a few bites of them, so I generally only have a couple of bites of them when I eat them. For example, on Halloween, I had about a cup of popcorn popped in oil (no added butter), two and half fun-size candies, and a hotdog with chili, no bun. That was over the course of the evening and probably the biggest splurge I have had since the surgery. I didn't feel good later that evening and still felt a little off the next morning. I returned to having coffee after my three month checkup. But post-op I have a soy latte with two shots of espresso instead of my pre-op fav of a couple cups of french press or two shot of espresso straight up. I haven't started drinking alcohol again, but I plan to following my six month checkup. I plan to start with port. I am exercising 5-6 days per week. Two 45 minute walks at a fast pace, two 1-hour group workout classes, one 30 minute session with my trainer, and one other activity, such as a bike ride, walk, or yoga class. I do have days were I want to eat only bad stuff and I don't want to exercise. For the most part, I power through, but sometimes I don't. It's a journey and a struggle. I'm still terrified I won't be successful long term so I search out stories of people who have successfully kept the weight off for more than two years. They are out there! Thanks to all who have shared your journey for inspiring me to begin and continue the best thing I have ever done for my health and my looks. Edited: is my face red! I thought I was going to hit normal BMI at 155.5, but I now see when updating my ticker, I'm still overweight till I get to 154. So this post is 1 lbs. early. I will join the Century Club and hit normal BMI at the same time. The thoughts and sentiments are the same, just a little early. Oops!! Lynda

Glow... if i were in your shoes.... i would just tell him that i quit. How will he know the difference. Make your appt early in the morning. Spray your self down with perfume and rinse your mouth with mouth wash. I don't smoke, but everyone in the house that i grew up in did... so i'm use to being around it and it doesn't bother me. Althought quitting would be great, some people can't. Smoking is a personal choice and if you want to smoke..... then smoke. I still drink my Mt. Dew (i'm not giving it up) and alcohol when i want too. its my personal choice. Like i said before, my friend Paula smoked before and still does.... and she has been having her band for over three years.

I had lap band surgery on April 28, 2011. As of today, I have lost 112 pounds. I walk six miles five times a week, do not drink alcohol and am following the program correctly. I am eating very little carbohydrates and am eating a high Protein diet. I take a Multivitamin twice a day, along with a Calcium supplement. My surgeon gave me a fill on October 18 because I told him I was getting hungry about one hour from my next meal. I believe my fill is working. I do feel full quicker than before my fil. I am very happy with the band. I do recommend it. I have read alot of stories on here about people gaining weight. Unless they have a medical issue; if they are following the program correctly, they should not be gaining weight. It is a total lifestyle change, you must get rid of your old habits, follow the rules and exercise. I walk from 4-6AM five days a week because I have to be at work at 7:15. I don't want to walk in the evening. One year ago I never would have done this but now, I am hooked on the walking. I am a believer in the program and the lap band. I take it one day at a time. If you follow the "rules;" as my surgeon calls them, you will be successfull. But the rules also apply when you reach your goal. Once the goal is reached, you can't go back to eating the way you did prior to surgery. You must exercise.

I remember an old Dr. Oz show, he suggested playing video games as a way to help lose weight! This was before the WII and the Kinnect type games. Anyway back to the subject, My nutrisionist said she had a Patient who said they were having a problem with trying not to drink (alcohol) to much, so I think, it is true, you have to be careful not to trade one addiction for another. Mine may be this support group!

I read an article the other day that talked about this addiction tranference and the Lap band and most people who were once addicted to food incorporated gambling, alcohol, and extreme shopping to their life style to trade one addiction for the other. I have to say that I do buy a lot of clothes but Its my reward. Im not making us broke over it but I do love buying clothes.

Hi all, Not sure if anyone remembers me, I haven't posted anything here in forever. I'm getting ready to re-commit myself and finish this thing for once and for all. I lost weight steadily for about the first year, then maintained a loss of 65-70 lbs until back in the spring when I stupidly decided to have a little Fluid taken out of my band. It was a mistake, and I've been in free fall mode ever since then. Since April, I'm back up about 15-20 lbs. I've gone up in pants size and I am completely disgusted with myself. I have a fill scheduled for tomorrow morning, so I'm treating tomorrow as the point of no return. Getting some good restriction back will make things easier, but I have also got to learn to put the wine glass down. I really enjoy a glass of wine (sometimes two) at night after I get my kids in bed. It helps me wind down and shake the day off. But, I know from past experience that I don't lose whatsoever if I am drinking anything alcoholic. So, I'm just going cold turkey. Which is fine, I have done it before. I'm just going to miss it! Also, I have been battling hip bursitis since July so that hampers my exercise plans. I want so badly to get back on the treadmill (I completed Couch to 5K last year!), but it only exacerbates the problem. I have had two rounds of oral prednisolone, the second stronger and longer than the first, in an effort to avoid getting the dreaded steroid injection in my hip. I am terrified of it, but I think in the end I know it's what I'm going to have to do. Anyone with any experience having this injection? It's the greater trochanteric bursa, and I'd probably be much easier to just go and have it done if I hadn't read so much about the injection technique...the needle is advanced until it hits the hip bone, and then it's withdrawn a few mms and the injection is given. Something about knowing the needle is going to actually touch my bone just freaks me out. It's funny, I used to be a veterinary technician (before I had kids and quit working to stay home with them), and I assisted in surgeries all the time. Even lots of orthopedic cases, with bones and pins and drills, all that. Didn't bother me! But this? I'm scared to death! Okay, I'm rambling. I'll stop. It's good to see a lot of the same names here as three years ago. I'm going to try to show up here more often, maybe I can get motivated and hopefully help someone else get motivated too, after I get my own ball rolling again.

I am also 8 weeks out, love my sleeve 85% of the time, it saved my life as you all know, as far as alcohol i dont miss it because i have no problem drinking it,,,,,,,,,,,,my Dr. said i could have a few when i felt like it but to be careful, i have already learned my limit witch i am sure will go down the smaller i get............

wow. love all the PASSION in this group (guess you gotta put that former food passion somewhere eh?) as to the comment, this is my folks....part of there job IS to make us crazy eh? -little side note here- if this (weight loss) were SO easy ....well I WROTE a healthy cookbook ("No More Fat Bears, a healthy guide and cookbook), taught healthy cooking and have a genuine culinary degree.....easy as um...pie. -as to the voices calling- when I was in a kitchen I told folks it was like a alcoholic working in a bar.... there was food EVERYWHERE....nibble here and there and here and there....culinary school was like a fantasy! (rule- in B&P (baking and pastry) you gain 3-5 lbs, I gained 5-10). I would hurt from eating after class.... I even have a one year chip from OA here somewhere.. as to the smile and nod reply- I like that. just say thanks and let it pass (the ultra skinny boss is a good case, she can eat a moose and not gain weight.... yet I am sure she has her own challenges) so... you folks are awesome...thanks one day closer to my consult with Dr Daly.... PenNdulum

I don't drink beer, so i can't answer this question, however, i do enjoy my sodas daily. . .diet of course. . so why can't you have carbonation ever? makes no sense. . . anyhow, i drink sodas, and alcohol with soda mix. . . love it and started drinking such (with doctors approval) at 3 months out. . . yes i said with doctors approval. . . and i'm out now 2 years and haven't died yet. . . hehehehe . . . good luck

You know, since surgery I have NO tolerance for alcohol anymore! I drink about 1/4 of a beer and I'm tipsy. It's crazy. Anyway, I can drink a beer (or two) if I am not eating and sitting at the table for a long while. I still can't drink AND eat at the same meal or I don't have room for food, so drinking a beer with dinner isn't an option for me. So when hubby and I go hang out at our favorite Irish Pub, I can drink maybe two Guinness, sometimes three if it's a long night. But oh, the scale hates me the next day and I get so incredibly DRUNK doing it! So I only do it about once every three months. ~Cheri

I was starting to notice my weight loss stalling, so I took a good hard look at everything I was doing. I was in denial, thinking that the band "wasn't working" and that I shouldn't have to work so hard to lose weight. In reality, I was eating too fast, too much, and too long. I was also drinking much more than I should and not exercising at all. I started a workout routine, tracked my calories on myfitnesspal.com, cut down on alcohol, and ate more mindfully, and the pounds started coming off again. Remember that the Lap Band is a tool, not a magic wand. I tend to forget that sometimes, even all these months later. You can do this, but it does require work and effort on your part. The Band can only do so much.