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"RIYADH (Reuters) - Arab leaders arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday ahead of a summit set to revive a five-year-old plan to end decades of Israeli-Arab conflict at the heart of the region's problems..." Little news item today about some people trying to solve problems without bombs. At least SOMEBODY still believes in working at resolving issues without bloodshed. By the way, Bill Clinton cured you from alcoholism and being a Democrat? With regard to the comments about the Governor of Louisiana and Mayor of New Orleans playing a role in the misery suffered there: they may have played a role, but how does that in any way excuse FEMA's and Bush's actions? I wasn't talking about absolving anyone from blame who dropped the ball in the Katrina catastrophy, and no, I'm not all for rehashing it here, but your comment makes no sense. As for your comment "Sure...just as safe as the one that produced the 20 years of increasing violence by jehadi fundis culminating in the WTC....yes, that was a certainly an era of increasing dignity and security wasn't it....." A horrible terrorist act was committed on 9-11, and the bomb at the WTC before that was bad and they were acts of terrorism. How does citing those incidents prove in any way that there was as much terrorist activity going on then as there is now as a result of our actions in Iraq?

Hi I've been following your thread all day. I'm in Austin and I was sleeved on 9/10 2013. Today is my first day of week 3. I had a lot of dizziness the first week, was better the second week and it's gone now and I have a ton of energy now. I'm eating Campbells cream soups & tomato soup added to my broth. But there's no way you're going to get the Protein that you need with the food we are allowed to eat right now. I highly recommend getting a Protein powder to add to your soup. I use unjury chicken soup flavor because the first two weeks it was only Clear Liquids and that one counts for clear. I add at about 4 tsps of tomato soup or cream of chicken soup to 8 ounces of Water and it takes me about an hour to get it down plus my protein powder. But it has 21 grams of protein! and in the morning I do a premier Protein shake vanilla or chocolate. You can get them at Sams or costco. 30 grams of protein 1g sugar... and so tasty! Dannon makes a yogurt called light and fit vanilla flavor with extra protein I've been having one of these a day its 12 grams of protein and 9 carbs. I'm also a recovering pain pill addict. I have two years and 9 months sober from pills and all other recreational drugs and alcohol. Let me know if you'd like to talk more about this. I think the main thing is that every person is different every medical history is different in every doctor is different. So there can't be just one plan for everyone.

It depends when you had your surgery. During the healing process it should be avoided. I didn't have a drink until about three months out. Now, I enjoy some wine on the weekends, without issue. Well, I have no issues from the actual alcohol, but I DO become very loose with eating.....which is the bigger problem. That's why I drink on the weekends, only. Then, right back on track.

Pertaining to Gastric Reflux...from the gastrologist's directions sheet (used with permission): MODIFICATION OF LIFE STYLE RECOMMENDATIONS: *WATCH DIET --Avoid provoking foods (see list below) --No eating for 2 - 3 hours before going to bed --Eat smaller meals *EXERCISE --Avoid vigorous activity for 1 - 2 hours after meals --Bend at knees and not waist *ELEVATE HEAD OF BED 4 INCHES -- BY USING 4x4 BOARD OR 4" BRICK UNDER LEGS OF BED *AVOID WEARING TIGHT FITTING CLOTHING *STOP SMOKING AND DRINKING ALCOHOLIC beverages *REDUCE WEIGHT GERD: PROVOKING FACTORS: *FOODS --Mints --Tea --Chocolates --coffee --Tomato --Fatty or Fried Foods --Black Pepper *ALCOHOL, CIGARETTES, COFFEE (INCLUDING DECAFFEINATED) *LYING DOWN WITHIN 3 - HOURS AFTER A MEAL *DRUGS --Nitrates --Calcium-channel blockers --Anticholinergics --Theophylline --Oral B2-agonists --NSAIDs --Antispasmodics --Phenothiazines --Tricyclics --Neuroleptics --Narcotics

Sorry about your husband that can't be easy. I would be sure to work into the conversation that surgery was planned before hubby's indiscretion,and not a reaction to it.depression did not exclude me ,it's best to disclose it and how it is effectively being treated; meds,therapy ect. Remember surgery is a tool and you have to take responsibility for lots of changes in your lifestyle so any success along those lines are also worth mentioning ie. quitting smoking, drinking or drug sobriety especially if long term . Basically be honest and you should be fine, the nurse at my surgeon told me that in 11 years only 1 guy was disqualified ,he was an alcoholic in denial. Do you have support post op? A friend or sibling that can stay with you for a couple of days ? That is something you might want have in place before you disclose that your husband left. Don't say deserted to psychologist, say he chose to leave ,how you phrase things matters! Keep your chin up ,good luck and God bless you!

It sounds like you're doing incredible. December 31st is 82 days away, so you'd have to average a 1/2 pound a day. That's pretty aggressive. I'd think more about why 40 pounds is so important to you. Sometimes we focus on that number on the scale so much we kind of forget why we're doing what we're doing -- not just losing weight but gaining health! Looking at your workout schedule I don't see that you have to add anything necessarily... maybe focus on really staying on task with the food choices (maybe drop the "little" alcohol?). Best wishes!

Honestly comming from the prospective of the daughter of two addicts you don't sound like an alcoholic you sound like someone who is afraid their social life will change because much of it is engrained with alcohol in the foreground

Most overweight people face bias against their weights the entire time they are overweight. As an overweight school child: your classmates probably teased or shunned you. As an obese college student: you might have skipped group activities because you were not invited or you knew you would be mocked. As an obese adult: getting a job was probably more challenging, and you are probably judged daily at work and everywhere you go. Without a doubt, obesity is stigmatized. The unfair bias that you face may be a major factor in your decision to consider or get weight loss surgery. Unfortunately, you will probably find that the obesity discrimination continues even as you try to use weight loss surgery to get healthy. Obese patients are blamed for their conditions, healthcare providers are not always sympathetic, and coverage for weight loss surgery is not guaranteed. Why Do Obese Patients Get So Much Blame? People are increasingly sympathetic to diseases that used to be stigmatized. Examples include cancer, many mental health conditions, and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS and syphilis. Now, treatment for these and other conditions, such as diabetes, is widely accepted as normal and an entitlement. Each of these conditions is largely the result of lifestyle choices, such as diet, use of tobacco and/or alcohol, sexual behavior, and physical activity levels. More than 80% of cancers are likely the result of lifestyle choices. Ironically, though, many people in our society remain unsympathetic to obese people. They are quick to blame obese people for having no self-control, for refusing to follow a diet, and for not wanting to be healthy. You know, though, that those accusations are far from the truth. If you are considering weight loss surgery, you are confident that you have the self-control for the weight loss surgery diet, that you have tried to follow numerous diets but none have worked for you, and that you desperately want to be healthy! You Did Not Ask to Be Obese: Some Factors are Outside of Your Control More than one-third of American adults are obese, and another third are overweight. That in itself should remind you – and the people who judge you harshly – that fighting obesity is hard! The food environment includes fast food, vending machines, restaurants, food-focused social gatherings, and inexpensive snack foods. There are also biological and family factors that you cannot control. Skinny people have no idea that you may be feeling extreme hunger all day, every day, or that your metabolism may be slower. Your family might have raised to choose high-calorie, high-fat foods, or even driven you into unhealthy emotional eating. Research shows that some obese patients’ brains even respond differently to food compared to lower-weight individuals. Obese individuals, for example, tend to get less pleasure out of food, meaning they need to eat more to get satisfied. Furthermore, high-calorie foods like sugar can be addicting, leading to the same brain responses as cocaine does. But nobody blames cocaine addicts for their situations! Instead, they encourage counseling and intensive program to help them overcome their addictions, not punish them. Discrimination in Obesity Treatment: A Look at Weight Loss Surgery Versus Dialysis Just as unfair is the fact that the healthcare system continues the discrimination against obesity. Compare weight loss surgery as an obesity treatment with dialysis as a treatment for kidney failure (end-stage renal failure). Far from being blamed for their conditions, kidney failure patients who need dialysis are provided the respect that all people deserve and the medical care that they need. Dialysis patients of all ages in the United States are able to apply for Medicare, the government’s health insurance program normally reserved for older adults. Dialysis treatments can cost about $40,000 per year, not including This is not to mention human factors such as reduced quality of life (the vast majority of dialysis patients are too sick to work) and early death (the life expectancy of dialysis patients is about 5 years). In comparison, a typical weight loss surgery procedure in the United States can cost $20,000 to $40,000, although it can be less, and successful patients are healthier and have more energy than before surgery. The irony increases. The fact is that kidney failure usually results as a complication of type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension). Both of these conditions are often caused by obesity; losing weight after weight loss surgery can prevent, eliminate, or reduce these conditions. In addition, it takes years for kidney failure to develop once you have high blood pressure or diabetes – years during which patients are likely to be on costly medications and inconvenient treatments. Targeting obesity through weight loss surgery could prevent cases of diabetes and high blood pressure, reduce their effects in people who already have them, and prevent kidney failure, the need for dialysis, and early death. Searching for Fairness in the Medical Treatment of Obesity Your first barrier in your path to weight loss surgery may be your primary care physican (PCP). Some PCPs do not know much about weight loss surgery, or may be against it because they think obesity is your fault. Some PCPs take a narrow view of obesity, and feel that the only way to lose weight is for patients to “decide they want it badly enough” and “just eat less.” You already know that doesn’t work, so don’t let your PCP discourage you from learning more weight loss surgery if you think it might be the solution to your obesity struggles. Insurance coverage has improved for obesity treatments, especially for weight loss surgery. Medicare and many private healthcare coverage plans cover weight loss surgery if you meet their predetermined weight and/or health criteria. Some private insurance companies, though, take a short-term view because they want to make profits within 3 years. Since most weight loss surgeries do not pay for themselves within 3 years, some private insurers do not cover weight loss surgery despite the likelihood that they would pay for themselves within 5 or 10 years, and in addition improve your health and quality of life. Chance of Reduced Discrimination in the Future? The majority of Americans believe that health insurance should cover weight loss surgery, in addition to other obesity treatments such as dietetic and mental health counseling. The Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), though, is not the ultimate solution. In nearly half of states, obesity treatments are not required to be covered by plans sold on the health exchanges. This determination is based on the available competitive services in the region. Since the most obese states are the ones least likely to have competitive anti-obesity care, these states are also least likely to have obesity treatments covered under the Affordable Care Act. Overcome the Discrimination Discrimination is an unfair fact of life as an obese individual, and it unfortunately does not end when you decide to get healthy using weight loss surgery as a tool. These are some of the ways that you can keep going strong and overcome the barriers you encounter as you work to get healthy. You have the right to a second opinion if your primary care physician recommends against weight loss surgery but you would like to find out more. Do not take “no” for an answer from your insurance company if you know you are entitled to reimbursement for surgery. Do not listen to negative family members or friends who do not understand your obesity or interest in weight loss surgery. It is your life and health. Educate others as much as you can to try to reduce the discrimination. Chances are that they are only being discriminatory out of ignorance, not out of true mean-spiritedness. Like it or not, some discrimination remains as you go through your weight loss journey. You cannot prevent it, but you can change how you react to it. Expect it and respond as positively as you can, keeping your own health and goals in mind. Over time, as you and others prove that weight loss surgery can be a worthwhile treatment for obesity, discrimination by insurance companies, healthcare providers, and the public will decrease.

Lucky for me I hate ice-cream. It makes me sick to my stomach, but I love candy and chips..... So although the band is a great tool for me when I have restriction, I really have to work it. I spent a whole year trying to get this band, so now that I have it I don't want to fill my stomach with empty calories. Plus, I exercise really hard and I don't want the time I spent exercising to be wasted. liquids do go through my band, so I am careful of what I drink. I never drank alcohol pre-band, so I don't now. I love Starbucks, but I have skinny lattes rather than mochas. And since I love candy, I have 1 piece rather than the whole box. I use other tools besides the Band. I track my calories @ Sparkpeople.com, I exercise every day, I weigh my food, I continue to see my nutritionist, I attend support groups, and I meet monthly with my surgeon. Together, all these tools help me to stay on track. :laugh:

Do you have steri strips still on? OMG that adhesive itched so bad! Rubbing alcohol helped remove the residue and calm the itch.

Thanks for sharing. I love wine and I can't wait to have my wine back in May 2014. Coming from a family of alcoholics I don't drink much - 5 out of 7 of us are alcoholics and three are dead because of it. My biggest fear is to become one myself. I do love my two glasses of wine on a Saturday night! I'm a cheap date - I have a very low tolerance to alcohol even before surgery. I hear it'll be even worse so my two glasses of wine may have to be cut to one. I only drink at home so I'll be safe enough there. If we go out I'm the designated driver. :-)

On vacation, I tolerate it fine, but some folks can become a cheap date after sniffing a brandy. LOL! The alcohol can enter your system much faster after WLS. Empty calories... think of one hour on a treadmill to burn off what is one mixed drink. That usually keeps me in line, since I do three miles on treadmill everyday. Not worth the wasted effort--unless it is a special occassion.

Are these open containers we're talking about? Just kidding. We're telling Muslims they can live in this country and then we're telling them to compromise their beliefs because ours are different? Clearly they should find another vocation, but they shouldn't be legally banned from being cabbies if they want to. However, if they are going to discriminate against people who carry alcoholic beverages (not medicinal alcohol, right?), they should disclose it in some way to the general cab riding public. Live and let live. Sensible respect of everyone's rights - not just Muslims and not just non-Muslims.

First it was pharmacists and the morning after pill. Now it's taxi drivers. MINNEAPOLIS - Taxi drivers who refuse service to travelers carrying alcohol at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport face tougher penalties despite protests from Muslim cabbies who sought a compromise for religious reasons, officials said Monday. The Metropolitan Airports Commission said new penalties were needed to ensure customers get safe and reliable taxi service, and voted to suspend a driver’s airport taxi license for 30 days for the first offense and revoke it for two years for a second offense. The new penalties take effect May 11. Airport officials say more than 70 percent of the cabbies at the airport are Muslim, and many of them say Islamic law forbids them from giving rides to people carrying alcohol. Under the old rules, a driver who refused to transport someone carrying alcohol would be told to go to the back of the taxicab line. Airport officials said that since January 2002, there have been more than 4,800 instances of drivers’ refusing to take alcohol-carrying travelers. Commissioners said the old rules didn’t prevent customers from being stranded at the curb or — as reported in a few cases — dropped off before their destination after drivers learned of their alcohol on board. Some Somalis who testified Monday urged commissioners to reject the new penalties and find some other solution. “We see this as a penalty against a group of Americans only for practicing their faith,” said Hassan Mohamud, an imam and an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law. The airport had proposed one pilot program that had drivers who wouldn’t transport alcohol display a different top light on their cab, but the public’s reaction was overwhelmingly negative and taxi drivers feared it would make travelers avoid taxis altogether.

I hear that yo yo dieting is straining on the heart and other major organs (can someone confirm, I've never done it). I'd would rather succeed the first time than fail five times just to end up back at the same conclusion two years later that I need surgical help, if you take a look at my post, you can absolutely have a life, everything in moderation. I don't go off the rails and eat whatever. I work everything into my plan with my NUT especially vacation and special occasion foods. I don't eat sugars that are not naturally occurring in foods and those I use sparingly, I use stevia if I must have added sweetness the other sugar alcohols if nothing else is available. You are going to still have to practice portion control and restraint after the procedure. Restriction provided through it does not last forever. What this procedure will do is give you a running start so you can exercise, you can learn to eat less, you can make better choices. Not everyone does and that's why not everyone has the success they hope. In the end it is still all on you. VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 169

Sorry for your loss, but don't let that deter you from what's right for your health. Just from what you've said, it is way more likely it was drugs/alcohol than.. the band. The band doesn't do anything to your brain to cause a coma. And if you're weighing gastric bypass because it's safer.. statistically the band is safer. Very bizarre situation, but I doubt it has anything to do with the lap-band.

I already put myself on restriction starting today. The remainder of July is dedicated to getting my exercise back on track. As far as my drinking, even Chris said I've had more alcohol since my band than in the entire decade. Alex, yes, I've been drinking too much... it's weird. It's been over 5 years since I've had so much as a glass of wine on a weekday. The whole port protrusion thing started it when someone offered me a glass of Zinfandel to help me relax. Of all things, I tolerated it better than broth, and it made me not care that tubes were sticking out of me. I swear, I turned into a drinker in one month at 41 years old. Yes, I drank a lot in my youth... 20 years ago. But it's so weird that suddenly I can understand the alcoholic mentality. Tonight I had a cherry slurpie. Not the best choice, but I worked my butt off today and didn't have dinner (yeah, restriction!) I can't even imagine making any more doctor appointments, but I guess I should. With my insurance, first I have to see my Primary, who refers me to the gastro. Then the gastro refers me to the lab. Then the lab refers me back to the gastro for results. So it's 4 appointments in the middle of the busiest I've been in years at work in addition to taking time off for 2 recent surgeries plus my camping trip. And my gastroenterologist just moved to the other side of Planet Vegas. Another reason I'm hesitant to have my band scoped is because other than the port incision, I'm not having symptoms. If I get scoped and they find erosion, it will only mean removal, which would put me over the edge right now because if someone told me they were removing my band, I'm sure I'd opt for a bypass. EEK. But I'm done being obese. Period. Meanwhile, I'm starting another round of antibiotics. Penni, sorry I chased you in the corner, but now it looks like it's my turn to cower. Guys, be tough with me cause I'm a stubborn one! As far as scaring new people away... Yes, I've been dragged through the mud with my band and port. Yes, it's cost me over $10,000.00 so far. Yes, I'm working 2 jobs to pay for it. Yes, I'm infected again. But YES, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

It really sounds as if you are having trouble making the lifestyle changes that have to be made for the surgery to work. We all know how hard it is so don't fear our judgment! Just work on your head. Then work some more. Sugar has always and will always be my demon. I didn't eat fast food, chips, dips, alcohol and so many other fattening things. Just sugar. And here it is in my first post-op holiday season, and candy and Cookies and such are lying around everywhere at work. My eyes are drawn to it every time I pass. My arm actually moves to reach toward it. I will NOT let that damn sugar undo me! I will allow myself ONE piece of candy per day from now through Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day I will drink nog with my man. Then NO MORE. I have been successful, in my eyes, because I do not deny myself everything, but I absolutely CONTROL the exceptions to my normal dietary plan.

I need to figure out what I should drink at my brothers wedding. Suffer from acid reflux and of course can't have carbonation. The wine kills me, tried that already. Also unsure about beer due to the hops. Please help

I love to drink too! I have not had the surgery yet so I'm not sure either. All I know is you have to wait 6 months but I thought beer was off the table.?? No bubbly stuff. Plus if you drink a lot you can gain the weight back. I hope someone that has experienced this will comment. I have cut way back on the drinking since I decided to get the surgery so I'm prepping myself for no alcohol. Good luck!!

mnbaileygirl, I have the same thing - depending on what I eat. I'm 6 weeks post-op and still have trouble with chicken, or anything with sucralose or alcohol sugars. I tried some Gatorade G4 today and my stomach didn't like it one bit, but I was able to eat sunflower seeds and a peanut power bar with no problem. For each food, I have to go through a testing process to see if my stomach is ready for it.

coffee was one of my pre-op concerns. I'm a huge coffee drinker. I didn't do coffee until... about 3 months out? Even then I was drinking one coffee mug daily of the 50/50 half caf stuff. I don't remember a brand but I think it might've been Folgers? My husband would fix his coffee in the morning before work and then fix the coffee pot so mine was ready to brew when I got up. On the weekends it was kind of hard waiting "in line" for the coffee pot so I guess within the last month, he's been telling me it was my coffee and he was drinking mine but he was gradually weaning me over to regular coffee. I honestly couldn't tell a difference. When he finally started weaning me was when I got cleared for red meat & alcohol by my doctor so he figured full caff coffee would've been fine too. I had 0 problems. I'm finally back on regular coffee, thank the gods, and all's well. I have my coffee with 2 equal packets and 2 tsp of powdered creamer. I kind of feel sad whenever I pass the cold cases at the grocery store and see the new flavors of liquid creamers which I used to love. But whatever right? I've got my coffee after doing without for several months.

Does anyone know how long the effects of alcohol stay in your blood stream after gastric bypass? I can't remember and I am going out for an after work drink next week with some co-workers and wondering how long I should wait to drive. I know that normally it is a drink an hour, but not sure if that is the same after surgery. I am 8.5 months out and will probably drink a glass of wine which I have tried and can tolerate fine.

Pre-op can be so stressful, and seemingly have no end, especially when you have to take care for and cook for everyone else. You are almost there and are holding strong. I also love to cook and enjoy entertaining and I can honestly say that though my choices have changed I still enjoy food as I used to. Much less of it, and better choices, but instead of carb-heavy meals, I focus on making the best and tastiest Proteins I can. I experiment with veggies and have had no issues going out to eat. Wine is unfortunately another story, and will have to be a choice you make for yourself. Most surgeons will say it is ok to drink after a suitable period of time, so you have time to heal. I have had a glass or two of wine in the past year, but I limit myself. Aside from the empty calories, increased potential to make bad food choices if I'm drinking and the fact that the alcohol hits me harder now, I dont' want to put anything in my body that will slow down my weight loss. My understanding is that while alcohol is in my system, my body won't burn fat, it will burn the alcohol first. I want to ride this wave of losing as long as possible, so I limit my alcohol consumption. It's a personal choice. Not eating and drinking at the same time is for a few reasons. It allows the food are you are taking in to digest slower, keeping you fuller longer. Also, if you eat and drink at the same time, you will have less "room" for food when you do eat. It gets easier and becomes second nature as time goes by. I think a passion for food gives you a leg up, you are more inclined to experiment and make foods that fit your lifestyle. Best of luck to you!!

At the end of the day, you have to decide. I don't think you'll find a doctor that would say you were at low risk for all sorts of morbidities with a BMI of 35. When I started the process of getting approved, I only had mild hypertension and was 36. However, every time I went for a physical, I was terrified I was going to be told I had developed Type II diabetes. Every time, the doctor told me I was at high risk for it. I too had tried most diets: Atkins, medifast, nutrisystem, normal and regular dieting. All worked in the short term but eventually I regained my losses plus more to the point I had a BMI of 47. All without having anything that a low level blood pressure medicine couldn't take care of. After my last physical in which I was terrified of being diagnosed with diabetes and having gone through another post-diet regain, I decided enough was enough. I couldn't let my fear of diabetes motivate me to lose and keep off any weight and I was tired of letting my size be the first thing people noticed about me. I started looking at lap band and quickly realized sleeve was the better option for me. One of the big draws for me was that I was not a snacker or grazer; I liked large meals. And looking at many posts here and seeing what other sleevers eat in person, I don't think it would be a big deal socially. Many guys eat a 4-6 ounces at a meal, which would be a decent dent in a plate at a meal. It is tough for the first couple months as we ease back into normal foods and getting to the 4-6 ounces we can eat at a meal. I'm still in that process right now and it is still odd. The other night, I went to dinner with friends, ordered some bisque and ate about 3 ounces of the liquid. Same thing at lunch last week. I'm only 13 days postop though. I'm realizing that socializing and eating huge meals are completely independent on each other. In fact, I have enjoyed it more as I am less focused on devouring the huge plate in front of me and more on chatting up friends. I too am very social. In fact, my very first post on these forums was in the Man Room asking about socializing after the sleeve. I love going out to bars, clubs, concerts, sporting events, etc. I do it all still without any issues. I haven't started back on any alcohol yet and likely won't for a while because in my mind, if I made this huge decision, I'm doing it right. I enjoy alcohol like most of us, but I've enjoyed it plenty on my way to a high BMI. Many, many sleevers drink and I will again eventually. But I still go out and have fun at bars and whatnot. At the end of the day you have to decide whether you want it or not. It's a hell of a decision and one that everyone naturally questions during the process. Socializing is one that I think you will find ends up not being an issue folks worry about.