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I had the exact problem. I was banded on 6.22.11 and the day after it was 8pm and I had not tinkled all day. I called my surgeon and he suggested that I pour rubbing alcohol in the toliet. Apparently, the vapors from the alcohol pulls the urine out. At the time, I felt it was a bit odd, but I was desperate....I did it and it worked like a champ!!!! Wishing you the best of luck!!!

In no particular order: I don't keep "crap" in the house! (Although there's more now while my son is home from college for the summer but I'm doing pretty good at staying away from it.) When I think I'm hungry, I wait 15-20 minutes to see if its physical hunger or just head hunger. I never eat just because the clock says it's time. I use small plates and silverware. This makes me eat less and take smaller bites. If the TV is on, the fridge is off limits. I keep my before picture on the front of the fridge. It makes me stop and think before opening the door. I NEVER drink calories!! (With the exception of protein shakes and maybe the occasional cocktail.) Regular exercise. It doesn't always have to be a rigorous gym workout. Yard work, walk, clean the house, play with the dogs etc. Just keep the body moving. Stay well hydrated. I usually have a glass of something handy..water, iced tea, s/f whatever. I try to stay focused on things that are not food related. Pick a sports team and follow them...get involved in politics...volunteer at your child's school or a senior center...throw yourself into your career....it doesn't matter what it is just keep the mind focused. Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Track food and exercise. I keep a spreadsheet on my computer of my weight every week along with any other medical information...doctor's appointments, fills/unfills, menstrual cycle, mammogram, pap etc. GO TO THE DOCTOR!!!! Whether I think I need a fill or not, I always keep my lapband appointments. For the first 2+ years, I went every single month. Now I go every 2-3 months. Mix it up. The body has a mind of its own. If you do the same thing everyday, your body will know what to expect and you won't lose as well. Once every week or two, kick the calories up. Change your activities. Cardio one day, weights the next. Have fun!! Get the gang together and find somewhere that's having "Ladies Night" and go dance your a** off. Camaraderie and its good exercise. Keep a positive mental attitude! I always look at the bright side, no matter how hard it is to find. Don't linger in bed. When I wake up I get up, even if it's 6am and I have nowhere to be. (Like today!) I find that regular chiropractic adjustments keep my body and mind working at optimal levels. I realize that some people don't "believe in" chiropractics but then again some people don't "believe in" lapband either. We all know that they are wrong! I could probably come up with a few more but I'm still on my first cup of coffee. Besides, I think I've babbled long enough. Hope some of this helps!

You may try wiping your underarms with rubbing alcohol every 2-3 days to kill any bacteria. Also More deodorant is not the answer. The ingredients in antipersperant/deodorant can actually cause your body to increase production of oils and sweat.

It has been 1 month since my lapband surgery. I am really feeling great most of the time. I am trying to stay around 1200 calories and exercise every morning. I am down about 12 pounds since my presurgery visit. I started the Couch to 5K running program this week. I did that Monday and today and walked yesterday since I am only supposed to do the running program 3 days per week to let my body recover. This morning I was finished with the running portion and was in the slow walking part to cool down when I almost balcked out and became weak. My heart rate became very rapid. My husband was about to leave for work, but he saw that something was wrong so he helped me in the house and got me something to drink. Now I have had this type of episodes since I was about 18. Usually, my heart will race for a short time and then go back to normal usually after I have taken several very deep breaths or tried to hold my breath for a few seconds to kind of reset my heart. Only one other time about a year ago, I had to go to the emergency room and get a shot to slow my heart rate. I was really worried that time that something was bad wrong because it had never lasted that long before. I recognized that this one wasn't going away easily, so I let my husband carry me to our local ER. They did the same thing and now I feel great. Both of these bad times, I had been running early in the morning before eating or drinking anything. I think it could be what is triggering the episodes. Maybe dehydration or low blood sugar? They told me I have PSVT which is not life-threatening, but could be corrected with a type of surgery. Since it had only happened that once bad enough to go to the ER, I never saw the specialist. Now I am wondering if I should go, but I still am not ready for another surgery right now. I have researched PSVT and the only triggers that I can find are caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and illicit drug use. Caffeine is the only one of these that could have caused my 1st bad episode, but I stopped that before I had lapband surgery a month ago. So that is not the problem. One doc told me that it could happen without any particular trigger. But I am convinced that it has something to do with strenuous exercise before eating or drinking. I just have to figure out what I need to eat or how much I need to drink before exercise in the mornings to prevent this from happening again. I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this, and what I might do to prevent it. I am really trying to make changes to my lifestyle to finally get this weight off for good. I don't want to stop exercising in the morning because I find too many excuses in the afternoon. Plus I have more energy for my day exercising in the morning. I get my first fill in 2 weeks and I hope this helps me to be satisfied with less food. I am hoping that combined with the exercise will help me reach my goals. I would like to be down 50 pounds by Christmas. I know it is possible if I will stick to my program.

I think that a more specific question would have elicited more responses. There's nothing I could say everyone hasn't heard many times already. I exercised like a madwoman and ate no carbs for a year basically. It was hard, but not THAT hard. I did drink alcohol, steal french fries from my children's plates and eat dessert in moderation and have a skim latte or two every day. My top three tips would be to lift weights in addition to doing cardio, eat lots of fish, and to banish bagels and muffins forever. Good luck! There are many many satisfied vets out there. There are also only so many "any suggestions for mushies" questions you can answer!

My adventure with gallbladder issues started in March with chest pain right under my sternum. Chest pain so severe that, after 30 minutes of it, I drove myself to the ER. All the tests found nothing. Including two contrast CTs. The chest pain started like a dull pressure, like a c-clamp in my chest, then sweating, inability to take deep breaths, no positions were comfortable, felt like I needed to vomit and have a bowel movement (but neither actually happened), nausea, and it dissipated like it started. And I was left exhausted. I sat on my knees at the edge of my bed, with no pressure on my chest, rocking and counting through it. After the first I had several more, each varying from 10 minutes to 40 minutes of the most excruciating pain I have ever felt (I have an extraordinary and documented pain tolerance due to nerve damage so this scared me). All of my research said gallbladder so I knew what I was dealing with. Finally, when I went in for an unfill I mentioned it to my practitioner. She scheduled me for an ultrasound and HIDA test. If the US was positive no HIDA. The US was positive for stones and my surgeon said I needed to get in ASAP. If a gallbladder bursts it's like an appendix bursting, infection spreads and causes all sorts of issues. I couldn't schedule immediately without risking my job so I scheduled three weeks out. I was very careful to avoid fats, greasy food, dairy, sugars, etc. to not prompt another attack. I didn't eat much of those before this but the smallest amount could trigger an attack. Surgery was much like the Lap Band. They used the exact same navel incision and two small incisions in the upper abdomen. Surgery took about 90 minutes all done via lap. No unfill was necessary so I didn't start over with my band. Recovery had all the same issues, gas pain, abdominal pain, etc. With the addition of lower abdominal pain, extended gas issues (I'll explain those later), diarrhea (from extra bile in intestines), constipation (from pain meds), the need to go literally within minutes of eating, and lifestyle diet changes. GAS PAIN Note: gas pain comes because of two reasons 1) the gas they put in doesn't all come out and some will move around but more so, 2) the gas they put in goes in at room temp and dry, this acts much like a cold winter where you can burn your skin with a cold dry wind, the cells the gas comes in contact with actually die and send off nerve impulses and since your diaphragm (where a lot of cell death occurs) is connected to nerves that go through both your shoulders you get back and shoulder pain. How your Dr can prevent this is to use elevators instead of air, or if they insist on air, they can warm it up and humidify it in your body. This helps your body assimilate it without killing tissue. After the fact you can do this by using moist heat (a tube sock filled with 4-5 cups of dry rice, microwaved for 2 minutes will provide moist heat for around 1 hour). Gas x will not help. It helps air in your digestive system, it can't do anything for air in your tissues. DIET CHANGES While you could eat what you did before, you can still form gall stones in your liver and bile ducts so changing your eating is the best way to counteract that and prevent it. They can't take your liver out, at least not without a replacement. Avoid: dairy, fats, grease, liquor, alcohol, chocolate, sweets, any food that have fats or grease associated. Including cheese, some sweet breads, butter, Peanut Butter, etc. And if you eat something greasy or fatty, be near a bathroom. Food will literally go through you like you have never imagined. It's not a death sentence but will end any affair you have with fatty or greasy foods, even healthy fats. COMMON SURGERY Gallbladder removal is one of the most common surgeries currently. Likely due to the American diet. If you have pains you can't explain, and I'd you've had anything fatty or greasy that day, get checked out. An ultrasound can pick up the stones, a HIDA scan will show how Fluid is or isn't moving. For people with lap band your risk is increased. You're losing weight (caused gallstone formation), you're over weight, you likely had a gallstone forming diet prior to surgery, and you're mostly women (but men can suffer too). Overall, 20% of Lap Band patients need their gallbladder removed within 18 months of surgery. Know though, that 10% of people who have the surgery still have problems after the fact. So it's not always a cure all. Hopefully this helps someone get tested before they suffer like I did. And know that though the recovery sucks, it will help in the long run.

Yep, I have to say I drink coffee every day with FF French Vanilla Creamer. I won't give that up, well maybe someday but the coffee stays. My doc is fine with coffee, soda in moderation and even some alcohol again, in moderation. Singingpeaches you are a genius! I have been advised to mix my Protein in with my morning coffee and I can soooo do that recipe. Just brilliant!

My name is Taylor, and I will be 21 in August. I've been employed as a 911 operator/dispatcher for almost 4 years. I made the decision to get the sleeve last winter, because I'm only four foot ten, and weighed 210 lbs. I had insulin resistance (a form of prediabetes), and I was starting to have knee problems. I had the surgery on March 7th, and the rough recovery was worth it. This has been the best choice I have ever made, and I will never regret it. My lifestyle and eating habits have changed so much. I make really healthy choices and I don't touch carbonation, which is a big deal because I had a big Dr. Pepper problem. I have been doing yoga off and on for a month, and once or twice a day in the past week. I also swim and do some quick exercises. I used to drink a lot of alcohol and eat taco bell every other day, but it's all changed. When I'm on a month of days, on my off days I rarely wake up after 9:30. Before, I rarely woke up before 1. I know this is a lot, but I'm excited to finally be able to discuss it with people who understand, so please excuse me. And just one last thing.. I'm the smallest ive been since before I was a teenager, and I'm almost at my fifty pound mark!

Hello all...lately I have been having trouble being a good bander on the weekends (alcohol, food, exercise) but I was determined to change that. I'm proud to say that although my TOM hit over the weekend, I still lost! I'm officially in another decade. 230's! It has been years since I have seen a 2 and a 3 preceding the last digit! I weighed in at 239.2 this morning. I walked around the lake on Friday morning (before it got too hot! I'm in the south) which completed my 4 workouts for the week. AND I went to body step class yesterday afternoon so I'm already one workout behind me for the week! Plus for the entire weekend I got in my water and took my supplements. I'm pretty sure I ate much less that I should have. I have heard ladies say that during TOM they have more restriction...well I find that to be true. Saturday morning I cooked steak, eggs and grits. The steak got stuck! Never had a stuck episode like that before, needless to say, I didn't try anymore. I really thought I was going to throw up! After that, I just wasn't hungry. Didnt even think about food. I like that feeling!! I hope to keep this downward trend going....soon I will be seeing a 2 and another 2 before the last number! Woohoo!!!

Find an exercise that you enjoy. I love dancing and am fortunate that my husband also loves dancing. Even better is that the majority of the people in our group prefer not to drink alcohol when they are dancing because they say they can't dance as well when drinking. This means that my water is perfectly normal!

My doctor had me on an acid pill (prilosec otc) and a anti spasm pill for a couple of weeks after surgery. He said I could stop both whenever I felt like it. I stopped the acid pill and had more "hunger rumbling" then I researched it and many doctors leave their patients on an acid pill for up to 3 months so I started the pill back and it helps with the hunger "wierd knot in the middle of my back when I am hungry feeling". I noticed the more Protein drinks the more "squirts". Getting on real food helped stop that. Alot of tips I am reading on this forum have really helped. I read about others and the acid pill, the protein squirts, and it is true what someone said about the "sugar alcohol" gives me gas. Learning as I go! Having a great day today (both my kids are home including my "college" one ) and hubby is smoking some chicken so I can try chicken salad! Life is GOOD!

Day three pre-op diet...5 days before surgery. I went to a party yesterday and surprised myself. No alcohol and just a bite of a cheese burger for a taste. I was hungry last night for the first time so I had a yogurt and a banana (extra). It worked for me and I figured anything I do now is leaps and bounds from what I use to eat. Saw a friend of mine at the party last night who doesn't know that I know he was banded. He looks great and was a quiet inspiration for me.

Having alcohol right now is a bad idea since your body is still weak from surgery. It will affect you quickly, and maybe not in a good way. MOST people don't have restriction right after surgery. The band works by making you feel "full" quickly and keeping you feeling satisfied for 4-5 hours, but it's not going to stop you from eating or drinking a large amount of anything. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should

I searched this because I think I may have pancreatitis and was concerned that it may be related to the band. Through the little spat I was able to get a few facts about pancreatitis. More importantly I want to say that I read this very unassumingly. When I read the post that read, "If your husband drinks...", well, I certainly did not read it as though an assumption had been made. In fact, when I asked my doc about this matter, his immediate response was, "If you drink...stop." He was referring to any drinking at all. He wants to halt all alcohol until we rule out pancreatitis. So, I believe the statement about whether your husband drank was actually sound advice given by an individual who has identifiied him/herself as a medical professional. I don't know, not trying to rehash anything...I was just a little taken back by how feelings were worn on shoulders. We should all remember that soooo much can be lost in the typewritten word. I TRULY don't believe that any insult was intended by the statement. And Soexcited, I understand how stressful things can be when there is uncertainty regarding a medical condition. There is a lot of stress there. I really hope that you all have your answers. In addition, I hope you post anything new that you have learned. I am still trying to educate myself on this matter. I am terrified that my condition could be pancreatitis...and worse, I am scared to death that cancer is causing it. ((You know how us crazy people are...))

hi everyone- i'm jennifer- alcoholic/addict with 20 years sobriety looking to start the oa program- will be sleeved 7/20/11! i've heard there may be some prejudice in oa meetings when it comes to us wls folks. any wisdom/experience with this?

Soft Foods Diet: Beverages: Water, tea, coffee, sugar or fat free coca, Crystal Light, sugar-free Kool-aid, sugar-free Tang, sugar-free lemonade, Diet-Snapple, Diet V-8 slash, skim milk, lactose free milk, light soy milk AVOID: sugar sweetened drinks, coca, carbonation, caffeine or alcohol others: sugar-free popsicles, fruit n juice popsicles, sugar free Jello, sugar free pudding soup: low fat cream Soups, soups of any kind AVOID: full fat cream soups, full sodium soups starches: cooked Cereal, cream of rice, cream of wheat, malt-o-meal, thinned grits or oatmeal, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, crispy toasted bread AVOID: sugar-sweetened cereals, cold cereals, bread (unless toasted), Pasta, ritz crackers or soda crackers unless light and all other starches meats/protein: low fat cottage cheese or ricotta, low fat yogurt, low fat cheese, egg, tuna, canned chicken (with light mayo only), shaved deli meats, ground beef, ground turkey (Cooking methods: baking, broiling, slow cooker, foil wrapped) AVOID: Dry meat or poultry, mixed dishes (ie lasagna), beef (other than ground because it's hard to digest) vegetables: cooked, canned or pureed (soft-able to be mashed with fork) AVOID: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, snow peas, asparagus, celery, raw vegetables fruits: cooked, canned or pureed, unsweetened applesauce, and bananas (fruits only occasionally) AVOID: Cherries, berries, citrus fruits, grapes, plums, most raw fruits fats: margarine and I can't believe it's not butter spray Hope this helps!

so yeah there are the calories to consider but like you said it's very rarely that you are doing this BUT here is my thing!! after 9 lemon drops one night I found myself SICK BEYOND belief! and I began puking violently! sorry groose- and puking with the band SUCKS!! it really hurts! so just dont drink to the point of puking- oh and another time I didn't drink quite as much but you know when you are at that place where you are like UGG if I could just puke I'd feel so much better! well I couldnt puke thanks to my band keeping everything down and I had to sweat it out literally for hours until my body worked out all the alcohol and it sucked! cheers!

Obesity is a disease just like alcoholism or drug abuse. Unfortunately, you can't help someone until they're ready to help themselves. Go have your surgery and work your ass off (pun intended!). When she sees how successful you are she'll probably change her mind. By then, you'll be an old pro and will be able to help her be successful too.

A few times a year isn't going to hurt you, just stay away from the carbonation. Life doesn't stop just because you are banded. In fact, done properly, it begins! I used to have such a high tolerance for alcohol. My father was a construction worker and my step-father was a sailor. They were both alcoholics. There was a time when I could drink either one of them under the table. Now, with the minimal amount of food in my system at any given time, it doesn't take much for me to start feeling it.

Jersey Girl, One suggestion, give up the beer. It will stretch your pouch. Any carbonated beverage no matter how slow we drink it over time will stretch the pouch. You could let it go flat but who wants a flat beet. Yuck, I was a guiness drinker and had to give it up. Try some SF drink mixes and switch to something else or maybe wine. Most of the reading says we should not drink alcohol for a year after surgery, well I fluncked that the first 2 months. The other think I noticed, is I used to be able to tolerate alcohol and now because we eat so little at meals and have to drink on an empty stomach that I am a cheap date. Two martini's and I am done! I love a good dirty martini and I have decided the olives are my fruit, veggies and fat. Two olives and one drink and I am full. I would love to find some of the CL Mojito mix, afraid I would be tempted to add a little rum and mint to that. Back to losing, some bandsters do not lose until after there first fill, it takes some of our bodies a while to adjust to decrease in activity and as you said the weight loss is slow and steady. Good luck, keep blogging and reading and you will be successful.

Thanks for all your replies. I just like to say to those of you pre op its just different on the other side. Simply said, I can remember be on here and just waiting to be on the other side. Feelings change on some topics so drastically and compassion instead of angst is replaced. There was no one or anything that could have stood in my way of surgery and getting what I wanted which is to say like 'wishes' rid me of my fat suit. However, there are those natural and I believe very normal feelings of loss. I just really needed to share them and have some agree that this is normal. I don't want to be alone in my feelings. I knew very early on that things that I mentioned above about missing were going to be gone. I knew this! Yet, I should and you should as well be able to grieve them and miss them still. I am a bartendar. I am around beer, alcohol, and fried food all day. I'm not complaining, but some others environment may be easier. It is hard and no one ever said it would be easy. I don't ever want to take this for granted so I'm glad it's not just easy. I just wanted to share the realities of this so others early post op and pre op can be mentally prepared for what is to come. Thanks for listening.

They haven't mentioned if I will be doing a liquid diet I'm pretty sure not as all my instructions say to follow the pre op diet right up until surgery day. I am currently following the pre-op diet which consists of 3 meals, no Snacks. Each meal is approx 400 calories. It is very carefully proportioned. I have to eat my Protein first and then the other parts of the meal. No drinking 10 minutes before a meal or 1 hour after, no gum, no straws, no rice/pasta/tortillas, only well toasted bread, no alcohol, no caffeine...basically what it will be like after surgery. They want to make sure that you are able to do it and are committed because you will have to eat like this for the rest of your life after surgery.