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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.

Sure did. And nobody is more surprised or pleased than I am. I owe it to a consistent eating plan (I follow a modified South Beach Diet kind of thing), an hour or so in the gym four or five days a week, a good night's sleep, lots of Water, and trying to stay as active as possible. That's it. I don't binge eat, I don't graze or snack, and I rarely drink alcohol. (Half a glass of beer a time or two a month in a restaurant doesn't count as much alcohol.) If I decide to have a sweet treat, I'll have a bite or two, and stop. I don't have room to eat a whole dessert after a meal, and I don't really have the desire to eat one. And if I do eat something like that, I don't do it often - certainly not like I did pre-surgery. I feel great, I have a ton of energy, and I look ten years younger. I'm able to do my work much better than before (I'm an IT guy for a large hospital), and I intend to take this as far as is reasonable. The biggest thing my band has given me is my life back again. I was a spectator on the road to an early grave. Now I feel energized, and ready to face the rest of my life head-on. I'm 57, but haven't felt like this since I was in my 30's. By the numbers, I've reached 66% of my ultimate goal, which is another 49 pounds down from where I am now. I don't expect to get that low. I may stop at 25-30 pounds more, depending on how I look and feel. Hope this helps, Dave

July 5 for me at fair oaks hospital virginia. Dr moazzez. Starting weight: 205, current weight 181 (no clothes). Eating less, losing weight, can't wait for band to help me stop feeling so crummy and hungry. My plan is to be hungry for next 16 days and then applying current better eating habits to my new pouch. Have diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Need excess weight gone so I can live to see great grandchildren born.

Hiya, thanks for asking. Well I can say I TOTALLY fell off the wagon this weekend! Friday I went out for my best friend's leaving party, and my attempt at not drinking was met with abject horror by said friend, so in typically me style I decided that it would be fine as long as i substituted food calories for alcohol calories! So off I trot with an empty stomach, 5 glasses of wine, 1 cocktail, 2 parma violet flavour vodkas, and two bottles of WKD, and my good intentions lie in ruins! However Saturday morning I tentatively crawl onto the scales to find I am down to 181!!!!!! I sat on the bathroom floor weeping with joy, the last time I was 12 stone something was the weekend i moved in with my husband, and that was 12 years ago, and at that time I'd got a major eating disorder, and was cycling and swimming for hours a day just to get that low. And hey presto! I'm suddenly there again, but this time i am not killing myself to be there! :D Yesterday we had house guests so had the ritual of chinese take away food, so i had duck (thinking Protein but no batter or anything carby = perfect option) only for it to make me really sick! Never one to know how to quit whilst I am ahead I then stupidly decided that having failed to stomach food I could afford another night of drinking, so a pint of ginger cider, and two pints of WKD later my day is done! Yes, I know how much of a total cock-up this weekend has been and just to remind me how stupid I've been I weighed back up at 183 this morning, so back out of the 12's! But I am feeling good! Total disaster? Yes! Insummountable problem? No! I messed up, I am moving on, no big deal (usually I'd be freaking out right now), although breifly, I saw the 12's there for a while which means I can get back there and stay there by not wobbling off the waggon! I can do this! I have no more big social occasions planned until my anniversary weekend on 1st july, and after that nothing until mid-end of August, so a long stretch of no distractions, and no excuses ahead! Plus my one social feature of the week is ending this week, so I get my wednesday nights off to use more wisely, starting 29th I'm joining Zumba class followed by Fitness yoga class - can't wait! Back on it, but the flicker of 181 was enough to really help me believe that this can work again!! Wow, long post, sorry! Off to set up wii family trainer now and to get our arses moving!

Welcome to the wonderful world of lap band. I have been banded for almost 7 months now and so far so good. I think the reality of the lap band really set in for me after my first fill. I had some restriction immediately post op but could pretty much eat anything if I chewed it well. After my first fill last December I really begain to realize what having a lap band meant. The one bad habit some of us fall into occassionally is letting the band do all the work. You have to become very in tune with your band. Always remember the band is just a tool, all those feelings and addictive behaviors we had before banding are still there, and believe me they will play with your mind and you can become very creative on how to get food to go down. I sometimes say the lap band is harder than any diet I ever participated in because it forces me to make healthy choices or suffer in the aftermath. My advice is stay away from slidder foods when on solids, a slidder is anything that will go through the band easily and add up the calories and you do not stay full. Stick with the 3 meals as it recommends on the web sites, it is easy to get into the habit of snacking between meals or grazing all day long. Because we can only hold small amounts at each meal if we eat the wrong foods or drink with meals it empties out our pouch and we are hungry. I know it is hard not to drink before, with and immediately after meals but if you don't do this as it recommends it really makes a differience. You stay satisfied longer and less likely to eat between meals. If you do feel the urge to eat between meals, stick with healthy snacks and stay away from carbohydrates. If you like sweets, find a good protein bar you like and that can be your sweet treat. I sometimes consider my gummy calcium chews and vitamins my sweet fix. They are small, I have to take them and I feel like I am getting a treat. A few protein bars that I have found good are the Zone Bars, Biggest Loser, Chocolatey Coconut ( I love german chocolate cake and this reminds me or it) also the Pure Protein Bars. All of these are low carbohydrate bars, I don't buy bars if the are over 200 calories or more than 16-17 gms of carbohydrates. The Prue Protein are very low carb but have sugar alcohols and in some that causes gas. Gas-x is your friend once on solid food, I got tired of the pills and chewables and found some strips that dissolve on your tongue in peppermint and cinniamin. Keep some protein drinks on hand they are great when you are in a hurry, hungry and don't have time to eat. This is a web site that I like for protein drinks. There drinks dissolve well and they dissolve in only 4ozs of liguid. There are recipies for some of them to enjoy them hot in the summer. I love the unflavored, I can add it to soups, drinks, yogurt and just about anything to get my protein. WWW.bariatriceating.com. Good luck on your journey, you will be surprised how many people actually will read your blog and be supportive. Good luck on your journey, remember we didn't get here overnight and it truely is a journey. Remember to celebrate all of your successes and DON't become a slave to your scale, all of us seem to loose inches along with pounds. Good Luck!:bananajump:

I have thought about this a fair bit and I have come to the conclusion that 'carbonated drinks stretch your pouch' is a myth. It just seems a bit trusting to take that statement at face value. For a start, there are actually two holes for the gas to escape, either up or down... if food is blocking the down bit, then up it comes... I know that from experience LOL. The pouch is made from an elastic material and the brief time a little liquid is effervescing in it is not enough to permanently stretch it. I know if I drink carbonated drinks too fast that I pay for it either by burping or it coming back up... but I don't believe it can stretch our pouches. I am not advocating drinking sugary or alcoholic carbonated drinks... all I'm saying is that I don't think a bit of sparkling Water, soda water or sugar free diet sodas is going to be bad for us. We have to deprive ourselves of so many things, why deprive ourselves unnecessarily?

Good Afternoon Peeps Had boot camp this morning then funeral - then did a little shopping got this great bbq sauce from World Mart - Stockyard BBQ - OMG to die for - I know there is a Stockyard Restaurant in Dallas that's really famous I assume it's from there - going back tomorrow to buy a whole bunch - cuz it's hard to find good bbq sauce and when I find one I love - they quit making it.. So gotta stock up Candice - I don't think I have had rubbard.. Bannana nut bread - omg - that can't be a N American thing - how werid Linda - How' Mindy doing are you home yet Phyl - Wine really doesnt help your bp - I think it makes it worse really This is from the Mayo Clinic - I just wanted to make sure that Dr Janet was giving correct info Question Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure? Does drinking alcohol affect your blood pressure? Answer from Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily increases your blood pressure, but repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases. Heavy drinkers who cut back to moderate drinking can lower their systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) by 2 to 4 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading) by 1 to 2 mm Hg. If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation. Moderate drinking is generally considered to be: Two drinks a day for men younger than age 65 One drink a day for men age 65 and older One drink a day for women of any age A drink is 12 ounces (355 milliliters) of beer, 5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine or 1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of 80-proof distilled spirits. Keep in mind that alcohol contains calories and may contribute to unwanted weight gain — a risk factor for high blood pressure. Also, alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness and increase the side effects of some blood pressure medications. So gf sorry to say gf - you need to only have 1 period - they can give you meds for the bp - are they talking about changing it.. Exercise and getting some more weight off will help.. Hugs on that proceedure - you are in my prayer - but ya gotta limit salt too i think Well I am off to the couch for a while - cbl

Was reading other blogs today and it got me thinking. I have said many times that I was addicted to food, but not until today have I realized that I am a food addict. Been banded 16 days now and it has made me very aware of everything I put in my mouth. If addictive personalities run in families, then I can see that I am an addict. My father was an alcoholic as was my older brother. Second brother was addicted to perscription narcotics. I used to pride myself that I did neither of those. But now I see that I was not immune. I can sit here and blame it on my childhood traumas ( do not wish to go into those here) but it comes down to personal responsibilities. No one forced me to become this obese. I want and I need to lose this weight, as much as I can, be it 60 lbs or 160lbs. I know I need to get support everyday for my journey. I don't think very many people read these blogs so I don't expect much in the way of responses. I just want to write down my feelings, my goals,and my successes or failures in order to continue on. Maybe I can read my entries in a few months and see I am getting better.

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

Hi, just thought I would pop in and update anyone who is trying to find an answer from HIGHMARK BLUE CROSS BLUE SHEILD ADMINISTRATOR FOR Alcoa plant in Ferndale Wa. I just got the big answer that in order to apply for the insurance, I would have to meet all the comorbidities (no problem) be over 50 bmi for the VSG, (no problem) ...AND a 6 month Dr, assisted monitored diet to prove how I lose weight!! Now, does it make sense they just payed 42.000 to replace my right hip due to osteoarthritis and if I don't get the weight off quickly, will end up having to do my left hip too? I can't beleive that none of the weight loss from Jenny Craig, weight watchers, nutrition center etc. count towards proof! If I was an alcoholic, drug addict, they would spend thousands helping with that issue. If I wanted viagra, yep they would cover that.... Hummmmm, guess that's how it goes!!

So I live with one of my coworkers - had reservations about it, but it was just the best option financially as we we're both mid-twenties and not "settled down." I didn't tell her or anyone else that I was planning to get surgery, just said I was going on vacation to Mexico. Explained away my pre-op diet by saying I wanted to lose some pounds before going. Unfortunately, there's a lot of crossover between my job and my social life, and it got really hard having to avoid situations with food and alcohol, worrying that everyone wondered what was wrong. Also I did have to tell my roommate after getting back, and I felt guilty thinking that she'd have to lie if anyone asked her what was up with me. It's a tiny office and yesterday our boss was out, so I decided to tell my supervisor. I say "supervisor" but she's only a few years older than me and we hang out socially, so it's really just a title. Anyway, I tried to bravely tell the story with a smile on my face, and was all ready to explain how I didn't mean to be secretive, just needed some time to get used to things before I started telling people. I never even got the chance - she blew through a few judgmental questions ("Did you go to a really reputable clinic or something?" Ummm, NO, I just had it done in a rusty van behind a 7-11! I mean what kind of question is that?!) and then insisted that the reason I was tired at the end of the day was not that I'm recovering from surgery but that I'm starving myself and not getting enough nutrients. When I tried to explain that I actually have seen a nutritionist and there are plenty of ways to make sure I stay healthy, she just ignored it. On top on it, my roommate starting piping in saying she'd "never seen me eat anything" since I got back. I've had Jell-o, Protein shakes, Soups, yogurt, etc. all in front of her!!!!! It was so unsupportive and just ended up feeling like a humiliating ambush. I didn't even get a chance to finish before they just changed the subject and I pretty much just slunk away. I already forgive them - they haven't done the research I have and I can't expect them to understand. It just made me feel awful, and now they will go and tell people what a "crazy" thing I did. I never should have said anything, it wasn't their business to begin with. It's just really hard to keep up a lie, and I thought I'd be saving myself trouble. Might I add that I got this lecture while they sat there drinking soda and stuffing their faces with brownies! Like that's so "healthy and nutritious"!!!!

Hello all, hope eveyone is well I have been awol a few weeks since the defill, cos it has been horrendous. Terrible pains and trapped wind after eating, many nights awake in agony because of the stomach pains and I have also managed to catch 2 bugs, one sickness and the other down south which I hadn't suffered with at since having the band fitted. I dont remember ever feeling this uncomfortable even when my diet was so full of crap pre the band, and the wind is just awful, my mood has been terrible as well. I have just been a snappy nasty b***h really So I have now put on a stone and feel so uncomfortable so I mailed Freddie and he assures me the weight gain is normal as my body had completely re hydrated, so I feel a little better knowing that, but I have booked in to be refilled next Thursday as I just don't feel in control. He said I can be refilled to a maximum of 6.5mls, (currently have 5mls) as we fly out to Egypt in July and he said I really can't go any higher than that, and defo not back to the 7.5mls as the heat over there will make the band too tight. I just need to get this stone back off, because . . . we have our appointment with the Fertility specialist on 8th August!!!! So utterly delighted that we will hopefully be starting treatment this year and also gutted as had the letter come sooner I wouldn't have had the defill to ensure I was still in or less than the weight range to be accepted for treatment, but hey ho its done now. MMM, thanks for the advise re the diet chef, got myself lots of Soups and porridge so that I am only eating a meal once a day if that, so hoping the weight may start slowly coming down this week any way, as I made the most of drinking alcohol and eating at the IOW festival last weekend and then came on on Tuesday so very bloated and lots of Water retention. Can't wait to get the skinny feeling back again, just hope the 6.5mls gives me enough restriction. Good luck to the newbies and hope the rest of the gang are doing well with losing C xx

That was a crappy thing for him to say, but as I always say "men are VARMINTS'. lol! Sorry, all you great guys out there. lol! Just keep doing what you are doing. I have not had Lap Band, yet, but plan to in a few months if all goes well. HOWEVER, I have dealt with those kind of comments from my dad over the years. I lose weight all the time, just to gain most of it back so he feels he has to comment on it. It's very frustrating because unless someone has been in our shoes to know what it's like, they Just DO NOT know. I always feel like this is a type of addiction just like an alcoholic in an ABC store. That's the only way I can describe it best. That's why I don't do well at buffets, no matter how good my intentions are. Something in my brain just goes haywire with all of that good food around. Many blessings to you as you continue your journey. Don't allow his comment to bring you down.

Maybe they were talking about alcohol? Because you do tend to get drunk faster. If not alcohol, I'm not sure why they would make that one of the big rules. I drink coffee, tea, water ...... all the time when I drive. I also live in a very rural area and do a lot of driving. It's nice to have something to drink on the way.

The honeymoon period is definetely over!! And now I know by personal experience that the honeyperiod does exist! As many of you know I've been struggling with working my sleeve lately, so I decided to go back to basics and it isn't easy!!!!!!!! I'm back to mostly Protein and good carbs and no snacking. I've started to increase the intensity of my workouts to try and start moving the scales again. No more snacking and NO junk or alcohol! And it's much harder then in the first 6 months, at least for me. I'm craving carbs like mad, today I was doing a body combat class and I got all shakey and had to sit down and put my feet up for a few minutes, and I know it'ss my blood sugar trying to regulate itself again. I didn't give in though, just had a small fruit smoothie (no sugar) and now having chicken breast for lunch. So for those of you who are in the early stages try and do your best in the first few months, check on Tiffykins posts where she said she never strayed til she got to goal (or Juliarh). I know I'm gonna make it to goal, but it's damn harder now that I'm almost 11 months out, so wish me luck and makethe most of your first few months!!

I use the myoplex lite. I don't like the taste of most others, 190 cal., 15 g protein, 28 g carb ( 4 g fiber, 15 g sugar). I also liked the Costco bars, but the alcohol sugars gave me a low blood sugar rebound affect. Sweating, shaky, nauseous, light-headed.

OMG Cludgie, I'm in your same situation, only difference is thta I'm doing quite well on the exercise. My problem is 1)bread, whole meal but still full of carbs, I snack on bread a couple of times a day 2) Alcohol, Rose wine, at least a bottle a week, mostly on weekeneds. My appointment with Consultant is on the 21st July, so I am hoping to shed a few lbs by then! Good luck to us!

Do the Pure Protein have sugar alcohol in them? That stuff gives me horrible gas!

p.s. Just remember that you WILL get to eat again. All the good stuff. Just in a new way. No need for dead man's last meal. Now I drink alcohol, eat desserts, heavy sauces and do all the "bad" stuff. I also exercise and make good choices most of the time, but you really don't have to think of this as a life sentence.

Well, I still have a couple weeks before I'm able to have any alcoholic beverages--but I'm already trying to give some thought to what my best drink options will be. I know, I'm going to do better with the lapband if I don't drink too much...and I don't plan to, but the reality is, I have a job that puts me in a lot of open bar situations. So I'd rather just have a game plan in place. So with that...what do you think my best options are. I've already thought about just mixing liquor (tequila, etc) with lime juice... or maybe mixing SF crystal light? Also i've heard bloody marys are probably a good option. Appreciate any suggestions, or what you've found to be low cal and tasty.

OH YES YOU WILL !!! Just wait! You'll be able to enjoy yourself just as normal, only in smaller amounts! I enjoy my alcohol, my pizza, spaghetti, etc. . only in small amounts. . but i sure do enjoy them!

Ok, so I want to thank Lil Miss Diva A; For starting this group and being uber encouraging, and B: For giving me the idea for this thread! I have been struggling a LOT recently, but I think that old habbits die hard, and have I really been honest with myself? Have I been as good as I could? Or have I been expecting my sleeve to do all the work alone? So today has been an ok day, and is day 1 of "the final Count down". I have a holiday booked at the end of August, and I would like to be "normal weight" by then, so that is 11 weeks to lose 19 of my remaining 30lb. So here are my confessions; I have started to snack on sweet stuff recently (oh how those nibbles add up!), I have also probably added in too much alcohol (my one glass of wine at the weekend has become 1/2 bottle, and 1/2 bottle mid week - bad bad empty calories!), and I've still not cracked this excercise thing, so am far less active than I should be. And what am I going to do abut it? Well I am going to be honest with myself, and I am going to be honest with you guys, so that I can't bury my head in the sand! Food today = 75g cooked ham, 100 calories, 15g Protein, carbs 6g 70g Breaded chicken Thing, Calories 253, Protein 15g, carbs 20g Drinks Today= 2 x Very Large mugs coffee 1 x "Normal" mug coffee So milk consumed approx = 85 Calories, 8g Protein, 12g Carbs Excercise today = Total Fail Lessons learned = 1. I need to move more 2. I need to ditch the milk in coffee (never realised the carbs in milk!!!) Actions for tomorrow = I will get up 30 minutes early and do 30 mins cardio before work I will have a coffee free day! Fingers x'd for tomorrow!

I told everyone I worked with, my family and most of my friends. I didn't tell people who I thought wouldn't be supportive...ie--I didn't announce it on facebook. I am glad that I shared the information with most of the people in my life. I know two other successful band-ers and their support has been priceless. I also didn't want the rumor-mill running at work. My husband and I work at the same place and I just decided to be honest and up-front about it. I don't regret my decision. 99% of people I worked with have been supportive and very nice. I do once in a while get snide comments---my aunt saying that she would like to lose weight but doesn't want plastic around her stomach, etc. But, I am doing this for my life and health and I am proud of my decision. As an adult child of an alcoholic parent, I am tired of keeping secrets. I want to live a honest, happy life.

Should probably wait til you get home from the hospital! Sorry couldn't resist! Seriously, tho. Alcohol has alot of empty calories. An occasional cocktail is ok, but that's really a habit you need to get away from if you want to be successful.

Thanks but OMG My arms are not toned! I was actually commenting the other day how I REALLY NEED to start doing weights! LOL I did just fine and I was even drinking Beer! I am just about 7 months post and this was the first time I tried beer. I have had carbanated drinks about a month ago so I figured I could try. From 6pm to 430am I drank 8 beers, 1 glass of wine and a glass of vodka and cranberry juice! LOTS of alcohol and my sleeve did Great! Even managed to lose a lb this week after all that! hehe Any BTW the girl with me had RNY 4 years ago and is still looking FAB!!! Her alcohol intake was WAY LESS then mine and she was WAY more drunk! LOL