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Sorry, I'm being lazy so I'm just copy/pasting this reply from another post: 1. What is a daily meal like? This answer has changed based on how far out I am, and what my goals were. During losing, I ate Protein, protein, protein, protein and more protein. Pretty much atkins diet, no more than 30-40gr of carbs until I hit goal, and was getting into maintenance. At almost 2 years out, I eat fairly normal. Last night for dinner, my almost 13 yr old son, and I shared a fajita for one dinner at a local Mexican place. I ate 6 tortilla chips with salsa, 1 small flour tortilla with about 1Tbsp of refried Beans, a smear of sour cream, 3 strips of fajita steak meat, and about 6 jalapenos. I tear off the rounded part of the tortilla once I folded it over, and I was perfectly content with my intake. I can eat 1 slice of medium thin crust pizza with toppings and cheese. Rice, bread, Pasta are now all slider foods for me so I do watch that intake, but there are not any foods that I can not eat. Pork settles heavy in my sleeve so I don't eat it. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything at all. Saturday night my husband and I went to a local steakhouse for dinner. I ordered a 6oz sirloin (teriyaki marinade and dipping sauce) a loaded sweet potato (marshmallows and caramel topping), and mac-n-cheese. I ate 1/4 of a dinner roll before my meal arrived. Proceeded to eat 1/2 of the steak with extra dipping sauce (food lube condiments makes meat easier to consume), half of the inside of the sweet potato, and 3 bites of mac-n-cheese. This meal experience lasted 1.5hours allowing me to eat a bit more without being "stuffed". 2. Is there anything you can't eat? Nopers 3. How much can you eat? It totally varies on the consistency of the food, the time I allow myself to eat. There are ways to cheat every weight loss surgery, and I know every single one of them. But, just because I know them doesn't mean I use them all the time. It's typically in social settings when I use those cheating skills. Grazing, eating super slow, stretching out my meal, sipping in between bites, allows me to eat a bit more, and not draw attention to myself. I attend A LOT of social functions, and no one ever questions my eating or lack thereof. 4. Can you drink diet soda? I've drank regular soda since being around 6.5-7 months out without issue. No change in my sleeve capacity, and without any effect on my weight. It's all about moderation for me. As for alcohol consumption, it's wasted calories and I didn't indulge until I was at goal. The first glass of wine hit me hard and fast. I was drunk, numb lips, tingly face, and then sobered up about 20-30 minutes later. I am a major social drinker (well before pregnancy), and I drink all types of mixed drinks and wine. Not a beer drinker, but I indulge when I can. The only time it had any effect on my weight was last holiday season. From Halloween to New Years, we partied a few times a month. I drank and ate without care, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Over those 3 months or so, I gained 7lbs. Went back to my normal eating, and drinking , dropped those 7lbs in a little over a week. My alcohol tolerance is just like it was pre-op.

I am still in the approval process so Im a long way off from being pre-op, but I am trying to find out as much information as I can so Im prepared. I know that in the first few months after getting the sleeve you have the liquid then soft food phases, but does it ever go back to really average things, just in small sizes? What about drinking alcohol?

Ya, I learned the "alcohol now hits us harder" rule the WRONG way. Last week, I was on a cruise and had maybe 4 drinks....and 2 shots. For me, this is normally not enough alcohol to have much effect, especially with dinner and over the course of an 8 hour evening out. Well, boy was I wrong. I was feeling ok, and then suddenly, I wasn't ok at all. I then vomited for 15 hours. Which was painful. I was pretty sure I would die. So I can say, wholeheartedly, that we can NOT consume alcohol the same way anymore. Not to mention we are eating a lot less so there is nothing to absorb it. And my doctor was adamant that there can never again be carbonation or beer. This all happened as a result of cranberry and vodka.

You'll also want to remember that alcohol might hit you harder/faster than before, so don't expect to have your normal amount. Just drink and pay attention to how you're feeling.

Drink in moderation and remember to include the calories. Also be aware that alcohol often gives people the munchies which could sabotage your diet efforts. A glass of wine is probably one of the better options.

Alcohol really isn't a problem for the band. I've tried beer, but the carbonation doesn't sit well for me. I've had no problem with wine or mixed drinks. You just need to be aware that alcohol, in all it's forms, is just empty calories. If you drink regularly, it will slow down your weight loss.... but we all need to have some fun, too! Cindy

This question is for all you seasoned bandsters...So I know we're not supposed to drink after we've had the band placed...I wasn't much of a drinker to begin with so it hasn't bothered me in the least bit...however as many of you know there are times when a drink is almost impossible to refrain from (wedding toasts, etc) So my question is this...in the event that we decide to partake in a drink, what's the best choice for us to make? I know fizzy/bubbly drinks or beer is not an option (I've heard it stretches the pouch!! . I'm only a couple of weeks out so haven't encountered this obsticle yet....any suggestions?

Great topic this! I am 8 weeks out from VSG and 60 lbs lighter. For some years my blood pressure meds have caused impotence. I have used Viagra with some success but now use Cialis as it lasts for 3 days (the medication that is, not the erection) and alcohol doesn't interfere with performance. My experience is that I have been transformed into a teenager (in terms of performance not that I have lost half a brain). My wife is pleased with the results. Another side effect is that I believe that the erection is bigger for the simple reason it is maintained at full strength for longer. I have come off one of 2 fairly strong BP meds and am hoping to reduce this further. It should be interesting to see what happens impotence wise. There seems to be some improvement already but Cialis gives you such, how shall I put it, confidence, that I may not want to stop using it. This lack of confidence also happens to men as they age, so Cialis is a bit of a wonder drug in my experience, tho' fairly expensive and needs a prescription (at least in Australia). This seems like a great topic for a clinical trial.

It's finally official- I've lost 100 lbs since November (60 before VSG and 40 after)! Buh-Bye don't care to see you ever again!!! Now I still have a long way to go but got to Celebrate big milestones like this! Woo Hoo! I want to reward myself with little things so I bought a nice watch to signify my 100lbs. Don't want to celebrate with anything food or alcohol related as I would've before and I don't want to buy clothes right now so a watch it is! What do you reward yourself with when you hit a milestone or once at goal?

Hi my wife had the surgery done three years ago she lost weight but now alcohol has replaced the food she was never a big drinker before it has gotten so bad that when i come home from work at 600 she is allready drunk i try talking to her about now she snneks it and lies about it so i called her lap band nurse and nothin changed she kind of blew me off so now when she is not drinking she is real unhappy she yells at the kids the more i look around the house the more bottles i find it killing our marriage i dont know where to go next for help

Hey Emmster! I just started mushies as well this week and found that sweet potatoes don't work for me, I think since my liquid diet I've become very sensitive to sugars and a lot of the "sugar free" items that contain sugar alcohol can also cause upset stomachs... a lot of them say so on the product so I would avoid them aswell... I think this is pretty normal though as we just came off of a liquid fast and are now re- introducing foods back to our body... any how congrats on the loss so far

Hello: I have my first appointment with my surgeon and dietitian on June 2nd. I am self-pay but they are going to submit it to insurance too I think. I have documented high cholesterol and had gestational diabetes with a BMI of 40. I am nervous, but happy, and trying not to listen to all the naysayers! They are every where! I feel like let's get the show on the road! I am scared about giving up beer though, not like I drink all the time but it is the only alcohol I like. So I guess I can't drink anymore when we go camping, or out with friends, ect.. : (

Hello, I live in Kansasville Wi. and went to a seminar on gastric bypass operations, by Dr. Chua, in Racine. I will probably be traveling up to Milwaukee for some appointments and such if I go thru with this. I wish you much luck and peace thru-out this process. Take Care, Janet Hi Lap Band People, I am just trying to get into this site because I believe I will need some support and information on my journey. This seems to be a huge and active discussion group. I am also hoping to find a local support group in Milwaukee. I got my band on Thursday, May 12, 2011, from Dr. Thomas Chua, Wisconsin Bariatric Clinic, on Loomis, in Milwaukee. My insurance excluded coverage so I bit the bullet and paid for it myself. It certainly cut the paperwork and got me on the fast track. Now I'm healing. Still sipping vicodin, but starting to get free of it. I changed my dressings. I got a food processor and little 4 oz cups to freeze stuff in. I have a kitchen scale (for foods). A couple of weeks ago I was 313 lovable pounds. Now I am 297, sore, disoriented, but no less lovable, I hope. I was crabby this morning with a person who works for me, who is also obese. I told her I didn't appreciate her assumption that every new idea would be a bad thing. My goal is 200 pounds, but maybe it should be 175, as I am 6', 61 years old. I am divorced since a couple of years ago. I have 6 children, 3 of which are in their 20's. One is 9. I wanted to stick around awhile to see how they do. I have a good primary physician in Milwaukee. He has watched my weight increase despite stringent efforts to overcome the problem. He watches over my asthma, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, heart risks, etc. He mentioned the lap band surgery. I resisted by trying one last-ditch effort with a psychiatrist, who gave me prozac for 6 months. At first it helped. I stopped drinking alcohol too. But eventually the appetite reduction effect subsided, and I quit prozac and psychiatric visits and started drinking again, which certainly doesn't help anything. I don't think of myself as an alcoholic, but there is no question that alcohol lowers my resistance to sensible eating. I eat too much. It's a vicious circle. But I hope I am done with all that. I am doing well with the lap band. I have no desire to start drinking again. I am looking forward to feeling well enough to exercise. So that's me. I introduced myself. I will appreciate any support and try to be supportive in turn.

Hi Lap Band People, I am just trying to get into this site because I believe I will need some support and information on my journey. This seems to be a huge and active discussion group. I am also hoping to find a local support group in Milwaukee. I got my band on Thursday, May 12, 2011, from Dr. Thomas Chua, Wisconsin Bariatric Clinic, on Loomis, in Milwaukee. My insurance excluded coverage so I bit the bullet and paid for it myself. It certainly cut the paperwork and got me on the fast track. Now I'm healing. Still sipping vicodin, but starting to get free of it. I changed my dressings. I got a food processor and little 4 oz cups to freeze stuff in. I have a kitchen scale (for foods). A couple of weeks ago I was 313 lovable pounds. Now I am 297, sore, disoriented, but no less lovable, I hope. I was crabby this morning with a person who works for me, who is also obese. I told her I didn't appreciate her assumption that every new idea would be a bad thing. My goal is 200 pounds, but maybe it should be 175, as I am 6', 61 years old. I am divorced since a couple of years ago. I have 6 children, 3 of which are in their 20's. One is 9. I wanted to stick around awhile to see how they do. I have a good primary physician in Milwaukee. He has watched my weight increase despite stringent efforts to overcome the problem. He watches over my asthma, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, heart risks, etc. He mentioned the lap band surgery. I resisted by trying one last-ditch effort with a psychiatrist, who gave me prozac for 6 months. At first it helped. I stopped drinking alcohol too. But eventually the appetite reduction effect subsided, and I quit prozac and psychiatric visits and started drinking again, which certainly doesn't help anything. I don't think of myself as an alcoholic, but there is no question that alcohol lowers my resistance to sensible eating. I eat too much. It's a vicious circle. But I hope I am done with all that. I am doing well with the lap band. I have no desire to start drinking again. I am looking forward to feeling well enough to exercise. So that's me. I introduced myself. I will appreciate any support and try to be supportive in turn.

I got chafed around my belly button last month, first time that has happened. I dried it out with alcohol, yeah it burned like hell, but I find it works really well. Before I discovered body glide for my thighs, I used to always chafe there and I always used alcohol to clear it up. Oh btw I mean rubbing alcohol, not the kind you drink, lol

I am sad that everyone seems to think the reason for the shower soap smelling bad relates to money. In truth, and speaking as a Surgical Technologist with 17 years of experience scrubbing on procedures from Hysterectomies to Craniectomies to Tonsillectomies to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms to Face Lifts to Cataracts, the reason they have you shower with a specific soap is it's antiseptic abilities. The reason it smells bad? In order to kill bacteria and the like, it takes chemicals. Safe chemicals. Some of the soaps have simple chemicals like rubbing alcohol in them. There is nothing that will harm the skin, if it did, we wouldn't be using them in the OR. Cleanliness may be next to Godliness, but nobody said it had to smell like Heaven!

This is really happening! I saw my surgeon yesterday and scheduled my surgery for May 31. That is 2 weeks from today! I didn't expect it to be that soon, but I was hoping. That week will be perfect for me since I have a long weekend coming up to recover. I have a holiday the day before surgery to get my house clean and get ready. Then I have the following Monday off also. I start the pre-op low carb diet on Saturday. At least I don't have to do a liquid diet until after surgery. The doctor asked me if I was ready. I first replied that I thought so. I guess because I have a few fears left, but I know that I have to do this. I am all in now! My surgeon told me that he would ask me if I was ready before I went into surgery, and if I wasn't ready, we wouldn't do it. But I know I am ready. I guess if I didn't have some fears, I wouldn't be normal. I have researched and prayed about this for a while now. It seems like God has really opened up doors for me to have this this time. I know it is right. I have also been preparing my mind for the changes that are to come. I know my previous relationship with food is about to come to an end. But while I will those my friend of food, I will gain my heatlh and confidence. I even paid my copay to the doctor, so no turning back now. I am slowly beginning to tell people that this is happening. At first, I didn't want to tell anyone. I had to tell my parents because I will need help with my daughter, and they would never forgive me for not telling them. Of course, my husband knows. He helped me make this decision. I have told some friends at work and was surprised at how supportive they were. I know some never tell, but I am a member of Celebrate Recovery. There we learn to be transparent as a pathway to healing. I feel like I have to tell them, but as of now I have only told my accountability partners. I could find some great support there if I only share this. My fear is they will think I should be able to do this without surgery. We help alcohol and drug addicts to recover through a relationship with Jesus Christ and our support. However, I need the Lapband as additional support. I hope they understand this. But if they don't now maybe they will when they see the results. I have to do this for me!

Hi, I have got my banding in 6 days, been naughty had 6 alcoholic drinks over 3 days (wedding celebrations) now worried they won't do be operation, PLEASE could I get some advice how to shrink my liver ! and to get weight down, as I want the band done, I know I was stupid THANKS

Cupcakes, chocolate, bread and alcohol..and you had blow pops. lol I wouldn't worry about that. I hope I have the will power to pass that stuff up after my sleeve..Great job!

Well we made it to Arizona. It was an all night drive but we tag teamed and made it in time. Lee is in an interview right now for a Southern AZ school near Yuma (I think!). I don't care where we end up as long as he has a job. We have scrimped and saved all year and I get a big bonus for retiring early and I took out substantial student loans so we should be okay even if the pay isn't as great as he would like. Then the following year I will go back to work so it won't be an issue. We just need to survive next year! On a good front, it turns out my lactose intolerance may not actually exist. I was getting sick every time I ate my sugar free pudding so I just assumed that since I had a problem with milk and the band that it was most likely the return of my lactose intolerance. However I was hungry and there were not any places to get food around here so I just got a glass of milk. Eventually I found beans but I was able to sip on the milk with no problems. I'm wondering now if it was the whey protein I was adding to the pudding or the sugar alcohols. I had to quit adding protein to my food as I was breaking out in hives and itching everywhere. My nutritionist said it can be a side effect so as soon as I stopped mixing it with everything my hives and itching went away!! Now I just have to be VERY careful about the foods that I eat because everything must be high in protein to make the goals they have given me. It will be much easier when I get to go to pureed foods next week and can add pureed tuna, pork and other meats. I don't think I have ever been this excited to eat meat! Well I need to write a paper so I had best get going. I'll let you know when I hear from Lee! Karri

I happen to have a different view. if you didn't have "will power" you could not have lost 26 lbs so far. I think we all have MORE than average will power. It just cant overcome some times the physical addiction we have. Same addiction that druggies and alcoholics have. The only thing wrong with you is you have to recognize your addiction! and learn to manage it. I am still trying and failing on a regular basis but you cant let it defeat you. tomorrow starts out perfect with a clean slate. You can do it!

The band or any gastric surgery does not fix your head. only you can do that. WE are all addicted to food the very same way a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol. there is no cure only management. you have to totally look at food as a means to stay alive and not for comfort or to make you happy. I am working on it and fail on a regular basis but have to keep trying. the Band is only a tool to help you with your Quest. hang in there you can do it. dman

Hey I'm around your age (26 tomorrow) and I went through the same tough decision on which surgery to have. I was emailing back and forth with a woman I met who is having RNY but in the same program as me at my hospital. This is a copy and paste of one of the emails I sent her. (I know some of it may not make sense, but you get the idea). I hope this helps! Copy and pasted email... I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you in a few days. The cord on my laptop was frayed and sparking a little, so now I'm using my cousin's computer while I wait for a new cord. Anyway, it was so nice to hear from you! I'm sorry to hear about the gallstones they found-- but I think it's good that they can take it out during surgery. Gallstones can develop more easily in people who lose rapid amounts of weight, so you won't have to deal with that . I'm actually planning on getting the lap band, not RNY. I went back and forth on my decision so much. There are definitley pros and cons to both. I liked the idea in RNY that you can lose a lot of weight pretty quickly and since I'm so impatient, I was thinking that that might be nice. I also kind of liked the idea of dumping syndrome because it would keep me in check, but then I thought about that say in the future if I want to have a cupcake at a birthday party on a rare occasion or something like that, I don't want to be sick from it. Another thing I considered is you have to be very careful about consuming alcohol after RNY and the chance is higher of developing alcoholism. Not that I think I would become an alcoholic or anything, but I don't know if I really want to be smashed if I have one drink. Now the malabsorptive thing was back and forth for me, too. I think it's cool that you can eat things and not absorb all the calories, but then again it scares me a little not to be getting all the nutrients I need. I know in both surgeries you have to take Vitamins, but in RNY there are more, and it's a little more vital to be on top of it. Plus, like you, I want to have kids some day. I'm only 25 (26 next month) and I'm single but it's something I need to be thinking about, too. I googled 'gastric bypass and pregnancy' and was trying to read up a little bit on it and sometimes it can be hard to get all the nutrients to the baby. I'm not trying to sway your decision at all-- I just want to share what my thought process was coming to my decision. I also liked that in RNY, that your hunger hormones are changed a bit and you may not even feel hungry a lot of the time. But then again, a lot of what I eat is not because I'm actually hungry-- it's because I'm bored and it looks good and tastes good. So I think that that's more of a behavior I need to change rather than the whole hunger hormone thing. It's funny that you mentioned about the social worker suggesting therapy, because she said the same thing to me. But she also said she's supposed to basically say it to everyone, so I'm not too worried about it, lol. Ultimately after going back and forth I decided on the lap band. A lot of people say they like it because it's reversible, but that actually doesn't play into it for me. I hopefully will never have to have it reversed. I do like the fact that it's very adjustable, though. If you feel hungry and not satisfied a lot, then you can go get a fill and have more restriction. With RNY, you don't have that adjustability. Part of that lack of adjustability and control with RNY scared me because you hear about people who have lost a certain amount of weight and then gain some back and they can't adjust what they're taking in. I know everyone is different, but I like the fact that I can just get a fill if I need to to get me back on track. And I know that with lap band it takes longer to lose weight, but I've been overweight my entire life and I can wait a little longer. Also, since everyone is different, I'm hoping if I exercise most days and eat right that I can really do it faster than the statistics. Twice in my life I've lost close to 90 lbs (which I gained back both times), so I know what it takes to actually take the weight off. And I think with a lap band it will give me the extra push i need to lose even more weight and keep it off. Another small factor for me is the recovery time. I say "small factor" because it the long run, what does the recovery time really matter in exchange for your health back? But I do like that lap band has a quicker recovery time and is a safer surgery with less risk of death and complications. Another factor, like you mentioned, is the hair as well-- people with RNY are more prone to lose their hair than from lap band. My hair is very fine too, so I was kind of scared of that. But either way, they say it's only temporary, so you can wear head scarves or hats or something until it passes, if it even happens (everyone is different). Also what helped me in coming to my decision was seeing what other people say about lap band and looking at success stories and all that. I don't know if you know about it, but there is a site called lapbandtalk.com which is pretty cool and lots of topics. Another thing I looked at was youtube. There are some people on there who update once a week or more about their surgeries. I've really only watched the lap band ones, but there are people who do the same after RNY if you're interested. Some of the lap band people I like if you want to check them out are Newtoy4kt-- she started at 308 lbs and it's been like 66 weeks so far post-op for her and she's down to around 180 I think. Also there is BandedWendy who's been at her goal weight for a while now, and there's Thebandinme who gives some good info as well. It's kind of cool to see their first few video posts and then see their recent ones to really see how much they've changed and how far they've come. But like I said, if you want to watch RNY patients they have them on there too, just gotta search a little. It's funny what you said about Dr. H trying to sell you on the band. I didn't get that feeling so much, but I do remember leaving there and knowing for sure that I wanted lap band, after being undecided. Part of it too, if you have lap band-- you can always have RNY afterward if the band isn't working for you. But you can't have the band after having RNY (I don't think). Ultimately, I think you just need to go with what you're most comfortable with. And I'm really not trying to sway your decision at all-- just wanted to give you my thought process on the whole thing.

Terrib - First of all, weighing yourself is how you keep a tab on how you are doing and nip anything in the bud if need be. I have weighed every single day, first thing in the morning, since I came home from the hospital. We were told to at the seminar I attended! With that said, you will go up and down, you need to be told now, DEAL WITH IT!!!! It's part of the journey we all go through. If you are doing what you are suppose to do, you will lose weight, you WILL be successful!!! You've had approx. 85% of your stomach removed. It's impossible not to!!! Relax and enjoy all the changes. Take it from someone who is 11 months out, a year from now, you'll look back and you will not believe what your life use to be like!! I would hold on to a lb or two, go up with them, back down, up and down for three, four or five days....until I'd finally lose them for good. Usually I could up my Protein and Water and that would help, but it is normal - I found that out at my support group, everyone goes through it. I followed the rules, I never, ever cheated. I treated this as the most important diet of my life.....I still measure and weigh all my food when I'm at home; when we're out I have to "eyeball" it, but when it's brought to me, I divide on my plate what I am going to eat, or else I share with my husband. It's easy to take 'one bite too many' when you're out and visiting. The only way this won't work is if you are drinking a couple of thousand calories per day, I.E. cokes, milkshakes, alcohol....followed up with Twinkies, donuts....you get the picture. We can sabotage ourselves. This is a tool we WORK with, not a fix all. Good luck and enjoy....it's a fun, fun ride!!!