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Well, I believe you when you say you're not an alcoholic but sheesh, you drink an awful lot for a non acoholic, it definitely qualifies as binge drinking and not only will it sabotage your weight loss, it will definitely lead to later health problems, you're drinking WAY beyond the recommended intake for women. Its also easy to crave alcohol and cave in and have more than you should as well without having a "problem" with alcohol. But its a choice - keep up your lifestyle and probably forego real success or change your lifestyle. If you want to keep going ot, you have to decide not to drink if you cant decide to just have one - not drinking saves you a lot of calories and will probably cut down those post bar fast food detours as well, you lose all control when you've got a few drinks on board. That's the tough love part over with - I agree with you, its so awfully frustrating when you're trying to gain control when at every turn of your life there's another meal out, another drinks date, etc etc. I have weeks where I have that happen four or five times too, it drives me nuts, why does everything have to revolve around food? But the truth is, you cant always change it, nor may you want to if its the way you socialise and date, so the alternative is you have to learn to not view each occasion as an opportunity to go sick, but instead practice real restraint at each and every turn - drink club soda, eat only an appetiser, never ever ever order dessert, only drink white wine if you DO drink, and make damn sure you get plenty of exercise to balance it out. Nobody ever recommends skipping meals, but truth is, if we have a big lunch out, or we often catch up with my SIL and BIL with a cheese platter and a glass of wine on a Sunday afternoon - thenI dont eat dinner. The kids love being taken out for pancakes, and they are one of my fave treats too, so we time it as brunch and I dont eat at all again till dinner (even if I get hungry!), and we also often time that after a big walk up a mountain, known as the Thousand Steps, here in Melbourne, so a good bit of really hard exercise beforehand. I never ever miss my exercise, and on the days when I do have complete control, I really make them count so that I have a bit of a bank for those inevitable bad days. All that and I"m just working to MAINTAIN my weight. Being thin and healthy is a job, it never becomes efffortless, sad to say. You are always always working on it.

How interesting and true what you're all saying. The other thing I'd like to add that food is an addiction for most of us, but unlike other addictions (alcohol, drugs, gambling) we NEED to be in contact with our addiction in order to survive.So we can't give up completely on food, we have to live with it, prepare it, handle it, and try to avoid it at the same time! With alcohol, drugs you can stay away from it completely, and I'm not saying it's easy, but trust me to have the most difficult addiction to deal with

Hopefullyhappy, perhaps you can look up a local support group meeting for banded people in your area? I am recently banded and I will be attending my first meeting this month. I do agree with Honk that you should try to halt your drinking. Try drinking one, then sip on water. We are all in a new way of life and it may take time to change our previous lifestyle choices. I attend bootcamp for exercise, perhaps you can join a dance class? I know it is hard to keep a journal, perhaps you can write down your thoughts at the end of the night when you realized how much you were going out per week and over indulging in alcohol. That may help identify a pattern. I am finding I am getting better at organzing my house and watching less TV than before. I too struggle with watching choices but I remind myself that I can begin the day with a fresh new start. Don't beat yourself up, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and remember you are walking a new pathway and it isn't always mapped out for ourselves. Hang in there chickita! Best of luck to you! Dena.

I'm sorry but I have to say it. Your drinking is excessive. Not long ago there was a research study that showed in families where the males were alcohics; the females were statistically more likely to be obese. In my family there are a significant number of male alcoholics and most of the females are overweight. The compulsion to drink is closely related to the urge to eat when you are'nt hungry.

The thing ire ally miss is beer. Like someone said, part of the reason I was fat I try every once in a while but the pain is intense when restriction is good. I have the periodic ahoy, primarily sipping tequila with a drop of lime juice. And red wine But alcohol has empty calories so I actually drink very little now. Unsweetened iced tea is now my usual.

Congrats on losing 20 lbs. so far!!! So in order to break your bad habits you have to first recognize them and want to change, which you have! Change is tough and it doesn't happen overnight. When you go out can you limit yourself to the lower alcoholic drinks and switch between alcohol and Water? As for fast food you just have to say NO, or have a healthy choice on the menu, but when your drinking it's harder! Are you going to a gym or working out? I think when I work out I try harder to be better!!! You live in LA so there is a lot to do. Find other interest, take a photography class, or dance lessons. Start focusing on healthy choices!!! You can do this!!! Ask yourself what you do like to do, and ask your friends to join you! There is a lot to do other then the bar scene you just have to look!!! Good luck and we are all here for you!!! Joleen

So I was banded almost 2 months ago on 2/8/11. To date I have lost about 20 pounds since then. Most of you might think that's pretty good and so do I. The problem is I know I could have done MUCH better. Im disappointed in myself and my lack of commitment I'm feeling towards my new lifestyle. Im pretty much carrying on like I was before. I eat things I know I shouldn't FAR too often. I go out an average of 3-4 nights a week to a bar or lounge which equals ALCOHOL!!! Im not a light drinker either. Some people say the band has certain effects on their tolerance, but that is just not the case for me. Im talking an easy 5 or more drinks a night. NO I'm not an alcoholic and Im not turning to that rather than food. These are all things I did pre band and I am disgusted with myself when I think about it. Im 24, single in L.A. so I enjoy going out with friends, but I know I need to decide which is more important right now. Im still going to fast food restaurants, especially on the way home after the bar. Dating sucks too, because it usually involves going out to dinner or drinks at some point. I just don't know what is wrong with me. I guess this is the first step. I'm recognizing it and admitting to thousands of strangers; leaving myself vulnerable to harsh criticizing. I just need some support, as I have none really. I will work on myself starting this moment. Thanks for listening/reading.

I had to do it too and I'm a self pay. No insurance requirements here. The guy just wanted me to take this long long test about how I think about different things (a lot of questions about drugs and alcohol, violence, suicidal thoughts, body image thoughts, etc.) Then he asked me if I knew about some of the complications and risks and that it was just a tool like the other user said and that I still had to do all the work etc. etc. They just want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting into and that you're in the right frame of mind to handle such a life changing surgery. It's a big deal so make sure you're ready.

I don't think the problem is personal either. A few months ago (when I was really first thinking about doing WLS) i read the book "The End of Overeating" by David Kessler. He talks about how the predominance of processed food correlates strongly with obesity. And about how addictive the crap is! (more on that in a minute) Another good one is "Why We Get Fat" by Gary Taubes (shorter take on his "Good Calories, Bad Calories"). I'm not sure I'd blame it all on HFCS, but processed food in general is largely the culprit. And the stupid part of it is that the cheap food is the food that is bad for you! Personally, I think this is part of my problem. Why spend $5 (or more!) on a healthy lunch when I can buy a 99-cent double cheeseburger? I haven't dieted anywhere near the amount you have, Crosswind, so I'm expecting the post-op (and heck, the pre-op diet too!) to be frustrating. But that leads me back to addiction: I definitely think that the processed junk works on our systems like drugs/alcohol, etc. I have a co-worker whose daughter is a recovering meth addict. She did a bunch of research on addictions and recovery when her daughter was going through the addiction and recover process and she mentioned to me that there is a 98% chance of relapse. Which struck me as remarkably similar to the 97% chance that I was given as the likelihood I'll regain my weight if I manage to lose it naturally (per my surgeon). So I think that our bodies and our brains get caught up in the fact that we need to nourish our bodies, but unless we stay 100% on a healthy, non-processed (and probably low-carb) diet plan, our addictions get triggered and we eat the crap food again. In larger and larger quantities, because that's what addicts do. If the crap food wasn't around, I don't think the addictions would be triggered, at least not nearly at the levels they are. Oh, my other theory is that we fat people are actually evolutionarily advanced. Think of how many famines humans have experienced throughout history. The skinny people never survived famines. Now me, I'm just about famine-proof!

I love this post. i must say i have never looked at the wls in some of the views you all have... Vicky glad it all worked out for you ! i was total opposite i told everyone so i would hold myself accountable.i knew i had to work it right so people wouldnt look at me as if I failed. but i think it is helping me with my wl... also do any of you have a DO NOT EAT LIST? i do and then i read on here what some people are eatting... caffeine,carbonation alcohol, coconut,steak,pasta,bread, take a multi vitamin everyday and calcium citrate totaling 1000-15000 mg everyday plus the 70 g of protein and 64 oz of water...... what is on your do not eat list? Amy

Hello Everyone Its been a long time. I got an email alert that there was some new post. Im in the same boat as some of the others. At this point I have gained back about 40 lbs of the 110 lost. Im happy that I havent gained it all back but still very ashamed of the weight I have gained. I cant believe that I was given such an amazing opportunity and now Im throwing it all away. I cant blame the band for any of the weight gain. My band does the job it is suppose to. The problem is with me. I eat and throw up on a constant basis or just eat stuff that I know I shouldnt, not to mention the alcohol consumption. I didnt know that after all of this time that our band could still slip Nimblebean Im sorry to hear this has happened to you and wish you the best of luck. Maybe we all can start supporting each other like we use to do in the good old days when we were just starting on this adventure and had the motivation and desire to make it work.

Thanks for the great advice. Tiff. I am going to set a menu, I think that will help somewhat. I am currently taking Nexium. I have been on it for years. He took me off it post-op, not sure why, but the reflux was still there, and I have been back on it for months now. I never really counted carbs and was losing before. But, maybe I need to watch them now! At least to get back on track. I checked the Protein Bars, they have 2g of sugar. But what is sugar alcohols? It does say it contains that. But, I am not buying anymore, because I think they only make me hungry. Thanks!!

My first thought is that it sounds like your just eating to eat. Nothing can help with that except discipline and determination. It's a mind twist, and I recommend having a menu set, and designated time to eat. Start tracking your food intake and stick with the plan. I know it's easier said than done, but if you want it bad enough, you'll make it happen. Protein bars are typically full of carbs and sugar alcohol which can cause more cravings for carby stuff. If you're hungry within 30-45 minutes of eating, are you still on a PPI? If not, acid overproduction could be the culprit. While acid overproduction is sometimes resolved by 6 months post-op, you might be one of us that need to be on a PPI. But, if it's head hunger, or just mindless eating, then you'll have to battle the mental aspect of eating. You've done amazingly well thus far, don't toss out the last 6 months now by being careless and going off plan. I live by the mantra of "just because I can, doesn't mean I should". I can eat every hour on the hour if I wanted to, but I make the conscious effort to eat scheduled meals, measured portions, and still eat protein first 85% of the time. I agree with the above poster regarding the 5 day pouch test. I know several people that have used it to get back on track. Or, you can back to strict low carb, high protein, and have some accountability on what's going in your mouth.

No offense taken by me, Edivel. I am curious, though, about why you object to a twelve step program for overeating but not for drug or alcohol use. If you're willing to share, I'd appreciate it. If not, just forget I asked.

OK, llrya I think I see where you're coming from. It's just that it sounded like you were saying that battling a food addiction was easy compared to a drug or alcohol addiction. I think that's a disservice to people in the battle. If I'm giving my all trying to do something and barely making it I don't need someone telling me that it should be "easy." I would rather people recognize the difficulty of my fight and provide support and encouragement. I apologize if I mistook your language. If I understand now I think you are saying that we should not have a defeatist attitude. Absolutely I agree. But I also don't want people telling me how easy it should be while I'm hanging on by my fingernails. I'm just not into the tough love approach.

My doctor didn't restrict me from alcohol or carbonated beverages after the first month although did warn that the carbonation might give me problems. However, I don't drink because (1) I'm a cheap date...one glass and I'm ready for bed, and (2) I physically crave carbs the next day. .

Ok guys and gals. I confess. I tried the AWOL last night. Reviews- "EH" Did a some Jose Quervo Gold. Wouldn't recommend the AWOL unless you have the desensatized lungs like that of a smoker. Yes, the liquor is harsh on the lungs at first. After the initial 'break in period', you don't get a typical alcohol buzz. You get a nice relaxed mellow feeling. No hangover noted. Nice and relaxing after you get past the taste, but still not as fun as the effects of drinking the alcohol. Basically, it's a novelty. Like an ice luge, it's cool to have for a party, but soon looses it's appeal. But hey at least I can say I tried it. Won't be doing it anytime soon though.

I can only speak to what I've seen first-hand. I knew someone who was addicted to pain-killers. When she got clean she refused to ever even take an aspirin again. She went through child-birth drug-free because she didn't want any pain meds she was so afraid of getting addicted again. I quit smoking cold-turkey 6 years ago. I tried many times before that but I found myself in situations often that other people were smoking and I would take "just one." Well that just one turned into me smoking a pack a day again. I have relatives that were alcoholics. They know they can never even taste alcohol ever again. We couldn't even have cooking wine in the house. So it's not hyperbole to say that while most addicts can shut out the addiction completely, food addicts can not. We were addicted to carbs, calories, fat whatever. We still have to have some of those to live. You knew a heroin addict who could handle pain killers without becoming addicted again. That's great. That person must have a very strong will. But did they have to take pain-killers every day? I'm just saying that that is the kind of will that ALL food addicts must have EVERYDAY to overcome their addiction. Not that it can't be done. That's why there are support groups - to help bolster our will. Maybe it's easy for you, and that's wonderful. But there are people who struggle with their will every day. I would never downplay their efforts by saying it is any easier than a drug-addict's struggle. It's bad enough that much of society still think that all fat people are lazy and stupid, let's not do it to each other.

I have yet one more theory on tolerance, You have very little food in your stomach AND the liquids slide right through and hit you hard and fast. Yet more wise advice: Vodka, whisky, gin, grappa, cognac, rum or any other distilled alcohol, with no sugar added (all turned into alcohol) have zero carbohydrates. Beer has lots and so does wine (red more than white, but still a lot.) A good rule-of-thumb is anything even slightly sugary or malty has carbs. Alcohol is sugar in another form (better, I'd say) and not a calorie is lost. You still get the energy. But no carbs, natch. The carbs have all been magically turned into booze. However, they severely delay weight loss. I guess they keep the liver too busy. All those "empty calories" must bounce about a lot. Atkins died before he'd come to a conclusion on the matter, though I remember him recommending a glass of vodka rather than beer, wine or, supreme sin, fruit juice. But booze not only delays fat loss; it withholds Water and puffs you up. Distilled alcohol is still a miracle little understood and appreciated.

Haha, yeah, sometimes things just feel like they should be done now. Had that feeling about a few things lately. Good on you for raising the money too! I was just having a chat in another forum with a Dutch man who's getting the surgery done soon - comparing differences in insurance paying for these sorts of things... Huh, lucky you got a bank loan... My bank wouldn't give me one last year. Which reminds me, need to email them. I remember Dr Fris being really relaxed about the first few weeks. Probably a good way to be though - your body gets put under a lot of stress having a rubber band stuck around your stomach so it pays to take some time to get used to it. (Actually, because I got it done before Christmas he actually told me he wasn't bothered if I put some weight back on. Heh.). Once you're off liquids it is a lot easier... And hey, 5 years down the line and that summer holiday is just a blip, so even the memories of it get better. Hmm. And now you're making me want mashed potato... Lol. You can still eat rice, but be careful with it cos it fills you up real fast. Probably don't try it too soon, and pay attention to how much you're eating (remember the example I made of a friend thinking I was bulemic? ... Yeeeah. Hehe.). To be honest I don't think there's much I can't actually eat, it's just the amounts that have changed. I have even had garlic naan when friends and I have gone for Indian food - though only a tiny strip of it. You appreciate the taste/texture/all the other characteristics of the food a lot more when the amount becomes a lot smaller. It is a bit hard when you're restricted to only liquids or something. You can actually get pretty creative. A friend of mine recently mentioned a 'Moroccan-spiced autumn vege soup with orzo'. I haven't looked up a recipe but probably best to wait till you're back on solids before trying anything that is chunky (like I'm guessing this is) or orzo (or other pasta). But I've discovered looking up different recipes to test out is fun. You could try making your own smoothies for breakfast, too, perhaps? All I know is I was pretty damned sick of optifast by the time I was off liquids... Heh. Of course, that doesn't help being sick of soup, really, but... It won't last forever! Haha! Yeah, the port does feel really weird. My mum kept poking me in the stomach for a while... Did think of two other things today that I've noticed throughout the time I've had the band (amourette, would be interesting to see your thoughts on this, too) - 1) Energy efficiency - much more energy efficient now, mentioned this before as well. My body is a lot better at using the energy it gets now, which is really good. 2) Don't go hungry for too long... I found I'm walking a very fine line now of being hungry vs being full. Sure, I can't eat much, but I can't go hungry for long either. I usually keep snacks on me - a muesli bar in my bag, for instance, or pretzels in a draw at work. I was away with others for a conference once when back in NZ (about 3 years ago now) and I couldn't eat much of my lunch (a potato salad) and didn't have any snacks on me. We went to the beach for the afternoon and it was probably 7 hours till dinner... Walking around looking for a restaurant turned out to be the last straw and by the time I ordered dinner I was so low on energy I almost fainted. Fortunately I'd also ordered an orange juice which came out almost immediately and that helped me wait for dinner to arrive. You don't want to over eat, but I know I can't /not/ eat either. I've only felt the same way twice since when I didn't keep suitable snacks nearby and nowhere near as strongly as that time on the conference. Sort of makes the 'small meals often' thing ring quite true. Semi-related observation: Actually, my stomach seems to be really sensitive now days - I get stressed, I can't eat as easily. I go on a plane, can't eat as easily. Try sitting down for 33 hours of flying - all I managed of my last meal on the plane was the tea and a bit of a roll. Found when I was in Amsterdam in February last year that put 33 odd hours of flying + stress of an interview together and I had a week of surviving off about one to two meals a day, could hardly eat anything for the first few days I was here - Jet lag really messes up my appetite as well. Things change a lot. My alcohol tolerance seems to be a bit lower, but then I don't drink all that often anyway, so could just be because of that. My tastes seem to have changed as well, but that could just be an age thing or something. Good to hear you managed work!

I think the reason a lot of people complain that their tolerance isn't what it once was is really quite simple to explain. If you go a long time without drinking any alcohol, your body loses its built up abilities to process it. Therefore, your tolerance can go down. With practice, you should be able to get back to "normal". I have a family reunion this summer and you'd better believe that I'll be putting back a Blue Moon or two in order to not kill anyone.

Learn new habits & keep your follow up appts with your own surgeon. Follow their advice but rememeber to: Eat slowly/chew well and Protein first (try to get in 70 grams of protein a day) Hydrate often during the day - no soda/alcohol, limit caffeine such as ice tea, coffee - drink minimum of 64oz a day Take your supplements daily Seriously limit your carbs while trying to reach goal - I followed Tiffykins advice of under 30 a day and met my surgeons weight loss goal in a little over 5 months - my goal in 6 months Don't slip back into old patterns - slider foods can sabotage your weight loss (chips, bread, Cookies, potatoes) Do you see my weakness here? Exercise daily! If all else fails take a 20 minute walk after dinner before you sit down to "relax." Walking is relaxing. Use light weights to tone up those arms - you will be happier Enjoy the journey of change. I was a good lady before but now, I am improved version. Good luck ... no regrets!

Hi all. Here is my questions... I am not nearly ready for a drink but do wonder WHAT to drink when I am. Yes I am thinking way ahead I know. Here is my thing... I love Rita's but I am sure the sugar content in them will be terrible for sleevers. Beer you are not supposed to have because of the bubbles or something?? Mixed drinks with juice have sugar in them too. What is safe to drink that wont send you into dumping syndrome? Thanks for any advice yall have!! I just want to make sure that I dont do anything that will cause me to have any problems down the road.

Hello all Week 35 Well I have got tighter and tighter again and only really managing cuppa soup. Even yoghurt is difficult but then that could be that I tried to rush it down as I needed to go and teach. Soon let me know as I get the most terrible pain in my back and just have to go get rid of it. Feel absolutley dreadful afterwards aswell and very reluctant to take anything in. Weighed in yesterday and had lost 1.5 lbs and 1.25 inches so total loss of 77.5 pounds and 66 inches. Phenomenol! So on the downward path for the last 25 pounds to get to a total loss of 101 pounds hopefully by the anniversary og having the band (30th July 2010). Had a setback yesterday whilst walking to pick the children up as I managed to fall over (didn't trip over anything or anyone) my dad said I should take more water with it BUT as I don't touch the stuff (alcohol) then that's not possible. I feel absolutely exhausted and wonder if my lack of water could have been a factor. I ended up in A&E with my knee brace on and just wanted to be checked over because of the ACL replacement I had done in 2008. Just as things were going so well with teaching yoga and school! I realy don't want to embark down this path of my life again. So fingers crossed that it is the swelling that is causing all the twinging in the back of the knee and nothing more sinister. Apart from this, feeling very positive, I was asked by the nurse in triage if I had taken any pain meds and explained that I didn't think they would go through because of the band so she gave me soluable paracetamol as I can't take brufen. She was really interested in how I had got on wth it and I was really proud to tell her how much I had lost and that I was waiting to buy new clothes and just replacing little bits as I go along. She was very impressed. So all in positive but in a lot of pain. Take care and have a lovely weekend. Claire

Guess others will have to be the guinne pigs for this experiment ;P LOL Did wonder about the amount needed though. When drugs can't be given IV in a code situation, you can give some through the breathing tube, BUT at 4 times the dose to do anything. Figured alcohol would require same 'dose' adjustment. IDK Need to keep every last brain cell I have ;P