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Okay so I am 9 days pre op and have just begun the liquid diet (so hard!) and I was just re reading through my materials. I see that it says that you should have no alcohol two weeks prior to the surgery, but I just celebrated my 30th on Sunday and totally drank. Is this terrible???? I'm wondering if anyone else drank close to their surgery date?

I started seeing a therapist because I too am a binge eater, food is my best friend - or was! Now my band is! Lol I was worried that I'd literally eat right through my band or change my food addiction to another addiction. I know two people who got gastric by pass only to then become alcoholics! They have both started gaining weight into their second and third years post op. My therapist asks hard questions like, why aren't u worthy? And points out ways in which my binge eating is a testimony to how I feel I am not worthy of happiness. I'm only 5 days post op but have lost 15 lbs in 17 days due to the liquid diet I'm prescribed. I never thought I could do this for 14 days much less 17!!! I want real food, but really feel like I can eat without binging now. I am worthy and this tool (aka my best friend) is a reminder. Get a good therapist! GOOD LUCK TO U, U CAN DO THIS! Food is not making u feel good and its time to realize u were not born hungry! U were born beautiful and healthy!!! Throw out those old ways of thinking!

Need some moral support and feedback from some of the older slivers:-). I'm 18 months out and have put on five lbs (coming out of the holidays). Trying to get my head back in the game; however this is bribing up old junk!!! How many calories a day are folks eating and what is the Quality of food? Alcohol? Just need some reality checks so I can refocus...Thanks

Hello all, So I have heard a lot of conflicting things about alcohol after surgery. I am almost two years out now and doing great, but I've alwasy had the lingering question about drinking... I am not a drinker at all. I never drink in my day to day live. I am on vacation right now though in europe and am supposed to go to Brussels in a few days. Naturally I want to try the beer there (I have never had beer) BUT it's carbonated so is it a no no? I used to drink soda all the time and was told after surgery we cant deal with the bubbles so I gave it up and haven't touched it since. Please let me know if I should just stay away or if it would be ok... Random, but what drinks are good in general? that you can handle after surgery? It might be kindof hard to order specialized drinks here....ideas? Thanks.

Hi ATL girl! You could be right about the differences in surgercial outcomes. I know first hand of a few differences as it relates to health. I have experieced cultural issues as it relates to my own healthcare. If I wear my hair too short I suffer from Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (hair bumps and scars that occur mostly in African Americans). There are varying degrees despite the hype alcohol and OTC products don't always work. I got really frustrated after seeing 3 dermatologists and none of them could help me with any creams or pills they gave me. All of them were awesome Dr's who had great bedside manner, but they were all Cacasian. Finally I felt I needed to travel out ot the area. I went to the National Medical Association's website to see if I could find an African American Dermatologist. There was one about 60 miles away. I went to him and immediately he recognized the condition which he said is common in African Americans and Hispanics because of the curl pattern we tend to have in our hair. He wrote a script that I had to take to a small phramacy because it had to be mixed by hand. I told him about my issue he said all of the Dr's I went to were great physicans, but most were probably trained trained in an area where there was a disproportionate number of African Americans, one he knew for certain came from Iowa. He also explained a few other skin differences. He told me that skin cancer is vey rare in African Americans because of our melanin. However when we get it our survival rate is very slim compared to Caucasians because if we get it it is a rare and much more aggressive form. When I was in undergrad I completed an internship at the National Institiutes of Health. I found out that transplant recipients who are African American in most cases have to receive a slightly higher dosage of anti-rejection drugs because our bodies respond differently. We can still learn allot from each other despite our background. I joined Vertical Sleeve Talk last week, everyone is so resourceful and I have seen so much I never knew much about. I am in the beginning stage of all of this I went to a seminar recently wanting a lapband and came out wanting the Vertical Sleeve. I have a consult with my surgeon on 2/14. I do know my insurance company covers the switch, bypass, lap band, and sleeve. The coordiator has already got the ball rolling on that, wish me well.

Sometimes I get really bad reflux around bedtime - maybe 2-3 times a month? I don't take my Nexium anymore. I'll just pop an antacid and it goes away in a few minutes. Some ways to minimize your odds of getting reflux at night: 1) avoid eating right before bed, especially fattening or spicy foods 2) avoid coffee and alcohol in the evening 3) prop yourself up on pillows - or, alternatively, put some books under your bed legs at the head end so your bed is propped up. I've heard this also helps with puffy eyes in the am!

Hi I was also banded in June of 09. We are band buddies. Yes, we all need support. Keep blogging that is one way to stay in touch with others that have what we have. It can be a struggle and if the choices in food and beverages are not the best it can be a harder struggle. I eat real food not too much, mostly plants with good quality proteins first. I do not drink while eating. I also limit alcohol it has too many calories and is harder to burn off. I will have an occasional Iced Milk Shake as a splurge. Iced Cream has too much fat and does not agree with my band. I have also had a few issues with chocolate even though I think it is medicine. It takes time to figure it all out, it is more or less trial and operator error at least that is how I see it. I have lost 110 pounds and have stayed at the same weight now for five months. That is a first in my lifetime. I am happy and all my clothes fit. I just need to keep reminding myself to keep making the best choices for me and my band everyday. If you need help I may be able to offer it. I am a June band buddy. Wishing you all the Best imaluckydog

I think loosening it for an overseas trip, where care may not be available is a valid option, but not one you should be doing thinking that you can eat heaps on the trip and really enjoy yourself - that is the kind of dysfunctional thinking that made us fat in the first place. You can actually indulge in unusual or out of the ordinary foods on holidays without loosening your band, and you can enjoy it thoroughly. I think yo'[d find most doctors are willing to unfill for travel becuase it ensures band safety. To think you can unfill for one special occasion, that's not a very healthy way of thinking of life with the band. You need to be committed to a lifestyle change and that means your life no longer revolves around food - the whole point of a holiday or a wedding is not how much you can eat. And with a properly adjusted band, you can eat sensibly and enjoy special meals anyway- if you cant, you're too tight. When you get to goal, you can unfill. I never did, I stayed the same weight for years with the same fill, but recently, I had to be completely unfilled for cancer treatment. Amazingly it has not caused weight gain, over time on maintenance, you do learn to eat your caloric needs one way or another - and in hindsight, I was doing a fair bit of eating around my band - sweet treats, alcohol, Snacks, they made up the gap between the caloric values of the size meals I was able to eat and what my body needed, and they were the "extras' that I wasnt eating during the losing phase. When I was unfilled, i got straight onto tracking calories and have moved onto a three meals but bigger meals and healthier foods (all the fruit, vegies and salad I couldnt eat in real quantity while restricted) and I've actually lost about 20lb more (that I really didnt need to lose). I'm finding my balance over time, but am amazed that I need well over 2000 calories a day to maintain my 135lb - so my metabolism, given all the running and circuit training I do, is definitely not shot, its actually very healthy. But I exercised vigorously all the way through my loss and never dipped below 1500 calories, I think very low calorie diets are going to set you up for having quite a deal of trouble in the longer term maintaining your weight loss. Like the poster above me, I monitor my weight, and adjust if it goes up a little - had a big weekend away with a once in a lifetime gourmet dinner with wines matched to each course for our 20th anniversary. Ate breakfast, lunch and dinner in restaurants and cafes - yeah, got home with 3 extra pounds. So its back to 1400 calroies a day and right back on the exercise regime for the next week or so to shift it. If you remain aware, know what you're eating and are sensible, it is indeed possible to live unfilld once you've lost.

Even though this is 100% not recommened. .Getting a huber needle, a bottle of saline, a 1cc syringe, alcohol and a pair of gloves seems way cheeper than the $175-$300.00 these people are paying... oh and don't forget the bandaid...........thats about less than $10.00,,,but going septic is about $150,000.00 per treatment.....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Congrats on the size 8 - way to go! It feels so great, doesn't it? Now to your question of how to stop losing weight - well, just eat whatever you want, which is what I do. No low fat or diet foods in my house anymore. I drink sodas, alcohol, eat sweets, cheeses, chips, etc. and never gain a pound. Of course, I eat my "good foods" first and get my Protein in, but I don't make any type of effort anymore to watch calories or fat grams. I don't eat those high calorie items all day every day - I don't even WANT them but every now and then. Everyone is different, so I'm not advocating anyone "do as I do", I'm just telling it straight as to how I keep at goal weight. I guess it's been very easy for me - I don't even think about my weight anymore. I've even got a new favorite fast food - the McDonald's Angus Wrap. It's like getting to eat a burger, but no bun to deal with. You can hold the mayo and cheese if you want, add extra pickles and lettuce and get a nice tasting burger patty. I get them a couple of times a month and they curb that little nagging fast food demon we all have. It took me a year to get to this point, but I'm enjoying it now.

Ewww...really? I can't stand licorice either and I have never noticed this aftertaste with the brand that I use. It's very clean tasting, kind of reminds me of sweet n low. I use the Nu Naturals Alcohol Free Stevia. There is a vanilla flavored one that looks almost exactly the same, but I prefer the clean taste. If I want vanilla, I'll add it myself. I get it at the health food store (can be very hard to find) and it costs about $8 a bottle. At first I thought that was a little pricey for such a little bottle, but I've had the same bottle for two months, and am only about halfway through it. Here's a link. Be sure to check out the reviews. A lot of people mention the lack of aftertaste. http://www.iherb.com...59-ml/4460?at=0

There are some really great HEALTHY sweetners! Stevia also comes in flavors so experiment a little before you write it off. You get used to it. Besides Stevia, there is: Lo Han or Liu Han (inulin) Feeds good bacteria in intestines (somewhat expensive but I've recently tried Dr. Mercola's New whey chocolate Protein bars and they were pretty damn tasty!) Yacon – Peruvian Tuber (FOS) Syrup: Amazing therapeutic properties. The body is not able to break it down as sugar and it passes through and then promotes the good bacteria in the intestines. Tastes like a cross between honey and molasses – a good, inexpensive brand is Amazon Therapeutic (brown glass jar and red label) sells for $16 for 16 oz jar (can probably find it cheaper on-line). I use this stuff a lot and I love it! I'm not a fan of honey or molasses but this stuff has a fantastic rich, sweet, taste. I use just a drop in my oatmeal and it tastes fantastic! Xylitol – Has antibacterial properties. You should always carry mints (look for Spry mints) or gum sweetened with this if you can’t brush after a meal. It’s being used more and more in foods and toothpastes and such! Very healthy and affordable! Erithratol (sp) is also antibacterial. This is a sugar alcohol so it can cause digestive upset if you eat too much. It tastes more like 'real' sugar than Splenda or any of the other artificial sweetners. You will have to do a little research to find which ones of these have high glycemic index. I know Erithratol is low but not sure about the others....

I use alcohol free, liquid stevia drops and I've never had that problem. If I didn't use the drops, I'd let my tea and lemon water sit there until it got gross, and then toss it. Just those couple of drops of stevia make it so tasty to me and then I drink all day long.

1. How long have you had your band? August 13,2010 2. How much weight have you lost? 32lb 3. How many fills and unfills did you get until you found the "sweet spot"? 8 I think 10 CC's 4. If you stick to a particular diet (ie weight watchers, low carb, atkins, etc) which on works for you? I follow the 90/10 rule. Eat healthy most of the time and special occasions like someone birthday I can have cake. I make sure to get 3 Oz of protein at each meal. 5. How often do you exercise? Seven days a week. One hour of Lap Swimming, water proof MP3 players are the best invention ever! 6. Does anyone do Yoga and how long did you wait until you started practicing again? No 7. Do you ever drink alcohol? No 8. What foods give you a problem? Not really. The only thing that has given me issues is baby carrots when I them to fast. 9. Does your port stick out? No. In fact it is really deep and the nurse really needs to look for it. 10. How much water do you get in each day? Probably 80 oz. I do drink a lot of decaf coffee being as the North East has turned into a frozen tundra. 11. Any tips that will help on the journey? Really think about what your food triggers are. You may need to cut them out of your life. I used to have all kinds of crackers, cookies, Baked potato chips, cereal. I would either sit down and eat half a box of cereal or snack on it all day. Now I only get to have crackers if I’m at a party and eat 2-3. Also start concentrating and thinking about what you’re eating. The more you savor each bite the more you’ll enjoy it.

I have 5 incisions and 1 drain. They ran 1 IV in my left arm before I went to sleep, and I woke up with another IV in my right arm and a foley catheter. They pulled the catheter the day after surgery (one of THE most uncomfortable things for a man) and they never did use the second IV spot once I woke up. One time before I was discharged, they had to draw blood for a final test, and wouldn't get it from either IV site, so they stuck me 3 times (the nurse blew it twice on the back of my right hand) and finally went in and got it in that big vein on my right inside elbow. A week after surgery, I went back and they pulled the drain. Sorry to make it sound like a needlefest, but you may as well know the truth. I have a full blow PHOBIA when it comes to needles (totally irrational fear, even to the point where I get antsy when I smell rubbing alcohol) , but I the needles weren't all that bad. I kept telling myself that just a little bit of pain for a brief time will make a world of difference ... and it does. Oh, I forgot, when they discharged me, they have me taking 2 shots a day (small bore needles, almost no pain at all) in the stomach for a blood thinner. I'll be on this for 30 days.

1. How long have you had your band? 7 months (june 29 2010) 2. How much weight have you lost? 90 glorious pounds. 3. How many fills and unfills did you get until you found the "sweet spot"? 3, I have 5.2 cc's in a 10 cc band. (This will change with the more weight I lose) 4. If you stick to a particular diet (ie weight watchers, low carb, atkins, etc) which on works for you? I count my protien and calories 5. How often do you exercise? Yes, daily - 30 min cardio plus 30 min strength training. I do miss a day occassionally. 6. Does anyone do Yoga and how long did you wait until you started practicing again? Never tried it, but would like to 7. Do you ever drink alcohol? Once in a great while. Had 3 glass' of wine xmas eve, would have one or two drinks at the lake last summer once in a while. 8. What foods give you a problem? Bread, scrambled eggs, pasta. (better if I try at night, sometimes I can eat them but I pretty much don't even try any more) 9. Does your port stick out? no (not yet) not sure if it ever will. 10. How much water do you get in each day?64 - 80 oz or more. once in a while i fall short. 11. Any tips that will help on the journey? Listen to your stomach, not your head. Get to know if you are hungry or just want to eat. Drink your water and exercise. Good Luck to you!

Hi..I'm Dee I understand what you are going through. It is a roller coaster ride. I have good days and I have bad days. It will get easier as time goes by. Hang in there and good luck on your new journey. 1. How long have you had your band? I was banded on the 19th of Oct. 2. How much weight have you lost? 33.4 lbs 3. How many fills and unfills did you get until you found the "sweet spot"? I have had 2 fills. 1st was 4.5 cc, 2nd was 1 cc and no I still have not found my sweet spot. 4. If you stick to a particular diet (ie weight watchers, low carb, atkins, etc) which on works for you? I just do high protein. 5. How often do you exercise? walk at work but not to much. 6. Does anyone do Yoga and how long did you wait until you started practicing again? No 7. Do you ever drink alcohol? Sip every now and then. 8. What foods give you a problem? Anything dry. 9. Does your port stick out? No 10. How much water do you get in each day? Between 52oz -64 oz 11. Any tips that will help on the journey? Be patient....everyone is different.

Hi, I'll certainly answer your questions. Hope it helps! 1. How long have you had your band? Since September, 2008, which would be two years, 3 months. 2. How much weight have you lost? 70, then I kind of didn't pay attention because I had other surgery which distracted me, now I've lost an additional 10 3. How many fills and unfills did you get until you found the "sweet spot"? I've had three fills, no unfills. 4. If you stick to a particular diet (ie weight watchers, low carb, atkins, etc) which on works for you? No, just watch calories. 5. How often do you exercise? Need to start up again... 6. Does anyone do Yoga and how long did you wait until you started practicing again? No 7. Do you ever drink alcohol? No 8. What foods give you a problem? More than 1/3 piece of bread, sometimes chicken and turkey, definitely rice 9. Does your port stick out? No 10. How much water do you get in each day? 4 bottles religeously 11. Any tips that will help on the journey? Stick to it, it works if you work it!! Great questions, made me think...

I've had my lap band for 2 months now and The first month I lost 13 pounds, the second month 0 (zero). Here are my questions. Feel free to copy and paste and answer them with your own personal information. 1. How long have you had your band? 2. How much weight have you lost? 3. How many fills and unfills did you get until you found the "sweet spot"? 4. If you stick to a particular diet (ie weight watchers, low carb, atkins, etc) which on works for you? 5. How often do you exercise? 6. Does anyone do Yoga and how long did you wait until you started practicing again? 7. Do you ever drink alcohol? 8. What foods give you a problem? 9. Does your port stick out? 10. How much water do you get in each day? 11. Any tips that will help on the journey?

Good Morning! Im in for the challenge!! Name, real or screen~Michelle Age~35 Weight on January 31st~198 Goal Weight for February 28th~188 Exercise Goal for February~To exercise atleast 4 times a week and stick with it!!! Dietary Goal for February~Less carbs Personal Goal for February~Less alcohol Date Banded~2.22.10 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 40lbs

I need help letting go, food has been my escape and friend for my entire life. Now, I am waiting on insurance approval and date for my sleeve procedure and I'm scarde. Fear, I know, is my will trying to predict outcome, control my situation. I am 14 years clean and sober (on March 15), food has taken the place of my drugs and alcohol addiction. Actually, food has probably always been my drug of choice. My weight is about 260, and worse than that I feel awful. My husband is almost 300 lbs, and also going through the process of having a sleeve surgery. We are both active in AA and NA, but have not let go of food addiction. What will my life be like when I can't use food to isolate, escape? Will I replace it with yet just another addiction? God help me to finally surrender.

Check the ingredients on the shakes. If one of the ingredients is Sorbitol or one of the other sugar alcohols that could be your culprit. Sorbitol was originally developed to be used as a laxative when they discovered it was a great sweetener

Before my first fill, and even now, I track my food on Livestrong.com's The Daily Plate function. I set a calorie goal to lose 2lbs a week, and I try hard to stick to it. I eat when I feel hungry, and stop when I'm full....definitely making smarter choices than pre-surgery. No soda, no fried foods, no alcohol...and try to walk as exercise every day. Just take care of yourself, listen to your body, and try to eat balanced, with all your Protein, sneak some veggies in, try to avoid the bad carbs, and all your Fluid.

Wish I could afford any kind of retirement place. Doubt I'll move out of the area with so many grandkids and both our families here. I'll just have to deal with the cold like my parents and grandparents and most people we know. We will, I'm sure, downsize. Most trailer parks around here are, unfortunately, not retirement communities but are for the poor and dispossessed. The uneducated, addicts, alcoholics, drama specialists, etc. Not fun and relaxing. Most condos are priced out of our range. They cost more than our house. I'm kind of leaving it in God's hands because I have no clue what life will bring. Great ideas on Chicago. We do need people's input. The Segway tour could be wonderful for those who can't walk distances. What a great idea. I'm thinking we should have "It's a beautiful day outside" plans with alternate "The weather sucks" plans. There's as much to do indoors as out. Gotta get going. Student coming for tutoring at 9:30. Lunch with my friend at 12:30 at Panera. I love their chili. We may go on to Borders after that. I also have $10 in Kohls' cash to spend and there's a Kohls there as well. Have a great day. Cheri

Alcohol is discouraged because it is liquid calories. That said, I do drink alcohol, but mostly it is red wine which has some health and, purportedly, weight loss benefits in moderation. I wouldn't drink a whiskey with coke because of the carbonation in the coke, but I do occasionally have a margarita, vodka cranberry, or gimlet (none of which have carbonated mixers). That said, some bandsters do carbonated beverages sometimes and just take the risk with the band. I'll say this-- you certainly won't be able to drink as much as before.