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That's right, from here on out, it is straight ahead no looking back. My goal I want so bad to meet this year, to be able to wear one of those sexy Santa Suits Christmas night for my wonderful husband that has beent here for me since I decided to go through with this. I owe it to him, and most of all, I owe it to myself to see myself smaller and in something sexy for the first time since I was 19 yrs. old.

Anecdotal experiences of individuals are often attention-grabbing. However, the following facts about alcohol abuse and dependence among the general population and among WLS populations offer context for the experience of the WLS patient shown in the above video. Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the U.S. 17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence along with several million more who engage in risky drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems. More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or problem drinking, and more than seven million children live in a household where at least one parent is dependent or has abused alcohol. https://ncadd.org/for-the-media/alcohol-a-drug-information Here are the findings from one study published in 2012 about transfer alcohol addiction after WLS (in this case RnY): In addition to the potential for weight regain, WLS patients, RYGB patients in particular, are at risk for emergence of alcohol use disorders by 2 years post-WLS, with 16.5% of patients engaging in hazardous alcohol use and nearly 10% having an alcohol use disorder [37] http://turner-white.com/pdf/jcom_oct13_bariatric.pdf The same study referenced these earlier study's findings: In a large-scale longitudinal study, rates of alcohol use disorders did not differ from 1 year before to 1 year after surgery, but by 2 years post-WLS the rate of problematic alcohol use increased significantly. Specifically, drinking ≥ 4 times per week and meeting alcohol dependence criteria both increased from about 3% to 5% of patients from baseline to year 2, and any form of alcohol use disorder increased from 7.6% to 9.6% during this same time frame. Notably, the escalation of problematic alcohol use was significant only among RYGB patients, not those who underwent adjustable gastric banding.

My surgeon is Dr. Scarborough. I am revising from the band to the sleeve after 10 years with the lapband. When my band doc gave up his practice to go back to Israel, Dr. Scarborough and Dr. Yu took over the practice. So I've seen Dr. Scarborough a few times before making the decision to revise to the sleeve. I like Dr. Scarborough because he is VERY thorough. He has a very quiet bedside manner. But he will answer every question you have. I've not met Dr. Yu but I've heard good things about him also. For the most part, I'd give the staff good marks. As with anything this important, you will need to stay on top of things and make sure to followup. I guess I'd give the staff a 7-8 out of 10. The nutritionists are awesome. The person who scheduled my surgery date is awesome. Good Luck

I'm in Central NY not too far from the PA line. My doc takes 4-6 mo. to get us through the process, and I'm so glad he did - so I had time to really wrap my brain around the change. One of the folks in our support group had a doc 10 years ago that did a visit, and surgery the week following, without a lot of follow-up. Definitely do all your homework so you know what to expect, and the nutritional path to follow for the best results.

Stitchy: Great answer on waiting 10 minutes! I'm using that one tomorrow!

Hi- I would like to ask if anyone did not lose a large amount of weight during the 14 presurgery liquid diet. I onky have 4 more days before my surgery and only down 4 pounds after 11 days on the liquid phase. I am concerned that my liver won't be smaller in size in order for my doctor to install the band. I spoke with his nurse about only taking 4 pounds off and she told me that typically people lose on average 10-15 pounds on the presurgery diet. Should I be concerned or is this a sign that I will have trouble losing weight after having the band due to being older (53yrs) and slow metabolism?

Hello all. I just wanted to give a little encouragement to the newbies out there. Today I am 4 years post op. I am still in love with my band. I have been filled and unfilled, I have pbed. I have gotten stuck and yet I still love my band. It has taken some time but I have learned to live with it as many of my fellow veterans have as well. I have learned what I can eat and what I can't eat with my band. I do drink a little sprite or orange soda every once in a while. I can't stand coke any more which used to be my favorite soda. I can honestly say I haven't had it in over 4 years. What I do drink on the regular is orange juice because I can't eat oranges any more. I can eat apples but I choose to drink apple juice. I still have my coffee every morning and tea every week as well. In regards to foods, well I eat just about anything except pasta that you use for lasagna. I do eat spaghetti every blue moon and I will eat a little mac and cheese only if it's really cheesy. Other than that, I eat bread, rice, etc. I actually had a couple slices of thin crust pizza for supper yesterday. Speaking of supper. I have learned that I can't eat past 8 p.m. If I do, I will fall asleep but in the middle of the night I will start coughing and coughing and then I'll fall back to sleep. Later I will cough some more and eventually water will start coming out of my nose. That will go on until I finally throw up the last whatever that was in my stomach before I went to bed. So that means I have to get in all my food and drink by 7 p.m. 7:30 at the latest. When I do eat before 7, I have no problems. I sleep like a baby. What can I say, my band doesn't want me eating late I can dig that. That was a problem before I was banded that aided in me gaining weight in the first place eating late at night and snacking watching tv. Well I can honestly say those days are definitely over. I do eat chips but only when I crave them. I eat popcorn as well but only when I have a taste for it and that isn't often. My last fill was August 2012 which put me at 7.1 ccs in my 10 cc band. So I will leave you with this final note, don't give up. Don't get discouraged. The weight isn't going to fall off over night, every week, everyday, etc. Stop stressing. Follow your bariatric team's instructions/guidelines because all our bodies and problems within our bodies are different. We all have different medical issues so what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Sometimes it will but in other cases it won't. If you aren't sure about what's happening in your body, don't be afraid to call your doctor and find out. After all, it is YOUR BODY. Take care everyone and happy holidays. I'm 95 lbs down and loving it.

Take one Senacot, you will go within 10 hours. It is natural and effective. You will need to add a powder fiber to your drinks no as you do not get near the fiber you used to. All the protein we get does not give us any fiber. You do not want to have to resort to suppositories. I had to once and that was enough. Being constipated is no fun.

Yep you are right Betsy this was/is a temper tantrum, i think i just dont know enough about this LB biz.... I mean i have been pondering events so far, is it normal for your 1st fill to be 4cc?......... And your 2nd to be 2cc?....... I done all that i did to try and test band...to induce vomitting!!....i know this is incorrect attiude.... but i guess i just want to know it is all working!! how else can i test band.....filled today and i have eat on it straight away.....no probs...my next fill is 1/6/10 so i'm thinking this aint working.......burping a lot tho.....whadiya think?????? Rgds

I plan to ask my doctor for a timeframe on my next appointment, which is 11/10. My program has a phone number to call with questions, so you may want to do that. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Okay so here is what happened today: I went to preop testing. I got poked in the arm. Then I got an EKG. Then I got an ultrasound(hurt more than the poking they really pressed hard against my rib cage which is kinda tender). Then I got a chest x-ray. Then went to lunch for an hour. After lunch I went to a Seminar and talked to a Lady who went over the whole surgery process, what it entails, what we can/can't eat before/after surgery, etc. After the seminar there are a handful of things that freak me out: 1. I'm very squeamish and we will have a little bulb or drain attached to us that will catch any leaks, or other fluids - we will wear this for 3-4 weeks till our first post-op consult with the doctor. 2. Catheter, she showed a dummy with a catheter attached and I felt sick, seriously. I'm not too concerned about it going in she said 'don't worry, you'll be knocked out' to which I then said, yeah but not when you yank it out...that's when it hurts. 3. Blood clots still freak me out and worry me. I definitely don't wanna go through all this to die from a blood clot. 4. It's just really getting real...lol Gettin' nervous my surgery is two weeks from Monday! Yikes! So after the seminar we went upstairs and walked around the surgery floor. It's pretty long and we have to do 10 laps a day..carrying all the damn wires attached - that's gonna be fun lol... After the hospital my wife and I went walking at the Arboretum it was fun, and as a bonus they have benches every 50 feet so when my back hurts I can easily find a spot to sit down -this is my new favorite place to workout at ... I didn't eat all that healthy today, I had a slice of pizza on wheat crust + turkey pepperoni at the hospital which was pretty good but healthier than normal pizza, but probably still not ideal. I also had a Muscle Milk w/ lunch for added Protein. dinner was a Gyro without the pita, and half of a rootbeer float (split it w/ my wife). The good thing is I'm like 300 calories under goal because of my exercise! Carbs are probably pretty high though, but, oh well.. I think I will reach my goal of losing 40 - 50 pounds by my surgery. I've already lost 20, just need 20-30 more - hopefully 30. I'm pretty excited about everything, though more nervous than I was, but all in all I had a pretty good day!

Look at your post at 10:48 AM #25 there isn't any name on that quote and I had no clue where you got it. I actually just found it a few minutes ago so at the time I responded to you I didn't know who had said it. The most important thing is, it is only one person, Tiny has support of more than one and that is what is important. "When even one American, who has done nothing wrong, is forced by fear to shut his/her mouth, then all Americans are in peril." Harry Truman

I was banded on 10-1-10 as well. Day after surgery was good, day 2 was rotten. I felt nauseous all day long. Today being day 3 is better, still not getting much down in terms of food though. My doctor said i should have lots of creamy soups, protein drinks and Gatorade. I'm lucky if I get one protein drink in a day, and maybe a cup of soup. My appetite just isn't there and after the severe nausea from yesterday, i'm scared. Since surgery on Friday I'm down 9 lbs. For a total of 20 including my low carb pre-op diet. I'm sure much of this is water weight as I'm not hydrating myself as much as I should. Wishing you all lots of luck! RSG

Good job Tom! 90# and 19" is awesome!

youre lucky! alot have the liquid part for 2 or more weeks and 4 weeks before they get to mushies. focus on the 10 pounds you lost and the next pair of lower size jeans youll be able to fit in to. take a walk or go window shopping maybe. just sitting around thinking about it makes it worse. and if four days youre almost to the creamy soups!

I made this today for the family and stuck a small amount in the Bullet for me. My sleeve was pleased, as was my palette. 1st mix into chili pot, cook and stir: 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch chunks 2 tbls olive oil 1 tbls of Hot Mexican Chili Powder - McCormick 1 tbls of Chipoltle chili pepper, crushed - McCormick 1 tsp crushed red pepper Salt and pepper to taste 1/2 tbls cumin 1 chopped yellow onion 1 green bell pepper 1 yellow bell pepper 1-2 tbls chopped garlic 1 can Pace's diced tomatoes and green chiles Add 3 cups of water, stir and simmer for approx 10 minutes. Then add 15.5 oz can of Bush's reduced sodium black beans and 15.5 oz can of Bush's pinto beans reduced sodium, drained and rinsed. Add green taco sauce 1 6oz can garlic and oregano tomato paste Add 1 additional cup of water, if needed. Simmer until peppers are tender and liquid reduces. Serves 6 We opted to add a little Kraft Reduced Fat Colby Jack cheese crumbles. I had less than half a serving, but this is the nutritional info for 1 whole serving.

Reading your story just now has brought tears to my eyes. I have had severe obstructive sleep apnea for around 10 years now, plus fibromyalgia. My number one reason I am having this surgery is to hopefully be rid of this horrendous disease. My quality of life has deteriorated each year due to exhaustion and not taking it as serious as I should have. Wearing the awful mask while being an insomniac is a feat in itself. Please take this seriously, I know you will. I had a gastric band done in 1986 and was unsuccessful. Had it removed in 2005 by the doctor who is going to now do my sleeve. Thinking I could never have bariatric surgery again, I went to him in January 2013 with a painful large hernia. It was just like we picked up from 8 years ago. I had never even heard of a gastric sleeve until he told me before he could address the hernia I had to lose 50 plus pounds. So here I am finishing my 2nd of the 3 month insurance requirements and can't wait. By the way, when I went to him in 2005 I weighed 203 (1986 was 250), now 8 years later I weigh 208. Can't seem to jump over this barrier. We can and will overcome this weight and sleep apnea thing we deserve it. My thoughts and prayers are with you, sweetie!

Still not Fixed Up, ready to cater my Own Pity Party, I am losing much hopefulness about the whole Proceeding. And yesterday by accident? I never lost conciousness during the attempt, didn't hurt, had numbing medicine sprayed in the back of my throat that you gargle and then swollow down, stated I would be going to sleep-*- *well I laid there and watched on the monitor just like Dr Noria did. Asked the 2 other doctors, the nurse and most of all, Dr Noria? Did you guys realize I remained awake? Dr Noria got a look on her face like a child caught taking a swipe off the top of a freshly frosted cake and licking her fingers **Changed the subject, said" I dialated you to 10 mm", sounds good until you realise before first attempt I was at 9 mm.Progress IDK, do you? And I am at 7+weeks, a point where many, if not, all of my Surgery Day twins, Sleeve or RNY, are on purees and transitioning to soft and regular foods. Yeah ***I know we ALL make our journey toward final health, final size and weight goal, and a Bee-You-tee-full Future but OMG do I even have one? Someday I will be the scrawniest, sad-looking old broad seen, carting a thermos of bone broth or something similar. And watching the rest of the WLS community bouncing by happily. I expected hard, difficult but Mount Everest, Mount Denali even Kilimanjaro all in one, Nope didn't book for that?🎢🌆

33 weeks after my surgery! I am so excited--I didn't know how much I was looking forward to this until I realized I was close last week. I still have 10 lbs to goal and then I'd like to lose another ten for a regain cushion. I should be within a few lbs by Halloween. I low-carb and it is working for me. I am 56, hypothyroid, and 5'8". I love my sleeve!

Tinymamiof3 remember this, don't let what others think about you or your situation get you down! We all have our needs and wants I would never judge you for going after what you want and forget about what some people have to say about your situation. As long as you take care of your business take care of your children and yourself then who cares. We all have problems and issues No One is perfect and people shouldn't be so judgmental! With that being said if you want to go get 10 boob jobs then good for you and if someone doesn't like it maybe they should keep their comments to themselves. I have been married for 13 years had my first child at 18 and let me tell you everyday is not a walk in the park if I put the things that I go through maybe people would be saying negative things too. This site was designed for us to be supportive of each other. I'm pretty sure not every day is a bad day in your marriage. If you are still there then that must mean that things are going ok.I wish you nothing but the best. You are always so supportive on this site, encouraging cheering people on Kudos to you.

I think 43lbs in 5 months is pretty good. I do know how you feel though. I have lost 30 in 3 months, and when you break it down, it averages 10 lbs a month which looks good on paper, but, you know what you have been doing, and realize it probably could have been more, so you look at it as not really that much. And starting thinking if I did this or that I would have lost more. When I spoke to my dr. they really don't want you to loose that fast, its not healthy, so as long as you are going down in weight you are being successful. Even when you are maintaining your are doing good, thats not so easy either.

Okay, here goes again with the list. Hope this is the last update today! 1. joyceq 2. sfeiner 3. lonestar5212 4. PATCHELTON 5. opus 6, mayamom 7. Genea 8. sharon160 9. 2bthinagn 10. korpa11 11. unitygal 12. jollyrgers 13. mistymoon 14. Susie313 15. BobbiG 16. Sandy Beach 17. lkgrubb 18. bitteroldhag 19. Teachlady 20. Serenissima 21. phyllser

Okay, here goes again with the list. Hope this is the last update today! 1. joyceq 2. sfeiner 3. lonestar5212 4. PATCHELTON 5. opus 6, mayamom 7. Genea 8. sharon160 9. 2bthinagn 10. korpa11 11. unitygal 12. jollyrgers 13. mistymoon 14.Susie313 15. BobbiG 16. Sandy Beach 17. LKGRUBB 18.bitteroldhag 19. Teachlady 20. Serenissima 21. phyllser

1. joyceq 2. sfeiner aka Sharon from Baraboo, Wi banded 10/26/07 at UW hosp, Madison 3. lonestar5212 4. PATCHELTON 5. opus 6, mayamom 7. Genea 67, Schertz, TX, Banded 12/31/2007 8. sharon160 9. 2bthinagn 10. korpa11 11. unitygal 12. jollyrgers 13. mistymoon Brookings, OR, Banded 9/ 5/07 14. Susie313 15. BobbiG 16. Sandy Beach 17. lkgrubb : 65, Prescott, AZ, Banded:1/31/08 18. bitteroldhag 19. Teachlady 20. Serenissima 21. phyllser 22.SusieQ1964 23. alafish 24. sams46 25. spclk60