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Congratulations on loosing 50 lbs!! It's disheartening I know to regain, but it does happen. You can start losing again if you work at it. You will get different responses to this.. but what I've been taught is that the band is supposed to DIM your hunger. Making it a little easier to control your impulses. It's always possible to eat more and to make poor choices, the band doesn't take over for you. I was told to eat 3 oz of Protein (I actually ate 4oz at the beginning of my journey because I was SMO ~ super morbidly obese ~ and have gone to 3oz as I lost) and 1/2 cup of low carb veggies. Try not to eat white carbs.. white potatoes, white rice, Pasta, bread, white flour products, corn...As these items TEND to be high glycemic and will make you hungry sooner. After eating your protein and produce.. move away from the table. If I am still hungry 20 minutes after I finish my meal, my nurses say I can have more veggies. I'm usually not physically hungry. Oh.. I can eat.. head hunger is almost never quiet.. but actual physical hunger is usually abated by the small meal. Yes, I see that you are saying that you have no control over what you put in your mouth. I know it is difficult, but you do have control. As someone said on another support list today.. food addiction is very difficult. With alcoholism or drug addiction, you can put the addiction in a cage and never let it out. With food addiction you have to let it out of the cage at least 3x a day. If you can't eat solid food comfortably, you may be too tight. When you are too tight it's so much easier to eat soft foods .. and those tend to be higher calorie. You need to be able to eat solid, but tender protein and vegetables. And a tiny tiny bit of whole grain. I have also had all my fills done by the nurses. I have seen my doctor in passing, but never had him do a fill or even an exam room visit with him. I'm perfectly fine with this. I think I might end up seeing him next week on my regular appt as he has started seeing patients on Wednesdays and that's the day of my appt. If you feel the nurses are competent regarding fills, and other follow-up, great. If you are unhappy, then you could ask to have an appt with one of the surgeons, or maybe even look for another bariatric practice. I'm not sure I buy the "no will-power" thing, but I will grant that maybe you really don't have any where food is concerned. Would you be willing to try to learn some techniques to develop some willpower? Look into behavior modification books. A very good one is "The Beck Diet Solution" by Judith Beck. It's not a diet per se, but a guide on how to deal with disordered eating and sabotaging thoughts and actions. Try putting yourself on a feeding schedule, if you know you're going to be able to eat again in a few hours, it might be a bit easier for you. For example: I have Breakfast at 7am. steel cut oatmeal with walnuts & apples & 1 turkey sausage patty or link. If I get hungry before lunch, I let myself have a high protein snack around 10am. Lunch is anywhere from Noon to 1pm depending on my schedule. smoked salmon/reduced fat cream cheese, veggies. PM snack is about 3 hours after lunch. today was a small apple and a cheese stick. Supper is usually about 6:30pm chicken breast & veggies. If I really want something ..and I haven't exceeded my calories, I will have 100 cal. snack (or less) before bed. I try to keep it to a cup of tea, but sometimes I'll have a bit of almonds. I also make myself drink 32 oz of Water between breakfast and lunch. Another 16 oz before supper and the last 16 oz after supper. This doesn't include any flavored drinks or tea I might have. I'm not perfect (fell off the wagon and ate a half box of saltines yesterday.. dang it), but every time I fall off, I get up and try again. You might also try keeping track of your food intake on a website such as The Daily Plate on LIVESTRONG.COM - Calorie Counter, Weight Loss, Food Calorie Counter, Nutrition Facts | LIVESTRONG.COM. I know other folks here really like fitday.com. The website All Things Food and Diet - FatSecret also has it's fans. Just chose one that works for you and use it. I think it's very helpful to record what I'm taking in. I can also make a printout when I go in for my appts and the nurse and I can discuss where I'm doing well and where I need to make changes. I know you said you exercise, but it might be that your body has become accustomed to what you are doing, you may need to do some extra or some intervals. Do you belong to a gym? If you do, see if they have any trainers who will work with you for a short period of time. I know I used to think that hiring a trainer was an indulgence.. and it is to a degree, but they can be very helpful. And not all of them are expensive. Does the bariatric group you're involved with have support groups? Do you attend? If they don't have any, may I suggest joining this one online? SmartBandsters : Smart_Bandsters health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters/ I hope I haven't come across harsh and unfeeling. That's not my intention at all. I'm impressed at how far you've come and am so glad you're reaching out for help.

My surgeon suggests 6 months to 1 year before consuming alcohol. I'm only 4 weeks out so I won't be testing it out any time soon

I don't drink alcohol with any regularity, not because i'm against it, i just haven't. As far as calories I do seem to vary from 800 to 1200, but again not with any regularity. I do log my food and try to be a good tracker so i can keep a hold on my intake. I'm thinking i need to do really low carbs for a few days and see what happens. I've been considering the Plateau buster diet to get a fresh start. As far as exercise, Mariasha, I run at least 4 days a week for 35 to 45 minutes and when the weather isn't wet I throw in Cycling of at least 25 miles on an alternate day. I again probably need to increase the intensity of my workouts. I'm trying to remain positive, but am also worried about the "flying squirrel" arms that i now have! AHHH :thumbup:

My dr told me to wait at least 3 months to have alcohol and to be very careful because it affects you differently after surgery. Obviously it should be very moderate during losing phase due to the empty calories in alcohol.

Are you measuring and logging your food? Do you drink any alcohol? And the only other thing I can think of is the more you lose the less calories you need. Have you tried 800-1000 a day? To lose the last 15 I had to eat 800-900 calories a day and I used a cross training schedule instead of just running (Ex. Run 3 min, stop jump rope 3 min, repeat for 30 min). And I had to quit drinking wine completely. :thumbup:

I am attending a halloween party on Saturday and we were asked to bring some type of alcoholic beverage. I'm a few days away from a month out so I wouldn't even consider drinking but it makes me wonder about upcoming holiday parties and I am wondering if it will ever be ok to drink. I prefer wine but my doctor has not said anything about alcoholic beverage restrictions. Does anyone know the general rule behind this?

Hi there... just wondered if anyone had responded to your request? I was banded in Sept 2010 and went on to your thread to get encouraged and saw your post. Were you given a food guide to follow when you were banded? Are you eating the right proportions (1 cup per meal), have you given up the liquid high calorie food eg icecream, chocolates, alcohol etc? Do you drink and eat? Hope some of these questions help you to evaluate where you are. If you email me I can send you something I came across about evaluating whether you have balance in you banding life. You can contact me at desmitchell@afrihost.co.za. Do hope you haven't given up - I'll try and help you find your way through. :thumbup: Example of my eating/drinking day: Wake up: coffee (small mug) Breakfast: small banana and yoghurt (fills half a cup) Midmorning: tea, coffee, juice, Water Lunch: tuna fish 1/2 tin & salad with low fat dressing Midafternoon: fruit (small & soft eg papaya) Dinner: 1 chicken thigh and mixed veges with gravy - might have a little mashed potato (saucer size portion)

Well Suzanne is one good stomach virus closer to goal it sounds like if she is gorging on her crackers!! Poor you Suz---feel better! Ashley, I would discuss it with the friend having the party---let her know why I was skipping out so she knows the combo is not good. Does the guy have a thing for you? Know too much about your difficulties? It is a hard place for everyone to be in. I know we spoke up at one time in regards to our son in law's Mom wanting to have our DD followed when we went to Denver to her Uncles funeral. Speaking out against him worked against us----he is her husband, but we are not fans......it has definitely caused tension. And that is with NO alcohol. What does your husband say about it? Is he aware he is so disliked? I would skip it all together. A sleeve Tat is what it is referred to when the arm, or the majority of it is tattood. In Trey's case it would be upper arm. And Trey, I meant no offense if you choose to cover the arm---it is just something that triggers me. If that arm moving, and I smell chorizo at the same time, watch out buddy!!! Yeah Cindy---I spoke with the Victim Impact Panel locally for several years trying to get our Domestic Violence Laws made more severe. It helped for awhile, then out of the blue one day I realized a part of me relived the worst times in my life everytime I saw the pictures, and the story was told. It was told in a way to arouse sympathies, and anger to try to get the laws revamped---not sensationalized, but a guts and glory---in your face---kind of thing. But I suddenly wanted to finish the story----the I WON part of the story. I quit reliving it monthly, and focused on the I WON part of it. It was a whole new feeling---I WON. He went to prison, and I went on to have a happy, full life---I WON! Well off to bed, I will probably be up at 3 again!!! I am freezing! I have on a sweatshirt, and long jammie pants---Rick is roasting in a tshirt and shorts, and poor Izzy is laying on the tile kitchen floor, panting. I guess I fed the fire too well.....oops!

crzytchr....I hope that is what we do. I will probably be pushing for that! lol Tracy...my mom has told Lee to keep his mouth shut. And I am agreeing with you that his wife probably has too. At least I hope! lol Plain...that's a good idea too!! Thanks for the advice!! I would talk to Jacque (Lee's wife...my employee) about it, but she doesn't work anymore this week. Hopefully he's not stupid enough to try to start trouble with his boss's son-in-law. But alcohol makes you do stupid stuff.

I have neither seen nor needed a therapist. I had the required pre-op visit to see a psych, but that is all. She does not seem like a nut to you. Are you a therapist? Do you know anything about this person other than what she chooses to let you know about her through her posts? People can be anything they want to be online. For the record, my comment was not a slam on any one person. Listen, there are a lot of people who get this surgery that really should never have been considered for one reason or another (hiding an eating disorder or lying about being an alcoholic, for example). (I personally know of two people like this.) In fact, there are posts on this very board by people where it is screamingly obvious that they should not get this surgery - at least not till mental things are sorted out. My friend (who IS a licensed psychologist, BTW) has been lurking on this site to see what I have been reading because she is concerned about me getting this surgery. She flat-out told me that she worries that many people seem to be getting this surgery and that they really need psychiatric help instead. Thinking that a Lap-Band is a panacea will lead only to disappointment and - most likely - weight gain.

This is where eating in a cafeteria with limited choices comes in handy I guess!! Indulging won't be a problem at Halloween and Thanksgiving, though they do a big spread here for Thanksgiving, I will just eat the turkey first and then be so stuffed after 3 ounces that I won't have room for more than a lick of mashies & gravy.=) If I get to go home for Christmas there will be delightful treats and delicacies available but again, I'll eat protein first. As for New Year, General Order #1 forbids alcohol, even for civilians!=( I don't care for champagne anyway.

Yeah. I agree with you, honey! and they want to allow prejudice against overweight people because their claim is it's 'their choosing'...The thing is, not everyone's the same and when someone's different it pisses people off. food addiction is as much a reality as gambling or alcohol addiction. Some people can't just 'stop' eating high calorie foods. They've proven that high calorie foods like fast food produce a very similar 'high' in some people as taking heroine or nicotine for other people. The difference is - FOOD IS LEGAL. It's everywhere. It's advertised like crazy!! Imagine waving a cigarette infront of someone who's addicted to nicotine. What do you think they're going to do? They['re going to want to smoke it. lol. We have it waved infront of our faces all day, everyday. Fast food is on billboards, TV ads at dinner time and it's cheap! Heroine and nicotine are not. Obesity is the leading killer of people in Australia and they ban nicotine advertising over fast food advertising? What the heck? This is why I think fast food advertising should be illegal to a certain extent. Before I was on my diet, I would watch TV and see a McDonalds ad and crave whatever food they were advertising for days. It would literally drive me bonkers until I went out and got it. Now when I watch TV, I have to look away or turn it off when a junk food ad comes on. I was that bad, and I was addicted to refined sugar too - luckily that's sorted itself out. Some people are overweight for medical reasons, some people eat emotionally and need treatment for it but it's not available, and some people just don't have the drive to lose weight that others do - but it's ok to classify them all in the same category!? How is that ok? Gah. My rant is over.

I cannot remember anyone who loses too slow. Some exercise, some don't. Some count, some don't. I am a failure bc I am not at goal and it has been over 8 mos. I failed. So that means I am wearing a size 8 to 10 petite instead of a 4. Haha. But I used to wear a 20 womens petite. The good thing with the sleeve is even the slow losers are winners. Best wishes...you will do great. Important things are to get a great surgeon that will support you throughout, a really good bougie size for you (mine is 34), no leaks, lotsa fluids and Protein, and do not move to solids alcohol or heavy exercise too quickly.

In all honesty, I attribute 90% of my success to not making excuses well and losing my hunger really helped ha ha ha. Yes, the post-op diet sucks royally, but you know what, it's just a temporary phase. I stuck to the dietary guidelines per my surgeon. 600-800 calories, no more than 30gr of carbs, lots of fluids, 60+grams of Protein, NO SNACKING. 4 meals that consisted of a minimum of 15gr of protein per meal was my guideline and I stuck to it. No alcohol until I was close to goal. No soda until I was at goal. No b.s.'ing my way through it. I couldn't work out for nearly 4 months post-op due to complications, but of course I walked as much as I could. The one thing I really think you have to do is set your goal, find what works for you, follow your surgeon's guidelines, and don't be negative. There will be struggles and challenges, but the victories and successes will outweigh them 10 fold.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I started gaining when I quit weighing on Wednesdays. Accountability is key. I guess we are like Alcoholics. Unless we stay accountable we will always be tempted to fall off the wagon. Glad you joined in. I went off carbs except for veggies and sf pudding. I walked this morning then have gym this evening. Peeps, we have to stick together! okay now there is Charlene K Blaze One Day Kimaly We can do this!

I am only 3 weeks post op, and my motivation factors will probably change. But, for now "fear of failure" is what keeps me motivated. I used to work out in a personal training group that also required everyone to read their food journal in front of the group daily. I wasnt honest about what I ate.....or atleast how much alcohol I was consuming. This time I dont have to lie to anyone, but myself. And I refuse to have a need to lie to myself anymore. I bought a gym membership 6 months ago and actually went today. I swam for about 20 minutes and plan to go daily until I return to work in a week.

I drink wine, I gave up beer completely, I believe any carbonation stretches the stomach (but thats another thread). When I was trying to lose my last 15 pounds I was drinking a glass of wine at night (200 calories) and I couldn't lose it, but then I stopped drinking wine and replaced those calories with food and I lost it pretty quickly. So I believe the alcohol affects your weight loss in more ways than just the empty calories. Now that I am at goal I have started drinking my wine again and I have not regained any weight.

So, without any diatribes, why have surgery if you're just going to ignore the guidelines, drink empty calories, and then pump your body full of appetite suppressants? Why not just use the surgery as the tool it was meant to be, lay off the booze, suck it up, and lose weight without drugs. It's great you haven't gained weight, but Adipex isn't going to kill off the empty calories/sugar/carbs you're consuming with the alcohol intake. All it's going to do is hype you up, increase your heartrate, and maybe keep you from eating nutrient dense food all while stressing your liver on top of the booze. Mexico must be fabulous, but the after effects of what you are choosing to do to your body might not be worth it down the road.

It is very hard to believe that five months have FLOWN by since my surgery. I have had many changes in my life, health and overall self-confidence since then. First, I don't know how much weight I've lost. I don't weigh myself anymore and I haven't been to the surgeon in 2 months. I did have to go see my PCP for cataract surgery clearance, and I lost 50+ lbs since I saw her. I really measure myself against my clothes fitting, or my energy, or my ability to do something I haven't done in a long time. Many many changes: where I shop for clothes. How many things I participate in that I never had the courage for before. My energy level. I don't really get hungry or tempted to eat more or something I shouldn't. I looked back at the diet plan, and after 3 months post-surgery I don't really have any restrictions. I can't eat more than 3/4 - 1c of food 3 times a day but I try to have a protein bar if I'm working out. I drink a lot more water, very little soda or coffee, and very very little alcohol. I focus on lean protein and veggies. People I haven't seen since Christmas last year are shocked. I guess I enjoy that. I can't wait to see my mom at Thanksgiving -- I haven't seen her since before the surgery in May. Its so different than five months ago. I'm so glad I did this surgery and am so appreciative of all the support! I'm a little more than halfway there -- and enjoying every day...........

Waiting for 7pm to see who ever it is, then had a knock on the door about 5pm It was Frederick Serneels the General Manager for the follow up service (he conducts the operation with Doctor Chris). He than requests you to meet him upstairs on Floor 1B, there is a general board room that people hire out. He was in a rush as he needed to perform an operation this evening. So a quick brief on what to do tonight and information pack / overview of the procedure. There was another lady in the room also from the UK and once you had short brief one at a time he will talk through medical history / Problems on your own. My husband was there, the payment is made then and once counted for a receipt is given. We need to be at the Hosptal reception for 7am for a one on one consultation with Doctor chris(Again my husband can be present all the way till i go to the operating room(about 1200hrs) visiting times start from 2-8pm. We were also told not to eat/drink anything after midnight due to the anaesthetic but allowed to eat what ever you want you can even have alcohol as long as you dont over do it, we just came back from a 3 min walk up the road to a kebeb and tucked into probably the best kebab i have ever had:ohmy:naughty but nice, I will keep you updated as soon as i can wish me luck:eek: x x

Thanks for getting back to me. Shame - I sleep on my stomach on the left - but hey at least he'll know where to find it if everyone is the same!! Totally excited now - wonder if I can get a small bottle of champagne from the bar at Eurostar in London - do you think its ok to have alcohol the day before surgery????

I have found Overeaters Anonymous to be very helpful with this type of issue. Really, we eat for the same reason other people drink. And it is IMO harder to control it because alcoholics can avoid alcohol and we have to eat food. However, the first step is recognizing it happens. Too bad we can't get our head banded :blushing:

After I came out of surgery I said some pretty crazy stuff while coming off of anaesthesia. It always happens...It's so embarassing. I can't stop talking. I kept talking about wanting to be thin and saying I hope the surgeon didn't screw up. I also talked about the last time I was on the stuff for my wisdom teeth removal. - I'd asked the nurse if she looked at my boobs during surgery and then told her they were private. Then I asked her if she farted. >.< I felt the need to tell this to the nurses while I was having my lap band done. There was also a poor girl next to me trying to sleep. I yelled at her 'HEY! what did you get done?'' and she said, 'colonoscopy'...Gah...I feel like a total jerk now that I look back, but at the same time it's kind of funny lol. Some things are hazy too. My surgeon said that I'd asked at one stage if I was dead...I don't remember that, but it sounds like something stupid I'd say. The same thing happens when I drink alcohol - which is exactly why I don't touch the stuff. I act like a total dork.

Good morning everyone~ Yesterday i did such a great job with my calorie/carb/protein intake. I had only had 920 calories, 51 carbs and 61 protein....THEN dh wanted to go to DQ. The good news of that is I only got a snack size pimpkin pie blizzard. I looked it up and it only had like...320 calories but the carbs doubled my daily intake thus far so....I am trying not to beat myself up too much. At least I did not get a large turtle pecan blizzard like i would have normally gotten. So why do I feel like an alcoholic that fell off the wagon? I fuess in a way I should be somewhat hard on myself to ensure I do not do it again. Angela-that story about the dog snacks was funny/gross all at the same time. I have to admit, I did LOL. I have been to walmart, but you just have not been there! lol OK, well, dd is gone until tomorrow so I am gonna try to get her halloween costume made. I already have the umbrella torn apart, but now i need to get a long sleeved black shirt and sew the wings onto it so when she raises her arms, her bat wings flare out :thumbup: Eat right and walk further than necessary! I know you will Suzanne!

Hi there, I'm Angela joining you from the UK. First of all, please let me tell you that I myself am not a very religious person. I do, however, have great respect for the beliefs and chosen religion of others whatever they my be. Who am I to knock whatever comfort people get from their beliefs. I would like to say, surely if God has given the skills and knowledge to perform this surgery to our doctors it was intended to be used. Why should we not take advantage of the help that they can offer to us ? It is very easy for people who have never had serious weight issues to simplfy it by saying stop eating, if only it was so easy !! They must realise that if that was the case there would be no world wide obesity epidemic. I personally have never smoked, taken drugs or had issues with alcohol. My addiction throughout my life has been food. I do, however, have the sense to know that you can't say to an alcohilic for instance " just stop drinking " and the problem will go away. I see this surgery as an amazing tool that will help me to loose the weight and keep it off, but only if I work hard at it. It has not been an easy decision to make, in fact I would say it is the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life and it has taken almost a year for me to make it. Like yourself, I have lost the same 30lbs over and over again only to see it go back on again. I am lucky to have no co-morbidities at all and I hope this surgery can help me stay that way. I know I am not going to wake up thin after the surgery IF ONLY !!! LOL It has taken nearly 52 years for me to arrive at this weight and it isn't going to magically melt away with the surgery ALTHOUGH WOULDN'T THAT BE WONDERFUL !!! LOL I too am due to have my surgery Dec 7th so we will be sleeve sisters. Keep me posted on how you are progressing pre and post op. I have to start a 3 week milk based diet mid Nov, won't that be fun !! LOL Look forward to hearing from you Best wishes Angela.