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FANTASTIC!!! You are so right it is so much like an alcoholic and now that we are where we fight so hard to get we have to fight even more to lose more (or maintain our goal)!! Keep up the hard work!! Congrats again on being under 200 and climbing the rock wall..that is awesome!

You go girl! I look forward to loving my band too.. how often were your fills and do you drink alcohol or wine?

You're body asborbs the alcohol through the intestines, and tranfered to the blood stream and into the organs of the body, most of it detoxified by the liver.

Popcorn is a real slider food. I can eat a huge bag of it at the movies. I do eat nuts too. I am not a drinker but I have had some alcohol and I get drunk now on one drink. You need to ask your doctor when you're cleared for nuts and popcorn though. I eat nuts daily because I believe healthy fat is good for us. Dr. OZ says we all should eat 10 almonds a day!

Just looked at Fitday.com. For the last two months (I'm 7 months out), my averages are: Calories: 1,074 Fat: 46g Carbs: 98g Protein: 61g Alcohol: 5.8g My Vitamins and minerals look great because I am religious about taking my supplements. That's pretty high carb, but I'm losing an average of a pound a week, and I'm a lightweight so that works for me. I could totally eat like this for the rest of my life -- I have pretty much zero need to increase my calories much at all, ever. I am never hungry and don't deprive myself. My daily calories range between 650 or so to as much as 1,500 or even a bit more if I go out and have dinner and a drink or two.

This is from LAP-BAND.com: The LAP-BAND® System creates a small stomach pouch that can hold about one-quarter cup (approx. 2 oz) of food. Eating more can stretch the stomach, canceling the effect of your procedure. Dietary Guidelines After LAP-BAND Surgery Portion size is a major factor in your success with the LAP-BAND System. However, the types of foods you eat can affect your weight loss as well. A healthy diet will have items from each of the following food groups. Quantities and suggested foods are listed in each group. Always talk to your doctor or dietician about your particular dietary needs. Good Choices Fruit and vegetables: 1 to 2 servings of fresh fruit daily 2 to 3 servings of fresh vegetables daily Whole grains: 1 small portion of cornflakes for breakfast, or 1 to 2 slices of toasted whole wheat or rye bread each day. If you find you have trouble with bread blocking your stomach opening, substitute other whole grains such as refined, cooked or ready-to-eat Cereal, oatmeal, cream of wheat, or grits. Protein: 2 to 4 oz of meat, fish or poultry, or one egg for additional Protein Remove all visible fat from the meat. Remove skin from poultry/fish. And cook with little/no fat — grill, steam, microwave, or boil. Dairy: 2 cups of low-fat milk or yogurt, or 1 oz low-fat cheese (max.) Since milk and yogurt are calories in liquid form, you might think they should be avoided. However, the Calcium and protein they have makes them an important part of a healthy daily diet. Fats: 3 to 4 teaspoons of margarine, butter or oil per day (max) Low-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise (in moderation) Drinks: Unlimited zero- or low-calorie liquids per day, including: Non-carbonated beverages Tea or coffee (black) with low-calorie sweetener Clear soup and broths Water Not-so-good choices Proceed with caution: Some foods may cause problems as they may block or have difficulty passing your stomach opening. Introduce these types of foods to your diet slowly, one at a time, to see if they are tolerated. Remember: always be careful and chew these foods well before swallowing. Dry meat Peanut Butter Shrimp Untoasted or doughy bread Pasta or rice Fibrous vegetables (e.g., corn, celery and asparagus) Dried fruit Coconut Popcorn Citrus fruits Nuts Steer clear: Some foods contain too many calories and too little nutritional value to be of any use to you with the LAP-BAND System. Avoid foods high in sugar or fat, including: Syrups, jams, honey Candy, pies, cakes, biscuits chips, dips High-calorie soft drinks Some doctors suggest patients avoid carbonated drinks, as they may contribute to enlargement of the stomach pouch. Alcohol should also be consumed in moderation (one glass of wine or less per day).

I am four months and one week out.....I haven't found anything I can't eat. There are foods I choose NOT to eat, changes I made months before, some, years before I had surgery. I was not a "coke" girl before. I liked a fountain coke maybe five or six times a year...hardly worth mentioning, so it isn't a problem. Doc says it's a no no forever. I won't say I'll never take another sip, but it's not something that I'm itching to try. They're not good for you, and if I were someone who had a problem with them, I'd never drink another one again, kind of like being an alcoholic....at least that is what it seems like when I read some of the posts!! I have had a few bites of angel food cake and a 'sample' bite of coffee cake at Star Bucks, which was plenty to satisfy me, but I didn't have anything sweet until I was within ten lbs of my doctor's goal. I've been very rigid and very aware of everything I put into my mouth!! My team at my surgeon's office stressed that this is not a diet, it is a way of life. We use this honeymoon period to develop good habits, make changes for life, but it is not a diet. This is all real psychological.....we have to remind ourselves of this. It is not weight watchers or any of those other programs!

I can vouch for the Quest bars. They are now the only bars I eat and the only ones I've seen that truly are different. I have eaten many other types of Protein bars over the years and always wondered why something that was basically a glorified candy (filled with sugar or those nasty sugar alcohols) didn't taste better than they did. I found out about Quest bars a few months ago and was really impressed with the fact that the ingredient list was so short and they it contained no sugar of any kind and no sugar alcohols. I ordered a box to try them and immediately fell in love. I think they are amazing and judging from the many other posts I've seen here about people's experiences with Quest bars, so do others. I'm pretty sure that you will like them. I've given them to my wife and friends that are NOT protein bar eaters and they really liked them. I actually have to make sure I sneak a small emergency supply that my wife doesn't know about in my car as she will eat them all if I'm not careful. I still always try to get real, healthy meals in whenver I can as no protein bar will ever be better for you than real food but they really let me keep on track when I'm in a pinch or on the road.

Drink what you like. For me it has been important to have a favorite cup to go. At first I survived on diluted cherry koolaid which worked. Also hot green tea w agave, homemade chicken broth. Find what works. I could not drink Water much ... Everyone is different. I know I lived in a dehydrated state before surgery. But now I make a fav cup of coffee and a koolaid to go every morn...and as the day goes I get iced tea or more koolaid. Now I try to drink 1glass of milk each day as well. I don't like alcohol or cokes much...maybe occasional sip of soda but too fizzy now and too heavy. Listen to your body, make it fun with special containers that appeal to you, and don't allow dehydration to take hold. Best wishes...

Alcohol sugars are very very bad for me. Send my bloodsugar plummeting. Good luck finding those bars and let us know.

My doctor recommends a really low-carb bar from a company called Quest (you can find them by googling "quest bar"). They're DELICIOUS and they do free samples so you can try them before buying. Yummy and great nutrition. 20g Protein, 4g carbs, no sugar alcohols (which upset my tummy). Worth a shot.

I was banded in late May and have recently reached the "green zone" meaning that I can eat but get full very quickly. I can eat and drink most anything except breads, dry meat, and rice. As far as alcohol goes, I onlt dirnk on occasion. I can drink one beer at a time but it takes a couple of hours and I recently had a shot of Bailey's and it was delicious. It has taken a while to get to this point but it has truly been worth it. Best of luck.

Hi all having band fitted 25th oct very nervous, although I have always struggled with my weight I have been able to lose it aswell over the last 8 yrs its been very difficult due to medical problems oesto-arthritis in my spine hips hands and feet just wanted to know some information, how does it effect your lifestyle in the sense of what you eat & drink also alcohol. All info is much appriciated x

I use Ragu Original with Mushrooms and just add my own fresh spices along with orange, yellow and red bell peppers. It only has 11 carbs per 1/2 cup serving, but a quick google search for low carb spaghetti sauce shows Hunts No Sugar Added Italian Style Sauce has even fewer carbs per 1/2 c serving. Hunt's No Added Sugar Italian Style Sauce Serving Size 1/2 cup Calories 35 Total Fat 0g Saturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 610mg Total Carbohydrates 6g Dietary Fiber 2g Sugar 3g Sugar Alcohol 0g Protein 1g Ingredients: tomato puree (water, tomato paste), Water less than 2% of: salt, soybean oil, dehydrated onions, carrot fiber, spices, citric acid, xanthan gum, sucralose, acesulfame, potassium, natural flavor

Hi Everyone I'm starting a new thread so we UK sleevers can share our progress. For me, it will be 3 months since my surgery next week. I weighed myself this morning, and worked out that I've now lost 5 stone 2.8lbs! The difference it has made to my life has been incredible. I was in a size 30, I'm now in a size 24/26. I seem to be losing about a stone a month now. My hair isn't falling out at all at the moment but I am quite careful about taking in Protein. I had my first piece of chocolate the other day and it was nice, but I don't feel like I need to eat lots of it anymore. I get compliments left, right and centre about how much I'm changing and my friends tell me how nice I look. Something that didn't happen much before! Things are pretty good so far. I don't regret having the surgery. I've only been sick a couple of times and that was from gulping Water. I even had my first alcoholic drink the other night. Granted, I sipped it slowly, but it was nice to be out and about being 'normal'. I'd love to hear your stories about how you are doing, so please do share them. All the best Bella

Food was never my issue just the lack of activity due to my knee. So not all of us are here because of food. I do put my hand up to liking chocolate and a good glass of red wine! I was never the 3am fridge grazer the NHS Consultant labelled me as as I am so busy and used to be fast asleep. One of my clients actually said to me that she didn't think I ate enough (she's a nutritonist). When I tried a high Protein diet with low carbs I lost quite a lot of weight (3 stone) but then gradually after the knee op just couldn't maintain the loss or add to it. Since the band I have cut out alcohol, foods such as Pasta, bread, chocolate, bananas, steak, rice krispies. I only seem to have Soup, chicken, lots of vegetables, brown rice, weetabix, porridge, pureed fruits (baby range), stews, chilli, I had chicken fajitas minus the wraps the other evening. Again I have noticed that when I manage to eat a proper meal (very small portion) I lose slightly more in the week. Our bodies need good, quality, highly nutritious fuel in order to function.

Thank you so much for answeing, Eurika C! You are right, that decision is difficult. Hearing from other, who have had the surgery - og could give some kind of input. I have trying to read a lot in here, and will probably read all, every thread, before I dicide. "1. I am a person who likes to eat large amounts. I think the restriction will be the most important tool for me. " I hope it is ok for me to ask you these. Large amounts of intake is no longer possible, so it will give you some kind of resticted intake. Do you think, that your urge to eat is so strong, that over time, you could stretching the stomach? And you could digest larger amount over time? What I am thinking about is, that no matter how strong ones feeling of succes is. It is difficult to know, if the old habits will get control over one again. I personally think, that I will do all there is to do, to keep a healthy lifestyle. I have been looking into and working with all the emotions eating is giving me. Mayby the ghrelin reduction will handle some of the appetite "2. I am concerned about the malabsorption of the RNY. I have a brother in law who has done very well so far on the RNY, but I am still concerned. It is important to me to eat as close to a varied normal diet as possible once I have healed and reach maintenance levels." That is also how I feel. What will happen in 20 years from now. It seems logical, that the long time Vitamin and mineral difficiency must be less with a sleeve operation. That is pointing me in the sleeve direction :-) "As for the sweets issue, people can sabotage their surgery by eating high calorie slider foods." Excactly - and how much is too much? I would do anything, but I also more and more see this urge to art like an addiction. Like alcoholism. I know, I need to take care of it every day I have read that 2/3 of the people who have batriatic procedure is have some kind binge eating disorder. " Is this something you are willing to take ownership of and combat? " Yes - ownership is a good word. I need to struggle with after an operation - but I hope the struggle with get just a little easier in some ways. "The sleeve is a tool, and you have to work the tool by following the post surgery guidelines." Yes, and that tool could be so helpful - mayby I am to optimistic, but I see it as I am half way there with this helpertool of mine. THANK YOU AGAIN!

I have had the sleeve back in December 2008 & have lost 80lbs so far I didn't have any complications after the surgery may I add that the only reason I haven't lost all the weight is because the sleeve has a small tricky side..It is the best decision I've made in my life! Thus far I had the surgery when I was 21..I'm 22 now..a November baby....okay well first off it's a life changing thing...& unlike most people my insurance did not cover it...so my mother paid the $20,000+ straight out of her own pocket- no payment plan- no credit card... So that i could have the surgery very thankful since my health was going in a direction in which I was told by the time I was 30yrs old... My health wouldn't be too great, so what I wanted to speak on was the sleeve.. Alcohol consumption for me if I get enough in my system I'll say 1or 2 drinks... "smaller stomach makes you come into a state I don't care to be in alot faster "drunk" so me me it tricks my stomach / my senses and I am able to eat more then I normal eat,.. ALL the bad foods chips, cookies candy, the SOFTER foods I can consumer alot more of that if I dont eat my 2-3 small meals a day..meat MUST be chewed well...I seem to do better with chicken then steak.. Remember reduced stomach means reduced acid in the stomach which helps break the food down..a small steak is fine... & I mean Small!..so now that I'm back on track with the weight loss I have no regrets about the surgery, I have 3 spots on my stomach were they cut me.."microscopic" so no major Horrific scaring...heals with time & proper care+ a scar cream... if you allow it to be like I did which caused my small set back..in me only losing 80lbs is snacks, junk food the Softer the food(mush mush) the more your stomach can hold but don't let bread fool you that's one soft food I avoid with a meal because it swells up and makes you full before you even get your dinner "well with me it does" anyways I believe you get the idea....acid reflux> I take my nexium once a day...skinny people have acid reflux so if the surgery doesn't totally eliminate it..then it will reduce it alot.. I've noticed foods with too much of a kick don't sit well in the stomach.. Gives me a burning feeling sometimes it just depends.. Other then that...I love love love the sleeve, it is a life long change.. Ask yourself this if people are going to lose the weight and then remove the band...and HOPE to remain thinner, why get the band At all especially if they say food can slip through,get stuck& you never really feel full? what kind of mess is that! I thought that was the point to make you eat LESS& BE FULL(really) and all by consuming smaller portions...with the sleeve there isn't any trickery when it comes to the full feeling "except maybe when consuming alcohol like I said earlier" otherwise when YOU feel full, you are full(.)And the backlash for trying to push through that full feeling is you have to throw up plan and simple if you have tried for years to lose weight like I did.. Go with something that will help you benefit you, and actually give you good results.. Instead of being pumped or undone, or redone again.. For those that might not know They sleeve was/ is used on patients that were over 350+ lbs I believe ..& was the first step in prepping patients to get the gastric bypass by allowing them to lose weight( 380+ weight is too high a risk when doing such a major surgery like the gastric bypass) .. But turns out the sleeve made a lot of those patients lose a good amount of weight... Thus the sleeve became one more option in weight loss surgery.....

Hi Knaroz. Good points and all true. More reasons to stay away or at least be very careful with alcohol consumption. Maxi

Very true Maxi, and if you are currently loosing weight it can stall weight loss as the simple sugars in alcohol actually will burn before body fat so it is a catch 22. Also watch you intake because of 2 reasons: A) You have less food in your stomach to help slow the alcohol's absorption and You are at a lower weight which causes the alcohol's effect to be increased.

Hi DylanThomas99. Not to be a party poop but remember that alcohol is really empty calories. Be VERY careful with how much and how often you drink alcohol. I would just have one drink that you drink very slowly on special occasions. Maxi

Gas advice? Feel free to fart frequently. Move around a lot to break it up. Hot bath can get you farting. Some people swear by gas-x. Others by papaya. Walk around and do something noisy so people don't know you're farting. I like to sharpen pencils. LOL. For me, avoid sourkraut. Avoid chocolates with the sugar alcohols instead of the sugar. Also, some SF high protein granola bars or protein bars have chicory root or its active ingredient, inulin in them. As Jim Carrey would say, "Do not go in there."

I see a counsler and I attend OA(overeaters anonymous) a free program similar to AA(alcoholics anonymous) it just talks about our obsessions with food and everyone there is trying to figure out how to have a healthy relationship with food. It has helped alot!!! The counsler helps but it costs money. So whatever your budget you can get the help we need to fix our "heads"...... good luck....:smile:

Obesity is a very complicated condition and is recognized by many in the medical field as a disease. An alcoholic who has been sober for 20 years is still considered an alcoholic. An obese person who has issues with food can still have those after weight loss. This article (from webmd) speaks about how hunger hormones can sabotage our dieting. And hunger is not all head hunger. While that many exist, I believe doctors use that term too often to blame the patient when the band isn't working as it should (despite following all the rules) Some Dieters Are Set Up to Regain Weight And I know many thin adults who eat all they want, don't exercise, and by their own admission have inherited thin genes and are lucky. So, not all thin people are these healthy eaters/exercisers.

Apples, my niece is having a stint put in tomorrow. She will have her stone crushed when they can get her scheduled. That machine must really be booked. I think she said may be two weeks before she can get it busted up Synd.....I wasn't into having a dog until the kids were gone. My pup is like my kid except he loves me unconditionally. He loves walking with me in the morning. That is really why I got a dog......so I would get out and exercise. Joyce.......thanks for the props. I haven't been too good since Vegas. I act like I am on a food vacation. It is weird. Maybe it is because I am not going to weight management on Wednesdays. I am working on it. Lori, it was not easy baking. I am really glad it is over. It is like being a alcoholic and a bartender at the same time. Enjoy your nuggets. You know while you were gone I bought nuggets and they had sand or dirt in them. My teeth still feel gritty. YUCK! I won't be eating nuggets from McD's for quite awhile. Are you going to the McDonald's across from Waikiki? We stayed at the Hilton a couple of blocks from there. I wish I could fly to Hawaii at least every six months. Enjoy!! LauraK, I would eventually like to take yoga. You should have seen Janet and Joyce doing their yoga moves. They are quite limber. Okay peeps.......going to my mother's tomorrow. My DH bought her a new cell phone with voice recognition and larger numbers because of her low vision. I am taking DD with me because she will have to be my techie and program the phone. I know I could do it, but why?.....I have all these people that can do it so much faster.