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My written instructions say "Limit alcohol", which I do. I figure the calories into my food log. I didn't become a lightweight after surgery, though. I drink low cal white wine. Red didn't taste right post-op--at least not yet.

I have something sweet every Sunday. Ice cream, cup cake, homemade Cookies. I make sure it is the best quality and I enjoy every bite but I make sure that it is single serving so its not hanging around on Monday! And I have alcohol on Fridays too...

Wow, Linda, Does that mean you have a grand-daughter you don't know? Its amazing how so many kids who, when they have a parent who basically abandons them for alcohol and/or drugs, grow up to repeat that pattern, leaving the people who actually loved them and raised them and did not abandon them heartbroken. Something inside them is broken and doesn't seem fixable. Dieing needlessly is another form of abandonment. Let's pray that your daughter not only recovers, but that this becomes a life-changing experience for her and the wake-up call she needs to break the generational chains that bind her. God bless you and keep you and your loved ones safe. It's a testament to the love you've shown Aylah and the time you've invested in her that she's so contented in your home. Cheri

Oh man! Thank God Aylah has you! How old is you DSD? Children are growing up later and later. Some of it is our fault, we don't give them enough responsibility and give them too many of the things they want instead of making them work hard to earn it. Some of it is society and their friends whose parents may give them way more than we do and our kids are angry because they think they should have the same. It's this sense of entitlement. And now scientists are telling us kids brains don't mature until they're at least 25 and they don't fully have the ability to foresee the consequences of their actions. Now they have an excuse. But I was married at the age of 19 and pregnant by the end of my college career. So I had my education in place and loved having my 3 babies. I felt grown up. My kids were my job. I was married and my husband made enough that we did fine. But our 2 income economy just to make ends meet, or to have all our wants instead of just meeting our needs, huge increase in divorce, and so many women having to raise kids by themselves while working their a$$ off just to keep their heads above Water, have made it so difficult to give our kids what they need. Out of guilt we overcompensate by giving them what they want and not making them earn the things we give them. At least, I know I did, to a certain extent. So now I try to be there for my grandchildren. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to make up for what I've done wrong with my own kids. Fortunately, although they all have issues, they all took responsibility for their lives, are married, have children, hold down a living wage, and are raising their children in the church. I know better than to look to them for affirmation. I tend to be the target of their humor if they're all together at once, so family reunions are not my favorite things. My daughter is not my best friend. She still pops off at me too much for me to ever feel safe around her. Actually, except for my youngest son, my two older kids make me feel the way I did around their father. Just when I let down my guard and think things are going well, bam! I realize I'll never be able to really let down my guard with them. My youngest is more easy going and less likely to attack me verbally or criticize my decisions and choices. He may not agree with me but he's more like me in hating conflict and drama and choosing not to create it. But compared to many of your kids issues and the responsibilities you've been left with, I actually have it very good. Charlene, meat is a big part of the Protein I get. eggs make me pb and I get tired of whey protein. I only drink one Protein Drink a day. Vegetable Proteins like soy are not complete proteins and don't give you enough of the nutrients you need. Protein stops me from being hungry and keeps my cravings at bay. I make sure that some of my protein is meat, usually chicken or tuna, some red meat. I've also really found that I need to vary the amount I eat. I can eat over 1200 calories one or two days including more carbs, and then drop to 1000 or less for a few sticking to protein and I either maintain or lose even more. I really believe that long periods of time where we eat under 1200 calories a day screws up our metabolism and no matter how little we eat and how much we exercise we can't lose. I really hear you on the getting off the floor thing. I have two fake knees which makes it even harder. It'll never be easy for me but I can turn from sitting on my butt to get my foot under me with my hands on the floor and lift myself up from that position without grabbing onto anything. NSV. I seldom drink. It just doesnt' occur to me. But because I've cut back to almost no anti-inflammatories, my muscles and joints tend to be in a lot of pain by the end of work, especially my neck from doing paperwork and bending over kids. Tonight we went out to eat right after work and I had two flavored vodka martinis laced with some really luscious liqueurs. They were called Stress Busters. After the first drink, my muscles in my neck and shoulders relaxed and the pain was gone. So I had another one. They trulyl lived up to their name. Made my husband drive home. LOL. Can't do that often but after a week revising my schedule daily, planning a Meet and Greet, and suffering from 90+ humidity and 90+ heat all week, it felt really good. Wish drugs worked on my pain and muscles the way that alcohol did without any side effects. Easy to see how chronic pain can make us turn to whatever will alleviate it, from food to drugs to alcohol. Well--big weekend. I'm going to my son's cottage in MI this Sunday. Never been, two and a half hour drive by myself. Might take my granddaughter Skylar to play with my granddaughter Leah. Then home again Monday morning. Tomorrow, my Dh and I might go to Navy Pier and walk to the Gold Coast and back to Navy Pier for some dancing. Last Hurrah before school begins in earnest. Looking forward to our Oct. 1 meeting. Cheri

My doctor said a glass of wine but not all the time. He said beer is ok if it is not very carbonated. I had my first glass of wine a week post op. I find alcohol slows my weight loss down so I dont have it often. I drink any kind of alcohol I want but not in large portions. I always tells my doc about the amounts I drink and he has never had a problem with it those always tells me it is better not to drink because of the calories etc.

I'm not a big drinker (maybe one beer/mo)...after VSG, are you able to drink any type of alcohol again? And i mean like 6mos down the road kind of deal? Thanks!

Hey, me too: tuna with dill pickle relish is, all of a sudden, really good. I've never eaten tuna much. I can eat avocados and guacomole. I find myself ordering Pasta dishes and I never used to eat pasta. I felt too guilty. But now I eat such a small amount of it I don't feel guilty at all. I eat a few bites of the chicken or shrimp that comes with the pasta and a couple of bites of pasta and I'm done. The rest of the dish comes home with me. The servers ask me if I didn't like it because my plate looks almost untouched. Whoo hoo! That's a great feeling. And I usually get at least a couple more meals out of it. I can't enjoy ice cream anymore or other milk products except cottage cheese and yogurt. This is a good thing because ice cream used to be my downfall. But it is very strange to not be able to enjoy ice cream for the first time in my life. I also tried to eat a small piece of my mother's recipe chocolate cake. Two little bites and that was way too much and I was uncomfortable and sorry I tried it. I love that feeling. It's my best friend! Oh yeah, I can't drink coffee or tea and only a couple of sips of any alcoholic beverage. Can you drink coffee and tea? What about wine? Isn't it strange how some people can't eat things like avocado and others can?

My doc says no alcohol for four months post-op. I thought this would be a very hard rule for me to follow (we are very social and drinking is usually always involved!) but it has me feeling a bit empowered, if I do say so myself! He also says no caffeine 2 months post op. I went cold turkey on both, the day i started my pre-op on July 5. Haha, had a great 4th and then the party ended! I feel more awake and alert since I have given up caffeine and giving up alcohol has saved me a lot of empty calories and bad decisions on post-party eating. Right around Thanksgiving will be the 4 month mark for me, so I might enjoy some wine with my Turkey. When I do go back to drinking, I think it will be a weekend only thing for me...not daily like it used to be. No beer, though. I've given up carbonation, too! I like the idea of crystal light, G2, and Fuse Slenderize with a little vodka My husband is AMAZED that I have given up alcohol so easily. I always tell him that food is my vice, not alcohol. I really can take it or leave it even though I used to enjoy it quite frequently.

Try these things: Always have crystal lite, tea or Water in your hand. Drink 64 oz a day No or very little Pasta, rice, bread, potatoes At least 60 grams of lean Protein a day (some can be from a Protein shake with less than 5 grams carb and sugar per serving) Exercise--it curbs appetite Don't eat in front of the TV Pay attention to portions Don't buy junk food at all and no fast food Never go grocery shopping when you're hungry Eat 3 meals a day with protein Snacks in between (but don't graze all day) Get a good night's sleep Take a Multivitamin every day Avoid coffee and alcohol (stimulates appetite) See my blog (link below) for some pre-op tips. If you blow it one day, start fresh in the morning and move on. It's a new day.

I was banded in early October and the weekend before Thanksgiving my sister and I painted the LR. When we were done on Sunday night, I grabbed 2 wine coolers from the fridge. God only knows how old they were. I drank about half and realized it was carbonated.I was so aware of NO SODA, that I forgot other things have bubbles! I had a bit more and was fine. There is alcohol abuse in my family and as I am single am always driving alone to and from parties, so I RARELY drink. Do bandsters have issues w/ alcohol the way By Pass people do? I have witnessed this and it is not pretty.

Yes, each visit I have with Dr. Castro the more respect I have for the man. I told him I wanted whomever decided to use the betadine written up for it because the rash has been horrible. He looked at my rash and I told him I noticed when I got home the rash and a fake tan look to my entire abdominal area. He said most of the preps they use these days are alcohol based because there are more and more people with questionable iodine allergies and alcohol based preps are just as good if not better than iodine based preps. He also said the preps they use do have a fake tan look to them. I have no doubt he will have an answer for me by the time I go back in 3 weeks for my next follow up. Best of luck to you in your soon to be surgery!

Drinking alcohol helped to get me where I am weight wise. Alcohol bloats me terribly. I have not had any wine since a couple of days before my surgery and I have already released so much of the bloat . I won't be doing alcohol for a long time to come. It's not worth it to me. Losing weight is my top priority now.

Wierd, once I posted the link, it would not let me out of the font, and kept trying to add it to the link.... Anyway---the first one is a dash cam, of part of the pass I refer to driving frequently---Wolf Creek Pass. It does not do it justice in either the beauty or the sharp turns! And since it is dash mounted you do not get the opportunity to look over the edge!!! It is afterall over 10,000 feet up there!!! The 2nd link is to the Narrow Guage railroad that we take between Durango, and Silverton CO. It is an amazing ride, the scenery is gorgeous, and the wildlife abundant, we have seen bears, and elk, the usual deer, fox, raccoons, all kinds of things. There are some steep trestle type views from it too. To drive by car between the 2 places, you must go over 2 mountain passes, both can be trecherous in the winter, so you can imagine taking a little train, and the climbs it must make! They are not great videos, but give you somewhat of an idea what and where I am talking about! Suzie---great to hear from you, have a good trip through to AZ today. Lots of little places to look at. If you drop into Utah, check out The Hole in the Wall. Did you hear about Michael Douglas? He has cancer stage 4, I watched him on Letterman, felt kind of bad for Dave, he was at such a loss for words. He is being really up front about it, saying this type is caused by alcohol, and cigarettes. He has begun radiation....scary stuff. Not sure yet what my day holds! Not much I hope, I would like to kick back and read!! LOL I love how Angela and Tracy keep running into one another!!! Speaking of.... Terri, any suggestions of somewhere to take Suzanne and her husband to eat while they are here? I mean for just gabbing, we can hang at my place---but I don't want to spend the time messing with cooking, I would rather go out!!! LOL, Surprise!!! The bus pulled up yesterday, and there was no Kinsey waiting to stand up, the driver turned to me, and I was waiting to hear the words, that she wasn't there! Instead she puts her hands up to her face in the sleeping position, and tells me she is asleep!!! I had to go on the bus and wake her up. Poor thing is having a hard time letting go of those naps. She is going to bed at 8 now....and Manda said she was out of the tub and in bed by 7:45 last night. She is trying!!! Kinsey takes her vitamins here every morning, and she tells me, this will give her energy to stay awake! Such a nutcase. Manda blew her hair dry last night, since she was going to bed so early, so it was straight this morning, it is soo long! For so long (2 years almost) she was a little baldy---this just seems odd!!! I made arrangements with my neighbor for Kinsey to catch the bus from her house next month. I will be working early voting for the month of October. So I have to be there at 7 AM, and Kinsey gets on the bus at 7:05! So I will leave at 6:50, will have her ready, to just walk out of Connies and get on the bus. It is too good of money to turn down, it will completely cover Christmas, and property taxes, all the kids birthdays----well sons is in a few days. But I enjoy the work, so we made this arrangement! Actually depending on Manda's appt. she may transfer to the Farmington office and go to just scheduling, so she has no field work. If she works out of Farmington, she will catch the bus at home, and I won't have her in the morning, but for an extra half hour in the afternoon. Doesn't matter, I like her being here! Gonna go take a shower and get dressed.....let the day begin!!!

I was told three hours also but it was more like an hour and a half for me. The main points they went over was whether or not you can follow the required post op plan and that you din't have any undiagnosed issues. Like night eating or any alcohol or drug abuse issues. She gave me some information on a book to read about setting Boundaries, in all aspects on my life. Which hey, can't hurt. I am one who does not like conflict and will just go with the flow but I know thats not always the best answer either. Overall, don't worry. Tracey

Ok, I can say that I had my first taste of post-op alcohol last weekend. (I am 3 wks post-op as of Monday) I had about 3 drinks. The worst part for me was the way I felt the next day. I HAD a high tolerance for alcohol but I felt very hungover and VERY dehydrated. It was difficult to not gulp a bottle of water, especially with food. I was soooo thirsty. It just wasn't worth catching up on hydrating. I will definately be more cautious next time and limit myself to 1 drink. And I didn't really need the additional calories. Feeling a little guilty about it now. :biggrin:

I will say wine will impede your weight loss more than just the calories it holds. I was still having my daily glass of wine during my weight loss stage and "fitting" in the calories. But when I got to the last 15 pounds I could not lose it while drinking wine. I stopped wine and replaced the 200 calories with food and lost the last little bit in about a month. Now I only drink wine on Friday night. (Which is also saving me a lot of money!) I was reading a nutrition text book recently and it stated that your body burns all the alcohol before it even considers starting to burn fat so if you consume 200 calories a day in alcohol you have to exercise an extra 30 min a day (estimated) at 80% of you heart capacity to reach the fat burning stage.

My problem with these programs is that they are all so religion based. I personally don't believe in god, but why shouldn't I get some support too? My husband was having trouble with alcohol awhile back, and I made him go to AA. He went once and never went back because all they talked about was god. I wish there was a way to get support for your issues without having to believe in god, I mean we are still humans even if we aren't christians.

OK, my weakness is wine not ice cream. So I was a bad girl last night and had a glass of white wine. (I am still on liquid phase and this is liquid right??!!). Anyway, it tasted bad to me and my taste buds were not ready for it after having protien drinks for 13 days. My mouth was dry as the desert all night as I slept even though I drank 2 glasses of Water after the wine. Anyway, I am glad because I am not going to hurry to have another glass now. That will make me fall off the health wagon faster than ice cream. Does anyone else that likes an occasional drink have a story of their experience of alcohol with the band??

I was about to ask how in the world you got WC to pay for bariatric surgery to begin with, but then re-read what you wrote and now I get it. That's an interesting scenario, and I can definitely see why they'd fight having to pay for a sleeve, but I can also tell you that, having worked at the WC center for General Motors at one time, probably 95% of all lawsuits brought against the company by the employee are won, and that includes completely ridiculous ones like "I can't work because I'm an alcoholic because my job made me that way," or "I can't work because of the mental problems caused by my job..." yeah, totally serious. I'd say if the job caused removal of the band, and now you can't have another band, you'd stand an excellent chance of having your WC pay for a sleeve, maybe even without much threat from a lawyer (although you may still have to initiate that process). Hmmmm, interesting. Keep us updated!

I'm sold on fatsecret.com. If you wants to be my buddy on there we can see each other's food logs (I just switched from fitday so today is the first day). Search Donna4545. I bet you can get down to 900 calories/day--get rid of the sausage,alcohol, potatoes, bread and eat more like you did 6 months out (that's not a flame, it's advice). If you have a sweet tooth, don't eat that cookie! Instead make something lowcal and sweet from the Bariatric Foodie blog--she's got Protein cheesecake, bon bons, tons of stuff. You can do it! You are almost there. Donna

Actually, the comments were not as bad as I expected. Yes, some of the writers were seriously ignorant and judgemental, but not all which I thought was encouraging. It is very difficult for some people to understand ANYTHING out of their own limited experience. Just because they don't have a weight problem, they think that those who do suffer from gluttony. We see the same thing with drug/alcohol addiction and poverty. It's simpler for these people to pass judgement than to realize the complexity of the issues involved. Thank goodness NHS is continuing to pay for WLS. I don't blame you for being annoyed, Jane; it is annoying. I would like to submit the idea, however, that it could be much worse. I live in the US where there is no comprehensive coverage. I also live in AZ where the government is just plain mean-spirited. I could go into detail here but I don't want to start a political debate. Let me just say that I think they are fascist a-holes.

That's always been my "confusion" with people who are aghast that ?their? insurance pays for WLS but have no problem with smokers, sunbathers, texting drivers, drug abusers/alcoholics, etc. etc. etc. who don?t ?take care of themselves? using ?their? insurance to pay for the resulting health issues. ARRRRRRRRRRR

08/25/2010 OK...Today I met with this very nice nutritionist at UMC Hospital and really enjoyed my interaction with her. "Stephanie" was pretty knowledgeable about the lapband diet, pre-op, surgery, etc. even though this is a fairly new surgery for UMC. I have already been doing some of the pre-pre-op things such as eating with a smaller plate, watching alcohol consumption, using a baby spoon, actually measuring portions. All of this has been such an eye opener for me. If I could do all these things all the time, I wouldn't even NEED the lapband, but although I consider myself somewhat of a "professional dieter" after 30 years of being obese, I can get it off, just can't seem to KEEP it off. I am still feeling like luck is on my side and that although my Cigna has this stupid clause excluding CHN employees and their spouses (sheesh!), perhaps I will be that one that they just have to authorize. You know...Squeaky Wheel Syndrome!!!!:wub:

Good Evening Gang... Candice - LOL O'doul's - when pple try to give me a water down drink when I am drinking - i tell them put more alcohol in it - I am one of those drinkers who think they can drink all nite - cuz I use to - but again back then I had help from those things called diet pills - could drink all night and not get falling down drunk - I know you all don't think I'm as much of a drinker - not on a daily basis - but like when I go out - I can drink too much.. But I'm a fun drunk ;0) Love the $$$ saved by making ice that's cute... Hopefully pple will help you clean up - I know when my gf has a party pple are always helping clean up.. Karla - Yes you will be set free from letting go of all that junk that you are never going to have time to do... We have the same problem here in CA with # of kids in a class - I'm sure glad I don't have any kids in school.. Hugs you will survive So are you going to take a yoga class ?? Good for you... Well not much to report - back from the gym - boot camp tonite - then started my dinner - a one pot wonder - I didn't eat veggies last night so I have to get them in tonite. Tried to teach Bella to walk on a leash - but it's freaking hot - car said 119 at 6:30... Its the hottest it's been all summer - I can usualy go out at this time of nite and be ok not sweat - but tonite - hell no - we will practice more later.. Steph - How are you doing... How's Michael - is everyone ready for school to start - how's the house cleaning going Phyl - will be glad when you have regular internet - we sure do miss you.. Denise we haven't heard from you in AGES..

Julie, what kind of cookies and bars did you make? I just told my GS I would guide him through making cookies for the county fair (4H). I told him he could do bars, cookies, and a cake. Whew!! He is also showing a calf. Lexapro causes me to have dry mouth. When I was on the Protein Shakes my mouth was so dry I thought I was getting gum disease. That is one of the reasons I went off of the shakes. I use Biotene toothpaste, mouthwash, and spray for dry mouth. I love it. No alcohol so it feels so good. Probably the combination of Cymbalta and the pain meds really dries out your mouth. My DS is almost moved in. He travels alot with his job.....or he is at his new girlfriend's house. He told me the other day he loved her and was going to marry her. WOW! I haven't heard that come out of his mouth in the four years he has been divorced. It must be the real thing. Laura and Jessica.......Medals for both of you! Brave Mommy for the Day! I just bought some NB walking shoes on Amazon. They had the best price. All the reviews I read were five star. I did get the Velcro because I can adjust them better, and I am sick of my laces coming untied even when I double knot them. I sound old, but "it is what it is". Linda......How is Merry? Apples, thinking of you.......how is your arm? Great, you must be having such a good time.....can't wait to hear about it. Gwen......wow, Madrid.....awesome! Janet, Cheri, Laura K, Eva, Jodi, Melissa, Joyce, Judy, Phyl......hope you are having a nice evening. I know I am missing someone....Kurby...HI!