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Janet, I've eliminated the bad carbs but picked up some things with complex carbs. Atkins has some surprisingly good things. Their Daybreak Chocolate Chip Crisp Bar has 0 gram sugar, 10g Protein, only 3g net carbs. Atkins only counts the carbs that shoot up your blood sugar (hi glycemic) as carbs that count toward total carb count. The bar does have 6 g. fiber-most of it soluble because its made from soy and oats. I still have to take my Miralax everyday--more than ever--because fiber makes me constipated--and the gas is unbelievable. Doesn't matter how much liquid I ingest. I also found an Atkins candy bar called Endulge, only a couple of carbs, they use the sugar alcohols that don't raise your blood sugar so net carbs are very low. Tastes a lot like a 3 musketeers/milky way and it has protein and fiber. One of each of these a day seems to really take care of my cravings while keeping my carbs low. I'm more into keeping my carbs low and my protein high than into total calories. I add some vegetables and a little fruit. Both the Atkins products really fill me up. We'll see if they help with the weight loss, but they do add fiber and no simple carbs. And they taste good. Took over an hour walk today. Yesterday no walk. Spent my day and night with various children--which does give you exercise. Cheri

Haydee and laura, so excited for you both....2 lil beebee girls..went out for dinner and had 2 margies...and enchiladas...yummmm-hopefully we get to stop for lunch when we get by my sisters' for a margie lunch...omg..am I becoming an alcoholic??? Saw a pic of Kat on FB-did she go to wedding too??/ Curious...was wondering if any contact was made with the "others". Ok, going to bed, gonna be on the road early --allegedely....:redface:

Honk, I understand and agree with what your saying but I don't really think it's that serious. I'm hoping that the contract thing is probably just and extra incentive or motivator to try to keep you on your toes What can they do ? sue you if you don't lose weight or exercise? Yeah , I can just see that on Judge Judy!! On the other hand if God forbid something go wrong at your surgery because you binged out or have a gut full of alcohol or something it may be a piece that they can use against you if we wanted to sue them. Who knows? I think it's just more like one of those pledges Oprah always has people signing...like yeah O just cause you shame somebody into signing your don't text and drive pledge on your show their not gonna do it but it may make someone think twice about it.

Hey everybody. I am going to have to beg to differ on Bob's liquid diet. I have lost 2 pounds in 3 days because I stopped drinking wine. The 2 pounds before these took 21 and 25 days. I now have hope again that I can get to goal by my 1 year bandiversary in October. Isn't it funny how we can be so stubborn? I tried everything else before I finally admitted to myself that the wine was the problem and then here is the kicker, it really wasn't that I wanted the alcohol. The night I stopped, I found myself wandering around the kitchen, so I ended up drinking half a G2 Gatorade (25 calories) that I buy for the boys and found that satisfied me just like the wine did. I was really just looking for a flavored drink not necessarily an alcoholic one. As the boys tell me, DUH.

I know y'all are all going to be shocked but I stopped my nightly glass of wine about a week ago and I have lost 2 pounds in the last 3 days. It took 21 and 25 days to lose the last 2 pounds and now 2 pounds in 3 days. I found that my desire for a glass of wine was really a desire for a flavored drink. I usually drink a cup of black coffee in the morning and then just Water all day. When I stopped drinking wine I found myself wandering around the kitchen so I substituted a half bottle of G2 Gatorade (25 calories) and I was satisfied with that, so I really wasn't craving alcohol just a flavored drink. I start week 4 of my cross training tomorrow morning and that is going well so now I have hope again that the last 6 could be gone by my bandiversary. I hope everyone is doing well.

P.S. Something about being anonymous here defnitely works like alcohol on my inhibitions! In fact, I've been known to get rather brash and offensive. It's lots of fun, I have to admit. And quite liberating for someone who normally prefers to be politically correct in polite company.

In general it is always easy to make judgements from the outside. There's a reason for the proverb "walk a mile in my shoes". Personally alcohol does'nt do a thing for me. Period. I have to have sweet dessert drinks so why bother with the alcohol; I might as well just eat a piece of cake. My brother however is a recovering alcoholic. Our difference is I can walk away from beer; and you would have to force feed him cherry pie. I find that weight problems are something that many people cant empathize over. Unfortunately you may never get someone to understand why you've made the this decision if they are not of the mindset to really listen.

Well I've always enjoyed getting a good buzz and have been known to have a few too many from time to time. But alcohol just never has made me feel as good as ice cream used to. Weird, huh? I totally understand the dependancy transfer situation. I imagine I could figure out how to do that. Not that I'm on self-destruct, mind you. But I am a girl who likes to have fun. Many of my friends like me better with a few drinks in me because I'm generally so darned uptight all the time. I'm one of those chicks who grew up needing to have everybody like me and so I've been bad about trying TOO hard, if you know what I mean. That kind of behavior often makes others uncomfortable and kinda feel sorry for you. Gawd, youth is wasted on the young! Thanks for the feedback, Jane.

thank u for ur kind words and support...the center i'm going to offers individual therapy and group therapy..the individual therapist will get to the root of the problem...the group therapy is where the actual eating dis-order will come in2 play...my therapist has also suggested i go to support groups for over-eaters and not just bulemics....some centers handle all eating dis-orders....this one is specifically designed for bulemics and aneroxics...it's an in-patient/out-patient center...i've asked my new therapist if there is anyone else in there with a lap band...and like i've mentioned b4...she said "its very common"...i still have a hard time admitting i have an eating dis-order...but i fight with food...i fight to eat...i fight...i fight...i feel guilty when i eat..some go to drugs and alcohol when they r stressed i go to laxatives and now i find myself vomitting when i am stressed...i'm getting a grip on the mental part...starting to feel like myself again...losing my image...i feel like i'm waking up from a bad dream...but the other part has a strong grip on my mind...i'm scared to death of food

I've had acid reflux on and off and there are few things that really trigger it. Alcoholic beverages definitely make a difference, as do sodas and coffee and acidic foods like tomato sauce. I also got very bad reflux when I had post nasal drip from a sinus infection. You should try to find out the root of the acid and in the meantime, there's a few things you can do to make it better. I was put on Prilosec 2x per day and that managed it well. Also monitor what you are eating/drinking. Don't drink or eat anything within 2 hours of bedtime and if you do, try to sleep with your chest and head a bit elevated. I hope it gets better for you because it can cause longterm damage if left untreated.

I chuckled when I saw your comment about the Iced Cap being better than beer. Then I started to wonder - would an Iced Cap be better, nutritionally? Well hold on to your Timbit, Rosie! A medium original Iced Cap, with cream, is 320 calories. A medium original with milk, is 240 calories. But a regular beer is anywhere between 150 and 200, depending on the alcohol content. So strictly calorie-wise, a beer is better than an Iced Cap.

The truth. I want to lose weight so I can get a better paying job so I can leave my husband. I married a mentally abusive alcoholic 15 years ago, and that has led me down a river of self abuse/denial. I've filled the holes in my life with food & pets. Food loves me, pets love me, and I love them back. Don't ask me how it all hapened. It just did. He drove away my friends, then my family, then my own self respect. But bit by bit I'm clawing my way out of the hole I've been in. When I got my band I started to see light. (he never even asked me why I was in the hospital. duh, love) It's hard, but I know i'm not alone feeling this way. I don't want to be thin so i can get another man. No way. I've been burned enough. I just want to have people look at me, not look at my fat or my ill fitting clothes. I can giggle and joke about the chips I had, or the donut i had, but it's sad. There's nothing funny about being fat.

I gained 2 pounds since last week and haven't a drop of alcohol all week. Maybe that's it. Gonna suck down a few Guinness right now and get rid of these extra pounds.

Yup, those two things, the travel and the wilde beests, are the reason I haven't wanted to make the trip. But I dunno if I had the chance to go I probably would. Your photos of the Sex in the City party were very cute. You're a better man than I for being able to manage those shoes until the wee hours. Which brings up a good question: wine? I have teetotled since surgery because of all the stories I've heard. Plus my dietician says that alcohol is hard on the tummy. Have you had any problems? I have a tendancy to get drunk on small quantities (being part red Indian, ya know) so I've been afraid that I would totally make a fool of myself by waking up with a lampshade on my head and burn marks on my knees.

That's really horrible to hear, especially since you went to a center of excellence. Part of the "hoops" that most people need to go through is phyc counceling. When I had my appointment she was as honest with me as I was with her. She told me that I should get counceling throughout my weight loss. I chose not to. I was honest with her about my past and she told me that if I didn't deal with my issues, I could turn my food abuse and become abusive with other mediums, like alcohol, sex, gambling, smoking, as well as other food driven issues. I knew from the get go that the band was a tool. It was very plainly NOT the magic pill everyone is looking for. Even today at my fill... man is that another story, the Dr. was questioning me about eating, exercise ect. What kind of treatment are you starting Sat? Counceling?

Transfer addictions after bariatric surgery are really, really common. Alcoholism is rampant in my family---so I avoid alcohol for the most part. Basically, my approach is now that I have limited stomach real estate---and I just can't use it for things that don't benefit my body. While I can occasionally be convinced that the lycopene in a Blood Mary is beneficial, in general I'd rather eat my calories. We often turn to symptom substitution when one of our crutches is removed. It's so easy for me to see how alcohol or other substances could be substituted for food. I've chosen to substitute exercise. While I am mindful that this can become a form of bulimic behavior, I'm FAR too lazy for it to reach that sort of proportion, so I view it as a safe, healthy transference. Take good care of yourself--I think you're really smart to identify a problem early, so that you can address it. There's lots of help available. I bet your surgeon could refer you to an AA group well-populated by bariatric patients. It really is THAT big of an issue. Good luck and (((hugs)))

Well, I'm so glad its all over for you Slinky, Cher and all you other girlies and guys. Well done, you wont be sorry. I just wanted to mention, that the low fat diet is not so you'll lose weight, its to shrink your liver. If your liver is enlarged it would get in the way of putting the band in. Dont be scared cos I drink alcohol every night, a few at least and my liver was fine. Also dont worry about the length of the seat belts on the flights, as I said before they have to carry extensions for mothers with babies, who sit on their knees, I wouldnt have known this but my daughter was cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic and she told me loads of things that I wouldnt have known otherwise. My last fill didnt seem to be working that good, had only lost 2lbs in 2 weeks, but last weekend I was busy making the christening cake and food for my grandaughters christening, going to the hairdressers etc, plus we went to a wedding on the saturday night, that I didnt have time to eat and my nerves were shot too. Hoping that the cake was up to my daughter's expectations. I could hardly eat or drink over that weekend and I have lost a few pounds. I forgot that this is what happens if you dont eat, the band tightens itself. And there was me contemplating yet another fill, which now I dont have to do.

Hey Kcg, My fill went well, thanks for asking. Being on fluids for two days then mushies for another two is hell. LOL I was starving! Anyway, better days over the weekend and today. I hope this gives me restriction also! I am still feeling hungry after having a Breakfast and a morning snack and lunch is an hour away… we’ll see how this fill goes. I am not sure about where the band is placed. How would one know? An x-ray? When I went to my doctors for the fill, both the nurse and the doc said I was losing weight as I should for the amount of fills I have had (not many and not much). So hearing that gave me some relief. I did lose one more pound in 2 months. I look forward to seeing your intake. Mine is going to be quite different from the one I posted. Because like you said, I am going to cut off processed foods like you said and see how I do. I also found this great gelato for a snack that is only 30 calories, no fat, and 5 grams of sugar per 4 oz. serving. When I previously logged my intake I was within my calorie range (1200) or below. I did consider cutting back and have on the ice cream and such. What you said about sacrifices is so true… I need to do this NOW for myself, because it’ll pay off in the long run. I appreciate your post very much. Your post and my nurse and doc all have provided me support and motivation, so thank you! Oh and what I drink besides the AM coffee is water and crystal light all day long. Usually 6-8 oz. of crystal light and water (no sugar; no cal). I don’t drink any sugary or carbonated drinks. I also don’t drink alcohol all that much; very rare occasions. I have some “light juice” on occasion too. I don’t go to the gym because of the cost and it is not comfortable for me. Not really a motivator either. I know it is a motivator for some people... I walk, jog, kayak and also do aerobic exercises on the Wii Fit (which is super fun!) I definitely will redo it as a challenge. Absolutely. We all didn’t go through this for it to be a breeze, now did we? Nope! Thanks again for everything. Good luck to you also. Sounds like you are doing a superb job! :wub: All the best, Renee

Alcoholism is something that passes from Mother to Son. There are many cases of alcoholism on my maternal side. I have two sisters and one brother. Oldest sister normal weight not a drinker (though if stressed would eat chocolate for comfort), Brother recovering alcoholic no weight issues, Middle Sister fluxuating weight but never as over weight as me also uses food as a comfort and not really a drinker. Me I have been overweight my whole life I really don't drink (like maybe one a year). To me it sounds like you have transfered your comfort item from food to alcohol (though I am not an expert). I know my biggest food issue is carbs: potatoe chips, corn ships, things that go crunch, cake, brownies, cereals (Oh how I love cereals especially sugery children's cereal). I could eat a half a box of count chocula by the handful no milk required. I no longer buy these things. Period. If I am at a family get together and the menu includes oven roasted potatoes (greek style with garlic) then yes I can have them. Or if there are chips to go with sandwiches that's okay too. But I always make sure it's just a couple. I don't eat half a bag just a couple (I am preband). I think you need a plan which in my opinion means not having alcohol in your house. I would agree that perhaps you should speak with a professional who can help you make a game plan.

The first 36 hours after surgery, I couldn't take my pain medication. It burned like acid, going down. I finally made it out of sheer desperation, but what I found out is that a lot of liquid pain medications have an alcohol base, something about making it mix properly. That would definitely cause more pain on stomach surgery people, at least initially. If you're still on liquid pain medication (or on any liquid medication at all), you might talk to your doctor about a diabetic formulation, which I've always thought tastes absolutely foul (blech!), but might be easier on your stomach. I found that once I got the pain initially under control, that keeping it controlled (as well as controlling the nausea) got a lot easier. And I've found that omeprazole (generic for Prilosec) can help too. Immensely.

I have no idea where my previous post went (of about 1 hour ago???? so I cut and pasted from the other thread) CALORIES«CARBS«FAT«PROTEIN677«71«21«49 Food so far today.... Change of plans. I was all ready to go to the gym at 9:45, went to PICK up Michelle as it was my turn to drive. When I get there, she still has her pj`s on.... apparently she had called me yesterday and said that she wanted to go to her AA meeting Sunday morning instead.... but since I didnt get the message and showed up at her house she invited me to go to her AA meeting with her. I`ve been unable to find an OA meeting in my area so I figured..... One 12 step meeting is as good as another so I went. I am so happy that I did.... there are so many similarities in `>`Behaviours`> between Drug addicts, Food Addicts, Alcoholics.... I could see alot of my self in other people`s stories... it was way cool. Met some very nice people and I did not feel `strange`there amongst them at all... very welcomed in fact. So no exercise for me today! Monday morning is 30/30/30 class and we ARE going to that... apparently its 30 mins cycling, 30 minutes of STEP, then 30 minutes of Yoga... sounds good to me. Candice (aka Peaches9) __________________ CALORIESCARBSFATPROTEIN1,063«134«29«64

CALORIES«CARBS«FAT«PROTEIN677«71«21«49 Food so far today.... Change of plans. I was all ready to go to the gym at 9:45, went to PICK up Michelle as it was my turn to drive. When I get there, she still has her pj`s on.... apparently she had called me yesterday and said that she wanted to go to her AA meeting Sunday morning instead.... but since I didnt get the message and showed up at her house she invited me to go to her AA meeting with her. I`ve been unable to find an OA meeting in my area so I figured..... One 12 step meeting is as good as another so I went. I am so happy that I did.... there are so many similarities in `>`Behaviours`> between Drug addicts, Food Addicts, Alcoholics.... I could see alot of my self in other people`s stories... it was way cool. Met some very nice people and I did not feel `strange`there amongst them at all... very welcomed in fact. So no exercise for me today! Monday morning is 30/30/30 class and we ARE going to that... apparently its 30 mins cycling, 30 minutes of STEP, then 30 minutes of Yoga... sounds good to me. Candice (aka Peaches9)

I had an epiphany a few days ago...My typical Friday night consisted of the family & friends going to our local Tex Max place for dinner. I would gorge myself on chips & salsa and one of those HUGE margaritas while we looked at the menu. I would order a full dinner, finish it along with maybe a small margarita if I wasn't driving. I would leave feeling stuffed, not sleep well and wake up feeling bloated and gross the next day. This past Friday I had a cup of broth, stopped when I started to feel full. I went to bed at a decent hour, slept well and woke up and went for a walk. I am being honest with myself so I had to ask myself "OK, do you feel like you're missing out, how do you feel about this". I can honestly say that I still feel like I have made the right and best choice for myself. I am working on finding other things that make me happy that don't involve food or alcohol. "Been there, done that, doesn't work for me", is what I will keep telling myself when faced with challenges as they come.....which I know they will! I am still in the infant stage of this whole journey, so the words and actions are a lot easier to come up with. I will continue to pray to God for strength and love every single day!

You're doing great ! ! ! 1. When do you think I will be able to have sushi? I AM DYING HERE! HAHA - We already talked about this one LOL. See how your body tolerates it, go slow, and I hear the sashimi works great. The rice might be uncomfy just eat slow, and see how your body reacts. First signal of discomfort, stop. 2. They doctors told me to stop drinking 30 mins before my meals, not to drink during my meals, and to wait 30 mins after my meals before drinking. I have been doing this, but i find it annoying and hard to do at time. Is this something that I will always have to do? Or is it mostly in the first X amount of months that I have to do this? I have never had to stop drinking before my meals. With my band, I had to because liquid fills up your pouch, but we have stomachs so I was instructed to just not drink with my meals and to wait 30 minutes after my meal. 90% digestion occurs in the intestine. Drinking while eating will push the food through, and you may experience some hunger sooner if you flush the food through. I sip with a meal on occasion. I can fit more in. I still DO NOT experience hunger, but if I drink when I eat, I can fit more food in at this point. Early out, there really isn't room for liquids. It might be uncomfortable to drink. A couple of sips to wet my whistle after spicy/salty food never hurt. I took a big drink on accident once, and it hurt and caused some cramping. Lesson learned, sips are okay, big drinks not so much. 3. Will I ever be able to have Sprite or 7up ever in the future. I am not much of a soda drinker at all, and I realize it does stretch your sleeve. I'm talking a soda every once in a while. The only time I had soda was when I would go out to resturaunts or something. Lately I have been craving sprite (it's wierd), but do any of you down the road (6+ months post op) have soda at all? Also wondering for New Years about the soda thing cause I usually mix alcohol with soda, by then i will be almost 7 months post op. - I drink soda. I've drank soda on occasion since being at goal. They're empty calories, it hasn't caused my sleeve to stretch at all, and I enjoy a soda here and there. My surgeon doesn't believe it'll stretch the sleeve anymore than eating bread, Pasta and rice will stretch it. I can eat the same amount of food right now that I could at 7-8 months post-op. There hasn't been any change or negativity from me drinking soda. I'm not an advocate to go against doctor's orders so check with them. For my program, nothing is off limits for life. Moderation is the key. I drink rum/cokes regularly without issue. Well regularly, on the rare occasion that I go out drinking, that is my preference. I drink socially without any ill effects. My suggestion on drinking post sleeve is to drink at home first. It might hit you hard and fast the first time. At this stage for me, my alcohol tolerance is back to pre-op.

endorphins are the only things that have ever successfully controlled my anxiety. when i don't exercise, i'm just emotionally down enough to make life more difficult. but when i exercise, i get everything out of my mind and body, the catharsis is deep, and my brain chemistry is more balanced. i'm talking about daily exercise. my favorite exercise is hiking and walking. this sounds psycho -- and i'm not saying i'm NOT psycho -- but i power walk and hike with my bluetooth earpiece on and talk to myself. it looks and sounds like i'm on the phone, but really i'm just getting it all OUT. i have to work out all my stuff, and doing this gets my stuff worked out of me physically and mentally. this is when i'm in shape, mind you. i know the hardest part of this journey for me will be when i'm thin -- thinness is where the rubber hits the road for me. i have no armor, no excuses, i can't blame anybody else for any number of things, and life is vivid and REAL and mine to mess up. i have a fear of being thin. i know this now. so, this time i'm armed with a clear understanding of how i tick, and i know i have to treat my food and weight issues the same way an alcoholic treats their recovery. i know life isn't going to be ideal just because i'm thin again. life will be awesome, i'm ready for that, but it will still be challenging and i'll have to work through it. my plan is to be in individual and group therapy in perpetuity, and i've already lined up steady exercise activities to keep me balanced (i've already joined an ocean swimming group, stuff like that). i'm ready to LIVE. all a long-winded way of saying TRY EXERCISE once you're recovered enough and have lost enough weight to move around without feeling like you're going to die. the link between endorphins and serotonin levels is well documented. drugs don't always help, so endorphins can be your friends.