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I have just done over a week of cold turkey coming off my PPI after nearly a year. It is getting better, thank God for Gaviscon, and I am glad I did it. I am nearly drug free now. Apart from the alcohol of course.....:drool5:

I have a 12 to 16 ounce cup of coffee every morning. My doc says it's alright. I was on decaf initially right after being banded as instructed, but now I drink a cup a day and I'm fine. Please, if I can't smoke, drink too much alcohol, have no soda, and eat I'd be one mean b*tch without my coffee LOL!!! That is what works for me, but I am not trying to speak for all the bandsters here :-) (Again, you see from the responses, it does vary from doctor to doctor--what does yours say about it?)

I'm just checking in, too. I rarely come here anymore, but I've been feeling like I need to re-focus, you know? I've been at the same weight (144) for ages and ages, but I'd really like to lose another 15 and be down at 130. It's not so much the weight, but I'm feeling less in control of my eating than I used to feel. I'm reasonably good diet-wise, although I probably eat too many carbs and drink too many calories (lattes and alcohol are my biggest downfalls) but I mostly stick to "the rules" which helps a lot. I think right now I just mostly miss feeling like I was in charge, not my stomach. I get hungry more often than I used to. I might need a fill, since I haven't been to the doctor in a pretty long time - probably almost a year - and I can eat things that used to be hard, mainly hamburger and rice. I ate cold sushi recently without getting stuck and that's usually a big tip-off that I need a fill. My life is going through a lot of changes right now. It's my birthday tomorrow and I will now be closer to 40 than I am to 30. I'm not admitting to anyone how much that bothers me. I don't mind getting older. In fact, I love it, because I care less and less what others think of me. But I don't like it because my body is less able to adapt and to adjust. I need more sleep, I need better nutrition, I need to take better care of myself than I used to. And that bugs me. I'm not big on self-care. So, I'm glad there are still some people around. Our issues are so different than people who were just banded. I love my band. I would never go back for anything. But I'm still learning how to live with it and how to face that I still have weight issues, even after all of this time and work.

It's very normal to be afraid of surgery even if you have had it before. If I could go back in time I would do it all over again without a doubt. The Lapband surgery has changed my life. I was a dietaholic. I tried all of them. Yes I lost weight but only to gain it back again plus. I was also one that thought that lapband surgery was the 'easy way out.' BOY was I wrong. There is nothing easy about this procedure at all. It's a definite lifestyle change and a daily learning process. But I can not complain. Ok there are a few times that it might get on my nerves and I'd like to be able to eat some of the things that I used to eat. But after I think about it for a few minutes I realize that the choices that I made in the past are the ones that got my into trouble in the first place. The lapband is a tool. And you just because you have it placed inside doesn't mean that you don't have to work on it. Your old habits follow you even after the band. It's not a miracle cure. I had no complications at all. Things are running pretty smoothly for me. I'm 7 1/2 months out and I've lost 94lbs already. I've went from a size 26 to a size 14. I haven't been in a size 14 since 1989. I was borderline everything and had sleep apnea. I used a CPAP machine for 5 years. Now all of my blood work is normal and 3 weeks ago I was able to give up my CPAP machine. I no longer have sleep apnea. I make smarter choices now. I do enjoy ice cream, a small piece of cake, an alcoholic beverage..once and awhile. I just don't do it all of the time. The only regret that I have is not getting it done sooner. I wish you luck in your journey and if there is anything I can help you with along the way, please feel free to ask. And check out my blog. It might help you a little.

What a great question to pose!! I hope in 12 months time I can look back and remember all the fun active things I have been able to do with friends and family. I was banded on June 2 and with the combination of no alcohol for the month of May, the pre-op OPti-Fast and the post-op liquid diet I am 15 kgs (33lbs) lighter than I was at my heaviest. I am so glad to have made this decision to make the permanent, sustainable change to my life.:thumbup:

Did I say cutting off the poor? I said give aways. I have always said that there will always be some poor who will need a hand up, and the government should give it. It is when the government decides to give away to those who DON'T need it. Like home improvements mentioned earlier, and cash for clunkers, and up tp $8,000 towards your house and a playground, and well here, take a read: The 102 worst ways the government is spending your tax dollars: 102: Protecting a Michigan insect collection from other insects ($187,632) 101: Highway beautified by fish art in Washington ($10,000) 100: University studying hookup behavior of female college coeds in New York ($219,000) 99: Police department getting 92 blackberries for supervisors in Rhode Island ($95,000) 98: Upgrades to seldom-used river cruise boat in Oklahoma ($1.8 million) 97: Precast concrete toilet buildings for Mark Twain National Forest in Montana ($462,000) 96: University studying whether mice become disoriented when they consume alcohol in Florida ($8,408) 95: Foreign bus wheel polishers for California ($259,000) 94: Recovering crab pots lost at sea in Oregon ($700,000) 93: Developing a program to develop "machine-generated humor" in Illinois ($712,883) 92: Colorado museum where stimulus was signed (and already has $90 million in the bank) gets geothermal stimulus grant ($2.6 million) 91: Grant to the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance to support the traditional arts apprenticeship program, gathering and festival ($30,000) 90: Studying methamphetamines and the female rat sex drive in Maryland ($30,000) 89: Studying mating decisions of cactus bugs in Florida ($325,394) 88: Studying why deleting a gene can create sex reversal in people, but not in mice in Minnesota ($190,000) 87: College hires director for a project on genetic control of sensory hair cell membrane channels in zebrafish in California ($327,337) 86: New jumbo recycling bins with microchips embedded inside to track participation in Ohio ($500,000) 85: Oregon Federal Building's "green" renovation at nearly the price of a brand new building ($133 million) 84: Massachusetts middle school getting money to build a solar array on its roof ($150,000) 83: Road widening that could have been millions of dollars cheaper if Lousiana hadn't opted to replace a bridge that may not have needed replacing ($60 million) 82: Cleanup effort of a Washington nuclear waste site that already got $12 billion from the DOE ($1.9 billion) 81: Six woodlands Water taxis getting a new home in Texas ($750,000) 80: Maryland group gets money to develop "real life" stories that underscore job and infrastructure-related research findings ($363,760) 79: Studying social networks like Facebook in North Carolina ($498,000) 78:18 North Carolina teacher coaches to heighten math and reading performance ($4.4 million) 77: Retrofitting light switches with motion sensors for one company in Arizona ($800,000) 76: Removing graffiti along 100 miles of flood-control ditches in California ($837,000) 75: Bicycle lanes, shared lane signs and bike racks in Pennsylvania ($105,000) 74: Privately-owned steakhouse rehabilitating its restaurant space in Missouri ($75,000) 73: National dinner cruise boat company in Illinois outfitting vessels with surveillance systems to protect against terrorists ($1 million) 72: Producing and transporting peanuts and Peanut Butter in North Carolina ($900,000) 71: Refurnishing and delivering picnic tables in Iowa ($30,000) 70: Digital television converter box coupon program in D.C. ($650 million) 69: Elevating and relocating 3,000 feet of track for the Napa Valley Wine Train in California ($54 million) 68: Hosting events for Earth Day, the summer solstice etc. in Minnesota ($50,000) 67: Expanding ocean aquaculture in Hawaii ($99,960) 66: Raising railroad tracks 18 inches in Oregon because the residents of one small town were tired of taking a detour around them ($4.2 million) 65: Professors and employees of Iowa state universities voluntarily taking early retirement ($43 million) 64: Minnesota theatre named after Che Guevara putting on "socially conscious" puppet shows ($25,000) 63: Replacing a basketball court lighting system with a more energy efficient one in Arizona ($20,000) 62: Repainting and adding a security camera to one bridge in Oregon ($3.5 million) 61: Missouri bridge project that already was full-funded with state money ($8 million) 60: New hospital parking garage in New York that will employ less people ($19.5 million) 59: University in North Carolina studying why adults with ADHD smoke more ($400,000) 58: Low-income housing residents in one Minnesota city receiving free laptops, WiFi and iPod Touches to "educate" them in technology ($5 million) 57: University in California sending students to Africa to study why Africans vote they the way they do in their elections ($200,000) 56: Researching the impact of air pollution combined with a high-fat diet on obesity development in Ohio ($225,000) 55: Studying how male and female birds care for their offspring and how it compares to how humans care for their children in Oklahoma ($90,000) 54: University in Pennsylvania researching fossils in Argentina (over $1 million) 53: University in Tennessee studying how black holes form (over $1 million) 52: University in Oklahoma sending 3 researchers to Alaska to study grandparents and how they pass on knowledge to younger generations ($1.5 million) 51: Grant application from a Pennsylvania university for a researcher named in the Climate-gate scandal (Rep. Darrell Issa is calling on the president to freeze the grant) ($500,000) 50: Studying the impact of global warming on wildflowers in a Colorado ghost town ($500,000) 49: Bridge built over railroad crossing so 168 Nebraska town residents don't have to wait for the trains to pass ($7 million) 48: Renovating an old hotel into a visitors center in Kentucky ($300,000) 47: Removing overgrown weeds in a Rhode Island park ($250,000) 46: Renovating 5 seldom-used ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border in Montana ($77 million) 45: Testing how to control private home appliances in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts from an off-site computer ($800,000) 44: Repainting a rarely-used bridge in North Carolina ($3.1 million) 43: Renovating a desolate Wisconsin bridge that averages 10 cars a day ($426,000) 42: 4 new buses for New Hampshire ($2 million) 41: Repaving a 1-mile stretch of Atlanta road that had parts of it already repaved in 2007 ($490,000) 40: Florida beauty school tuition ($2.3 million) 39: Extending a bike path to the Minnesota Twins stadium ($500,000) 38: Beautification of Los Angeles' Sunset Boulevard ($1.1 million) 37: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival ($10,000) 36: Developing the next generation of supersonic corporate jets in Maryland that could cost $80 million dollars each ($4.7 million) 35: New spring training facilities for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies ($30 million) 34: Demolishing 35 old laboratories in New Mexico ($212 million) 33: Putting free WiFi, Internet kiosks and interactive history lessons in 2 Texas rest stops ($13.8 million) 32: Replacing a single boat motor on a government boat in D.C. ($10,500) 31: Developing the next generation of football gloves in Pennsylvania ($150,000) 30: Pedestrian bridge to nowhere in West Virginia ($80,000) 29: Replacing all signage on 5 miles of road in Rhode Island ($4,403,205) 28: Installing a geothermal energy system to heat the "incredible shrinking mall" in Tennessee ($5 million) 27: University in Minnesota studying how to get the homeless to stop smoking ($230,000) 26: Large woody habitat rehabilitation project in Wisconsin ($16,800) 25: Replacing escalators in the parking garage of one D.C. metro station ($4.3 million) 24: Building an airstrip in a community most Alaskans have never even heard of ($14,707,949) 23: Bike and pedestrian paths connecting Camden, N.J. to Philadelphia, Penn. when there's already a bridge that connects them ($23 million) 22: Sending 10 university undergrads each year from North Carolina to Costa Rica to study the rainforests ($564,000) 21: Road signs touting stimulus funds at work in Ohio ($1 million) 20: Researching how paying attention improves performance of difficult tasks in Connecticut ($850,000) 19: Kentucky Transportation Department awarding contracts to companies associated with a road contractor accused of bribing the previous state transportation secretary ($24 million) 18: Amtrak losing $32 per passenger nationally but rewarded with windfall ($1.3 billion) 17: Widening an Arizona interstate even though the company that won the contract has a history of tax fraud and pollution ($21.8 million) 16: Replace existing dumbwaiters in New York ($351,807) 15: Deer underpass in Wyoming ($1,239,693) 14: Arizona universities examining the division of labor in ant colonies (combined $950,000) 13: Fire station without firefighters in Nevada ($2 million) 12: "Clown" theatrical production in Pennsylvania ($25,000) 11: Maryland town gets money but doesn't know what to do with it ($25,000) 10: Investing in nation-wide wind power (but majority of money has gone to foreign companies) ($2 billion) 9: Resurfacing a tennis court in Montana ($50,000) 8: University in Indiana studying why young men do not like to wear condoms ($221,355) 7: Funds for Massachusetts roadway construction to companies that have defrauded taxpayers, polluted the environment and have paid tens of thousands of dollars in fines for violating workplace safety laws (millions) 6: Sending 11 students and 4 teachers from an Arkansas university to the U.N. climate change convention in Copenhagen, using almost 54,000 lbs of carbon dioxide from air travel alone ($50,000) 5: Storytelling festival in Utah ($15,000) 4: Door mats to the Department of the Army in Texas ($14,675) 3: University in New York researching young adults who drink malt liquor and smoke pot ($389,357) 2: Solar panels for climbing gym in Colorado ($157,800) 1: Grant for one Massachusetts university for "robobees" (miniature flying robot bees) ($2 million) GRAND TOTAL: $4,891,645,229 Imagine how many poor people you could help with that total!

I know how you feel. I have been holding steady since the end of March, though two trips out of town on vacation I am sure had an impact. Those Vegas buffets are killer to anyone watching what they eat. Plus, I drank alcohol, which I hadn't since before my surgery. I try and examine my deepest feeling and intention and realize I am in this for the long haul, not the short term. My diabeyes is much improved, I bought some new clothes in a smaller size and got into some other clothes I hadn't been able to wear. Everyone says I look great and frankly, I agree. :Dancing_biggrin:) Right now is a new moment and tomorrow a new day. I have an appt with my doc next week and maybe we will decide I need more restriction. I have had a tough time with completely giving up bread and Pasta ( whole grain of course and in moderate amounts.) I was eating those items even and the scale was still moving down. I guess we just have to try a new tactic, drink more Water, and be gentle withourselves and also, honest. I wish you the absolute best with your journey. We will both make it and feel successful.

Below is a copy of my experiences and if you go to my pictures you can see a sideways view of my progression over the weeks. Well I had the sleeve done - This is the story. Left for Vegas on Tuesday got off the plane and headed for my appointment for Pre-surgery - everything was a go. So my wife and I hit the strip and I played black jack and won.... not much but still won. We ate normal and I did not drink alcohol. Went to bed on time for a 7:00am surgery at a surgery center. We had signed up on one of those package deals where the hotel is included. So we were up and headed to the center (by the way rent a car it is better to have the freedom to go) I went in and filled out some more forms and headed to the prep room. Met the anesthesiologist he went through a few items and the nurses were wonderful. Then I saw my Doctor (Thomas Umbach ) not long after that I was being wheeled to the surgery room. I was give something that made me feel very sleepy but could understand everyone. Then told to breath deeply two breaths and I don’t remember anything except being woke up saying surgery went fine and it is done. This was about 10:30 or so I think. Surgery was about an hour and recovery 2 . I took some pill for pain and they started me walking. It did not hurt to walk so I kept going after hearing everyone on this site telling me how walking really helped. Dr Umbach also installed a pain drip system that hung around my neck and had some small tubes planted around where the surgery took place, with a big ball that would dissipate in 3 days, this provided a pain free experience. I was released at noon to go back to my hotel which I walked and slept and drank water (very very very small sips) the fist night I had some small discomfort felt like acid reflux so I called the doc on his cell phone which was nice about 10pm and he said I could get some pepto or any over the counter acid reducer I wanted. My wife drove out to get it and also got liquid Tylenol which I recommend very much. I burped a lot and had to raise my arms when drinking water to get it down. The doc said for the first day my stomach would be swollen and until it went down it would be a bit tough. It was, but by the end of the next day it eased up. Sleeping and walking is the trick and the Tylenol made everything right as rain. On Friday we went back for a follow up with the doctor, and everything was perfect so we said our good bys and we headed for the Hoover Damn wanted to see it. I even drove – I don’t feel the surgery hardly at all it is the drinking that lets me know it is there. So we got back from there and got our flight out back to Kansas City – Because I have traveled so much we both were in first class so that was nice, bigger seats if you know what I mean. This is the first day back home and since the 2 weeks prior with the protein shakes to today I am down 27 lbs. I am just starting to feel hungry this whole time prior I have not had a desire to eat. I have force the drinking because I know that is good for me. I hope this helps with those who have not taken the plunge yet. I plan to keep you up to date on the progress. My doctor told me to walk everyday so my wife and I are headed to the gym in a little while, course I will be on slow mo for a while. Thanks for listening and hope it helps someone else.

Yep, Arlene... the son in OK, not the Navy Cmdr (he's in CA).. Steve is in Grove. He works for a mobile painting company, so he's all over, but back in Grove for the time being. I don't know what to think... yesterday I heard heart attack, stroke, heat stroke and anxiety attack! I am concerned because it started with severe chest pain and numbness in his arm. He says his left side was paralyzed, but today just tingling in his arms and legs. They gave him an Rx, but I don't think he's spelling it correctly... He kept saying, "hydrocholoro... pomoate". Haven't looked it up yet, but my sis did and she couldn't find anything close to that spelling. At any rate, they also told him he needs to see a doctor because he has high BP. He was told that about 4-5 years ago and never followed up. He has no health insurance and does not handle money well. So, of course, he's worried about how much it will cost him. And I worry about his follow through..... if he does get Rx for BP med, what are the chances he will consistently take it and continue to get refills. He is adopted.. and I am convinced, fetal alcohol syndrome. I just can't imagine him having the self discipline to put himself on a regimen of taking even ONE pill every day! And, problem with high BP is NO symptoms until you're in serious trouble. So... that's my story! I had to get up early past two days for Dr. appts... esp today when I had to be there at 8 a.m.! SO I am exhausted and need a rest, but wanted to give you an update. Tomorrow I have to be at PT at 9 a.m. and Friday, LapBand surgeon (radiology) at 11 a.m. and they are about 65 miles away, so that will be an early start day, too. Can't wait for Saturday.. I am SLEEPING IN until at least 7:30 a.m., maybe later! BTW... doc I saw today explained everything on my back x-rays, said the pool PT is perfect and gave me Rx for 12 more sessions. very nice fella, and quite interesting to look at... Indian, I think... fairly young, dark skinned with thick gray hair..but it was curly. Don't think I ever met anyone from India with curly hair. Not kinky, just very curly. Very pleasant personality. My DH says, "you're done already!??" when I came out. But, I think he spent a good 30 minutes with me... very thorough exam and slow, careful explanation of everything... sat me down at desk at the nurses' station and sat there with me explaining each x-ray... showed me bone spur, sliding disc, scoliosis (you were right about that, Laura), and another abnormality on S-1 .... a "breach" of some kind that could be a previous fracture, or maybe congenital defect.

An interesting variety of responses. And the answer actually covers a wide variety of issues. I do, of course, have an opinion. Anyway you look at it, it was a bad choice. Those of you who say that this is a “healing period” may be correct….But, it is NOT a “bad choice” period. Eating this kind of stuff should have ended during the pre-op diet. I am a believer in the concept that the little choices that we make on a daily or even hourly basis can have a profound impact on the long-term efficacy of ANY Weight Loss Surgery. It may be true that the OP lives in an area that has a limited selection food-wise, but if there is a McDonalds, then there MUST be a 7-Eleven or supermarket or someplace where you could have picked up a little container of Apple Sauce or pre-made protein shake or something like that. I know that old habits die hard; for most obese people, a normal response would be exactly would the OP did….pull into a fast-food joint and grab whatever I could. But life is different now. You have to-retrain yourself, get rid of the old responses, and create a new, healthier mindset. Now, this issue of whether people are being “supportive” or not is a little confusing. Some of the people here seem to think that “supportive” means saying “forget about it, it’s fine”. I think being supportive means acknowledging that a mistake WAS made, and encouraging the OP to avoid doing it again. The OP asked if it was a “big no-no”….and yes, it IS a big no-no. It is a reality that should be acknowledged. Anything else is enabling negative behavior. I also have to take issue with those who say that it is ok to “have a treat” every once in a while. That MAY work for some people. But a significant percentage of the obese population has an addiction to various types of foods, and they need to avoid those kinds of food at ALL costs. Otherwise, you just perpetuate the addiction. I am quite certain that if you had a friend who was an alcoholic, you wouldn’t offer them a Martini as a “treat” because they had been sober for a few months. It’s the same thing. As obese people, we do not have the “luxury” of abstaining from our addictive substance. We have to continue eating to live. BUT….we DO have power over WHAT we eat. The Lap Band helps us with how much of it we consume; But not WHAT we consume. That is entirely OUR choice. As far as “feeling guilty”…..well….you ARE guilty of making a bad choice. So why not FEEL that, move on, and avoid doing the same thing in the future. There is NOTHING wrong with feeling guilty about something if you are, indeed, GUILTY. It’s not a crime you have committed; it’s merely a lapse in judgment. Feeling guilty about something we do is one of the mechanisms available to us to help keep us from doing the same thing again. If you DIDN’T feel guilty about it, I would suggest that perhaps you had a bigger problem. But you do, and that is a good thing. So, embrace the guilt, and move on. If you do live in an area where the food choices are limited, then you would be well served by stocking up on foods that you can take with you and use as needed, such as ready-made shakes, protein bars, etc, so that you will never be at the mercy of McDonalds again. Or Wendy’s. Or Jack in the Box. Recognizing when you have done something counterproductive and resolving to avoid that kind of behavior in the future is NEVER a bad thing, and feeling a little guilty about it is really a good thing, and will help you stick to the program. By the way: Nice fish, man. What is it, how much did it weigh? You live in a nice place. S.

Thanks for sharing your story, Bill! My bro-in-law had his entire stomach removed last year with part of his esophagus due to cancer. He's doing very well, after having chemo and radiation, etc. Just got his port out in fact. He is having trouble gaining weight. He wasn't overweight when he started. But he eats nearly everything he did before. If he eats sugar or drinks alcohol he does have the "dumping" syndrome that gastric bypass patients experience. Otherwise, his prognois is great.

Wow! Diet drinks-huh? Well, I don't drink that often, so I suppose that when I do, I'll just take it straight. One night out would only be two drinks max for me. Let's face it, alcoholic beverages is not my problem. But I know the carbonation in drinks can be very very uncomfortable, so I'd have wine. I love a good, cold Pinot Grigio or a Sangiovese! Red is good for ya, and there's no carbonation ; ) Stay away from artificial sweetners. Bad news.

I laughed almost as hard at the people who scolded you as I did at your phunny post. When I first started reading your post I almost couldn't believe my eyes. I couldn't imagine how in the world you were able to eat enough pizza that there was none left for the kiddo. You're funny. Pizza is one thing that I've wondered about. I had surgery on the 28th of April so I'm a month out. I'm trying very hard to do all the right stuff. I want success so very much!! And so far, I'm doing fine. Losing little amounts every day. But I do worry that I'm going to eat too many calories so I write everything down all day long. I think that helps. I meet with the dietician in a couple of weeks. I'll probably ask her about pizza and alcohol. Not ready to party yet, but one day maybe..... Good luck with your new tummy Mr. Bigga and keep the funny stuff coming. We need to keep our sense of humor and stay happy on this journey!

If they die it's because they did not obey the laws of the land? Well what if they don't die? Does that mean that the laws of the land are wrong? Your fumbling attempt at any logic is totally confounding. You say one thing and then contradict yourself in your next post or even sometimes in the very next sentence. You are one confused individual. You have one train of thought and that's about all you seem to be able to handle. Don't confuse you with any facts or real logic or you start claiming you didn't say it or you didn't mean it that way or that's not what you meant or everyone's picking on you. "I say that if you don't want a baby, get sterilized, or use birth control." brilliant quote by patty... Are you truly that supid? Because it wouldn't surprise me if you are but you're an adult woman and it doesn't seem possible that you're that stupid. You should know as most people do that no birth control is 100% effective - not even sterilzation. So that is certainly not an intelligent or reliable remedy for the problem of unplanned, unwanted pregnancies. You speak of the babies but there are no babies until there are actually babies. A fertilized egg is not a baby. It takes a lot of the right kind of biophysical nurturing for cells to grow into a baby. And God does not implant sperm in eggs. People do. So God doesn't have a hand in the intentions of man. You're quick to tell us all about free will. Rape, incest, coercion, drugs, alcohol and miriad other conditions can exist when a sperm fertilizes an egg. There is no cut and dried condition whereby women become pregnant. And there is no cut and dried situation that tells us that every woman or young girl should have a baby, no matter what. And that's what changing the legislation to make abortion illegal tries to do. It tries to treat everyone the same and force womena and girls to have babies that they cannot provide for and cannot physically or mentally deal with. There are a million reasons why that kind of legislation will not work. We had a period of time when society tried it your way and it did not work. Real people must deal with this issue the best way they know how and that does not include having someone like you tell them that they have no choice in the matter. And of course people are prolife, duh. What you don't seem to understand is that most people are also prochoice. They're interested in ALL life - not just the ones you have decided you want to protect.

the sticky stuff is annoying! i got most of it off (not the stuff right around the incision still too tender) with a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball...did the trick! i felt so dirty...and hated having my hubby see it

Amaretto Sours have always been my all-time favorite, then Daquiri's and Pina-Colada's. Had some shots last year called Washington Apples that were out of this world!! But I thought we couldn't have alcohol with the band. Not sure where I heard that from but for some reason I just thought we couldn't. The Cranberry Vodka sounds good too. I might try that.

I was released for alcohol at 3ish months. Doc warned me it's wasted calories so just don't go overboard. I drank Riesling the first time, and it hit me kinda hard and fast, but wore off pretty fast as well. I drink socially now, and have a glass of wine once maybe twice a week. I've tried margarita, and they didn't settle well. But, mixed drinks, rum/coke, and various shots work just fine. My tolerance is like it was pre-op, it doesn't hit me hard and fast, and I can maintain a decent buzz. I don't drink a lot, but when I do, the big plus is that I rarely get a hangover anymore.

Am curious when it is safe to drink a little alcohol again? I am missing partaking of adult beverages on Friday evenings...I am only 4 weeks out so I am sure it is way too soon. But just curious, I have heard wine is probably too rough, perhaps too acidy and that post op 3 months is ok to try a little of something like a frozen drink, daquiri, margarita or pina coloda perhaps?...I am sure this has been asked before but I'm a neeby so please indulge me with your experiences/recommendations. Thanks!

A nice Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir is my choice. In fact, tonight will be the first time since beginning my pre-op diet on 4/9 that I will indulge in anything alcoholic and a bottle of Cab has already been picked out.

I really missed my bourbon and coke....so, after a few weeks, I let a coke go flat and added the bourbon. It tasted really good! This from a gal that used to pour flat coke down the drain!!! I don't even miss carbonated drinks any more. Used to be hooked on diet Dr.Pepper. I haven't had one since my surgery 10 months ago......Hey, I think I might let one go flat and see how it goes. Another favorite summertime alcoholic drink is a Mai-Tai. I have a marvelous recipe for them. Yummy!!

I'm not a big drinker but when I go out, I tend to drink things like Mudslides and White Russians, or I'll have an Amaretto Sour or a glass of wine. I stay away from carbonation, of course. I'm curious to learn what your favorite alcoholic drinks are, post-banding. Whatcha got?! (I'm going out tonight, so I need ideas! Heh.:rolleyes:)

Hi All...well its 9 days post op...Was a little ruff in the beginning with the gas pain and such..However, now I'm at the mushys. I actually get to have eggs OR an egg today (1/2 of egg?) At least thats what my nutrionist advised. Starting to feel hungry as the swelling has gone down. I still have some port pain... it was actually more of an ache yesterday. Finally driving myself around which is a little uncomfortable with the seat belt and having to turn the body to look certain ways. But all in all, not too bad. Getting ready to start my walking around the block, I still get tired easily but I think its because I'm having issues with the protien drinks. Has anyone else noticed that all we can drink or eat for the first two weeks is really sweet!? ugg... Jello, ice pops, pudding, Isopure, now shakes. For someone who doesn't like too much sweetness sure has to have a lot of it. Anywho...getting concerned that now that my tummy growls I might revert to the old food machine..(HAHAHAA) But since I'm afraid to eat for fear of throwing up I think I might be alright. How about your sense of smell????? Doesn't EVERYTHING smell good? Sheesh drives me insane. Also, to everyone, make sure you check your scale batteries if you have one like that. I was jumping for joy the other day, said I was down 11 lbs since surgery turned out my battery was going...replaced it and to my immense disappointment I was only down 7 lbs, but hey thats a pound a day. Also, one last note, I had my first alcoholic drink (with my docs approval) said be very careful, ya know, one addiction for another, and you can get trashed quick cuz your not eating. So I bought Mango slushy mix added ice and a little vodka and bam! I was good. Only had 2 in like 4 hours (very filling) but I made sure I ate my jello, shake and Soup prior to having one. Be responsible. Good luck and I'll check in again with another update in a few days. :thumbup:

Hey V's~ OK...all moved in. There is crap every where and I have no idea where anything is. I have 32 students this am...who won't be learnin' nuttin' new today, except how to unpack boxes! I had to google who won Dancing (didn't watch it, but kinda followed along each week), and am ok w/ Idol's finale. I think she should've won, butttt, am glad she will be signed today, and is not confined by the restraints of AI (winners have to do x, y, and z for their label). Lee was great, just sucked Tuesday. Well, went to WW yesterday. I was STARVING trying not to eat before the weigh in, but went to Costco before the mtg. I had only a few appetizers things, some diet coke (cause I pb'd a string cheese and needed something to drink) and was stuffed when I weighed in...and gained 3#:thumbup:. I will stick with it, and next week, I'll be "empty" before weigh in fo'sho'! OK...have a great day. It is 6am, the sun was georgous this am at 5am! We are having some friends over for dinner...grilled chix, sal, zuccini, and spinach ravioli (not for me). One of the gals just got out of rehab for alcohol, so it is diet coke tonight. We have another couple coming over Sat...that is a different story:rolleyes:. Have a great day! xoxoxoxoxo

I think it's great that you've recognized your triggers. If you don't want to share with me publicly, please message me. But, do you feel like you're sabotaging yourself because you don't feel like you deserve to be happy, and "skinny" and/or you aren't worthy of the positive attention you're getting? I just want you to know I have struggled with this several times through my adult life especially the last year. I have not really shared it because really who wants to hear me talk about my self-doubt. But, I had to reign in my little "treats" because they were becoming daily treats because I could do it, and not see a gain. But, I realized quickly that not gaining weight is a great thing, but would that really help me resolve my inner demons with what I think I'm really worth? My issues don't really come from being fat, it's from what I was told as an adolescent, teenager and young adult. Ya know the whole alcoholic, abusive father stuff, he reminded me that I'd never amount to anything. So, it's left deep scars, but I found coping skills, and in my mind and heart I know that it's not true. It doesn't change that my dad told me that for years, and ruined my self-worth. You'll be able to find new coping skills, and other things that bring you happiness. I've heard that book, if it's the Women, food and God book, is a fabulous read. But it can bring a lot of emotions to the forefront that we can't deny anymore. I've procrastinated in checking it out from the library, but maybe I need to get it. If you ever wanna talk, message me.

I'm almost 2 months post op and have already had one fill. I can tell you from experience that you can't gulp anything, Water included; but you can get it down in 1/2 cup increments fairly close together. The alcohol deal, sure the docs say no because of calories, but once you are done healing, it's like any other food choice.. it's a choice. I have had wine since surgery and just sipped on a glass for the evening... Your bar tab will be a lot cheaper! :smile2: One of the blogs I follow on here of a fellow bandster in NYC drinks wine and goes to supper clubs, the whole nine and she has lost tons of weight and looks amazing so it is absolutly do-able! Best wishes! Heather