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LOL, I loved mojitos before surgery well those and rum/cokes. I haven't tried anything stronger just because I'm a wuss now. You need to come around more ! ! ! I don't want to give medical advice, but if you are eating regular food , and think you may be able to handle it, my surgeon's words to me were "take it slow, don't overdo it, alcohol is wasted/empty calories".

Hi Tiffy .. No dont have the old paperwork, but I am almost positive that it didnt say anything about alcohol. I only drink mixed drinks anyway, you know the girly kind. And even before the surgery I was a lightweight. Just dont want to miss out since I am having a New Years party. My BF just had his sleeve done on 12/15 .. probably not a good idea for him to drink then ha? LOL ...

I was cleared for alcohol consumption at my 3.5 month follow up. I've only had a couple of white (Riesling) wine with zero ill effects. I didn't get drunk quickly, I didn't catch a buzz, I didn't get nauseated, but I did eat in between the 2 glasses. I haven't attempted hard alcohol, and I never enjoyed beer. Do you still have any paperwork from your post-op diet when they indicate alcohol consumption is "okay"?

mmmmm that sounds good Suzie, might think about that tomorrow! Well, maybe the next day, we do black eyed peas tomorrow. Normally my DH's family does the German traditions of pork and sour kraut, but he is gone, and I am not doing all that for myself!!! About 40 years ago (seriously!) my Dad began having 2 parties a year, as a special Thank you to his employees. He had a big BBQ during the summer, and then he had a big posole dinner on NYE. It has always been an open house type of thing, come and eat, then they were good to go to their individual parties. He told ALL of them as they each left, if they needed a ride, to call, do not drive drunk! LOL In the beginning, he offered alcoholic drinks as well as non. Then after my brother got hurt, and developed alcohol problems, he quit, and it has been non alcoholic ever since. I personally quit drinking at them when I was 24. Rick and I had been at a little pub, had too much to drink, and went next door to this game parlour place, and had our caricatures drawn---I have them framed! LOL Anyway, we picked up another 6 pack, and headed over here. We were not trashed, but buzzed. I was not so far gone as to normally embarrass myself or my family. I was however tipsy enough to walk in the front door and promptly trip-----over our preacher! LOL I swear it is true!!! Our caricatures went flying! I quit drinking anything at the parties after that! Most years, I go out and spend the evening with family and friends. Even tho Dad retired many years ago, lots of his old friends from work, and church, and lodge friends, as well as friends of my brothers and mine, all show up. It is not unusual to have a crowd of 80-85 come and go through the night. This year will be S L O W. The roads are icy---and it is cold! Mom and Dad's friends are their age, and many don't drive much at night, and especially not in this weather. So he will have posole left over this year, which will make Rick happy since he is missing it! Long story---but that is what I am doing tonight. Kinsey's school is closed today with the snow, so she is with me. I wanted to take her to the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie, but her Mom wants to go too. I ask her to go see Avatar with me this weekend, but she doesn't care to see it, so I may go alone. And I will not ask her to go anywhere with me again for a long while----maybe she was busy at work, but she was snotty. Mom didn't like it. Hurt my feelings to be honest.....like pulling her teeth to spend time with me or what??? Well, I need to go shovel--------------the fun never ends! I need to borrow Suzies snow blower!!! Wanna bring it over and try it on my yard??

Yeah I can't bring myself to put alcohol in his mouth lol. His bottom teeth weren't this bad I swear, but this top tooth oh my goodness. He was screaming, literally without pause for 12 hours yesterday, no matter what I did. Made me feel bad cause mommy can't comfort him Isn't that what mommies are suppose to do?? I got him benadryl though. We couldn't find infants, so I figured they don't make it. He has bad hives :biggrin: So I googled and found out they just pulled it since people abused benadryl for babies. So I bought the children's, and gave him a dose so small it probably won't help. His back is really bad this morning with hives. Going home from work early today since it's dead on holiday times. Friends coming over tonight so I gotta clean and cook snacks! Hope everyone has a safe and fun one tonight. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

I've had alot goin' on and no excuse for not doing my Monday Weigh in!!! I've gained am 197.6 I've had wayyyyyy too much alcohol this past week... and it being New Years eve and alll.......... guess I'll behave later!!! hehehehe Hope everyone has a Safe and 'Wonderful New Years!!!!! I'll do better next year

Good morning!! I hope all has a safe and happy new year! I still am thinking of hopping on a plane and going to see Pamela and K.C.!! Judy drive safely!!!!!!!!!! Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haydee, I am working this morning also, not feeling the going to work, it is a short day for me, but....... I mix the gumdrops in the batter. I can post the recipe if you want, it is good, my grandma used to make them, then the recipe was lost, then in a old cookcook we found the recipe again! Michelle, have a great new year, are you getting snow again? Laura, how is Carson doing with the teething? I have heard rubbing their gums with alcohol works too, although that just doesn't sound right does it?????? I hope you and Russ have a great new year!! Ok off for a shower and then to work!

Hi Sally, first let me say that I think the mentality of starting over will be good for you. Drinking with eating and indulging in alcohol on a consistent basis and other indulgences while trying to lose weight with the band are as I am sure you already know are very counterproductive to your weight loss efforts. Maybe if you make a promise to yourself to begin anew and use your trip as your starting point you can begin to comply with your quest in ernest. Good Luck to you and keep us posted.

Hi, everyone. I haven't checked in for a very long time, mostly because I was becoming so discouraged by my lack of success since I was banded in August. After 2 fills, I was at 6 cc's and felt almost zero restriction. Still, I want to be honest and acknowledge that I haven't been a 100% compliant patient either. I haven't exercised very much, I've indulged in too much alcohol and I've had a very hard time not drinking during/after meals. I had my 3rd fill today and I'm hoping that it will make a difference. I'm now at 7 cc's in a Realize band. DH and I are leaving for Hawaii in 10 days. I'd really hoped to be much thinner by the time we made the trip but that's not going to happen. Oh well, it's better to be fat in Hawaii than fat at home, right? I'm planning on doing a lot of walking while I'm there and I've already checked into the availability of a gym at our hotel (they have one). I feel like I'm starting over. Wish me luck! I'm really impressed by how well the rest of you are doing! I hope I can achieve similar success.

Got "home" about 5 pm. Got a late start. Jacki wanted to make us these Scandinavian things... aebleskiver. Anyone know what I"m talking about?? They're kind of like round pancakes... about like doughnut holes. Very good.. hollow inside. Very tricky to make...have to have a special pan. And have to keep turning them with a knitting needle to get them round. Anyway, her granddaughter was throwing up all night long, so she didn't get up until 9 a.m. That's why we got a late start. Then we had to stop at Costco for gas and to look for something for our neighbor... she was taking care of the cat. I wanted to get her a bottle of Egg Nog... Costco has been selling it... already has the alcohol in it. But they were out of it. She also likes "Fuzzy Navels"... the wine coolers. They didn't have those either. So we have ot go somewhere else to get her something. We both had headaches all day long.. hope we're not getting what our friends' DGD had! Had more friendly conversation with DS #2 yesterday, and then his son called... the one that has been among the missing for the last two months or so. We had a really good talk. Remember when his mother called me.. several times, so drunk I could barely undrestand her?? well that's why he left. Said he can't take it anymore. And she & her parents (his other grandparents) are growing/selling "medical" mj now, so... unsavory characters hanging around and he wanted out. He was court ordered to live with his mother and judge would not listen to any of his allegations so he ran away. He turned 17 last week. He wants me to help him get emancipated, and he wants to enlist in the Marines. He's talked about that for as long as I can remember.. like 6 yrs old!! So I'm going to do a little research online and see what is involved. He is staying with his girlfriend's family and I talked to the dad for a while. He's wanting to help, too... even said he'd fly DS up there to sign papers if it was necessary. Will need parent's signature to get emancipated, I think, and definitely to enlist at 17, if that's even possible!

I had my first fill today!! It wasn't as bad as I thought. But once he got there it took all of 5 minutes! He did my fill by flouroscopy so he knew exactly where my port was. I didn't have any numbing meds just alcohol, it tickled because everything was cold. It was cool watching the screen and the balium(sp?) float around in my body. I am ready to enjoy this my step in my journey. H/S/C/G 276/271/250/199 1st fill 12/29/09 3.3cc's

Jenn, I think it is time to break out the phone book, and look up some support groups. You could fit into several categories. Grief support, in dealing with the accident from Kev, singles groups, family support for those with head injuries--cannot remember what they call that here, we (Mom and I) went for awhile learning about my brothers injury. Meet new people, people who have an idea of where you are at with things. Bars and alcohol are only going to make it seem worse when the haze wears off IMHO. I know my friends have let me down, and I am sure I have done the same with them. I hate that it happens, but it is such a crazy time of year, for EVERYONE. The friends who are not there right now, may be going through their own thing, it does not mean you are not worth it, or that they are ditching you---it just means that right now is not a time for them. If it repeats everytime you need them, then I see where it would feel that way. Another thing to think about, is DO SOMETHING for someone else. Volunteer time at the local homeless shelter. It will get you out of the house, among kind hearted, helpful people, and helping others who are so obviously in worse shape, may help you to view your situation differently. If you don't feel like right now you could handle all the people, go to the animal shelter and volunteer. Animals love without expectations. There is a ton of need for volunteers this time of year. It will get you into a new group of people--good people usually, and you would not be sitting home alone. MIL's surgery went well. She was convinced, she was going to have to be opened up, and was going to be nauseated after surgery and have to spend the night in the hospital, etc. All gloom and doom. She went in, the surgery was done in less than 20 minutes, she was awake just minutes later, and sitting up eating crackers, and was dressed and out the door headed home 2 hours later! She is settled in, snacking on crackers, and soda, taking her pain meds all without issue. And shocked (and I daresay a bit disappointed!!!) as heck!!! Dr. said her gall bladder was full of stones. He also told her she was in remarkable health for a woman over 80....she did not appreciate that! LOL Rick put in 36 hours straight on the clock! Went out at midnight yesterday, come home noon today. He has to be present on the location due to the type of job they are doing. And he is the only one certified to be on hand for it. He said he got a little rest in the truck. But tell me that is safe! I told him he even got a hangnail I was finding an attorney! I was joking, but in all seriousness, with those hours they are pushing, if he were to be hurt I sure as hell would sue! I ate ok today----hard to eat much junk in the hospital waiting room! Had a couple of cheetohs. Then had half a small burger on the way home. I have kept a bottle of water with me all day and done my best to drink steady. I think that is my plan, my resolution is not going to be to deprive myself of anything but to make myself include it. I am going to resolve to drink minimally 64 ounces of WATER a day. Anything else I drink is bonus, but I must have that much water. The rest of my life, I need to keep well hydrated---might as well make that a habit now! Well I am off to call some folks let them know all is well. Snow is beginning to fall outside......

Yeah, the holidays are a killer. I've gained 4 pounds since Thanksgiving. UGH...... I have to say, the sodium seems to be a part of it. I haven't gotten up in the morning with swollen fingers in MANY months. Have several times since Thanksgiving. Alcohol seems to be my pit fall. Spiced rum, and extra wine will get you every time. I've been good about limiting the Christmas cookies. But stuff like potatoes and gravy???? Hard to resist. Slacked off on the exercise as well. I know where I'll be next week!!! LOL

I was 165, so up a tad but I think the dreaded "carb bloat" accounts for it! Groupie I am with you, I can eat a little of anything and be perfectly happy - I feel "normal" about/around food for the first time in my life! Loving, loving, loving my band :biggrin: BUT . . . still SO much head work to do! I had to deal with some super-intense emotions this week for the first time since being banded, and it was really hard because 1) I knew I could not "stuff" my feelings with food - it would all have come right back up thank you band!; and 2) I needed to avoid drowning my feelings with alcohol - the stats on bariatric surgery patients developing a replacement addiction with alcohol are staggering - like 35% - so I am hyper aware of that one (not that I don't drink, mind you; I only wish to avoid "needing" to drink). SO how do I deal with these feelings? I went for a run; I went to the gym and pumped iron; I went to church . . all of which helped, but the bottom line is that I can't avoid/stuff/medicate intense feelings anymore. I have to actually feel them, and they are uncomfortable . . . . it's hard, people! By far the hardest thing about this journey. Good luck to all in this new year!!

I had this too. The advice I was given was what Jachut said - drinking hot fluids to relax things (or alcohol but don't advise this on regular basis - empty calories). Also I was told to take a bite or 2 to prep yourself then come back in 20 mins for the real meal - its the esophagus spasms. Anyway this went away.... but when I got overfilled I was sooo soooo careful w/ teeny bites and waiting that it never came back - and I've posted this before to keep myself honest until i get a grip i eat w/ a timer on. google online stopwatch. I often feel the food passing through I wait 30 seconds at least but sometimes as long as a minute or two. In hindsight I think I was still just eating too fast between bites. Or maybe things just changed over time. But I did not notice a difference until I introduced the stopwatch. I'm new at this so its a learning process. The tighter your band is the more you need to be super careful about eating slowly and chewing well as it will be less forgiving.

Dudettes, if I had junk in my house I would so be eating it!! Tina you are so so right! Intensity in relationships scares the crap out of me, esp. right at the beginning - too much too fast! I refused to go out with Chris the first 2 times he asked, I was not ready. Pami, you need to tell this guy to slow the heck down because it makes you want to turn and run the other way. I have had to tell Chris that . . . I really, really like the guy at this point, but I only met his a couple of weeks ago, and already he wants a relationship? Well yeah I want one too, but how do I know that I want HIM, rather than if I JUST want "a relationship?" So we had this big talk and I kept telling him how scared I was of all this, and the intensity, so his reaction has to back off, which is fine and it MUST be what I wanted, right? . . . BUT . . . . then I start getting worried that he's quit calling me 5 times as day!! and then MY reaction to his backing off - which is to feel almost panicked - REALLY scares me! So he took all of his stuff home, no Chris over here last night, no phone calls last night, we hung out separately with friends and as it turns out I would rather have spent the evening with him. But I have to be rational and step back enough for my feeling to lose some intensity so I'm not blinded, right? So I don't call . . . I see him log on this morning and I quickly lof off - but I am feeling strangely vulnerable about the whole thing. Then he calls me on his way to work this morning, and as soon as he hung up he got in a bad accident, totalled his truck and just got out of the ER! Nothing is broken but he is banged up pretty good and his knee is all swollen - and I feel just awful! Argh! I hate feelings!! Honestly, this is my real first emotional challenge since banding. I am having strong feelings which are making me uncomfortable, and I cannot stuff them with food - even if I tried, my band would stop me. So then I am jonesing for a drink to stop the feelings, but that is REALLY bad because the stats on replacement addictions are phenomenal - something like 35% of weight loss patients end up having a problem with alcohol! I am super vigilant about that one, so what do I do with me feelings?? OMG, I am going to have to FEEL them! Even if they are uncomfortable. I went for a run & that helped, and to the gym and that helped, and to church and that REALLY helped, but the bottom line is this: I can't stuff my feelings anymore - I actually have to feel them. Blast.

Woot!!! This morning I met my goal!!! I'm now 75 pounds down total!!! I can't believe I lost weight over the holiday...I ate and drank everything I wanted (a tiny bit of the bad stuff mind you, but even a cookie or two a day and plenty of alcohol). I love my band! Just 6 more pounds and I'll be 'NORMAL'!!! Thanks for the Challenge!

1. Dysfunctional family (severly abusive + alcoholic father), never really sat down to dinner w/ my family. It was always fend for yourself 2. Decreased self-esteem and depression = comfort eater 3. Genetics 4. Stress 5. Easy, quick + convenient food during college, never developed healthy eating habits 6. Lack of exercise after highschool

Down a pound this week...just .5 and I'll be at 75# (my next goal). I can't even believe I lost weight over Christmas...I ate snacks/appetizers, drank lots of alcohol and ate a little of everything, including a few cookies. I'm starting to feel 'normal' when it comes to food LOL! I love my band!

I went through the cupboards & fridge yesterday and got rid of all the unhealthy stuff. Friends had brought over ice cream, full fat egg nogg, breads, dips, cookies and other stuff for our dinner and left them. I hesitated tossing good food out but after having the second slice of crusty bread with brie I knew I had to. I've always considered my relationship to food much like that of an alcoholic and an alcoholic would not try to live with unopened bottles of booze. Plus I live alone so I can have more control over my space. I did feel guilty and thought I could wait until Monday and perhaps give it to someone but when I started reaching for the ice cream I did what Weight Watchers suggests--destroy it! I put dish washing liquid on the ice cream and then everything went into a garbage bag and into the dumpster. I was on the edge of a full tilt lap band binge. I immediately felt so much better. Today I woke up, had my oatmeal and I feel so much better with my kitchen in order. I only have unprocessed healthy foods and this is the way it should be. For me.:smile::biggrin::biggrin:

I was allowed to eat almost anything 4 days post-op. The only exclusions are red meat and starches for the first month. I can have any other Proteins, fruits, and vegies (cooked only - no salad yet). And, I'm told to avoid juices, alcohol, and other 'slider' type foods that go right through the band and contain calories. So, I ate cottage cheese, deli meat, cheese, chicken, and broccoli all on my 4th day post-op without problem... chewing a lot, of course. My theory on why different docs take it slower is that it takes a lot of teaching and working w/a patient to have them fully understand how to eat properly w/the band. I had six months of working w/a nutritionist to learn new habits that will work w/the band. Of course, this counted as my 'diet' required by insurance, but it really was not traditional dieting at all. It was more psychological training and focused on forming habits that are specific to the band. My surgeon also required a 5 hour pre-op class, 3 hour post-op class, attendance of at least one support meeting, etc. to make sure the rules were not just explained once, but repeated over and over so there is no confusion about anything or any chance that we could forget what we are supposed to do. I think a lot of surgeons just cannot commit this much to education so they just have you take it slow instead. If you think about it, its a lot easier to just tell your patients to drink shakes and blend stuff up than to actually teach them how to eat. And, if you aren't actually eating, you won't ever get anything stuck so you'll never have a problem eating and you won't ever need to call your surgeon's office either.

OMG I just saw this - how scary I'm so sorry... Why did it get worse? Did you not stay on liquids after the unfill? Then again when I got unfilled I didn't have to.... BUT I was able to hold liquids and mushies w/ just some foaming no vomiting. I thought the .5 was better. I probably don't have to tell you but after my last time I learned I will let doc do what they think no negotiating. I am going back Jan 5 and I don't think I want her to fill me at all i'm eating no more than 1000 calories and most days about 700. CNR try this... literally take a stop watch there is one on line or if you have an iphone the clock does it. Chew 30 seconds; wait 30 seconds before you even put anything in your mouth after you swallow - see if that helps. I was having SUCH problems until I started doing this! Scotty how do you feel now w/ no restriction? How did it get like this I am so surprised to read this. Did you have a bad stuck episode or something after that initial fill? Did you try the MOTRIN? I didn't see ur post w/ the Pepto but MOTRIN can help get inflammation down (must be liquid - childrens) - I think we posted that in this thread. For future reference. Even after fills it helps. Someone else suggested it and I think it helps. Also the band reacts better to hot than cold. And alcohol one of our docs actually recommends it and if I have an 'event' i'll always have a glass of wine or two (but I"m told that drinking hot before eating has the same effect) as it opens you up. I'm sorry I hope you are feeling better - what a bummer that you had to deal w/ that over Christmas.

I'm no expert, having just been banded on 12/11, but I'll share with you what I've been told, and maybe that will help: 1. You CAN eat as much as you like, pretty much as you always have been able to -- but that doesn't mean you SHOULD . Until such time as your band is filled to the point that it is causing some restriction, you may not feel full after 2, 4 or even 8 ounces of food. This is a time for good old fashioned will power. Do try not to over indulge, but don't get down on yourself if you slip up and gain a few pounds back. From what I can tell, it happens to the majority of us. Just keep walking and doing your best! 2. My nutritionist/doctors did not state how long I had to go without alcohol, and I don't drink so I didn't question further, but my understanding is that an occasional glass of wine or mixed drink is not going to hurt you. However, once you reach your restriction, a drink might very well may knock you on your tookus. Remember, there is only so much room in your tummy. A 4 oz stomach will only hold so much -- is it going to be food or liquor? My nutritionist told us a horror story about an alcoholic that got this surgery specifically because it is easier to get drunk, so please do be careful! 3. Bread/Pasta is not made of poison - of course you can eat it ... but get your Protein first, and be smart about the amount of carbs you're eating. Remember to treat carbs as what they are: sugar. Yumminess, and not going to kill you, but definitely something that will require (and here's that phrase again...) will power. Having said that, bread was on my top five foods that I tried in my mushie stage. Specifically, I mixed some stuffing and turkey with enough chicken broth to make it mushie. It was bliss after 21 days of liquids! Remember, the band is not going to do this for us. It is not a magic trick, it is a medical tool designed to assist us in strengthening our will power muscles! 4. My doctor told me no bending or lifting of anything heavier than 10 pounds for two weeks and no exercise for a month. I did heavy housework at week two and ended up hurting myself. Stick to walking until your doctor tells you otherwise. 5. I think it's sad that your friend is more concerned about damaging a 15 thousand dollar piece of silicone than she is about damaging her own, invaluable organs -- and I say this as someone who used to smoke. If this surgery does me no other good -- if it ends up giving me trouble and I have to have it removed, it will still have been worth it because it forced me to finally quit smoking. I cannot even imagine wanting to pick it back up again, and yes, I was totally addicted. If she absolutely MUST smoke, maybe she could use an electronic cigarette. Still a bad idea, as she will be taking in nicotine, but at least she'll spare herself the tar -- and she could work down to the nicotine free cartridges, but still get the satisfaction of drawing on a cigarette and blowing out "smoke" (vapor). Just a suggestion. Edited to add that in all things, you should follow your doctor's advice and see him or her before you try something you're not sure about. Gather advice and such, absolutely, but then bring those ideas to your doctor and question him. Remember that each of us are different, and each of our bodies need different things. I, for instance, have a Vitamin D deficiency, so foods high in D are on my list, right next to protein, but for you, probably not so much; and someone with a fatty liver might need a 2 week sugar free liquid diet pre op, while someone else may not. Your doctor knows your history and your body's needs far better than we do! Best of luck to you!

Ok let's see ... 1. some people aren't full after 1 cup of food. Mushies stage for me I was eating about 1 cup but depending on what I ate I was hungry again after only 2 hours. If I ate just chicken I was good but if I ate oatmeal I was hungry faster. 2. the healing process takes at least 4 - 6 weeks so pushing yourself to eat solids might be harder to handle on the inside of your stomach. I've seen people on the boards who have eaten regular food a week after surgery. It won't damage your band but I would check with your doctor. 3. exercise is limited until the healing process is complete. Again at least 4 - 6 weeks. You don't want to stretch the stomach before everything is nicely healed around the band and port. But also call your doctor on this to check as well. I found adding more Protein Shakes helped me with hunger in the "mushies" stage as well. The alcohol and bread thing is again depending on how your stomach can handle it. With bread my nutritionist told me to not heat "doughy" breads because they can form balls and be hard to pass through the pouch. the alcohol is I believe due to the absorption rate now and empty calories. That's possibly what the answers are and what I've seen ... we'll see what others say about this as well because I'm definitely not an expert. :thumbup:

Ok so I had surgery on 12/8. Im really confused about a lot of things, maybe someone can help. 1) Im in the mushy stage, how much can you eat? I find that i can eat a lot right now, im not full after 1 cup not even close....not good. I don't get my first fill till 1/20, I feel like I can move to soft foods, ill haveto ask my doctor, but if I do what can it do? can it damage my band or make it slip??? What if i eat solids?? 2) I know they say no alcohol for a year, but will it hurt to have a little glass of vodka and cranberry on new years?? just wondering. What could that do?? 3) and the bread thing....verry confusing!!! I have heard like 5 different things, and its making me go crazyyy!! Can you eat it??? I have heard you will never be able to eat it again, or you can't eat it for 5 months after surgery....whats the deal? 4) How long after surgery can you start going back to the gym?? I walk right now, a lot. Like the mall or just around my street, but I would really like to go back to the gym. If anyone can help answer my questions, it really would be a huge help!!! oh one mroe thing...sorry My friend had sugery 12/2 and she was doing sooo good not smoking, I for one was really proud of her. She just startd smoking again....I tried telling her that it could damage the band, but she told me it couldnt. What can happen so I can get the right facts to tell her soshe will stop!!!!