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"Luck" Riley - can't wait to hear the details! I understand about not losing any weight even though you haven't eaten anything - that's been happening to me! Tamra - when Bev called on the gal who drank the alcohol she said she was callling on her at that time because she had to leave early - so I don't think it was out of shame. I put a little alarm on my phone to go off the day before the meeting so I'll txt you when i get it. I really need to try to get back on my eating schedule. since I've only been eating like once a day I haven't lost anything - when I eat something small every 3-4 hours I lose fast. Problem with that is when I start to eat is when I have the problem because i don't want to stop. So much easier just not to start Oh, riley - I got some frozen edamame and i was wondering what the best way is to prepare them? I've never made them before - more like peas or beans??? Vegetarian rookie over here.

Hi Ladies, tamra & Jes - congrats on the weight loss - you too Riley Jane - and even if I was single i couldn't manage that many men one time - so not coordinated like that. ash - sleeve shmeeve - we love ya so stick around! I mighta done the sleeve if it was an option last September! Lee & bee soo glad I got to meet you ladies last night - I love having a face to go with the name - so much more personable. Capt Mo & Pat - I am bummed that I didn't get to meet you both - Monique - I would be home eating too if I wasn't at the meeting so get to the meetings! Pat - A hug trumps all! 30lbs is awsome! heather - glad you're having fun girl - can't wait to see the pics Analynn - You need to stay on the board and get to the meetings - it will definately help keep you motivated. Donna- Hi Honey! Pammie - where are you my love? Ok, my sometimers is kickin in - there was so much I wanted to say after reading 3 pages to catch up and now I can't remember any of it LOL. guess I'll have to start keeping notes. One thing I will say about the band is that it really makes an appearence when you are stressed out - I've had this sharp pain in the right side of my chest for about a week now - suddenly, today - it's gone HMMM? Here is my deal with this thing - I can't eat as much as I use to but I don't think it's the band because when I get full I feel it in the bottom of my stomech just like I use to before the band - but my tummy has definately shrunk. I did try to call again today to reschedule the appt I mised on tuesday and Bev said there are ZERO appts available and to call back in a few days. I was bummed because I really wanted to see what his scale says now - Im down to 186.8 but that will probably change tomorrow - up/down every day! Grrrrrr. I really have no desire to eat these days. I haven't been thinking about food at all - which is really a strange twist for me because it use to be ALL I thought about. So I've been making sure that I eat a decent lunch/dinner - I eat around 4:00 - the last 3 days I've only had 2 meals - coffee for b-fast & whatever is around at 4:00 hahaha - but I'm not losing any weight - I've been power walking on my treadmill - just can't get into my C25K for some reason. Maybe I need to get rid of the treadmill and get a tread climber - just one more thing to hang my laundry on (jk!) So, back to what i was saying - for about an hour after my 4:00 meal i can't stop thinking about food -life just seems to be so much easier if I don't eat anything at all - I've come to the conclusion that I'm a binger. Oh, Jes, (BTW - I really do love your hair cut!) you are right about the alcohol deal - Bev was directing that to the RNYers - their food processing isn't the same anymore and their bodies can't process the alcohol like it use to - we can still drink but they just worry about transferrence of addiction - from food to alcohol. So, Maria - have that drink if you so choose to - just try to keep it to a minimum and the lower cal drinks and enjoy. - Salute!

Maria - they had a big scolding last night at the meeting about alcohol...its a major no no...yet my friend who had the RNY does still drink once in a while....I dunnooooo....

what are your thoughts on alcohol with the band? My husband wants to take me out this weekend after some hoilday shopping for a a drink and a movie. Can I drink wine or cranberry vodka? I imagine 1 will be my limit. We arent going to party or anything but I dont want to be embarrsed or regretting the glass of wine later. How did you all feel after a cocktail since the band?

Well tonight is my first party of the season and a little nervous about the whole drinking thing. But I will drink some tonight. Today I celebrate 8 weeks post op. Down 31 pounds today (all post op weight). My doctor said to wait about 8 weeks, well today is it :tt1: So my question is, does anyone have some low calorie beverage choices. I used to drink captain morgan spiced rum with diet coke...mmmmm. But obviously that is out . So what shall I do. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Happy holidays!

Recovering from last night, I got so drunk at the xmas party last night, I can't remember last time I was drunk like that.. I don't normally drink enough to get drunk!!! But boy I was.. eeeeeeh. Ended up heavin in the toilet when I got home, and Russ stood there rubbing my neck <3 Got my fill of drunkness for the next 2-3 years. I'll forget again by then. Amidst all the alcohol, I ended up with me & russ' xmas bonus, and a gift card to walmart. Woowoo! I'm going to try that casserole this weekend, it sounds yummy.. right up my alley! Since the turkey & waffles didn't do it for me, still looking for our own personal Christmas morning food.

While I agree w/most of what you said, I don't agree with the alcohol, and what I mean by that is this.... EVERY Surgeon is different.. My surgeon says no alcohol for a year.. some say, 1 month, etc... so in regards to the alcohol, you are best off asking YOUR surgeon and following what he says, not what other's did or say....same thing goes for smoking, pre-op/post op diets, etc... follow what your surgeon tells you.. not what others tell you...good luck and congrats on making the decision to begin this journey....

Drinking....never hear the two year thing....OMG. I had surgery on 2/10/09. Went on my annual Parrot Head Cruise 5 weeks later and, yeah, I drank. I'm not a heavy drinker, but I do enjoy it. Empty calories are the one issue. I'd been a rum drinker for years -- rum and Diet Coke is about 60 calories per drink. The no soda thing doesn't really apply to this because once you add alcohol, the carbonation fizzes out in a hurry. I just don't drink it as soon as the bartender hands it to me. Smoking can make the healing part take longer and you don't want that. And, frankly, if you quit for 4 weeks, you're past the worst so just don't start again. Your PCP can help you quit. There are prescriptions that help, the Nicoderm thing has helped a couple of my friends quit....just think of it as an investment in your now brighter future!

Different doctors have different views on how long to wait before having alcohol after having lap band surgery. As far as I remember, my doctor never told me a set time to wait, but I never asked either, because I've never been a big drinker. The most I heard about alcohol consumption was in support group (and there might have been a mention there of waiting three months), and the doctor said to be cautious of the fact that many people feel the affects of alcohol much quicker after banding, and of course, the fact that it's empty calories. That holds true for me, it goes straight to my head, but it doesn't make me sick. I'm sure part of the reason is that I weigh less now, but I also think it's because I eat such a small amount of food. I don't drink more than one glass of wine or one mixed drink on those rare occasions I have a drink. Most bandsters can't tolerate beer because of the carbonation, which causes discomfort, and some doctors, but not all, warn that drinks with carbonation might stretch the pouch. As far as smoking. I don't, but I do know it was required that smokers quit for a period of time prior to surgery. I don't think my doctor gave any wiggle room there.

You are lucky that you can schedule your surgery so quickly! In Pennsylvania, it is mandatory to have to go through 6 months of 'training' where they give you tons of nutritional advice, make sure you are learning how to change your lifestyle, attending support groups and nutritional counciling, and towards the end, make sure you are ready psycologically for the surgery. My first month, they put me on a 1500 calorie diet, and suggested absolutely NO drinking alcohol and to quit smoking. They wont even do the surgery if you haven't quit. And, as rbailey said, alcohol is empty calories and you don't need that. While I am not yet banded, I would suggest going to a support group and talk to those there about their lifestyle changes. That may help.

Well, you are not supposed to drink alcohol for at least two years. My suggestion is to give up the smokes and give up the drinking as well since alcohol has empty calories and can bring up your weight very fast not to mention alcohol will not make you feel very well when you drink it. Be sure to read all the literature BEFORE your surgery.

Jewel, I found with my alcoholic ex and a few other dysfunctional people in my life that the best response is often no response. I think I might ask my husband not to tell me anything negative or any opinions my MIL expressed to him. Ask him to either keep it to himself or to refuse to listen and to direct his MIL to speak to me directly and to let her know he will not be conveying anything she says. It's not his job to be go-between. Id' express sympathy for the position he's in and ask him to support me by protecting me from her negativity by not even telling me she said anything. Walk away the second your MIL gets negative. Tell her you have to make a phone call or do homework or whatever. It is not rude to walk away from someone who is rude. I've found words like, "Oh, is that what you think." or "That's certainly one point of view." or even "You could be right." can also defuse negative people. Then just quietly continue doing what you need to do. Probably more advice than you need or want. But the more tools you have in your tool kit for dealing with her, the better you'll do with your food. Cheri

hello friends i went to my 1st consultation yesterday. i havent booked the date of the procedure yet, but im aiming for mid January 2010. i learned about the procedure and the diet before and after, so i decided to wait until after the holidays (my birthday aswell) to start the pre diet (new years res). but i have a few questions....... im 28 years old, no kids, and like to go out and have fun....... can anyone who has had the band for a while, tell me what its like to go out and drink alcohol (im not talking about often, or black out drunk or anything like that) night out with the girls???? also any smokers out there....they say no smoking for 2 weeks before and after.....i dont no if i can quit. anyone not quit and it matter in the procedure i dont want to get sick thanks.....and many more questions to come

WOW this is so wierd...my assistant and I were just talking about this very same thing! I quit smoking in May and still have awful cravings, but not when I drink. I gave up drinking alcohol and coffee for the first 3 months and a year ago I got a new car so I stopped smoking in it back then. My assistant asked if I plan to start smoking after the surgery and my first thought was YES! but I really don't want to for health reasons. I have gained 15 lbs since quitting so a lot of my reasons for wanting to smoke are at night when I want to eat due to boredom...I would rather smoke but then again, I really need to do something else. Plus, if my stomach is smaller, maybe I won't have that "need to nibble" feeling. Still, I wonder what I will actually do. It would be a shame to quit for so long to start back...again....I quit for 5 years in my 20s and started back after a divorce and increase in going out drinking. :thumbup:

I am not worried about alcohol ,, it's when I drink I want to have a cigarette. I had to quiet to have my surgery. So I can't drink but one are two drinks .Before I would want one. Did y'all quiet smoking and went back?????

patty: "440,000 people die annually from cigarette smoking, and the solution to it is very easy. Outlaw it like they do other things. That is 9X more than those without health insurance, yet noone gives a crap about those people who die. Absolutely NOTHING is being done about it. They force us to wear our seatbelts in the car, but they can't take away the cigs? And what about alcohol related deaths annually? There are so many people who die in the country from all sorts of things, that doesn't mean that the national government needs to make sure that these deaths don't happen. It doesn't mean that the feds need to take on the problem. To take on all that responsibility would be impossible. The national government was not created for these reasons." So what are you saying, patty? You WANT the Feds to control everything (taking away their cigarettes and your twinkies to save lives) or NOT ("all that responsibility would be impossible"). Can't you make up your mind? Or are you having a giant argument with yourself? patty: "I care about everyone. Jesus said, 'The poor you will have with you always.' This is just life." Sounds like you've interpreted that Jesus quote to mean that we shouldn't bother with the poor. They're here to stay and we can't be saving them all. Shucks, it's just too bad about them, but they don't work like everybody else so they deserve what they get. Jesus didn't mean that. You've taken something out of context to make your point. Jesus cared deeply about the poor. Far more than the rich people. You suggested that we give all the money that would be spent to the corporations. That's a telling statement, to be sure! At least you're open about your non-charitable views.

440,000 people die annually from cigarette smoking, and the solution to it is very easy. Outlaw it like they do other things. That is 9X more than those without health insurance, yet noone gives a crap about those people who die. Absolutely NOTHING is being done about it. They force us to wear our seatbelts in the car, but they can't take away the cigs? And what about alcohol related deaths annually? There are so many people who die in the country from all sorts of things, that doesn't mean that the national government needs to make sure that these deaths don't happen. It doesn't mean that the feds need to take on the problem. To take on all that responsibility would be impossible. The national government was not created for these reasons.

I also was told I was fat when I weighed 113 lbs in Jr High. I too use food as my drug of choice. I have an addictive personality. My family history is full of alcoholics. I eat for all emotions I have. I am thankful for this band. It's helping me get that all under control. I will be victorious. Linda in WA Banded 10/30/09

OK, long time ago and long story, but I got alcohol poisoning in college, called the poison control hotline and they said to sip on the juice from a can of peaches or pears (packed in 100% juice, not syrup). After three days of vomiting non-stop it's the only thing that helped the nausea subside. It's not carbonated either, might be worth a try...

I am a biker who is in a club, and the only thing we really do is ride and Party! I am about 10 weeks post op and down about 40lbs so far and I drink about once a week. I used to drink pretty heavy pre surgery, but now I am much more careful due to the calorie intake. I have stayed away from Beer and soda (hard since I love Burbon and coke) but have found whiskey sours to be just fine. I mix them myself, using crystal light lemonade and they are pretty good. If I'm @ the bar I just order a shot and a glass of water then I mix my own and has never been an issue yet. I would be careful right after post op, alcohol and meds don't mix well. Other than that, drink and be merry!

Hey everyone, I'm Angela. I'm a 31 year old nurse (You'd think I'd know better then to let this happen to me...). I've been overweight now for the last 12 years. Basically since I got married. The interesting part is that I lost the husband, but not the weight LOL. Too bad it didn't go WITH him. I'm 5'4'' and 250. My heaviest was 275, and about 4 months ago, I busted my ass at the gym, along with a diet (shake and whole foods plan) and got down to 221. I've since, gained it back. I had a consultation with Dr Paul Cirangle in San Francisco and it went well, I'm just not sold on the Band. It's invasive, it's surgery (although smaller then any other option out there), and it's "permanent". I feel like I should be able to succeed without the Band, however, obviously haven't up to this point. The one thing that Dr Cirangle said that resonanted most with me, was that the band helps you fill your stomach from the "top down" not the "bottom up". That made my analogical mind think "coffe pot percolating method", so its a "drip down" kinda picture. That made sense to me. I know I'm addicted to food, and unfortunately, unlike alcohol, drugs or even sex, you HAVE to have it to survive. So where that leaves me, I don't know. I'm an emotional eater and have portion control issues. Just thought I'd come here to see what I could find, and talk to some people who've been here too. Thanks, Angela

Newmom, I know what you mean about the incision being covered. I clean them twice a day with alcohol and cover them all! The big one is itching and seems scabbed over but not chancing anything. I had surg Dec 4. Glad you are finding protein you can tolerate. I have a whole box of samples for shakes that I can't stand. I should have gotten unflavored powder and put it in drinks or does that have a smell also? I'm just so glad I feel better every day!

It will open a can of worms, lol. I'm pretty hardcore about this, and I think that depends on how much you inherently like exercise. People get really shirty about it because, well, the truth hurts I guess. They dont like to be told that their nice easy routine is not going to give them the same benefits as something more challenging. Not that walking isnt beneficial! Can you consistently lose weight with eating less and a couple of walks a week?. For sure. It will slow and if you're really heavy, you probably wont get to a normal weight just doing this, it simply wont be enough long term. It also wont really give you what I'd term "fitness", although it has loads of health benefits and will keep you generally healthy, so if its what you like doing and all you want to do, go for it and dont torture yourself thinking you should do more. You can definitely get your BMI from 45 to 29, size 24 to 14 type results with this sort of routine. That might be all you ever want to achieve and Healthwise, that's stellar! Your cardiologist would be mighty pleased with you and your life will be longer and richer as a result. But if you want to reach a low BMI, like under 25, you want a good muscular toned body and to minimise flab from your weight loss, and if you really want to rev your metabolism so that weight maintenance is absolutely effortless and you can pretty much eat normally (your new normal, but still pretty much like other people, with some carbs, some treats, a bit of alcohol occasionally) then you will need more. I do sweat inducing, heart rate in the 80% max plus range, bootcamp and running style workouts five or six times a week. My easy days are a 4 mile jog in about 35 minutes, my hard days are full on boot camp, tons of sprinting, body weight stuff like chin ups, pushups, squats, lunges etc. The fitness its given me has given me an energy and vitality that walking could never ever come close to, I am a human dynamo now and I get SO much done in a day, and never get tired. Its awesome. I have great muscle tone, really nicely shaped upper body and I guess I've done the best I can with my well cushioned rear, my stomach is flat as a pancake, I can wear a bikini and look good in it at almost 43 years old AFTER 3 babies, my skin glows, what more can I say really. I cant recommend this sort of exercise enough, it pays handsome rewards and will make your weight loss and particularly maintenance journey much much much easier. But it takes a bit of willpower before you can learn to love it. I actually crave it now, to me walking is just a nice pasttime but not really exercise.

Hi All! It's been a while but I'm just checking and I'm glad to see that there are a few new people around and that everyone seems to be doing so well. Since my last fill I have finally joined the losing group of lapbandsters. For a long time I was really struggling with this but I may have found or am very close to my "sweet spot". I am now definitely not able to eat pasta, bread or potatoes. Rice for whatever reason I'm OK with. I totally envy those of you still able to eat perogies!! Having a polish grandmother that practically forces them on you makes it hard to not eat them. I am struggling a bit with getting protein in if for no other reason than I can not eat chicken or pork. They get stuck no matter how I seem to prepare them. Ground beef is ok, but I've never been a big eater of beef unless it was ground, never liked steak or anything. I'm finding that fish and shellfish are my best bet to get my protein in. Which is a big adjustment having come a typical north american family chicken is mostly what was served at out table. After my October fill I lost about 2 pounds which was a great start after my whole de-fill gain and plateau stage. Now since the fill I had in November I'm down about 5. Yippee! With the holiday season fast approaching I had thought I would have more trouble with all those tasty foods that really aren't good for you. So far so good though. I've actually baked a disgusting amount of treats to give out to co-workers and have no desire to eat any of them after the initial sampling to make sure they were actually worthy of being gifts. I've made it through three Christmas parties where I had a couple drinks at each, and let me tell you my alcohol tolerance is now about the same as a 12 year old. I'm back at the clinic between Christmas and New Years (the 28th I believe) for another check up so maybe I'll see some of you there! :thumbup: