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Hello VegasAngel, Thank you!! I have not went to a meeting in quite some time, but I know I need to go . I have not got a token in about 3 years since moving back to KY. I have been alcohol free since October 13, 1984. That was 25 years on October 13, 2009. You have a good day! I am doing ok with my sleeve so far, The weight is coming off each day or so.

I go for my pre-op interview with the surgeon on Tuesday the 15th and am scheduled for surgery the 18th. Already started the diet. Im a little nervous, but more anxious to get this over with. I've already set my mind to commit 100% to this, including exercise. I joined the gym a couple weeks ago. This liver shrinking process has me a little concerned. I did have an alcoholic beverage or two the other day to calm my nerves. Will this have an adverse affect?

I think if I drank I would be flat on the floor too... with the lack of all the food that use to be in my belly to absorb most of the alcohol.. I can't even imagine. But I will have a little sparkling wine on new years... we'll see how that goes...LOL.

Hey, you guys still up??? Hopefully you are all tucked in and sleeping by this time... It's 1:30 here... I've been doing pretty well the last couple of days.. Actually slept all night in bed with DH last night.. He was shocked, of course!! So, tonight I went to bed but didn't take any sleeping or pain pills..... No pain tonight, so why take the dang pill........ Well, I rolled around for quite some time from 11:30 to 12:30 and then must have dosed off, but only to wake at 1:00 with aches and pains, but not my shoulder!!!! Go figure... I guess those pills have been covering for other things I wasn't even aware of!!!.... Anyway I had to read your posts and Apples, I surely do understand your need to vent a little.... I'm a very organized type and make plans and when someone messes with my plans I get grouchy!!! I'm glad you got all that off your chest.... Did you happen to tell DH he better not do it again for at least a week or two??? Hope this new day is a better on for you... Lori, hope you know what you're doing tomorrow... I don't like the sound of you cleaning for 8 hours this close to your surgery.... might hurt something..... I'm hoping you have the day off and enjoy it emmensely.... Janet, it sounds like you aren't having a bad time adjusting to this furlough day... If it wasn't for the money, it would be a good deal..... Just for your information.............. I hate coffee..........and everything about it... DH is addicted... He is a 37 year recovering alcoholic and evidentally drinks coffee like he used to drink beer and liquor.. I never knew him when he drank... But this coffee thing wouldn't be so bad, but he makes such a mess with it.. He spills making it, pouring it, drinking it........ And everywhere... the counters, the living room....(hard on carpets, thus another reason to consider something other for new flooring in the spring!!) the vehicles.... Maybe if I like drinking it I would be more tolerant... but I have never liked it at all.... Then when he tries to clean it up he uses my dishcloth and wipes, but doesn't rinse the rag so it makes it stained.. I don't have a decent looking one in the house anymore because of that... When he was gone for 15 months on active duty in Iraq from 12-03 to 2--5, it was the only thing I didn't miss about him... I even got to missing his dirty socks laying everywhere.....(That's a whole new vent, so won't go there....) So, there's my venting for the evening, too.... This site really is like group counseling... They sometimes tell you to write your feelings down and then throw it away... just get it out... I guess that's what we do here sometimes... Well, I'm hoping my pills will kick in soon, so nightie night everyone... Hope you are all snoozing away.... Til tomorrow.............. Julie

Quit smoking and do not drink alcohol at least 2 weeks prior to the surgery. Smoking and alcohol intake increase the risk of complications and may also slow recovery.

Married? How long? Is there support from your family? How long have you been at your current job? Anyone else in your family obese? Are your parents alive? Are they a healthy weight or have a drug or alcohol problem? Do you have a drug or alcohol problem? How much do you drink? Do you have children? Do you binge or purge? What do you think this operation is going to do? Have you thought about after the surgery and the restrictions and "rules" you are going to have to follow? Typical questions and I answered all of them honestly and as short as I could. I've never been to a psychologist so I was a bit nervous. I think they are just trying to see if you are in a stable frame of mind and have the support of family or friends. Good luck and don't sweat it!

Girl, you and I are in totally the same exact boat!!! Down to the same day of the surgery! I started the same clear liquid restricted diet on tuesday and my mouth is doing the same thing. Also, my sense of smell is really really weird. I was cooking my family their dinner and as the chicken was baking I seriously thought I was going to be sick. It smelled like rotten chicken. And the brocolli...blech. And I love my veggies. Weird. Are you getting that way around food? And yes, I'm so tired. I went to bed at 10 last night and that's not like me AT ALL. Then today I cleaned the house and decorated for Christmas and I was exhausted. I fell asleep on the sofa while my son was watching TV for about 15 mins. I was exhausted. Just a few more days is what I keep telling myself. Just a few more days. Did you notice you feel fine about an hour after you drink a shake and then the hunger pains start up? I've never had hunger pains like this. This really hurts to where I can't think what so ever. As for your headaches...yep, yep, yep. I notice that if I drink a big glass of Water the headache goes away. Did you give up caffeine cold turkey? That might be it. My morning shakes I've been putting 4 oz of cold coffee in a vanilla shake. It's pretty good and I get a little caffeine. Please feel free to PM me anytime if you need to chat. We can help eachother out. Oh! And gum, I've been chewing the heck out of sugar free gum. Even though my doc said no to sugar alcohols like what is in SF gum. But good grief. :eek: I did the broth one day and I can't do it. I'd rather have a shake.

My nutritionist said wine is okay eventually. Just have to develop healthy habits first which takes a few months. The concern is that alcohol can cause you to make bad food choices as well. But I must confess (whispering) I had 5oz. of Merlot today...shhh. But I included it in my food journal and the nutritionist will see it Monday. Ohhh I am gonna get it! Haha! But I walked 29 city blocks everyday this week, so there.

I have absolutely zero regrets about having sleeve surgery. I don't miss food, I haven't developed any further addictions because of the weight loss. And believe me, I have an addictive personality, and struggled with addiction when I was younger. I'm about to turn 33 so I understand your concerns. I did not have the classic co-morbidities even at 5'2" weighing 270 pounds, but I did have joint pain. No high blood pressure, no cholesterol issues, nothing except being fat, and knowing that if I didn't do something, I would for sure die early or live on medications because of my weight issue. I can tell you from my experience as a band to sleeve revision that I am so happy, and live my life to the fullest that I don't have time for any other addictions. I used to be a big drinker, bar hopper (before I was married), and was concerned that I would turn to alcohol to fill the void since I couldn't eat large quantities. But, guess what, I have not had anything to drink since my revision in June. I have zero desire to drink. I always loved to shop so that wasn't an issue either, but I can tell you that shopping is a lot more fun now. If you are concerned about other (called transfer) addictions, ask your surgeon if their program includes a support group. If they do not have support group see if you can find one on meetup.com in your local area. And, you can always turn to us here for help, questions or concerns.

Wow as usual lots of posts since I was here last and I just dont have the time to read them all, so apologies to everyone. Bo Bo, thanx so much for the nice compliment, that was really nice of you. Carrie you look amazing, you are some babe now aintcha!!! Fatpants and Homecare great to hear from you both xxx Adcol, firstly...welcome good luck with you're trying for a baby when you've lost your weight. Actually I was looking at your profile and you're not really much overweight for your height are you. But why does it say you are going for your op in 1969? lol I had to read it 3 times, and it does say that lol. My daughter has a band and has been pregnant and so has Mmm's daughter, so plenty of info around. I went for a fill with freddyboy today, he is a sweetie, but he said he couldnt put back in the 3 he took out in early October, he put in 2 and a quarter, which I dont feel is enough. he told me to stay on liquids for 3 days, to give my body chance to get used to the restriction again. I have gained 4lbs according to his scales, but I have been bad since I came home from my hols, eating and drinking anything, though not big portions, must be the alcohol. If I need another fill, I'll have to wait until after Crimbo now, seems unfortunate that I have to cough up another 90 quid, cos I'm greedy. Maggs I'm waiting for the pics of the new baby btw lol. Soon kids xxxx

Thank you so much for that Arthukd. Honestly, I do not see myself giving up alcohol entirely forever either ! Good to know I am normal in thinking so..........phew!! I am excited about the surgery too - I am so tired of being obese - I want to live in the real sense! Can't wait is right!

Anul - you can eventually add back alcohol, just know it has calories, which slows weight loss. My sister had lapband 4 years ago and is still a pretty heavy drinker...(it runs in the family;) She has lost about 80 lbs and the weight loss has sort of stopped. She knows if she quits drinking she would lose more, but she is down to a size 10 or 12 and is very happy about her weight loss. Just a personal decision on what makes you happy. I too enjoy a glass of wine or two and don't see me giving it up completely. We should definitely all stay connected w/ our Jan 13th date! I am so excited. I ate a reasonable dinner last night out w/ friends, and then got home and ate a 4th meal!! What is wrong with me??? That is why I am excited about the band. I really thought I was hungry, but I know I couldn't have really been physically hungry. Hoping the lapband will nip that in the bud.

Hey Just-Ice, we also have arthukd on the same date. I do not have the time yet but I am told around 9.40 am - so I am the latest of the three of us! Funny, I too have been evaluating my eating habbits. I realised I am fairly good during the day - but in the evening, when I get home from work - all hell breaks lose! I will eat anything I lay my eyes on as I am starving. And the alcohol will be difficult - I enjoy a drink especially on the weekends - but I guess not anymore. And New year Eve is going to be difficult as I will be on my pre-op diet and it will be my first real test at control........... Can we guys stay connected and compare notes - we are fairly close in age and our stats are comparable? Good luck to all of us:thumbup:

Its hard to believe my banding is only one week away now. I've been working on this ALL YEAR, literally. I decided in early December last year that I was going to pursue getting WLS and after 6 months nutrition visits, two denials, two appeals, and finally one APPROVAL, I am scheduled for Lapband surgery in exactly one week, 12/17!!! Ever since my approval, I have been feeling more optimistic about my whole life and have been making healthy changes to my lifestyle. My surgeon does not require a pre-op diet, though, so I haven't really buckled down or made any real rules for myself. The only exception being that I cut out alcohol last week. I love my wine and gin and it just doesn't seem healthy to keep that up going straight into surgery. And, this week, I want to really buckle down and be as healthy as I can without actually restricting calories or being hungry. So, I've decided on a few rules for this week. Here goes... Diet: drink at least 8 big glasses of water per day cut out rice, pasta, bread, and potatoes (focus on protein and non-starchy vegies instead) replace b-fast w/a protein shake minimize sweets (eat yogurt or jello if I want a dessert) continue w/no alcohol Exercise: 45 minutes/day either walking outside or on the treadmill (normally I prefer to do Jazzercise, but I'm not supposed to for at least one month after surgery so I gotta get used to walking instead) Other: use my CPAP machine every night (I haven't been and my surgeon wants me to) practice using the spirometer gadget they gave us in pre-op class I think if I do all this I will be in good shape for sugery in a week. Wish me luck! :sneaky:

Its hard to believe my banding is only one week away now. I've been working on this ALL YEAR, literally. I decided in early December last year that I was going to pursue getting WLS and after 6 months nutrition visits, two denials, two appeals, and finally one APPROVAL, I am scheduled for Lapband surgery in exactly one week, 12/17!!! Ever since my approval, I have been feeling more optimistic about my whole life and have been making healthy changes to my lifestyle. My surgeon does not require a pre-op diet, though, so I haven't really buckled down or made any real rules for myself. The only exception being that I cut out alcohol last week. I love my wine and gin and it just doesn't seem healthy to keep that up going straight into surgery. And, this week, I want to really buckle down and be as healthy as I can without actually restricting calories or being hungry. So, I've decided on a few rules for this week. Here goes... Diet: drink at least 8 big glasses of water per day cut out rice, pasta, bread, and potatoes (focus on protein and non-starchy vegies instead) replace b-fast w/a protein shake minimize sweets (eat yogurt or jello if I want a dessert) continue w/no alcohol Exercise: 45 minutes/day either walking outside or on the treadmill (normally I prefer to do Jazzercise, but I'm not supposed to for at least one month after surgery so I gotta get used to walking instead) Other: use my CPAP machine every night (I haven't been and my surgeon wants me to) practice using the spirometer gadget they gave us in pre-op class I think if I do all this I will be in good shape for sugery in a week. Wish me luck! :tongue2:

Someone asked that in the seminar. My doc's only comment was that once we have restriction and are eating smaller amounts, keep in mind that the alcohol may affect us more strongly. .

Hi all!! I'm new to the forum. I started my journey in July and my surgery date is set for the 22nd of this month!! Yesterday was my first day of the liquid diet. I noticed everyone is pretty much able to eat a little something or the liquid diet isn't that strict. Can I just say that I'm really jealous! My surgery is really really really strict. For 2 weeks it's CLEAR liquids only, besides the protein shakes. So I only get to have shakes, broth, jello & SF pops. That's it. No SF gum, because of the sugar alcohol. Ah well, it's worth it. I do have to say, I"M STARVING! LOL! Is that bad? It's only been a day and a half. I'm worried I'm going to bite my families head off and kabob them. Did you/are you all dropping weight really really fast in the liquid diet? I've dropped 5 lbs. since yesterday. That's not right. It must be all water because I've been in the restroom every half hour. Crazy! My spouse doesn't believe me, it's that crazy! Good luck to everyone getting their surgery today! I'm excited to get to know everyone.

I have a Blue Shield PPO Plan in the state of California. It took less than 6 months for me to be approved and do all the requirements for the surgery. But that also includes a month delay from the Psychologist and the month wait between getting my surgery date and having the surgery. The surgery wasnt too bad. I felt pretty good immediately after surgery. Infact, I was out of bed and walking around just a few hours after surgery. I was feeling so good that I only needed the assistance of a nurse for the first few times I had to use the restroom. All the other times I unplugged my IV and did it myself. I even stopped taking pain medicine within three hours of being out of surgery. Now, the pain didnt start until two days after surgery. And boy, it hurt like hell! It wasnt pain from the actual surgery, it was the darn gas. It collected in one of my shoulders and I couldnt move my shoulder, sit down or lay down without being in excrutiating pain. Infact, I had to sit up in a chair to sleep, with my feet resting on another chair. This lasted for nearly two weeks, despite walking. Walking is supposed to help prevent the gas from collecting. I ended up using all of my pain medication, but not refilling once it was gone. My wounds are still healing. One of them got infected a little bit, but is healing just fine. I had surgery on October 27th and had lost 29 pounds in just about a month. I gained back about 7 pounds over the Thanksgiving holiday (I discovered that since I dont have a fill, that I can eat just about anything and not have a problem.....ooopsy!). I weighed myself this morning, and I am back at having lost 29 pounds. Yay! My first fill is on December 17th and I can hardly weight to have restriction again, to minimize what I can eat and how much. I have been paying closer attention to eating smaller portions and drinking more water. My surgeon said no alcohol and no soda, unless it is flat. However, the whole idea behind a soda is the carbonation. It tastes horrible otherwise. I havent had a soda since October 20th! This is a personal decision. Not everyone will have the same results. What may work for me, may not for another, and whatever may work for someone else, may not for me. Yes, the recovery is a little painful, but in the end, you forget about the pain and become excited about the results you are getting. Go to a seminar and check it out a bit more. Best of luck!!!!:thumbup:

Did you get all your Water in yesterday??? If you didn't, this will make you feel tighter the next day. I also notice if I have alcohol I am tight the next day. I have days when my band seems tighter then the previous day. It happens all the time. Don't be too quick to rush in for an unfill. It may not be necessary. Focus today on getting in all your water. If you feel tight return to liquid Protein for a day and try again with solids tomorrow. The band is a fickle tool. Expect to experience intermittent tightness. It happens!

My surgeon is cool with coffee and alcohol...in moderation (maybe that's why I like him?!). Coffee is frowned upon mostly because it can act as a diuretic and alcohol because of the empty calories. I have not had a problem with either....

Good Morning! So I didn't find a dress yesterday, I think I am going to have to resort to a skirt and a top.. My boobs are really so swollen still. I tried on a size 8 dress that was to big in the waist and to tight on top lol. So today I am off to find a size 6 black skirt and a festive top. Wish me luck! Today is hubby and my 19th wedding anniversary :thumbup: we are going out to a very very nice restaurant tonight! Yesterday I went and got another little fill. I think I could use a smidge more. I am not eating alot but still want some damn Christmas cookies. Gahh. My doc made me promise to get in one protein shake a day. I am going to be one of his poster children lol. I had to send pics for their website before and afters and I am going to be doing seminars and working possibly in the office. I am excited. When I was in the waiting room all these wonderul people were all asking me tons of questions.. it seems like just yesterday I was one of them pre lapband and wanting to be thin. Here I am someone they can see as a lapband success story. I think helping others who are struggling with their weight would be a great thing to do with the rest of my life. My old boss offered me a position with the company again and after talking with hubby decided NO THANKS.. It was great great money but 99% of them were alcoholic, pot smoking, pill addicted men. They all smoked cigarettes in the office and I am a reformed smoker. I really never want to be in a working enviornment like that again. We do what we have to when the money is right but hubby said my health and sanity is worth more than any amount of money. Isn't he amazing? I can't believe how deeply I am still in love with that man after all these years. I hope everyone has a great day and sorry for my rambling... I have had 4 cups of coffee already lol. xoxo

I would have to say cold turkey would be the only way, and replace with something else with caffein. Personally, I don't like coffee but i like tea. I used to have a can of soda on my way to work at 1:30 am, a 20 oz bottle on my lunch at 6ish am, then hit a drive thru for a large soda when i got off, then another couple cans by the end of the night. it was all i wanted to drink. it gets easier the more time that passes by, and you'll find that after awhile, soda will taste too sweet. i was out with friends over the weekend, and i had finished my bottle of water but i was thirsty so i asked my friend for a sip of her soda-not good, i know, but it was that or alcohol, lol- and the soda was sooo sweet. it actually grossed me out some. i think i miss the thought of it more than the actual drink.

Hey y'all! Rick is not going to TX until after Christmas, looks like he will be gone right after, and miss New Years. Which is not a huge deal to us---------I will fix him all his favorites, which is what we do for NY anyway when he gets back. He has an employee who wants to go now, does not want to miss a NYE party. So he is going to go now and let his wife get everything ready for Christmas by herself----Rick thinks the guy is ok, I think he is an alcoholic married to someone who deserves him, they are very dysfuntional. Now all that said, it would not surprise me for things to change at the last minute, but I am not worried about it. We went this weekend and pretty much finished up the shopping except for an electric skillet I want to get for his Mom at Target, and they are out of stock, so going to watch for it, or check on line---then we are done---so whenever he goes I will handle it. The guy keeps telling Rick he needs the $$$ for Christmas. Rick has told him, it WILL be great money but it won't come in on the paycheck until AFTER Christmas, the way time goes in.....so... we'll see! Snowed about 5 inches, and has stopped for the most part now, it is spitting slowly, but nothing to stack up. I took my Mom to look at sofas. She got rid of hers.....just got rid of her furniture! Now is wanting to just walk in and buy some, and most places have to order it, so she may be without furniture for 3 weeks! LOL leave it to my Mom! She did find a really nice leather set in the Oak Super Store place, so Dad is going to go look and see if he likes it -- and it is in stock, so maybe she will be ok! Met Rick for lunch, ate a piece of fish----fried, but fish!!! And nothing else. I smell my chile and my beans cooking, and they smell wonderful!! While we were in the mall we were coming out of Sears, and ran into an old neighbor. He and his former wife and 2 boys my kids age lived next door for years. Nicest guy--got great kids. Had a wild one for a wife! She is nice, but she is wild---she is teeny tiny, and thinks she is 7 foot tall in invincible! She has attitude to spare! They divorced not long after moving from here----she was messing around with one of their horse trainers. The son that is Manda's age told her about it. Anyway--we stopped and talked and caught up on the kids. He told me I looked "incredible". He said the younger son --the one Abbeys age had told him I lost a bunch of weight---but he was just shocked you could tell. Which was flattering, but yet embarrassing, to know he was thinking how fat I was.....hard to explain----I know he was being complimentary, but it is a fine line! I let it go, and took the compliment!!! LOL I have a nice fire going, dinner done.....think it is time to go change into some hang around the house comfy jammie pants!!!

The goal really SHOULDN'WT be to not be able to eat things like bread, rice and pasta. REALLY. Try this. Make sure you get 20 grams of protein in a meal at the minimum. Have 3 oz of lean protein (about the size of a deck of cards), a vegetable and a serving of whole grain carb. Look at the clock when you start feeling hungry. How long from your meal to the time you felt hunger? If it was less than 4 hours, eat a small protein snack (a boiled egg, an once of low fat cheese, or some deli turkey -- about 70 calories) and that should hold you for a while. Really, you don't "feel" restriction -- you "feel" satiety. And satiety is being able to go at least 4 hours without feeling hunger. Just because you can eat a mountain of mashed potatoes or a quarter pounder doesn't mean you should. Just like, just because you can swallow 10 alcoholic beverages doesn't mean you should.

Ditto all of this! It is certainly part of the journey to be unsure at some point as to which surgery is right for you. And, I ultimately came to the same conclusion as the above poster. One thing that made a difference in my decision, too, was that I learned that dumping (sugar aversion) only stays with you for the first year or two w/bypass. So, eventually, even w/bypass, you will have to deal w/your sugar issues. The reason why some bypass patients gain back is because they are counting on the bypass to prevent them from eating sugar. And, it really does for awhile, and very well. But, eventually, you will have that looming that you will need to control it on your own after you no longer have the dumping. Also, w/the bypass, my surgeon says you should really NEVER drink ANY alcohol again. I know there are many bypass patients who still drink, but they are taking some significant chances w/their liver. The stomach is the first line of defense against toxins in the body. And, the body does recognize alcohol as a toxin and the stomach does significant work to metabolize that before it actually ever goes to your liver. When you drink alcohol after bypass, it is like injecting alcohol straight into your system. The stomach has no chance to detoxify it at all. For me, this is scary cause I really do like my wine. I am cutting it out for the first 6 months or longer just because it is empty calories, but when I imagine a 'normal' life after reaching goal, part of that means that I can have a glass or two of wine occasionally as long as I am exercising enough and eating healthy enough to maintain a healthy weight. But, bypass is a lot better if you have Type 2 diabetes. The bypass will cure that immediately. Personally, I think the sleeve may be the very best choice of all, but my insurance doesn't cover it right now.