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I like the Pure Protein chocolate/peanut butter. They are 200 calories, 20 grams of protein and 16 grams of carbs. Now, I'll post that they do contain 6 or 7 grams of Sugar Alcohol which some people say contribute to gassy issues. I haven't had that problem, and they remind me of a Whatchamacallit candy bar. I have everyday either before or after my workout regimen.

Hey.. I use the "F" word now & then, and "sh... " one of my favorites, too... but rarely "GD". And this was CONSTANT! That's just ignorant! The three RVs directly behind us... Yeah, the big guy with white hair behind us and to the right, two right behind us... didn't use that language, and the the couple behind and on the left... he was not as offensive as the bigger guy, but they were trying to outdo each other with all the sexual comments. If I'd been either of their wives, I think I would've gotten up and gone inside. I couldn't wait for an opportunity to leave and was very happy when it broke up around 7:30! You are in no way offensive. Believe me... these guys were WAY out of line!! Completely inappropriate... especially for mixed company!! And barely knowing Earl & I!! I'm no angel by any means! I have my "words" that I use. But... I guess you had to have been here to understand what it was like. It was like they didn't know any other words... especially the one guy. The one that Janet met last week. I'd chatted with them a few times before and he didn't come across that way. But... a little alcohol, and being with his buddy.. unleashed it all! Okay.. enough of that! I had a really FUN day today. TOPS first.. only down a pound, but had to get weighed in my clothes instead of bathing suit today. Usually, I have to be ready for water aerobics, but today I had a Red Hats outing to go to at 9 a.m. So... we went to a place called RV Casuals.. a little store that specializes in Red Hat clothes, jewelry, accessories and fun stuff. I was looking AGAIN for a purple outfit to wear to my Red Hat outings. But all their clothes are either from China or Vietnam! So most of their 3X pants I can't get over my butt!! Earl took me their last year and that was the case, but I thought maybe this year... I did find three pairs that fit, but two of them were that flimsy kind of polyster fabric that is really clingy and you could see every ripple of cellulite in my thighs! They had fancy tops that went with them, but one was too big... pants fit, tops too big!! And it looked really silly on me anyway. The other... was okay, very plain, but looked nice, kinda dressy, but I couldn't see myself going out in public with those pants! And they were too long and that type fabric really hard to sew. So I nixed that outfit, too. So I ended up with a pair of purple cotton knit pants that fit nice, not too tight in the thighs, perfect length. Just a little more casual than I"d hoped for, but they'l work. Have some purple tops that will go with them, and I bought a little open weave red jacket to go with the outfit. So I have a few things to feel a little more festive when I go to Red Hat things. Got a bracelet and necklace, too. BUT.. what really made my day... I made a couple of stops in Desert Hot Springs on the way home... Starbucks, of course! And I went to K-Mart looking for needles to use with my beading projects. So I'm at the cash register checking out and I wanted to use my Am Ex card. Cashier says, "I have to see some identification." I told her my picture was o the back of the card. She looks at it... she looks at me... she looks at the picture again... she says, "THIS doesn't look like you!" So I laughed and said, "well, that's because that was 125 lb ago!" And I got out my driver's license and showed it to her and said, "this isn't much better, but it's really me!" So then she apologized and said she didn't mean to insult me! I told her.. not at all! She says, "but you look so much BETTER!" It was kind of funny. I told her she was the first one to ever call me on it!

Well, except the difference is that your body does have "leaks" in that you can burp and gas can also be absorbed. Still good to stay away from soda if you can, either too much sugar or too much artificial sweetener. Just like bread, chicken, Pasta, caffeine, alcohol, etc, carbonation is OK for some and unpleasant for others. Some docs tell you to avoid these things and some don't. I drink beer most weekends and never had any issue with it, my doc says no problem as long as I understand those are calories. My opinion is to always follow the advice of the guy you will turn to if you have a problem.

I can't believe that this is still carrying on. It's almost like a competition to see who can have the last word. LOL. I make my own soda at home. I find an occassional glass of diet lime and home made soda really refreshing when its really hot. I also like to dilute white wine with soda. I am sure that 1 glass of half soda half wine is better and has less calories in than plain wine. And yes I am allowed to drink alcohol. Both my "rule" book and my Dr say its fine. Now if everyone can just stop arguing and trying to convince everyone else that they are right......................

I know first hand how difficult bipolar is on a family. I have bipolar disorder and I know that it has been really rough on my husband and two kids for the last 7 years. I have many regrets ( that I will have till I die) of things that I have said and done to all 3 of them. I love my family with all my heart. But some days, I feel like leaving them...for their own good. I have been on medicine for the past 5 years but have only been really stable for a year now. I still have my days though. Medicine isn't a miracle cure but it sure helps. My kids are 10 and 12 now and we sat them down a couple years ago and explained my condition to them. They have gone to my therapy appts with me so they have a better understanding of why I behave the way I do some days. They have pretty much adjusted to me and now they can predict which mood is coming next and when to let me have alone time. I love my children more than anything and it kills me to know that I haven't really "been" there for them most of their lives. But they tell me all of the time that they understand and still love me regardless. My husband, God bless him. He must be a saint because he has put up with more than his share. We have been married for 15 years and I can't tell you how many times I have screamed at him and threw things. It gets annoying when he asks me everyday if I have taken my medicine, but I know why he does it. He should have taken the kids and left me years ago but he didn't. I am thankful for that because I don't know what I would do without my family. My husband always tells me that he loves me and if he didn't believe in me and know the real me then he would have left a long time ago. I guess that I have always had symptoms of bipolar since I was around 10. My parents were alcoholics and very abusive. Being abused sexually, mentally, physically.....I just thought that I was normal. I didn't know any differently until my husband kept telling me that I changed and begged me to get help. All I can say is thank God for a family that is understanding and loves me now matter how I am and for my therapist.

Wow, happy2lose. My surgical group also allows me to have NSAIDs, alcohol, and caffeine. If you like, I can give you the contact information to yell at them. I'd prefer you berate them rather than me for following my doctor's instructions. :thumbup:

I LOVE a good party. My body has never processed alcohol the way it does for most. All our friends partake and so does DH. More than one makes me slur and walk crooked. After LB tried but was much worse so had to give it up. Not like it crimped my style. I'm still the first at a party and the last to leave. Even when my son has his "after parties" in his shop in town. I'm there. Love to socialize.

I had an overnight stay at the hospital and went home the next morning after the leak test. My surgeon said some surgeons were doing this outpatient, but he wasn't comfortable with that. As for alcohol, we were told that we should wait a year, but then we could have a little alcohol if we wanted. As for the other things, one of the best things about the sleeve is after the initial period of adjustment to your new stomach, there really isn't much you can't enjoy. You will just be eating a few bites instead of a lot of whatever it is you want. When I go out to eat, I order an appetizer or soup, and can't finish all of that.

I wouldn't be comfortable going home after major surgery. The risk for leaks is highest within the first week, and I had 3 leak tests. I know some surgeons do this procedure on an outpatient basis, but I personally would not go home without at least 2 leak tests, and an overnight stay in the hospital. My husband was extremely supportive on my decision to have this surgery. I'm a band to sleeve revision and he was supportive of both surgeries. Neither one of us are drinkers per se, and I haven't attempted to drink anything since my sleeve surgery. I was able to drink alcoholic beverages with my band. I don't think you're crazy for wanting to live a longer, more healthy life for yourself. Tell your husband about all the joyful activities that you 2 can do after you lose the weight. Just from my personal experience, my marriage is more exciting, fun, and full of surprises due to me losing weight. We are more active in and out of the bedroom as well. There are going to be plenty of joyful things that you can share. Just get creative, and make him a list of all the great adventures you 2 can participate when you lose weight, gain more confidence, and more energy. Best wishes, and keep us posted on your progress.

I'm self pay and my doctor required it. I met with the psych for about 20 minutes, did about 90 minutes of testing (answering questions on paper) then talked with him for over an hour. In fact, we would have continued talking even more if I didn't have to leave for my dietician consult. He charged $275 for the consult. I think the reason behind it is to see if we have really given due consideration to what we're doing, how we think it will effect us, etc. The tests I took included a medical history (about 10 pages long), alcohol use, drug use, and three or four others. What the psych said to me was that he was really trying to determine if I had the cognitive ability to realize what I'm doing. My consult was like an added bonus as my psych had gotten the band in May of this year, so he was able to give me his own personal experience plus answer questions about the band. Only downside was that he was doing things that my dietician told me I shouldn't (like drinking soda, and eating McDonalds, etc.). Just shop around, find a good price, but also find out how long it will take to get the report to the surgeon. You don't want to be waiting around for weeks on the report.

Hey guys, just want to stop by and give you guys an update, and boy oh boy was I tempted to just let this one go by. Well as you all know I had revision surgery September 30 and was unfilled down to 3cc's at surgery. Now to me 3cc's might as well have been a complete unfill. So here I am 6 weeks later and UP 6 POUNDS!!!!!! Yes, you heard me right and I didnt studder, 6 fricken pounds. Am I surprised? Not really. I'll admit that I got LAZY I enjoyed sleeping in until 6am instead of getting up at 4:30am to go to the gym. My eating post op was going pretty good until my husband (how dare he) took me on an all inclusive 7 day trip to Cabo for my 40th birthday and I Lost my fricken mind. I swear when I got on the plane the scale said 185 (and I know it did because I weighed myself on the scale at the airport where you weigh your luggage). And at the airport on the way home it said 197...I PROMISS IT DID. There was alot of drinking and late night eating on that trip. And honestly I know I didnt gain 12 pounds in 7 days but I knew that I hadnt been eating right and drinking alot of alcohol plus not getting in my water (unless you take in water by sitting in the pool swim up bar?) So 5 days home and the scals was down to 190, 10 days home and there it remained 190 sometimes 191. THANK GOODNESS today was my follow up from surgery appointment where she gave me a fill and I was never so happy in all my life. Theses last 6 weeks have really reafirmed my decision to get the band. with out it I truely have very little will and I really need the restriction that it gives me. I still am a fat girl at heart and in my mind. I still have work to do. C25K here I come and 180 by Christmas!!!!

Thanks Garry, i didnt realise i was eating 1400 calories a day, christ knows how...must be the alcohol! Guess il have to step up the exercise although i am currently cycling alot because we have a charity thing at work where we have to do the same amount as from london to lapland.

Mine are not healing as well as I would like. The one where thy took my stomach out is fine.all healed up. the one above it ( under my left girl) is a mess. It keeps oozing blood and pus. It was/is a tiny little thing, but, it just won't heal. I am one month out. I am keeping it clean with alcohol. and covered lightly. (gauze) I think I caused this to happen. I wear an underwire bra. I think it irratated that site and ground some dirt in or something. All my other wounds are healing nicely enough. One of them opened up when I took the stiches out. Pcp here said it will heal from the inside out. Will just take longer. I am with Cajun on the scars VS fat. gimme the scars, there is always a one piece suit for the pool. Plus you can say you had some moles removed. That is what it looks like. There is always tatoos for coverage. LOL Wait for at least a year or two before resorting to that. Tiffy could get a pink (breast cancer) ribbon to cover hers. HA

My BOSS sat there 3 months before I had the surgery, and before I even told them I was having surgery and was talking about WLS to another co-worker. His words were "I have heard that people that do that WLS take up other addictions, like sex, alcohol, etc." So a week before my surgery I told him that I was having the surgery. Then proceeded to tell him my husband will be a very happy man because of my addiction... Point is, everyone has their own idea about WLS. Some will say it's the easy way. Some will make fun. Some will act jealous..ect. It is my experience as a mother of a 21 year old son born with Down Syndrome that the reason people make fun of you is because they are 1> Afraid to ask questions. <2 Have no clue about what the procedure (or in my case disability is> so it's easier to pick it apart. So what I do with people who do that stuff to me, and insist on eating infront of me and staying stuff. Even if it DOES bother me, I tell them, "Nope it doesn't bother me at all. I have no desire for sweets or stuff anymore. I want to be one of those statistical people that live a long and healthy life. So if you want to continue to be silly like you are, then go right ahead." 9 X out of 10, they stop because they see that it's not bothering you. Those people are called food bullies. When bullies see that you aren't going to let them bother you anymore, they usually stop. You will have all types of Food Bullies along the way. Whether it be the ones that tell you, you are losing TO MUCH weight. Or the ones like your co-workers. It's hard but stand strong and don't let them get to you. Since your surgery was on 9-18-2009, I'm assuming that your co-workers have taken on a different light now that they see you have been losing weight???

Next time you go to the doctor, be sure you are not rushing around shopping or doing things before your appointment, go early, and do some meditating/relaxation exercises while in the waiting room. Have your appointment in the early morning because your pressure should be lowest then. Ask the nurse to let you sit quietly and rest for 5 minutes in the blood pressure area before they take your pressure. Close your eyes and take slow breaths like stoongal said, and relax during those 5 minutes. Be sure you are not drinking any alcohol at all in your diet, because that raises BP. As already pointed out, so does salt. I hope things get better for you.

When republican Jim DeMint said "If we can stop this healthcare it will be Obama's Waterloo. It will break him." - What did that have to do with the american people or helping them or having any other agenda other than wanting Obama to fail? Ditto when rush limbaugh said he wanted Obama to fail. It was personal - and that sentiment is echoed with those who only found their voice after Obama became president. What does Obama as Hitler or the Joker or those racists sayings have to do with healthcare, spending or the debt? Nothing. But it has everything to do with Obama. Remember that the republicans aren't just against this healthcare reform. They also voted against expanding SCHIP - the healthcare program for children. Now, regardless of what you think about the parents of those children - the children are innocent and deserve to get healthcare - but the heartless republicans didn't think so. So much for family values!!! Again - I repeat my mantra "If it weren't for hyprocrisy the republicans would have nothing." As to those thousands who die every year from tobacco use and abuse of alcohol - I am not going to shed any tears for those who make a conscious decision to poison their body and refuse to do anything to quit. That is in stark contrast to those, who through NO fault of their own (unemployed, lost job, can't afford...) don't have healthcare insurance and die as a result. That should never happen in a country like ours. Period.

Larraine, I want affordable health care for all Americans. I don't want our government to be that insurance company. The government has the power to make laws and they should enforce these laws that they can make on private insurance companies. They should drop the law that states you can't cross state lines for medical insurance because that would encourage competition between states. They should enforce tort reform, because that would stop all trial lawyers from making these multi million dollar cases. There should be caps on ins. payouts. Then doctors wont have to perform unneccessary tests just to cover their butts should someone choose to sue them. They should make it a law that noone can be denied health coverage or pay a higher premium because of pre-existing conditions. There are many ways to enforce the private insurance industries to comply. They don't want to do this because the lawyers and the insurance companies are lining these politicians pockets to keep the laws from ruining their greedy wealth. Maybe they could make a law that puts a cap on insurance premiums. If you don't have the ability to pay for ins., then you can apply for medicaid, which is government ins. that is already set up for those who can't afford to pay. The gov. can simply raise the income guidelines for people who can't get on it because they are borderline income and don't meet the eligibility. God wants us to be good stewards with our money and the government has shown us many times over that they can't be. When the government runs something, they don't have a care about waste. It's not coming from their pocket, so why should they care? Just look at medicare or social security, both are bankrupt. So, as a christian, it's not that I am against helping the unfortunate that don't have insurance, for I do want help for them. Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you." What about the 450,000 who die every year from tobacco, should we help them, how about the hundreds of thousands who die every year from alcohol, should we help them? This list could go on and on forever, but you get my point. The government should not be in the business of social wellness. Roosevelt did a bad thing when he started welfare in the government. Handouts in the government far exceed what the people here can afford. If the gov. stopped giving away all our money, then we would have more for our own health care and living exenses and will be able to give to the charities of our choosing. We wouldn't be indentured servants to China and other countries either. Your great grandchildren will be paying for their deeds in the future.

I still have diet soda (and other fizzy drinks) occasionally; not nearly as much as before surgery, but when I feel like it. My doctor has no problem with soda (or caffeine or alcohol) as long as it doesn't bother us, we don't overdo it, and are conscious of our calories. I generally try to eat healthier than before surgery, which was my primary reason to reduce the amount of soda (and alcohol) I drink. Since I've cut down, I don't crave it as much.

The government would never ban cigarettes or alcohol (they tried the latter) but I would be supportive of a very high ($10/pack) cigarette tax to make it economically prohibitive. That money could be used to help fund many things. And people who quit would be healthier. That's a win/win. But the big tobacco lobbyists would never stand for it. People should be required to buy healthcare insurance because those who choose not to buy it (but can afford it) are costing those of us who have insurance higher premiums to pay for their healthcare. For those who can't afford insurance, there will be help to pay for it.

Your reply is full of contradictions. You ask "does the government step in and take control and outlaw cigarettes and chewing tobacco?". And then you criticize the government and say the government wants to be in control of what we can and can't do. So - what is it? You want them to outlaw tobacco and alcohol and control what we can and can't do? Or do you want them to stay out of our lives, or do you want them to do what they are doing - educating people and helping states to pass anti-smoking laws and tough drunk driving laws. Here's what the government does about tobacco: Do Anti-Smoking Programs Work to Reduce Smoking? | Michael Marlow | Cato Institute: Commentary And I've always known that tobacco is responsible for about 500,000 deaths a year. It's on websites, in the newspapers, etc.. But the issue has been somewhat eclipsed by the obsession with covering the obesity epidemic. Additionally, tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking are choices that people make. One does not need to do either. These people choose to pollute their bodies with poison. Those who are dying from lack of proper care due to lack of health insurance would love to be able to afford affordable and proper healthcare. It is not their choice to die from this.

All of a sudden this country is sooooooo concerned about the so called 45,000 deaths a year from lack of medical insurance. How come we never heard of this before? Did you know that 435,000 people die every year from tobacco, Thats 7X more the amount of people annually who die from lack of insurance, but does the government step in and take control and outlaw cigarettes and chewing tobacco? NO! How about the people who die annually in this country from alcohol. The number is 85,000 every year. (twice as many than those who die without insurance) But no, you can't take the 'fun' away from society. Give me a break! the government wants to be in control of what we can and can't do. They are not concerned about your health or mine! P.S. I meant to say a million abortions annually.

Sorry, he's right. The Band won't follow the Bander rules for you, keep you from putting the wrong things in your mouth, or keep you from eating too much...only you can do those things and you'll have to in order to lose the weight. It takes a great deal of committment. The only thing the Band will do for you is help take the hunger away between meals. BTW-I started out with a similar BMI and although I've been very successful and committed to many diets in the past, this WL has required even more committment. It was easier for me to follow a diet plan and only eat certain foods...it's much harder to make an entire lifestyle change where no food is off limits...and even harder to have to finally deal with the head hunger and food issues that got me fat to begin with. For me, any WL surgery is like an alcoholic hitting bottom...you have to be ready and committed to make the changes or you'll fail. I'd be asking myself how ready am I to do what it takes? Good luck on your decision...if you decide to do this, we're all here for you and will help you through! -BG

Hi Ms RoJacks! First, let me congratulate you on being banded - where did you get your surgery done? I live in Norwich, but was banded at Yale New Haven Hospital (I work at Yale). Please don't move ahead to thicker liquids or solid food unless your doctor's orders say it's okay. You are still healing, and it's important to follow doc's orders while that is going on. You don't want to have ANY kind of problems right now - and I know it's hard, but it will help you in the long run. I'm glad you're not having hunger problems - I was hungry all the time, even after I was banded! :smile: I'm doing much better now - approaching my 1 year bandiversary (in 6 days) and down over 70 lbs. My goal was to have lost 100 by now, but I'm still really happy with what I've achieved. I hope that your fiancee is able to get the help he needs to conquer his alcoholism - it will make it very difficult for him if he's at all insecure or uncertain about your progress and your getting healthy. Please take good care of yourself, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. I also suggest you talk to your doctor and their support staff often - don't do this alone. The doc and his staff know your situation best - listen to them! Once you get the clearance to exercise, do what you can - walking is great. I lost the majority of my weight with walking - I started running about 3 months ago, and ran my first 5k race in October. Something I NEVER thought I'd do when I was heavier. Find ways to occupy your time that don't include food - now is the time to break old habits and establish new, healthy ones. Good luck and blessings to you! :tongue_smilie:

I agree Karen. That is why the head work is soo important for us to. We can stop eating and work out forever, but the head needs to be on straight too. My friend had GBP 5 years ago. She started at 500 lbs. and is only down about 60. She REFUSES to see the connection. She STILL says, "I just like to eat." Look, we all have issues but she grew up in an alcoholic environment and her mother still berates her daily, evan at 38. She has mocked me for seeing someone to talk to and taking meds, but I went into this with realistic expectations. So, Karen, a miserable fat person will be a miserable skinny one too.

It's important that you realize that there might be things that you just can't tolerate after getting your band, and it's great that you're asking questions. I always think it's better to be prepared too. There are very few foods I can't eat. For instance, one is raw celery. I'm not even sure that I can't eat it, but I tried it once after banding, and the texture of the fibers in my mouth made me decide not to try it. The thought of swallowing it kind of made me feel gaggy. Often times, it's better to try a new food at home, just in case. But, as Cathy described, as long as meat isn't dry, I don't have any problems with it, and I never liked it dry anyway. It's important to try new foods slowly, and if you start to feel tight, and you'll get to recognize that feeling, not to push it. Actually, some people have issues that their tighter during certain times of the day or month, so it's always best to take those first couple of bites with a bit of caution, especially if you're prone to band fickleness. Pre-banding, not knowing what I was going to be able to tolerate, I decided to go into this WLS as if I was an alcoholic giving up alcohol. If I had to give up steak, for instance, to be healthy, so be it, however, I have been very lucky that most foods don't trouble me. I know you're saying the same thing too. For me, eating smaller portions, eating at a slower pace, taking slightly smaller bites, and chewing a little longer has allowed me to lead a very normal life with food.