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Hi Katydid, and welcome to our forums. I am sorry you had so much trouble with the band. There are just some of us that seemed destined to have problems with it. I am also a band to sleeve revision and the difference is night and day. I am so much happier with the sleeve. You are not a failure. food is just as much an addiction as alcohol and drugs are. The difference is, we can't just quit eating. Until someone has actually walked in our shoes, it is difficult for them to understand how hard it is to commit to exercise and diet. Many of us need help, such as weight loss surgery. If it were as easy as some make it out to be, then there would be no obese people in this world. We are all here to support one another. You will find we are more a big family here than anything. And we are here for you whenever you need us.

I too had an incision that wouldn't heal. It was the largest one of them all (camera hole). People kept saying it was infected & since it was done in TJ I had no one to ask other than my own insurance/physician. I cleaned it with alcohol & peroxide daily, still ooze. So, I started taking penicillin I had in my medicine cabinet. Then 2 days ago I put fresh aloe on it & it was like magic, its dry! I don't know why I didn't think of Aloe sooner....

Alcohol is one of those hot button topics like soda, caffeine, etc.... You will get responses all over the spectrum. Some will tell you nothing is off limits others will tell you that blood will shoot from your eyes if you ever sniff the stuff again... :cursing: YMMV... Personally, I preferred to get a good chunk of weight loss behind me first because alcohol is not just empty calories, but very dense since it has 7 calories per gram. I don't drink very often but when I do I drink pretty much whatever I choose - beer included. Carbonated beverages don't cause me any trouble - so long as I drink slowly. Chug a carbonated beverage while your band is sufficiently restricted and you'll quickly be schooled in a physics lesson. :scared2:

I'm 27 days post op, and I've blown it over the last several days. I have started eating a little thicker Soups like won ton Soup, and low sodium chicken vegatable soup. I had a steamed potsticker the other day, and I'm not having any problems. Typically I Water down cartons of soups with low sodium broth. Then I put in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt to get the Protein and make the soup a little thicker, with less calories. I find that if I eat it with a soup, I slow down... I haven't had a soda, or alcohol for 6 weeks, and feel great about it. The great thing about the band, is I eat so much slower...and I'm so aware of what I eat... Over the last two weeks, I have been "cheating". I was recently somewhere, where there was no food, except fast food. I ate a childs hamburger, without dressing, no lettuce, and seemed to do ok. But, today, I had 3 pieces of wheat toast, with two pieces (each piece 3 inches long) soy protein chicken. I feel HORRIBLE, and the guilt is overwhelming. This was in one sitting. Sometimes I forget to eat, and then it dawns on me that I'm starving. I am also taking a perscription twice a day to prevent kidney and gallstones, which must be taken with food. I can't seem to get it together right now. I've been on clears for 3 weeks, and recently started "mushies". eggs, tofu, soy soft hotdogs, etc. Can I stretch out my stomach by cheating over the last few days? I haven't had a fill yet, and I'm concerned. This is gross, but I actually tried to make myself sick to get rid of the food, but I found it IMPOSSIBLE to be sick. Guess I just needed to post, to write down, what the head is going on in my head. I've only lost about 10 pounds, and it's so super slow. I go in for my first fill right before Thanksgiving.... Sorry to ramble, but I recently found this site, and it really makes a person feel not so lonely....

Wow, it feels so good to know that sometimes people mess up, as weird as that sounds. I have been doing EVERYTHING correct from pre-op to post op. I'm 27 days after surgery, and I feel like the last week, I have been blowing it big time. I haven't been eating steak or anything like that, or drinking carbonated drinks, or even having alcohol. But, today, I had 3 pieces of wheat toast, and two small pieces of soy Protein chicken breasts in one sitting. I feel uncomfortable, and like the biggest loser. I feel so stressed out about everything. My hair thinning out, getting laid off, to the surgery. I've dropped 10 pounds, and I feel like I should be further along. In regards to the soup, I have been wanting to drink a lot of it, but have been putting 4 oz in a cup, and putting 6 oz of low sodium broth in it, to cut the thickness down. Trader Joes has some great Soups which curb your appetite. Sometimes, I put a tablespoon of Greek yogurt in the hot soup for protein. Hang in there. I just found this site, and now I don't feel so alone!

I got banded about 2 months ago and I just tried alcohol this past weekend. I asked my doctor if I could try beer and he said go for it so I did. I drank about 3 beers and a jager redbull and I was feeling pretty good. Before the surgery it would take about 6 beers before I would feel anything. I guess its good now that it's cheaper at the bar.

Welcome to LBT, bobcat. I've read that statistically, approximately 2% of patients have a band slip. With the way bands are being sutured in today, band slips have decreased. Band placement also is an important factor in band slips, so pick an experienced surgeon with a good track record. Another very important factor is following your doctors rules for your post-op diet. Stay on liquids or soft foods as instructed so that your stomach heals and your stitches stay in place. Slippage can also occur because of over filling resulting in persistent vomiting. Also, I'm sure there's some sort of randomness built into those statistics, but I take control of what I can by taking care to follow my doctor's rules. I can drink wine without any issues, but I limit it to special occasions only because I don't want the empty calories. I do find that any kind of alcohol goes to my head a lot faster after being banded.

Why even bother? The point of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. Not meaning this in a rude way at all, but if you can't stick to a strict pre-op diet, how do you expect to stick to living with the rules of the lap-band for the rest of your life? The band does not do the work for you, you need to have willpower and do the work, especially in the first 5-6 months. The pre-op is NOT about calories. It is strictly to shrink your liver. Alcohol usually isn't associated with being good for your liver. You are giving yourself a gift by being banded and finally making this decision, don't screw it up by having a few drinks at a get together.

Alcohol is just like sugar as far as your liver is concerned. It is not allowed on the pre-op diet. You may not like this answer but it's the same one your nutritionist will give you.

Ok, I started my preop diet on Tuesday 10/13 and first couple days WERE HARD. I am past all the cravings and don't feel very hungry any more. We have a get together tonight and there is always drinking. Has anyone drank during preop? If you mix say 1oz of vodka with crystal light that is only 69 calories, no carbs, no sugars. HAS ANYONE EVER DRANK DURING THEIR PRE-OP DIET? If so how did you feel after...besides guilty. Our pre-op consists of 1 Atkins shake for breakfast, 1 Atkins shake for lunch, Dinner is 4oz of protein, 1/2 cup veggies. We are also allowed 2 sugar free popsicles, 2 sugar free jello, and 2 1/2 cup servings of chicken broth each a day inbetween to curb the hunger. I have all that down...(and believe me that was a serious shock to my system) and I dont want to mess anything up but I am wondering if it will hurt anything by drinking 1-2 drinks if I ride the bike a little extra to burn off the calories? Any suggestions other than do not do it? Just wondering if anyone else had drank during this time and how they felt.

Happy Friday Everyone!:eek: ok so I didn't hit my goal and i'm disappointed in myself but I'm not gonna let that stop me... My measurements are going down.. especially in my BOOBS AREA:sad: but the weight is still the same!!!:w00t: Ok, so what am I gonna do diffrent = no alcohol for me on the weekends anymore. and I REALLY HAVE TO STOP SNACKING.. ok I admit it.. I've been snacking and its a big NO no:bored: but I can't help it sometimes:unsure:.. and I KNOW THIS is all just a mental thing cuz My tummy isnt really hungry:huh2:... so I gotta set that in my head now.. NO SNACKING.. even if it isn't carbs.. it all adds up.. (SIGH):scared2: Anyways.. I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!:wink2:

Just had to share some great new foods that I have tried recently. You are probably aware of these if you ever read the thread "What Did You Eat Today?" But if not... PB2 - It's powdered peanuts that you can either reconstitute with a little Water into Peanut Butter spread, or you can add to a chocolate Protein shake to make the most delicious peanut butter cup shake ever!!! :thumbup: Best of all, for 2 Tblsp. it only has 53 cal., 1.8 g fat, 5.6 g. protein. And it blends right into your Protein Shake -- much better than regular peanut butter! Here's a link for the cheapest place I found it ($3.99/jar): Bell Plantation PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter DaVinci sugar free Flavored Syrups -- YUM. I bought three flavors: chocolate, English Toffee, and coconut. They're great in Protein shakes, coffee, milk, etc. The best thing is they don't have any sugar alcohol in them (which, if you don't know, causes a lot of intestinal distress *ahem*). These are 0-calorie, made with Splenda. Here's a link to the gazillion flavors: DaVinci Sugar Free Syrups If you have any food finds that you'd like to share, please do! I love trying new things. :sneaky:

Lisa, I am fairly new to the boards, but I can so relate to your story. I am about 3 mos post op and deal with the *head* hunger thing daily..and a lot of times, I fail and self-sabotage myself. It is a constant struggle..and some days it is difficult to think you are the only one going through this, because your not. I am going through it too. There must be an underlying reason why we are doing this to ourselves..I do have a history some molestation as a child, not extreme, but after it happened, I put on a winter coat and couldn't take it off, it was my *protection* and as soon as I was forced to give it up (it smelled..if you can imagine that) I gained 30 lbs.. I have also done the counseling thing and I know psychologically why I do it, but it is still something that I struggle with. Later in life, every time I lost weight and guys found me attractive, and started hitting on me, I would cave in and think they really liked me, only to find it just physical, my heart broken after it was over. But, now I am 52, that part of my life is over, and I have grown much wiser and stronger..but still, old ways of dealing with pain are hard to let go of. Everybody has demons to fight..we all got to our highest weight due to something other than just overeating..I believe..it was our drug, our way of dealing with problems. And, I agree, drug addicts seem to have it easier, because they can be completely abstinent..And the media gives a lot of attention to celebrities with drug problems in our society..it seem glamorized in a way. While obesity is very much a terrible stimga. I believe that obese people suffer the most discrimination and get the least amount of real help for their disorder. We have to practically pay for everything out of pocket..I have yet to find a bariatric coach. I have had counselors tell me, just accept yourself and love yourself. Well, even if I did all that, obesity is not healthy and will kill you sooner than anything else. That counselor gave bum advice. They would never tell a drug addict or alcoholic to just love themselves. That would be malpractice. They would be referred to rehab, even live in a rehab center for months..Why can't they do that for us? I think we would have all be fairly successful if we lived in the *Biggest Loser* type of setting, sans the yelling and degredation from Jillian. That is another thing that irks me. If you had a bunch of drug addicts and alcoholic on TV and called it the *Biggest Loser* and they yelled and demeaned them, there would be lawsuits..but obese people? Oh, yeah, that is acceptable, even considered entertainment. It is sickening. They put tempting food in their face and see how long it takes before they give in. Could you imagine a tv show where they put crack in front of an addict and see who could hold out the longest? No, because that would be inhumane. There are a lot of things I agree with you on Lisa. I wish I had better advice, but I just want you to know you are not alone. Keep trying, never give up on you.

I was told i can have it as long as it doesn't brother me. I was addicted to diet soda so even though i am aloud to have it i only have it about once a month when i go out with my girlfriends to have some drinks. I have it vodka because it is only 80 calories and it does take most of the carbonation out with the alcohol. If i would drink it every day i would become addicted again. And ever since i gave it up i found that i fell so much better drinking water then i did soda. My skin isn't dry anymore and i know that is because i am getting the water i need. I think before i was banded i would only drink a glass of water ever couple of days and the rest would be soda now i drink water every day

I went away to atlantic city this weekend i drank diet coke and cherry vodka. The alcohol does kill most of the carbonation. Rule of thumb is that whatever proof it is is how many calories it has so 80 proof vodka has 80 calories. So my drinks were only 80 calories. I asked my doctor if i could have diet soda and he told me yes as long as it doesn't brother me. Now i can't drink soda straight up because i get some pain in my chest but with the alcohol no problem. Now i don't drink all the time maybe once or twice a month and when i do i just cut back on my calories for the day so i can have a drink or two. 3 drinks with diet coke and vodka = 240 3 drinks with juice and vodka =600

Hi everyone. I went for my monthly visit yesterday to my surgeon and I lost another 6.5 lbs. in 3 weeks. I went away with my honey to Disney for 1 week, boy was it HOT there. I did have some episodes where I just thought I could handle a certain food or ate too fast and got sick. This is a daily commitment. The band does NOT go on vacation. I thought that maybe I was ready for a fill and he said, "NO!" We had a long discussion and he feels I am doing great without pushing it and going too far. He does not want to see me develop any problems from being too tight. I agree. I have 3.75 cc in a 10 cc band. I wonder If the 3.75 cc is still there?? I am still not having any soda. I can not eat bread or pasta. I try to make good healthy choices everyday and it is not always easy. Now I am really starting to see the loss and it feels great. It is wonderful to have to go to Walmart and buy a 2x underwear and throw out the 3x. THEY ARE TOO BIG !! I am most proud of the fact that I went away on vacation and still lost weight. I was aware and made good choices and limited my alcohol and did it. I was so worried and did NOT want to come back heavier. Today is a new day. I feel blessed !!! Have a great day to everyone who is reading this..... :thumbup:

Hi everyone. I went for my monthly visit yesterday to my surgeon and I lost another 6.5 lbs. in 3 weeks. I went away with my honey to Disney for 1 week, boy was it HOT there. I did have some episodes where I just thought I could handle a certain food or ate too fast and got sick. This is a daily commitment. The band does NOT go on vacation. I thought that maybe I was ready for a fill and he said, "NO!" We had a long discussion and he feels I am doing great without pushing it and going too far. He does not want to see me develop any problems from being too tight. I agree. I have 3.75 cc in a 10 cc band. I wonder If the 3.75 cc is still there?? I am still not having any soda. I can not eat bread or pasta. I try to make good healthy choices everyday and it is not always easy. Now I am really starting to see the loss and it feels great. It is wonderful to have to go to Walmart and buy a 2x underwear and throw out the 3x. THEY ARE TOO BIG !! I am most proud of the fact that I went away on vacation and still lost weight. I was aware and made good choices and limited my alcohol and did it. I was so worried and did NOT want to come back heavier. Today is a new day. I feel blessed !!! Have a great day to everyone who is reading this.....

Hi there! I was wondering what you all decide to drink when you have an adult beverage. I miss my beer to be honest! So, I need to find something else (besides wine) that I can drink when I feel the need to have a drink. Now, I know I can't be drinking like I use to but my birthday is coming up this weekend and I'd like to have a few drinks. I know I could have like vodka w/ a fruit juice but that's too many wasted calorie with the juice. It's hard not being able to mix alcohol with diet soda. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Sorry Kimley that should have been minus Fiber and sugar alcohols not Protein and sugar alcohols...Having a bad brain day.....

I think to get net carbs you take the carb content and subtract the total protein and sugar alcohol's. That could be labeled as Maltitol or some other form of sugar alcohol.

"When I make the changes and I'm still FAT, what the hell am I suppose to do then?" LOL I'm right there with you! I guess that is the million dollar question isn't it. I see successes with the band. That keeps me going. I think this whole procedure is just screaming for a book to be written about what really happens. As it becomes more popular, someone is going to pull the trigger and make a million bucks. Would I have had this surgery if I had known that I would have to go back to WW to lose weight? No. This was a last chance option for me. I have tried and failed on all of the diets ten times each. I knew that I had a decent diet--I don't eat fast food, I don't eat out much, I don't drink cokes, I don't drink alcohol, I like all fruits and veggies. I just ate WAY too much. In my mind, I thought the band would be perfect for me. My dietician told me that I was the perfect candidate because portion control was my biggest problem. So, what do I do? I can't stay on an 800 cal/day diet with no restriction. It isn't going to happen. The hunger thing is a deal breaker. I went 3 weeks being so hungry that I couldn't sit through church because my stomach was growling so badly. I woke up at 2:00 a.m. STARVING. I was extremely irritable, had a throbbing headache and a bad case of "what have I done to myself?" I realized on my last fill that it is really a crap shot. She told me that they only fill 1 cc at a time. That was the rule. Well, starting at 0 cc's in a 10 cc band, it could take a while at fills every 14 days. She put in 1 cc. I asked "do you think that is going to be enough?" I didn't know. I was seriously asking a question. She said, "Okay, you talked me into it. I will give you another cc." So I doubled the amount of saline my just asking a simple question. I would like to think there is some clinical reason for the slow rate of fills. I have this nagging thought that it is more about insurance and copays. Every time I step foot into that office for a fill, my insurance pays $712, and I pay $30. Wouldn't it make sense to drag it out half a cc at a time if you were the clinic?

Yea to Laura on the surgery plans....and Heather, my sincerest condolences.... Liquor I believe stays pretty good....at least real alcohol, like whiskey, vodka etc....wines, syrupy stuff that stuff doesn't seem to keep...I cleaned out our liquor cabinets a few weeks ago...moral of the story, buy big halg gallon/liters of booze when you are young....we have bought some of these on our cruises/trips and we do not drink that much anymore, not like in our 20's-30's....still trying to get the nerve to open some Bailey's that is unopened but in cabinet for a while....it would be really sad if Bailey's made me meet my demise....

Thanks for the laugh, Laura. I needed it today. Honestly I have been having the same problem but haven't spoken to a gyno yet. I was kind of hoping it would resolve itself over time and I could spare myself that discussion, lol. I am happy that you are getting your revision soon. I appreciate everyones condolences. It is nice just to be able to write it out and get responses . . . I am too sensitive on the subject to talk about it but writing works well. Speaking of alcohol, it may have been more than two years since I have drank anything but I still have a liquor cabinet (although I wasn't shy about yummy virgin margaritas during pregnancy). I wonder if that stuff is any good anymore, lol.

I lost 70 lbs on Atkins and kept it off. High Protein, low carb diet really is the key to not only *not* being hungry, but not 'craving'. During my first two weeks on Atkins, I felt like an addict going through withdrawal. After the end of week 2, my husband would come home from work and ask if I'd eaten yet that day and sometimes I'd have to admit that 'no, I hadn't' because I was so busy I forgot to eat and had no cravings or hunger to remind me. My mistake was thinking I could have just 'one bite' of my birthday cake. Yeah...just like an alcoholic can have just one shot of whiskey. :sad: Hmmm...my doc may not require a special diet pre-op, but I'm thinking if I do a low carb for the next week or two until surgery, the two weeks after won't be so bad.

Hi! My name's Ginger and I'm from Edinburg, TX! I've lost 30 pounds and hope to lose another 100 or so. My starting weight was 285 before the diet the PCP put me on and I lost the other 30 after surgery. Twenty lbs came off the first week and then during the next month I lost another ten. I'm getting my first fill sometime in the near future and look forward to getting back on the weight loss track. I have some difficulties with the diet though such as not being able to eat and drink seperately all the time. Plus, I haven't been able to quit drinking alcohol when I meet up with friends. I suppose this could be another reason I haven't lost more? Feel free to give me any and all advice you have about living as a bandster!:sad: