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Home from our little trip down south. We had a blast at the wedding and had a good time with everyone. Made some new friends. Ate way to much and enjoyed it. Doc won't be happy. Oh well. My Doc never lied about anything with the band. He was very upfront in what it coule HELP ME do. That it was a tool for me to use. Apparently right now I don't choose to use it right. I'm always amazed at the people that complain about not losing weight with the band. The band is no more different that using Jenny Craig, Weight Watcher's Gas-By-pass, Rny, or any other program. If you don't use it correctly and follow the rules, you ain't gonna lose. All it ends up being is a waste of your time and everyone else involved. Sometimes I think to myself, why am I not losing? What am I doing wrong? Well, I seem to forget that sometimes it just isn't the quantity of food I eat but also the quality of the food I eat. Can someone actually eat ice cream for their meals and lose? What about the little bites of stuff, The alcoholic drinks? It all adds up. I for one am so glad that I did not have the By-pass. I know 2 people who had it and and have seen the awful struggles they have. Yes they lost the weight and than gained some of it back. But on top of that, they have serious medical problems now. I also believe that my best friend lost her life to it. The health problems that having her intestines shortened caused. I'm not sure God intended for the colon to work that way properly. if He had, He would have shortened it Himself. I will be forever greatful for my Band. Now what I need to work on is getting my head back in the game. I need to quit whinning about it. My band is working, I'm not. As much as I would like to think it is my band, it's actually me. Jane, I think Haydee is meeting with the priest this week. We should know something soon. That is unless I missed something also.

Is/are there any rules that you simply cannot follow, no matter what? i.e. some people have found it virtually impossible to not have even a little tiny bit of liquid w/meals, others drink carbonated drinks, etc. Also, how soon after wls did you have your first alcoholic beverage? TIA, everyone!

I always understood that you shouldn't put any ointments or creams on fresh incisions. Check with you doctor before using anything on them. You don't want to risk infection. I only used alcohol wipes to make sure they stayed dry and clean. I am 9 weeks post op and my incision are slightly pink, two of the smaller ones you can hardly see anymore.

Oh yeah, I've noticed. It takes quite the balancing act to drink and smoke and still manage to lose the weight. I don't care about not eating but I gotta have my alcohol. As far as a suggestion, let me know when you find a good one please.

Okay I am a fat person. I like to eat. I have been overeating for most of my life, If I was not overeating I was probably on a diet. I have been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle for a time but I have always returned to my bad habits. I am wondering if i will be miserable without the option of eating unless I can find something that can replace whatever I am getting from the food. After this proceedure I will not be able to eat. I have heard stories about people who have WLS and become alcoholics or drug addicts. I was curious about what some of you who are post-op have done to replace the food?

Haydee - There is a scientific basis for the way you feel, you're not just imagining it. You have reinforced the food=pleasure connection for 30-something years...creating very real, physical neurological connections that take TIME to re-direct. That's why people tell you to be good to yourself and find other ways to derive pleasure for yourself...it helps to create NEW pleasure pathways in your brain. (Same for addicts/alcoholics.) But that all takes time.... it takes about 90 days to really get over the hump. That's what the addiction specialist told us at the rehab center....and that guy knew his stuff!

Whoa, I don't even remember writing that last night! I figured out the problem... these were leftover mojitos from a week ago, but I was thinking it was the "mixer" that hubby had made. Well, what I forgot was that it already had tons of rum IN it... but when I prepared it, I did two jiggers of the "mix," then added two MORE jiggers of rum, then added a splash of club soda. But the alcohol was so strong, I had to add more soda. NOW I KNOW WHY! Holy cow, no WONDER I was spinnin' by the time I went to bed and was still feeling woozy this morning... And I have NO idea where the clowns thing came into my thinking. However, I agree with plain: Sexual innuendoes have no business on THIS very serious thread, Carrie. tsk tsk

I will probably catch a lot of flack, but here's my opinion: Have that 6 oz of wine. I know there are empty calories there, but you could do worse. Don't let the alcohol persuade you get "snacky", and let this be a one time thing on your pre-op.

I have never heard of Splenda giving you gas. The Sugar Alcohols like sorbitol, manitol, etc. can give you terrible gas. A lot of things that say they have Splenda in them on the front of the package actually have a lot of sugar alcohols. These are not low calorie, but do not digest like sugar and do not cause a spike in blood sugar, so they are used by diabetics. Most of the sugar free candies have this in them, even though they say "Made with Splenda".

sorry - I had began to write this and then realized I was going to be late for my dentist appt if I didn't leave - so here goes again: suzyt - no one's the same and you can get weird symptoms from something totally different than another person - but usually when I hear gallbladder 'issues' it brings to mind intense pain usually associated with eating fatty/rich foods (like glou was saying). some people do get referred pains up into a shoulder. although you can get bloating and gas (actually kinda the same thing - bloating comes from being gassy) with some mild gall stones - usually when I hear gassy, bloating and diarrhea - I tend to think something totally different - could be many things but some examples that come to mind: recent change in diet and or fiber intake, excessive rich foods or dairy in a higher ratio than other foods on a system thats not used to it, high sugar alcohol intake (sugar free foods - most don't bother me but there is one type of sf popsicle that is no good for me), lactose intolerance - can be new onset, varying degrees or different trigger foods, Irritable bowel syndrome, etc - forgot to include infection! don't know if this helps - but good luck and bottom line - I hope you feel better! 2nd day of teeth work - is done - ok so far but was warned I might have issues tomorrow.

Oh, you friggin got to be kidding me, I just lost my post for the 2nd time this morning and it was long!!! I give up, here is the short version Janet +exercise, foodaholic vs alcoholic...alcoholic is easier Steph +/- Michael, DD#4, social anxiety + learning diability = developmentally delayed Candice Quit, DH keeper Janet Fish? Steph kinjdergarten 1/2 or full day lost a pound

I think is it safe to say that most everyone here has certain foods that are addictive for them. Some people have soda or sweets. For me it was chips. I'm pretty proud when I can have a handful and then just walk away. I suppose not everyone can do this with addiction. Alcohol and drugs .... you can't have just one drink or one hit of cocaine. It's a life long journey we are on and it is very individual.

Drinking isn't the only reason to GAIN weight and not drinking the only reason to lose it. There are tens of thousands of people who are overweight and don't drink. Apparently alcohol isn't the only reason the coworker is obese. Plus MANY people hit plateaus. Perhaps after 40 pounds he hit one. Just because we are getting the band doesn't mean we are diet experts (although I've done so many different diets I often feel like an expert LOL) If he's interested in the band, he needs a check up and then to go to a seminar or two, discuss his concerns with a surgeon.

Now that I have started mentioning my work towards a band I have had a few ask questions that I really didnt have the answer for. One coworker is about 250, admits to drinking too much beer. When he has stopped drinking, along with watching his calories he only dropped about 40lb and nothing more. He slipped back into drinking and has maintained his weight. I can agree that alcohol is a wasted calorie, but what do I say to the fact he stopped drinking for 3 months, dieted and lost no weight? Just trying to find something constructive to tell him, besides just telling him to stop drinking totally.

Hi everyone! Just wanted to help you guys out with some things about the gallbladder.... I havent had surgery yet (sept 2!!!!) or had issues with my gallbladder but I am in medical school so this is what I know! There are lots of situations after extreme weightloss where people have to have their gallbladder taken out. When you are eating terrible your gallbladder is taking care of all of the fat that is piling up in your system. Then you cut fat almost completley out of your diet and your gallbladder no longer has to work. So you get that build up and it becomes almost stagnant if you will. This is why it is good for you to have healthy fats in your diet such olive oil, beans and nuts! Keeps your gallbladder working at a healthy rate. ALSO when it comes to gallbladder people are getting them taken out at a very rapid weight when it is not always nescessary. Only about 10 percent of people with gallbladder issues actually need them taken out. If you get your diet working right adding those healthy fats lots of times he gallbladder takes care of itself (the body was meant to heal itself) And for those of you who might think you have symptoms..... there is a stabbing pain that usually referes thru your sternum (almost) and more importantly your right shoulder blade. It comes mostly after a heavy fat meal or alcohol. Esp. if you have been eating very little fat and then you load up on some fat! So talk to your doc about some alternative things you can do before you jump into surgery! Like I said most of it can be done naturally with out surgery! Good luck everyone!!!!

Sorry been a couple of days since I checked in, busy weekend. Went to a beer festival and enjoyed every last drop since I won't be having it anymore. My surgeon says that I need to avoid alcohol for one year, after that a glass of wine here and there is not a big deal. They really feel it's just empty calories, so not a good thing for weight loss. But after having the surgery apparently one glass is plenty, as we will absorb it much quicker. He said we'd be cheap dates. :-) I did get my insurance approval, in fact my office won't schedule surgery until it's done. My process was very fast, about one month start to finish. I would have had my surgery this month, but am traveling and asked for it the 15th when I'm back and my mom can come down to help with the kids. It's great to see so many September bandsters.

wow... she's one of those that think that they don't need to change their way of eating, they will just eat less.. that doesn't work.. this band is a tool to me... and like an alcoholic in AA, I have to work this program EVERY day of my life for the rest of my life.. I hope she get's her act together for the sake of her and her children.

I worked at it for a few days. I soaped up in the shower and gently rubbed the adhesive with a washcloth. I also used some alcohol swabs. It took me a few days of doing this before i got it all off.

House is clean, yard is mowed, activity area on the back lot is ready. We have horseshoe pits, volleyball pit, couple of tetherball poles etc. up on a hill we own that overlooks our yard. I have the gifts ready to go, cake is ordered and supposed to be picked up at noon. drinks are bought---it will be non alcoholic---lots of kids and tee totaler inlaws! As far as I can see, I am as ready as I am getting for tomorrows party. g4e---I am a bit confused. Are they looking at your thyroid gland or the para thyroids? I ask because you said if the biopsy done in the OR was positive for cancer cells they would remove the other thyroid..... Are they going to attempt to leave one lobe of the thyroid or are you dealing with para thyroid problems? My Mom had to have one of her (you have 4) parathyroids removed, and she had all kinds of issues prior to it---her body quit absorbing the Calcium she took in, it left her bones really brittle. But that was well over 30 years ago, and she is going strong, she breaks easy, but she keeps going! We had discussed with mine leaving the left lobe, so my body could make its own thyroid hormone. Your thyroid looks kind of like a bow tie in the middle of your throat area---each side is referred to as a lobe and the center is the isthmus. My right lobe had a tumor the size of a tennis ball and multiple small ones encompassed the isthmus, and the majority of the left lobe. There was not much point in trying to save it. I actually take less synthetic hormone now than I did with it in place and rotting away in there!! I have always heard parathyroid issues are much worse---is that what you are dealing with??? Sorry BIL is not responding well. Coming off a venitlator is not always an easy thing. My neighbor who has been gone for all these weeks treating throat cancer, is home. He got home yesterday. He has undergone 21 radiation treatments, and a full 6 weeks of infused chemo. His throat---well the neck and on through to the throat is terribly burned by the radiation. They have a menagerie over there, and it just makes me creep out, to see that poor raw skin with the ointment and to think of all the cat hair in that house! I am allergic to the cat hair, and can only be in their place a few minutes as it is flying all over. They have 8 cats, 2 dogs, a huge multi colored parrot, a gray parrot with a red tail (forget what it is called) a cockatoo, 3 fish aquariums, an aquarium with frogs, and a turtle. The nicest people you could ever meet, she is the neighborhood busy body, but she watches our stuff like a hawk!!! Neighborhood watch in action!!! They love these animals, and spoil them all. They had one son who is moved away, and they have their animals now. But I keep thinking of all that hair flying in the ointment on his poor neck. He weighs less than a hundred pounds now, and is totally bald. I lost my hair, but I stayed FAT~! WTH????? Well off to convince DH it is happy hour at the local bar/restaurant, and they wanna cook for us tonight!

Rubbing alcohol did it for me. There is another thread somewhere on this same topic and there were many other suggestions as well. Good luck!

Thanks Boo & Soco... I refuse to give up. It took me 5 almost 6 months to get to this point and there is no turning back. I hope it is nothing serious and agree better to know now then later. On a side note...man for those that are doing Optifast or something like that which is the strict liquid only...I hope it gets easier. This is only day one for me and I am playing games online and the fake food it make my eyes light up. My stomach is like eat the computer eat it. I feel like Fat Bastard from Austin Powers saying get in my belly...I am higher on the food chain...man what I would not give for a nice big steak right now. LOL. I did have a single slice of cheese just now to try and calm it down just a bit. My husband has been very supportive tonight and is pushing me to keep away from the food. (Earlier I was surfing the web and say a picture of lettuce and started drooling. LMAO) On drinking my Surgeon told me once I am out a few months that drinking soda and alcohol would be okay if just sipping and can control it. That if we can give it up great but otherwise just to sip and take it slow. Happy Friday Night :biggrin:

A poster above had posted about being worried about alcohol. I have lots of friends that me and my husband hang out with that drink and meet up at bars for drinks on the weekend and I am worried about being able to go and not draw attention for not drinking. I posted something about beer and apparently that is the worst thing cause of the carbonation. I didn't LOVE beer so I figured I'd drink that to ensure I sip one through the night. Red wine was the top drink and I love red wine, so I wanted to stay away from that. I could easily manage sipping it, I just don't want to tempt myself or hinder my diet ya know? I don't know. IO guess because I haven't told anyone it's giving me this problem. I'm just not ready to share all this yet. Anyone else thinking and wondering these things?

If I'm out sampling groundwater, spray from sampling gets all over your clothes and your equipment. Dust from drilling contaminated sites also settles all over you and your stuff. Some days when I get home I look like I'm ready to be deep fried becuase I'm covered in dust batter. Potentially contaminated dust batter. Some days I pretty much strip in the driveway because I can't bring the clothes I wore to work into the house for washing without turning them inside out. Bringing food and drink into the situation is generally a company no no because of the potential for it to get contaminated dust and splashes all over it. In the short term that's not a big deal, but after a few years of constant intake of low levels of contamination, you can get quite sick. I'm thinking maybe it's time to patent the beer hard hat. I'd fill it with non-alcoholic beverages of course...

Rbbing alcohol or nail polish remover should do it.

Boo, I'm one day ahead of you on the 15th. I also have somewhere between 100-120 to lose. I have not started a pre-op diet though. I'm traveling next week and am thinking I'll start when I get back. Hardest for me is going to be no alcohol!