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Hi, My Doc has said I can have anything except bread, alcohol and fizzy drinks. I can't drink with a meal either. He dosen't want me to have a liquid diet as he says these tend to contain more calories. I am eating sensibly and chewing well, mainly soup, salads, fish and yogurts really.He says my stomach is not that different to before size wise though it is a bit swollen. i am only eating small portions as I don't want to have too big a shock when I have my fill!

I was banded June 03,2009 and my 21st bday was on July 6th, it was A BLAST.. but ultimately not good for my band.. Not only did i eat everything NOT good for me(chips,fried foods,cake etc...).. I ate and drank at the same time.. Drank alcohol (granted not that much) and i just cant seem to get my self back on track since.. On July 8th i went to the doctor and got a fill (4cc) and got test ran which the fill is obsolete if u eat and drink at the same time.RIGHT? Because in the mist of all my eating and what not i really didnt feel any resriction or any pressure... and def no vomiting.. I guess i just wanted to vent and ask... am i a total lost?.. Ive lost 30lbs prior to my screw up but im sure ive gained some back these past 2 wks. Let me know guys.. :scared2:

Apparently, Candra! Well I can tell you that of my 3 children, the one who I was PERFECT with while pregnant - did not even drink soda, let alone coffee or alcohol, I swam every day, ate only organic foods etc - that was the sickly kid, asmthma allergies type 1 diabetes dyslexia BUCCO ear infections, 2 sets of tubes, hearing loss tonsillitis adnoids had to be removed - good God! The first one i smoked and drank (but not very much drinking) and she was and is fine! The last one I just didn't worry about - he was post-vascectomy so i did not even know for 4 months - and he onnly has asshole-itis. Anybody want a 17 year old? Cheap!

I was concerned about this, but it seems to be working out. Also, my surgeon's instructions are less restrictive - stop drinking 5 minutes before eating and don't start again until 20 minutes after. He says that once I am used to the band I can try sipping with meals to see if I can handle it. I work at home, so it is easy to pace myself. For Breakfast, I relax with my coffee, then will have a slice of quiche or some Cereal about an hour later. I try to drink liquids throughout the day, ahve something light in the afternoon. Before dinner, I relax with a "cocktail" - usually non-alcoholic, but sometimes a glass of wine. Sometimes its a glass of V-8, sometimes its half-bottle of Isopure - the blue raspberry looks so pretty in a martini glass.

Jess ill watch the 6pack:) Remember how i said they are bringing a lot of booze get this, just for my mom she brought, orange juice and vodka?, Bloody Marys, Jack and Coke, Bear, and Wine..... Thats just the mom... I dont got a clue when she became an alcoholic:( But i told her she cant hang out with audrey if she drinks... Tanifaire: dont let the paperwork scare you, yeah its scary and sad but think of it this way.. they make everyone do it.. i even had to do it for my C-Section, when it was looking like it was gonna be an emergency they made an official with the hospital come in and do it with me. Personally i was more scared then then i was for the surgery. Just think of it as one step down:) And you can turn it in whenever. I personally would turn it in next time you go in so you dont have to see it anymore! hugs ttyl

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Everything I've Been Through I scheduled my first fill for August 11. I'm noticing hunger between meals the past few days. I'm also finding that I could keep eating when I'm done with my food, more food than I was able to choke down until the past week. So I went ahead and scheduled my fill. They'll only put in a little. See how I do. Put in a little more. See how I do, until I hit what people call "the sweet spot." At which point, as far as I can figure, things become easier. As long as I follow the basic food plan and the protocol for when to drink fluids, which I described in an earlier blog, hunger and the desire to eat both diminish greatly. Not everyone reaches that point. You can still eat around the band by drinking with your meals, you can eat things like ice cream which slide past the band, you can consistently make less than healthy food choices. Your results won't be as good. Weight loss surgery, no matter what kind, is just a tool. I have to keep doing the footwork. I'm finding a lot of support on-line on the Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum. I'm hoping to find a non-shaming support group to help me deal with my food issues and gently hold me accountable. I plan to continue writing in this blog as various issues come up. Just the discipline of writing every night helps hold me accountable. I feel amazingly empty of feelings and thoughts tonight. I think I drained myself (temporarily)talking about shame and guilt, ADHD, and, especially, yesterday's post on codependency. That was a difficult post to write. I learned a lot about codependency and addiction in my years attending a 12-step program for people who have been impacted by someone else's addiction. Addiction is a family disease and not just the addict or alcoholic's problem. Food helped me cope, it helped me survive, but it, too, becomes an addiction. It's an unhealthy relationship that stabs you in the back. Codependency has to be dealt with in order to recover from food addiction. There's a song going through my head. We've been singing it in church fairly frequently. Lord I offer my life to you, Everything I've been through, Use it for your glory. Lord I offer my days to you, lifting my praise to you, As a pleasing sacrifice Lord I offer you my life. Amen.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Everything I've Been Through I scheduled my first fill for August 11. I'm noticing hunger between meals the past few days. I'm also finding that I could keep eating when I'm done with my food, more food than I was able to choke down until the past week. So I went ahead and scheduled my fill. They'll only put in a little. See how I do. Put in a little more. See how I do, until I hit what people call "the sweet spot." At which point, as far as I can figure, things become easier. As long as I follow the basic food plan and the protocol for when to drink fluids, which I described in an earlier blog, hunger and the desire to eat both diminish greatly. Not everyone reaches that point. You can still eat around the band by drinking with your meals, you can eat things like ice cream which slide past the band, you can consistently make less than healthy food choices. Your results won't be as good. Weight loss surgery, no matter what kind, is just a tool. I have to keep doing the footwork. I'm finding a lot of support on-line on the Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum. I'm hoping to find a non-shaming support group to help me deal with my food issues and gently hold me accountable. I plan to continue writing in this blog as various issues come up. Just the discipline of writing every night helps hold me accountable. I feel amazingly empty of feelings and thoughts tonight. I think I drained myself (temporarily)talking about shame and guilt, ADHD, and, especially, yesterday's post on codependency. That was a difficult post to write. I learned a lot about codependency and addiction in my years attending a 12-step program for people who have been impacted by someone else's addiction. Addiction is a family disease and not just the addict or alcoholic's problem. Food helped me cope, it helped me survive, but it, too, becomes an addiction. It's an unhealthy relationship that stabs you in the back. Codependency has to be dealt with in order to recover from food addiction. There's a song going through my head. We've been singing it in church fairly frequently. Lord I offer my life to you, Everything I've been through, Use it for your glory. Lord I offer my days to you, lifting my praise to you, As a pleasing sacrifice Lord I offer you my life. Amen.

EE The liquid phase is hard - I wanted to eat - I chewed and spit out just like you at that phase too.. Sometimes we forget that we have the band - Congrats on preparing the food and not eating it - There are pple here who will eat real food when they are suppose to be in liquids... Yep the tiny bites eating slowly and not drinking takes a while - I still suffer from eating too fast sometimes and I am almost 2 yrs out... I will occasionally pb but not often. Thanks for the props - I have worked really hard to get where I am and am still working at it. Yesterday - I was making all these excuses in my head as to why I didn't need to go to the gym... But alas I went - I have to if I want to maintain my weight and still eat.. Ya I am a real person with a real life - I will over indulge with various things (alcohol and food) from time to time - but what I know now is that after I have - I have to get back on track - this is what skinny pple do - we all see them eat drink and be merry and think that they do this stuff daily - well most don't they enjoy life from time to time but on a daily basis they watch their intake and exercise.. Keep up the good work - Good thought on your fill today... When you visit the doc - remember in your head he is a person just like you - you pay him he really works for you - just cuz he's a doc with a degree doesn't mean he's any better than you are.. So stick up for what you want -

I already found out about alcoholism first hand. I'd like to hear what people have to say for themselves. But had i not known, it would be helpful if someone spoke about it, thats not something any of the books have mentioned. Thats why i'm asking, if i don't know then i can't ask specifics.

Then you may certainly read plenty on here. Also asking some questions like "did you turn to alcohol to replace food?" might get the info you want.

Well I was hoping to hear some first hand information NOT second hand edited from a book info. For instance I didn't know that some people replace their food cravings with other substances like alcohol. I didn't know this till after my mothers friend became an alcoholic. I'd just like to hear from real individuals and their REAL experiences. Thanks

You know Corliss something you said, really jumped out at me, and it was nothing direct. But you said you wished you had stayed on the wt. loss and cosmetic surgery side of the board, then went on to mention MJ's plastic surgery, and the fact that he did not get the help he needed even with all his resources. It made me realize that this board or something of the sort for him could have been an anonymous (generally speaking) form of help. All of us here that vent and disagree with one another on whatever subject, are still allowing those feelings, thoughts and emotions OUT! They are not being bottled up, and released in other possibly harmful to ourselves or others, ways. I have a niece who has issues with low blood sugar, and she just told me last night (no idea of truth or not) that Brittney Spears has the same problem, and she hid it. It is sad that it is ok to show you have alcohol and drug issues, and to be photographed doing all sorts of things, yet it is not ok to be open concerning a TRUE medical issue, over which you have no control of having or not? Would MJ have been different if he COULD have opened up the can of worms that was his past, and raged over it, and argued with people and wished his abusers ill? If he could have done so in a way such as a forum like this where he was unknown but able to let that out.......Who knows, but it has been proven that keeping all the emotion inside, and not letting yourself deal with causes emotional AND physical problems....obesity among them. I agree that all signs point me to believing he was a pedophile. I also truly believe he suffered from body dysmorphia (SP?)---he was not much different from people with severe life threatening anorexia, who do really SEE themselves as others do. Apples, thanks, the steroids about did me in, but slowly I am losing the damn weight.....again!!! I am so ready to simply maintain again it is unreal!

Alcohol doesn't affect you differently than before the band. But once you lose, it may take less alcohol to have the same effect because of the change in ratio of body mass:alcohol. You may feel the effects a little sooner because you may not be able to eat as much of a "cushion" in advance of drinking and as you lose weight, the alcohol affects less mass and therefore you feel it differently. I went on a cruise with 500 friends 5 weeks after surgery (go to www.parrotheadcruise.com if you want to see what that's like)...and I drank every day. Like before banding. I didn't lose an ounce on the trip, but I didn't gain either. That's what you really have to consider -- the calories. An ounce of rum is 60 calories. Add mixers to your rum, tequila, etc. and you can take in a lot of empty calories very quickly! Beer is carbonated and while plenty of people drink it, I couldn't at first. I tried but it just made me belch nearly nonstop. Now, almost 6 months out, I drank a beer and a half on Saturday with no problems other than feeling really full on just beer, with no food.

I've given up carbonation because my doctor said to. So I do miss my beer. I have non-carbonated mixed drinks on occasion. I am serious about weight loss so I don't choose to add these empty calories on a regular basis but when an occasion arises I have a few drinks with no guilt. Vodka and SF Cranberry Juice with a slice of lime (Cape Cod) is my drink of choice. Had a few jello shots with Vodka and SF Jello on my vacation last year. Alcohol does not affect me any differently than it did pre-op nor has it affected my weight loss at all.

Margaritas Martinis Vodka & Cranberry Gin and grapefruit juice I like margaritas, but I have found that I get full feeling and kind of queasy drinking them now. So, I switched to sipping martinis, either the real deal, or flavored ones. Sipping is the key because it is straight alcohol. I think the reason we seem to feel the effects of the alcohol more has nothing to do with the alcohol and ALOT to do with the absence of food when we're drinking. Before, along with the pitcher of margaritas, there would be cheese fries, or nachos, or a blooming onion, and most of us would devour the appetizer along with the drinks. Now, it's 4-5 chips w/salsa and probably the same amount of alcohol as before...and damn,who tilted the floor?! Remember that it IS empty calories, so you should plan ahead. Figure the calorie count into your total weekly intake. Yes, that means cutting out something else, but otherwise you'll start gaining weight again. And maybe, save the alcohol for special occasions, and take it slow. Like RM said, you don't want to throw up. I hope this helps.

Call your nutritionist or surgeon's office and mention the wedding, and how close it is to your surgery date. As Enchanted mentioned, the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver, which I understand happens quite quickly if you follow the guidelines. Most likely your nurtitionist/surgeon will advise you foods that you can eat - limit the portion, avoid alcohol, soda, carbs, sweets. You are not banded yet, so you won't have to worry about restrictions or food textures. Good luck.

Drink the protein shake before you go to the wedding and politely refuse the food if asked. You can drink other types of liquid while there (no alcohol of course). It is really important to stay on track before the surgery. You could run the risk of your surgery being postponed.

Hi, I was banded last Thursday and my surgeon has said it's ok to have coffee, I have been having one each day as I too can't survive without my caffeine fix. The only things he has told me to stay clear of are fizzy drinks, alcohol, bread and pastry. Hope this helps

Mandine, Like Moonbeam I also understand your wanting to get started as soon as possible. And yes the 2000$ savings would be nice too! You're health really is the most important part right now and the Dr's would make you wait unless they felt that it might complicate the surgery or hinder your healing process. Although it sucks it is in your best interest. If it were me (and I know this is totally the wrong attitude but its the way I think sometimes) I'd take advantage of the last summer month being band free and enjoy all that summer time food/drink that may very well no longer be an option for you in the future. For example I went to a concert the other night and decided I would treat myself to a drink... well I guess my body and decreased food intake isn't used to alcohol cause I was finished after just half of a vodka cooler whereas in the past I could enjoy 4 or 5 safely. Now that I think about it this is way better for my liver and pocket book anyways. As for hair loss, I'm just 4 months out now and have not experienced any hair loss. It is my understanding that this is mostly caused by too low levels of protein intake amongst other nutritional factors. When you meet with the dietitian (if you haven't already) she'll go over the importance of all of the dietary requirements including protein and how to make sure that you meet them all.

Hi Everyone, Hope all of your bands are doing well!! I was wondering if anyone else experiences nightly or frequant evening band tightness. Also, does Alcohol burn anyone's band? Anytime I sip Alcohol it burns right where the band is. Anyone have good drink ideas that aren't carbonated? Hard A and juices from now on? Anyone have any good meal ideas? I'm getting bored with chicken. Anyone have any tips let me know Thanks you guys! Good luck everyone!

I know this may be a little soon to think about, but I have to ask. I know that once able, that alcohol effects you a lot quicker and with a much smaller amount than previous to being banded. However, how soon did you start to attempt even a sip of alcohol? If so, what kind? I know people who have had the lap and the gastric. Some of them are back to drinking beer (I already miss this!) like they were prior to surgery, and some still play it safe with wine and clear liqours. Please dont assume that I am an alcoholic, but I am curious because I have 3 weddings to attend within the coming months, including bachelorette parties and I was curious where I stand. I dont want to try anything too soon, but I dont want to be too conservative either.

Saturday, July 11, 2009 Evidence of God's Sense of Humor--ADHD The connection between ADHD and compulsive eating is something I've been noticing in myself for some time. I've never actually read a study directly connecting them, but ADHD in women is known to cause depression and low self-esteem since it often affects our ability to keep up with things that are automatically expected of women--like neat, clean houses, organized schedules (for the whole family), doing all the shopping, following recipes, etc. We spend a lot of time trying to be good at things we're not good at, and trying to fit the mold (which nobody really does-but we don't even come close.) Eating has always helped me concentrate and focus and sit still. Maybe there is a study out there that shows a relationship. I found one article that mentioned it but I mislaid it. LOL. One of the strongest markers of ADHD in women is disorganization and an inability to stay on task. (Although some people actually overcompensate and become rigidly organized because otherwise the world is too overwhelming.) ADHD people tend to be more right-brained and creative. I read Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Effective People 2 or 3 times, attended training in 7 Habits of Effective Organizations, andhad a Covey/Franklin Dayplanner, which I was continually searching for and forgetting to write stuff in. I can tell you what people need to do to act organized and I can fool people into thinking that I am organized (temporarily) but it didn't change the way I was made. I make lists and lose them. I go to the store with a list, check things off, and still come home without something on the list. I don't do recipes with more than 3 ingredients. I cook by the seat of my pants. I've come up with many compensating techniques that have helped me survive. Food, especially chocolate, is one of them. Chocolate, of course, is full of caffeine. People with ADHD frequently self-medicate with caffeine. They are also more prone to self-medicate with alcohol, tobacco, and certain drugs. So why shouldn't food be one of the "drugs?" Chocolate is also known to produce seratonin in the brain and therefore is a natural antidepressant. Like we need one more excuse to eat it. But food and chocolate helped me survive. I think I should be grateful for them even though I now have to move past them. The high protein low carb nature of the food recommedations for bandsters works very well with my ADHD. I'm supposed to pick protein first and then veggies and fruit and if there's still room I can have a little bit of of carbs like potatoes, noodles, rice, etc. I keep Atkins high protein shakes on hand if I don't feel like cooking or if I feel like my stomach really doesn't want solid protein right now which, first thing in the morning, it tends to reject. My stomach definitely does the weighing and measuring for me on the protein, especially if I don't drink for 30 minutes before, or during, or for 30 minutes after the meal. I am quickly full and have little room for anything else. I put a variety of proteins in my home so I don't get bored with my food choices. I'm not a huge veggie and fruit eater but I have V8 and diet V8 Splash as part of my 64 oz of liquid and I get my dairy in my two 20 oz. iced decaf lattes with 1% milk and Splenda. I sip one all morning and one all afternoon, and the milk seems to keep me from getting hungry. I have a very skinny straw that only allows me to sip, so I'm not gulping my liquids or finishing them fast. I have sugar free low-fat pudding snacks for at night if I'm hungry, and low-fat Mexican cheeze to make the proteins taste better. These help toward my dairy, too. I don't make potatoes, rice, or noodles and so am not tempted. If I'm eating somewhere other than at home I may allow myself a little--after I've eaten protein. I may try a taste of this or that treat at a party, just to not feel deprived but then I go into another room away from the food and stay there. This is actually a pretty simple diet. It doesn't involve any planning or writing down my food. It doesn't involve weighing or measuring portions. It works with my ADHD instead of against it and I'm not walking around feeling guilty for not being able to do all those other techniques just like I was not able to use a planner. I'm walking at least 45 minutes a day which helps control my ADHD as well as my appetite. At night I write my blog which is really helping me to not eat at a time when I used to eat treats non-stop. It's also helping me to explore the reasons I eat. Putting it down on paper is really helping me deal with and eliminate the cravings. Writing has always been a way to get what's stuck inside me, ideas, feelings, etc. out where I can deal with them. I've said before that ideas flow out my fingers like confetti when I'm composing. Its like my creative, feeling, flight of ideas right brain cooperates instead of fights with my language centered, logical left brain to create amazingly (to me) well-written organized articles. I'm learning to love this crazy complex lady who alternates between being a ditz and being competent, sticking my foot in my mouth and moving people to tears, letting myself be controlled by other people and overcontrolling others, hubris and self-contempt. It is so amazing that God loves me, that he gave me the the gift of ADHD with all its attendant problems and joys. He also gives me the tools to survive and even thrive. ADHD people are frequently huge brainstormers and creative problem solvers. We are the best solvers of the problems our ADHD creates. Such irony. God has a sense of humor.

Saturday, July 11, 2009 Evidence of God's Sense of Humor--ADHD The connection between ADHD and compulsive eating is something I've been noticing in myself for some time. I've never actually read a study directly connecting them, but ADHD in women is known to cause depression and low self-esteem since it often affects our ability to keep up with things that are automatically expected of women--like neat, clean houses, organized schedules (for the whole family), doing all the shopping, following recipes, etc. We spend a lot of time trying to be good at things we're not good at, and trying to fit the mold (which nobody really does-but we don't even come close.) Eating has always helped me concentrate and focus and sit still. Maybe there is a study out there that shows a relationship. I found one article that mentioned it but I mislaid it. LOL. One of the strongest markers of ADHD in women is disorganization and an inability to stay on task. (Although some people actually overcompensate and become rigidly organized because otherwise the world is too overwhelming.) ADHD people tend to be more right-brained and creative. I read Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Effective People 2 or 3 times, attended training in 7 Habits of Effective Organizations, andhad a Covey/Franklin Dayplanner, which I was continually searching for and forgetting to write stuff in. I can tell you what people need to do to act organized and I can fool people into thinking that I am organized (temporarily) but it didn't change the way I was made. I make lists and lose them. I go to the store with a list, check things off, and still come home without something on the list. I don't do recipes with more than 3 ingredients. I cook by the seat of my pants. I've come up with many compensating techniques that have helped me survive. Food, especially chocolate, is one of them. Chocolate, of course, is full of caffeine. People with ADHD frequently self-medicate with caffeine. They are also more prone to self-medicate with alcohol, tobacco, and certain drugs. So why shouldn't food be one of the "drugs?" Chocolate is also known to produce seratonin in the brain and therefore is a natural antidepressant. Like we need one more excuse to eat it. But food and chocolate helped me survive. I think I should be grateful for them even though I now have to move past them. The high protein low carb nature of the food recommedations for bandsters works very well with my ADHD. I'm supposed to pick protein first and then veggies and fruit and if there's still room I can have a little bit of of carbs like potatoes, noodles, rice, etc. I keep Atkins high protein shakes on hand if I don't feel like cooking or if I feel like my stomach really doesn't want solid protein right now which, first thing in the morning, it tends to reject. My stomach definitely does the weighing and measuring for me on the protein, especially if I don't drink for 30 minutes before, or during, or for 30 minutes after the meal. I am quickly full and have little room for anything else. I put a variety of proteins in my home so I don't get bored with my food choices. I'm not a huge veggie and fruit eater but I have V8 and diet V8 Splash as part of my 64 oz of liquid and I get my dairy in my two 20 oz. iced decaf lattes with 1% milk and Splenda. I sip one all morning and one all afternoon, and the milk seems to keep me from getting hungry. I have a very skinny straw that only allows me to sip, so I'm not gulping my liquids or finishing them fast. I have sugar free low-fat pudding snacks for at night if I'm hungry, and low-fat Mexican cheeze to make the proteins taste better. These help toward my dairy, too. I don't make potatoes, rice, or noodles and so am not tempted. If I'm eating somewhere other than at home I may allow myself a little--after I've eaten protein. I may try a taste of this or that treat at a party, just to not feel deprived but then I go into another room away from the food and stay there. This is actually a pretty simple diet. It doesn't involve any planning or writing down my food. It doesn't involve weighing or measuring portions. It works with my ADHD instead of against it and I'm not walking around feeling guilty for not being able to do all those other techniques just like I was not able to use a planner. I'm walking at least 45 minutes a day which helps control my ADHD as well as my appetite. At night I write my blog which is really helping me to not eat at a time when I used to eat treats non-stop. It's also helping me to explore the reasons I eat. Putting it down on paper is really helping me deal with and eliminate the cravings. Writing has always been a way to get what's stuck inside me, ideas, feelings, etc. out where I can deal with them. I've said before that ideas flow out my fingers like confetti when I'm composing. Its like my creative, feeling, flight of ideas right brain cooperates instead of fights with my language centered, logical left brain to create amazingly (to me) well-written organized articles. I'm learning to love this crazy complex lady who alternates between being a ditz and being competent, sticking my foot in my mouth and moving people to tears, letting myself be controlled by other people and overcontrolling others, hubris and self-contempt. It is so amazing that God loves me, that he gave me the the gift of ADHD with all its attendant problems and joys. He also gives me the tools to survive and even thrive. ADHD people are frequently huge brainstormers and creative problem solvers. We are the best solvers of the problems our ADHD creates. Such irony. God has a sense of humor.

Alcohol doesn't affect your band in any way that I know of, Mio. There are no special harms that can come to you by drinking while banded, other than the extra calories and risk of overeating while impaired. Relax!

I hoping someone can help me out. I just got banded on May 18th and although i feel perfectly normal.. i drank way to much alcohol this past saturday. I know its ok to drink wine and non carbonated drinks. I was drinking vodka and pineapple juice. Besides the cal intake, which i can handle.. is my band already affected by it? Someone calm me down because i keep on thinking i did something bad to my band. Thanks!! Mio