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Wonderful to hear that you are all having a good time in CA!! I had no doubt they would represent the Vi's properly! Terry, I along with the others am always here for you. I do not know a lot about the illness your son deals with, only in dealing with Rick's ex and doing my best to protect the kids when she would have problems. I honestly believe our son is experiencing similar issues, but they have not fully developed yet, or it is in a milder form or something than what his Mom deals with. We always tried to make sure they knew that the way she was acting was not a choice---it is an illness, and she did not choose to have it. It colors all her decisions. While she could be (and can be) a royal PITA, not all her actions are by choice. I know the fear for your child. When this same son got strung out on meth, it was the scariest thing ever! It was not a long stretch of his life (thank you God) but it was lifetimes as we lived it. I see him today and am so thankful, he managed to clean himself up, and has stayed that way for years now. Especially when I see people who are all drugged up, and twitching, and chewing their cud (well that is what it looks like) I send up a prayer of thanks that he is healthy again. Until you live it, loving a kid all the while wanting to choke the life out of them is a feeling hard to describe. My Mom dealt with my brothers alcoholism for so many years, she says she would sit and imagine how she would react when they come to tell her he was dead, or how she would tell people when he was sent to prison. It affected me, but nothing like it does when it is your child. My Mom is very meek, and kind hearted, how she dealt with it for all those years amazes me! She is much stronger than I give her credit for. Speaking of her....they just called and are about 80 miles away, they are almost home----I have been SOOOOO stressed with them on the road! My MIL said last night that they had found staph infection in my SIL's blood. Rick and I are headed up there as soon as my folks make it in safe and sound. He is going to try to get some paint on the chopper today!!! I intend on lounging on the patio with a book! Laura, glad you caught up on your sleep. Did your Mom say how Carson did overnight? Tracy----5 pounds yay you!!! Just keep at it! I am losing what I regained very slowly----but same as always....up a pound, down a pound, up a pound, down one and a half----just all over the place, but slowly dropping. So I am ok with it! I really thought once I started working and was away from food all day it would be faster, but it hasn't been! I try to take my lunch or eat a healthy lunch, but it is still slow....seems so unfair! Enjoy the show Jane!!! Wish I was going! I know you probably get tired of me saying this, but I seriously believe Jane that your brain may send different signals as far as metabolism goes than most, due to the trauma it has been through. I'm sorry your scale is not cooperating the way you want it to tho! (((hugs))) Well, going to go see how the sanding is going----will check in later. Hugs to you all!

As I posted in another thread yesterday, a smart person in my WLS support group says, "The surgeon does the stomach surgery, but you have to do the brain surgery." My bariatric nurse talked a lot about "addiction switching," the phenomenon mentioned above where someone who used to be addicted to food "switches" to alcohol, compulsive shopping, or even drugs or sex. So in other words, therapy yay! It's just putting one more tool in your weight loss toolbelt.

good morning , just wanted to comment on your blog here from some experience i have had. i have been banded since 2/13/07 and you are definately right about being successful if you do not test the waters. I have been successful with the band, yes I should be at goal probably but i'm not. I feel if i did not get the band I definately would have gained back my 52 LBS. that i did lose, and more. Having more invasive surgery? well I have two siblings who have both had the gastric bypass and sure they have lost there weight with one year BUT they dont look healthy, they look sickly, there personality had chanbbed, one of them got devorced, addicted to alcohol, shopping, and strayed away from the family. So I'm not so sure all those negative outcomes would be worth losing weight to me. But you can only decide that this is only my personal experience. Would I do it all over again? yes I would. I am here to help so if you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask me. Good Luck in your decision making, I know that if you do get the lapband you will not regret the outcome. Just remember it's only a tool and if you follow the rules you will be a success!

Doctor told me one month and at 31 days I strolled into the local bar. I have had no problems with booz however I do not drink beer. I typically drink bourbon on the rocks, wine, perfect manhattans, martinis and a few yeager bombs but not all at one time. But as the other guys said be ready because you will not be able to handle as much alcohol as before. I mean you can still drink it but you will be totally wasted if you drink pre-surgery amounts.

I was updating my blog tonight and went back to my pre-op journal to see how it relates to my experience and how I am doing. One of the best things in there was this Plan for Success that I wrote out. Here it is, verbatim, with my comments from today following each item. I thought it would be interesting for us all to share ideas on what things we can do to help ourselves to succeed! Add anything you want to this string! Plan for Success: In reading one of my "band" books tonight, I came across an article that said that having a game plan can really improve my chances for success. I've been thinking of a few things I can do, but hadn't really formalized a plan. So, here goes: THINGS I WILL DO TO HELP MYSELF SUCCEED: - Tell family and friends about the surgery so that I will have a support network (and won't feel weird when eating with them) - (DONE!) - Commit to staying exactly on my pre-op Clear liquids diet - (DONE!) - Commit to the post-op plan of 2 weeks full liquids, then 2 weeks of soft foods - (DONE!) - Think of ways to Celebrate my birthday with friends where eating won't be an issue (maybe a girl's day at Ohm?) - (DONE! Had a great time at Ohm Spa, by the way!) - Hire a personal trainer as of 11/08/08 (I didn't do this on schedule, but I did hire the trainer and recommitted to exercising in a serious way . . see bruise photo from previous post!) - Keep good, correct foods in the house. (DONE!) - Avoid alcohol to the extent possible. (I could be better about this to be perfectly honest. . is just such a big part of my social life that it's hard to really avoid, plus I love a nice glass of wine) - Commit to taking SMALL bites and chewing until food is dissolved (DONE! I'm not perfect, but I do a pretty good job at this) - Commit to small sips (Honestly, this hasn't been all that necessary) - Commit to avoiding calorie-filled beverages (DONE! Well, except for wine!) - Journal/blog regularly and chronicle your success -- AND admit it if you mess up (DONE! And is an on-going part of my plan!) - Look for NSVs if/when your weight plateaus (I'm doing this!) - Try out the support group at NYU (I haven't done this, but I feel like LBT and the people who I know through my blog do what I would have hoped a support group to do) - Be proactive about your care -- don't wait so long for a fill that you gain weight. (DONE!) - Measure yourself periodically and write down your measurements (DONE!) - Know that this is not going to be easy, but that this will be worth while. And, know that this WILL be easier than staying on a diet on your own for a whole year, then maintaining your weight long-term. (So true -- and I do fully know that.) - Try to notice NSVs (like less foot and back pain) as they occur (DONE!) - Make mini-goals for yourself, e.g. 10 lb goals, and feel free to reward yourself with facials, massages, nice mani/pedis, etc. (Oh believe me. . DONE!) - Go through your closet and "size" it so that you won't miss wearing cute things that you like on the way to goal (DONE!) - Don't read too much about negative/failure stories on the lap band chat rooms. (DONE! I do read some of those stories, but I don't get sucked in, which accomplishes my fundamental objective.) - When you start going to restaurants again, do trial runs with your friends who know about the surgery (plus, will be fun). (DONE!) - Don't get disproportionately upset if any of your good friends don't understand, say the wrong thing, etc. They love you, and no one is perfect. (Honestly, my friends have been pretty freaking amazing. I'm very lucky in that way.) - Focus on your other hobbies and interests (Get new letterpress projects, enjoy the Van Gogh course at MOMA) - (DONE! Unfortunately, the Van Gogh course was totally sold out, so I never did get to take it, but I've been spending more time on my hobbies, which is always very enjoyable). I hope that was helpful

I just had my psych eval this last Wednesday. Basically, I had to take a written test of 350 questions. The questions focused on drugs and alcohol issues, self esteem, suicide etc. Then I had a 40 minute session with the psychologist. He asked me some medical history questions. Asked about my attempts at weight loss. He asked a lot of questions about my family. What kind of relationship I had with my mom, dad, siblings. Then asked about my relationship with my husband. What he thought of my wanting to have WLS. I was robbed at gunpoint at work several years ago so we discussed that. And it was only brought up because on my paperwork I had to disclose that I had been in therapy before. The psychologist is part of the Scottsdale Bariatric Center. His job is to evaluate me to see if I am ready for any WLS or if I have any issues I need to deal with first. His other function is to help my surgeon determine which procedure would be most beneficial with my personality and medical concerns. It was decided by both my NP and the psychologist that I am a perfect band candidate. I think a major part of that is the fact I have done a lot of research (here and on my own) and I have a very realistic expectation. I would say just be honest and don't worry about it!

You're not alone - I'm right there with you on this one. It feels awesome when people notice I'm losing weight, and on the surface I don't want to be fat. But I, too, reach for a cookie or I'll go on a mini-binge and eat anything that'll go down easy. And I have those same dark thoughts that you do. And... part of me is scared that my addiction will turn to something else unhealthy. I remember seeing on ...sixty minutes or one of those shows - the story of a lady who had gastric bypass, kicked her addiction to food, but now is addicted to shopping and she spends way beyond her means. She's in deep debt. And the previous comment talked about a lady that's now an alcoholic. What will I turn into? And right now I can blame all my inadequacies on being fat. That's why I don't have a man. I say my boss can't see past it and that's why I am stuck in a dead-end job. It's why I can't do very many activities with my kids, because I get tired so easily. It's why I don't go out much, because I don't like to be the only fat girl in the group. But I think I'm just hiding. Well, I'm not trying to hijack your post or anything, but I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. I'm gonna check out some of the reccommended books and try to work this out on my own. Counseling isn't an option for me, but I believe there are things we can do on our own that can be very therapeutic.

dee,put my goal as 10.....again. my eating has been all screwed up, not portionwise but not nearly enough protein and often too much alcohol....arghhh getting excited to see you and others in little over a week!

It has been thee weeks since I last wrote anything here on my Blog.....shame on me because I know that I will not remember the last few weeks if I do not write it down so here goes. The last two weeks have been interesting! I have not lost much only a few pounds. I am down 30 pounds since my surgery and I thought I would have been closer to 40 by now, I am not complaining I am just disappointed in myself and let me tell you why. I like a lot of bansters have tried going back to some of my old treats like the one in mind is Wine. I love to have a glass or two and it is a way of unwinding but those glasses or even at times a entire bottle is just so many empty calories and this makes me believe that I have been hindering my weight loss instead of helping! I am going to go on a no Alcohol regime for a while and see how that is. Also I have not been on my treadmill since last Sunday and that is also something that will help with the inches coming off. After my 2nd adjustment or fill I was hoping for more restriction which I did get for about 2 1/2 weeks but now I am ready again for adjustment number 3. I like so many other blogs that I read am not real sure what I am feeling at the time of the fill so I am not sure if I am getting the max fill or if I am just getting a so so fill after all it is Me who is letting the Doc know if it feels right or not. What or Where or When Is the Sweet Spot?:thumbup: Now for any of you who might be reading this, I want you to know that this is not a BooHoo note to myself this is just a reminder that I, Cheryl, Need to be working a lot harder and to stop goofing around. I know what I need to do and I better start doing it. Also just a side note......I am still having trouble with the Free Air since surgery. It has now settled down near my bladder and makes me feel uncomfortable, the sharp pains have subsided and I am thankful for that. All in All I am a very thankful girl for this procedure all the little weirdness are worth it in the long run. Heres to being down 40 pounds by my Birthday! :biggrin:

It has been thee weeks since I last wrote anything here on my Blog.....shame on me because I know that I will not remember the last few weeks if I do not write it down so here goes. The last two weeks have been interesting! I have not lost much only a few pounds. I am down 30 pounds since my surgery and I thought I would have been closer to 40 by now, I am not complaining I am just disappointed in myself and let me tell you why. I like a lot of bansters have tried going back to some of my old treats like the one in mind is Wine. I love to have a glass or two and it is a way of unwinding but those glasses or even at times a entire bottle is just so many empty calories and this makes me believe that I have been hindering my weight loss instead of helping! I am going to go on a no Alcohol regime for a while and see how that is. Also I have not been on my treadmill since last Sunday and that is also something that will help with the inches coming off. After my 2nd adjustment or fill I was hoping for more restriction which I did get for about 2 1/2 weeks but now I am ready again for adjustment number 3. I like so many other blogs that I read am not real sure what I am feeling at the time of the fill so I am not sure if I am getting the max fill or if I am just getting a so so fill after all it is Me who is letting the Doc know if it feels right or not. What or Where or When Is the Sweet Spot?:thumbup: Now for any of you who might be reading this, I want you to know that this is not a BooHoo note to myself this is just a reminder that I, Cheryl, Need to be working a lot harder and to stop goofing around. I know what I need to do and I better start doing it. Also just a side note......I am still having trouble with the Free Air since surgery. It has now settled down near my bladder and makes me feel uncomfortable, the sharp pains have subsided and I am thankful for that. All in All I am a very thankful girl for this procedure all the little weirdness are worth it in the long run. Heres to being down 40 pounds by my Birthday!

No shame Heather!! Everybody has some addiction or quirk - some demon to deal with - ours just happens to be food/weight! You don't have to do it on your own!! It takes a village to raise a child - meaning we all need help & support. This is harder than being an alcoholic or drug addict, if you ask me. try giving a crack head 3 rocks or an alcoholic 3 drinks - 1 for breakfast, lunch & dinner & see if they can stop! They don't have to drink or do drugs to survive but we still gotta eat! We can't just forego it like they can!!!! You are well on your way, girlfriend!!

I'm gonna print this out & show it to her!! SMART LADY. I truly hope she gets a grip on it before it gets way out of hand!! And ur right, her body has compensated - she can eat ANYTHING - even sweets & alcohol - no dumping symptoms. I'll find an RNY support group for her. And, Tina, you better get use to that male attention, girl - i don't see it going away any time soon - It must suck to be beautiful

I, personally, feel like counseling can only do good, (if it's a good counselor). So, if you're questioning needing counseling, seeing one is probably a good thing... even if they are just a sounding board to your own fears. Sometimes just getting things off of your chest helps. I have a friend that was not ready to be happy. She had been very heavy since the age of 11 and finally got a gastric bypass. She had been in counseling for years but never shifted, she was always doom and gloom and verging on hypochondria. She dropped weight, after the bypass, in no time but is now an alcoholic. The moral of this story is that everyone deserves to be happy and, if you're not, counseling will help *if* you're receptive to it and READY to heal. She still isn't ready, and maybe never will be, but I hope she will at some point. (I always recommend the "Dance of Intimacy" to anyone that is feeling badly, especially if family, or relationship, issues are part of the problem. It's by Harriet Goldher Lerner, I believe, and it is AWESOME!) I hope you also will feel like you deserve to be happy and healthy and that you can work through this and be pleased with yourself. For starters, maybe focus on the fact that you have lost weight and kept it off, that's awesome! :thumbup: If you focus on what you HAVE done and what you CAN be proud of things will shift and pessimism will slowly be blocked by positive reinforcement. Focusing on how poorly you have done and what you still haven't accomplished, though, is definitely a self defeating cycle. I hope this helps and isn't "preachy". I come from a family of counselors so this type of discussion is a norm at family gathering. :wink: My husband was floored when he moved up and saw what dinner was like at our house! LOL Keep up the great work, of sustaining your weight, even if the positive thinking and counseling just help you become less stressed that should help you break the barrier. Best of luck with this wonderful tool and being happy, I am sure you can do it. Shannon

WHOO HOO CC! That is fabulous! Thanks Susan...age is a number. So is weight. As are calories, minutes of exercise, and alcohol content. Numbers are bad. :smile: Haven't a clue what voting you are referring to, but good luck! But you will be crying for joy, right?? Last of the children is grown...independent etc. You are free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Morning all! Thanks be it is Friday...and peaking out from behind the huge black clouds is a bit of sun! I am hoping for sunshine this weekend....I wanna go play in the dirt!! Its been torrential rains for 3 days now, time for a bit of dry weather. hope all are doing well.

Well, I feel like I'm back on track and have cut back on snacking and alcohol. I lost 2 lbs this week. Last Friday: 204.5 lbs This morning: 202.5 lbs Slowly losing my way to 200 lbs

I think it depends on the doctor? I was so nervous about mine because I was afraid of what he was going to ask and what not. It went by really easy, didn't even last 10 minutes. My surgeon recommended him because he promotes the lapband. He asked me how I felt when I went to a restaurant like if I felt insecure or what not. History and other things I've tried (weight watchers, atkins, etc). Family history of alcohol/drug abuse and if I use either. If I was ever sexually abused and stuff like that. If anything we talked about where I go to school and how the dorms and everything is more than anything else. He was a really nice and friendly guy who said that I'd make a great candidate for it.

My doc says no alcoholic drinks for 6 months to a year and no caffein ever again. I've started drinking de-caf tea and I'll probably go to de-caf coffee when it gets cold again. I'm putting lemon or lime in my water and it helps so much. GB

I guess my doc is a lenient one. I am drinking coffee and any number of different alcohol drinks and having no problem. He said ok to the carbonation too but I just know it will be a painful burp issue and I just dont crave it. There is such a HUGE variability in everyone's instructions , I think that's kind of strange but who am I to say? Cheers!!

I have to also be careful that they don't have any of that sugar alcohol junk in them. They cause so much gas that it's almost unbelievable.

Julie, my prayers go out to your nephew and sister. My niece had a similar incident 5 years ago. It was very, very traumatic. I am an emotional eater. I think it must have taken a LOT of willpower for you to stop at just one bite of pizza and two bites of chicken. Good for you! Pat yourself on the back for not turning to pints of ice cream or bottles or alcohol or other high calorie things that could have easily slid down and dulled the pain. You're a strong woman. Hang in there. You will do just fine! You're surrounded by a lot of good people here on the Mayo Banditos forum. :crying:

I was told we were not allowed caffiene and alcohol and some of these shakes include them. i guess it could always be substituted. i know they make coffee flavored protein powder

Hi there this is Maria (the newbie) I wanted to let you all know that I went to my orientation yesterday in Richmond and I have my 1st appt with Dr Baggs on July 10. I am so excited and was interested in joining one of the support meetings in Sacramento, Do you know when and where is the next one? Also, I am accepting any words of support and encouragement right about now as I am starting the 10% weight loss I need to have by my 1st visit with the Doctor. It is the hardest thing I ever done, but I am cutting everything the sweets, alcohol, carbs!! I'm sure you all feel me,since youve been there done that..

Hey Tanyac, I'm glad i'm not the only one, but your right, it's a natural thing and if your anything like me I always think about every outcome, so it's not a bad thing!!! I can't wait to hear all about how you got on!!! Please get in touch when you get back and give me every detail, I'm terrible, i just want to know everything about it, so there's no surprises!! Gary, sounds like the ice lollies are a fab idea.....I have heard any vomitting and excess :cry_smile: alcohol can cause huge swelling around the band.....Change of drink?! :thumbup: heh.... Good luck to everyone going out tomorrow!! Penny x

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!:mad5: Meredith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooooooooooo happy for you!!!!!!! I can only imagine the he!! of waiting. Congrats! Hip hip horrrayyyyy! I remember calling my insurance company BCBS-FL Blue Choice.... I had THE nicest lady on the phone. I could almost hear her voice crack when she had to tell me I had an exemption and that God himself couldn't get them to approve me! But thank God himself that I was blessed with the best DH in the world!!! He said, if you can do without extra this year... (and maybe next)... then let's do it! We are both so thankful we made the decision. It's the best investment in OUR life that we have ever made! EVERYTHING... is better! Hi everyone~ Glad to hear everyone had great celebrations with family and BBQ. Janet, I hear what you are saying that the band should keep me ok at cookouts. I still find it hard to be at food events. I don't have family in this state- around family it would be no big deal. But I went to a house party a few weeks ago and there was not ONE band friendly thing there except fruit. They had hot dogs and popcorn, funnel cakes and cotton candy (carnival stuff). They served alcohol and sodas. I was STARVING by the end. Just couldn't go somewhere right now where I have no control over the menu. In time it will be ok. I still have to be careful of trigger foods and things that get stuck. I was up 1-2 lbs for the last few days... but it was TOM, etc. Now finally down 1 since last fill 12 days ago. (really down 3 if you count up 2..LOL). My next fill is supposed to be Thursday. I had such a time the first 5 days of this last fill... so am not sure what to do. I had two PB and had to switch back to mush and liquids. Then had two days of feeling tight and pain with eating 1/2 c of food. But because I did so much mush and liquids... I had a hard time staying in my calories. Went way over Protein one day b/c of protein supplements. Last 4 days I feel good. Nothing getting stuck. No pain after eating. I feel I could still eat after a normal serving but am so afraid after those PBs and stucks.. that I stop. I feel like I could MAYBE benefit from a tiny fill.. but think I will wait a week. I left the RN a message today and she didn't call me back. Lots of thunderstorms here in FL. Nelson HATES storms and is glued to my side when there is thunder. He's asleep now. Whew.... time to relax. DH on call. Time to surf (the tv) and fold laundry. Peas out! Laura

Mine was even easier. I was really scared going into it and it didn't even last 10 minutes!! The first three minutes he was on the phone with someone else and then he just asked about where I go to school, how is my home life, any history of sexual/alcohol/substance abuse in my immediate family, and my opinion on the surgery. It was so easy lol.