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I agree with all of what lingling said but also would like to add that it could be due to addiction. My preop psych evaluation revealed that I have an addictive behavior. The surgery came along and I gave up lots of stuff at one time...soda, caffeine, cigarettes and compulsive eating (including my decision to give up sugar and starches). I was a ball of nerves, moody and emotional and could see myself wanting to transfer my addictions elsewhere...I am not a drinker but alcohol was looking so good at that time. Once I understood what was causing my anxiety it helped a lot. Just knowing why you are feeling the way you are just seems to make it easier to deal with. I also took a supplement called SAM-e and I highly recommend it for anxiety and mood swings. It is a natural supplement that you can get at any pharmacy, a little pricey but worth it. After a few months I was over all my addictions and my nerves calmed a lot...Just something to consider.

Laya, you're so right about the addiction part -- most people don't understand that. And, unlike alcohol and drugs, we can't live without food!

Kari, I totally understand everything you are going to as well. I had been researching for a long time before I even mentioned that I was looking into it to anyone. Once I went to a seminar and decided was when I started to tell people. My BF doesn't understand the emotional and mental aspects of it, but he is 100% supportive of any decision I would make to make myself healthier. I've had mixed reactions from family and friends, but I just chose like John not to be around those that were not going to be supportive of me. I don't have many friends that struggle with weight and I'm the anomaly in my family. People who don't have food issues don't understand that it is an addiction just like alcohol or drugs. If you were drinking too much and said you were going to get hlep for it everyone would ber so happy for you. Same with drugs, MOST people don't understand the addiction to food. You've made a FABULOUS choice for yourself, if you follow the rules with a little help from your BAND it will be the best choice you've made!! AND you're not alone, we're all here to help along the way!!

I don't want to sound alcoholic, but one of my ways of releasing stress is a night out drinking chatting with friends. I don't drink beer, but I drink coolers, cocktails or shooters. Coolers like Bicardi pineapple... Can I have like 3 coolers in one night once a month or something? Is 3 coolers one night "allowed"? Did anyone go through the same thing? :tongue:

No beer. Beer is carbonated just as is soda . Regular consumption of beer (or soda) could stretch out your pouch. As for mixed drinks and wine, they are fine in moderation but you have to remember that alcohol is empty calories -- no nutrition -- so regular consumption of alcohol could undermine your weight loss.

I hav a quick question about alcohol. Can you drink beer, liquor or wine after being banded?

Here I am thinking that I need to get back to basics. We celebrated our Wedding Anniv. on Friday so I gave myself a pass for supper and we were at a comedy club so we ate fried food. I'm not mad at myself. Not the healthiest, but a special occassion. Yesterday my cousin got married and I ate cake and drank alcohol and after I was tipsy (okay...more than tipsy) I ate a sandwich. My first piece of bread in 6 months. :smile: Today I haven't done much better. Covered dish at church on the first Sunday of the month. Some things you can't control, but I haven't stressed about it. All of these things put together makes a bad several days. So back to basics. I've got to get these carbs out of my system to start the losing again.

My Dr. gave me a great little book that has some great information that I thought would be helpful and thought I would share some of them. Don'ts to Drinking * Don't Drink Carbonated beverages (my dr says never, but ask your Dr.) * Don't Drink Alcohol. (First year, ask your Dr.) * Don't Drink coffee. (First Year ask your Dr.) * Don't Drink Caffeninated Beerages (first Year) * If on Iron Suppliment don't take with milk. * Don't Drink with meals (wait 30 mins before and after meals) * Don't Drink your Calories * Don't Drink Protein shakes like Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast unless your Dr. Tells you to do so. * Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink Water. by that time you have already lost two or more cups of your total body water. Do's * Do drink a minimum of 64 oz of water a day or more. * Do drink water as your beverage of choice * Do drink herbal teas * Do Sip frequently * Do drink diluted drinks such as crystal light on limited basis * Do drink chicken, beef and veggie broth * Do use splenda instead of other sweetners to sweeten beverages * Do increase your water intake on hot days and when exercising * Do increase your water intake if constipated Warning of Dehydration Mild - Thirst - Dry Lips - Slightly dry mouth membranes Moderate -Very dry mouth membranes - Sunken eyes -Skin does not baounce back quikley when pinched and released Severe -All signs of moderate -Rapid week pulse (more then 100) -Cold hands and feet -Rapid breathing -Blue lips -Confused, lethargy, difficult to arouse

Well, I still have cravings. My stomach was operated on, not my brain. I agree with Cathy, the band is not meant to be a permanent punishment. Portion control is the key. If you enjoy spaghetti, you can continue to enjoy it, eaten slowly and in moderation. A small hamburger? If it is not a problem getting through your band, is something that you could have occasionally. However, if you are like an alcoholic with food, like "one is not enough" then probably staying away from the "one" is best. For me, I don't have a problem with eating one of my daughter's french fries and being satisfied.

Suzanne, when I lost my weight, I was down to 160-165 pounds. I was a size 8/10. I felt fantastic. My blood tests were great, my blood pressure was great--------but many of the height/weight charts still had me needing to lose at least 20 more pounds. I was able to hover at the 165 and eat comfortably, do minimal exercise (for health as opposed to weight control)--without working at it. I did that with no fill for months! Until the stress and the steroids--then it went to hell in a hurry!!! But I will never strive to be 140 pounds or less---it is not the number I need to see. When I can easily walk in any store in town and buy a size 8 or 10, and be healthy, and not be ashamed of my size, or even the number on the scale----then I am happy about it. My BMI was on the high side of normal-------but it was normal!!! The better muscle tone you have the more you weigh----so most body builders show up overweight both on the charts for weight and for BMI-----yet their body fat percentage is super low. so there is no ideal way of determining what weight you should be. To say I am at a good weight because I feel good could easily be a cop out------I did not feel bad physically when I weighed 289 pounds----I did not waddle, I kept up when we hiked, I went on motorcycle trips---it did not hold me back, I did not FEEL bad. My body told a different story tho! My blood pressure was high, my blood sugar was high, my cholesterol was high, my joints were having issues, that caused me to have knee surgery several times.......so I was NOT healthy in any way shape or form!!! But got around better and did more than many thin people I know. If I can get back to the 165- 170 range where I can hover without worry, I am going to be a happy camper!!! Well made it through another week!!! Stopped and bought some groceries, and now I still do not know what I want to cook!!!! In the store, I saw an old friend. She and I were friends from before Junior High. Then a few years ago, I found out through happenstance that she was involved with my ex husband. That alone would not have been an issue, except she had been lying to me for over a year about it, and had caused friction between my DD and I. My ex, knew things, that I accused my DD of telling him----and when she denied it, I thought she was lying, so it messed with the trust I had in my child. THAT broke the friendship.....if there is no trust, there is no friendship. Well they recently split, and she is supposedly sobering up. So she stops and tells me I look great, and asks about the family like all is good again now that he is gone. I did not want to cause a scene in Albertsons---------but he was not the issue!!!! She kept smiling at me, and I swear she would see where I was going and head down the aisle opposite....and EACH time, try to talk. I mention it, because I just got the chime I had an email-----from her! Seeing me, made her realize how much she misses our friendship, and how can she mend things? I so badly want to send back something like "get a moral indicator, because yours is obviously faulty" or something..... I think she soaked her brain in Southern Comfort for toooooo many years!!! Feel better Jenn--praying for you. Laura, that you and Russell have managed with the cash flowing that way is testement to how well you have done.....Not many young couples do so well. Pamela, feel better, but watch the alcohol and the pills......that stuff scares me...A LOT!!!! Tracy-------I wanna see your gym---you said you took pics----------so lets see um! Well I am off to find something to cook and call dinner. Will check in later, or tomorrow. XOOXOX

My doc won't let us have cafeine. Does anyone else have that rule? I have cut out cafeine, carbonated drinks, & gum as per his request. Also, no alcohol for at least 6 months. What about y'all?

I have to say that of all the responses, Citygirl couldn't have been more on target for me. I'm 16 months post-op and I noticed that just around 75 pounds down or so (I'm about 105 down now) I stopped feeling the pull of the food. However, it coincided with me moving out from my non-functional relationship AND starting to see a psychologist. I have a degree in counseling, so I know all about replacement behaviors. I worried I'd become an alcoholic or a shopaholic as I've seen on Oprah....so I started going to the gym at night, when the urges were greatest. It was also when I was loneliest and most tired..... Having an outlet for my feelings was--without a doubt--the greatest thing I have done for myself. I have very little restriction and I've intentionally kept it that way. I have few foods that I can't tolerate, and that's really what I wanted with my band. But, because of that choice, I have to use more control over not eating when I'm not hungry. As you get more restriction, it gets PHYSICALLY easier, but let's face it....you wouldn't have been a candidate if this was strictly physical. Keep up the great work. The desire to pick and eat "wrong" foods never goes away...but your control over those things does get stronger as you hit your stride. Don't give up!!

Oh wow. Thankyou for all the responses ! It really helps me to get an idea on my life after being banded and things I need to do in order to be banded. Afterall I'm only having 1 or 2 a day, i'll just have to see if I can totally get rid of it for the sake of my health. Now alcohol, anyone? Anyone knows whether I can have 2 3 coolers a night once a month? ( Let's say 3 months after surgery ) I do love to drink.... :thumbup:

I have some questions relating to alcohol AND cigarettes. I don't want to sound alcoholic, but one of my ways of releasing stress is a night out drinking chatting with friends. I don't drink beer, but I drink coolers, cocktails or shooters. Coolers like Bicardi pineapple... Can I have like 3 coolers in one night once a month or something? :smile2: I am an occasional smoker, smoke once/twice a day, or none a day. When I drink alcohol I tend to smoke more, but I'm going to limit my drinking and going out after being banded, so I'll only drink about once a month (if that's allowed). Do i have to quit smoking? Is 3 coolers one night "allowed"? Did anyone go through the same thing? :frown: I'm having consultation with my surgeon May 1st this friday :biggrin: If things go well, I'll be on Meditrim and get ready to get banded within the next 2, 3 weeks.

Fanny, one thing you can't do is beat yourself up about it. Try to look at it as this: Even normal people have bad days. Not that we are abnormal, but it is something we all struggle with. I know once I get started with something sugary, I can't stop. I seriously think I understand what it is like to be an alcoholic because when I have to have my fix, I have to have my fix. And sometimes it takes everything in my to not eat that candy bar. I can't even take a bite of something sweet without eating the whole thing. It is an all or nothing thing for me and it flat out sucks. The point is don't beat yourself up. You have had a great weekend. Focus on that =)

Oh good! Looks like it worked! :ohmy: Yea me!!! Sounds like a great weekend! I can't answer your question b/c I do it myself. And usually right before a WI either at home or at the docs. I just don't get it either. I'm still working on myself so when/if I figure it out, I'll let you know! Hang in there! I'm finding that to be a true statement for myself as well. Tho when REALLY upset (angry/mad), I have noticed I will head to the fridge. When I was younger, it was alcohol, so I think it all stems from the addictive personality that I have. Thank GOD I have always been able to "catch" it before I've become completely addicted. (Except for the food, of course. Didn't "catch" that one very well!) But I have noticed lately that I really "like" to reward myself with food! Need to find another way to reward myself! 'Night everyone!

"But terminating the pregnancy caused her so much pain that she tried to cover it with "drugs, alcohol, partying and a promiscuous lifestyle," she told radio host Rich Buhler in an interview with KBRT AM-740." Great piece of "news" from our favorite "news" source: Fox News. Anyone besides me think that this could be another couple who are doing all they can to further their argument against women's right to choose, rather than a sincere effort for the man to "adopt" dead tissue - which, btw, makes no sense at all on the face of it. It's shocking, I'll give them that. But then methinks that is the idea. Last point being, I'm sure that she did no "drugs, alcohol, partying" and didn't have a "promiscuous lifestyle" prior to her first pregnancy. She was a totally virtuous young lady, who was simply taken advantage of by some big bad boy. Only after the first abortion did she ignorantly choose to have unprotected sex that resulted in a second unwanted pregnancy and second abortion. Great story. Heart warming.

Sugar alcohols are used in place of regular sugars and can be tolerated by diabetics. It is in most sweets that have “No Sugar”. Sugar alcohols are not associated with alcohol sprits (lol, restlessmonkey). Sugar alcohols are usually incompletely absorbed into the blood stream from the small intestines which generally results in a smaller change in blood glucose than "regular" sugar (sucrose). This property makes them popular sweeteners among diabetics and people on low-carbohydrate diets. However, as for many other incompletely digestible substances (such as dietary fiber), overconsumption of sugar alcohols can lead to bloating, diarrhea and flatulence because they are not absorbed in the small intestine. Some individuals experience such symptoms even in a single-serving quantity. With continued use, most people develop a degree of tolerance to sugar alcohols and no longer experience these symptoms. As an exception, erythritol is actually absorbed in the small intestine and excreted unchanged through urine, so it has no side effects at typical levels of consumption.

I've found two beers that I can tolerate because they have very limited carbonation-Guinness and Tetley. If you are like I was in college, you won't be drinking 12 packs of these mainly because they're too damn expensive. But they aren't bubbly, so they don't make me bloated the way that regular beer or soda does. Whiskey doesn't have carbonation, so if you're not drinking it with club soda it should go down okay. The biggest issue with alcohol, though, isn't the carbonation. It's the calories. Lots of empty calories that go straight through the band. I don't drink much anymore because doing so would undermine maintaining my weight loss. Of course, I'm also 36 and drinking a lot isn't nearly so important to me as it was when I was 21. Good luck.

I think odds are you will be able to live a normal, if more moderate, lifestyle after the surgery. You're right that your 12 pack days are over though - my husband, though never a big drinker, will nurse a beer for about 2 hours now, it takes him that long as its filling becuase of the bubbles. The other thing with alcohol is that you have to be careful after you've had a few, you're attention to the way you eat lapses and its prime time for a huge vomiting episode if you shove something down your throat without chewing. Even though you've got a band, after four or five drinks a hot dog or kebab at 2 am still sounds mighty good. But you just cant do it. But I think at your age, you'll be able to fit in still wihilst being mature enough to know your limits.

You need to check with your doctor. Mine said no alcohol at first as we are healing and adapting... then to limit because it is empty calories. Not all of us count "sugar" and in fact many don't.

Does anyone know how much sugar alcohol you are allowed a day? I know regular sugar is 8 grams.

It depends on what your preop diet requires. For me, no way. Odds are if you have a 2-week long diet, alcohol will be forbidden. Usually the diet is used to shrink the liver and alcohol is contraindicated in that situation. You can ask your surgeon but odds are you'll either need to not drink, miss drinking this one cookout, or reschedule your surgery. Some may tell you that you can "cheat" and you'll be fine but let me tell you that isn't a given, either (in case it comes up). I read that and cheated and wasn't fine. Not worth it. Just check w/your doc and follow his lead! :thumbup:

I had to sign a paper for my surgeon that I was alcohol free for 30 to 90 days before my surgery.