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Yay!! Congratulations!!! Recoginzing you have an addiction to food isn't like recognizing you're an alcoholic. You don't get to quit eating forever. What I am doing to manage this is 1st, setting out menu's. I've never been a menu person in my life. But recognizing that if it's planned it's less likely to temp you is important. I wrote a blog about 'chew bags'. I dunno, maybe that might be a suggestion to try as well. I'm having trouble with the full liquid diet. Everything seems to get stuck. Yogurt, Soup, anything with consistency beyond Water. It can be frustrating and painful. So my plan is to literally go for 1 bite at a time. They say make your meals last 1/2 hour. How would you make 1/4 cup of soup last 1/2 hour? I guess if I take a bite and wait 10 minutes that would work. After being stuck I don't tend to WANT anything anyway. It's a whole new ballgame and one we don't want to screw up. Keep working on it!! Bren

For me, it is getting to the root cause of why I abused food. Every time I put something into my mouth, I try to understand the reasons. If I understand why I turn to food then I don't have to do actions which may cause me harm, whether that be gambling, alcohol, shopping, sex ... fill in the blank. Cross-over addictions are real and I believe, for me, the only way I can prevent further behaviors which are not in my best self interest, is to understand why I turn to food when I am not really hungry.

Just a thought on this topic, could it be maybe one reason we are restricted form alcohol is known to cause dehydration? Also I think I would be worried if I did erronously ended up inebriated and risked vomitting, but not sure if that would be a risk. I rarely drink myself and if I have a glass of wine, it is typically with dinner.. It will be interesting to see the effects

I am almost six weeks post-op, so it's early for me--but I couldn't imagine having a beer at this point. Particular a dark, heavy stout---ugh, it would feel like carbonated lead in my stomach. I am 100% postive that would come right back up. I do have to make a small confession---I did have a few drinks on New Year's Eve (which was exactly 2 weeks post-op): on glass of white wine and 2 vodka martinis. I did have a very good time that night and was no worse for the wear, but It was stupid of me to do that. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else (and it certainly wasn't part of my doctor's post-op guidelines of approved activities). I haven't had a drop of alcohol since that night, but I am sure by this summer I'll be in a position to have a drink on occasion. I am not a big drinker to begin with (more of a special occasion drinker or maybe one or two drinks when I am out to a nice dinner etc.). The one thing I do really miss is smoking weed. I have some great weed sitting in my safe that I brought back from Las Vegas and I haven't touched it since October or early November. I am totally afraid of smoking it because the last thing I need is the munchies at this point in my recovery (or ever again). If I could smoke without the munchies, that would be awesome (but weed isn't conducive to self-control when it comes to food).

Hi everyone, I've been staying away from carbonated drinks like soda since surgery 4 months ago. My question is, has anyone had something like a mikes hard lemonade or something similar? My doctor cleared me to drink alcohol but I don't really like anything other this. I know it has a little carbonation (less than soda). Just wondering if I can drink something like that this weekend at a 4th of July party. Thanks!

Thank you all. . .I'm really glad the stall is broken and that I'm back to rockin' ! hehehe. . . PinkJewels, thank you for your nice comments, I don't watch anything really (I'm 8 months out now) however I DO watch how much of it I have. . . for example, some mornings I'll have my Protein shakes (yeah I'm still on those) and other mornings I'll have a bean and cheese taco. . . takes me about 15 minutes to eat. . then nothing at all til about lunch time, sometimes I'll have 1/4 cup velvetta and shells, or go out for lunch with the gals, and have a appetizer, bring it back. . then mid afternoon or so a fruit of some sort, and then a lean cusine (sp??) for dinner. . . that menu is during the week. . . for the weekend, I have a piece of toast or just coffee for breakie, nothing for lunch or some fruit, then whatever for dinner. . .I'm definately not perfect so I do snack and drink alcohol . . .I'll have 1 or 2 rum and coke every Friday and Saturday evening. . I do eat ice cream, but it's the healthy choice ones which only offer about 100 calories or so, I'll eat chocolate very seldom, but i do. . . my exercise regime is this 5 days a week, off on weekends. . .I do 20 minutes Forest Walk treadmill incline of 1.5; 10 minutes of the ellipitical (not speeding like a demon either but enough to sweat); 20 minutes on the bike at Random Hill, level 9; about 100 sit ups (machine); and about 4 sets of 10 arm exercises, be it chest press, flies, curls, or whatever. . . so it comes out to about 1 hour of exercise daily except Sat and Sun. . . it's the biggest pain in the gluteous maximus (I really hate exercise) but like I told my daughter, the gym won't come to you, you have to get up and go the gym, the people at the gym don't care if your there or not, you have to love yourself enough to do it. . . Cheers!!!! Oh and one more note, I've gone from a snug 4XL to L/XL in clothes (depending on make)!!! 16W pants/shorts and L shirts. . .sure does beat snug 4XL's

I am just short of 9 months since surgery. Here is my weight lost history Monthly Loss Tme frame Cumulative Loss 13 2 wk preop 13 18.5 Month 1 31.5 12 Month 2 43.5 11.5 Month 3 55 12 Month 4 67 10 Month 5 77 7 Month 6 84 9 Month 7 93 6 Month 8 99 5 Month 9 104 Minimum - it might be one or two more. I started out for the first 3 weeks just trying to get in my fluids and as much Protein as possible - I was probably managing maybe 40 grams of protein. After that, until about 6 months, I was as 60 grams of protein, and 60 minimum ounces of Water, and about 500 calories. I didn't eat bread, Pasta, rice or potatoes and didn't drink alcohol. I also stayed away from sugar. At 6 months I upped the protein to about 80 grams, and the calorie count to around 800. Same thing with the carbs and sugar. I have pretty much held there, except it doesn't bother me if I exceed the protein count occaisionaly, and the calories flex up to 1000 now. For the past three days, I have exceeded that and have been eating more of my restricted carbs and sugar. Today I am getting back to normal and will be strict again starting tomorrow and stay strict until I give myself a break for Christmas. I didn't do much exercise to start, just lite walking. Then I bought an elliptical and started Zumba, and was doing both. But, I sprained my ankle badly cleaning a closet, which put most exercise on hold for me. I really haven't started back, but will resume my exercise next week. I plan on hitting it hard to help me get the last 15 pounds off, and to firm up my saggy jiggly self. And, my goal is to make exercise a part of my normal routine, to help me maintain my goal weight. This is what works for me. I wish you good luck on your journey. Sharon

This is all such a relief to hear...I am on my pre-op diet but last night the girls wanted to get a drink after work and I had to sit with my cranberry juice and watch them drink sangria and have appetizers. And I had that moment of "oh God, this can't be my life from now on!" I'm not a big drinker but I do really enjoy occasions where I drink socially. Someone recently posted something about alcohol being a stomach irritant though and people having leaks 6 or 9 months out from having it Is that true? How many months did you wait?

I have drank after surgery I was about 6-8 weeks post op I was just fine you do feel the effects on less alcohol

Hang in there. Once you are maintaining and people get used to seeing you at your lower weight, they'll stop. I had folks at work who seriously did not recognize me. I don't mean they said they didn't recognize me as a way to say I looked different/better...they literally had no idea who I was till I spoke. Imagine what that feels like. Unfortunately, our 'issue' is completely external. If you are an alcoholic, it isn't immediately noticible when you stop drinking. Same for any other destructive behavior. But weight issues are right out there and you can't hide whether you are losing or gaining. Try not to show your annoyance...most people are not being nosy..they are being (or think they are being) thoughtful. I couldn't wait till no one noticed my new body at work and I'm just about there after a year with no discernable weight loss.

Hey, I have a question for the post op people here. I start my 8 day liquid diet on Sunday and my husband wants to have a couple drinks with me on Saturday night. I know I may never really be able to drink again, so would like to do this. I don't want to put my surgery at risk in any way, my understanding is that alcohol is out of your system in 24 hours. Did anyone else do this? Thoughts?

Why are you worried? Just listen to your sleeve, take tiny bites and chew, chew, chew. No need to worry over it. Eat protein first, lay off the carbs and alcohol. You'll probably not be released for all foods by ten weeks, but you'll find that it's not hard to eat normal things. I'm only 17 days out and I don't have a lot of trouble with anything in the stage I'm in now. The only difference is that you'll eat much less.

Relax... I think they mostly want to make sure that you don't drink alcohol and stuff like that . I already had mine..they want to see if you are depressed..and if you are that would add to your case for approval. Losing weight helps with depression. We sll have a problem with eating habits...thats why we need the surgery...Hope this cheers you up !

Yeah, I think you and hubs need to talk...he probably doesn't know what else to do to celebrate other than a nice dinner. Maybe suggest other things to him that you both would enjoy that don't revolve around food. As for your co-workers, do they know you had surgery? If so, then maybe they won't mind skipping the bar celebration this year. If not, enjoy your non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drink of choice, because they're paying, aren't they? Get something with an umbrella!

Erosion is when the band pushes into your stomach. I had this happen to me but caught it early on. After a few weeks of meds my stomach got better but I removed the band so my stomach could heal. Home From The Hospital And Photos a quick search on the internet and you'll find that erosion is "when the band penetrates the stomach wall and enters the stomach. Normally placed lap bands surround the outer stomach and constrict it. " Erosion can be caused by the band being too tight, sutures too tight, your stomach walls can get weaker by bad food choices ( ie not following rules by your doctor), spicy food alcohol etc. The guidelines set by your doctor should be followed closely. Though it is not hard to go down the bad path it doesnt mean you should it can cause problems.

I went to seminar today and got the what to do next packet. I have to take the computer test and schedule my psyhc eval. I have to make another appt. with my PMC to get some labs and a few letters stating I am drug and alcohol free and able to go through the surgery without complications.

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Society loves to kick people around. It's no longer politically correct to make fun of blind or mentally handicapped people or drug addicts or alcoholics, but no one is championing or calling foul for fat people being made fun of. Fat people are the last acceptable(according to our society anyway) people to bully, mock, shame, abuse, and ridicule despite the fact most of us did not choose to be obese any more than someone chooses to have any crippling or debilitating disease. It doesn't help than many in the medical community are still trying to perpetuate the idea that we all are just lazy and eat too much and if we just went on a diet would lose the weight, but don't because we are lazy and lack willpower. Until those misconceptions are finally taken out of the medical community and the fact that obesity is a life long disease we must battle and surgery can help us battle, then I don't see this ever going away. It's just too fun for people to kick the fat guy afterall "he did it to himself" unlike the alcoholic or the drug addict who had no choice in the matter at all! [emoji849]

No issues. Some people think it hits them faster but it really is psychological. It DOES hit bypass patients more quickly because their digestive system is rerouted, but alcohol isn't any more or less dangerous for bandsters than for people without WLS, and you'll "process" it pretty much the same. I know that when I was younger and drank often I could drink A LOT and now I can't; so maybe some people who drink regularly stop for a few months while banding and then they are kind of out of the habit...but otherwise no issues. This is interesting, I think: I didn't read it through but believe it's a fairly accurate depiction of what happens when you drink: http://www.oregoncounseling.org/ArticlesPapers/Documents/ETOHBIOFx.htm

ok clear liquids-- i guess that during vacation (a month after surgery) does that include- white wine, vodka, gin, rum--they are all clear and well give a better kick than water--lol--seriously what have you heard about alcohol after the process-- anyone experienced on the topic? Someone suggested i take a blender on my trip!!!!! YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

I was really nervous for my psych eval...It turned out to be fairly easy...A straight forward questionairre about feelings, moods, and stress levels about certain aspects of life, work, family, etc. It also seemed like a screening for clinical depression as some of the questions I know from my limited background in college psych classes. He did ask about sleep patterns, social situations, past/present drug/alcohol abuse, past or present history of depression or suicidal thoughts/attempts. He asked about dieting history, body image, expectations of surgery, support system at home regarding surgery, etc.. I felt like maybe I was a bit too honest, with some of the direct questions he asked, but at the end he said I seemed like a very good candidate, and that he would forward the write-up of my eval to the surgeon. I think if you are severely depressed/suicidal and not being treated for it, it can postpone surgery...basically, you need to be emotionally stable and ready for surgery. I think that many of us that are clinically obese may have some things that could be seen as "depressed", but when answering questions remember that psych is asking about your emotional state, not your physical state... For example...I am physically exhausted from my weight and medical issues, but I'm not exhausted due to emotional reasons that is common with depression. I know that when I lose weight, I do regain a lot of energy and enthusiasm for activities... Now, if that isn't the case for you, the fatigue and exhaustion could be emotional.. Also I'm in pain a lot, so that limits my desire for social activities, that could be perceived as depression..but I was clear in telling the psychologist that I have pain and have had a rough year of illness. Hope this makes sense... and for those that still have to take evaluation, just be honest, but keep it in perspective with what he/she is actually asking...If you are unsure, at any point, ask him/her to clarify the question... Ultimately, they are there to help, and if you do need counseling or medicine, better now to find out, then down the road, while dealing with such a major life change that WLS brings. Hope this helps....

The time is finally here!! For some reason, I am just anxious to get this over with. I am going to be really pissed if I don't wake up! lol Seriously, if something did go wrong and I am one that didn't make it, this surgery would be my most selfish act as a mother. That is my only concern. I am doing this to have a longer life with my baby. Can you even imagine the opposite?!! Okay, stupid me just read a book from Amazon written by a surgeon for WLS. Of course he had to talk about losing a patient to a blood clot. ARGH!! Oh well, I am a big believer in fate. Hope to see you all on the losers bench in a few days! I have a 3 day hospital stay. Seems longer than a lot of you that I have read about. My surgeon does that for all his patients. All our surgeons are all so different! oh well, Ready to get this over with! I guess I should start packing now! Tracy P.S. I will let you all know if sniffing alcohol pads takes nausea away!

RNYTalk Newsletter By Hey, RNYTalk members!Thanksgiving is behind us and the holiday season is officially underway! Filled with holiday shopping, festivities at work and spending time with friends and family, this time of year is can be the most rewarding. It can be hectic, too, so paying extra attention to your diet and health is even more important than usual. Use this newsletter as a reminder and some motivation to be extra cautious with your choices so that you can keep seeing the results you want from your weight loss journey. Here’s what’s coming up in this newsletter. Member Spotlight: Meet kristy3k! Tips for the Season: Thriving at Holiday Parties! Member Challenge: Activate Your Party Action Plan! A Big Thank-You to Our Members as 2012 Ends We know the hustle and bustle of this season make your life busy, but we hope you spend part of your holiday season with us at Alex Brecher Founder RNYTalk.com Member Spotlight: Meet kristy3k! Our Member Spotlight this month is on kristy3k from Oklahoma. Kristy3k has a family that many people only dream of: she has been married for 21 years and she has a 19-year-old daughter, a 15-year-old son and a 12-year-old son. She works as a USPS worker. As she says, she played the “constant blame game” for years as she blamed her weight gain first on her pregnancies and then on her night-shift job. Her wake-up call came when her father passed away last July. Finally, kristy3k realized that she needed to take control of what she could – her weight. Her high weight was 340 pounds. After a lot of research – including many hours lurking on RNYTalk.com! - kristy3k got the gastric bypass done in February of this year. Since then, she’s lost 149 pounds and is well on her way to her goal weight of 165 pounds. She tells us that she’s had so many highlights in her life since the surgery! Just a few include not having to use the handicapped stall in public restrooms because she couldn’t fit in regular stalls; not being out of breath all the time; and not being the “fat mom.” She gets a kick out of her kids telling her she’s skinny, and one of her greatest moments was when her husband was able to wrap his arms around her again. Throughout the process, kristy3k has gained a lot of self-esteem and general happiness. She still wonders how she let herself get so big in the first place, but she’s determined to continue her weight loss journey. She loves RNYTalk.com because she can get information and inspiration from it anytime. Everyone on the boards is “so upbeat.” Kristy3k is modest enough to say that she is hesitant to offer weight loss tips, but she suggests eating your Protein, drinking your Water, exercising and above all, being patient! We know you’re doing all of those things, kristy3k, and thanks for sharing them and your story with us! Please post in the food choices. Holiday parties can interfere with your best intentions to stay on track. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, parties can be regular events at work and the homes of family and friends. Frequently overeating can not only derail your weight loss, but also lead to bypass-related complications, such as dumping syndrome. Whether you’re a weight loss surgery veteran or this is your first holiday after getting the surgery, these tips can help you enjoy the holiday parties without doing damage to your diet. Eat before you go. You don’t want to go into the party on an empty stomach. If you’re starving when you get to the party, you might be tempted to grab whatever’s available – which probably won’t be that healthy. Enjoy the party. The holidays should be about appreciating people. Use parties as opportunities to spend time with coworkers and other people who mean a lot to you. Focus on enjoying the party, not on hiding yourself in the food. Take care of yourself. Make sure there’s something at the party that you can eat. One option is to pack a high-protein snack or two for yourself and eat it when it’s time for your regular meal or snack. You can also take a healthy dish for the host to serve at the party. Sip water. Carrying a glass of water around gives you something to do without adding any calories to your day. Another benefit of drinking water is that you know you shouldn’t eat solid foods when you’re drinking fluids. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a source of calories that you just don’t need. Worse yet is that it lowers your inhibition. That means that you’re less likely to resist unhealthy holiday foods. Member Challenge: Activate Your Holiday Action Plan! This newsletter’s challenge is related to our advice on holiday parties. The challenge is to choose a specific strategy designed to get you through the holidays without interfering with your weight loss goals. You can take one of the suggestions listed above, or choose your own. Some other ideas are to keep healthy Snacks at work so you’re not tempted by unhealthy snacks and to record each treat that you eat in your food record instead of pretending that it doesn’t count. Tell us in the Member Challenge Forum how you complete the challenge! Was it easy or difficult? What tips do you have for other RNYTalk.com members? We also want to know anytime you go back and complete an old Newsletter Challenge, which you can find in the archived Newsletter Forum. It’s never too late to try a Newsletter Challenge! A Big Thank-You to Our Members as 2012 Ends As we close out 2012, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank each member. We truly appreciate your support. We value each member, whether you post many times a day and use all of RNYTalk.com’s many features, or whether you log in infrequently to read just a few posts. You, the members, are essential to RNYTalk.com’s success, so a heartfelt thank-you to each of you! 2012 has seen rapid increases in the number of members, the beginning of regular newsletters and the launch of mobile apps to access all of the forum’s features. Big plans are in the works for the coming year, and it promises to be an exciting ride. We’re glad to have you on board! Of course, we’re always open to member suggestions, so please feel free to contact any board administrator. That’s it for this month’s newsletter. We hope it was inspirational and helpful. Have a safe and peaceful holiday season, and take care of yourself and each other, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

I don't drink alcohol regularly but might have half glass champagne once every few months. Is it possible ? If not - is it due to the fizz or the alcohol or both? It won't bother me if I never drink again! Funny how I can be do obsessed with food items but not alcohol!

I'm right in your boat Patriotsfan. I had been doing really well but really messed up this wknd. Went to a birthday party and another get together and ate everything I shouldn't. The only thing I stayed away from was alcohol. I'm back to my French vanilla protein shake this morning.