TheProfessor

Yes my wine consumption led to me eating after dinner as well, and those calories ADD UP big-time! Since stopping drinking wine (the only type of alcohol I consumed on a regular basis) I've noticed no desire or temptation to snack in the evenings. ADDED BONUS: I've also lost an annoying and persistent eye twitch that started back in October 2014. 9 months its been driving me crazy. One week after stopping wine? GONE. Coincidence? I do't think so!

I recommend erring on the side of caution and contacting your Doctor. Good luck!

UPDATE: Another pound gone. I'm 206. (Down from 256). This giving up wine thing is easier than I thought it would be. Feeling this good is BETTER than the little euphoric high I get from that first glass of wine. And.... I'm sleeping better. I have more energy during the day. Had a wee little adjustment today (.2ccs) and am pretty sure I am firmly and completely in the green zone. Exercise + no wine + band adjustments = happy me.

HUGE TRIUMPHANT update! Since giving up my 4000-5000 calorie per week red wine passion last week (yes, just last week!) I am down another 2 pounds bringing me to an all-time record low of 207 pounds. (Start weight: 259 pounds). A mere 5 days ago, I stopped my over-consumption (and consumption completely) cold. My 500-calorie per night wine-guzzling habit ended on July 17th. I have been alcohol free since then, and, consequently, I am down 6 pounds. This cannot be a coincidence, especially after the scale had not moved in weeks and weeks. I feel terrific. I am triumphant. I feel like I've won the lottery. To think - the ONE hundreds are just 8 little pounds away. I cannot believe how easy this 'sacrifice' has been, and how quickly I have seen results. Should have given up the grape months ago...!

I'm with Smye - no guilt other than the cringe-worthy cost of the surgery. Being Canadian, the lap-band was not covered by our universal health care program (which, by the way, is spectacular and I feel so lucky to be Canadian because of it!). Once I decided I was going to have the surgery, I booked it, and waited for TWO MONTHS to tell my husband and daughter. I have the most supportive and loving husband on this planet. He and I have been married 16 years and respect and adore each other. Why couldn't I tell him?? I felt ashamed that I had let my weight balloon from 145 pounds (when we were first married) to 259 pounds. The only reason? Lack of self-control and a deep love of food and wine. Plain and simple. So the shame associated with this 'weakness', and my decision to invest $16K of our family's savings into WLS to regain power over it was an enormous source of stress. I knew he would be supportive, but the waiting on the right moment to tell him was pure hell. When I finally did tell him and our 15 year old, with tears running down my face at the dinner table one night, he was quiet and respectful and interested. He listened. He hugged me. He said, "I'm proud of you, sweetheart. What a great decision". Shame? INSTANTLY GONE. Now, 7 months later, he is enjoying the fruits of my weight loss adventure. I am more "flirty" (let's leave it at that!), more confident, eating healthier (which has a positive trickle down effect for our entire family), more energized. No shame in that!

Since I started this thread on May 31st, I am watching the scale needle go down... I was stuck for a long, long time (more than 8 weeks). Being in the Green Zone is great, as there is that constant background of satiety, and even when hunger does come on for me, it does so in a "hmm.. I should eat now" kind of way, rather than the voracious gut twisting way it used to pre-WLS. That said, I am rigidly sticking to low/no simple carbs, high Protein, and steamed veggies. Haven't touched junk or fast food for months and have just a few days ago given up my #1 vice - red wine. Being "in the green" has also brought about a change in my desire to MOVE - I have started walking on the treadmill, and burning a delicious 300 calories in 50 minute, 6.5 km sessions 3-4 times a week. Yay green zone!

We just might be on to something here, Ladies... I've had another wine-free day and I feel terrific. Let's keep each other posted...!

megmom757 - What's a Boca burger? Do tell!

My WFL is working! A success story to share. I was banded 7 months ago - December 18th, 2014. Since then I have been a great and compliant patient - modifying my food choices, increasing Protein, eliminating white foods (rice, Pasta, breads). And TODAY - this very morning - the day after my 46th birthday, I have lost 50 pounds. HOORAY! What is a WFL? WINE-FREE LIFE. Sounds silly to give it a goofy acronym, but I'm trying to stay positive here. Up until 3 days ago I was stuck at 47 pounds lost. Like REALLY STUCK - the scale has not moved in 9 weeks. I was at 212-214 for weeks and weeks and weeks... the culprit? Red wine. I love fine wines. (My husband is snorting and reminding me that I love cheap plonk too, but that's another story). In another post I detailed how this love came about because of receiving training in the 1990's in wines, varietals and vintages. ANYWAY. My enthusiastic (to say the least) consumption of wine has been stalling my progress with my lap-band. The band reminds me what I can and cannot EAT, however it is not fussy when I throw high-calorie bevvies (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz...) down my throat. The band does not restrict fluids, and so I have been joyfully justifying my 3-glass-a-night (roughly 500 calories) indulgence but reminding myself of how little food I've eaten. Reality check - it doesn't work that way. It takes 3500 calories to 'create' a pound of weight. If I do the math, I've been consuming roughly 4000-5000 calories a week in WINE alone. (Hello, AA?!) So although my caloric intake through food may be down, and my exercise up (I started walking 18 kms a week), I'm derailing my weight loss because of wine. SO! I finally realized this last week. I think I was in denial. Last week as my birthday approached, I decided on a WFB - wine-free birthday. (This is huge for me as I Celebrate anything and everything with wine). I went wine-free a couple of days before my b-day. Today it's the day after and I am down THREE pounds. THREE POUNDS. Remember - the scale hadn't moved in weeks. Coincidence? I think not! So for those of you who are booze enthusiasts, regardless of your WLS method, those calories add up. I am enthusiastically (with only a small sob) going wine-free, and enjoying a WFL - Wine-Free Life. Woo!

I love this thread because it reminds me that in my cravings and occasional 'cheats' I am human and not alone. My vice is not food, funnily enough. It's wine. I love red wine. I've had a love affair with all things grape since I worked in the Vintages division of the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). I attended wine tastings and became knowlegeable and educated in the amazing world of fine wines! The fuller and headier the better. A rich gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon, a Pinot or a Shiraz - I can easily drink a bottle at a time (hello, AA?!) if given the opportunity! (Hangs head in shame). OKAY so the calories: The calorie count in wine changes from grape varietal to varietal, but on average there are 625 calories in a bottle. And usually (here comes the big confession) when I've had that much wine, I get munchy and inevitably visit the fridge for a small plate of cheese (havarti or sharp cheddar, usually...) or salsa and baked chips. Would I do the recommended 1oz (a pair of dice) for the cheese? Hell no. Bring on the deck of cards! Now we're adding an additional 500 calories on to that 625 just consumed in delicious liquid. And the chips? Don't get me started. Ooooh boy. Man do those calories add up. I'm realizing that this love of wine (and it really is a deep and cuddly love!) has got to stop. It stops today, actually. Just writing this has hardened my resolve. So it's not fast FOOD, or restaurant FOOD that is my enemy. Its red wine. Tomorrow is my 46th birthday. I will be gifting myself with an alcohol-free life and getting back on track with my weight loss!

gowalking - congratulations. Wow the smile on your face in your bicycle photo says it all! What joy shining out of your eyes! You look terrific! :-) You've met your weight loss goal, and therefore you have wisdom to share (if you're willing!) Did you hit any slow periods of weight loss along the way? Any tips for those bandsters (like myself) who are 'stuck' at a certain weight even though we're following the rules? Kudos to you!

Crystal - you wrote: 'My husband said I'm not losing weight because I am not walking. It's hard. It's hard to get out of the old habit of being lazy, and unmotivated. I am on depression medication. I've been for a few years so this hits me harder mentally. Friends tell me it's a pity party and I have to just go and do it'. Oh girl I hear you! You feel stuck in your old habits of laziness (me, too!) and feeling depressed (me, too!) I was the SAME AS YOU in terms of not losing much weight and not walking in the early weeks/months. Let me tell you - it gets BETTER. :-) I am now 7 months banded, down almost 50 pounds and I have started walking and moving just ONE month ago because my knees FINALLY don't scream anymore, my lower back FINALLY doesn't ache constantly, I no longer have the nasty sensation of rolls of fat touching each other (eeew, I know!) on my back... and because of my overall diminished size, I have more energy, and actually feel MOTIVATED to move my body for the first time in a decade. As the weather warmed up I started off with short walks in the neighbourhood. That's the way to get started. Do a 1km walk - take it slow... enjoy the scenery. Then build from there. You will feel happier with yourself as you lay down at night, knowing you did something active, however small. Just a week ago I re-discovered our treadmill, which has, up to now, made me feel resentful and guilty every time I look at the thing. Completely out of the blue with no one else home, I found myself putting runners on and getting my iPod ready... then I walked at a relatively brisk pace - 4.2 kms (!) OKAY WHAT THE HELL was that?! I was SO PROUD of myself! I even posted a nasty, sweaty picture of myself on Facebook! Yesterday it was 6.4 kms. Today.... who knows? I feel motivated and energized at the idea of walking and working up a good sweat. This is BRAND NEW for me. All I know is this - as you eat less, the weight will start solidly coming off and you will want to move more. It's true what they say about exercise - its a mood booster. Yesterday I felt like I could conquer the PLANET after an hour and 6.4kms later! I flew through the rest of my day and was bouncy and cheerful. Who knew? I was banded in December 2014 and it's only been the last month I have felt like moving and walking. I have been gentle and forgiving with myself and realize that these past months have been a time of adjustment and change. Exercising needed to wait until mu body was ready. That's just me, Maybe it's you, too!

$16,000 CDN - Lap-band - Toronto

'Atta girl. (I jest, of course). I was never a junk or fast-food addict, but I have to say I have a soft spot for a McDonald's Double Quarter Pounder with cheese. Ooooooo. Haven't had any food like that since being banded 7 months ago, and curiously (and most delightedly!) I haven't missed it, either - my bod has turned off bread completely (hooray) because it STICKS and HURTS. Hey, B.F. Skinner would be happy - negative operant conditioning at its finest. Like you, if there were a gun to my head, and I was given an hour, I could *somehow* murder a double quarter. I'd get 'er done. lol!

Finding your photos and progress an inspiration. I've been stalled for almost 3 months now (staying positive!) but just today the scale moved down a pound, so I am feeling buoyant about that! Your post with pictures (BOTH very sweet, by the way...) have given me a lift! Did you experience stalls anywhere along the way? I'd like to hear about it if you did...!

Hi Nikki D - great to hear your success story - it is quite a journey! I am like you - I read al the negative about the band, and it scares the crap out of me. A lot of people complain about things that are within their power to control, however... I notice that some folks really like to bash the band if they haven't actually adjusted their diets or continue to eat too quickly, etc. I've been very cautious and careful and have had nothing but success so far! Knock wood I will continue to have nothing but praise and happy things to report! Congratulations Nikki - and happy (early) bandiversary!

Hi ggrrm, Yup, it's hard work, but it's WORTH IT! Within no time you will be on mushy food, then soft foods, then solids again. Don't rush it - you've come this far. I loved my Protein shakes, although they did indeed get a little "tired" after 2 staright weeks pre-op. Your full fluids phase is anything that can run off a spoon. So you can eat cream Soups, runny purees, etc. Hang in there. As you begin to add foods back in from the regular world, this will get easier! Don't give up, and YES it's worth every Protein shake you have to stuff down. The results will delight you....!

I am banded and I love it. No problems at all, weight is being lost steadily, I feel terrific. I made an error in my first choice of surgeon. Decided to go wtih a commercial/private lap-band company who cannot be mentioned as they enjoy the threat of suing - they have commercials all over the place in Canada - very cute, very misleading. I was in a high-pressure sales situation and signed on as I had reached the point of desperation. Long story short, within a month of my surgery date I came across an horrific article outlining how their chief bariatric surgeon had been removed from his post to be desciplined and re-trained. (!) I quickly pulled the plug and did some HARD research. Used the good folks in this forum for recommendations. Came across my FANTASTIC surgeon - Dr. Colbourn - by word of mouth through this forum. Looked him up, stalked him, learned he had performed over 5000 lap band surgeries. VERY experienced, great team (nutritionists, nurses, etc), great follow up, great consult... and boom, I was banded. Down almost 50 pounds 5 months later. I LOVE MY BAND. I feel simply terrific, I have had no complications, and the weight is coming off. I am so happy with my results thus far, and delighted with my surgeon. Bottom line: DO YOUR RESEARCH. Ask your surgeon all the questions you want and for GOd's sake don't rush in to a decision as I did with the first company (who I then dumped, thank goodness).

B-52 - May I ask what it was for you that "tipped the scale" (no pun intended, I swear) for you at around that 3 month mark when the weight started slipping off? Was it the new habits you settled into? Mind sharing what they were with the kind folks out here?

Hearin' ya, sister. Went out to dinner the other night, ordered Pasta. (2nd time since surgery). Forgot to ask for a to-go box along with my meal, and this gorgeous pasta came to the table... and I ate the whole thing. Slowly but it was a LOT. AT least a cup and a half of deliciousness. BLECH. I was squeamish all night. Not fully nauseated but unsettled. I like what you said about the 'old habits' - too true! I am 5 months post-op and I still make portions that the old me would have devoured. Now I get 1/4 way through and I'm done. When will I learn? Eesh. The lessons our bands teach us!

Take a deep breath. It DOES get easier. You are only 2 weeks post op so of course you are healing and the hunger is normal. You are doing everything right - stick with the mushiness, and know that this too shall pass - you will be eating solid food again soon. Don't rush it. My surgeon advised me during the mushies and soft food phases, "when you are hungry, eat". This was helpful for me - having "permission" to eat when I needed to made me feel so much calmer and in control. Maybe this will work for you, too? Keep your tummy full and you will feel sated and in control. You need to remember the reason you had surgery and keep your eye on that gorgeous prize. Trust in the process - and it is a process - you will get thorough this! Keep breathing in and out and take it one day at a time. ((hug))!

Aw thanks, Letsgetskinny! This is a lot more work than I anticipated but it's not as hard as 'dieting'. A worth every penny. I have to say I love it when others notice the gradual results - just yesterday I wore a pair of 'slender' (well, slender enough for a size 16, which I haven't been in a decade!) black dress pants and a form-fitting blouse to the College (professional wear for meetings) and a colleague who has no idea I had WLS came up to me and whispered that my ass looked great. We had a good giggle and she said, "I have GOT to lose some weight, seriously - my knees are giving out me... you are an inspiration...!" and then we giggled some more about the caloric evils of black Russians and red wine, and that if she gave up her BRs and I gave up Cabernet, we'd both be like Twiggy. I felt like a million bucks for the rest of the day.

Thanks JennieTN!

Went out to dinner last night and hubby ordered the Mosaic dip with pita wedges. Nom nom nom... Used to be a favourite. I took one bite of pita bread, and it was lovely and soft... chewed, and then my band said "No way sister - that is going to get STUCK and you are going to slime all over the table". I quietly spat it out in my napkin and that was that. I get the same now with leftover meats (like a chicken leg in the fridge, a pork chop...) there is NO WAY I can have even a bite. There is a dryness to meats that have been refrigerated (not cold cuts) that are just NOT tolerated by my band. Some people have problems with Pasta and rice. Me, no worries at all. Bread of any kind and leftover meats are my Waterloo! I love that my grocery bills have gone down so much!

Hi MR1227! "Restriction" is a 4-letter word to a lot of bariatric surgical teams, including mine in Toronto. I've followed all the rules but I have to say, I love the sensation of restriction. When I first heard the word I was confused to what it meant. I was nervous that it was the same as 'constriction'. Tightness. Yikes. I was nervous that when you are banded you feel some kind of blockage. These were all questions I had until a couple of months after being banded. Then I was like, "Oooohhh... now I get it!" First - its SATIETY you're after - the length of time you go between meals with the absence of hunger - not 'restriction'. Pair those two together though, and for me, it's a marriage made in heaven. Now that I'm in the Green Zone, I finally understand what restriction feels like. Have to say, 4-letter word or not, I love it. Restriction is just like CherieRyde and Rizzle01 say - you feel 'done' with food. You have a nice few, slooooow bites of chicken, some green Beans, a bite of salad, and a thumbnail sized chunk of cheese and WHAM. You feel like you have no more interest in food. And that's your hunger done for hours. Where once I could have eaten a rack of ribs and half a cup of coleslaw, now, with restriction, I can eat 2 ribs, a tiny salad and I'm done. Restriction is the same kind of feeling when you push your plate away after eating thirds at Thanksgiving dinner, but without the fullness and discomfort. You are NOT full - you are happily sated. You feel you need not a single bite more. You are only 2 weeks post-op, so you are still healing. You will likely begin feeling your hunger coming back a little, but as you add mushy foods, soft foods, then solid foods back into your diet, you'll likely find yourself eating a lesser quantity of food. All that is normal. Eventually you will begin getting band adjustments (some call them "fills") that will increase the pressure of your band. This will likely increase your sense of how much you can eat. (Restriction). It should be stressed that you can cheat the band. You may get a signal from your body that you simply no longer need anymore food (this is the band working!) but you can easily ignore that signal and continue eating. The signal you are looking for is called a 'SOFT STOP'. It could be a sigh, pushing your plate away, puffing your cheeks out, a little burp... everyone is different. As soon as you get that signal, put your fork down and STOP EATING! Be patient - you will get there!