So I was banded almost 2 months ago on 2/8/11. To date I have lost about 20 pounds since then. Most of you might think that's pretty good and so do I. The problem is I know I could have done MUCH better. Im disappointed in myself and my lack of commitment I'm feeling towards my new lifestyle. Im pretty much carrying on like I was before. I eat things I know I shouldn't FAR too often. I go out an average of 3-4 nights a week to a bar or lounge which equals ALCOHOL!!! Im not a light drinker either. Some people say the band has certain effects on their tolerance, but that is just not the case for me. Im talking an easy 5 or more drinks a night. NO I'm not an alcoholic and Im not turning to that rather than food. These are all things I did pre band and I am disgusted with myself when I think about it. Im 24, single in L.A. so I enjoy going out with friends, but I know I need to decide which is more important right now. Im still going to fast food restaurants, especially on the way home after the bar. Dating sucks too, because it usually involves going out to dinner or drinks at some point. I just don't know what is wrong with me. I guess this is the first step. I'm recognizing it and admitting to thousands of strangers; leaving myself vulnerable to harsh criticizing. I just need some support, as I have none really. I will work on myself starting this moment. Thanks for listening/reading.

I'm sorry but I have to say it. Your drinking is excessive. Not long ago there was a research study that showed in families where the males were alcohics; the females were statistically more likely to be obese. In my family there are a significant number of male alcoholics and most of the females are overweight. The compulsion to drink is closely related to the urge to eat when you are'nt hungry.

I agree it is excessive, Im not refuting that. What I'm saying is that what might ring out as a red flag to some, isn't the reality in my case. That is also true in my family, must be the genes

Hopefullyhappy, perhaps you can look up a local support group meeting for banded people in your area? I am recently banded and I will be attending my first meeting this month.

I do agree with Honk that you should try to halt your drinking. Try drinking one, then sip on Water. We are all in a new way of life and it may take time to change our previous lifestyle choices. I attend bootcamp for exercise, perhaps you can join a dance class? I know it is hard to keep a journal, perhaps you can write down your thoughts at the end of the night when you realized how much you were going out per week and over indulging in alcohol. That may help identify a pattern. I am finding I am getting better at organzing my house and watching less TV than before. I too struggle with watching choices but I remind myself that I can begin the day with a fresh new start.

Don't beat yourself up, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and remember you are walking a new pathway and it isn't always mapped out for ourselves. Hang in there chickita! Best of luck to you! Dena.

Thank you. I should probably look into that. I haven't been to any type of support groups or meetings since my band. I just need to find better ways of spending my time. Thanks for the words of encouragement and I am confident that I will be just fine.

Well, I believe you when you say you're not an alcoholic but sheesh, you drink an awful lot for a non acoholic, it definitely qualifies as binge drinking and not only will it sabotage your weight loss, it will definitely lead to later health problems, you're drinking WAY beyond the recommended intake for women. Its also easy to crave alcohol and cave in and have more than you should as well without having a "problem" with alcohol. But its a choice - keep up your lifestyle and probably forego real success or change your lifestyle. If you want to keep going ot, you have to decide not to drink if you cant decide to just have one - not drinking saves you a lot of calories and will probably cut down those post bar fast food detours as well, you lose all control when you've got a few drinks on board.

That's the tough love part over with - I agree with you, its so awfully frustrating when you're trying to gain control when at every turn of your life there's another meal out, another drinks date, etc etc. I have weeks where I have that happen four or five times too, it drives me nuts, why does everything have to revolve around food? But the truth is, you cant always change it, nor may you want to if its the way you socialise and date, so the alternative is you have to learn to not view each occasion as an opportunity to go sick, but instead practice real restraint at each and every turn - drink club soda, eat only an appetiser, never ever ever order dessert, only drink white wine if you DO drink, and make damn sure you get plenty of exercise to balance it out. Nobody ever recommends skipping meals, but truth is, if we have a big lunch out, or we often catch up with my SIL and BIL with a cheese platter and a glass of wine on a Sunday afternoon - thenI dont eat dinner. The kids love being taken out for pancakes, and they are one of my fave treats too, so we time it as brunch and I dont eat at all again till dinner (even if I get hungry!), and we also often time that after a big walk up a mountain, known as the Thousand Steps, here in Melbourne, so a good bit of really hard exercise beforehand. I never ever miss my exercise, and on the days when I do have complete control, I really make them count so that I have a bit of a bank for those inevitable bad days. All that and I"m just working to MAINTAIN my weight. Being thin and healthy is a job, it never becomes efffortless, sad to say. You are always always working on it.

VERY helpful tips. Im not looking to stop the way I socialize, just drastically reduce it. Thank you very much for the advice.

what size band do you have and how many cc's do you currently have in your band? hopefully once you have a couple more fills that will help with your fast food eating. you can still go to fast food restaurants but make the healthier choice... grilled chicken instead of fried chicken, a salad with dressing on the side instead of a burger. you KNOW what you have to do so you just have to put forth the effort.

as for the drinking... i don't live in L.A. so i don't know what it's like there but i can see where you're coming from. what do you drink when you go out? have a "skinny girl" margarita or rum with diet coke. instead of having 5 drinks, maybe have 3?

and yes, dating suck while banded but it can be done. i usually order an appetizer instead of an entree. and eat slow... that will give you time to get to know the person better : )

only YOU can make this work... the band can't do it alone.

Thanks and I do for the most part make much smarter decisions at the fast food window, but I admit I am there way to often. As far as the drinks, I do try and stick to just straight tequila and a light vodka mix. If it's just a regular date I will only have about 2 or 3 martinis, but if Im going out say to a bar with friends, and we hang out some more after, then that's when it turns into 5. I know I have to do my part and I will. Much appreciated.

You clearly aren't comprehending what I'm saying, nor understand where Im coming from, but thanks for trying to help.

Your drinking, and eating the wrong foods, and you have problems. If that's not part of it,,,,,,,, then I'm missing something ? I don't think so.

You live a certain life style, but you want to see a difference. IT DON'T WORK THAT WAY.....

Good for you ! ! ! Nice job on a Major Health Change. I understand a occasional night of going out, and having a good time. As long as you realize that when you do this, your not going to see much weight loss at all, and can deal with it.

Nice job on the weight loss also.

Your drinking, and eating the wrong foods, and you have problems. If that's not part of it,,,,,,,, then I'm missing something ? I don't think so.

You live a certain life style, but you want to see a difference. IT DON'T WORK THAT WAY.....

You're definitely missing something, but unfortunately Im not in that particular profession to help you.

I was banded in January. I am 58 years old and have steadily put on weight my entire life. My weight reached a high of 390 lbs. I am not very tall 5-3 so at that weight my BMI was almost 70. I had type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and could not walk more than 50 feet without stopping to catch my breath. So why did I wait so long to do something about it. Mainly I didn't want to change my lifestyle. I like to eat good food, I like to drink beer and wine and whiskey and smoke good cigars, I enjoy going out to eat and I really didn't want to change.

In October I decided to make a change, I talked to a surgeon about being banded. I quit drinking, I had already given up the cigars. During the liver reduction phase before my surgery I lost 28 lbs in two months. I didn't really starve myself but I did follow the diet. I attribute a lot of the weight loss from not drinking.

I have been banded now since January and have lost a total of 70 lbs since I decided to make this change. I normally loose about 2 to 5 lbs per week, but there is one thing I have noticed. On the weeks where I go out and have a few drinks, which I still do occasionally, those are the weeks I loose the least amount.

The bottom line is alcohol and loosing weight just don't go together.

First of all, congrats on your weight loss thus far! That is truly an accomplishment. I admire your willpower and self control you show in making those changes. You are right about one thing, alcohol and weight loss just don't go together and I see that more than ever now. Thank you for the inspiration

So I was banded almost 2 months ago on 2/8/11. To date I have lost about 20 pounds since then. Most of you might think that's pretty good and so do I. The problem is I know I could have done MUCH better. Im disappointed in myself and my lack of commitment I'm feeling towards my new lifestyle. Im pretty much carrying on like I was before. I eat things I know I shouldn't FAR too often. I go out an average of 3-4 nights a week to a bar or lounge which equals ALCOHOL!!! Im not a light drinker either. Some people say the band has certain effects on their tolerance, but that is just not the case for me. Im talking an easy 5 or more drinks a night. NO I'm not an alcoholic and Im not turning to that rather than food. These are all things I did pre band and I am disgusted with myself when I think about it. Im 24, single in L.A. so I enjoy going out with friends, but I know I need to decide which is more important right now. Im still going to fast food restaurants, especially on the way home after the bar. Dating sucks too, because it usually involves going out to dinner or drinks at some point. I just don't know what is wrong with me. I guess this is the first step. I'm recognizing it and admitting to thousands of strangers; leaving myself vulnerable to harsh criticizing. I just need some support, as I have none really. I will work on myself starting this moment. Thanks for listening/reading.

I am not going to sugar coat this.. I am a sorry if you are offended by this comment..

First of all you need to stop going to these lounges.. i understand that you enjoy going out with your friends but you need to concentrate on becoming healthy. You got this surgery because you were overweight and this was the last decision on how to become health and a normal weight.. Your friends if they are your real friends they will understand whats going on. Alcohol isn't a very good thing to have that many times a week for anyone. excessive alcohol can cause damage. Watching you tube videos you will see that it can cause you to stop or delay weight loss.. You might want to consider going to a gym instead of going to the lounges.. I would think that once a week is okay but not three to four times a week. Another issues is carbonation isn't very good you are or can stretch your band because of that... which then leads to slip bands and complications.