Wow, I admire that you haven't had a drink. I have found that ANY alcohol hits me fast. I get giddy on one drink, but within 15-20 minutes the "buzz" is gone. It hits you fast and just as fast leaves. My hubby and I just came back from a cruise where I had several frou-frou drinks (pina coladas, daquiri's etc.) They really didn't affect me much, however I found very quickly that the sugary taste was starting to gross me out. Weird.... Anyway, when you have a drink make sure you drink it slowly and limit yourself. You don't know how it's going to affect you. Good luck, and Happy Birthday to your daughter (I have a soon to be 18 yr old girl too! Boo hoo!) Kim R/az

Congratulations on being aware and making a decision to stop the weight regain now. We've been given a wonderful tool but ultimately it's up to us to lose and keep the weight off with good nutrition/exercise programs. I find your statement about regain interesting. In our support group of 30-40 people each month I only know two people who have regained any weight. Neither of them were ever compliant after surgery. They talked about testing sugar within a month of surgery so it's not hard to figure out why they regained. We all fear regain and talk about it often, but I don't see it happening. There are several people in the group 3-4 years post-op who vary within a few pounds (up or down) of their original goal weight. I am 17 months out and still losing but already trying to formulate a plan for the day I reach goal (18 more lbs). Basically I've decided if I gain 5 lbs I will be on Dr. Atkins until 7 lbs are gone, etc. Are you eating more carbs now? Do you log your food on FitDay or a similar program? Sometimes calories can creep in if we don't log our food. Carbs seem to go down so much nicer than protein. I don't log mine every day but at least one week out of every month I log it to make sure I'm still on track calorie wise. I like the cooked meatballs from Sam's, microwave 3 min. and eat. I buy a jar of spaghetti sauce and heat them with the spagetti sauce. Sometimes I find just adding something to the meat makes it much tastier. I will take chicken, add spaghetti sauce and a bit of grated cheese on top. Pop it in the microwave to melt the cheese. Suddenly the old standard dull chicken becomes a treat. If you don't like the tomato idea just melt cheese over your meat. You get two kinds of protein in one meal. Add various sauces to the meat. Anything that adds variety is good. Maybe you aren't giving yourself enough variety with vegetables? 3 oz of meat isn't as hard to get down if I have good veggies along with the meat. Hope some of this helps. Best of luck for your continued success.

Hey gang, Just need some insite, I was down to 152# NOW i'M 158-159# i CAN'T SEEM TO LOOSE a pound!!! I am SICK of protein,any NEW ideas for protein??? I can eat a full sandwhich on low carb bread & 1/2c of low fat cottage cheese. Maybe my pouch is streched out?? I've gone to the support groups for 1 year post-op & longer. 95% have gained back 30-75% of there weight!!!!!!!!!!!! HELPPPPPPP....I'm scared & sick of dieting AGAIN..!!!!!!! Ang~ 280/158/135??..lol

I have had alcohol and had no problems. I don't drink regulary or anything, but I will have a drink or two now and then.

Hi Pat, I received a call form the ins co today. They have agreed to pay for the surgery. The basic problem is that I am having trouble walking any distance because the hanging skin and fat is interfering with my ability to walk properly. They finally saw that and agreed that it was something I needed. Thanks for your reply and I hope all is going well for you. Congrats on your loss. I have found that even more important that what you lose is what you gain after having the surgery. I have LOST nearly 300 lbs., but GAINED self-respect, confidence and the ability to do things I have only dreamed of over the last 30 years of my life.