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This is something I too have been worrying about. I am no way going to give up alcohol either and wine makes me drunk really quickly. I Don't really like Vodka with fruit juices so will try the flat coke route. I only had my first fill last night so am a bit scared of everything at the moment, cos last week I could (and did) eat or drink anything! Trish

Hi Brandychick, I'm a vodka and diet coke girl myself and if I have it in a tall glass with lot's of ice, it goes down no problem. Sorry but there is no way I am giving up alcohol !! Hope this helps, Take care, Donna x.

I copied and pasted from drugs.com What should I avoid? Avoid taking tryptophan while you are taking Lexapro. Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with escitalopram may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Lexapro. Lexapro may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. So far, Premier has the lowest amount of tryptophan, about .36 for a chocolate shake that's probably fine.

I am two weeks post op and I am now starting to drink normally. I did have issues the first week +, but now it has pretty much evened out. ( No huge gulps though) I cannot drink alcohol. Not only because of the sleeve ( absorption issues & empty calories) but because I am blood thinners. Never a big drinker, I did enjoy it once in a while. But since earlier this year that has been cut from my life. Pre op I gave up soda because I knew post op they say no carbonation. I thought it would be harder than it really was. I have had one soda since August. Took a sip or two and thought "yuck". Now, if I had to give up ice tea I would be in trouble. (non sweetened) I also do not have a lot of caffeine. It messes with vitamin absorption so no-no. So far none of it has really bothered me nor have I missed it.

I think your post really spoke to me. I had WLS at the hospital I work and and a lot of co-workers know I had it. So I know when I go back to work after taking a month off, I'd better show a loss. I feel that pressure. Here is the plan I'm following : -800 to 1200 calories a day -60 grams of Protein a day minimum -64 oz. of Water a day minimum -no non-natural sugar -no more than 20 grams of fat -no more than 100 grams of carbs -no white carbs (sugar, flour, rice, bread and potatoes) -no sugar alcohols (aka, sugar free candy) -no use of straws -no chewing gum -no caffeine (at least for the 1st 6 months) -no carbonated drinks Well, I am loosing consistently. But now I find I feel like a failure if I'm not 800 calories a day or less. I never go under 700. I log everything that passes my lips on thedailyplate.com, and measure everything.

My NUT advised not drinking alcohol for a t least 6 mths. She also said if I was determined to drink, to drink what I call "hard liquor" mixed in something non carbonated. Remember, your tolerance level will have changed deamaticlly also. If you do decide to drink, be extremely careful.

Thank you all so much for your responses I agree I need to actively try and get my highs from a new productive habit. I'll have a good think about it. It's so weird how similar the over eating and over spend cycling is.... the delicious anticipation and planning or the pure joy of a suprise temptation... the shutting out of the thoughts that tell you you will regret this.. the raised heart rate and excitement of the purchase or eating... the warm glow that follows and the brief high.... then the guilt sets in.....after a few cycles of that you face major weight gain or debt issues which add to the stress and of course you need to feel good again.... I guess I should be grateful I hate cigarettes and alcohol!

Sweets and high fat don't make every person sick after the surgery, and most of the time it is a short term effect for those that do get sick from them. I couldn't touch high sugar for about 6 months, but guess what? That effect wore off and I could eat anything now with no serious repercussions other than gaining weight. I know that, so I don't eat crap foods all the time. I do eat stuff like a cupcake or a cookie for special occasions, but I plan out my day so I know I have room in my calorie count and I eat healthy 90% of the time, so eating something "bad" occasionally doesn't derail my whole life. Relearning how to eat healthy during the honeymoon period is what the surgery is really all about. You have to throw out everything you used to do and establish good eating habits while the restriction takes care of the portion control. That is what everyone is supposed to learn how to do during the honeymoon phase after surgery. It is really sad that the doctors don't explain this part better to every single patient before they have the surgery. If you don't do this, then the weight loss will happen in the beginning just because you're not able to eat as much, but likely will slow down sooner, and also regain is very likely once your metabolism adjusts in a year or two and all you still eat is crummy foods. Anyway. You definitely need to try doing the 5 day reset. It will help remind you how your stomach feels and feel the restriction again, and should help you detox from the sweets/crap food cravings - eating high carb usually makes you crave more carbs - it is a vicious cycle. You made some mistakes, but the sleeve is still there, ready for you once you're ready to recommit to eating correctly. You lost the best time to make fast and easy changes, but if you put in the work, you can still make it happen. But you have to be willing to do the work. Start tracking every bite of food and sip of drink. Get your Protein and Water goals figured out, keep your carbs low (under 100 definitely but if you can push it down to 50 grams/day that would be even better), and get your calories for the day down to around a 500 calorie less than you burn in a day. Throw out all the junk food in your house. Tell friends and family to not tempt you with foods like that and don't go places where you'll feel weak until you get control of yourself. Think of it like being an alcoholic or trying to quit smoking. You don't go places where you'll feel tempted and you ask friends/family to be supportive of your struggle and not offer you things you shouldn't be having, and do your best to remove the temptations from your path. Exercise - find something you enjoy doing and then do it a minimum of 5 days a week. Even if it's just walking a 2 miles around your neighborhood after dinner, it's something if you're currently doing nothing. What seems to work best food wise is whole foods, that you cook yourself. If it comes in a box or frozen package, it probably isn't a very good choice. Learn to read labels REALLY well, and figure out things like net carbs, sodium levels, etc., and check out both here and bariatric recipe sites like http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ Proteins should be the main part of each meal and every snack: things like fish, chicken, lean cuts of beef, cheese, yogurt, even Beans and lentils. Healthy vegetables - leafy greens, red peppers, squash, zucchini, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower... watch the ones that are high carb like corn and green peas as even healthy veggies can have high carbs sometimes and you need to be aware when you eat them. Should also be including healthy fats like coconut or olive oils and things like nuts or avocados have fat too, but it's a good fat (just watch the amounts and calories). Watch things like lunchmeat that are usually high sodium (again, read labels!) and be aware of times of day that you might be weak and have healthy Snacks on hand to prevent the quick stop at the drive thru or dropping by the office vending machine. MEASURE everything. You can't rely on eyeballing food amounts. Get a digital scale, and weigh your food so you get accurate calorie counts. It is way too easy to guess and over-estimate your food portions. And you might need to see a counselor that deals with eating disorders if you can't get control of your eating and get your head in the right space to succeed at this. Please don't take this as being mean, but worrying over what others did and comparing your lack of success while eating bad foods isn't helpful or realistic. But here's the thing. You aren't a failure unless you give up completely. Don't give up, and you will succeed.

You can get fruit and nuts and veggies past your band if you don't have it too tight. The band reduces hunger and allows you to control what you eat but if you try to lose the weight too fast and have it that tight that you can't eat anything healthy then you are setting yourself up for disaster. Most folks want to feel full and can't work out that the band is all about not feeling empty rather than feeling full. I have been banded for 16 months, lost 48kgs and 4 months ago had all the Fluid out. I have since put on 5 kgs (almost straight away and nothing since) I am working out how to eat right without using my tool before I have it removed. I have the option to have it refilled in one large hit if I decide I can't go it alone. If your band is too tight then you learn nothing, you will probably get complications and if you have to have it removed you will probably regain all the lost weight because you don't take the time to learn while you lose. These things I knew before I was banded through reading everthing I was given and researching as much as possible. Those of you saying it is a scam; can you honestly say you were given no information and you had no opportunity to research for yourself or were you given the info that told you how it works and then expected it to work differently because that is what you wanted to believe? Were you really told that you would always feel full, you'd never think about food, the weight would drop off without any work from you and there was no possibility of any complications? or is that just what you wanted to believe? Slow down, take responsibility. The worst thing is an over filled band, fill it slowly and feel the difference, have it topped up as you lose weight because it gets looser. Learn as you go and don't blame the band if you don't give up ice cream/fizzy pop/alcohol/chocolate/lattes or whatever else you claim to be addicted to. What would you think of someone who bought a vacuum cleaner and then said it didn't work and that vacuum cleaners were scams just because they couldn't be bothered to take it out of the box, plug it in and push it around. If you used your vacuum cleaner right and had lovely clean carpets you would be unable to takeseriously those saying that vacuums didn't work at all. There are folks that the band fails but there are way more that fail their bands through lack of input. You hear about the band, you want the band, you dream about the band, it is the answer to all your problems then when you wake up with the band you don't like the reality because you prefered the dream and then instead of working to make the dream happen, you just move onto another dream, bypass or whatever. Let's face it, if you have half your stomach cut off then it has to be easy, right? I wish you all luck with your weight loss journeys but I think many of you need to start being pro-active and think about how to use this tool you have. And by the way, imho, once you have healed post surgery, you should eat good food slowly untll you are no longer hungry but never until you are full. Learn the difference between 'not hungry' and 'full' and if you are hungry an hour later then have a little more. Learn the difference between good foods and bad foods, good liquids and bad liquids and make the changes. Most of you will find it is up to you and if you do it right, it will work.

Hi Serenedeer I've been in recovery in AA for 5 year. Got the band not quiet 2 weeks ago myself. I'm worried about my ism's as well. What new and wonderful addictive and destructive behavour can I dream up to take the place of food... or even better.. will I dream up creative ways to beat and band and set myself up for failer. Oh yah,,the ism's are there. I went to an AA meeting tonight and although it was about alcohol, it applied to weight loss to me now. In an odd way, the band is my higher power right now. I have to accept it, use it as it should be used. I do have a real higher power but this twisted way of thinking kinda helped me make it work.

I am glad I am not alone. @Mommy (and man, that is weird calling you Mommy), I think if you scroll down, there is a box called Meta, which has two links for Entry RSS and Comment RSS. That should allow you to add it to your blogroll @NBFlo, I believe it is about the fresh surgical wound and caffeine, which can cause ulcers or so? Same for alcohol and I believe I am supposed to stay away from both for 3 months. @Tiff, when did you pick it up again?

The reality is that in the beginning, we all lose weight due to the physical restriction of the sleeve. However, there comes a point where the sleeve will no longer be as effective at weight loss or maintenance as diet and exercise is. I have put significant effort into changing my relationship with food and embracing exercise. I still have work to do- my old habits still creep up every now and then and I find myself repeating old behaviors that I am trying so hard to replace with better choices. I understand and accept that the sleeve is basically temporary but my lifestyle is what is going to make the permanent and life-long change that I am looking for in my life. I understand and accept that I might struggle with my food addiction for the rest of my life, as any alcoholic does. But I also knew that I only had a 5% chance of loosing more than 100 pounds on my own, so for me, the surgery was necessary. Now, as I continue to struggle, I only have to deal with the food issues and temptations, and not the constant shame and guilt I felt at being 340 pounds. So even though I might always struggle, I won't struggle with as many things, if that makes sense.

I dump with too many sugar alcohols which means I can’t do many of the protein bars. HW-292 • SW (6/29/17) 256.6 • CW 185.0

wow- great stories & great advice everyone. Photonut kinda hit it on the head I think In a nut shell here it is: I am a 39 established gal who hasn't worked in the past 3 yrs- strickly from choice & going through a bought of depression from my divorce. Prior to that for 14 yrs a corp.gal who made 6+ figures. My X barely could scrape together much but we were 9 yrs younger & well thought we could do it all togther, especially w/what I was bringing home & we moved into my house. No problem - except we didn't make it do to his abuse/alcohol. Fours yrs gone now & just started dating again. Met another sweetheart of a guy who is 32(or better yet he mets me...so did my X) & doesn't have a home(is currently mnth to mnth condo) & doesn't have health ins or savings. BUT IS SO KIND & SWEET!!! He see me- thinks established- smart- nice -2000+sq ft home & well he thinks potential. I see him & think so sweet so kind so handsome BUT I am no longer a spring chick & want kids still. HOw in Gods name can he support that?? So yes he is a Master Electrician with potential & would need me to take over finances(he said that would be best if we stick it out) BUT wants me to work & keep up the home & kids. HE SAYS that once were rolling & ok finacially that I can stay home & hold down the fort... At least he says that... My main problem is I have been home & still finacially fine for 3 yrs all by myself. I do need to go back now though-- But its hard to stay with him based on just hopes & possiblities at my age. He can barely take me out to dinner. However he can fix & install every thing in the world & that is a HUGE PLUS! OHHH I wish I could buy him a winning loto ticket :0) I know tons of you will say $$doesn't buy you happiness & if I like him I should tough it out--Thats what I am trying to do now. But I am also a "country cLub" gal that was raised upper middle class & its so hard to think I may have to go into another marriage being the bread winner again. I really want to be the wife who supports the husbands career & home & plans the parties & leads the girlscout troups & so forth. But for some reason that I have yet to figure out I never find the men they only find me & they are usually from the other side of the tracks. Not like that can't work out --just its tougher when you education & life experiences are so diverse. Thanks all for the stories & yes I have tried both eharmony & yahoo... SO this last time I just told God i would wait & so far this nice sweet broke guy is who he has sent;0) Wonder what I am supposed to do now??? Thnks

I am waiting for insurance approval. When I had my consultation with the surgeon (Dr. Singh, St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore) I told him my PCP was concerned because my liver enzymes were frequently elevated on my blood test for cholesterol. He told me that could indicate fatty liver disease moreso than a reaction to cholesterol medicine, and fatty liver disease can become non-alcoholic cirrhosis. He didn't say the surgery would be cancelled, just that while doing it he would take a sample for a liver biopsy to find out. Also once I get a date I have to do liquids 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after banding. The before is to help shrink the liver and make the surgery easier. Don't know if anyone has tried this or heard about it, but in the current issure of Prevention Magazine there is a short article about milk thistle as a supplement and its main ingredient silymarin. Says it can detoxify the liver and help fatty liver disease, which (I didn't know this) can lead to diabetes. They suggest 200 to 500mg of silymarin a day and note that not all brands have enough. Trader Darwin Milk Thistle at Trader Joes and Natures Way Thisilyn are two that do. I plan to tell the surgeon's office once I am scheduled because they will be adjusting my meds anyway. I have pretty much every co-morbidity except diabetes. From what I read you need to buy what has been standardized to 80% silymarin, which means my 250mg milk thistle capsule has 200mg of silymarin in it and it states that on the bottle. I got the Trader Darwin, about $10 for 100 capsules. Prevention recommends 200-500 daily so I take one twice a day which gives me 400mg. And they said to be sure and tell your doctor. I figure anything that makes my liver a better surgical risk. The Nature's Way brand is more expensive but is availble at places like the Vitamin Shoppe and online. Has anyone tried this? I would love to hear about some experiences. My sister had RNY about 2 years ago and her PCP actually put her on milk thistle (though she doesn't remember why, and plans to ask him).

I don't drink beer, so i can't answer this question, however, i do enjoy my sodas daily. . .diet of course. . so why can't you have carbonation ever? makes no sense. . . anyhow, i drink sodas, and alcohol with soda mix. . . love it and started drinking such (with doctors approval) at 3 months out. . . yes i said with doctors approval. . . and i'm out now 2 years and haven't died yet. . . hehehehe . . . good luck

My brother has gastric bypass surgery 2 1/2 years ago he can eat anything just smaller portions. If he tries to eat alot he starts throwing up. He can even drink alcohol with no problems.

I am so sorry you are going through this.... As a daughter of an alcoholic father....I feel your pain. However, he is responsible to fix his own problems. My dad had a reason to drink for every day of the week. If it wasn't tragedy Monday, it was joy Tuesday, or boredom on Wednesday, or that his boxers were too tight on Thursday...Friday...well that's the weekend...drinking so much he never got a hangover because he never truly sobered up. Never took ownership of his problem. It was torture growing up with that. I watched my mother for 25 years make excuse after excuse for his behavior and actions...while he but inhaled booze. She thought it was alright because he still provided for the family. Yes it is a disease and only one curable once they are convinced they have a problem. I prayed for years my parents would split because of the damaged it cause us all as a family. But she stayed, until the day he died an old age of 55. In my opinion, she enabled him to lead that life for never setting boundaries for herself or for us kids with him and never forcing him to choose booze or us. It took me many sessions in therapy to state that I resented her for that as much as him. Ok...wrong path here..this iss about you It is hard as hell watching someone you care about decline like that...but once it starts to be YOUR problem it is time to say, "you've got a problem, get help and I'll help you too...or if you don't I'm gone." You can help people mend, but you can't do it for them. They are always sorry after the fact, most are sincere when they say it. But sorry doesn't fix it...recovery does and if he is not willing to do that, then you honestly should move on.

You sound like you get your worth in life by helping others. You are probably the go to girl for everybody. Its good in life to enjoy being needed and lending a helping hand, but once you have children that addiction of being there for people has to go. If it wrre me I would start breaking up with him slowly. Weining myself away little by little. Start to consider other options and dont feel obligated to stay because of his professions of love for you. Sometimes people who have battled with weight tend to have the do unto others attitude about everything because we have been treated so badly in life. That does not apply in all situations. GOD gave you a heart and a Brain. Drug/Alcohol use is dangerous around kids because it impairs the ability of the user to make rational decisions and after only 5 months you dont know him well enough to know what he would do if he looses it one day.

"Can" is asking for permission. "Should" is for what is inevitable or likely to happen in the future. Can I eat tacos, drink alcohol, eat a 20oz steak when I am barely a week or two post? Sure...you SHOULD have never had the WLS eitherif you were NOT going follow your medical team plans concerning your post-op diet.

Absolutely! It's about sharing our experiences with each other We know we're not alone in our WL journey. Also...our overall road to health. I'm really sorry about your mom and sister. Proud of you for breaking that cycle and making a change. I never had an issue with alcohol. I really don't drink often so it was never a thought really before or after surgery. I've had a drink on occasion, but it's usually just one. I never learned moderation with my food intake. I constantly indulged. Re-training your brain is so hard! We can do this and change our lives for the better in every way. I wish you the BEST of luck on your journey. It's not easy and everyone takes a different path. In the end, we CAN change our stories!! ❤️

Well first of all congrats on the 7 yrs clean! I too am a recovering addict....coke and alcohol. I have been clean now for over 20 years. Good luck with everything. Hopefully with the reduction of the meds it will help you.

As part of my band journey, I decided it was time to tackle my Diet Coke addiction (again). I gave it up about 6 years ago, but here it is back again. We're talking a minimum of 5 cans a day, plus 3 - 6 glasses a day while eating out at lunch and/or dinner. It's a serious matter in my life. I actually believe the aspartame poisoning aspect is worse than the caffeine portion. I know this, but I still guzzle it. Why!?! Not looking forward to my 1 - 2 weeks of detox headaches and other symptoms. Has anyone else successfully tackled this evil? If so, any and all tips are appreciated! According to Merriam-Webster: ad·dic·tion noun \ə-ˈdik-shən, a-\ : a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble) : an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something Full Definition of ADDICTION 1 : the quality or state of being addicted <addiction to reading> 2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

How far post op are you??? I had wine about 2 months post op, the alcohol has not affected me either way. My surgeon said you "could" get durnk easily but for me nothing has changed. Just be careful and I would try alcohol at home first to see how you will react. You don't want to try something new for the first time out of you house. Just remember that alochol has lots of empty calories.