Search the Community

Sorry to hear you experience this but then again it was your choice to drink it or not. Next time just get water and it's way to early to drink alcohol. Hopefully you are not feeling sick anymore.

Watch sugar alcohols. "Sugar free" stuff has it, and they can cause stomach issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I cannot stress enough what Matt Z. posted is spot on - there is no *TRICK* or MAGICAL thing to do but hard work! Even being so new out from surgery it is sort of clear you have not yet addressed your emotional issue-connection to eating with ie. stress and life. DO NOT THINK YOUR ALONE! I am 4 yrs out from surgery and regained due to a year of over stress and horrible things happening but I recently took self stock and got myself into psychotherapy to address what I was doing to myself both mentally and physically. Nothing is wrong with you, and nothing is wrong in asking for help! Call your surgeon/weight loss team! Tell them what your going through, ASK FOR THERAPY! Not just group therapy most ALL insurance converse some form of mental health. Get what you need and DESERVE! You deserve to be healthy, you deserve peace of mind, but remember our sleeves are TOOLS, they are NOT THE SOLE ANSWER., It is work, dedication and perseverance that will get you to the finish line. We all need to remember if we were food addicts prior to surgery we will ALWAYS BE A RECOVERING FOOD ADDICT. We need to keep ourselves in check, and it is the hardest fight one can endure! Alcoholics can stay away from places that serve or sell alcohol, same with a drug addict, but we as food addict must eat to live, and it will always be a trigger struggle. So long as you truly admit that to yourself and self check and correct and get help when you spiral, you WILL BE OK! ~ChunkyChicTrying

Rosie has a lot of room to talk. What is she doing about her own weight? At least I can say I accepted responsibility for my weakness/illness/disease or whatever you want to call it and did something about it. She has children. Has she ever considered how her obesity could affect her ability to care for those children in the long run? I believe it is better to accept and recognize when you can no longer do it on your own and certainly a sign of strength when you seek out help from the medical profession. For me the debate is not how hard it must have been to have to have surgery but how hard it was to "fess up" to my own inability to do this on my own. Yes, getting the surgery was a hard way to lose weight, we all know that. How about acknowledging that we all were able to accept that we had a problem and could no longer change it on our own but were able to do so with professional help? It's sort of like saying the alcoholic that takes Antabuse (a pill that makes you deathly ill if you drink) is taking the easy way out. Frankly, I feel that the alcoholic has finally taken some personal responsibility and made a healthy choice to change their ways....even if they do need medical help to do it. Yes, I do feel strongly about this

I'm on board with the bloating/swelling notion, I "gain" exactly 4 pounds every TOM the week prior that goes away the week of. Also salt is a big culprit and summertime foods like barbeque and margaritas are high in sodium. You never mentioned what your exercise regimen is like? I'd say go one week of trying all the stuff we've mentioned here; fat flushing foods, low salt, extra water, exercise change up, and if after a week there is no change in either how you feel or the scale, then see your doctor. As for going on a diet, I am with you, "diets" are cruel and pointless. Of course, I don't consider cutting out flour-based carbs, soda, alcohol, etc. to BE a diet, that to me is just smart healthful living and taking care of my Self.

No not at all. Cooking with wine is perfectly acceptable. There will be an increase in calories, but you are cooking out the alcohol. There will be an increase in sugars as the sauce reduces, so go really easy on it. But you should be fine for the most part.

Great post, AR. Very detailed and helpful for presleevers to read. Glad you are home safe and sound and sippin'! One more thing... I am kind of surprised that you were allowed to have that last meal and alcohol the night before surgery with general anesthesia the next morning. Or did you not have general?

Sugar alcohols come out of the carb count. But as Laura said, they are also good laxatives, lol. The calories are still the same. In my humble opinion, you are doing yourself more of a disservice by eating the 'fake' chocolate with the fake sweeteners. Eat REAL chocolate, but in moderation. Those fake sugars screw with your metabolism. That's why you are not seeing weight loss. There is plenty of science out there that shows sugar free is NOT the way to go. Nor is the Fat free stuff. Off my soap box now. :wink:

I'm just curious if anyone else has noticed this and what it really means. They show on the package that they have low carbs, but if you look closely it says sugar alcohols. It seems whenever I eat any of this chocolate and even accounting for the calories, it pretty much puts a stop to my weight loss. I'm not eating more calories per day, but I'm just wondering if the "sugar alcohols" is really reacting just like normal carbs and preventing me from losing weight. I am one of those people who really has to watch my carbs or I don't lose.

You just need to quit eating sweets. That includes all "fake" sugar too. It only takes a week or two and then you're home free! Sugar is like a drug, the more you consume, the more you want it. It's highly addicting. I kicked that habit quite a while ago, along with caffeine and alcohol. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hello, I too was banded by him on Feb 13th & no complications either. He is such a sweet caring doctor. Iv'e lost 14 lbs which isn't as good as I could have so on tues when I got another fill he asked me to keep a food journal & stop drinking alcohol so frequently & wants to see me again in two weeks, also he suggested calling the Beverly Hills office to make appt for the support group. I told him I have issues in my personal life so i think he wants me to deal with things that may be interferring with my weight loss. I recommend him to anyone looking for a great lap band surgeon he actually cares about his patients unlike some places that just want your money.

I am 31 years old and have basically done whatever I wanted (within reason) whenever I wanted since mid-college. I'm self-employed in the financial industry so I have been able to take off on a vacation, golf, or whatever reasonably easy (since I didn't have to ask my employer first.) This do whatever, whenever is partly why I'm in the shape I'm in, I love to eat... and eat good. One of the things that I'm most worried about is the possibility that I won't be able to drink carbonated beverages such as beer or things that mix with alcohol after surgery. I'm not an alcoholic by any means, but, I have a lot of fun. And drinking on the golf course or during a cocktail hour in business settings has been a big part of my life over the past 10 years. Not to mention, most of my friends like to kick back and drink on the weekends. I'm confused because I have read many things that a lot of folks aren't able to handle alcohol or drink carbonated beverages at all... Yet, I have a good friend who had the surgery and in some ways, I wouldn't hardly notice a difference in his eating/drinking unless he had told me. He still drinks a few beers, drinks a ton of wine, and some mixes and seems to be fine. The main area I can see a difference is that he seems to get drunker quicker. What are your experiences? What is the norm? Is it just that this surgery affects everyone differently? I mean, I am obviously willing to give up some of this for my health for my family... But, I'm just trying to figure out what to expect. Any input is appreciated. Oh, and my surgery is scheduled for this coming Monday. Thanks.

I had the sleeve 12/20, am down almost 30lbs. Best thing I ever did - I like the fact that my basic digestion hasn’t changed - my appetite is gone and I i am sticking to the program . I also am adamant I will never have the sugar and carbs and even alcohol the way I used to - you have to commit to a new lifestyle . Focus on intake and expenditure - ensure u get sufficient exercise . I have heard multiple bad stories about the band and many people get it taken out and replace it with the sleeve. Good luck !

Yesterday, Day 21, I had 1 egg, 2 veggie patties for brunch and 1 oz beef tenderloin, 3 stuffed mushroom caps, some cheese and like a slice of summer sausage through the night. I also had a few sips of alcohol. It was my companies holiday party and I had a blast. We has some games too and I ran around like a crazy person and didn't hurt today. Still managed to stay under in Carbs, but didn't hit my Protein... Cal: 714 Carbs: 28.5 Prot: 41.75 Today: Day 22 post op scale Moved again! Yeah! Breakfast: 2 Scrambled Egg w/Cheese Snack: 40g Isopure Snack: 1 string cheese Lunch: chicken salad Snack: Crystal light Popsicle Dinner: 1 srv Stove Top Bake Water throughout the day. Cal: 867 Carbs: 32.5 Prot: 87.88 End of Day Observation: Felt like I ate A LOT today. Need to start working out tomorrow! Later everyone!

Hello Cleo, I know what you mean about being hungry on the Pre-op diet. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done but it really prepared my for my Post-0p but my pre-op was better than yours I think I could have the following: Breakfast-a slimfast shake morning snack-small piece of fruit lunch-slimfast shake afternoon snack- small piece of fruit dinner-3oz of chicken breat or fish (lean meat) a baked potato or 6 crackers or two slices of bread, a veggie late night snack- small piece of fruit Now veggies were unlimited and could be eaten at any time except for (corn,mashed potatoes,beans and peas) drinks non-caloric beverages, no alcohol coffee,tea,crystal light, sugar free kool-aid and Water I hope that this is helpful. I lost a total of 12 pounds. Tell me about the carnation drinks Does it have high Protein? What are the flavors? Do they taste good?

Has she been back to see her surgeon for follow-up appointments? They are very crucial to the progress. If you drink while eating, you can most certainly push food through the sleeve, and alcohol, well, that relaxes your stomach to the point where she can probably push things through due to the relaxation in the stomach caused by drinking. The only advise that I have, because I've not been in this situation, nor do I know anyone who has, is that she start with her surgeon and for her to behest with him. I do believe that she can start the post-op diet from the beginning again to reset her stomach and to allow for weight loss again. Best wishes to both of you. Amy

Did you eat anything with sugar alcohols? Not splenda or ace-K but something like maltitol, sorbitol, or erithritol? Our sleeves can be very sensitive to those. Also, lactose intolerance is very commons, as others have mentioned. I would stay away from the cheese so early out. I think I was at 3 weeks before I tried a cheese stick--I did a really soft Laughing Cow cheese first.

I was sleeved on the same day as you. First day was tough but every day since then has been wonderful. I'm so glad that I had the surgery. I now have a stomach 'stop' button. I used to hate myself for being so greedy but I couldn't help myself. I've got an addictive personality and have managed to give up alcohol and cigarettes but food......... - no. I tried everything. My doctor suggested 'portion control'! Yeh, right! As I live in the UK our National Health Service wouldn't even entertain the idea of letting me have the op as I wasn't heavy enough. I had a hip replaced this time last year and I reckoned that I was going to have to have my knees replaced sooner rather than later as I was in agony with the arthritis in them. My cholesterol is high, as is my blood pressure. My doctor was concerned about my blood sugar levels but the NHS saw no good reason for something that would ultimately save them a fortune to be performed on this fatty! I went off to Belgium and paid for the surgery myself-well my husband did-and it's the best money ever spent. I am a very happy sleever.

The men aren't actually reading this, so for you ladies...As I’ve told you, I have the option of selecting either band type and I also have the option of selecting my port site. I told you about my surgeon’s consult in Jan. where, after doing my research, I told my doc that I’ve selected the LB and then we discussed my port site. I’ll remind you I selected a left of center, between my belly button line and my ribs…no third boob for this gal…3 boobs worked for Picasso, but not me…with my C-cup boobs, it would be the only one left at goal weight. So on our way home from the consult I announced to DH that I intended to mark my port site on my tummy before surgery…he just chuckled…he’s used to ‘my kind of crazy’ (But now I have those papers from the Psych saying I’m not! So there!). My doc doesn’t get many requests for a different port site but it’s important to me (bad left side so I sleep on my right, and I’m right handed) and his default is the right side, so I don’t want him to forget (I have enough trouble with sleep). I’ve been thinking on and off about my tummy artwork (that’s what we artists do) and how I could make it funny without insulting my doc that he’d forget (he DID tell me to remind him). I was reading some blogs lately that got me thinking; Banded Ben’s surgery date and trying to come up with a joke on the operating table so he could escape…too late, he was out. So, I was thinking maybe I could write a joke, or a funny poem on my belly to point out my port placement…welcome to ‘my kind of crazy’…yes, this is what goes on in my head. Wendytip’s post yesterday about people’s incision photos on LBT (I agree, eeewww), got me commenting about making different ‘connect the dot’ pictures with my incisions and washable markers and posting them here (NOT). But maybe I can do a dot picture for my port site? So, why am I making this confession and sharing this now? I had second thoughts…what if the Sharpie isn’t sterile, or it messes them up and they refuse to do surgery because I wrote on myself? I’m not crazy enough yet to call my surgeon and ask. Today “The Doctors” was on as I was doing the laundry…the plastic surgeon on the panel was talking about how a Sharpie is his best friend for surgery! Hey yea, we’ve all seen those Dr. 90210 shows where they’re marking all over the woman’s bodies with a Sharpie. I’d forgotten about that! So I ran to the TV to listen. The question was about whether a Sharpie is sterile or not...WOW…my very question! Apparently Sharpie’s have a lot of alcohol in them, and even if they weren’t sterile the Betadine they smear all over you sterilizes everything. OK, I’m going for it! Now I’ve got artwork to plan! My practical jokes always backfire on me, so I hardly ever attempt them…they’ll either think I’m nuts or laugh…we’ll see what happens…if I wake up with a third boob, it backfired.

I am in the process of having the lap band procedure done and I had a question. Once or twice a month I like to go out with my friends and have a beer or two. I know the beer has cabination in it so I was wondering if a fruit juice with a liquor would be okay to have (Malibu rum and pineapple, screwdriver)? I am aware that the liquor has high sugar in it, but if I do it in moderations will it be okay. Has anybody tried this?

I had to sit through the a seminar as well, and then when I went for my first consultation, I was there for 6 hours meeting with the surgeon, therapist, exercise therapist, and several others. Because the Wish Center is in partnership with the Hospital that does the surgery, the whole procedure is within a price range I can afford. My insurance wont pay for anything even though the docs are in network. I attended several different seminars with different doctors and the Wish Center was my favorite. I felt very comfortable asking tons of questions and the staff was very friendly. As far as the alcohol goes the last thing I want to do is get really drunk and puke, Yuck! I just didn't know what people were told about having drinks in moderation.

Alot of folks already said more or less the same thing, but I'll throw in my 2 cents anyway: I chose sleeve because: I was afraid of dumping (but...I dump anyway) I wanted to continue using NSAIDs (but...I ended up not needing them anymore anyway) I was personally freaked out a bit by the re-routing of my intestines (but...not cutting out my stomach? lol) I DID NOT have GERD. I only had a choice between sleeve and bypass cuz those were the only ones covered by my insurance, so I didn't consider any other procedure. I think that one's results with WLS has more to do with the person, than with the type of surgery. I'm convinced I would have had the same result if I had the bypass. But that's just me. Some background and current statuses: I'm 5'2", almost 50yr old female, started off at 235 lbs at the beginning of my 2 week pre-op diet...2.5 years ago. I got to goal of 127 lbs in 7 months (108 lbs lost at that time). I settled into 115 lbs by 10 months post-op and stayed there basically since...but not without a bit of effort on my part. 3 times I got up to 120 lbs for a few consecutive days, and subsequently made efforts to get back down to 115. And 4-5 times I went sub-110 lbs for a few consecutive days, but didn't have to make any effort at all to get back to 115, go figure. This morning I was 109.2 lbs. I consumed very little calories during weight loss phase, and exercised regularly starting month 3 (running/walking mostly, and minimal strength training daily). No complications, nor issues other than those expected (dump with sugar, foamies/chest pressure if I eat too much or too fast, need to barf if I drink with my meals, burp like a teenage boy) At 2.5 years out, up until a month ago, I was averaging around 1800 cals a day with regular exercise (running & strength training 4-5 times a week). Currently I'm playing around with calories as I'm sidelined on the exercise front, which explains my lower weight these days cuz I haven't figured it out yet. I mostly eat salads (by choice, I LOOOVE salads!) , but I also eat desserts, spicy stuff, fried stuff, fatty stuff, drink coffee, alcohol and carbonated water. On rare occasions I eat bread or potatoes, but I don't eat rice nor regular pasta. I max out at about 1 to 1.5 cups of food per sitting (more if its salad) My lab results have consistently been uneventful (my last one was in November last year). So....so far so good. I have no illusions that I will be like this forever...but that's on me, not my sleeve.

I have said it once and I will say it again, MORBID OBESITY is in fact comitting suicide. Being really FAT is wanting to DIE weather you admit it or not. Some where, some time you think I ain't worth this so you figure you might as well kill yourself a fork full at a time. Just like the alcoholic might not want to kill him him or her self, but when the doctor say's if you don't stop drinking you will die, and you keep drinking. Well.......... what do you call that ???? I call it SUICIDE. So............when the doctor tell you, you have got to lose weight or you will die, and you keep eating. What do you call they ???? I call that SUICIDE as well. Now I am not talking about you chubby's out there who have something like a 100 lbs to lose, or something like that, I am talking about the really FATTIES, the over 300 or 400 club. You might not have said: Gee, I want to kill myself today, but by your actions and you behaivor you are saying I want to DIE, I am not worth Living. I know this is a tuff qustion and not a lot of us want to admit this openly, but admit it or not........... the truth is you are killing youself just by eating the way we do. This is not a fun or popular subject to talk about, and nobody wants to admit they really want to die, but let's face the fact people......... we had better start to be honest with ourself's if we are doing this. I know 2 people who after getting banded, one had a nervious breakdown, and the other freaked out so much she had the BAND REMOVED !!!!!! Now that's to me seems crazy. But, if we are really ready to do this, we have to start to look at why we are eating ourself's to death, and admit we have this death wish. I call myself an "Enlighten Fat Person", because I admit that I am fat and know what I can do and what I can't do. Before my enlightenment, I would sit in those plastic chairs and have them break, or....... God Help Me....... go on a ride at Great Adventure's and not be able to fit in the sit with the safty bar down, and then have to get off the ride in front of 100's of people. Now I ask you....... is that an enlighten fat person ??? I think not. Today, I know, I am fat and I don't try and hid it or avoid the topic of eating or or weight. If I am out, I eat like I do at home, I don't try and just have a salad, and then on the way home, gorge myself at burger king or the like. That was NUTS, and it was making me NUTS, all the hiding and sneaking, NO MORE, if I am eating I will eat what I like and not try to blow smoke up people's butt, having them think... "Gee What Is Wrong With Butch ?? He Hardly Eats At All !!!!! No More lies, and deseat, I am what I am....... FAT. And I Eat Too Much. Today I can't eat the way I once did, because of the Life saving BAND. But...... even though I lost 200+ lbs I am still Fat, I still weigh 370 and have another 100 lbs before I can get a Pannic-ta-me. That's where they remove the spare tire (that's a TRUCK TIRE) from around the middle of me. I am going for a max fill this June and I am going to lose this last part fast, I have to be rid of this, I am at a place where it's been too long. I have been Banded for 4+ years and I am too old to wait. Sorry to be so blunt, but let's not blow smoke up each others BUTT, and start saying the truth about ourself's and being FAT. Butch Seaman

Just out of curiousity... what results were you expecting to see? It would be interesting to see the results of this poll in the general population. Let's see, who would that be??? The alcoholics, the sex addicts, the workaholics, the druggies...uh... no? How about the "General Population" of people who have NO addictions, No compulsions, no weaknesses nor flaws and are successful and happy in their lives? Who ARE those guys anyway? The Borg?

I don't know the medical science behind the drinking and the band- but my surgeon's post-op instructions stated no alcohol until 6-8 weeks after banding (then all the usual caveats about calories etc.). I held out until the 4th week after surgery and was fine. I am a big social drinker (weekends only) and light beer was my favorite. I quit all carbonation on the pre-op diet - so I don't drink light beer anymore. Instead, i do a shot of clearl liquor (lowest calories) usually absolute vodka - then fill the rest of the glass with ice and water. I then add in crystal light or equivalent. I can drink 4-5 of those during the night - same buzz as before the band (i've noticed no difference) and never sick etc. I'm like you - i count in the calories and i continue to steadily lose weight. I can't tell you what will happen if you try any alcohol in the 2nd week - you may want to check other threads on here - as i'm sure it's been discussed. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF US IN OUR JOURNEYS!