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I would recommend to call your doctor. also the alcohol could have irritated the stoma. I didnt have a drink until 3 or 4 months out. kathy

@Sheribear68 Ouch! So sorry to hear about your friend!!! ((hugs)) TG you are escaping that fate with every day of your lifestyle change!!! I know how you feel and can relate! And for anyone who is genuinely interested in hearing my journey and not just a rubbernecker, I will discuss the specifics. But for anyone else who looks at me, there is no doubt that I'm somewhat fanatical religious about making good choices--cuz like you, we have some big strikes we deal with. But sadly, no one likes reformed smokers or reformed alcoholics. So we do just have to live our lives. And sometimes the best testimony is through action rather than words. Live your life hon. Let your friends feel safe, coming to you when or if they are ready. ((hugs))

If there's not someone in your immediate vicinity that you could give them to, I'd throw them away. I know that my addiction to food, especially things like Girl Scout Cookies would prevent me from acting responsible around them. It's not worth the money, the calories -- or what it does to us, mentally, when we fail in our attempt to avoid temptation -- to keep them around and see what happens. Maybe I'm taking this too seriously, but for me, it's a serious issue. I *can't* have stuff like that around. For me, it would be like an alcoholic keeping beer in the fridge.

I suggest a carb detox. It seems like you are filling your days with too many snacks/junk food (carby). After 3-5 days on a limited carb intake, your cravings will decrease. But the more you eat it, the more you want it. Here's an example of what I ate/drank today: 9am: Iced coffee with sugar-free caramel syrup, Water (0 everything) 10am: 2.5 oz. turkey sausage, 2 oz. egg beaters, 1 oz. shredded cheese. (9g fat, 185 cal, 3 carb, 0 Fiber, 3 sugar, 21.5 protein) 11am-2pm: finish coffee & 66 oz. water 2pm: 2 oz. chicken, 1 oz. broccoli, 1 oz. blue cheese, 1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream, hot sauce (mixed together), plus 1 oz. turkey pepperoni & 1 oz. cheese (19g fat, 350 cal, 2.5 carb, .75 fiber, 1 sugar, 35.75 protein) 3pm: 16 oz. iced tea w/ 1 sweet & low 3pm-6:30pm - drink 34 oz. water 4pm: finish work - go to gym - 40 minutes elliptical 6:30pm: 1/2 c. chili Beans, 1 tsp. bbq sauce, 2 tbsp. cheese, 2 tbsp. fat-free sour cream (4 fat, 192 calories, 24 carbs, 6 fiber, 3 sugar, 11.5 protein) 7:30-10:30: drink 34 oz. water 9pm - do 3 sets of 20 arm exercises & thighmaster daily totals: 32g fat, 727 calories, 29.5 carbs, 6.75 fiber, 7 suger, 68.75 Protein a lot of people tell me i eat too little. i eat when i am hungry and try not to when i am not hungry. i know i have a real problem with compulsive eating, so i cannot let myself snack or graze unless i am truly hungry. i also don't believe that weight loss means "one-size-fits-all" - some people lose on 1500 calories a day, others on 700. it just depends. it's not just that eating/exercising this way makes me lose weight (which it does), it makes me FEEL better. over memorial day weekend, i had some crackers & pizza & bread, etc. when i came back home, it was SO HARD to not eat them. i just wanted to stuff my face w/ carbs. but i did a 3 day very limited carb intake (20g or less), and the cravings went away. for the most part, i try to stay below 30g net carbs (meaning total carbs minus fiber - sugar alcohols DO count) a day, and no more than half of those in sugar. i try to get all of my carbs only from foods naturally (i.e. beans, veggies, etc). it causes fewer cravings. just my $.02

@@SweetPeas So glad to hear that the medical professionals on your team said no alcohol! Where did you have your surgery? @@SweetPeas So glad to hear that the medical professionals on your team said no alcohol! Where did you have your surgery?

hEy guys thanks BUt I do feel like I am failing and messingup badly and don't know if I can do this. I almost wish I was living with someone going through the same thing for moral support. I can't satnd the smells inthe kitchen when they cook and I take off to the computer in the basement. The popcorn went down easy although I could only eat half the large bag I usually get and I ate two hamburger patties, the ones from presidents choice that you nuke and have cheese in them. They were interesting, it felt kinda stuck a little when I think the piece was too large but not painful, so I chewed it up. I hate this full Fluid thing and being hungry is awful I swear. I literally am thinking about food more than ever and craving everyting I can't have. I hate to sound weak but boy I guess this is IT for me as far as my weakness in this world and sometimes I feel it has me beat. I used to think alcoholics etc. man are they weak poeple , "just stop drinking" but that they realy don't wan to, but I know I am addicted to food, it seems to have run my life for so long ad look at the prices I / perhaps you have paid..with health, for me a job and relationships , being reclusive all because of food. I dunno, I am finding this really tough. I am eating yogurt again and going to try to get back onthe wagon...but boy I would love a night at the MANDARIN in Barrie! I read about people living in the same communtiy who get together and meet or go walking and I wishI was closer to some of you here. I mean YOU guys in the canadian group are my support system and I tried the other band the canadian one that sends threads all day, but I just don't feel the same connection there and so far I cannot relate to folks talking about plastic surgery etc... Yoda, Cloe, Argon, wheezy, jude et all, Ifeel weak to say this but I do need your support right now and I am sorry to be a oain but I am finding this really tough.

It is not feasible to never have a piece of chocolate or a glass of wine again. None of us got to where we are from a glass of wine or a piece of chocolate. We all still have lives to live, we just need to make smarter choices along the way. Saying we CAN'T have something is how a lot of us got here in the first place! Enjoy your wine and husband and live life to the fullest. P.s. My surgeon NEVER mentioned being unable to consume alcohol, only to not over consume and to wait until I am fully healed. Let's all support eachother here because not one of us is perfect and we should not expect others to be either.

Take it easy on yourself and don't drive when you drink more than one glass of wine. Banding doesn't affect the absorption of alcohol, as it does with DS and RNY, so you should be ok if you were ok pre-op drinking wine. Alcohol actually lowers blood glucose levels so you might feel more "tipsy" due to hypoglycemia after drinking. The only risk of drinking is that some people find they drink more post-op, since there are foods that bandsters cannot tolerate and it is sort of a "fill the void" guilty pleasure. Enjoy your glass of wine occasionally without guilt. If you have any questions it is a good thing to check in with your nutritionist to get questions answered. Good luck to you! MsM

I don't know when ACOA started? I don't know if it was around but I know ALANON, and I remember my little sister went to that. I went to OA to see if it would help me from gaining weight. I was 125 pounds at the time, lol. But I just remember going to the meetings and driving home in tears don't know why but this was before I discovered therapy and antidepressants so who knows. I too have suffered with having children and not know how my past would affect my parenting style or what "bad" things I'd pass along to my children or my husband pass onto them as well. He has has alcoholic brother but not parent, his dad died when he was 6 so who knows. Anyway my youngest is the issue when it comes to taking on those traits as far as I know more so than my eldest but I'm sure it's all going to be another bumpy ride into my future. But I'm not an alcoholic, brownieholic is more like it. But all the other garbage that goes along with being an ACOA. Anyway it's good to talk to you and you seem to know a lot about this. I guess I never really attributed alcohol to all my problems but I guess it probably had a lot to do with it. Thanks brandyII.

Hello Everyone, GREAT Thread! I was banded May 21,09. I had my first fill today not much pain at all. My Dr. asked that I lie on my back and left both legs a bit as if I was doing crunches for my lower body, I did and she felt with her hands for the pot. She swabbed me with alcohol to clean the area. I closed my eyes because I am very afraid of needles. Small prick. Dr. says she put 5cc in I had my eyes shut the whole time. Not much restriction at first. My stomach growls a bit. I had Water and a yogurt, some Peanut Butter, I was hungry.

It sounds like she truly believed the surgery would "solve all her problems". The results of immaturity, abuse, trauma, addiction, and mental illness is not going be "solved" by anything let alone weight loss surgery. Without surgery she would have certainly continued to abuse food and still may have turned to alcohol, drugs, and sex anyway. Blaming the surgery for her issues doesn't sound very healthy to me. What would her life been like without it? You can't compare apples to oranges. If she was unwilling to seek counseling before bariatric surgery should she have been denied? I don't know. A lot of folks of all ages go into this process blindly. Some actually learn and grow through the process. Some do not. Some people have the capacity for personal growth. Some do not. If she was a poor candidate for WLS she still might have been able to learn from the experience. If she had been a great candidate for surgery, she still might have wound up where she is today. I just don't think there is necessarily cause and effect at work here. This is much more complex than she or the article seem to acknowledge. Yes, I think there needs to be many more mental health resources both pre- and post-op for anyone who is obese. There certainly are not enough affordable mental health resources in the US period.

I was banded on May 6th, and had my first fill yesterday (June 4th). I was pretty nervous going into it, mostly from not knowing what to expect. The woman was really nice though, and walked me through everything. She asked me some questions about my diet, how hungry I get, etc. Then she checked my chart and saw that I had 4cc's from surgery in a 14cc band. She decided that she was going to put 1.5cc's into it at this time. She asked me if I wanted lidocaine, and I told her I wasn't sure, what was the difference? She said if I got the lidocaine I was going to feel a bee sting, and then I wouldn't feel anything she did after that, or anything else right there for about an hour. I'll admit, I'm a big baby, and didn't want the bee sting. I asked her if I didn't want it, what would it feel like. She said well, it will feel a little like I'm taking blood. You're going to feel a push, it will be in and out, and then you'll be done. I finally decided to go without the lidocaine. I pulled my shirt up, and she put a pillow behind my back to make me "bend" more backwards, it kinda felt like I was looking upside down. I put my arms behind my head and didn't really watch her. She felt for my port, and said that it was right on top, and she wasn't going to have any trouble finding it. She swabbed me with some alcohol, and then said, ok...here goes the pressure. She said I'm going to check that there is 4cc's in there, yep, there is. I'm going to add 1.55cc's. Ok...you're going to feel a slight pull...and then...well...that's it. I was done. She was in and out in less than 45 seconds. She stuck a band-aid on me...and that's it. I was given a cup of Water, told to drink it, and that when I was ready, I could go. Could not have gone any better I don't think. I built it up in my head so much that I afterwards I couldn't believe it. Love my pre-op care, my surgery team, and now my post-op care. They've been wonderful. David

I disagree. There is little about a wedding that is interesting for guests other than the party. There should be food and there should be alcohol, even if it is a cash bar which is socially acceptable these days. There should be, however, in addition to the cash bar a complimentary glass or two of wine.

I did not read all the other suggestions but have one of my own. Sorry if it's a repeat. We went to a wedding this past summer and the bride and groom had little money but wanted a somewhat big wedding. I live in Chicago and weddings get nuts-o here. (a cousin spent almost $30,000 on her wedding) The reception we attended was in the fellowship hall of the church (so no alcohol was allowed, a great excuse btw) they had a local chinese place come in and prepare the food on-site. It was very good, everything was hot and there were several choices available. (1 chicken, 1 beef, 1 shrimp and a veggie) This place also provided egg rolls, pot stickers, crab rangoon and white and fried rice. It was a blast, and people are still saying how cool it was. I called to book them for my community Christmas party and it was only $6 a person, and that also included cookies and the makings of hot tea. Then all you would need is a dessert table, and wedding cake of course. ~Mandy

Amen! I'm pretty clever when it comes to eating. I'm really grateful I got the band, don't get me wrong, but I feel like my whole world came to a crashing halt and without using food to help cope with ANY emotion (anger, frustration, even happiness) makes me not quite sure how to rebuild myself. I don't think preband I realized what a sacrifice emotionally I would be making. I did start journaling too, I got bored. I tend to do it on Sundays when I have more idle time. I exercise 3x/week. It IS hard to resist temptation and I think something valuable I've learned is to praise myself for EVERYthing. Like the other day when I was driving home, I had a really annoying day at work. I thought about stopping my McD's and grabbing a burger (I could eat sans bread!) This particular McD's was a previous weakspot as I normally stopped after work. I told myself I didn't have to drive past the McD's, I just had to drive past the exit. I got in the right lane to make it more difficult and I made it all the way home without stopping! I learned I have to praise myself for that. Some may think that's not a big feat, but for me, it was the equivalent to not stopping by a favorite bar for an alcoholic. I used to tell myself that that behavior was the expectation and chide myself for giving in. Now I tell myself how awesome I am for driving by. My whole life and my whole family's life revolves around food. I think that has made the process just more complex and difficult. I feel like I am learning, but it's so slow that I get frustrated.

I've only told about 6 people....trusted people. Sometimes I wish I hadn't even told them. When people ask if I joined WW....or how am I doing "it"....I just say that I've cut out anything white, no bread, sugar or alcohol.

I am 2 months out, and had alcohol for the first time this weekend. I turned 40, and wanted to be able to have a glass of wine....so I did. No problems fortunately.

First, I must say this: I love my family with all my heart, but a select few are driving me completely insane! It hit me yesterday, that FEELING is not allowed in my family. Voicing your feelings is not tolerated. And I can't live my life like this anymore. I refuse to raise my children that way. Depression is anger turned inward. And if you don't discuss your feelings you stuff them, with food, alcohol, etc. I CANNOT DO THAT ANY LONGER! I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT ANY LONGER! I just end up hurting myself. I chose to have this surgery and change my life for ME! If you love me, then be happy for me and support me. Don't blackmail me emotionally. Don't lay someone else's shit sandwich in my lap. If someone else is depressed or unhappy, that person should DO something about it. It's NOT my fault if someone is upset and too depressed to go to work. Tell THEM to put THIER big girl panties on!! Cuz honey, I've had my big girl panties on for A LONG time. I am dealing with my issues. I am trying to become a better person. I am not crying to my Mommy and blaming others for my unhappiness. I OWN my issues. They are on ME! And don't emotionally blackmail my children when they express their feelings and those feelings upset you. YOU are the adult. Shame on you! SHAME ON YOU! It is only natural for a child to protect his parent. God knows I've tried to protect mine. Even when they probably didn't deserve it. But to not only negate their feelings, and then threaten them emotionally! SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!! That hurts me more than any of the bullshit that has been thrown at me the last year. All of it put together, doesn't hurt as much as when my son told me how he was treated last night. By his own grandparent. I still can't believe it. If you only knew how much you hurt him. And me. I know you want to live your life with your head in the sand and pretend everything is a-okay. Fine. You do that. But don't expect me to. And don't expect me to raise my children that way! I don't want them to wake up twenty years from now, full of self-loathing, and stuffing every feeling because they can't express them. Been there, done that, and it SUCKS! I just realized it's okay to take care of me. People actually DO THAT. Take care of themselves. And it's NOT selfish!! WHO KNEW!? All my life I have been terrified of being a selfish person. So I give till I have nothing left to give. And I wonder why I am empty? Cuz I gave it all away! Someday I hope it is okay to have my wishes respected. I really do. I think that would feel good. I remember when I told you I was going to have this surgery. I SPECIFICALLY asked you NOT to tell my sister. I hadn't decided if I wanted to tell her or not. Even then I had an inkling that she would not be supportive and that my decision would be a problem for her. But you told her. Thanks so much. I also tried to explain to you over Christmas that I needed to keep the negative people at arms length. To take care of me. I was feeling extremely vulnerable. Then you turn around and tell me I need to go talk to her. Practically blame her depression on ME! Thanks for throwing that steaming sack of shit in my lap. Totally appreciate that. And last night, when you thanked me for doing what you asked.... do you know how that made me feel? Like all was right with the world, because Jennifer was happy, and that was all that mattered. You didn't even notice that I was crying. That my eyes were swollen from crying all afternoon. That shows me exactly where I stand. Thank you for that too. You probably didn't notice that I was drinking for the first time in three months either. Or that I was five seconds away from bumming a cigarette off the grumpy guy. After 16 months of being smoke-free, I was completely ready to throw all that hard work out the window. Hello self-sabotage!!! My old friend! But I didn't. I guess I had my big girl panties on after all. Huh, Mom?

@@anthonyb It also depends on what you are eating. If you go from 1200 low carb calories to 1600-1800 carby calories, you are going to gain weight, just because your liver is going to be larger. Are you drinking alcohol? Did you exercise and stop? Are you going through a stressful time in your life? There are so many factors to weight gain.

I like Quest and Oh Yeah One bars (the "One" in Oh Yeah One means one gram of sugar - that's the one you want since the other Oh Yeah versions have a lot more sugar) I don't know if sugar alcohols make people dump (I'm not a dumper at all..), but I know they bother some people's stomachs.

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'm just 2 weeks out, but I'm wondering if there are any good choices in Protein bars? I don't want to have to order them, just something from the local market. Also, do sugar alcohols cause dumping as well? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all, I had my 8 week visit with the Dietician today and have been progressed onto 'normal foods'. Yayyy! I've lost 12.5kg (28 lb) since my Op & feel good. She was happy with my weight loss, but slightly concerned how quickly I'm losing and queried whether I have been eating enough. I assured her that I have and don't let myself get too hungry. I've only been walking 2-3 times a week and she doesn't recommend upping the ante just yet as I'm still recovering. She said I can try toast, crispbread, soft drink & I alcohol (keeping in mind it will affect me more). I also told her how I've eaten chocolate and wasn't scolded- just told it's a 'sometimes food' and to know my limits. It was pleasantly refreshing because some people in the bariatric community talk like it's the antichrist lol I can hear the US weight loss patients collectively gasp at how much free reign I'm allowed. I have faith in her professional advice as she works closely with my surgeon, who is well regarded in my state & has trained most other GB surgeons in the city. What I am wondering is whether other people have been given the same advice. I don't really have much contact with other GB patients in Australia, so can't compare. I wonder whether pre & post op diets are that much stricter in the US because insurance companies fund the surgery costs, therefore want the patient to drop weight super quickly? I might be way off....I don't know much about US insurance. I just know that I paid hospital cover for 12 months and was instantly approved for surgery, whereas it seems like the process is much more complicated in America. So glad to be progressing on to the next stage in this journey.

I stopped mine somwhere around 4 months. I haven't had any issues with acid or heart burn. However, if I know I'm going to be drinking alcohol in a few days, I start taking some.

I'm not really sure why some doctors do 1 week vs 2 weeks but it seems to vary. Today has been a bit better so far. Broth with unflavored protein powder for breakfast and a coffee flavored shake for lunch. They told me to limit caffeine and very minimum sugar (if any). Now that it is the weekend I'm trying to decide if wine counts as a liquid since I can't have any alcohol for 6 months after[emoji3] Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app