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I read this article on another post a few days ago and it is only something related to band or bypass. The cause is that alcohol is metabolised differently after those surgeries, so people can drink and drink and the effect wears off quickly, so they drink more. It's not necessarily a replacement of a food addiction, just a thing with how it runs through the body.

Thanks for sharing about the sugar alcohol. I did not know this. There goes my sugar free candies.

I apparently missed something. It is a loss when someone feels they can't share their perspectives...but something to consider -there are lots of us that are experts on "one persons WLS". I drink and am maintaining and have been for some years. Would it be better if I gave up alcohol coffee and British comedies? Probably. Anyway consider if the intolerance isn't a bit 2-way.

Oh lord AGAIN? I'm trying to be nice here. I've never had an issue with ANYONE on here but this guy! There would never be a problem if he didn't try to make everyone believe he knows all. We're all damned if we don't do exactly what he thinks is right. Being a "dick" is telling people they are all going to be complete failures if they dare have a drink of alcohol. "Go eat cake" blah blah blah. That's not the attitude to have either. That's not kissing anyone's ass that's allowing people to live their lives without fear of failure every time they live a little. I consider myself a success and I've had a drink more than a few times. I had one at 3 months post op. Do I drink everyday ummm no! Do I feel like I'm going to be a "failure" when I do have a drink? Nope! If he had told me that crap in the beginning and threw a big tantrum and told me I should just go eat cake ect... I would have been insulted and felt like I was a failure. That's not the way to make someone feel. I CANT STAND it when someone says they can "Never have this/that again" because it's simply NOT true. Unless you've become deathly allergic to a food you can and will be able to consume it again. Just because you have lost weight doesn't make you a weight loss expert and you are most defiantly not qualified to tell someone else what's right or wrong. Give advice when asked, sure but you have no right to push your views and nonsense onto anyone else. Unless you have a MD behind your name and you don't. Here's the thing, there's a block button that I know people are well aware of sooooo if you choose to get your panties all up in a wade (over and over again) instead of using it then I have no choice but to believe you like the drama. That's the only conclusion I can come up with. "Leaving" every couple of month only to return and "leave" again (always making it a public "leaving" post) is just ridiculous. You do get the more "likes" and responses to these "leaving" post than any of your others post though so good for you!!!! Toodles!

Just to throw in my two cents.........I'm 4 months post op and recently did a test on myself, I was stalling for two weeks and was starting to get frustrated. I went out with the girlfriends one night, had a couple vodka diets and low and behold, I dropped 3lbs. lol I was so focused on staying away from alcohol, that wasteful space in my stomach, but I just relaxed, had a couple drinks and now the scale is moving again. does it mean I'm going to have an after work margarita everyday or go kill a plate of Pasta? eff no (I wish lol)! but WLS works differently for everyone. If you're sticking to your diet and start getting frustrated like I was, just relax! indulge in something you've been keeping from yourself, and then LAUGH because you didn't die from having one relaxing meal. as I'm typing this I'm throwing granola on the food scale to have with my Breakfast, this new life is stressful sometimes, but as long as you keep the big picture in mind, you'll do great!! xoxo Katie

The pain for upwards of month after, not being able to tolerate food or foods that I enjoy, diarrhea, vomiting, heartburn, no alcohol for 6 months to a year, no nsaids, potential gallstones, hernia , hair loss to name a few.

The food plans really differ. I was on clear liquids for the first 6 days and then we went to regular food. No juices, Pasta, potatoes, rice, crackers or bread recommended for the first six months. Protein first (60 to 80 grams a day is goal) then veggies or fruit. No coffee for 30 days, no alcohol ever. The recommended snack for first 60 days was a Protein shake and then you could switch to a Protein Bar. No salad or unpeeled fruit for the first 60 days. Two multi Vitamins a day, b12 once a week, 1500 mg Calcium citrate a day. No probiotic was recommended but I added one on my own.

There are several issues with alcohol and WLS that will apply to varying degrees to different people. Healing time for the stomach is the first, which may not apply to those with the band which doesn't cut directly on the stomach, but will vary from a few weeks to several months or a year or more depending upon individual surgeons' perspectives. Transfer addiction, which BigUtahMan discussed, wherein an addiction to foods, to the degree one is afflicted, is transferred to another medium - alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, etc. This can affect anyone who is severely limiting their ability to indulge in an addictive behavior (i.e. any WLS patient irrespective procedure.) From this perspective, some will take a "never again" stand on it. The other alcohol biggie is liver condition; going into any WLS our livers aren't in the best of condition due to our obesity (witness the "liver shrinking" pre-op diets that many surgeons impose on their patients} and is further taxed by its role in metabolizing the fat that we are rapidly losing. The last thing that the liver needs is to be further stressed by metabolizing a known liver toxin - alcohol (that's not a moral judgement, just a physiological fact.) On this basis, some surgeons will suggest no alcohol during your weight loss phase. With my surgeon, this is part of the contract that we sign with him - that we will not drink as long as we are losing; it comes from his alter-ego as a biliopancreatic (liver/pancreas) transplant surgeon who doesn't want to see any of his bariatric patients coming back onto his transplant table.

Yeah, The Whitman's uses Splenda too but when you check the ingredients they use lots of maltitol, a sugar alcohol as well. Pisses me off. Maltitol still produces the laxative effect. Not sure if Russell Stover's uses the sugar alcohols. I'll have to check on that.

First year out, I didn’t drink alcohol. The empty calories were not worth stalling or stopping my weight loss. I still have a great time. My friends use me as the designated driver. I get free food and nonalcoholic drinks. After goal, I started drinking occasionally. I am a total light weight after surgery. It's not pretty when I go over two glasses of wine. I can’t keep it classy.

Honestly, this will be unpopular but if you start drinking during WLM, you risk NEVER reaching your goal. You are playing with fire. And did you REALLY have surgery and think you wouldn't have to change your behaviors with the things that got you MO in the first place? WL is very hard on the liver and drinking on top of it adds another insult to an already at risk and taxed organ. I do drink now. And I did drink rarely and minimally during WLM. But when I did, I almost always saw a loss of 4 days of active weight loss. And frankly, most can't afford to squander their honeymoon period. Drinking alcohol is one of the leading contributors to weight regain.

I'm about 8 days from surgery and one approach I recommend as a DO: DO take small steps to changing your lifestyle weeks or months before surgery. I began my journey in Jan 2014 and every few weeks I changed something in my lifestyle to improve my health: Began walking Stopped drinking diet sodas Minimized eating carbs Changed from high fat to lower fat Proteins Quit smoking Began going to the gym Cut my net calories to 1700 per day Later cut my net calories to 1300 per day Stopped caffeine Quit alcohol I introduced these changes slowly over a 6 month period. It's important (and my bariatric psychologist agreed) to not attempt all these changes at once. It's too much change too fast. But introduce them slowly. I gave myself treats along the way. For example, I calculated how much I saved from quitting smoking and bought some home decor and other goodies. Now that I've started the pre-op shakes 'n liquids diet, it's not nearly as difficult as it would have been had I not made these changes. I'm not saying it's easy-peasy, but it's not the end of the world. I'm going into surgery almost 65 lbs lighter than when I started my journey in January and can't wait to be sleeved so I can lose another 75+.

I agree chicken broth or tea. If you are looking for something more sweet diluted G2. But I have to ask why flaming hot Cheetos? The thought of anything remotely spicy that early out... Reflux, excess stomach acid, fresh wound in the tummy... I would think it would feel like swallowing rubbing alcohol.

"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.

I believe you guys but I can't chime in since I'm against against anything that alters your mind, although that would make me a hypocrite since I've been on a type of runner's euphoria since my surgery, and I'm addicted to this weight training I'm doing so I guess things that are mind altering can also cause addiction........ And I've had alcohol a couple of times since surgery, mostly wine, so who am I to judge....... Hope you know I posted this to make people smile, and realize that we are all different for a reason, how can we even judge others after what some of us have been through???? Food for thought

I love this thread! It's so fun getting to know everyone. I read all the "stats" and can't believe how much in common we all have. I can relate to just about all of the "deciding factors." So since we are all having our surgery in January, when are you starting your pre-op diet? I admit I am a bit of a party girl and purposely chose my surgery date for January 15th because my Dr told me I needed to do a 2 week pre-op diet- NO ALCOHOL. And since I want to enjoy the holidays, I set my date for January 15th. That said... what pre-op diet instructions has your Dr given all of you? Here's the diet I will be following: Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch. Lean Cuisine style meal for dinner. sugar free Jello or sugar free popsicles for a snack. Unlimited raw veggies. No dressing. During these 2 weeks (of hell) I also want to start my exercising. My Dr requires I lose 5% body weight prior to surgery. Plus it will get me off my @ss and start to eat right. I want to start following the "Couch to 5K" program. Anyone heard of it? Wanna do it with me?? We can motivate each other!!! I'll start January 1st! What better way to start out the New Year?!!?!?!

I am 6 days post opp today and I was wandering How you guys did with the incisions? I had tape on top of it and today on the shower one came off (with my help). Should I cleaning it whit alcohol or something or cover it again? how should it look like? I had 2 incisions and this is the small one I don't want to imagine the big one.

I saw yet another patient this week who was 1.5 years post gastric bypass. Lost 150 pounds, and developed an ulcer. I asked one of the GI docs about why it happens and he said that the protective lining is gone and so anything that causes inflammation or irritation of the tissues can lead to an ulcer. This includes alcohol (extremely irritating to tissues) and smoking which increases inflammation. Regular acid reducers cannot reach the area of the ulcer, which is why Carafate is used. Yes, ulcers can heal with the medication, but ulcers can also kill you if they perforate and bleed badly.

Bloom, congratulations!! yes, I am the test case for bad behavior, or at least the only one who foolishly admits to it. It is not bad, but once you get that slight feeling of fullness, stop, and put down that fork. The next bite will cause you considerable discomfort! I have been able to eat in restaurants and socialize with friends, because I do not want to make a fool of myself and eat slowly and heed all warnings from my band. I was going to try a glass of wine, but did not do so. Will probably test the waters for alcohol over Labor day weekend as I will be camping with friends and not driving. I am not a big drinker anyway, but I do miss having one or two. Your head still wants to overeat, but it will cause instant pain. So I am hoping that the head will learn not to make the body hurt. As far as post surgical pain, I had virtually none. My "innards" have never felt pain, and minimal from the surgical spots. If I flop on my port during the night it hurts, but as the swelling goes down it seems to happen less. I have my nieces convinced that it is an alien ready to hatch. OK, hope I do not offend anyone, but because of the port do you have to always be on top for sex, LOL?

I'm so grateful to have found this site and have read a number of stories that made me feel less alone in my own struggle. Here is my story: March of 2008 I saw a weight loss surgeon who said all the right things to convince me I was too fat to lose weight on my own and the only way to have lifelong success was to sign up for WLS which required a thousand dollar deposit. I weighed 265 lbs at the time and in my late 30s was far too tired to try another diet and exercise program that would inevitably result in another 10lb weight gain. January of 2008 my employer switched to a new insurance carrier, I submitted paperwork in March for coverage for WLS and eventually got the definitive "no" in November 2008. Fast forward to October 2009, same doctor, same spiel, weight now 295lbs and co-morbidities presented to insurance carrier requesting coverage- denied. Februaury 2011, made a "lets just see" call to insurance carrier to find out if requirements were met........found out that one more year of a documented weight and BMI over 40 and the coverage would be extended! I put my ducks in a row and within 2 weeks of my initial doctors visit in February 2012 I was able to schedule my surgery for mid March. I was shocked to find my weight ballooned to 347lbs but thrilled when I lost 16 lbs pre-surgery in a short 12 days. I took 5 days off work, gave away all the food in my pantry and bought the cutest pajamas I could find for my 3 day hospital stay. I packed my bag on Sunday and even though I was nervous and exited I slept until 5am when I took a luxurious bubble bath and set out for the hospital @ 7am. In pre-op my precious daughter sat and prayed with me, my anesthesiologist joked about just turning the big 40 too, my surgeon came in and smiled, answered my questions, quelled my fears and prayed with my daughter and I. Nothing but blackness. I barely woke to find myself in PACU alone and asked for my daughter to be allowed in.."sure honey, which one is she?"..."hmm, oh, she's the one with pink hair!". My sweet daughter came in and praised God with me that I was breathing and everything seemed fine. Fade to black again. I'm in a private room now and my daughter is sleeping on the sofa. The nurse comes in, the IV is checked, "here's your button for the morphine pump. Any time you feel pain coming on you press it." I'm not in pain, I feel my stomach and it feels flat already, stupid, it must be the drugs. My surgeon comes in with his PA and he looks flushed, sweaty and triumphant, "eveything went wonderful! no problems, a textbook case if there ever was one." we smile and I joke about calling What Not To Wear to get a new wardrobe. I get up to the bathjroom as soon as I can. I'm anxious to see how I look and change out of the hospital gown. It's been 3hrs since surgery and i'm in my pajamas, robe and snuggly slippers and my daughter takes my arm and we begin our walk around the unit. I walk and walk, smiling and thinking what a good patient I am, no DVTs for me. My stay is uneventful, day 3 my surgeon smiles and says "time to go home!" I fill my prescriptions but I haven't touched the pain medicine and feel so powerful that I drive myself home. Then the horror begins. The first noght i'm home I wind up in the bathroom with forceful diarhea that comes in waves of gut wrenching spasms. Over and over again, just foul smelling liquid, I sit there too long and now i'm sick, I pull the trash can over and vomit clear liquid until I think i'm going to pass out. My daughter gets me to bed, time to take the meds and not try to do it on my own, I slump back and its daytime now. My head is spinning and the spasms come again, diarhea, vomit.... I step on the scale, smile in a drug haze and think wow i've lost 2 more lbs! Nothing is clear anymore, what day is it? what time is it? did I take my pills? was it a dream or did I really eat a piece of chicken from the refrigerator? why won't the nausea stop? why do the Protein shakes suddenly taste like dog butt? I can't get anything in, i'm trying to force 2oz popsicles down but when I finish one its back to the bathroom with waves of diarhea and vomiting. Day 6 post-op, I manage to take a shower with my daughter holding me up, pack 2 Protein Shakes and my giant Water bottle and trot off to work. I make it 2hrs into a ten hour shift and spend most of it in the bathroom vomiting blood...time to call the doctor. I talk to the nurse who tellls me to drink as much water as I can. I can't. I call and talk to another nurse who says to try a different Protein shake. I'm weak and sick and starting to lose it...I scream at my daughter "why won't you help me?". I call the nurse again, the PA calls me back "have you been able to take your meds and get some water in?" no, NO! It's been 11 days since surgery and now we're worried for some reason and my daughter has my bag packed and we're back at the hospital where they have my room ready and they put me back in a hospital gown. I don't see my doctor until Monday but Fri, Sat and Sun a variety of PAs mand other surgeons from the office come in and tell me things and they'll support me and some people have a harder time and just give it time, time time. Monday the first of many PICC lines come and the tests start. In 3 days I blew 11 IV lines. The PICC line sounds wonderful but they hit my ulnar nerve and the vein occluded and I went back to my room with an open hole in my arm, a second PICC and a gown covered in blood..how did that happen with a sterile drape? So I can't eat but they think I won't and they tell me all the reasons I need to and they threaten if I don't its time for TPN. I try, I puke. I try everything, Unjury- ick, water-gross, eggs-vomit, pudding, ice cream, sherbet, yogurt, Jello... the nausea wells up from my toes and never ends. The TPN starts on Tuesday, I leave the hospital 13 days later, Maundy Thursday, I beg because tomorrow its Good Friday and I can't bear to be away from daughter on Easter. Monday after Easter I have lost 8 lbs in the 4 days i've been home, somethings wrong. The doctor says to get a liter of Fluid and some Vitamins, it'll be ok, it's not. Friday the nurses come and set up the home TPN and show me how to do IV push meds, the saline, phenergen, saline, heparin, again, the zofran, again, 8 times a day. My house becomes and infirmary, boxes and boxes of supplies, dressings, medicine, saline, alcohol swabs, heparin. The dog can't be out when the dressing is changed, the TPN bag is changed once a day, add the vitamins, push the medicine. It takes a few weeks and the meds are doubled, the nausea just won't fricking stop. The TPN is my savior. another month, double the meds again, brief periods of relief, my weight stabilizes @ 317....I had WLS for this? I can't work, i'm constantly sick and besides I have a doctors appointment every week and another test, EGD, swallowing, emptying studies, another EGD, but nothing is wrong "everything is fine, it may just take time for you. You might be on liquids for 6 months" my doctor says... liquids? it's been 3 months and I can drink about 12 oz a day... liquids? i'm still on TPN?! It's been 4 months, I can't stand the TPN, we decrease the time and I try to eat what I can when I can. My weight is 318, d?@$ WLS! We double the meds, the phenergen is 4 times the dose it was when I had surgery, does anyone know this causes heart problems? We decrease the TPN, I can only eat right after I push the meds and I do it again right afterwards, then I pass out... weight loss is tough work, I manage to get down to 314. Somethings wrong, I feel sick, sicker than usual haha...my daughter is talking to the nurse at the ER, "no she feels really sick, her heart is skipping beats maybe? her blood pressure is up. look at her arm, do you think it's swollen? what's that black mark?" They tell me I have a UTI and send me home, its Monday. I can't breathe, i'm having a heart attack, I know it, its Wednesday and we're back at the ER, the doctor smiles and says its anxiety, take some Ativan and keep taking your antibiotic...are you kidding? I throw up the antibiotic, it stinks, I crush the Ativan and sleep for days. Its Friday and the nurse calls, "how are you" my arm hurts and its swollen, "GO BACK TO THE ER" I can't, I fall back asleep. Its Saturday and I can't find my wrist, my arm is a thick puffy balloon like they use to make balloon animals. My fingers won't bend, doesn't matter cause I can't feel them anyway, i'm sick, I vomit and try to push my meds, I get in 2ccs of saline and it feels like my arm is a water balloon...I push a cc and I think I see it literally filling up, theres a black gnarled line around my upper arm, looks like a barbed wire tattoo, thank God for WLS. I'm at the ER again, its Saturday night and i'm sure they'll admit me, they HAVE to pull the PICC and give me a new one, surely they'll see that, I can't breathe, please give me some Ativan and phenergan, i'm gonna puke again. A nurse comes in and says he's from Interventional radiology, doesn't even touch my arm but smiles and leaves, we hear him outside the door "you've gotta pull that PICC, it's really bad!" a tech comes in with an ultrasound machine and pushes on the outer part of my arm, over and over, slimy gel, pushing harder, my arm isn't quite so numb now, its killing me on the underside, my armpit aches and the inner portion of my upper arm feels like someone is firing a gun into it every time they touch me. "Good news!" the ER doc smiles and tells me its just a little superficlal blood clot...yay! all we need to do is apply warm compresses and it will go away, have some noroc for the pain...great, more crap I can't swallow. "What should I do if it gets worse? what if it swells up more?" don't worry "It's fine, no need to come back even if it gets bigger, warm compresses and you'll feel alot better" It's Monday and the weekend went by in a drug induced haze. I can't use my PICC, I crush the norco and ativan and try to stay asleep, no not asleep, blacked out, like anesthesia until the doctors office opens Monday. I tell the nurse, she sets up an appointment at Interventional Radiology for them to pull and replace the PICC on Tuesday, good, hopefully i'll die by then. Its 6pm Monday and I can't take it, I might be hallucinating, I know i'm dying, I moan and rock, i'm in the car, off to the ER again. I wait for hours while people scream and cry, everybody is taken before me, I pull my sweatshirt and cover my head, I moan and lick the blood from cracked lips, I can't even stand up to go to the bathroom and vomit, 4 hours later and they wheel me back. Nurse after nurse comes in to try to start an IV, "she's dehydrated and a tough poke" "I KNOW! she's so ill tho, what are we supposed to do???" check her feet, no veins, we're gonna have to go in thru the femoral.....God no, I can't remember if I have underwear on and they're gonna cut into my groan to find a vein. "Great news!" we found a cluster of blood clots under your arm, no not one, there are several vericose veins bulging out of your arm, the PICC went bad and they strangulated and now they have clots in them. You're gonna die if you throw one to your heart or lungs, we're starting the lovanox, you're gonna be fine. 3 days of terror, I'm admitted to the hospital and the doc upstairs decides she knows what I need, they pull the PICC from my grossly swollen arm and I beg for some dilauded "this isn't a painful procedure, you don't need anything for pain." and she teaches the student nurse how to yak=nk 4 feet of tubing and wire from my arm while I sob, my daughter cries and starts to yell. The doctor leaves, she won't come back or write orders, i'm sick, no pain meds or nausea meds, try some tylenol, f**** you. I cry and demand to see another doctor, I call my doctor and the oncall doctor screams at the charge nurse...they give me ativan and phenergan, my daughter yells and threatens, the nurses hate to come in my room. Wednesday morning is the first and last time I see my surgeon, he pops his head in and smiles "so your PICC is gone now, thats what happens" when you screw up and get a blood clot is what he doesn't say. I'll see you in my office next week and we'll talk about a feeding tube. What? I had WLS 4 and a half months ago... I cry and turn and face the window, I keep the shades down. I'm sick of this, I finally get to leave @ noon on Wednesday. I have a script for Warfarin and an order to have my blood drawn every day, I have no PICC line, no IV push meds, no TPN and my arm looks like I was going for a Popeye look. I sob on the ride home. When I go to the lab the next morning they stick me 6 times and still don't get enough to run the PT/INR to check my clotting times. I fall out of the car as I try to go inside, I just sit on the grass and contemplate throwing up on the lawn, I see the neighbor and when she waves I think I should strip off my clothes and just run shrieking down the street... I need a laugh, otherwise I just cry. I'm so depressed, I see my primary doc, he orders me oral nausea meds, a compression sleeve for my arm and listens to me cry. I tell him my heart is skipping a beat, he says "phenergan can cause permanent heart damage" f*** phenergan. It's 12 days since I left the hospital without a PICC. The last thing my surgeon said was that they couldn't find a reason for my symptoms, he even asked the doctors at a seminar in California and they were all puzzled, oh well, too bad for me. My weight is down to 300 lbs now, it was 312 when I left the hospital. I made the mistake of going back to the ER last week Tuesday because my chest hurt and I was coughing and that same shortness of breath and heart thing came back. they said I was fine and were sending me home when I looked the ER doc right in the eye and said "with all due respect, the last time you said I was fine I had a blood clot that almosgt killed me, please, can you just check everything to make sure i'm ok?" tears in my eyes, he smiles, lets run another test. Theres a shadow in my lung, likely pneumonia but we can't be sure the clots haven't moved. We'll keep you for observation but we won't admit you, you're probably fine buit we'll do some IV fluids and antibiotics to be sure. They take me upstairs, I know whats coming next, nurse after nurse tries to start the IV, IM pain meds, I ask for nausea meds at 6:30 am and by 2pm I still haven't gotten any. I can't stand it so I leave, they chase me and try to make me sign something saying if I die its my own fault. I get home and chew a phenergan, drink some lortab and pass out. My primary doc said he would figure out how to get me seen by a specialist, I won't return the calls from my surgeons office, if I could put a stop payment on his check I would but insurance has already paid his fee. Maybe he's right, there's nothing to explain my symptoms, I doubt that, my skin is grey and I look like a chemo patient because my long thick brown hair has fallen out in Patches and I have a kind of crazy eyed look to me. I'm hungry and thirsty, I think I look like I could be a victim of starvation but then I laugh because i'm still so fat. I knew the risks of the surgery, pulmonary embolism, DVT, sleeve leak, infection. I was a nurse for 10 years and took care of hospice patients who looked better than me. I signed on for a magic pill, a fantastic surgery that would finally help me get to a healthy weight so I could see my daughter graduate from medical school, get married and hold my grandchildren. I wanted to avoid diabetes and stop heart disease, funny how it all worked out. If you have experienced any of the pain, nausea, depression, sadness, fear, frustration, anger or disgust like I have, tell me your story and let me know i'm not alone, i'm not crazy and it does get better. :-)

I just ran across this article this morning. I am on Omeprazole for heartburn. (CNN) - Sometimes, solving one problem only creates another. Millions of Americans take proton pump inhibitors to treat acid reflux and heartburn. Known as PPIs, they are among the most prescribed drugs in the United States and are widely available over the counter. But according to preliminary research presented today at an American Heart Association conference in New Orleans, these medications may also increase the risk of ischemic stroke. Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They occur when a blood clot cuts off blood flow to the brain. "PPIs have been associated with unhealthy vascular function, including heart attacks, kidney disease and dementia," said Dr. Thomas Sehested, the study's lead author and a researcher at the Danish Heart Foundation. "We wanted to see if PPIs also posed a risk for ischemic stroke, especially given their increasing use in the general population." Most serious warning yet The research was conducted in Denmark among a quarter-million patients who suffered from stomach pain and indigestion, and were taking one of four PPIs: Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid or Nexium. Overall stroke risk increased 21% among patients who were taking a PPI, according to the study. At the lowest doses, the authors found either no or minimal increased risk of stroke. At the highest doses, they found that stroke risk increased 33% for Prilosec and Prevacid patients, 50% for Nexium patients and 79% for Protonix patients. In an email to CNN, P&G, the company that makes Prilosec, said the drug is an "FDA approved, safe and effective remedy to relieve frequent heartburn symptoms. Prilosec OTC has the longest history of safe and effective consumer use of any [over the counter] PPI." Takeda, the maker of Prevacid, said it could not comment on the results and conclusions of the study until the full data is published for review. "Patient safety is a top priority ... and we continuously monitor the safety of all our medicines and collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure this information is reflected in the respective prescribing information," a spokesman said in an email to CNN. AstraZeneca, the maker of Nexium, said, "Patient safety is an important priority ... and we believe all of our PPI medicines are generally safe and effective when used in accordance with the label." A spokeswoman said the company was not consulted during the research, so it could not comment on the data. Pfizer, the maker of Protonix, did not respond to CNN's request for comment. "At one time, PPIs were thought to be safe, without major side effects," Sehested said. "This study further questions the cardiovascular safety of these drugs." For years, doctors have questioned whether too many people are taking heartburn drugs. A pair of 2010 studies found that PPIs were associated with an increased risk of a serious bacterial infection. Stomach acid seems to play a role in killing off both good and bad bacteria in our gut. When someone is taking PPIs, their amount of stomach acid is reduced, and it creates an environment in which bacteria can flourish. "As a culture, we tend to want a pill to deal with our problems, when a lot of people could reduce their heartburn by eating smaller meals, drinking less alcohol or not smoking," Dr. Michael Katz, who wrote an editorial accompanying the studies, told CNN in 2010. In April, another study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that patients who took PPIs had a 96% increased risk of kidney failure and a 28% increased risk of kidney disease, compared with those who were prescribed alternative medications. What are the alternatives? Medical professionals estimate that the majority of people who suffer from acid reflux or heartburn could drastically or completely reduce their discomfort by making a few lifestyle changes: quit smoking, lose weight and cut back on spicy and fatty foods. If your doctor determines that you do need pills for your problem, pharmacist NaaDede Badger-Plange suggests starting with an antacid, such as Tums, Rolaids or Maalox. "Antacids usually would help if you have less than one incident a week," Badger-Plange said. "So, if you have heartburn very rarely -- especially people who have heartburn associated with certain foods -- they could take antacids." Antacids provide quick relief, but only for a short amount of time, said Badger-Plange, and consumers should pay close attention to the ingredients on the label. If you're pregnant, you should avoid sodium bicarbonate and magnesium trisilicate. Patients with kidney disease should avoid antacids that contain aluminum. For longer-lasting relief, H2 antagonist medications (also called H2 blockers) are also an option, but they can take a few hours to kick in. "One thing to keep in mind is, certain products that are in the H2 receptor antagonist class have drug interactions," Badger-Plange said. "So, if you have a lot of medications, you probably want to check with your pharmacist at the counter to make sure it's OK to take those medications." As always, you should talk to your doctor before starting or stopping any medication -- prescribed or over the counter. For years, Katz has been worried that PPIs "reinforce the idea that the solution to behavioral health issues is to take a pill, and that's just not how we're going to get healthier," he said in 2010. "Consumers need to ask their doctors, 'Why am I taking this? Do I still need this? Do I have an alternative?' " Copyright 2016 by CNN NewSource. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. http://www.clickondetroit.com/health/popular-heartburn-medications-linked-to-higher-risk-of-stroke

Hi @LibrarianErin I work for an American company and have some US based family and friends so I am well aware of the 4th July. I told my boos (American) that I was having my own freedom day on the 4th I had my pre-op consultation yesterday at the hospital with the anesthetist and floor nurse. Lots of questions for me, an EGC and blood test. I asked if there was anything to do in advance food and drink wise and they said no, just fasting from the night before when I arrive to the hospital. When I said I had given up alcohol three weeks ago they said that was a "good idea" and when I then said that as of the start of this week I had switched to decaf they asked me why I would do that, there was no need!! I explained I had read online a lot where it said not to have caffeine before or after surgery, the nurse laughed and said one of the things they give as a liquid after the op is a coffee. I didn't even tell them that I had started my own version of a liquid diet for the two weeks lead up. Protein shake for breakfast and one for lunch or dinner and then a meal for the other. I am trying to reduce my portion sizes and eat slower but it is really hard. I think that is what I worry about most, being able to slow down and be more mindful. I also love to drink - water, coffee, alcohol etc. - and not sure how I will cope with tiny sips. It is very hot here, in mid to high 80s which is too much for me and I am gulping back the water non-stop. What I didn't like to hear was that I have to shave from under my breasts to top of my things including pubic area. I am not sure I have seen there in years or can easily reach down there The pain of surgery might be one thing but the pain of regrowth elsewhere could be worse for longer, not looking forward to that.

Well that's the gist of it at least. Apparently a huge portion of my stomach had slipped through the band months and months ago. Started vomiting blood. Had an upper endoscopy done. Was told that I had the beginnings of an ulcer. Fast forward to 8 months later, and I'm in the hospital in severe pain and living off IV fluids when the doctors tell me that the portion of my stomach that slipped through had become necrotic tissue and was basically killing me (my white blood cell count was through the roof). Long story short, they removed 75% of my damaged stomach and I'm trying to cope with this new way of eating as well as intense hunger pains if I forget to eat. Anybody wanna hit me up and explain what the hell is going on with my body? Like why I don't feel the urge to eat (and many times forget to) and then I'm suddenly hit with the most intense hunger pains I've ever felt in my life accompanied with feelings of nausea? Like why I experience dumping when I eat ice cream, but not candy? Whether or not it's safe for me to have alcohol? Just majorly confused.

Hi, @FifiLux! Thanks for sharing with us! I was going to say something about July 4th being an easy date to remember, but then I saw your location is Europe, so you don't have the Independence Day association we Americans do. 🙂 Kudos on taking the initiative to give up alcohol before surgery! I know that can be such a big change because it's not just to your diet but to how you spend your down time or hang out with friends. But you got this! You'll be thankful you made that change now when there are so many other changes to make after surgery. Knee surgery is a huge why to keep at the forefront on this journey. Losing weight can unlock so many other health improvements. I'm surprised you have no pre-op guidelines from your provider. As some others have mentioned here, a big reason for a liquid diet is to shrink your liver to make it easier for the surgeon to access your stomach. I just heard a story from one of the co-hosts of the Our Sleeved Life podcast who said her surgeon took her liver out temporarily and that caused her more pain during recovery than her friend whose surgeon worked around her liver. So you might want to ask your surgeon if s/he will take your liver out and if it's possible to prevent that

If you’re still considering the lap-band after learning about it in detail, it’s time to think even more deeply about whether the lap-band is right for you. Before you decide, it’s best to consider the amount of weight you can reasonably expect to lose with the lap-band, and balance that with the potential medical risks, or complications, of getting the band. You’ll also need to find out whether you’re eligible for the surgery. Risks with the Lap-Band First, let’s take a look at some of the possible risks or complications that can happen with the band. Nearly all patients get some sort of complications or side effects, but not necessarily severe ones. Excessive bleeding and blood clots are risks that you take with any surgery. Of course you’ll have abdominal pain as you recover from lap-band surgery; after all, your surgeon had to make cuts in your stomach to put the lap-band in place. These are some of the other risks with the lap-band: band slippage leakage band erosion esophageal dilation nausea vomiting trouble swallowing (dysphagia) obstruction constipation Many of the complications are more common in patients whose starting weight (or BMI) is higher. That’s obviously a potential drawback for higher-BMI patients, but it’s also important to look at the alternatives. If your BMI is higher, you’re at higher risk for obesity-related health problems if you don’t lose weight. Also, many of the complications are preventable if you carefully follow your surgeon’s post-operation instructions, especially regarding your diet. Weight Loss to Expect We know; here’s what you’re really interested in! How much weight will the lap-band help you lose? The numbers vary, but within a year of getting the lap-band and following the lap-band diet, you might expect to lose a significant amount of your excess weight. Your excess weight is the number of pounds over your goal weight, and you might be able to lose 40 percent – or more – in a year. Many patients have been able to maintain their weight loss for five or more years. That’s great news if you’re sick of watching your weight cycle as you try diet after diet! The amount of weight you lose and whether you keep it off depends on you. To control your weight, you need to stick to your lap-band diet. These are the basic requirements of the lap-band diet: Choose nutritious foods Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient foods Avoid beverages with calories Eat small portions Limit snacking Exercise helps burn calories and speeds up weight loss, too! Are You a Candidate for the Lap-Band? Not everyone is eligible to get the lap-band. You have to meet certain criteria before you can get the lap-band. These are some of the normal requirements. Some of them are set by the FDA; others might be required by your insurance company or surgeon: Being at least 30 pounds overweight, with a BMI of at least 40 or a BMI of 30 to 40 along with an obesity-related health condition. Having struggled with your weight for at least five years, and having a history of unsuccessful dieting attempts. Being willing to attend educational seminars about the lap-band to learn about the procedure. Following a special diet program before your surgery to demonstrate that you’re able to do it. Promising to follow your surgeon’s aftercare program, which may include follow-up appointments, dietitian visits and group support meetings with other lap-band patients. A contraindication is a condition that makes you ineligible or a poor candidate for getting the lap-band. These are some of the common contraindications: Heart or lung problems that can make your surgery dangerous Drug or alcohol addiction Low pain tolerance (you will feel pain after getting banded) Unwillingness to commit to the lifestyle changes and lap-band diet necessary for losing weight and preventing complications Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant within a year Since the lap-band has such a long history, there’s been a lot of research done on the risks and benefits of the procedure. Chapter 4, “Is the Lap-Band the Right Choice for You?,” in The BIG Book on the LAP-BAND, goes through this research in more detail than this short summary. You’ll get to see some of the particular numbers, such as average pounds lost or percentages of patients who have specific complications. This information, together with seeing the eligibility criteria, can help you make an informed decision about whether the lap-band is right for you.