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One of the nurses gave me alcohol swabs to sniff for bouts of nausea. It was a miracle worker! Walking, heating pad, and not laying down (slept in a recliner), & Gas-X helped the most with gas. It was the worst part. Hiccups hurt too, I just kept my abdominal binder on and clutched a small pillow across my stomach to hold it as still as possible. Surgery date- 11/8/16, Height- 5'6", HW- 249, SW- 235, GW- 160, CW (11/16)- 226

More examples of Slider Foods/Drinks: chocolate, Ice-cream, Frozen yoghurt, Milo (chocolate shakes), alcohol

I doubt it would be allergy to the vitamins themselves, but different preparations of vitamins are full of fillers, some with sugars/sweeteners/sugar alcohols, etc.

I'm worried as well. My husband is even heavier than me...although very supportive so far. I fear though. It's a little bit like alcoholism. When both people drink and one stops or cuts back....how can that not create tension. Even with best intentions, the one who still drinks has loss of their partner in crime....and the one who gets clean watches the other one continue to make poor choices....whether there is judgement on either side or not, there would be perception of judgement. You have to do what it takes to get yourself heathy and on track and worry about yourself first. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I don't think it will ever go back to how it was for you before. 1, I think we are suppose to severely limit our alcohol intake until we've met our goals and maintained. 2, Once you lose weight your body's tolerance changes and you metabolize alcohol more quickly, less body mass to distribute. So the likelyhood is that your tolerance will never be the same again.

When does your tolerance for alcohol go back to normal? Sent from my Z981 using the BariatricPal App

I waited around 3months out for a glass of wine, and have just stuck to this alcohol. I have had three beers (in holidays in the Baltic Countries) and it took me ages to sip them down and didn't feel that great. I usually have one or two glasses of wine with friends during the weekend though.

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

My band is 3 also. I had one taken out and I gained 10 pounds in a month! Scared me, so I had it put back in. I eat about 3 cups of food a day. I try to split it up of course and put my Protein in first. I have bad days and eat sweets and some alcohol once in a while but for the most part I follow the rules. I went through what I call the candy years. I didn't eat very healthy year 4 and 5, but luckily I managed to keep weight down. It took two years to reach my goal, and this has definately been a journey. I have to tell you when my band was too loose, I ate a big mac! I got really sick though lol. You can do it, and even though my band is the same as yours, I think that varies from person to person. I must say the option to loosen or tighten has been good for me! Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

I just wanted to say, WTF on his behavior! I can only hope that alcohol might have caused him to say things he might regret? I have read your other posts, though, so I don't know. No real advice here, I just wanted to say that I feel for you. What a load of angry, passive aggressive crap. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

OH YEAH. My surgery is scheduled for 5 December. I can completely relate. When I started this process it was like..ok! Let's start eating! Gonna have surgery soon anyway! I was like a deranged squirrel getting ready to hibernate--except my acorns were junk food! Pizza Hut! Krispy Kreme! Dairy Queen! I could go on. But you know, it hasn't made me really happy though. Sure, it tastes good at the moment, but the way it's made me feel afterwards has only confirmed how dysfunctional my relationship with food has been. I feel like CRAP. And It's not helping me prepare for the life to come. I'm self-paying, and I have to tell myself that if I'm going to get a decent return on this investment I'm making in myself...I need to knock it off. I've cut out alcohol this week (a BIG one for me). Next week it's soda. But yeah, I can completely relate to what you are saying. I'm motivating myself by reminding myself this is a 9800 investment that I don't need to waste.

Is 3 weeks post op the magic number? It is true anytime you ask about something obvious like chips, soda, crackers, alcohol, ANYTHING NOT PROTEIN you will elicit a response. Period. I'm still kind of a newbie and @@iam_yamii there are people who will politely tell you hell to the no... there are others who have hit their wall post op newbies asking about such things. Don't take offense. Think of it as watchers of the sleeve protecting you from yourself. I don't think you need a forum to answer your question. You already knew the answer-- maybe you were seeking validation or admission from others who do partake in chips and dip. My journey hasn't been without a flaw but I will say this-- after having to require surgical intervention to help me lose weight I honestly could have cared less if I ever saw another chip or cookie or anything that falls into the junk food category regardless whether it was paired with an avocado. This is an opportunity to start fresh-- a clean slate hopefully you follow the guidelines provided to you and try not to read into it. Your sole focus should be protein and water. Nothing else. Nothing else matters right now. Maybe once you're on regular food you can expand your horizons to include fruit and veggies in various forms but chips, crackers, pretzels should be something you SLOWLY incorporate during maintenance. Your body will thank you. Carbs drive hunger. Protein =Satiety.

Don't be nervous. They will ask what has brought you to this decision, why you think you'll be successful, any barriers you see to being able to make this work for you. They will also speak to transferred addictions to drugs/alcohol in place of food. They just want to make sure you're prepared for this major life change as insurance companies don't want to approve if it's not going to work. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Actually, the rudeness comment was directed toward my comment and I'm ok with that. I'm just amazed when people are a couple weeks out from surgery, and they are asking when they can have chips, ice cream, alcohol, etc. To each his/her own.

I was 2.5 months out when I tried to drink a hard cider for my birthday. I had maybe 1/4 C. before I passed out on the couch. Tried again this last weekend, got maybe 1/2 C. down and got super sleepy again. I'm wary of trying hard alcohol, I think it may be a little hard on my sleeve.

Yeah I mean it's clearly a reaction but it's all scabby I tried alcohol it burns and I did get a antiseptic spray. But I what could I put on there so my stomach isn't itchy. (My dr gave me an antiseptic spray and he said to continue using it but he said to just pat my stomach no scratching but it's not helping. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Looks like u definitely had a reaction to the tape speak with ur dr. You should be able to wipe it down with a alcohol wipe to keep it disinfected and let the gauze off of it air is good for it usually at this point. There are anti itch creams that will help with the itch. I would not take benedryl without asking the dr first. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I felt ,feel shame. And remorse that I couldn't do this on my own, that I didn't take care of myself sooner. But at the same time, I am glad that I have realized that this is a problem I need help with. I don't want to die, get diabetes, heart disease etc. so if a little shame comes with the territory it worth it. Also, how bad is the shame of continuing to be overweight? I almost die every time I fly, sit in a stadium, even getting dressed. I guess it's no different than people who find it hard to ask for help with alcoholism, drugs because of shame. Although we shouldn't feel shame for asking and receiving help with a problem, I do understand how you feel. I say get your courage up and go for it, time to end the shame! . Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Are you still journaling everything you are eating every day? How many carbs are you eating in a day? Is there anything in particular that you are intaking that you feel might be causing the stall (e.g., alcohol, sugar, not enough Protein, etc.)?

My body reacts much differently to alcohol post-op. I get a quick buzz but it goes away very fast. I've never been hung over since I had surgery.

When did everyone start drinking again after their surgeries? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

I was never a big drinker pre-surgery (we're talking maybe five glasses of wine per year), but I haven't had any alcohol at all since my surgery 17 months ago.

I'm pre op and have thought a lot about this issue. My mom is a recovering alcoholic so I am concerned about the idea of swapping addictions. With all that being said I plan to drink post op but not for a long time, at least 8 months out. Longer if my stomach seems iffy. But even then I plan on only doing it on special occasions (birthday, thanksgiving, etc and no more than once a month). But before I do any of that I'm going to have a drink at home with a close friend here to see how I react to it. I do love cooking with alcohol though, does anyone know if that is an issue post op? I know it will be a while before I'm cooking real meals but wondering if it's acceptable. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Absolutely! I never bought imitation baking extracts and I don't intend to start now. That goes for pie crusts too. PS For those of you who don't know, real extracts (vanilla, etc.) are normally 35% alcohol (or more if you make your own). Pie crusts are made with VODKA. Williams Sonoma teaches that for an excellent (chemical reaction) reason.

I never stopped drinking. Alcohol has never been particularly important to me and, when I feel like a drink or two, sometimes three, I don't hesitate. This includes wine, cocktails and a basic, mixed drink. The occasion and the company determine the quantity. My limit is two consecutive days.