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What are they????

If its like mine, there is a LONG test w/a bunch of statements and you have to respond w/how much you agree or disagree w/each statement. Statements like... 'It makes me nervous to drive on a freeway.' Or, 'My friends are generally supportive of me'. Or, 'I like to go fishing in my free time'. Just answer the questions and don't overthink it. LOL I recognized some of the questions were trying to figure out if you have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Alcoholism, etc., but some of them I had no idea what they were there for (like the fishing one). In any case, even if they do see you have signs for something (like GAD), it wouldn't prevent you from having the surgery, but they would probably recommend you follow-up w/your PCP or a psychologist to discuss it more. It is a general test and tests for things that are not contraindicated for WLS. The only things that I think are contraindicated for WLS is active alcoholism and active bulimia... meaning if you have either of these right NOW, they would deny you. If you used to have them, I think you can still have the surgery.

Ok so I was sleeved August 4th and my doctor told me I had to wait 3 months before drinking. I usually go out with my coworkers after work and it's been a little frustrating not being able to drink. I'm not a big drinker but a social drink is always fun. How long you waited or what did your doctor recommended. Halloween is coming and I'm dressing up for the first time since I feel good

I have had my band for a year and have notices that I can not drink alcohol any more. More specifically I can not get drunk. I don't drink a lot but when I go to Vegas i do like to indulge. I don't try carbonated beverages. But I do like mixed drinks. The alcohol seems to just sit in my pouch and not taste the same and it also never seems to have any effect. Does anyone else notices a difference with drinking and the band?

Hi all, check your sugar free items I had trouble at the beginning with sugar alcohol. Also had trouble with splenda items. I am doing much better now 6 weeks out. But I too ate Popsicle and fudge pops. When I would do one after another I figured out it was too much "fake" sugar at once. Also my doctor suggested the lactose pills before my Protein. Again my body has changed enough 6 weeks out that I don't need them. i had to keep changing my Protein powder until i found one that wasn't so hard on my system. Good luck it is a trial time period. I promise it does get easier.

Good Morning and Welcome to June... Darcy - Have you made an appt with Your Doc yet? Hopefully it turns out to be nothing but better to be safe.. Sorry to hear about Ava ~ ouch in the pocketbook ~ Hopefully your babies will get to feeling better soon. Hi Kat ~ Praying that you get the call and everything can move along for you and DH. I have not had time to read back on your trip ~ Hope you all enjoyed it and relaxed. You got it girl... Donna ~ My Heart and Prayers go out to you. I have seen on my ex's side what alcohol can do to a family. Hopefully he will make a turn around. Eileen ~ Mine are coming more common since Dec ~ early menapouse is what the Doc says. Hopefully it is not true but it's expected I guess. Beanie - I have a call into my Lawyer cause I really do believe that I am entitled to the whole thing. But in order to get him to sign off on the house I will use anything at this point to keep the peace and the house and it's contents. Believe me I would rather not give him a dime for all the emotional crap I have had to take from his bottom of the barrel family and that is putting it nicely. I will be taking cell phone / ins pymt off the top... sounds like you all had a good time this weekend Patty ~ was it hard to set up the Tivo? I would really love one but am still not sure. I order movies from Net flix and those sit around my home for like a month. I was thinking they were going to call and tell me to send them back.. Pat ~ Sorry about your friend {{HUGS}}} I love your golf course yard.. Especially your ride ~ I could go round and round on that all day.. Even make money giving rides. Cindy ~ glad you are ticket free.. Betty ~ Are you getting any rest yet?? Becky - Happy Belated Birthday Sherry ~ have you checked out Ebay for the Gun he wants? That is good that he is working to offset the cost.. " EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH ~ SHERRY" Dianne ~ I bet once the Snacks are out of the picture for you and ME - we will see a differance.. Carol ~ Hi Well here we go another day in the neighborhood. Just pluggin away and waiting for the insurance lady or adjuster to call. Total loss is what the adjuster told the collision place.. See how much they will be offering is the next question? Other than that this would be the first weekend he would get the boys for overnights but he already said he would rather not take them till he has his apt ready? humm all the flippin fighting and now he does not want them. A$$ Well tomorrow is pay day and hoping to get some bills out of the way at least on my side, little does he know that there is a garnishment on his check. Kids are doing great and ex SIL is taking them to the park to ride bikes today. Other than that not a whole lot going on today. I bring in Breakfast tomorrow that is todays delimma.. Crap why did I agree???

I'm going in on a Friday and hoping to be back by Monday (Tuesday at the latest). My twin sister had lapband surgery last year and took a whole six weeks off. She has an excellent employer!! I do know that she was not allowed to drink alcohol for 1 year. It's something to do with corrosion of the band. You may want to research that before you partake! A year out she enjoys a drink now and then.

So glad to hear I am not the only one averaging 1000 about. I have drank a few drinks lately alcohol beverages and it had messed me up. No more of that!!

I read on this forum yesterday that a leak in a sleeve only happens shortly after surgery. It never happens months/years later. Is this true? Does anyone have any links/research supporting that? One of my biggest fears of having the sleeve is the possibility of a leak. BUT I honestly don't fear it happening immediately following surgery, I trust my surgeon 110%, she has never had a leak. I fear it happening 20,30,40 years down the road. Is that possible? I tried to find info online, but haven't found anything...I also tried to email my surgeon to ask her, but the way my insurance is set up, I have to email my PCP. Who could then ask the surgeon to call/email me, but that could take up to a week or more and I'm a very impatient person lol. I guess it makes sense that it wouldn't be likely to happen once the stomach is healed...but I would think it could still be a possibility if someone were to drink lots of soda, coffee, alcohol, etc...???

Going to the seminar is a good start. You may even want to consider counseling. food addiction is very real and a lot of us need help to battle it. It's not like alcohol where you can just never drink again, we have to eat many times a day to live, so our addiction is always in our face. Btw, I too was/am a food addict big time. The band doesn't and can't cure that, but so far I have been able to keep it under control since being banded.

Water: Admittedly, I have tried a sip of Water at a meal. I can handle that, but no more and I only do it if I am really thirsty. The drinking thing has been the most difficult habit to break of all for me. Now I try to drink something right before I eat and that seems to help tide me over. My doc told me 30 minutes to an hour after I eat and now at 6 months out, 30 minutes is just fine. I have gotten good at distracting myself until then. Alcohol: I have had a few glasses of wine in the last month or so and it went down just fine. I don't see myself being a big drinker in the future, but it's another thing that's not permanently off the list. The alcohol processes differently now though. Totally different sensation after a glass of wine. Salad: I am one of the people that has no issue with salad, but I didn't start trying it until month 5. Raw veggies do just fine in my stomach, but I can't eat the quantity I used to. I used to be able to shovel a ton of salad down and now it is more like a cup of it.

Congrads for your surgery!!!! I was sleeved two weeks ago. It was not bad at all. If you get nauseated have the nurse to bring you some alcohol wipes and fan them in front of your nose. Crunch and suck on ice chips. This will help you get through the first 24 hours. The third day you will be tired. Just rest. Remember to sip, sip and walk around. Each day you will get to feeling better. I had some ups and downs with my energy....just listen to your body and go lay down and take a 15 minute power nap. It is amazing how you brain and stomach will not be on the same page! I just love the new me. I am down 18 pounds in 18 days. It was the best thing that I could have done for myself and I trust it will be the best thing you could do for your self. I still have a long way to go, but I am optomistic about my near future! - Addison

Ok, for those of us having trouble getting our Protein in and still crave something yummy and sweet: PROTEIN PACKED PUDDING!!! ...all you need is: 1 box of fat-free/sugar-free jell-o pudding mix Skim or soy milk Your favorite Protein powder ...mix these things together and have a protein packed snack! ************* Don't know what to do with that disgusting (not so) unflavored protein powder??? Well, how about PROTEIN SHOTS?!?! ...all you'll need for this one is: 1 one package of your fav jell-o mix Water And that awful unflavored protein powder....make sure to add A LOT!!!! Pour the mixture into those little condiment cups. (*ya know, the ones we use for actual Jell-O shots, with the alcohol!* wink, wink!!! Refrain from using the vodka this time guys! Lol) Let the mixture congeal and you have yourself little protein shots that you can have each day, just like your supplements! Idk what to do about the awful tasting chewable Vitamins, you'll just have to man up and take them until they're gone...or just chunk them and get more!!! Haha Let it congeal and enjoy as much as you'd like!

Alcohol dehydrates you. Most people when dehydrated find that their band tightens and it is harder to eat.

J, I haven't been banded yet but I am LI and was worried about the shakes. I also am sensitive to Sucralose and the sugar alcohol sugar substitutes. Many on this board wrote about unjury. I ordered samples of each flavor plus the unflavored. I like it. It mixes with Water and is a bit thin but tolerable. Tried all but the chicken, that one scares me....lol The great part is I had NO TUMMY TROUBLE.

You need to get something that doesn't have sugar or alcohol. Try a diabetic approved cold medicine.

Every doctor is different when it comes to scheduling surgeries, so it's hard to tell. For most as long as you have everything completed and allow enough time to do pre-op diet (if required), they will get you in ASAP. But, sometimes insurance will drag out the process for a while (assuming that you are going through insurance). As far as the psychologist visit, mine was a joke. I filled out a 300+ questionnaire, and talked to the psychologist for about a half an hour. He asked me about my weight history, about what my expectations of the band were, made sure I knew this wasn't a quick easy fix, asked if I use drugs/alcohol, depression etc... It was a joke, don't worry about that part. Good luck!!!

Does anyone have any experience with drinking alcohol after the sleeve surgery? Specifically: how long did you wait to drink, what did you drink, any awful side effects?

Are you out there? Recovery Alcoholic is so very optional (added this mainly because i found I am actually quite compulsive with food) but really looking to make a friend here who can meet up and hang on occasion:) You don't even have to have a low bmi'er at all...just don't want to be judged for doing it at what some deem a lower weight. I live in Hollywood area:D

Hi Bob, and welcome to LBT. I think, with your co-morbities (sp?) you will qualify for the band. You also sound like you would be successful as you already are in the habit of exercising, which, I feel, is essential to band success. Question, is your wife, or has she ever been overweight? I don't think people realize just how difficult it is to diet. Sure, I think just about everyone on here has lost a lot of weight at one time or another. The problem is, we all seem to gain it back. Dieting is so tough. Just like quiting smoking is tough on smokers and quitting drinking is hard for alcoholics. The band is a wonderful tool to help us reach our goals and stay there. Have you taken your wife to a seminar on the band, or to a band support group? That may help. Or, have her check out this website to see how much all of us have struggled before finally deciding to change our lives for the better once and for all with the band. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your next steps and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Has anyone else's doctor told them to stay away alcohol for 2 years? I haven't heard anyone else being told this. Something about giving the liver time to heal.

Mine didn't forbid alcohol, but they do say to BE CAUTIOUS. I think there are two concerns: 1) totally empty calories, and you can drink a ton of them, and 2) fear of crossover addiction. WLS patients have an unusually high rate of alcoholism due to crossover addiction. It is also a good way to gain back weight fast.

I was really bad this weekend???? I just started dating this guy and we joined our friends at a bar for some Halloween fun and I tried alcohol for the first time since my surgery and it went really good and so I had a few more drinks and a cocoanut shot and it was the most fun I've had since surgery!! I'm 4 months post op by the way.. I know it might have been too soon but I just wanted to try and it went so good! And I didn't get as drunk as I thought I would.. I sipped between the alcohol and ice water too so it helped.. And then today I had a piece of homemade deer jerky. It was delicious!!!! So now I'm getting back on the health wagon and working my butt off to take the calories and burn off the fat that I took in this weekend.. I had my fun and now it's back to what's most important.. My health..

It's so weird the differences in doctors. I'm not sure about alcohol as I haven't asked- not a big drinker anyway. My NUT says no sodas ever again and yet my surgeon told me when I'm 2-3 months out he doesn't mind as long as there is no caffeine and it's Diet. I mean they work in the same practice and yet have varying rules!

My Dr said to kiss soda and alcohol good bye forever. He won't support it. Even after the first year. LOL