Search the Community

The only reason they say 6 months is the calorie intake. That being said, alcohol will be okay. Try to stay away from carbonation though. Also, keep in mind you are not eating as much. You may find that you get buzzed more quickly. Good luck.

This is me thinking about how I sometimes react to alcohol...I never know when it will make me feel queasy which could then possibly lead to getting sick or dry heaves which in turn could lead to somehow damaging the band...but sometimes I don't know when to say when either so I guess everyone is different.

I agree with the advice you can generally eat what you’d like once you’ve well established your maintenance. However, there are a few things you have to remember: portion control, frequency, what your system will tolerate & your danger foods. At 18months, I don’t have rice, pasta & bread. I avoid sweets (desserts, cakes, biscuits, ice cream, cream, etc.) 99.9% of the time. I don’t add sugar or artificial sweeteners to anything. I’ve reduced alcohol to probably once a month. No fast food but have had Asian takeaway three times when with friends. I call it my reduce, restrict, avoid plan. It allows me to have a little of certain foods (the odd treat) limit other foods & avoid the foods which would equate to weight gain for me or fill up my tummy too quickly. I switch up foods to healthier choices & use healthier cooking methods. As some random examples: I make chia pudding (milk, milk powder, vanilla extract & chia seeds) if I want a dessert. I use an air fryer for a crispy finish instead of frying, use non stick pans & spray olive oil. When I had the takeaway I chose either chicken & cashews (braised) or steamed pork & prawn gyoza (ate the filling only). I just don’t buy certain foods - if they’re not in my house I can’t eat them. I also deleted the home delivery apps off my phone - lol. I take my lunch to work so I’m not hitting up the food courts. It’s not easy and I work at it every day. I just hope one day I will have ‘rewired my brain’ as @AZhiker mentioned & it will be a little easier. I just don’t want to be overweight again. But in reality, it all comes down to finding what works for you. Good luck.

You can deduct medical expenses, but only if they meet the IRS guidelines and exceed a certain percentage of your income: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html: Topic 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses If, for a taxable year, you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A, you may be able to deduct expenses you paid that year for medical and dental care for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. You may deduct only the amount by which your total medical care expenses for the year exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. For years beginning after December 31, 2012, you may deduct only the amount by which your total medical expenses exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income. You figure the amount you are allowed to deduct on Form 1040, Schedule A. IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, contains additional information on medical expenses including who will qualify as your dependent for purposes of the deduction and how you figure and report the deduction on your return. Medical care expenses include payments for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or payments for treatments affecting any structure or function of the body. Medical care expenses include the insurance premiums you paid for policies that cover medical care or for a qualified long-term care insurance policy covering qualified long-term care services. If you are an employee, medical expenses do not include that portion of your premiums paid by your employer under its sponsored group accident or health policy or qualified long-term care insurance policy. Further, medical expenses do not include the premiums that you paid under your employer-sponsored policy under a premium conversion policy; for example, a federal employee, participating in the premium conversion program of the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program, may not include the premiums paid for the policy as a medical expense. If you are self-employed and have a net profit for the year, you may be able to deduct (as an adjustment to income) the premiums you paid on a health insurance policy covering medical care including a qualified long-term care insurance policy covering medical care including a qualified long-term care insurance policy for yourself and your spouse and dependents. You cannot take this deduction for any month in which you were eligible to participate in any subsidized health plan maintained by your employer, your former employer, your spouse's employer, or your former spouse's employer. If you do not claim 100% of you self-employed health insurance deduction, you can include the remaining premiums with your other medical expenses as an itemized deduction on Form 1040, Schedule A. You may not deduct insurance premiums paid by an employer-sponsored health insurance plan (cafeteria plan) unless the premiums are included in Box 1 of your Form W-2. Deductible medical expenses may include but are not limited to: Payments of fees to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and nontraditional medical practitioners Payments for in-patient hospital care or nursing home services, including the cost of meals and lodging charged by the hospital or nursing home Payments for acupuncture treatments or inpatient treatment at a center for alcohol or drug addiction, for participation in a smoking-cessation program and for drugs to alleviate nicotine withdrawal that require a prescription Payments to participate in a weight-loss program for a specific disease or diseases, including obesity, diagnosed by a physician but not ordinarily, payments for diet food items or the payment of health club dues Payments for insulin and payments for drugs that require a prescription Payments for admission and transportation to a medical conference relating to a chronic disease that you, your spouse, or your dependents have (if the costs are primarily for and essential to medical care necessitated medical care). However, you may not deduct the costs for meals and lodging while attending the medical conference Payments for false teeth, reading or prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, hearing aids, crutches, wheelchairs, and for guide dogs for the blind or deaf Payments for transportation primarily for and essential to medical care that qualify as medical expenses, such as, payments of the actual fare for a taxi, bus, train, or ambulance or for medical transportation by personal car, the amount of your actual out-of-pocket expenses such as for gas and oil, or the amount of the standard mileage rate for medical expenses, plus the cost of tolls and parking fees You may not deduct funeral or burial expenses, over-the-counter medicines, toothpaste, toiletries, cosmetics, a trip or program for the general improvement of your health, or most cosmetic surgery. You may not deduct amounts paid for nicotine gum and nicotine Patches, which do not require a prescription You can only include the medical expenses you paid during the year. Your total deductible medical expenses for the year must be reduced by any reimbursement of deductible medical expenses. It makes no difference if you receive the reimbursement or if it is paid directly to the doctor, hospital, or other medical provider. See Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, for additional information. IRS Publications may be downloaded from the IRS.gov website, www.irs.gov, or ordered by calling 800–829–3676.

I'm 11 months out and I can eat anything in very small portions. The only thing I have trouble with is sweet alcoholic drinks like margaritas and so on -- I stopped ordering them because they are SO sweet and fill me up too fast and I end up not being able to drink more than half!

I am by no means a big drinker....I drink a few times a year at best.....I have family coming home and would like to enjoy a few socialables....I am worried about how it will hit me and what to have.....does it hit you faster now that your stomach is smaller? Please let me know what to expect.

I'm looking into lapband vs gastric bypass and have my informational seminar scheduled for the end of April. One big drawback is that my insurance will definitely not pay for surgery--it is explicitly prohibited by the HMO. :eek: I've read so many different opinions on this blog but it helps to read them all to get a balanced view. My biggest fear is that the cravings will be untouched by this process. :confused2: As most of you probably know, its not about will power, but the cravings I get for carbs and sweets are overwhelming. I've been to OA and many other support groups and they all mean well, but I think there is something missing. I know they have medications that deal with alcohol and cocaine cravings, so I wonder if they may find one some day that works with the food cravings, something to straighten the brain out and turn off that message. Anyway, I'll keep reading and moving forward. Thanks for being there. :bolt:

No worries, you have to stay focused on the positives and remember why you chose the surgery you did. As they say in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, this too shall pass. This pain and discomfort you are in is only temporary. As far as the protein, my favorite is the Peanut Butter. I have also tried the chocolate shake and the strawberries and cream. Peanut Butter is the best, then chocolate and then strawberry. I make mine with almond milk and it is really good, they also mix really easily and you can make them in a blender bottle.

I have the sugar free chocolate syrup, have to check on the peppermint one...OMG, I just read the back of the peppermint extract, to see about calories, and it says it's 91% alcohol..Good thing I only used 1 tsp.

I had the SADI-S on July 23, 2020, so I'm getting close to 2 years out. It was definitely the best thing I ever did. I was self pay because our insurance at the time didn't cover any wls. I have lost 200 pounds. I started at 393 (I'm 5'3") and I'm currently 193. I'm hoping to lose more. I'm losing very slowly now, but it's still coming off. The surgery was not bad, except for the first few days I had a lot of nausea. Lo and behold, our insurance now covers wls, including this one, so my husband is having it done on May 13th. They are giving him nausea meds pre-op, so I'm guessing quite a few people have had nausea with it like it did. There weren't very many people having it done when I did so they didn't know as much. I am so happy I chose the SADI-S. I feel amazing, and I have tolerated most foods. I do notice alcohol just doesn't seem to sit right in my stomach, but I've only had it a few times since surgery and I'm not a big drinker so it doesn't matter too much to me anyway. My life has changed completely in so many ways! It is late and I'm tired so I can't think of what else to write at the moment but I'll be glad to answer any questions you have! Sent from my Pixel 5a using BariatricPal mobile app

Yikes! Am I ever getting nervous. I am scheduled for surgery on 9-13. Trying to keep to the pre-op diet is hard but I am doing okay. I think my biggest fear is not knowing how well I will do. I would do just about ANYTHING to lose weight in the past...including diet pills, hypnosis, etc. I always lost the weight but put it back on again. I need a little buddy (the lap band) to remind me not to eat when I am full.....not to eat just because I am bored...or unhappy or happy, etc! I am hoping that the lap band will do the trick! I do wonder what the rules on alcohol are. Can you ever drink alcohol again after the surgery? Not that I drink a lot but I do on social occasions occasionally! Any thoughts on that? I would appreciate any and all! Thanks,

There are obviously things I should have done differently. But I'm not going to harp on myself. I did better than I would've done 3 weeks ago. I ate my protein first, and only drank water. I've decided to give up alcohol for 4-6 months, we'll see how it goes, but at least holding off until October. I ate some cake, and quickly noticed that it made me feel sick, my body wasn't used to that much sugar!! Haha! I actually found myself, or felt like my body was craving protein!! It's nice to be a bit more intune with my body. Well this was definitely a worthwhile experience, I learned the hard way not to eat too many sweets, and I also learned that even with an open bar, I'm able to abstain from alcohol. I definitely worked off the sweets though! I danced like a fool, and still had a lot of fun!! Today I went for a 2 mile walk, and feel great! Monday are my first followup appts! I'm excited. I have many things to talk to my therapist about!! LOVE! Allie :smile:

Hi elsid congratulation on loosing 36 pounds. Taking the first step to get with us guys is a great way to get back on track. We have the same problem as you. We are all compulsive overeaters I am for sure. We all chose the band to help us on the road to good health but it is only a tool it wont do it for us. To become sober an Alcoholic must stop drinking. A compulsive overeater is no different only food is the booze. We can’t stop eating so what can we do? For me I chose to not eat between meals that would be like an Alcoholic taking a drink this would be my first suggestion. Second exercise must become the most important activity of your day put off what you must but walk at least 30 minutes per day seven days a week Get a logbook and start recording daily I do. Log how much liquid, drink 48 to 64 oz per day. Record your Protein input. Eat 60 to 70 grams of protein per day no more. Drink protein drinks if needed to get to this number. I do record my calories but not required I eat 400 to 600 per day. Yes I do get hungry the Band fills have not caught up with that yet but they will. But then we chose weight lose surgery. So get over it use willpower 6 months to a year is a very small price to pay for our good health. I use low sodium v8 juice and protein drinks between meals to help with the hungers. Good luck

Its interesting that you had this happen to you and posted today because just this morning I was having a conversation with two Physician Assistats and one Medical doctor about it, I am a med student (PA to be exact)..... So it went like this, we were doing blood pressure, height, weight and BMI checks (as well as other stuff) at a health fair. Someone mentioned a patient that she recetly had who was 33 and had a BMI of 54, so one of my profesors said something to the effect that for those patients she really thought they just had to have surgery. Later another profesor came and she is bigger than me, and I asked her what she thought of the gastric sleeve, her answer was that she did not believe in those things because she saw too many patients with too many problems after having it (keep in mind that after more questions she admitted she knew little about the sleeve and she also has served mostly underrepresented populations who actually already lack health care), so I realized she would not be someone even willing to honestly talk about it so I left it at that. I later talked to the other PA and doctor (the one that had mentioned surgery earlier), they admited that they knew very little about the sleeve, but that there comes a time when people really needed surgery to succed at weight loss. After talking to them I realized what their apprehancion with it being done to someone with no immediate health problems, that they may not learn to eat (and or threat other underlying problems and take on alcohol or drugs when they cannot eat to deal with them) and might not be ready for a life change that it entails. Many doctors, PAs, NPs and other health care providers just don't kow the science behind it but see the patients who came to them because of gaining weight and other complications after the surgeries, not realizing that the majority of that was caused by the patient him/herself not the procedure (yes bypass has a lot of malnutrition but even that one is very successful with limited risk for patients who follow all directions). Has patients we need to keep in mind that this is a last resort surgery, I like many of you have a lower BMI (I actually lost a little weight recently I just found out and my current BMI is 35) but I have tried every diet in the book and those not in a book too! and nothing has done it! I confided in one of my teachers today and told her that I was having it done and why and after my explanation based on scientific evidence (I told her I have done a great deal of research and shared some with her before telling her I was doing it) she said she understood. Perhaps the best thing you can do is educate your doctor, and let him/her know that you have done your research (but back it up with information you have found) and let him/her know that you know it will take a great deal of effort from you to stay healthy (eat the Protein, Water, Vitamins, exercise and the like for the rest of our lives!) but that you just need help getting there. I believe if more clinitians knew more about it they would be more supportive. There are those (like I found out today) that don't believe in the surgery at all and will not listen even when research is presented to them, but your doctor does not appear to be one of them; just genuinely concerned. Make sure you are really ready for this change and if your answer is yes then you will know what to do! Good luck!

It could be dehydration...But you also need to consider that it maybe Hypoglycemia. Both act similar and alcohol has a lot of sucrose in it! If you do have dehydration. G2 or coconut Water will help.

I did have a couple of drinks and I was banded on 9/8. Just be careful because I am a beer drinker but now I can't drink it so I've been drinking wine and it's much more concentrated with alcohol. It only takes me a couple of glasses to feel it. Sip it slowly. Happy Birthday and use your best judgement...

First, what did your doc say about drinking alcohol? If he/she said "yay", go for it; if "nay" you will have to decide if you want to be a rebel. I haven't had any ill effects, but I am not much of a drinker either. Even before banding alcohol just didn't agree with my stomach. Now, before you hear all the "drinking is empty calories, why would you do that so early in your journey", let me just say this ... you're birthday comes once a year (although some would argue it also comes "every" year), if you want to have a drink, do so. That said, be careful because the consensus is that it takes less to "feel it" once you have the band. That has been my experience as well. Also, don't over do it. This is a good time start being conscious about what you eat/drink. Lastly, if you decide to get "blasted" (being your birthday and all), don't freak out when you don't like the numbers on the scale next week. In fact, don't weigh for a week or so. Give yourself time to get back on track and make up for your "celebration". If you are able to immediately get back on track and move forward on your journey, you're golden. If, on the other hand, you find yourself struggling to get back into the groove it will be a good lesson for the next time your friends want you to go drinking. Starting out it is trial and error for some of us. Others are able to walk the straight and narrow from the start. As long as you know which type you are and can live with it, you'll be just fine. Oh and ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enjoy! My birthday is Friday and I will probably have at least 1 glass of wine.

Alexandra, my dear, you are NEVER wrong. And if you are, you're never wrong here. "Desat" refers to oxygen desaturation. You wear that little pulse-ox thingy on your finger while you sleep and the machine records and prints your O2 levels. I think that would be a very reasonable primary screening thing. People whose O2 levels never drop to below 92% or some other figure could be sent on their merry way. Let's work on legislation or something. The testing is not only expensive AND an overnight excursion, but the crap they use to glue the electrodes to your scalp ought to be illegal. And the VA pretty much just SANDS them off your skin, with alcohol-soaked emery paper or something.

Hi All! Its been a while since I posted anything or been active. I found out in November that I was pregnant. I was 8 months out of surgery when I got pregnant. My fiance and I had just gotten engaged a few months before and were planning our wedding. So it was definitely a surprise! I was really nervous about proceeding with the pregnancy. I just knew I would be ready in just one more year (I've been saying that for the last 5 years!) BUT I was pregnant now, 33, in a great relationship, with a stable income, healthier then Ive been in a while and all out of excuses not to start my family. So my journey began... I am currently 23 weeks pregnant! This is my first pregnancy so I have nothing to compare it with but this has been my experience in case any of you find yourself in my situation. Its hard to find doctors who understand how VSG affects my pregnancy. They understand that I need to be monitored more but don't really get the nuances. One example; I was given this HUGE jug to collect my urine over 24 hours. When I returned it, I was told that they need AT LEAST 4X more urine than I had collected. They were convinced I didn't collect all my urine. I told them that was everything I had to give! They told me to drink more water. Now this community knows how hard that task is. I still can not eat and drink at the same time. I also cant just drink a gallon of water in one go. It feels like a herculean task. I have tried 3 times and have still not filled this jug! I've learned that drinking tea increases my urine output so I have hope for my next attempt. I was really sick throughout my first and second trimester. I already had bad acid reflux before and after surgery and was taking omeprazole to relieve it. Turns out you can't take anything stronger than Tums while pregnant. So on top of the normal nausea, I felt the need to throw up to relieve my indigestion and heartburn. I started really hating food when everyone else kept trying to feed me more! I've been feeling better now though. I was allowed to take pepcid and it actually helps. Now, I have the desire to eat more but still cant eat more than a few bites of anything in one sitting. My food also takes forever to digest so I have to be really picky about what I eat. Fruits are my best friend! I kept my surgery a secret. My fiance and sister are the only ones I told about my VSG. So no one really gets why Im having a hard time eating more. They also keep wanting to see my belly but Im not sure how to explain my incisions. It feels too late to say anything now... so its awkward and more isolating than it could have been. But my family can be SUPER judgy so I think they would just find a way to make me feel bad about it and I don't need the added stress. I get to do more sonograms than your average mom to be. Because of my VSG and previous hypertension, I'm monitored more and have more doctor visits. I really don't mind! I love getting to see whats going on in there! So far so good... mostly. I keep expecting the docs to say my baby isn't growing or Im malnourished but that doesn't seem to be the case. Everything is progressing normally and baby looks good. They did mention that one of babys kidneys is not eliminating waste as it should. The other kidney is fine but they want to keep an eye on it. Of course we are worried but its actually pretty common and generally resolves itself. If it doesn't, there is a small procedure to fix it after birth (if necessary) so we are trying not to sweat it. I got Covid. I'm a teacher and as soon as the mask mandate was removed, I got COVID. Never mind that Ive been vaccinated, boosted and was still wearing my mask! Im actually recovering now. (SIDE NOTE: We seem to be having a second surge at my school. I wonder if any other teachers (or parents) have noticed that?) I was EXTREMELY sick the first week. I was lightheaded, coughing, full of mucus, achy and just couldn't get out of bed. I also couldn't take any medicines because of the pregnancy. My mom kept sending me home remedies but when I looked them up, there was always a warning for pregnant people. I just had to ride it out. Baby seems ok but I'll know more at my appointment next week. As far as my VSG goals... I was 195-200 lbs when I found out I was pregnant (SW:267) and had been stalled there for almost 2 months. I was getting a bit discouraged because my whole weight loss process had been so slow and felt harder for me than it seemed like it was for some people here. I also had a friend who had her VSG after me and had lost almost twice as much weight as I had so I knew it wasn't in my head. I started drinking again and sneaking in more cheat snacks. When I found out I was pregnant, I cut out all alcohol and was really strict about making sure the little food I ate was good for baby. I dropped 20-25 more pounds. Im currently 175 lbs. I havent really gained any weight. Part of me is happy about that and still trying to get to my goal of 155 while pregnant. But I know I have to put on weight for baby. It's really a mind f**k. Doctors say the baby is growing normally so there isn't much to worry about... yet. Technically I'm still overweight and they don't recommend as much weight gain for overweight moms. Im entering my third trimester now and am supposed to put on 1-2 lbs a week. We'll see how that goes. Im still trending downwards... If you made it to the end, thanks for reading through this entire post. I hope it helps. I hope to update you with only good news in the weeks to come! Last note, I'm having a girl! So exciting!!! My VSG has definitely complicated things but I think we made the right decision and I am really excited about entering this next chapter of my life healthier than I have been in years!

it will all be worth it in the long run!! :frown: I am allergic to caffiene (19 years now)...and I haven't had alcohol in 3 years or so (I had a stroke and the meds I take messes with carbonation in all liqiuds...so even before being banded all carbonation was flat..flat beer..yuk!) Milk you will get in a little while...no sugar..think of the weight you have lost!! As I said it will all be worth it in the long run. My diet was the same...only I had already been on it due to other reasons!! You might want to ask your dr if you can have B12 vitamins (over the counter)..they melt in your mouth...they will give you an energy boost.

Hello … I’ve just been approved to be sleeved. I’ve been reading here for months, so wanted to introduce myself. 41, female, single, no kids, located in Los Angeles. I’ve been curvy my whole life, but really heavy the last 10 yrs or so. I had never considered WLS until now because of all of the negative side effects from the Lap Band or Bypass. But last fall my neighbor told me she was getting sleeved. So I started to research, and was excited by so few “cons” to the procedure. I went for my initial consultation in October, was told I was a good candidate. But I couldn’t have the surgery before the end of 2017 because of my work travel schedule. So I held off proceeding until January, so I wouldn’t have to pay more out of pocket than necessary. On January 9th I went back to my surgeons office and had nutritional counseling, psych eval, EKG, and then went to the hospital to get my blood work, chest X-ray & echocardiogram done. On January 9th I went to a PCP who works with my surgeon to review the results. I had one blood result she didn’t like, so I went back to get blood drawn again. Once that was all back and she signed off, it was submitted to my insurance. Approval came back in about a week! Surgery date is set for February 12th. Random thoughts: I’m really happy my insurance (Anthem BSBC) and my surgeon didn’t have a lot of requirements, or waiting periods, like nutritional counseling etc., or required preop diets or weight loss. I just want this done with, and have a skinnier me, sooner rather than later. My surgeon office was also really efficient about me getting all my tests, counseling, evals done within one week. I’m also glad my surgeon and my hospital are located about 3 miles away from my home. My job and this process is my biggest concern. I’m in sales and travel for work extensively. I have my first business trip 3 weeks after my surgery. It is a long flight and a weeklong trip, so I’m worried about my energy level, and eating (I’ll be in the pureed stage). I’ll also be with my boss (who won’t know about my WLS) from 7am-10pm, 3 meals a day, and also with a lot of customer and associates throughout the week. I’d love to have more time to recover, but traveling is a big part of my job so it’s unavoidable. On the job topic, because of the fact I’m in sales, entertainment, meals & drinking, is a big part of what I do. The difference in my eating habits & drinking will definitely be noticed and commented on. Also, I see a large number of business contacts & coworkers throughout the year. But everyone I see is infrequent, from less than monthly, to annually, so my weight loss is going to be very noticeable (hopefully!). I’m not sure how I’m going to answer well meaning questions about my eating or weight loss. I’m naturally an open book, but I don’t want to be open about my WLS. So I’ll need to come up with an answer that is truthful enough I won’t appear to be lying, but not the whole truth. I’m curious to find out what it will be like to drink post op (but once healed). I don’t intend to give up drinking, and my surgeon doesn’t require that I do. I have a reputation of being able to hold my liquor (considered an asset in my career). I know my tolerance will get lower as I lose weight. But I wonder how the sleeve will change the alcohol absorption and effects for me. I’ve told my mom and a few friends about my upcoming WLS, everyone is supportive (I obviously only told people who I knew would be). Last night I told the guy I’m dating, so that felt a little awkward. We didn’t have a big discussion about it, so I’d love to mind read and see how he really feels about it. Does he like my figure now and not looking forward to it changing? Is he just ok w my figure now, but looks forward to a thinner me? I’m obviously doing this for myself, so it doesn’t matter in the end, but I am curious. Definitely planning on plastic surgery when I get at or near my goal weight. Very fearful of the pain of a mommy makeover (even though I don’t have kids), but looking forward to the end result of being happy with my body. Any SoCal plastic surgeon recs appreciated!

Shawn, please keep me updated on what you find out. I have not had any changes in fill since Mar 2006. I have the right restriction for here - Lilongwe is higher altitude and that affects me. I started having reflux in Sept. It increased alot since then. But last week when I was on vacation, it pretty much went away. I am thinking its stress. Unfortunately, for me to see a dr for this, I would have to fly to Europe or US. The strange thing is, when I do everything right (eat early, no alcohol, prop up, etc) and still get reflux, its at about 3:30-4 am. That is why I think its stress. Any words of wisdom will help. Thanks. Celeste

Had my visit with my PCP today.....first a little background. I see my PCP every 4 months...used to be every 3 months, preceded by complete lab workup 1 week prior to each visit, for the last 5-6 years!!! ...reason was, we were desperately trying to get all my medical issues under control...everything was completely out of whack...and each visit he would adjust or change all my medications trying to get thing in balance...when one thing was brought under control, another thing would go off the scale...all the while my Diabetes was getting worse and worse....while all this was going on, Cardiac issues were discovered and I had to undergo cardiac surgery... Seemed like there was no hope, and I could read the frustration in my Dr....knowing that other complications were to develop..... Fast Forward.....as a LAST RESORT...I had Lap Band surgery 3 yrears ago...I did not like the idea, but I wanted a "Cure All" to my many medical problems... Today...all my blood work is right down the middle NORMAL !!!....and that is without the help of any drugs...I am no longer taking any meds, other than Cardiac Meds which I will for life because of Heart Attack.... My weight has not changed in 2 years, and fluctuates within the same 5 lbs...today was the lower end of the 5 lbs making it that much more sweet! My weight is the same as it was in High School, over 40 years ago! My Dr. said when he saw my name on the chart, it drew an image of who I was...but when he walked in the exam room, he thought either I was the wrong person, or he was in the wrong room...took him a minute, and he said it "Blew his mind" after he put 2 and 2 together... THE ONLY Blip on the radar, was my Fasting Glucose was HIGH, and my A1C was at the top of normal...he laughed it off, said after the holidays with all the partying and alcohol, whose blood sugar isn't going to be high? He would think differently of me if it wasn't (a Joke) Now everyday I can pat myself on the back, after getting on the scale or putting on normal fitting clothes, etc... BUT THIS....This makes it official....I have been examined and tested medically, and have passed the test!!! I am Bonifide!! I have my annual Nuclear Stress test in March...I CAN'T WAIT!!! I had them talking around the office last year...This year I'm gonna show them what this 62 year old man can do....I have been running my butt off - LITERALLY...5 days a week......my PCP says considering the strides I have made, I should ask to be taken off the Cardiac Meds...I'm not your usual cardiac patient.... My visits to the Bariatric Center are pretty much the same....they ask me one question.."Any Complaints?" I say "No", they weigh me in, then it becomes a 1 hour social visit with the staff talking shop.....I go back in May, and I think as an inside Joke, I'm going to bring them a couple dozen do-nuts for the break room.... Days like today...it just cannot get any better than this...what can happen that would be better??? It is a confirmation that everything I have gone through, and everything I am currently doing has been "Spot On"..at least for me...I would not, and will not change a thing....this type of affirmation will carry me for quite a while.... I am also on firm footing not to let the Negative Naysayers get to me....no possible way am I going to get sucked down.... I will NEVER make excuses or back down from what this surgery has done for me...never rationalize it away, never make it more difficult then it actually is, only confusing and clouding the issues..... I'm happy right where I am at....and I have no intention of ever changing that no matter what others may say....they have their success stories, I have mine, and that's all there is to it....Happy happy, Happy....Everybody's Happy. i HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBTS.......I'M WALKING ON AIR.... PS; I realize that many, the majority, of people here are just starting out, so I know I have to be careful of what I may say so as not to mis lead anyone....all I can say is follow your Dr.'s advice, and learn to THINK about what is happening.....and ask WHY....

Ok... I've been lurking here for awhile, and have read all of the articles on alcohol everyone has posted. However, the sleeve patients in my town have their own group on facebook, and the alcohol question finally came up today. One person said they were told that it is more common to have liver damage post sleeve from drinking alcohol than it would be before being sleeved. Is this true? It makes no sense to me. I mean your liver is unchanged, so why would it be MORE damaged after a STOMACH surgery? If anyone has heard this before or know why this may be true please let me know. There's probly something I'm underthinking. lol.

Found on web Sunday, September 30, 2007 Alcohol after Gastric Bypass A glass of wine or two. A beer. A little mixed drink. Would that be OK after a gastric bypass? Well, early after the surgery, while the stomach is healing, you really want to avoid the irritant effect of alcohol. You want your pouch to heal well. So, the answer, as far as we know, is "no". But, what about drinking, let's say 6 months, a year, or more after the surgery? A very interesting study confirmed the previous opinion, that is, alcohol levels go higher after gastric bypass than people who had no such surgery. In a study published in the September issue of the journal "Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases" (SOARD), researchers from Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California, concluded that the gastric bypass patients had a greater peak alcohol level and a longer time for the alcohol level to come back down to zero than the individuals who did not have gastric bypass. A particularly interesting finding was that the gastric bypass patients did not feel that alcohol influenced them any more than the no-surgery group. Could that explain why there are reports of post-gastric bypass patients who were cited for driving under the influence (DUI) after a small social alcoholic drink? Maybe. But also remember that there are other complications related to alcohol intake. Liver disease from alcohol is well-known. To develop alcoholic liver disease on top of the known obesity-related liver disease can be particularly dangerous. Alcohol is not good for peptic ulcers, either. Alcohol calories are empty calories, which is not what gastric bypass patients want to ingest. Also alcohol drinking has been linked to Vitamin B1 deficiency. Severe vitamin B1 deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, that is, Wernicke’s encephalopathy. So far, we do not have a perfectly scientific answer to the question: Is it OK to drink, in moderation, if you are not driving, several months or years after gastric bypass? We just do not have the final answer, and prefer to err on the cautious side. Better be safe than sorry. References: Klockhoff H, Naslund I, Jones AW. Faster absorption of ethanol and higher peak concentration in women after gastric bypass surgery.Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Dec;54(6):587-91. Hagedorn JC, Encarnacion B, Brat GA, Morton JM. Does gastric bypass alter alcohol metabolism? SOARD. 2007 Sept;3(5):543-8. (Note: This is the study quoted above) Posted by Hanafy M. Hanafy, MD at 7:04 PM <SPAN class="item-control blog-admin pid-1994542692' class='icon-action' alt='""' /> </SPAN><DIV class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block' class='icon-action' alt='""' /></DIV>Labels: Bariatric, Eating Behavior, Eating Habits, food Choices, Gastric Bypass, Healthy Lifestyles, Lifestyle after Bariatric Surgery if (window['tickAboveFold']) {window['tickAboveFold'](document.getElementById("latency-6167538524377775520")); } <A id=Blog1_blog-pager-newer-link class=blog-pager-newer-link title="Newer Post" href="http://bariatricslounge.blogspot.com/2007/10/paradox.html">Newer Post Older Post Home