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Okay soooo I have been having an insane time drinking this summer. Too much partying because my theory is that I work hard and once I start the nursing program in the fall, I won't be able to do anything for basically two years. I am on new meds though which makes drinking a little dangerous so now I have to slow down. Anyways... I usually drink Apple Martini flavored crystal light with apple Bacardi (used as a mixer while downing shots of bacardi). When I low-carb, vodka and Bacardi doesn't kick me out of ketosis if I mix it with crystal light or another low-carb beverage like Powerade zero or something like that. The only problem with drinking and low-carbing is that while your body has alcohol in it, it won't burn off any fat until it burns off all of the alcohol. Drinking isn't really the reason for my weight loss stalls but I'm sure it hasn't helped any because I did for awhile go back to eating crappy junk food and whatnot and that made me have the "whatever" mindset that I could drink sugary drinks too. Fall two times, get back up three, that's what this is about. As long as you pick yourself up you are fine. I am finally back in ketosis (I believe) can't test yet because I'm on meds for a uti which stain the ketostix. Anywayss...don't feel bad...you aren't the only one who has been there. I also have broke the rules at the bar and had vodka tonics even though we aren't supposed to have bubbles. Lemme know if you wanna go out for a drink this summer!!

Looked at your profile and you were sleeved in Jan of this year? You are far enough out that you shouldn't have a problem but I would highly recommend you try something small at home first such as a few sips of wine. Since you are just turning 21 I am assuming you don't have much alcohol experience? It will likely hit you fast you don't know how your body will react. Stay away from anything with lots of sugars such as premixed margaritas and the likes, they may go right through you and that could be embarrassing. Happy 21st! Be safe and you know the drill about drinking and driving. Sorry, it's the mom in me. Can't help it.

21st birthday is in about 15 days ... What drinks doesn't upset your stomach?

Well done you for telling it straight. Find group support for your alcohol problem and maybe a nutritionist could help you get back on track with your eating program. Best Wishes

I wish all of you the best in seeking help. Go to AA. The addictive gene that is in our family skipped me, but not my brother and it led to an early death. I was also married to an alcoholic for 18 years and could not take it and divorced him 23 yrs ago - he and his wife are now vicodin addicts and look like walking death. Please get help, don't wait.

I don't know if you read my post last week. After my go around with Kaiser.I not sure what do. For days I have been myself to just forget the whole thing just try again on own. Now I am starting to get my fight back on.. I am not sure which way to go, fight the under 40 BMI with my HP,HC fatty liver, or gain some weight plus put weights in clothes. What do you think is the best route? NIH Requirements for Weight Loss Surgery The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, is considered one of the world's foremost medical research centers. The NIH has set patient criteria for weight loss surgery which states that eligible patients should have a BMI of 40 or higher (morbidly obese) or a BMI of at least 35 with co-morbidities (obesity related health conditions) such as diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, high cholesterol, or hypertension (high blood pressure) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Eligible patients must also have attempted and failed at previous weight loss efforts and need to pass a psychiatric evaluation to be recommended for weight loss surgery.

I see that as well..how about drinking alcohol? Is that completely elimated?

I'm a little over 4 months post surgery, so I'm back on regular foods. Breakfast is usually a small omelet with egg beaters and some 2% shredded cheese. lunch is either a chicken breast with a few steamed vegetables or maybe another Protein based entree. dinner varies but can be another serving of lean protein with some vegetables, small chicken/cheese quesadilla, lean cuisine or maybe some Soup. If I'm in a rush a meal may be as simple as a piece of string cheese and some raw almonds. I've also found that some of the Lunchables make a good quick meal as long as you go with the ones with higher protein content. i add a Protein Bar or shake every day, and have tried to eliminate most all breads and starches from my diet, focusing on lean protein and vegetables. I will occasionally have part of a sandwich or a tortilla but it is not a daily occurrence. My target right now is to stay under 1,000 calories per day which is pretty easy to do as long as I stay away from any sort of Snacks or slider foods. I try to keep my protein intake at 80 grams or more per day. This is usually plenty of calories and unless I have some type of head hunger issue I don't find myself hungry. As far as liquids I have a couple cups of coffee each day. I've eliminated all carbonated drinks and usually drink Water with some occasional iced tea. At home to switch things up I'll have some Crystal Light. The biggest change here is seriously reducing alcohol intake. Before surgery I was a social drinker having beer a couple days a week. I've had alcohol a handful of times post surgery and found that once I got out of the habit I didn't miss it very much. If the setting is right I will have a cocktail or beer once in a great while but it has gone from a regular part of my routine to a special occasion item. If I do have a beer I need to pour it into a glass and let all of the carbonation escape before enjoying it. Generally not worth the hassle. MyFitnessPal is a great app and website for tracking calorie intake which I have found is the key to managing a successful eating routine. I've looked at various different options and it seems to have the most extensive menu of food choices. Whatever you choose to eat, someone has most always already created an entry for it. I also travel a lot and have found that eating in restaurants is still a little challenging. I can usually find a menu choice that works out okay, knowing I will only eat part of it. For a while I tried ordering off the appetizer menu because the portions are smaller but appetizer items tend to be high fat selections that are lower in protein, so I decided that it was ultimately better to order a good protein item from the regular menu and just leave some of it behind. For air travel I always pack a protein bar in my carryon bag, and if I'm traveling over a meal period will add a Lunchables or a string cheese and some almonds for the meal in the air. Good luck in your journey!

Great question. I have a question, how long after band surgery should one try and introduce wine or alcohol?

Don't know if I would say that exactly, but I do prefer fitting in smaller and smaller clothes. Lol One concern I have about alcohol is my decision making when drinking. I have a very low tolerance to alcohol and have always been a cheap date. :-) I tend to eat when I drink and I'm afraid I would eat the too much or the wrong things and have to suffer the consequences (pain, nausea, vomiting). No thank you!

Sugar is on of the most toxic chemical we can put in our body. I am a sugar addict and struggle with this all the time. I do have to read all labels for 5 different types of sugar. I even avoid food products with sugar alcohol in there. If I do eat something sweet, I crave more of it.....it's really dangerous for me. I find that if I stick to things like organic meats, spaghetti sauces that are organic no sugar listed I am ok. I realize that I can only eat organically grown foods that are not processed due to needing the nutrition value from that food. This is a choice that I have to make and I do fail at times and have to recoop my focus and start over........

Okay so this weekend, I was a mess. I didn't eat much, but for the first time since surgery, I drank alcohol. Not just one or two, but 5 drinks! I am NOT a drinker! I went out with a friend dancing, and I was hoping the dancing cancelled out the alcohol but who knows. I shouldn't have drank that much. I have no excuse for it other than the guy in my life upsetting me and I just needed to have some fun. I won't make that mistake again. I'll try to find another way to release my frustration! Also, last night, I ate some things at my moms that I shouldn't have. Sooo much guilt! :-( Anyways, besides all that, I lost almost a pound over the weekend bringing me to exactly 50% of weight loss. Meaning, I'm half way there! And in only 4 months! I still only lost less than 2 pounds in one week. That's below my average so I'm a little worried. It's probably due to the over consumption of alcohol. Uuggghh! I'm worried my weight loss is starting to slow down. I've still been working out really hard (4 to 5 times a week) and I'm doing the couch to 5k. I start my 4th week of it today. I really like that program! I'm hoping to lose at least 5 more pounds by the end of this month. Anyways, back on the wagon today! Hoping to lose another pound or two by Thursday!

I have heard the same harsh comments as many people have...just cut back, exercise, diet, drink more water, eat more veggies...you name it, and I have probably heard it. I didn't choose to be overweight, it just seemed to creep up on me slowly and before I knew it, I weighed 300 pounds...from having kids, from not being active, from being a good cook, from marrying into an Italian family. I had WLS after my husband said to me that he was concerned about me and my health, and that he wanted me to be around so we could enjoy retirement together. He didn't want me to sleep all day and not be able to go for a walk, and mostly he could see how I was depressed from my weight. He is my biggest supporter, and he didn't care how much it would cost, just "get it done". So, after years of yoyo dieting, trying every fad diet in the land, I was banded and I have to say it is the best money I have ever spent. I do not regret it for one moment because you see, I am a food-aholic...just like an alcoholic, but with food. I was not able to help myself. Now, I have learned healthy eating habits and choose the foods that appeal to me. I no longer crave the chips, chocolates, ice cream, cake, cookies, popcorn that used to rule my life. Now when I get a hankering for something to eat, my thoughts turn to protein, veggies and fruit. But I know this would not have been possible without my band. My band is a reminder to me each and every day of the new me, and I am going to be on this wonderful journey forever. So, when someone gives you a bunch of grief because you have decided or did have WLS, tell them to walk a mile in your shoes, and tell them to be sure to climb those stairs 2 or 3 times a day, and then tell them it is not a crime to want something better for yourself, to want to be around to see your kids or grand kids get married, to see them graduate. My bi-weekly trips to my dr's office are fantastic. I get excited to get on the scale and see that it has moved backwards, closer to a new me. The dr is proud of me too, and I can tell you, that goes a long way in my book of "good feelings". So if you are contemplating WLS, I say B-R-A-V-O. YOU GO AN 'GET'ER DONE'. You will probably find the road a little bumpy at times, but so worth it. I LOVE MY BAND Zil Banded 8/19/2011, starting weight, 299, weight loss to date 76#s, and another 65 to go...hoping to make it by 11/1/2012. Oh, BTW, it did take me 5 months to get into the green zone and that was with fills every 2 weeks.

Lucky! I just had my 3 month check up and labs and I am low in Iron, D3, Calcium, Protein, B1 and B12! Taking supplements of all of them except the B1 and B12 and I am taking injections of those. Funny because the B1 is usually related to alcoholism but I don't even drink! These are all reasons why I've been feeling so crappy lately though...really fatigued!

Just be careful of the sugar alcohols those can give you the runs as well. I by a carb smart ice cream bar it has two grams sugar and 6 grams sugar alcohols that is on the lower side that I have found and they satisfy the sweet tooth. Even though I can't even eat half lol. surgery date 08-01-12

Seven weeks until my surgery...so may questions. I enjoy a glass of wine occasionally, say 1 or 2 glasses a month. Is drinking alcohol any different post banding?:confused:

Sugar alcohol is the devil.....and the number one reason in America for mid-day underwear changes.

I usually order what I would usually do but try to stay away from the carbs. I still drink alcohol, and when I'm out to dinner, I'll drink it up until the point where we're eating, then I'll stop. The other day we went out for Mexican, I had shrimp and crab enchiladas which sucked! Anyway, they were basically grilled shrimp and canned crab with some sauce on top of two cheese enchiladas. So I just had the seafood, left the enchiladas alone, had some grilled veggies and that was it. There was Beans and rice as well, but I gave that to the dbf. Today at lunch I ordered an arepa from the food cart outside of my office. An arepa is like a Mexican corn cake that they top with grilled veggies, meat (I chose shrimp) guac and pico de gallo. They serve it with a side of rice. All I ate was the arepa and that was it, threw the rice out. Once and a while I'll order just an appetizer, but a lot of them are either deep fried or dips which I kind of consider a "slider food" Hope I helped!

Divorce is a very prevalent issue in the WLS community. I would suggest that your hubby join the +1 Crew on Facebook. It's a group that is exclusively for the spouses of WLS patients. It's a great forum where they can not only learn how to support you, but also get support for themselves because let's face it, there are going to be some rough time. Here's the link for the +1 crew https://www.facebook.com/groups/561857660576992/ If he's not really into Facebook, see if he would be willing to follow Vlogs. MoreofWIll is the spouse (and member of the +1 crew) of LessofSara, a well known VSG vlogger. Here is a link to his channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/moreofwill?feature=watch It sounds like you have a very strong marriage. Make sure you tell your husband what you need to be successful. An alcoholic can never have another drink again and be fine, but as food addicts, we don't have the option to abstain from food 100%. Even after your surgery, you'll experience head hunger and the cravings will come back in time, so put the kibosh on going out to eat where you would be tempted to consume large, unhealthy, portions now. Of course, I'm single, so pick and choose the parts of this advise that you like and forget the rest!

I'm in the same boat (lol no pun intended). I'm being sleeved hopefully late May, I'm traveling to DR June 19th. Surgeon said I will be fine to travel! I did some research and many people have traveled right after surgery. I think the 2 months will be more than enough to travel. I'm not going to over eat, get plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Maybe a sip of champagne (it's a family wedding lol). But I should be healed enough for the pool and have energy Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I am seven months post op and my restriction is still there. Just as other people have said here, I could eat carbs that turn to liquid and things like chocolate though. I can also drink most things now. So I could easily take in too many calories and gain weight. I get a strange hungry type feeling but it's not like before surgery. I usually drink Water then take whatever antacid, PPI etc that I am due to check if it is true hunger. My head still wants things that my body just won't tolerate like pizza, burgers, fries and other old favourites. I also don't drink alcohol. But I won't ever eat any of that. Protein first for me, my water, meds and supplements then veg. I try to eat fruit occasionally too. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Like Indiogirl said... this is just a tool...this is not the case where "the surgery is doing the work for you" that is an illusion. You. have to work this. I have lost about 100 lbs in 6 months. I have a very good friend banded longer (a lot longer) than I, who has lost almost nothing. Y? I go to the gym 2 hrs a day 5 days a week. I eat Protein first....then veggies and salad. I stop eating by 5pm. I go to support groups, keep in touch w/ my dr, and kept getting fills (and an unfill) till I got where 3 meals do the trick, and I am not hungry. I cut waaaaaaay down on alcohol. I dont eat sweets. so what do I eat?? hmm.....salads, cottage cheese, soy crisps, homemade healthy chilis and Soups. seafood. veggies. very little red meat. Protein shakes. nuts. Peanut Butter....I keep healthy snax around (the cottage cheese and soy crisps are my fav!!! ) but also heart healthy nut packs, baby bell cheeses, EAS shakes......I cook at the beginning of the week to make sure there is something around for me to grab quick, because if I get starving, it isnt good.....eggs are also good protein, and have gotten a bad wrap.....hang in there!! You have to make a decision to put yourself back on the map. its really as easy as that, and no one is busier than I am. I have triplet 3 yr olds, a 5 yr old, and no outside help. My youngest son also has a disability so throw in many hours of appts, and therapies every week, and I still get myself to the gym. its all about priorities......!!!

What worked for me was following a very normal, but portion controlled diet - that's foods from all food groups - Protein, carbs, fruit, vegies. Three healthy meals a day exactly as I would have done when trying to lose pre band. Limited Snacks and treats, but sure, occasionally you can have a treat. Limit alcohol, fatty foods and sugar. So I might eat Cereal and fruit for Breakfast, a salad with protein for lunch and more protein and salad for dinner, with the occasional Pasta or rice dish. I worked up to it, but pretty much run for 40 minutes five days a week and go to a couple of bootcamp sessions (which are pretty brutal). I lost easily but slowly (if you consider 100lb in 2 years slow, I dont) and maintained effortlessly ever since, EVEN with an unfilled band. My band was a tool. It meant I stuck with my plans through the endless challenges such as meals out, holidays, parties and just bad weeks but it made me satisfied with much smaller portions. It never stopped me wanting bad foods, it didnt even stop me overeating, since when I had a mind to I could graze on chocolate and Cookies all day. I worked on that bad habit. Looking back, i think the band worked on my mind as well as my body. I really did finally say 'grow up and accept what you have to do" and I just got on with it. I find people nowadays just gratify their every whim and I've really become a person who thinks before she acts in terms of not only eating, but spending money too!

Hi Julie ~ I totally understand what you mean about 'liquid calories' . . . I don't drink alcohol, but I had gotten into a habit (bad habit) of drinking sweet tea and lemonade mixed pretty much all day long and knew I had to stop. When I finally did, I dropped 5 pounds in a WEEK! Boy was that an eye opener! :rolleyes I knew I wasn't eating enough not to be losing so it had to be the liquid calories . . . I knew I didn't need a fill . . . . Now I am concentrating on drinking TONS of Water and hoping to lose these last 20 pounds faster than I lost the first 40. Good luck to you . . . If you are getting a slight un-fill because of your vacation I don't necessicarily think that is a bad idea. My family went on a cruise the end of July and I was so tight I could barely eat at all. I wasn't miserable, but would have enjoyed being able to sample some of that delicious LOOKING food . . . Lynn

My candy pushing co-workers are driving me crazy. I have a HUGE sweet tooth and have a hard time resisting sugar. Several of my co-workers feel that they have to have candy bowls on their desks with chocolate, peanut butter cups, snickers minis, basically my drug of choice. Any suggestions on keeping me away from the sugar. I have tried a variety of the sugar free candies and most are really good but I can only eat a piece or two as the sugar alcohols cause intestinal distress (understatement). Any thoughts/tips that have worked for any of you successful sugar avoiders? I am not a person who does well with "just one piece" or "only have a few". For me, one is too many and twenty is not enough. I truly appreciate any suggestions...thanks!