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Well, I think it largely depends on you and what could be personal triggers which may sabotage our efforts. Let me put it this way ... if a recovering alcoholic told you that drinking a particular energy drink reminded them of drinking margaritas, would you suggest they continue drinking them or find an alternative? If candy bars are not a slippery slope for you, then I would say the Quest bars are a great way to get your Protein on the go. But if it could possibly be a trigger, then ...

So I l l did they get you all fixed up? Pancreatitis is no fun, I've been there. No gall bladder, no abuse or even ingestion of alcohol, but I had it anyway. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I am waiting for my insurance to OK my lap-band surgery. But in the mean time i am eating like i always have,its like i know i will never be able to have these foods again. And i guess maybe i will feel deprived and have mad cravings? why do i do this knowing i need to change? I feel like i want to eat everything ,i guess like a alcoholic having his last drink before going in to rehab. I just hope that i can get over these feelings and have better control of my eating. Maybe i will have to change or die.

I haven't had surgery but I've been on a cruise and honestly you will be having so much fun food won't be as big of an issue... Alcohol might be :-( but the food is good but not all that... I was so busy I forgot to eat every meal... I made it a goal to maintain weight on the cruise not lose and not gain.... Enjoy the cruise they are fantastic.... I think you need to take each meal as the come but don't stress over the food.... Careful with the drinks they hand u one as u walk onto the boat.... Lol!

I feel dumb just asking this...I am a lurker and was sleeved on Monday (7/13) I am getting horrible gas every time I sip anything. I feel like an idiot Hi, I have a drinking problem Oh, you're an alcoholic? No, I can't sip fluids without taking in 3 times the amount of air from Fluid. I basically get horrible gas pain behind my sternum and spend 5 minutes belching (mmmm, attractive) I spoke to the nutritionist and she said in some people the swallowing mechanism is different if their tongue is too far forward. The easiest way to tell this is if they needed speech language pathology Well guess what I spent years in Speech as a child. All three of my kids have been in it. My gene pool (and tongue apparently) are defective Does anyone have tricks for how to get this liquid down without so much gas? My wife is getting me Popsicles on her way home, but that's not going to solve the shake issues Thanks in advance

Prunes, prune juice, and water are a great start. Next is a stool softener which isnt a laxative and therefore less of a medication. This might sound like bad advice in terms of calories but anything that has fake sugar in it (sugar alcohols which end in -ol like sorbitol) will pull water into your colon and make you poop. I eat two or three of those diet Russell Stover chocolates and then I can easily poop...good luck!

I am too gaining weight as we speak I got on the scale last week and gain 21 n 2 months I dont no whats with me but I can eat so much n im always hungry n just got on 2 knew medicines. When I go back to my doctors I will ask if this is one of the problems. Im too got lazy n been tired lately and I seen my surgeon Thursday he wants me to lost 50 plds its so hard I lose 103 plds well 125 but I gain back n its like I got real unmotivated when I stepped on that scale n seen the weight I really need help n something has to be done. Hopes everybody get better at there journeys. We so far out any one drinks alcohol. ..

You can drink alcohol with no problem. Just remember the empty calories but other than that you are okay. Good luck.

Sugar in alcohol metabolizes really easily to fat. Protein is harder to turn to fat. I'd try a little and see now you feel.

I spent some time last Halloween weekend with a friend of mine that absolutely loves Vodka. She made me a small drink that consisted of vodka and some kind of juice. I can tell you it hit me hard really, really fast...as in within about 5-10 minutes after drinking it. But I also came down from the buzz fairly quickly as well...maybe 30 minutes after the drink. I've always been a bit of a light weight though since I very rarely drink alcohol.

I cannot imagine drinking a shot of vodka now. I take a liquid supplement with 12% alcohol and 1/2 T dose gives me a buzz.

I am pre-op... so you may take this for what it's worth. My nutritionist basically threatened to not recommend me for surgery because I kept saying I didn't want to give up foods like pizza, that I would just eat less of them. She insisted that is not how it works. Also, my surgeons office requires a "Steps Class" in which they gave us a list of behaviors that will ensure our failure, i.e. "things to avoid". Such as eating foods with more than 20% or more of Daily Value of Fat, more than 10 grams of sugar per serving, eating candy, drinking soda or alcohol, etc. If we want to succeed... we need to accept that these foods are no longer in our best interest. I can't say I have learned this yet. But I refuse to go through the surgery and weight loss only to gain it back by returning to old habits. Just a suggestion, this is something I am finding out about myself... healthy food can taste good too. Fajita veggies are yummy, even without the tortilla. I never knew this. lol. And last little bit I learned in class... rank all the foods you eat on a scale of 1 to 10. then eliminate all the 1's and 2's and all the 9's and 10's. If you don't like it, don't eat it. Same goes if you like it too much. Anyway... way more info than you wanted, I guess. Good luck!

Obesity is an uncurable disease. Diets don't work. I tried everything up until surgery and had lost 40 lbs on my own just cutting out carbs, alcohol and sugars. Don't be too hard on yourself. The band is a great way to lose weight and keep it off. I say go for it! You will not regret it for 1 minute. Good luck.

In all my years of banding (just over 5 years) I've never seen this blanket recommendation to not consume alcohol. Empty calories? YES. But forbidden? NO. After 4 weeks or so, few Bandsters have absolute 'forbidden' items - including an occasional drink. Most long term and successful Bandsters I know can have a glass of wine or two with dinner (depending on your own individual tolerance and habits) with no problem. Do remember that with the band encouraging less food intake - this can mean that a smaller amount of alcohol can affect you faster, so I think with all things moderation is key. My friends who have lost 60-168# with the Band do drink now and again - and I know I clearly told my surgeon at my initial consults that I like a glass of wine (and an occasional and rare margarita) and he thought it was acceptable and might make the band a better choice than the RnY bypass (although my close friends with RnY can drink in moderation, too.) If I know I'm going to have a glass of wine once in a while, I cut my carbs elsewhere. It works for me. So it's all about what works for you. Happy Band Journeys To All...

thanks. the dr did say that this could potentially develop into cirrohsis of the liver way down the line which struck a chord with me since my father past from that at age 42 (granted he was an alcoholic and i do not drink). so i have to take care of this immediatley

I'm 13 months, almost, out. I'm down 102 pounds. I don't want my old life back. That was the life where I had to be sitting and could only walk short distances because of the knee pain. Where I couldn't help my daughter do college tours (or now move into her college) because I was tired and winded. The old me couldn't go ziplining in Jamaica, and horseback riding and tubing. The old me couldn't fit into size 8 pants. The old me couldn't be a competitive fencer in my age group. What the new me can do is all that and enjoy dinner and a drink, provided I've made an allocation in my calories for that alcohol, and enjoy the company of people. Went to a big picnic/party for my husband's running club last weekend - was able to eat a few things, have a glass of wine or two and enjoy the conversation. Give yourself some time - you are mourning the loss of a person you were and a time in your life to which you will never go back. You're doing great. Keep up with your plan and another six months from now, you'll look at that pre-op photo you did and go - crap - did I really look like that and feel that awful all the time. You've got this.

I was sleeved on 12/16/14 at the Khalili Surgical Center in Los Angeles. Today, exactly five months to the day, I weighed myself and was thrilled to see that I have hit the "100 pound loss" mark, way ahead of schedule. Since the surgery, I have taken up light jogging (thanks, C25K app!), and COMPLETELY changed the way I eat and drink. Not a drop of alcohol since the surgery (I was an "every night" drinker), not a taste of sugar, and not a miligram of caffeine. Other than family and my wife, I haven't told anyone that I had the surgery. I'm sure people must be wondering, but the truth is that the weight loss has come from my complete 180 degree lifestyle change more than the surgery itself. But if I hadn't had the surgery, I certainly wouldn't be as motivated to succeed as I am. Hell, you can install an Olympic-sized swimming pool in your backyard, but you'll never get better without doing the laps! Anyhow, I know that this 5 month period is just the beginning, and I will have plenty of chances to fall off the horse, but I committed to making hay while the sun shines, and making sure that I got off on the right foot, maximizing the early weight loss in order to set up a long-term run. I'm so proud of how hard I have committed, and wanted to share my success with anyone on the fence about getting the sleeve surgery done.

Well, I decided to start this journal to try and keep track of how often my head demons seem to overcome me. Maybe, I can figure out how to ward them off better. It all started this week, after Valentine's day. My husband bought me a bag of chocolates (which is something I asked for for Valentine's day:confused: ). Since then, I have had no self control. I decided that I needed to go through withdrawal, and then my control would come back. I was doing very well, until last night. Yesterday, I went to my nephew's b-day party and managed to do quite well resisting everything there, such as pizza, nachos, and cake. Then they sent us home with a party favor bag for my son. In it, it had a couple of debbie's brownies (my absolute favorite). I ate half of one and tried to pig out. The problem is, that once I decide to pig out, it becomes a very hard task. It's like, I then decide to plan my pig out, but can't seem to get in everything I want. So I go crazy. This is what I ate last night: gold fish (100) bbq chips (15) cracker-1 cottage cheese-2tbs meatloaf veggies-2tbs chocolate chip cookies-6minibites brownie-1/2 I know, that after reviewing all of this, it doesn't look like a lot. I keep reviewing it to see if there is anything I missed because I felt stuffed last night. This morning, I feel terrible. The problem is that I am an "all or nothing" type of person. Either I have full control, or I have none. I feel so gross and bloated. I also worry about my band and the damage I do to it by not following the rules. O.K. I think I know what the problem is. The problem is, that I drink too much. I have 2 mixed drinks every night. This takes away all of my self control. I know I have a problem, because I can't go a whole night without drinking. I know I need to stop, or at least decrease, my drinking. I just think I am too analytical, and when I am sober, I tend to think about things too much. I used to be a pothead, and think that this is why. Since being banded, I realized that I had to choose: the band or weed. And I chose the band. I haven't smoked weed in over 3 months. O.K. I was a functional pothead and am a functional alcoholic. I still go to work and do really well all day long, until about 7pm, when it is time to relax. I do use alcohol to relax. I admit it. Weight-loss wise, I have done really well. I have lost 63 pounds in less than a year. I know that if I didn't have weed or alcohol in my life, I could have lost more. My goal is to be down to 145, or 135, by my one year anniversary. So once I gave up weed, I knew that sooner or later, I would have to give up alcohol, as well. I think, no I KNOW, that it's time. I just don't know. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try. I hope I have the strength...

I'm tired, really tired and pretty weak. On the other hand, I'm soooooooooo glad to be on this pre-op because it's helping me so much in gaining control. Yesterday it dawned on me that the Unjury Chicken Soup wasn't discussed in any of the handouts I have. I checked with the dietician and she says it's off limits during this phase, so yesterday, it was just Slim Time for me. I tried the chocolate during lunch and used the chocolate and put in a fair amount of peppermint extract. Made me imagine that I was eating Girl Scout Thin Mints. Any trick will work for me. Other than being tired I feel fine, hungry at times but I just continue to swamp myself with water. I'm glad that I drank a lot of water before I started this (it's maybe the ONE good thing I've done for a long long time), otherwise I'd struggle to get it all in. Along with surgery, I'm also spending time with a therapist who specializes in obesity and family issues. I've long been convinced that my eating difficulties are related to 'stuffing' emotional issues. I can see now how I had few outlets for my emotions and that translated into me eating to sooth myself. I have to learn new behaviours. I'm glad I'm doing therapy at the same time. I think my odds of relapsing will be lessened if I could just get a handle on why I do what I do (binge eating, overeating, etc.) and how to stop doing what I've always done. It's not to say that I think I wouldn't relapse - god that scares me SO much. My parents were alcoholic and they never relapsed but they talked about how easy it is, and I equate this to something like alcoholism - an addiction. Once I start with the carbohydrates and the sweet stuff I am lost and reigning myself in is very very difficult. I'm blessed that I can have this surgery and for now, I'm grateful for the pre-op diet.

I would have defended anyone in the post that DeLarla made. It was totally inappropriate, although I have now found it to be true. My biggest misgivings are that I played a part in her leaving LBT because she posted a very truthful post about you, and not knowing much about you at the time I came to the defense of the person being attacked. I shouldn't have ever done that. DeLarla was right on the money with her theories about you and I should have let it go. You sent me 15 PM's that day, saying "way to go" and "you rock", until I noticed your hubby wasn't supporting you in any way, so why should I be. He still does nothing to support you, and now I understand why. He marchs to the beat of another drummer and perhaps deep down he knew what DeLarla said was all true. Me...I was stupid, but it won't ever happen again. You stay away from me and I won't bother you. What you and 3 Loves have going is no business of mine and you had no business sending her a PM calling DeLarla and I names. You didn't have the guts to put it in the forum, so why send it to 3 Loves? As for the alcohol and drugs, it public knowledge that you wrote yourself on the Gone For Good Club thread. 7 glasses of wine a night and having your Effexor increased and your dr. refusing you a fill because of your drinking sounds to me like you do have a major problem with drugs and alcohol by your own admission. Case closed.....and I hope this thread is also.

A small amount of wine goes wayyyyy further than it did before surgery. I'm being truthful here and having a hard time with stopping when I know I should. I really don't want this to get out of hand. Advice appreciated but please don't give it if you choose to judge me. Thank you.

Well thank you mis73, that means a lot coming from you. I really look up to you! Food addiction is a very serious issue that needs to be accepted as an Addiction, just like alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc. Well, they're different, but they're an addiction none the less. If we could only get the professionals to recognize food addiction, then maybe people would come out of the woodwork, and maybe be less ashamed. It's nothing to be ashamed about! I can't wait to see me lose weight too! And it WILL happen. I am in control.

Alcohol usually loosens the band initially (some may try and correct me...I know it doesn't physically loosen the band...it's just a common term for it which actually means it relaxes the stomach allowing more food through than normal) and then tightens you up the next day as your body dehydrates some. You may have slightly dilated your pouch. You could call your doc and ask to get some fluid out and that might be the best course of action. If it was me, I'd take some liquid motrin to help bring the swelling down, go on liquids only for a few days, and hydrate hydrate hydrate.

5'5", 140#, 10 pounds below goal. I probably get at least 60-80g protein/day (40-60g from my daily smoothie and quest bar) and minimum 64oz fluids. I don't count calories, carbs or fat, so can't give you an answer there. I Simply eat a well balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains. Sweets, alcohol and other simple carbs in moderation. Love my sleeve!

I can no longer tolerate alcohol. Not a bad thing, I wasn't much a drinker to begin with but I realize it's not for me anymore - period. I hope you feel better soon.