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Oh there was one more question...she asked if I have been or currently am addicted to drugs or alcohol. I said no, too busy being addicted to food!

My surgeon told me at least 3 months for alcohol if I have to have a drink. Red Wine 4 oz portion. What did yours say? How are you doing btw?

Ok my girlfriends are having a get together this sat then il be 14 post is it to soon to have alcoholic drinks???? IM MY OWN MOTIVATION

I've been having light headedness when I stand up too quickly. It only happens 2-3 times a day. It's rare enough that I forget about it until it hits me....lasts for maybe 3-4 seconds, light headed and dizzy. I went to the doctor last week and he took all my blood work, urine sample and they checked my blood pressure standing, sitting, lying down and swinging from a vine. It was always perfect. My heart rate however scared the doc so bad he personally called a cardiologist right then and convinced him to see me immediately. It was a consistent 42 BPM. They did 2 EKGs and didn't find anything. I go for an echocardiogram Friday and I get my blood work results Wednesday so I'll see what the deal is. I'm 8 months out and never drink alcohol and I feel great the rest of the time. The cardiologist says my heart is not having to work very hard to pump blood to my suddenly smaller body and that it should gradually pick up in time to normal levels. Nobody can say if my heart rate is even remotely related to the light headedness.

I should also ad, I stopped drinking alcohol, and I still get these symptoms.

I can think of a couple reasons you'd be told no...1. it can irritate your stomach, especially when you aren't supposed to eat 2. It can hit you much more quickly than you are used to (especially when you aren't supposed to eat) 3. it can impair wound healing 4. It lowers inhibitions and can make you hungry, and if you eat prematurely you can reallly do some damage and of course 5. if you're still taking any pain med it can react badly. You just had major surgery so please do ask your doc. I don't mean to sound like a prude or someone who thinks any alcohol is bad; to the contrary I almost didn't get the band because I really LOVE an occasional beer and can't have it any more! LOL So please know I just mean this in a "good" way.....take care of yourself. And hopefully your doc will say "SURE having a couple will do you good" :thumbup:

I have found this checklist to be very helpful in deciding on a fill. It's been posted before but I'll bring it up here again because it seems to fit well with the thread's topic. Adjustments How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted You are losing 1-2 pounds per week. If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week: A. You may need an eating adjustment 1. Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day 2. Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber 3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories a. Soup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome” b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram (1) It’s also a stomach irritant c. fruit juice is just sugar Water 4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? a. Are you avoiding soft foods b. You can’t just eat what’s easy c. cheese is glorified fat 5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals 6. Are you eating too much junk a. chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don’t avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. b. Stay out of fast food places 7. Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily 8. Do you always eat the protein first 9. Then the vegetables or fruits a. Five servings a day b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable 10. Is your portion size appropriate? a. meat or fish (1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards b. Vegetables (1) ½ cup – the size of your fist c. Starch (1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need much (2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, Pasta 11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar c. They teach you to like things too sweet d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t 12. Avoid most diet foods a. Real food usually tastes better b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine (2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats a. They may go into permanent storage b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body B. You may need a behavior adjustment 1. Are you eating only when you are hungry? a. If you’re not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait. 2. Are you eating three meals a day? a. With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks 3. Are you sitting down to eat? 4. Are you eating consciously? a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions 5. Are you eating slowly? a. Put the fork down between bites b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying 6. Are you taking small bites? a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork 7. Are you chewing well? 8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? a. Practice water loading between meals b. You won’t be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal 9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? a. Sometimes it’s a whisper: not hungry, had enough b. Hard stop versus soft stop 10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing. 11. Do not eat when you are not hungry C. You may need an activity adjustment 1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week? a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes? 2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding c. Parking your car further away from the entrance d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash g. Playing with your kids D. You may need an attitude adjustment 1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey? 2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising? a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days 3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor? 4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings? 5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends? 6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically? 7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey? 8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? a. Obsessive – compulsive thoughts (1) Obsess about something else b. Perfectionism (1) All or none, black and white thinking c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss 9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards? 10. Have you learned how to take a compliment? 11. Are you giving up diet mentality? a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day b. Stop dieting c. Stop depriving yourself d. Stop defining food as “good” and “bad” e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food 12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place? E. You may need a band adjustment 1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals? 2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions. 3. You are having to struggle to lose 4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set. F. You may need your band loosened 1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down 2. You are vomiting too much a. How much is too much? 3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night? a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux: (1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods (2) Chocolate (3) Caffeine (4) Alcohol (5) Some fruits and vegetables a. Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers (6) Peppermint a. Baking soda toothpaste (7) Carbonated drinks e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals f. If you smoke, quit smoking g. Reduce stress h. Exercise promotes digestion i. Raise the head of your bed j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist k. Stress increases reflux l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (1) Tylenol is OK n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications p. See your health care provider 4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest, especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack. b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise. c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you also have nausea or fever d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention. (Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.) e. If your pain is severe

Jilly, I understand your fears--it's hard, when you don't quite know what to expect. I promise, it's not nearly as bad as you are fearing! I will describe how my doctor does it. Yours may do it a little differently, but the basic technique is the same. I stand up, next to the fluoroscope. (Your doctor may not use fluoroscopy, so you might not be positioned this way.) The doctor locates my port (sometimes I have to pooch my stomach out a little), then swabs the area with an alcohol wipe. The needle is then inserted into the site; it feels just like any other injection--though in skilled hands (and the people who do fills have so much experience), it is not bad at all. My doctor then injects a bit of saline from the syringe into the port. He leaves the needle in place, and lets the syringe, connected to the needle by a tiny bit of tubing, rest against my abdomen. I step sideways so that he can take a look, fluoroscopically, as I take a swallow of barium. Depending on what he sees and how I feel, he sometimes injects a bit more saline, has another look, and so on--until I hit the right level of restriction. He then removes the needle, pops on a band-aid, and that's that! It is all very quick--never more than a handful of minutes from start to finish. He's never had to stick more than once, and it has never been more uncomfortable than the easiest, breeziest vaccination.

You have to have surgeon that's part of your team of supporters. If you don't feel like your doctor is giving you that support, or even listening to you, then you have the right to find a new one without feeling bad. And Yellowrose is right, alcohol is full of carbs and calories that will work against you for losing weight. I know there's a lot of controversy about alcohol post-banding, and it won't "hurt" you per se, but it's definitely not good for you (it's not good for you pre-band either!!). Maybe changing surgeons will help you re-focus on the plan and get back on track.

1. What is your occupation? Registered Nurse, Critical Care Educator, PhD candidate, tutor. 2. What color are your socks right now? Black 3. What are you listening to right now? Lite Rock on the radio. 4. What was the last thing that you ate? Tuna fish open face sandwich. 5. Can you drive a stick shift? Nope. 6. Favorite Color: Green, Yellow, Blue and Rose. 7. Music Preference: Lite rock, reggae, contemporary, some rap and hip-hop. 8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Chris 9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I don't really know her. WHAT HAPPENED TO NUMBER 10???? 11. Favorite drink? Crystal lite lemonade (I'm a cheap date... don't drink alcohol). 12. What is your favorite sport to watch? Gymnastics, figure skating (do those qualify?) 13. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes. 14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Contacts 15. Pets? None 16. What will you stay home to watch? Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy 17. What is the best movie you have seen? Silence of the Lambs 18. What is your favorite day of the year? Christmas 19. What do you do to vent your anger? I usually express myself and get it off my chest. Obviously, eating was one coping mechanism that I am trying to change. 20. What was your favorite toy as a child? Books! 21. Fall or spring? Spring. 22. Hugs or kisses? Kisses 23. Vanilla or Chocolate? chocolate 24. Do you want your friends to email you back?? Yes 25. Who is most likely to respond? Depends on the mood/time of day. LOL 26. Who is least likely to respond? Males! 27. Living arrangements? Long Island, NY in my own home 28. When was the last time you cried? Can't remember 29. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes and wrapped x-mas gifts. 30. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Mary. 31. What did you do last night? I had family over for a great dinner. 32. Favorite smell(s)? Apple pie baking in the oven, lavender. 33. What inspires you? People I admire 34. What are you afraid of? Heights! 35. Favorite food? Lobster 36. Favorite car? Anything that is automatic with working heat and A/C 38. Least favorite person right now? My boyfriend 39. How many years at your current job? 25 40. Favorite day of the week? Sunday 41. Where you WANT to live in? Hawaii, anywhere warm on the water, Ireland is also high on the list

i had to wait 6 months post-op before i could have carbonation and alcohol... after that i had no restrictions. you just have to always remember... you should NOT eat and drink at the same time. even almost 3 years post-op that is hard for me. when i go out for work happy hour, i have to choose whether i'm going to eat or drink... and honestly, i usually choose drinking lol it might make things more difficult when you travel... but you can start drinking again about 30 minutes after you eat! i'm a believer that you can have anything in moderation... but it might cause you to lose slower.

Hi all April 2013 sleevers! I had my surgery 4/19/13. I started at 240 and down to 213....27 lbs! My goal is 150...I'm 5'9". i had a stall too but in last 2 days down 4 lbs! was glad to see. I've tried to increase my protien to see if it helps. I can have caffiene? and can have alcohol (just not beer). I feel great! I only had 3 incisions and all 3 have compeltely healed with no problems. Well, I do miss food! especially in social gathering...which i do a lot of I also am a RN Cruise bound on 7/1/13 and hoping to be below 200!!! thats 13 more lbs in a month!! hoping i can do it!

I drink coffee daily , no sign of an ulcer Some people on here drink wine often, search the threads specifically for alcohol use and ulcers. VSG2017 HW 249 SW 238 CW 167

I'm also 5 months out, and over the weekend we went grocery shopping for family that came in for Christmas. I realized how much I hate food shopping! Espeicially having to figure out what meals to make for other people! It made me SOO irritated! As far as food - I've been fine. I don't drinnk alcohol anymore, because I've found that even after a sip or 2 I start feeling it!! Can't wait to get back to my regular meal and exercise schedule!! Down 70lbs!!

I was told no carbonated drinks what so ever but I can drink alcohol in moderation. So I'm anticipating that I'll drink wine and other mixed beverages that are carbonation free. I love my wine!

I do whatever my surgeon/nutritionist told me to do. Yes...I stop drinking 30 minutes before I eat, and I wait 30 minutes after I eat to drink again. My surgeon said no alcohol (of any kind), after surgery, so I don't drink anything alcoholic. I was told to significantly limit (or eliminate if possible) simple starches from my diet...so I don't eat pastas, breads, rice, or potatoes (and I don't plan to start eating them again...ever). I was told no carbonated beverages...of any kind..after surgery, and no drinking from a straw....so I don't drink anything carbonated (and won't ever again), and I'll never use a straw again. I was told to eliminate added sugars from my diet, as much as humanly possible....so I don't eat anything sweetened with sugars (including ice creams, syrups, puddings, Desserts, etc). Granted, my surgeon's approach is very conservative (compared to many on this site), but I figure...he has way more experience with this than me....and I'm paying him a LOT of money for his experience....he probably has reasons for all the behavior changes he recommends...right?? So....do whatever your program tells you do to. Take every suggestion seriously. Read as much as you can on the topic of food addiction (I highly recommend "The End of Overeating"), and learn as much as you can about the psychological implications associated with dramatically changing your relationship with food. You are wise to begin making those changes now....it will make your post-op process much easier, if you eliminate "bad" foods from your diet now. Also, get in the habit of using small utensils (bowls, plates, spoons, forks) when you eat, and to taking at least 30 minutes to eat a meal...taking very small bites, and chewing til the bite is liquid in your mouth before you swallow it. Another tip...start tracking everything you consume...now...so that tracking is second-nature to you, by the time you're ready to start tracking after your surgery. (And if you hadn't considered food tracking, it really is a critical tool for managing your weight loss process!)

I would wait until 6 weeks. I drink a few beers a week now, and have since 3 months out. You will get there. You are healing now! Way too soon to pour alcohol on that fresh staple line.

wow to quote a poster "Of course!!! you were just banded..fast surgery or not its a prety big deal. It takes a week or more for the seditives/drugs to come out of your body plus I assume you are not drinking caffine, and reduced sugar intake and might be taking painkillers..etc. There are lots of reasons to still be tired..the number 1 for YOU is you just had surgery. :)" I wish I had read that..I am 8 weeks this week and am finally getting back to normal. I asked everyone. My dr.s office, on here, friends, family. Fact is, you just had surgery, you have taken major calories from your body, sugar, alcohol who knows what and probably added gas! and exercise ..your body is in shock.. I'm sorry I didn't read your age but for anyone age is a factor in this. The experts don't realize how long it takes. Heck we don't realize how long it takes. Thankfully I am feeling so much better but it took me 2 months! Im moving and loosing now though, good luck!

I had my sleeve done on 4/29. When he went in to do surgery, he found that a portion of my stomach was in my esophagus because my hiatal hernia was so big. Also, my liver was extremely large so he did a biopsy. My starting weight was 205, I don't drink alcohol so therefore I'm worried as to why my liver was so big. I have to say that the only protein drinks I like are the premier protein from Walmart. To me, the vanilla is the best. It's only been 3 days & I have to say this is the hardest thing I've ever done! I am trying to have a positive attitude about this but it's so hard, especially when people are bringing over dinner to my family & I'm over here chugging on a protein drink! Any suggestions?

Yup, every surgeon is different on this one. Mine said that drinking a bit of Coke when something is stuck will help to unstick it (sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, from my experience). Like some of the others, whilst I'm allowed carbonated beverages, they hurt a bit, especially if I have good restriction. My favorite alcoholic beverage when we go out used to be vodka, lime juice and soda Water. The bubbles made it way less enjoyable, so now its vodka, lime juice and still water - much more refreshing and never have a hangover from it lol (not that I drink a whole lot anyway). I will admit to the very occasional half a can of pop though, when I just need a bit of sugar. It's best to talk to your doctor though and see what he or she recommends for you.

I told my mom (she went with me for the surgery), my sister, and my closest friend... only because I knew she would be very suspicious about my eating/drinking changes. I don't plan on telling anyone else. As far as what do I tell other people? I tell them I am doing high protein/low carb, and exercising. Also, if I am at a BBQ or something (which has happened recently) and there's nothing for me to eat, I tell them I'm on a diet and I had a protein shake right before I got there. It's usually true. As far as alcohol, I have used migraines as my excuse for not drinking lately. My feeling is that it is nobody's business but mine, and I don't want to be known from here on out as the "girl who had weight loss surgery" in my extended group of friends. I believe it's a totally personal decision if you want to tell people or not. I decided not to tell, and although it's only been a month, it's working out fine so far.

So do they test you for alcohol? Or just nicotine Sent from my N9560 using BariatricPal mobile app

I was told no nicotine, including vaping and the patch etc and they tested for it preop. They didn't test me for alcohol. I didn't even know there was a test for it.

Rocky80, you should stop drinking alcohol for at least 2 weeks before surgery. Leading up to surgery day you need to be shrinking your liver, alcohol doesn't help with that.

No one told me that having this surgery would make me younger! I have regressed to the age of TWO since I cannot control my emotions whatsoever! I am literally a walking snickers commercial today. I am sick of every poind lost opening up another pocket of angry within me that has to come out. I obviously used food to swallow my emotions and my feelings pf being used and abused because I am not taking ANYONE'S BS and I am loudly speaking my mind and voicing my emotions. I am emotional and angry and my relationship and my work are suffering. I am in counseling, but all I learned is I am co-dependent. I am a child of an alcoholic. But truthfully with how I feel I am seriously thinking the surgery is driving me to the nuthouse.... Is this normal? I am not suicidal. I am not violent. I am just fighting and screaming and stomping my feet (literally) and crying and feeling injustice against me. I have rages I cannot control. I hope it isn't like this forever...is it? Is something wrong with me?