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Went through the same thing Nita. I go to a therapist weekly to help me with the emotional side of all of this so I don't repeat the same behaviors and eventually regain. She told me to compare it to being an alcoholic with your best friend and all of the sudden you decide to quit drinking. It's natural for her to go on the defensive. My friend and I share "fat" stories, embarrassing "fat" emergency snacks that we make up and all other sorts of info. So now she is scared that because I have had this surgery the dynamic of our relationship will change. And it probably will. I am still not getting the support that I would like from this person. It used to break my heart. But now that I understand her emotions and why she feels the way that she does, it doesn't hurt me as much anymore. And I am just proving to her by still going to the movies and out to eat...that we can still do the same things we did before. And she's actually slowly coming around. She is taking better care of herself. Eating better...going to the gym. So I hope that once she sees my success she will be inclined to follow in my footsteps. Cause let's face it...we can try to convince ourselves all day long that we are happy...but no one is happy at 250+ pounds!

Its your choice. I found that once I told people they were more supportive then I thought. But some people will never be supportive. I personally could care less what people think about my decision because it has been the best for me. But Im very lucky that my family is not critical of my choice. The ones who have never had a weight problem are interested on how it works and are learning that I had a food addiction. Its easier to compare to an alcoholic since we have a few in the family. But so far almost 2 years later no one even says anything except now they ask if it interferes with my pregnancy.

I need all your knowledge yet again. I'm still new to looking at all the surgeries and the subject if alcohol came to mind. I know I'll learn all the rules for post op for all surgeries in my program, but was just curious to know if alcohol is something you can't ever have again? I know that's prob not the case but I am a social drinker and I am curious as to if this will be a no no for a good amount of time. By no means do I have to drink just wondering g the rules surrounding consuming any.

Hmm since you posted this in the gastric sleeve forums I guess I'll give my take. Every surgeon is different. Mine said no alcohol for at least 30 days post-surgery. I have had the occasional wine or cocktail since then. For sleeve and bypass patients especially (can't speak for band patients) alcohol absorption is more rapid, which causes you to get tipsy quicker. Drinking more than you can tolerate is not something I would recommend, not just because of the anatomical change from surgery, but because you'll be making yourself more vulnerable in social situations and you'll have less control in advocating for yourself. For me one stiff drink is enough. But I don't plan on imbibing much these days. It's empty calories and I'm having a tougher and tougher time with the weight loss the closer I get to goal. I think with moderation it's okay, just be wary of cross-addiction, as it does occasionally happen to bariatric patients.

Make sure you pack some sleeve friendly Snacks. I would also request that they order salad and non-alcoholic beverages. Most pizza places do salads. If not, I would eat a healthy snack before you go to the dinner or just eat the toppings off the pizza and toss the crust. Good luck and have fun

I'm going to be traveling from Nashville to Wisconsin for work. I'm not sure what to take with me for food. I'm one year out but I prepare all my meals and snacks. I will be eating out every meal plus we will be doing socializing drinking. I have not drank an alcohol drink since surgery so I'm getting really nervous. My company normally orders pizza and beer/wine for dinner. I don't eat pizza because the dough makes me sick. Any suggestion?

Will I be sick a lot after the operation? The LAP-BAND® System limits the amount of food you can eat at one time. If you feel nauseated on a regular basis, it could mean that you aren't chewing your food well enough or that you aren't following the post-surgical diet rules properly. However, it could also mean that there is a problem with the placement of the LAP-BAND® System, so contact your doctor if you continue to get sick. You must avoid vomiting as much as possible because it can cause your small stomach pouch to stretch. It can also lead to slippage of part of the stomach through the LAP-BAND® System, offsetting the effectiveness of your surgery. In some severe cases, damage due to vomiting can mean another operation. Will I feel hungry or deprived with the LAP-BAND® System? The LAP-BAND ® System makes you eat less and feel full in two ways: first, by reducing how much your stomach can hold at one time and second, by increasing the time it takes food to get through your digestive system. After a small meal, the amount of which varies from person to person, you should feel full and satisfied for some time. If you follow the nutrition guidelines when you choose your food and then chew it well, you shouldn't feel hungry or deprived. Remember, the LAP-BAND ® System is a powerful tool to help you change your eating habits. Can I eat anything in moderation? After your stomach has healed, you may eat most foods that don't cause you discomfort. However, since you can only eat a small amount at a time, it is important that you choose nutritious, vitamin-rich foods as outlined on this site and recommended by your surgeon and/or dietitian. Remember, if you eat foods that contain lots of sugar and fat or drink liquids full of empty calories (milkshakes, sodas), you will still be consuming more calories than you burn, and your weight loss with the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System may be greatly reduced or even cancelled. Can I drink alcohol? Alcohol has a lot of calories and breaks down Vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss.1 Can I go out to eat? Order only a small portion, such as an appetizer. Try to eat as slowly as you can. It will help if you stop eating at the same time as your dinner companions. You might want to let your host or hostess know in advance that you cannot eat very much. Ask your surgeon for a LAP-BAND® Patient Card included in the Post-Op Patient Packet provided by Allergan. The patient card explains what the LAP-BAND® System is and states that you cannot eat very much (this card can also be helpful if you have an unrelated medical emergency). Am I allowed to have my LAP-BAND® System opened for a special occasion? While it might seem tempting and easy, your LAP-BAND® System should never be opened to eat a big meal at a special occasion. The LAP-BAND® System can be opened for medical reasons, though, such as pregnancy, when you will need to increase your nutritional intake. Does the LAP-BAND® System limit any physical activity? The LAP-BAND® System should not hamper any type of physical activity. You should be free to do aerobics, stretches, and any strenuous exercise you enjoy once you've completely recovered, and your surgeon gives you the 'ok'. Do I have to be careful with the access port just underneath my skin? The access port is placed under the skin in the abdominal wall, and once the incisions have healed, it should not cause discomfort or limit any physical exercise. The only sensation you may experience from the port occurs when you go in for adjustments. If you feel persistent discomfort in the port area, talk to your doctor.

Hi heartfire, I have a therapist to talk to who probably would have been a much tougher screener than the psych eval that I got through the surgeon's office. She knows I have issues, my dad was an alcoholic and as we all know that is another issue that can go on forever. When he died he had a heart attack and was actually clutching onto a glass of scotch when he had it and they had to pry it out of his hand after they found him dead on the floor. There's not much of a line between alcohol and sugar if you think about it. I felt like I needed a jump start and starving myself wasn't the kind of jump start that would work for me. I think if my surgeon had said, yes you are not doing well on the band and we'll talk about gastric bypass now I would have gone with it because I would have seen it as an option that would have been easier. I know you think that's crazy but it's true! Anyway since my daughter is getting gastric bypass next month I met with her nutritionist and she was really nice and offered to meet with me or email etc... I get to go through all the pre-op stuff all over again with my daughter so it helps too to relearn certain things. I've been a Weight Watcher since 1973 or 1972, and probably haven't been in about 4 years but still know basically the point situation and have all my books. I may join or see if I can just follow it on my own. I haven't completed decided yet but I meet my surgeon in a month and hopefully my ticker will start to move!!!! I want to love my band like everyone else here, but I think we'll just be friends for a while first! Thanks brandyII.

Is it ok to drink alcohol 6 months post op

Have a friend having surgery tomorrow. They had three alcoholic drinks yesterday. Will this cause any major complications

I was banded in 2006 and it was really great for about six months. That was when I had the first episode of the band closing itself up. They had to remove all the Fluid and it never worked right after that. Fast forward a few years and I've been to the ER twice to have fluid removed because it has closed up on me again. I haven't had any fluid in my band for the past three months and I'm still struggling with things getting stuck and vomiting and never knowing when I'll be able to eat food or only have liquids. So, I went to the doctor today, we reviewed my issues and he suggested removing the band and doing the sleeve. Now I'm freaking out a bit. I worry that if I failed at the band, the sleeve won't work either. And the sleeve is permanent. However the doc feels that I will lose what weight I need to within six months. I went ahead and did the first step of meeting with the nutritionist today (she had a last minute cancellation). Here's a list of things I was told...I'd love to know what the reality is, though. 1. I won't feel hungry again 2. I won't get thirsty again 3. Two months of liquids post-op 4. No alcohol or honey (what I use for a sweetener) for at least 8 weeks 5. No bread, Pasta, or rice for six months 6. Sweets will taste different after the surgery How do allergies and stress affect the sleeve? These seem to be the culprit to causing issues with my band. Do you get dumping syndrome like with Gastric Bypass? Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.

I know we shouldn't drink, but what is the best thing to drink should the occasion arise? I've had Skinny Girl Margarita & Wine....both still have alot of calories.

My last beer was a sip of beer at Fenway park the night before surgery. Since then I'm am enjoying a whisky when I imbibe. No carbonation.... Fewer ounces. We all know it is the same calorie count either way. About 100 cals 3500 cals = one pound. The big thing to rebember is alcohol is a dis- inhibitor. We sometimes make poor choices, and decisions after drinking.

It always sends off warning bells in my head when I hear things like this. It means that alcohol is pretty important to you, and you may have trouble with it when you can no longer "use" food. Please be aware!! You might blow off this post, and think, "alcohol is not a problem for me." If that is the case, it should not be a problem to give it up.

When can I have alcohol? I’m 5 weeks out and scared to ask my dr. I’m by no means an alcoholic just wondering when I could have a small drink?

My advice is to ask your surgeon. In my case, I abstained from alcohol for the entirety of my six month pre-op diet program and the first three months post-op. I brought it back with the okay from my surgeon (whose only advice was to "try" anything at home before I went public with it). I pretty much only have red wine, and only when I am traveling or having dinner out. And I monitor those calories very carefully. I haven't had one issue from it. I met my goal at 1 year and 4 days post-op, and have been maintaining at 10 pounds below goal for 5 months now. Do keep in mind that I am insanely particular about what I eat, so that factors into the situation. Wine is my one indulgence (if you can call it that)...

I was told six months. It's supposed to hit you more quickly and stay in your system longer, along with slow down weight loss. Interestingly, the literature shows that having gastric bypass is more likely to increase your risk of being an alcoholic.

How long did everyone wait post banding to have there sip of alcohol?

Carbonation? Maybe. I have vodka and tonic with ice. Knocks the bubbles right out ... for me. I don't know what your doc recommends regarding alcohol. IMO there is nothing wrong with alcohol per se, but it does have a lot of calories. I've been drinking too much during BBQ's this summer and my weight loss stalled. So, just take care. Don't be me. :nervous

I think carbonation varies from person to person. For me, I feel no pain at all and I enjoy a nice cold beer fromt time to time :welldoneclap:. That being said, there are a lot of calories in alcohol so make sure you compensate for them in your calories for the day by cutting back or exercising more to keep from weight gain. I have lost over 70 lbs in the past 6 mos and have had alcohol in my life since the get go and do not plan on giving it up any time soon (I am only 25...) but it really is inidvidual. I have a friend that absolutely cannot stand carbonation, she says it causes intense pain. IMHO anything that causes pain you should avoid but for me there is none so I sip sip sip and i am fine. ~Liz~ 03/10/06 241/168/160 5'7''

That's right nyquil has alcohol I wasn't paying mind. Do natural stuff hot tea with lemon. Rest

What is the deal with alcohol? I know no beer probably..but was about liquor and wine?

My doctor said we can still drink alcohol but mainly just liquors and mixed drinks that have no carbonation. He said more than likely after the band you will be a light weight but in a way I guess thats good considering how many calories are in alcohol. The main thing we're not allowed to have once banded is carbonated beverages. Everything else depends on you and how serious you want to lose weight. I hope that answers your question and good luck to you!

What does your surgeon/nut say about alcohol? That's who you should listen to.

Hi Giana, I'm also fairly new to VSG surgery at only 2.5 weeks post op. I know your frustrations, as I was previously a lap band patient several years ago. The main key is to keep the big picture in mind, your goal. Take one day at a time and don't beat yourself up over the past. I went to a wedding 1.5 weeks post op and the temptation to have BBQ, wedding cake and alcohol was unreal, but I know that I'm unhappy with how I look, so I sipped a Water and had a few sips of lemonade. As a reward, my husband took me to my favorite mexican restaurant afterwards, where I ordered chicken tortilla Soup and asked them to just give me the broth. It tasted the same without all the extra stuff that I couldn't have! Give yourself mini pats on the back like that! This is just as much a mental game as it is a physical and emotional one! I'm a nurse and I work 12-15 hour shifts so I understand how hard it is to balance. Have a water bottle at your desk and sip, sip, sip all day. Pack and preplan your meals and Snacks. If you have a sweet tooth, try the Chobani yogurt packs, they made new ones called Coco-Loco (come with sliced almonds and dark chocolate bits) and Key Lime Pie (come with graham cracker crumbles) and I promise they do not taste like greek yogurt! I drink a green smoothie in the morning that I love, it tastes like banana! It's 4oz spinach, 1c. diced pineapple, 1c. vanilla greek yogurt, 1 whole banana, 1-2 scoops any plain Protein powder and 1 tbsp honey. Blend, blend, blend and add a little ice if needed to make it colder. I'm still on soft foods, so my lunch is tomato soup with a little ricotta, and my dinner is scrambled eggs with spinach. Snacks are colby jack cheese sticks, yogurt, cottage cheese mixed with avocado (don't judge me lol) and applesauce with cinnamon. Find what you like and tweak it. The biggest thing to know is that you can do this! I believe in you! Let's get you back on track girl!