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For me it's pizza--one of my absolute favorites before surgery but not really an option since. I have had a few bites here and there, but never again will I eat even a full slice. As Catwoman said, you can have a little bit of just about anything from time to time once you are in maintenance, as long as you exercise restraint. I swore I would never eat processed sugar nor drink alcohol again after surgery, but I've done both on a couple of occasions over the last few months, with no ill effects.

I don’t have forbidden foods but I don’t enjoy drinking alcohol anymore. Probably just as well.

:update: My psychologist wrote a letter on my behalf recommending me for the surgery and he used the wording they requested and NGS has a copy. I also confirmed they rec'vd my medical records once again. Now my file has been sent to the insurance doc for review for the 2nd time. I asked my advocate what her feeling was and she said they indicated that while I was on Optifast I was able to lose weight. :uwelcome: What the heck? Last week they were complaining about me not being 100% compliant. I can't win for losing!! I may be looking at an appeal. My advocate did tell them that I can lose, but gain it back and she also said the band is to me what meds would be for an alcoholic. If they drink they get sick. The band would be a tool to help me keep weight off. Good analogy I thought. Should I line up an attorney? Any suggestions for one? We don't have much money b/c I'm a SAHM and things are tight as always. :phanvan Still praying for a positive outcome, but I'm ready to fight.

I am being banded in January, no pre op diet required and I have a similar attitude to Trish and Ang especially with holidays around! I will be on vacation for a week until Jan 2nd where I know food and alcohol will be plentiful so I have pledged to myself that come Jan 3rd it all ends and I focus on eating well, making that change from 2 weeks before surgery.

Ok...yes....I know...there are some negligible sugar alcohols.... But in the realm of 5g or less.......

Ilenerm, thanks for addressing the alcohol issue. Anytime us RNY'ers try to re-write the plan, we will not succeed!

Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Care Guide Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Aftercare Instructions Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Discharge Care Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Inpatient Care En Espanol Non-diabetic hypoglycemia is a condition that causes the sugar (glucose) in your blood to drop too low. This can happen in people who do not have diabetes. The 2 types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia are fasting hypoglycemia and reactive hypoglycemia. Fasting hypoglycemia often happens after the person goes without food for 8 hours or longer. Reactive hypoglycemia usually happens about 2 to 4 hours after a meal. When your blood sugar level is low, your muscles and brain cells do not function properly. What causes non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Fasting hypoglycemia: Certain medicines or herbal supplements such as fenugreek, ginseng, or cinnamon Alcohol Exercise Medical conditions such as liver disease, hypothyroidism, and tumors Eating disorders or malnutrition Stomach surgery or hemodialysis From what I have read it suggest something to eat or drink. I am going to try a cup of milk when I wake up tonight. I will let you know how that works. Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Care Guide Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Aftercare Instructions Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Discharge Care Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia Inpatient Care En Espanol Non-diabetic hypoglycemia is a condition that causes the sugar (glucose) in your blood to drop too low. This can happen in people who do not have diabetes. The 2 types of non-diabetic hypoglycemia are fasting hypoglycemia and reactive hypoglycemia. Fasting hypoglycemia often happens after the person goes without food for 8 hours or longer. Reactive hypoglycemia usually happens about 2 to 4 hours after a meal. When your blood sugar level is low, your muscles and brain cells do not function properly. What causes non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Fasting hypoglycemia: Certain medicines or herbal supplements such as fenugreek, ginseng, or cinnamon Alcohol Exercise Medical conditions such as liver disease, hypothyroidism, and tumors Eating disorders or malnutrition Stomach surgery or hemodialysis From what I have read it suggest something to eat or drink. I am going to try a cup of milk when I wake up tonight. I will let you know how that works.

I wouldn't recommend it! Not because I'm "old", OR because I'm a mother, OR because you're underage...but because you will have a new lap-band that hasn't settled into place yet. You will still be healing, and most likely not be eating solid foods yet. When prom night rolls around, you will not have had much to eat for the past 6-8 weeks. You won't be eating much that day/night, then you'll add alcohol on top of that. It will take a lot less alcohol to do way more damage than ever before. If you drink to the point where you throw up, then you risk damaging your band and having major problems. You made the decision to have the surgery so that you can be healthy. Don't take a chance on losing all that for a night of drinking. It's just not worth it. And, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to drink later, when you are completely healed. Have a happy and safe prom night!

@@Cervidae I got a dog. It has helped me so much with my stress and isolation from living and working alone. The dog is the best comfort available. I realize everyone can't afford or wants to take care of a dog. I comfort myself right now by shopping. It isn't always about purchasing items, it is more about trying on clothes, seeing what I can wear and also seeing myself in a different environment. Even though there are mirrors and full length mirrors all over my house, I find that I can see my changes better outside the house and trying on entirely new clothes. That helps me stick to plan and also validates my struggles with head hunger. Doing your nails, deep conditioning your hair. Okay on to food. Comforting myself with food, is something I worked through before surgery, before I even considered surgery. I gave up sugar, I gave up alcohol. I learned to work through my problems and I always removed a lot of stress from my life. Now to be real, I Keto. That is more comforting than most diets. Fats satisfy a lot of needs. Low carb and low fat is just fail to me, and it doesn't seem to satisfy anything. So I have healthy fats, very few carbs and meet my Protein goals. That is satisfying and comforting to me every day. My food is high quality and delicious. I had filet mignon for almost a week straight, at 4 oz at a time, it is affordable yet still decadent.Totally on plan, totally delicious. I am savory kind of person. I would rather have fried chicken or fried fish than chocolate or any kind of sweet. That being said, it is kind of easier to get "treat" like foods that are sweets since most people are sugar fiends. I think that if sweets are your trigger then you should be really careful. I can eat these items and not care about them. They are mainly convenience more than comfort. Protein Brownies. Looking they are protein brownies and they taste like protein brownies, but they do taste good. They also aren't cheap, so you might not want one every day. Found on instagram, a real life saver, added bonus, they are moderately filling. http://www.eatmeguiltfree.com/ Protein Peanut Butter The chocolate is delicious. https://wildfriendsfoods.com/protein_plus/ Quest Bars Low carb cheesecake (just google a recipe. I get these at Trader Joes for $1.99 or 2.99 a bar, I forget the price. cheaper than Lily's I have one square at a time as a snack http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Lite-Chocolate-Cacao-3-Ounce/dp/B0049UDYHI These from trader joe's, fi you are going to buy them, weigh/measure out all the servings and put them in individual baggies as soon as you get it home. Only take one serving at a time. The calories are high per serving for those of us on 1000 calories or so a day so plan accordingly. I stopped buying them because they aren't worth the calories to me, but they aren't a terrible option. http://i.imgur.com/jWCaYT1.jpg Again I am going to state I can eat this things because sweets are not a trigger for me. If they are for you, don't do it. Food though is fuel, not a comfort device. We all need to work past seeing food as a comfort. It doesn't even work post surgery at least for me. Being full is super uncomfortable, it isn't soothing, it doesn't make me numb or sleepy, just miserable. Cooking a complicated keto or paleo recipe is soothing to me. It takes me out of my own thoughts and I have to focus on what I am doing. I find that relaxing. Recipe sites.. http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/ http://www.ruled.me/ http://cavemanketo.com/ https://ketodietapp.com/Blog I am not familiar with what RNY people can eat so if all of these are things you can't tolerate. I'm sorry.

I haven't smoked pot since I was 18 and that was 10yrs ago. I don't know how my doc feels about it. We live in Colorado where weed will be legal in June or July of next year. I plan to never smoke pot again but I'm past that age where stuff like that appeals to me and I have 3 small kids. As far as exercise my doc wanted us to walk ASAP, nothing strenuous until 6-8 weeks post op. I plan to lift weights this week for the first time since surgery and I'm 7 weeks post op. Caffeine I'm supposed to avoid it until 3 months I think and that's the same with alcohol. I haven't drank caffeine or alcohol and don't plan to until I reach goal. I don't want it to slow down my weight loss.

I looked at the binder that my surgeon gave me and it says that it's best to avoid caffeine but if you do drink caffeine consider cutting back or drinking 8 oz of Water for every cup of coffee. It also said its best to avoid alcohol. I have no idea where I got the 3 months from but maybe that was my rule. I love coffee but I hate feeling like I need it every morning, so I plan to avoid it. Alcohol I plan to wait until I reach goal but ultimately who knows what will happen down the line

Caffeine and full exercise at 6 weeks (by caffeine I mean coffee). I don't smoke anything so never thought to ask. I can have a alcohol as well but haven't tried. I'll probably have my first drink later on December at my work Xmas party.

I have severe back problems. I am in desperate need of surgery but presently do not have insurance so I am unable to have it. Every night, I have one or two drinks. They help me to relax and help me to sleep. Otherwise, I am awake all night from the pain. However, even without the back issues, I will continue to have a drink at night. It is a great way to unwind, that, however, does not make me an alcoholic. I worked in a psychiatric and substance hospital for 13 years. Lets not confuse enjoying a few drinks with alcoholism. They are two completely different animals. An alcoholic wakes up in the morning craving a drink, same as a drug addict wakes up craving their drug of choice. An addict is willing to sacrifice their way of life, their families, etc. to have their drug/drink of choice. They must have their drug or they will actually experience physical symptoms of withdrawal. That is a huge difference between enjoying a drink in the evening or going out with friends on the weekend and planning on having enough drinks where you need to designate a driver ahead of time. Sent from my iPad using VST

Personally, I view this process in the same regards as a recovering alcoholic or drug addict. I don't think you should date or jump into a relationship until you are at least a year removed from surgery. You change as a person and aren't even sure who you are becoming for some time. Once you learn who you are and love yourself for it and all that you have been through, then you can let someone else in and you will figure out how to respond to them as you go. Why try and predict and worry about the future when it isn't here yet? One step at a time. This surgery doesn't just change what you eat. It affects every aspect of your life. Do not take it lightly.

@@almond_jay yes I did have my psych evaluation.. The psychiatrist told me I had daddy issues. My dad is an alcoholic and she thinks I over eat because he wasn't in my life. *shrugs* I disagree but she was trying to find a reason why i eat so much. I said because food is yummy. She said no that's not it. Lol. I just agreed to do what she asked. I'm buying a book for ACOA.. and I'll go to a couple of meetings to see what I can learn. I'm open about it, I just don't think that is why I eat. I'm supposed to email her about what I'm doing to change it. So I'll do that in a couple of weeks

Ryan, I'm so thankful that you have a dr. that is checking you out thoroughly. Ulcers are not anything to fool around with. Thank goodness you found out about this before your banding! This may postpone your surgery, but it's not stopping it. Please be careful in the types of food that you're eating. Spicey foods and alcohol will aggravate ulcers. This will be "repaired" and you'll be "back in the saddle". Take care and please don't get too discouraged. "This too shall pass." The peace and solitude at the lake are exactly what you need right now. Take care!

I am having a bad day! Feeling very frustrated and like a failure. I will be 4 weeks post op tomorrow. For the past week, I keep gaining and losing the same 2 pounds. GRRR Then I took it a step further and drank alcohol last night! I only ordered one shot and sipped on it for about 2 hours. I got a little buzz from it and feel like total crap today! I keep feeling like I am never going to lose weight. I have failed at every diet I have ever tried (obviously, that is what led me to the sleeve) and I am staring to think I will fail at this too! Ugh! I hate feeling this way! Definitely one of those days I would like to stay under the covers and cry myself back to sleep! For some reason, I feel like I can't get my emotions together! Anyone else have these problems/feelings???

You could have be me writing! I also came to that realization quickly - and it made me very sad. I created a world for myself where it was the food and alcohol that I looked forward too and the people and events were secondary. Having lunch, going home at night from work - it was all about the next food "fix". What to do on weekends with the family - why there was nothing to do unless it revolved around food. I had the same realization day 2 of my pre-op (once I felt human again) diet. Mentally it has gotten easier over the weeks and I realize now that I need to find things that bring joy and happiness that do not revolve around food. On the weekends - I want to start taking my little ones everywhere - so that they too do not develop this terrible habit! I'm not cured - but I am aware of it now! This will be harder for me than the diet.... Best Ann

I'm sorry you are struggling with an alcohol problem sweetie but you shouldn't have to hide who you are for fear of judgement. If "we" judge you than you shouldn't take advice from us anyways. I understand being embarrassed or feeling like you failed but YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE. Consuming that much alcohol that often is very dangerous. Part of the reason we all get surgery is because we want to be healthy. It's not worth it love to get surgery and lose all that weight if you are just going to pick up something else that's just as dangerous. I think if you went to therapy it would really help you, quite frankly I think the whole world needs therapy lol. But the reason I say therapy is because maybe there is an underlying issue that you aren't even aware of. I'm going to school to be a drug and alcohol counselor so I'm actually learning about all this. If you ever need to talk you can private message me and I WILL NOT judge you. Sometimes people don't even know what's bothering them or drawing them to have an addiction until they start talking to someone they can trust and then it all spills out.

Your risk for alcohol addiction increases after weight loss surgery. Be careful! Thankfully, I've had to quit for pregnancies enough that I no longer care if I drink or not... now, cigarettes, that's my Achilles' Heel.

Well, my insurance is blue cross blue shield. My requirements were 3 months on a dietitian monitored diet, 2 years (min.) weight history, Post-op preparation classes, and a bmi of 35 or higher. That would have been ok... But i started out in march with Dr. David Kim... I do not recommend anyone to his office. #Hurley911 - Some of the red tape/hoops I had to go through were nicotine and alcohol screening and things like that. The other problem I had was that after doing all the requirements for not only my insurance but my doctor... They stopped contacting me and i was forced to change surgeons. It has been a very long journey but it will be worth it when I finally get sleeved.

I don't weigh anything or count calories. My portion size is about the same as the palm of my hand (or less if I feel satisfied quickly). I do keep a food diary, to make sure that I'm eating healthily and I probably eat 5 or 6 times a day. Last week, I went on holiday and had alcohol and one or two desserts, and I still managed to lose a pound (although I did quite a lot of swimming and walking). Maybe I'm just lucky in finding a way of eating that works for me. If weighing and counting calories works for you, then it's super that you've found the strategy to suit you! 🙂

No one was at the restaurant is holding a gun to your head to make you eat. I find it humerous that people are suing McD's for making them fat. They chose to go in there, eat that food, and in great volumes I might add. McDs provides a service. Bars provide a service. Bars don't cause alcoholics. They might make it easier for people with obsessions to get a "fix", but they are not the cause. There are healthy choices out there. I hardly ever stop at a fast food restaurant. I really don't think of it. We eat out a couple times a week, but tend to go to restaurants. They are just as costly as visiting a fast food restaurant, but at a restaurant I can make better choices. Sometimes I think people think it is easier to stop at a fast food joint than to cook something or search for something better for them. Its all about choices.

Hmmm ... are you a success or failure ... I can't speak for you, but I know I am neither ... I am human. An imperfect one, at that. I am an alcoholic who has found others who have found a solution to their issues with alcohol abuse. It is a 12 step program you may have heard of. If not, Google 12 step alcohol. There are many meetings in cities around the world every hour of the day. I found shame in admitting it at first, but after some time, similar to being sleeved, I have found that I can be of service to those in need, trying to reach out to others. I would love to discuss this further with you, if you are so inclined, but I cannot do this for you. No one here can tell you why you abuse alcohol just like no one here can tell you why you were obese. But I, and many others in your own city, can tell you what my issues were and how I found a solution which may work for you, if you are willing. You may or may not be an alcoholic. Only you get to decide. I've known more than one person who could suck down a bottle of vodka, but wasn't an alcoholic. But I do know, for myself, I stepped over the line when I lost my power of choice in the matter. Feel free to PM me, though, I think you may have already before ... right? The only shame is not doing anything about it.

alcohol can help cause erosion why bother if your only going to hurt your stomach? Plus you get drunk so much faster after being banded. So unless you want to be wasted 3 times a week it would be best not to drink so much when banded.