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Keep logging food and exercise and keep an eye on your weight. I had kind of the same experience, (I'm about 1.5 yrs out too) but I had stopped logging and let larger Snacks and too frequent alcohol creep in. Put on like 5 pounds outside my goal range then had to go back to the habits that work to take it off again, (which I have), but only just. Now working on creating a little wiggle room. If you're not gaining, maybe you need the calories. If you really want to stop it, change up your snacks to whole foods only for a week or 2. Sometimes I just need to break a habit and going "clean" can help.

I had my band paid for by insurance - but we have since changed insurance companies and our new insurance says specifically it does not cover any surgery for obesity - now it covers all other dependancy problems - drug, alcohol, smoking - any other addiction -but it will not cover obesity - don't you think that is discrimination based on a person's weight - and don't you think a lawyer wouldn't have jumped all over this before now? I have always just wondered if anyone has ever tried to sue an insurance company for discrimination based on denial of benefits -

Hi, Jojo! I go to Dr. Ren (Dr. Fielding's partner and wife -- though my surgery was in MX with Dr. Rumbaut) and they are OK with alcohol in moderation. Definitely check with them on timing though. The shakes are pretty gross -- I hated them, so I got Isopure Protein drinks (taste/look like Gatoraid) from GNC, which was SO much better (42 grams of protein, zero carbs). That did the trick. As for good mushies, you can still have everything you had during liquids (Soups really carried me through liquids & mushies), and other things I enjoyed were mashed potatoes, refried Beans with cheese, pureed turkey chili, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Best wishes for your success! Catherine

I abstained from alcohol throughout the duration of my six month pre-op diet program and the first 3 months post-op. And, even now (5.5 months post-op), it is an every now and then thing, and I adjust my eating on those days to still meet my protein goals while keeping calories and my 20 carbs aside for the alcohol. (So basically on those days, I eat 4 oz of plain grilled chicken 4 times. 480 calories, 96 g of protein, 0 carbs. This opens up about 600 calories and 20 grams of carbs for the drinks.) My team told me at the 3 month mark that it wouldn't hurt me, which is why I brought back at all. But it is not a regular thing. I'd rather have food with my calories and carbs than booze, but on special occasions, I can accommodate it. Good luck!

I was so nervous before my first fill, I almost asked him not to do it. It's actually super easy and it doesn't hurt hardly at all. Each surgeon is different I'm sure, but mine just had me lay on the table, he felt around for my port (had me do a crunch to help it stick out), swabbed the area with alcohol to clean it, drew up the saline to inject, then poked it in. It hurts way less than a tetanus shot (if you've ever had one of those). When my surgeon pushes the saline in, he puts in a small amount then draws it back out to confirm he's in the port. Once Fluid comes back out (indicating he's in), he injects the rest. I then have to stay in the office for 5 minutes and sip Water to make sure it all goes down okay. I do 24 hours of liquids then 24 hours of mushy food, then back to normal. Each surgeon is different, but that's the general idea.

I don't know when you posted but I just came across your post and can totally relate to your overwhelming life. Like you, I suffered with disabaling panic attacks. Like you, in a round about way, I have a husband who is disabled and retired on disability. He has many medical and depression issues. Additionally a Mother who is in end stage COPD and thinks she ready to start taking the morphine, a father who is having a total hip replacement next week, 22 year old son who just moved back home after being away at college for 4 years, and, he is quite addicted to alcohol (actually lost his license for 18 months for driving under the influence. Additionally, I work, but the husband, mother and father are all retired. Suffice it to say, not only do I understand, I can totally relate. It has taken me a long time but I am in the beginning stages of trying to unscramble some of this mess. Learning to say no, while not feeling guilty about it, is a big one. First thing, you need to get treatment for the panic attacks. There is medication out there to block the attacks and help you feel more in control. Anyone who is capable of caring for themselves, need to. If life is that stressful, maybe your husband might need to put his graduate studies on hold. He's going to be in a bigger pile of shit if you do have a nervous breakdown. You might suggest to him that he be a little more "proactive" in helping to unscramble the mess. You should check in your community to see if there is any assistance you can get. Maybe you would qualify for fuel, child care, Medicare/Medicaid (depending on your children's "needs"). Figure out what you do have control over; what can you take off your plate, what can you give to someone else; what other resources are out there for you. And, did I mention I too am in the first several months of preparing for a lapband, which is going by the wayside with all these other things going on. Remember, if you don't take care of yourself, you will be of NO help to anyone else. Take care and keep talking with everybody. Marcia

Post-op is worse in the variations that different doctors and NUTs have: 1. coffee 2. NSAIDs 3. Alcohol 4. Water before/during meals 5. Ability to stretch sleeve 6. Carbonation These are just a few of the various items that vary depending on who your medical team is. There are many more if you keep reading here.

The biggest thing i was told about alcohol is it will affect us differently due to the rerouting of the intestines. So one drink might get you completely drunk. I have known many people that still drink on occasion and due fine they just have to be careful. The other issue is that you don't want a transfer addiction. That is something else they warn everyone about since we no longer are addicted to food we might be addicted to something else ie alcohol.

Get back to basics. If you have to you can do the 5 day pouch test to help get you back to basics. Below you will find a brief list of the menu for each day. Please click the "Read more" links for further detail and hints and tips that will enable your success with the 5 Day Pouch Test. Days One & Two: liquid Protein low-carb Protein shakes, broth, clear or cream Soups, sugar-free Gelatin and pudding. Read more. Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. Read more. Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. Read more. Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game Read more. You have to be dedicated to the process. Yes, I understand that it's difficult during the holidays, BUT, you are in control of what you choose to put in your mouth. I wasn't even released for alcohol consumption until after 3 months. Alcohol is just wasted/empty calories. It has zero nutritional value, and all you're doing is sabotaging yourself and your sleeve. It's okay to have a "treat" here and there, but overindulging is only going to stall your weight loss, and build your frustration.

After the surgery u can eat like regular food and can u drink soda or alcohol

Thanx all for the responses so quickly. So great to hear from others. I did not know the hernia could be corrected at the same time. For some reason I just assumed it would be done later. For those that had it done was it in you belly button? From what doc explained the reason he said it may reopen was because my gut is so damn big, he used the analogy of a full bag stretched out and ripped. Sew it back up but it still as full as it was and highly likely it will rip again. Does the belly go down that fast? As per my alcohol issues, i've never been to AA or been involved with any support groups. I just decided to stop. I'm guessing this process varies from state to state or insurance to insurance. I've already done my visit with the shrink and she said she was going to send her approval. Is 1 visit norm and for them to let you know yes or no on the spot? Next, liquid diet. I knew about post op for some time but don't remember anyone mentioning pre op. They probably did but everything seems to be moving so quickly I may have just not registered it. How long before does that take place? Again MUCH THANX and Best in your Journies J

@ J San one of my even better tales is the one about,the day I ran the size 10.5 knitting needle through my foot, even beats the evening RD deliberately kicked her foot through a glass storm window or when she kicked backward, she claimed reflexively, and broke,my nose. As the old comedian said once "I've got a MILLION stories" One of the even more recent ones. I was sitting outside of Wal-Mart waiting for Public Transportation bus, She was out shopping with her MIL, who she doesn't realize "has her number" also. we are about the same age and chat often, she doesn't know that either. Anywhoo she runs up to Tomkitten and I , throws her arms around each of us and gives a big hug. "Hmnn" I said "and what is This For?", literally had not seen her for,months. Oh , she announces, I've got Early Onset Dementia and I thought I'd hug you before I forgot who you were! Sometimes being around her is like being in the presence of a coral snake, attractive but keep an eye on them because they are poisonous. one thing we don't share is the Alcohol addiction it does run in Daddy's side of the family. How devout were they? My great grandpa Priest had a keg , big honking one from what I hear, out in his barn of Hard Cider. Christmas morning he and the male relatives went marching out to said barn. Drew off,what didn't freeze and took turns drinking it. It does get cold in Ohio so,imagine what proof it must have been! Only,had drank,3-5 times in the my,live. Blended drinks make me sleepy, if I'm going to be taken advantage of, I want to be awake and enjoy it. In your checkered imbibing career have you ever tasted White Lightening? Well,i have, the dreaded corn-based moonshine liquor. Shoot Daddy's side of the family had stills,not all of them but a high%. Ever heard Joan Baez song about it? I'll give you the lyrics at the end, okay? I had a jelly glassful once and it only took once! Warm going down, well they did pride themselves on the smoothness, hits the bottom of your stomach,with a thud and within 15 minutes at least for me, the migraine from Hades arrived. Sat down on the tree stump, both eyes and nose running, and tried to shake my head. Bad maneuver, only made it worse. Did I throw up? Nope wished I had, but I was too much a lady to do it in front of relatives and I didn't want to find out what it does to clothing and shoes. So I sat there an hour or 2 until my eyes stopped streaming, the world stopped spinning and I could trust my legs again. Okay the lyrics I promised. Get you a copper kettle Get you a copper coil Cover with new-made corn mash And never more you'll toil Just lay there by the juniper When the moon is high Watch them jugs a-fillin' in the pale moonlight (verse) My daddy,he made whiskey My grand'daddy did too We ain't paid no Whiskey Tax Since 1792 We just lay there by the Juniper When the moon is high Watching them jugs a'fillin' In the pale moonlight. Yeah you're welcome, I come from a long line of. Buckeye Small Business Men, don't I?😝👍

I had a drink a few weeks ago for a concert (beyonce).. I was 7 weeks out, had a bottle of wine... I was able to tolerate alcohol just as easy as before, and I'm still standing. People like to Put the fear of God into new bariatric patients to try and get you to live a holy life of Protein and veggies... I'm young, I like to enjoy my life. Drinking is fine, of course in moderation. Glad all went okay! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't avoid fat other than trans fats, and I make sure I eat at least one meal a day with a minimum of 10 grams of fat -- I take my vitamins with that meal, as many vitamins are not properly absorbed without fat. I do eat some pretty high fat foods such as avocados, eggs, nuts (small amounts) and fatty fish, but as long as I stay within my calories for the day I don't care. My cholesterol and triglyceride numbers are always fantastic so I think I must be doing something right. As far as carbs go, when I was in weight loss mode, I kept carbs under 60 grams per day. I don't count carbs anymore now that I am in maintenance (well, MFP counts them for me but I don't even look at the number). However, my carbs tend to stay in the low range naturally as I eat a lower-carb diet in maintenance: no more than one serving of whole grains per day (no refined grains), no bread, no sweets, no starchy veggies, no tropical fruit, no alcohol, and modest amounts of dairy, beans, and legumes. This eating plan works well for me.

Yes I do. I'm working on it. I'm right below goal. Would like to drop a few more lbs before officially going into maintenance. How are you eating now Babbs? I know you just went into maintenance.@@AlanaRN I'm actually in the same boat you are....I'm wanting to lose a few more pounds. So I technically haven't hit maintenance quite yet. I'm still eating to lose, basically. But I've upped my calories a bit (1300) and will have some whole grain bread with a sandwich every now and then, and occasionally a treat like a cookie or alcohol. So I'm slooooowly going into maintenance mode while still trying to lose a few more. Does that make sense? The weight is not wanting to seem to come off at this point, though, so I may be done for now It makes perfect sense! We are in the same boat. I actually just changed my calorie limit in MFP to 1400. I never even come close. Usually around 1100. I'm trying to add some more veggies. I consistently get over 100 g of protein a day so I'm good in that department. Thanks for the support!

If you are eating the same, but drinking more, that's probably your answer on why you are stuck. Be very careful about replacing food with alcohol, or any other dangerous behavior. There is a thread about this on here somewhere, lots of people discuss having similar issues. Addictive behavior runs in my family, but I used to think it was specifically alcoholism that ran in my family so I've always been really careful about alcohol, if I find I'm drinking more than I should, I don't drink for a couple of weeks, or a month. Regarding exersize, unfortunately it's just something you have to get up off your butt and do. I say it that way, because that's what I had to do. I hadn't been to the gym since June, until 2 weeks ago. Once I get going, a momentum kind of builds up, but GETTING GOING is what is hard for me. You'll just decide one day to get up and go, or even if you don't go to the gym, walk around your neighborhood for a while (assuming it's safe). *hugs*

I feel the need for alcohol.

[Contemporary man] is blind to the fact that, with all his rationality and efficiency, he is possessed by "powers" that are beyond his control. His gods and demons have not disappeared at all; they have merely got new names. They keep him on the run with restlessness, vague apprehensions, psychological complications, an insatiable need for pills, alcohol, tobacco, food – and, above all, a large array of neuroses. (Jung, 1964:82).

OMG. I wasn't going to reply to this because people around here get their underwear in a bunch if you say "wow, that wasn't the best choice" about anything. No one here said anything about drinking being evil. One person rightly said that y'all are really fresh post-ops, you need to be careful. That's nowhere near saying that drinking is evil or people shouldn't enjoy their lives. As a nurse, there is no way I would advocate anyone drinking "some wine and a few Crown & Cokes" less than 2 months post-op with a GASTRIC surgery. That's a lot of alcohol for someone who HASN'T had their stomach cut on. I'm going on record right now as saying that wasn't a great choice. If that makes me a bitch, so be it.

That's true @@LipstickLady and I know it's silly. Really it is. I have indulged in the past with a few of the couples at various times so I guess it just seemed odd that I wasn't drinking and I didnt want to have to explain so I just pretended to drink. We were supposed to hang out until all the alcohol was gone. Every couple had a bottle... next time I'll probably just say no. It's really silly to go through all that.

I just watched "My Big Fat Operation" on the Discovery Life channel (channel 261). It was a good show and did show the mental side to surgery. I was a little aggravated that one girl celebrated her 3 month mark by enjoying cocktails at a bar. There was no mention that you shouldn't consume alcohol after surgery. It leads others to believe that it is a normal part of post op life.

I am sorry that you are so down on the band. The band has saved my life. Weight issues like we all have is just as bad as an alcoholic only worse because we can't say we will never eat again and be done with it, like an alcoholic can put down the drink and never touch it again. I would be on so many medications by this time without losing and keeping off the 90 pds I have lost. More than likely I would have followed in my mom's footsteps and even had a heart attack from the weight I had, but I am here in size 10 and I don't know how long this band will last, but it is giving me more years of a healthy life and if it does have to come out ( had it 3 yrs so far) I hope I have learned enough to keep some if not all the weight off at that point. What I am saying is that there is no quick fix for this weight problem. I think it is a life long struggle with all of us and I wish I could say that I am fixed forever, but that would not be not very smart thing for me to say. I don't know how long this will last but I am enjoying this and each and every day that I have being small and healthy. I hope someday that science comes up with a permanent fix for weight problems, but I do not see it happening, all the surgeries are temporary in one way or another. Make your decision that is comfortable for you and enjoy every day and every year of being thin that you can. I have talked to a lot of people with all of the different surgeries offered and they somehow have beat the odds of gaining it all back. Good luck and enjoy life and your decision.

Drinking calories is not good. You have to weigh what's important to you. I predict anyone who cannot do without soft drinks will have problems reaching goal and staying there. When I read about these addictions, I swear, I haven't heard anything worse when someone's on TV talking about drug or alcohol addiction. It just seems to me that something like that needs to be handled prior to surgery. I stopped smoking back in the 90's. I smoked a pack a day for about ten years. If I can stop smoking....and rest assured, it was the hardest thing I'd ever done, surely, no cokes or dr. peppers forever is possible.

I am just 34 days out and the only foods on my forbidden list are raw veggies, skins of fruits and veggies, corn, nuts, seeds and alcohol or carbonated beverages. I have eaten chicken, pork and beef and have tolerated all of them in small amounts. Most of my protein is still coming from protein drink. I can only eat 1-3 oz of solid food but can drink 8oz of liquid in a few minutes. It is still hard work and planning to get my minimums in everyday.

Hi Helen, I was told that 1 drink = 3, so be careful! Also alcohol and caffeine can be an irritant to the band itself. I have had one or two drinks and had no problem, but I would definitely not attempt this out of the house or driving til you see how your body will respond. I do enjoy going out with the girls also!