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Yeah, the program will typically tell you to avoid all alcohol until about a year out. I was never a heavy drinker anyway, so that's relatively easy for me. The worst bit for me, even now, is avoiding soda. I miss the way carbonated drinks felt. Of course, now I've tried a sip of soda... and it felt pretty bad.

Okay...so, I wasn’t trying to judge or come across as harsh in my previous blog, and for MONTHS I’ve read so MUCH B.S…and I didn’t blog anything “negative,” because I didn’t want to be negative, or hurt anyone's feelings. But for the love of Kirstie Ally, people; let’s all just ‘fess up and be honest! For those who have legitimate problems with their band...for those who have worked and struggled, and continue to work and struggle (and, yes, it will continue to be a struggle, and NO Virginia, there is no magic-cure-all-procedure…you stand a better chance of there actually being a Santa Claus.) For everyone who needs to hear some encouraging words every once in a while, or for people who have simple questions or suggestions; for the pre-ops and post-ops (can you hear the national anthem playing in the background?...) this site is a great place. HOWEVER… for the people (and you know who you are,) who whine and cry and bitch and moan because they: · Can't seem to stop drinking sodas, and then proclaim that: the band isn’t working. · It's day 3 post op, and even though they’ve managed to puree lasagna and a Bundt cake and drink it through a straw, they CAN'T understand why: the band isn’t working. · Their friends and family aren't supportive and they don't understand. They continue to insist upon having fried chicken and mashed potatoes, sweet corn casserole, yeast rolls and fried okra every Friday night, and they simply can’t tell them “no.” I mean never mind the fact that they sabotage the Bandsters efforts and don’t need to be eating that unhealthy crap…they fix the food anyway, eat the food, and then complain that the band isn’t working. · Instead of eating protein first, they eat a big plate of loaded up nachos because the extra cheese and meat and melted cheese, and cheese IS protein, and then; SURPRISE, they don’t lose any weight and of course; the band isn’t working. · Just can’t seem to get into working out in any way shape or form, and so, it must be that: the band isn’t working. News Flash: most Bandsters; we don’t get “into” working out either, but we do it; not because it’s fun or makes us feel alive or at peace with the world, but because we know we have to. · Kind of, sort of went a little crazy celebrating Vernal Equinox day, their niece’s graduation, their best friends, sister’s son’s Bris, or that most recent holiday and grazed 24/7 on crap that they KNOW they shouldn’t’ t have been eating, and now: the band isn’t working. · They count alcohol as part of their water intake…Eight, 8 ounce glasses of Peach Stoli and tonic a day!...but: the band isn’t working. · They figure that since they’ve had the band, and even though it’s been stressed that it is just a tool and, that they have to eat three small meals a day...of lean, healthy foods, and become physically active, that they can continue to do things way they’ve always done it, somehow get completely different results, because hey, when they tell everyone how the band works and what to do, they weren’t really talking to them…just everybody else, and by the way; the band isn’t working. So, yeah…there it is. For all you pre-ops who may be reading this, take heart; the BAND DOES WORK...as a wonderful, life changing tool. You do your part and it will work. For all of you post-ops and Bandsters; the BAND DOES WORK…as a wonderful, life changing tool...You do your part…really do your part and it will work.

Hi GreginMI, The instructions that I got from my surgeon are as follows: "For the first month following surgery, make sure to drink at least 2liters of fluids/day and get between 60-80 grams of Protein from soft vegetarian sources, eggs, fish and seafood." This is followed by a list of acceptable foods (i.e. cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, eggs, Beans, veggies burgers, yogurt, soups, fish, rice, egg noodles, etc.) Of course he also told me to avoid foods high in sugars, fats, and alcohol. At the hospital he told me just to try things as I felt like it, but to really push and prioritize liquids, especially for the first three weeks. Some surgeons are like this I've been told. He's one of the best in the country and has own reasons for not having his patients follow a staged plan, I'm sure. There are quite a few people on this site who have used him and have nothing but the highest praises for him. Incidentally, he also doesn't make his patients do a pre-op diet. The only thing I had to do was a clear liquid diet and drink Colyte 1 day before surgery. However, I tend to find it easier to have stricter guidelines to follow, which is why I plan to discuss the plan Golden laid out above when I meet with my surgeon on Friday. To be honest though, aside from the one attempt at the meatball, I have been sticking to a strictly clear liquid diet, simply because I didn't feel like eating anyway. Right now, clear liquids are about all that I can seem to consume comfortably, and sometimes if I accidentally take too big a sip even the liquids make my tummy hurt. Sorry, I guess this is a really long answer to your question. But maybe it makes more sense now? Anyway, ever since my adventures in meatball land I've gone right back to clear liquids and am doing ok here for the time being Thanks everyone for your advice and concern!! I think I'm on the right track now thanks to everyone's input. I have to say, this is such a great site!

My Dr told me to wait 4-6 months before taking any alcohol. He also said to be very very careful, you can get drunk very fast.. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

After 6 weeks in my program you are free to eat mostly anything. With the exception of fried foods, sweets (processed sugar), white bread, alcohol, caloric beverages, and pasta. I eat fruit in moderation. My nutritionist said that you can have either a starch or fruit per day. I usually choose fruit. I love fruit.

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.

Thanks for all of the advise! Unfortunately the vaseline, baby oil and rubbing alcohol didn't work. The dang hospital went overboard on the tape - you probably wouldn't believe it if you saw it! I am going to see my doc tomorrow for my 1 week post op and will ask him for something. Thanks again

so yeah there are the calories to consider but like you said it's very rarely that you are doing this BUT here is my thing!! after 9 lemon drops one night I found myself SICK BEYOND belief! and I began puking violently! sorry groose- and puking with the band SUCKS!! it really hurts! so just dont drink to the point of puking- oh and another time I didn't drink quite as much but you know when you are at that place where you are like UGG if I could just puke I'd feel so much better! well I couldnt puke thanks to my band keeping everything down and I had to sweat it out literally for hours until my body worked out all the alcohol and it sucked! cheers!

Yes, I believe that I just have problems digesting the sugars in the fruits and vegetables and maybe the shakes. I don't buy anything with aspartame or sugar alcohols though.

Yeah some people don't get that for a lot of us going through this (not all but still quite a few) there is an addiction aspect. Why should you HAVE to learn to eat just one cookie? There is no reason why you have to eat a cookie at all. So if you choose not to have any, that should be fine. Just like it should be fine for someone to eat just one cookie. I applaud you for knowing yourself and your triggers well enough to know what to avoid so you don't fall prey to the addiction side of it. Seriously - would she tell an alcoholic they have to learn to drink just one beer? or a heroin addict that they have to learn to just shoot up once?

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. ..

My surgeon said to take it for life. Just like no carbonation, no alcohol, no straws and no caffeine for life.

I have neither seen nor needed a therapist. I had the required pre-op visit to see a psych, but that is all. She does not seem like a nut to you. Are you a therapist? Do you know anything about this person other than what she chooses to let you know about her through her posts? People can be anything they want to be online. For the record, my comment was not a slam on any one person. Listen, there are a lot of people who get this surgery that really should never have been considered for one reason or another (hiding an eating disorder or lying about being an alcoholic, for example). (I personally know of two people like this.) In fact, there are posts on this very board by people where it is screamingly obvious that they should not get this surgery - at least not till mental things are sorted out. My friend (who IS a licensed psychologist, BTW) has been lurking on this site to see what I have been reading because she is concerned about me getting this surgery. She flat-out told me that she worries that many people seem to be getting this surgery and that they really need psychiatric help instead. Thinking that a Lap-Band is a panacea will lead only to disappointment and - most likely - weight gain.

I tried everything n the only thing I found to take it off was marykay oil free eye makeup remover. It came off by just rubbing with cotton ball no scrubbing. I have very sensitive skin n the tape/ glue always takes my skin with it even alcohol or baby oil didn't help. I wore it for 15 days post op n it started looking really nasty so from the advice of a friend I tried the Mary Kay stuff. Good luck Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I really like the shakes (come dry in packets that you mix with water in a shaker) I ordered through my surgeon's office. They are called Nutrimed 420 (yeah I know, "420") and are available in Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, and are really rich tasting. I got them from bettermd.net Here's the nutrition breakdown on them: Nutrition Facts Amount Per 1 serving Calories 80 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value * Total Fat 0g 0% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Polyunsaturated Fat 0g Monounsaturated Fat 0g Cholesterol 5mg 2% Sodium 200mg 8% Potassium 400mg 11% Total Carbohydrate 7g 2% Dietary Fiber 1g 4% Protein 14g 28% Alcohol 0g Vitamin A20 % Vitamin C30 %Calcium35 % Iron20 %Vitamin D20 % Vitamin E20 %Thiamin30 % Riboflavin30 %Niacin20 % Folate20 %Vitamin B-630 % Vitamin B-1220 %Phosphorus20 % Magnesium20 %Zinc20 % Copper20 %*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

P.S. Something about being anonymous here defnitely works like alcohol on my inhibitions! In fact, I've been known to get rather brash and offensive. It's lots of fun, I have to admit. And quite liberating for someone who normally prefers to be politically correct in polite company.

Yes, you can drink alcohol, but you have to remember you are drinking calories. Empty calories.

Confused texan, Ok so after I had my daughter I gained weight I over the years.I am now 210 the most I have ever been I want one more kid in the next 4 years.I am trying to decide with getting the sleeve or just doing more dieting.My godmother is offering to pay the surgery.I worry that if I gained the weight back she would threw it in my face that I wasted her money.Does it get easier to eat less very time you eat.My doctor did not answer to many questions.Since the day of the first app havent slept more then 4 hours,but from what I am reading that what my new life will be.I dont have much support from hubby and only told a few friends most dont want to talk about it much with me much.My hubby just says do it.Juat frusterated nt know what it will be like to eat very little for forever and haveing to watch your drinking alcohol as well. How many people out there that can tolderate dairy after the sleeve. DO you even going out to dinner anymore? Any regrets Any advise would be so great I feel very alone

I agree with all of the above posters, know thyself. I am a vet at 3 yrs out and am now getting rid of the regain I experienced last year. That regain happened for many reasons but one of them was lulling myself into a sense of security with the "only in moderation" approach. Some people can do that, some can't. I can't. I couldn't before the sleeve and I can't now. I consider myself a food addict, in the past I have treated food in exactly the same manner as a druggie or alcoholic, self-medicating to ease internal pain. Some people out there can have one drink, one sniff of cocaine, one spoonful of chocolate and Peanut Butter Haagen Daz, and not be particularly interested in having more. If that were me, I would never have needed the sleeve inthe first place. My choice is to abstain with a caveat; someone mentioned pizza, I won't have a slice of pizza per se, but I will take all my favorite toppings, put them on a cauliflower crust in a muffin tin and make a low carb high Protein gluten free mini pizza. I may not have Pasta noodles per se, but I will jullienne zuchinnis blanche them and make low carb high protein fettucine. You see where I'm going with this? Also as someone said, your tastes do really change, there are things I loved before that I can't stand now and vice versa. One last thing - if you are still in your honeymoon period and already scheming on ways to eat bad/trigger foods, you might want to consider adding therapy to your recovery, I personally consider it essential.

As noted by others, stomach healing and irritation is an issue at your early stage, and the alcohol is just empty calories that impede your weight loss. The third major issue is indeed your liver - even though it hasn't been physically touched by the surgery (or maybe it was, but not cut...) the liver is usually not in the best of shape in obese patients to begin with, and the rapid weight loss further taxes the liver by virtue of its' role in metabolising the fat that we're losing so it doesn't need any extra aggravation from alcohol during the period of rapid weight loss. My doc is one of those who is out on the farther end of the scale on booze consumption - none during the 12-18 months of prime weight loss - and for good reason : his other specialty beyond bariatrics is liver tramsplants, and he doesn't want to see any of his bariatric patients coming back to him for a transplant. Take it for what you will.

So, I am finding it super hard now that it is summer and everything revolves around sitting in the sun with a cocktail. I am 26 and I love to mingle..... If anyone cares to know what I have been drinking it usually consists of Firefly's sweet tea vodka with Water and lemons.... And today I found a new flavor fav which was stoli blueberry vodka with water and I used half a packet of propel's sugar free raspberry lemonade and seriously it was great. I don't drink beer or soda, but when I do drink with my friends I try to stick to sugar free drinks w/ whatever vodka... (What do you drink?!?) I do find that I am slowly loosing weight, and I don't want to blame it on the booze but I do mingle a few times a week & I count it in myfitnesspal! I probably sound like an alcoholic... Just had to share!

Here's an article that claims alcohol calories don't put on weight... I think the doc has tipped a few too many, but it is interesting reading. LOL! http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol/AlcoholCaloriesAndWeight.html#.U71pU5RdXLM

I agree with the enjoy part CG. Both you ladies look pretty young to me and having a good time while out with friends is not a bad thing especially when your young and recovery is not so brutal Life is short, that said please be responsible with your enjoyment and take others and yourself and your body into consideration. Don't drink and drive or drive with someone else who has been drinking! You know friends don't let friends drive drunk...OK PSA over. Make sure that you are hydrating since alcohol can severely dehydrate you especially in the sun and cause you to feel sick and dizzy as well as causing some Water retention later that may make you heavier and bloated. Keep track of the calories, so you know if you are gaining where it is coming from and then you can always modify accordingly and have a GREAT summer!!!

Hello all, I had my surgery on 8/18/2015 and everything went well. My pain wasn't too bad and it was managed well by pain meds, I originally was supposed to go home the 20th but because I was doing so well they let me go home the 19th. I've been able to get all of my Fluid and 60 grams of Protein in every day since last week. My problem is my food addiction. I knew I had one before the surgery but it's still so bad after the surgery. I don't have a physical hunger anymore but I have an appetite out of this world. The smell, sight, look even talk of food makes me want to eat whatever it is. I have been having a really hard time with this. Even the day of surgery my dad came in my room with some food and it smelled so good. It's crazy. If I"m around my friends and they're eating it really hard for me. They try not to eat in front of me but of course if I am spending a lot of time with them, they get hungry. I have a friends big 30th bday party this weekend and I'm dreading it because I know she's going to have tons of food and alcohol while I sip on my Protein shake but I have to go, this is a big day for her. Just in general I feel like if food is going to be in the equation I have to take myself out because I can't handle. I can bearly handle it when food isn't around let alone when it is. Even today, I took a walk on my lunch break. Of course there are nothing but fast food places and restaurants everywhere and it just made me crave everything I passed or smelled. It's insane. I know I have a real problem. I've lost 18 pounds so far which I'm happy about but my happiness is somewhat clouded by my missing food. I'm on full liquids so I just drink my Protein shakes (which I don't care for but I drink because I know that I need them) and drink my Water. Next week is soft foods which I'm excited about but still I'm really struggling. This is rough...

Oh yes.... i did forget beer/alcohol... should we perhaps add tv and video games? Lol