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Can I ever have a milk dud again? Or is that a food that pulls your fillings out and may just pull your band out! Are there any foods that are for sure a nono for life? I know cokes are gone for over but what about tonic or club soda? I LOVE how my father in law makes me vodka tonics. Do I have to have my last one for life on Saturday night when I see him? I don't mind, I just need to know. And is Saturday to close to the surgery date to have alcohol? What about McD's?

Raspberry Ice crystal light and vodka - the best almost 0 carbs!! Bandsters shouldn't have a problem with alcohol going to your head (unless it always has) because we are still conected to all of our intestines. RNY have trouble with it - just another reason to hang with the band!

Well, I decided to start this journal to try and keep track of how often my head demons seem to overcome me. Maybe, I can figure out how to ward them off better. It all started this week, after Valentine's day. My husband bought me a bag of chocolates (which is something I asked for for Valentine's day:confused: ). Since then, I have had no self control. I decided that I needed to go through withdrawal, and then my control would come back. I was doing very well, until last night. Yesterday, I went to my nephew's b-day party and managed to do quite well resisting everything there, such as pizza, nachos, and cake. Then they sent us home with a party favor bag for my son. In it, it had a couple of debbie's brownies (my absolute favorite). I ate half of one and tried to pig out. The problem is, that once I decide to pig out, it becomes a very hard task. It's like, I then decide to plan my pig out, but can't seem to get in everything I want. So I go crazy. This is what I ate last night: gold fish (100) bbq chips (15) cracker-1 cottage cheese-2tbs meatloaf veggies-2tbs chocolate chip cookies-6minibites brownie-1/2 I know, that after reviewing all of this, it doesn't look like a lot. I keep reviewing it to see if there is anything I missed because I felt stuffed last night. This morning, I feel terrible. The problem is that I am an "all or nothing" type of person. Either I have full control, or I have none. I feel so gross and bloated. I also worry about my band and the damage I do to it by not following the rules. O.K. I think I know what the problem is. The problem is, that I drink too much. I have 2 mixed drinks every night. This takes away all of my self control. I know I have a problem, because I can't go a whole night without drinking. I know I need to stop, or at least decrease, my drinking. I just think I am too analytical, and when I am sober, I tend to think about things too much. I used to be a pothead, and think that this is why. Since being banded, I realized that I had to choose: the band or weed. And I chose the band. I haven't smoked weed in over 3 months. O.K. I was a functional pothead and am a functional alcoholic. I still go to work and do really well all day long, until about 7pm, when it is time to relax. I do use alcohol to relax. I admit it. Weight-loss wise, I have done really well. I have lost 63 pounds in less than a year. I know that if I didn't have weed or alcohol in my life, I could have lost more. My goal is to be down to 145, or 135, by my one year anniversary. So once I gave up weed, I knew that sooner or later, I would have to give up alcohol, as well. I think, no I KNOW, that it's time. I just don't know. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to try. I hope I have the strength...

To answer a few of your questions, no one answer fits everybody as @Arabesque say. Will your hair fall out ?? who knows, Has mine? OMG yes but I can feel the new hair sprouting. Will you wrinkle ?? who knows, Have I ? OMG yes but I was a very overweight soon to be 63 years old. Do I care ? nope because I wear pants and 3/4 sleeve tops that hide it all. My face is fine yet. I might have plastics in a few years if it bothers me then. I am saving just in case. I only told my friend of 57 years, my husband and my son. I don't want judgement or other peoples opinion, its irrelevant. I was a weekend drinker in my early years but I like to be fairly sober these days as it messes with my medication. I have had a few drinks since surgery, I am quite partial to a Bloody Mary. I can probably count the drinks I have had in 6 months on one hand. I get a buzz off one. Will I become alcoholic ? No thanks Keep doing your research, keep asking questions because in the end you are the only one who knows if its for you

I just have a harder time knowing when it's going to hit me and I seem to get reoccurring drunk with it. I'll be buzzed then be fine, then have another drink and end up being drunk unintentionally. I could always hold my booze before surgery but I have to be careful now. Two glasses of wine is pushing it, three is probably a mistake. Hard alcohol is way less predictable for me for some reason.

I'm young(ish) and my wife and I like to drink. We'll have several glasses of wine or cocktails at dinner (esp. at a restaurant or with friends). We go to SEC football games a good bit and drink beer or whiskey there with friends. We have bloody marys and mimosas on mother's day and Easter, etc. We go to music festivals (Jazz Fest, Memphis in May, etc.) and drink there while enjoying the music. It suffices to say that our lifestyle has involved alcohol since we were college kids, albeit much less (and more responsibly) now that we're 30. Do any similar social drinkers have advice about how to juggle VSG with light cocktails/wine/beer? Will my VSG prevent me from drinking at all?

As @teacupnosaucersaid, at minimum you want to wait a while. Sufficed to say, your alcohol intake will be extremely limited for a few years, and what will change is how quickly it affects you. I always had a rule when it came to drinking on occasion, it was once I started paying attention too much to how I walk, it was time to stop. Though, it was more to avoid getting to the point where I'd be throwing up, because I'm a huge wuss when sick or hungover, and one of the worst things I hate in life is feeling like I'm confined to a bed. More importantly than all of that, ensure your liver and other organs are functioning normally and get blood tests. If you have any indication of fatty liver or worse, don't even think about booze post-op until your liver is healed.

I'm a wine maker with a small home setup. I love wine and plan on adjusting my recipes to lower the alcohol content. I will still have to calculate caloric intake but the idea of giving up my craft makes me sad. My doc saw no reason I should. I don't drink everyday but love to open a bottle with friends on weekends occasionally. I'm 3 months out and have not had any alcohol yet. For some reason I have this uneducated time of 6 months. I am allergic to the sulfides in store bought wine so home made is my only option. I kinda feel better about drinking my home made wine because I use wild Alaska berries. One can justify just about anything;-).

I don't crave the alcohol, just the smoking, I actually slipped back into smoking with everything I been going through, and I need to stop again, just haven't had a chance to get to the head shop in my area??? I need to get there though!!!

I drink 4 oz red wine every night before bed. Got my cholesterol down to 133 (from high 200's) so something is helping. I personally HATE the taste of alcohol and drink this concord grape stuff that is like Welches Grape juice with a shot of Everclear in it It's sickly sweet but I down it in a few slugs. I've been told that this stuff doesn't have all the goodies a more regular dry red wine does but I can't stomach the other stuff.

First I know alcohol isn't the best for weight loss cause of all the sugars and calories. So let's not make the discussion about that part. I have read you can get buzzed pretty quick but goes away just as fast. I've had that with like a glass of wine or similar. My recent issue is this - twice I have drank too much whether a few margaritas or a few shots, I go from feeling fine or that happy feeling and at some point both times I instantly go to barely being able to function like the worst drunk ever. I can't even stand really and it doesn't go away quickly. Better by next morning but with bad hangover. Pre surgery if I drank too much, I could feel it and switch to water as I felt myself getting too tipsy, in these 2 instances it wasn't gradual, it was fine, then crap faced non functioning in an instant. Both times was like a couple 3 hours in when it hit me. Kind of scary. So I know I can't drink that much in the future as no warning signs like pre surgery, it just at some point crosses over without notice. Even pre surgery I never have felt that way drunk, meaning that far gone lol. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Alcohol can also cause ulcerations to the anastomoses ...... Where we have been rerouted.

I read somewhere that RNY patients have to be careful about drinking alcohol particularly in the first year. Apparently we are at high risk for developing a replacement addiction from food to alcohol or drugs. I think it is a good thing to avoid while we work out out emotional reasons for over eating. Not to mention alcohol is high converted sugar. ????

THIS!! Someone very close to me had gastric bypass 8-10 years ago and when things got rough she started to drink (she was not a drinker before) and she became a FULL fledged alcoholic as it replaced her eating instead. So please please everyone be careful. She almost lost everything

Wow! Congrats on your success. I feel the same regarding it being a jumpstart tool. In order to be successful you must embrace the healthier lifestyle choices holistically. If not, gains will happen again. I'm 3 years out and I've had 10- 15 pound fluctuations throughout that time due to alcohol and careless good choices. I maintained restriction of portion but made poor choices. As of today I'm almost 3 months sober. Drinking an average of 120 ounces of Water a day. I rarely drink anything but water. Although I do appreciate iced tea and coffee on occasion. Absolute NO carbonation ever!!!! I've maintained a very rigid stance on that since day one. I love to cook and have become quite the health nut chef these days. All from scratch. No canned, boxed or packaged prepared foods. Mostly Proteins, low-fat dairy and veggies. My body does not respond well to carbs. They are not my friend so I do my best to avoid them where possible. Except pizza, I simply REFUSE to give that up. I indulge in weekends occasionally. I do allow myself a cheat day on the weekends. I've found my body responds best to that otherwise I will go into starvation mode and stop losing and/or gaining muscle mass. Im naturally hyper and enjoy the outdoors a lot, especially summer. Additionally I get bored easily. ???????????? So I keep my body guessing with regards to workouts as long as I'm doing SOMETHING. Whether it's circuit training, strength training, dancing, jogging/walking, swimming, heavy housework, walking as opposed to driving somewhere, parking further away for the extra steps, opting for stairs as opposed to elevators or attempting (I say attempting because I'm horrible at sports) a game of baseball/basketball/football with my lil boy. HW: 237 LBS. CW: 142 LBS. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using the BariatricPal App

Yes, true -- diet change is the primary line of treatment for actually diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, in terms of treatment: gradual weight loss may improve the process in obese patients; rapid loss may worsen NAFLD. And just as with any obesity-related issue, not all obese people will have the problem. We read of so many people on the boards who were otherwise completely healthy, just overweight to some degree. Presuming that all fat people have a fatty liver is inherently prejudicial and not based on ANY EVIDENCE. Makes my effing head spin it does. So this raises two questions for me: first, was the OPoster even diagnosed? Or just "presumed guilty" as it were, by the very crime of being obese? Did they run her liver enzymes and know she had NAFLD? Second: A two-week crash diet -- which is precisely what liquid diets or severely calorie/carb-restricted diets are -- is every bit as likely to worsen the problem, if it's present, or to have zero effect at all. It's more of a compliance hurdle IMO -- which is fine, but don't dress it up and call it something else. Using very thin (disingenuous) science as a rationale for kicking people who are already down (often, way down) is the worst kind of sadism IMO. I think there are some seriously sadistic assholes working in the bariatric field -- some real fat-phobes. No kidding. I had such an outraged reaction to the OPoster's situation that I seriously will have to wait until later to do my BP check. I about stroked out reading that. What an irrational, asshole thing to do. Man of science? Neutral, objective god/surgeon? I think not. Punitive, petty, power-hungry, sadistic bastard, more like. Humiliate and shame her for gaining a couple of pounds or eating a few carbs?!? Does that seem like a reasonable reaction to ANYONE?? I'm completely outraged. I respect the fact that you said you couldn't lie, Infernored -- but I have to say, given the circumstances and the utterly biased and unfair nature of the entire situation, I would have sat there and lied right through my teeth, with a smile on my face. What an asshole. I'm SO sorry you were treated like that. You didn't deserve it. Even if you ARE completely and intractably "addicted" to carbs (ie, like 90% of your fellow humans), you STILL don't deserve to be treated like that. Yes, now you'll have to play along and jump through a few more hoops, but I really hope you won't beat yourself up over this. Feeling shitty and down on yourself and like a failure is NOT the way to start this new journey. Hold your head up high, and stick to non-white carbs and Protein as long as it takes. And if you don't lose weight again the next time round? Please, just lie. You don't deserve this. Hugs and good luck to you. (I'm going for a nice vigourous walk now, to try and calm down.)

When you have a sleeve, you have a normal stomach only smaller. So there really isn't anything you can't eat as long as it agrees with you. I do find that the alcohol affects me faster and then I lose the buzz faster. I don't enjoy drinking it post-op so I tend not to. But I could if I wanted to. Some programs have long lists of foods/drinks you can and can't have at various points or forever. Except for when you are first healing and need to be on liquids and then softs, these restrictions are not based on clinical data and there isn't any scientific reason for them. This would include popcorn, caffeine, gum, drinking through straws, raw veggies, alcohol and a host of others I've seen people be told they can't have. Then we get to the controversal issue of carbonation. Most programs say not to have it and it will stretch the sleeve (or pouch, if you have RnY). That just seems unlikely to me. It seems like you'd burp or fart before your stomach would stretch out. But carbonation makes most people with small stomachs uncomfortable and soda is bad for you in so many ways and the only pther carbonated beverage I like is sparkling cider, so it's not really an issue for me. :001_tt2:

Seriously!! The mean, judgmental, sarcastic people need to calm their ass down! Geesh!! I bet ya'll wouldnt run your mouth like that face to face.. smh! Anyways happy bday to you.. as previously posted by the nice and caring people, i would stay away from alcohol. Take care! Enjoy your bday!

If I'm not mistaken, I believe lortab has 7% alcohol. However, the 500mg acetaminophen is super harsh on your liver as it is. Combining that with the 7% alcohol content is really putting a lot of pressure on your liver. Given that a lot of people are drink lortab multiple times a day, you don't want to add anything extra that would stress your liver out even more

And to some others. I am not taking any medicine what so ever. I also didn't know there was a way to look things up. I am on my phone. Thanks for giving me advice and my doctor never said no alcohol. Thats why i am asking. I do not drink only havr maybe 2 times in my life. Thanks for the info though

I had to sign a waiver that I would not drink alcohol for a year if not longer. The way it was explained to me, it has nothing to do with hurting you stomach, but it has everything to do with how your body will handle alcohol. The smaller stomach has fewer enzymes to break down the alcohol and you have teh potential to become inebriated much more quickly. 21 is a special year, but like everyone else said, you should wait. It doesn't matter that there may be alcohol in your Loratab. When you are on Loratab, you are not allowed to drive or handle large equipment/machines because of impaired judgement.

you have to pass a test and in some states, a review board to obtain a CCW license. In right-to-carry states, you have to take and pass a class in order to obtain a CCW permit. Absolutely! On this we totally agree, regulations (as they exist today) are a very good thing. Here's a copy of the laws regarding firearms that the "dastardly" NRA supports: <B>A Citizen's Guide to Federal Firearms Laws A summary of federal restrictions on the purchase, sale, possession, and transportation of firearms and ammunition. Caution: Firearm laws are subject to frequent changeand court interpretation. This summary is not intended as legal advice or restatement of law. This summary does not includestate or local laws,ordinances orregulations. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted foran accurateinterpretation. </B> Under federal law supported by the National Rifle Association, the use of a firearm in a violent or drug-trafficking crime is punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of up to 20 years. A second conviction, if the firearm is a machine gun or is equipped with a silencer, brings life imprisonment without release. Violating firearms laws should lead to very real punishment for violent criminals, but the laws first must be enforced. Ineligible Persons The following classes of people are ineligible to possess, receive, ship, or transport firearms or ammunition: Those convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for over one year, except state misdemeanors punishable by two years or less. Fugitives from justice. Unlawful users of certain depressant, narcotic, or stimulant drugs. Those adjudicated as mental defectives or incompetents or those committed to any mental institution. Illegal aliens. Citizens who have renounced their citizenship. Those persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces. Persons less than 18 years of age for the purchase of a shotgun or rifle. Persons less than 21 years of age for the purchase of a firearm that is other than a shotgun or rifle. Persons subject to a court order that restrains such persons from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner. Persons convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Persons under indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year are ineligible to receive, transport, or ship any firearm or ammunition. Under limited conditions, relief from disability may be obtained from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, or through a pardon, expungement, restoration of rights, or setting aside of a conviction. Acquiring Firearms The following restrictions apply to firearms acquired through purchase, trade, receipt of gifts, or by other means. From Dealers Provided that federal law and the laws of both the dealer's and purchaser's states and localities are complied with: An individual 21 years of age or older may acquire a handgun from a dealer federally licensed to sell firearms in the individual's state of residence An individual 18 years of age or older may purchase a rifle or shotgun from a federally licensed dealer in any state It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer a firearm unless the federal firearms licensee receives notice of approval from a prescribed source approving the transfer. Sale of a firearm by a federally licensed dealer must be documented by a federal form 4473, which identifies and includes other information about the purchaser, and records the make, model, and serial number of the firearm. Sales to an individual of multiple handguns within a five-day period require dealer notification to the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Violations of dealer record keeping requirements are punishable by a penalty of up to $1000 and one year's imprisonment.

If you feel that you can't stop drinking, then you have an alcohol problem. I would recommend talking to a professional so that you can determine a good path forward. Best wishes!

I had my band removed and sleeve revision done ten days ago. My wife and I are going on a 7 night Carnival cruise from New Orleans to the western Caribbean in October. After I had the sleeve surgery, I freaked out realizing I may not be able to eat and drink and enjoy a cruise anymore. My doctor told me at 4 months out I'm going to be healed sufficiently to eat normal foods and even have a drink here and there, just don't overdo it. That made me feel a lot better. I plan to have a few sips of wine after I get to phase3 and do a trial run from home in case it hits me pretty hard. Dont want to beta test my new alcohol tolerance in public. Lol

Yes. I have this problem, too. The head hunger gets to me sometimes and I become emotional. Almost like I'm grieving my old life and using food as a coping mechanism. Now that I can't eat, having to deal with all the changes without using food is difficult. When I feel overwhelmed, I come on here and read posts of success stories and others who are struggling so I can relate and gives me motivation. I've had a bunch of temptations when I'm with my friends who are eating pizza and Christmas Cookies and drinking pop. It makes me realize how food is the center of all the activities my friends and I partake in. I've thinking of going to see a professional to talk about all these emotions and situations and process them. My friend who works at an addiction facility has told me that many people who have had wls have shifted their food addiction to other things drugs or alcohol. I want to have a healthy life and a healthy relationship with food. It'll take work, but I know wls was the first step to get things check.