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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.

I love my band and feel successful although I would still like to lose another twenty or so pounds. Exercise, for me, is imparative because of arthritis, etc. I eat two to three healthy meals a day, avoid sliders, chew very well and experience the food rather than wolfing it down as I did before. My surgeon was of the small frequent fills to get me to the correct restriction (wrong word to use but you know what I mean). I have twice gone in for tiny unfills when I felt the first signs of being too tight. For now it's just right. I drink a lot of liquids and can do that without any discomfort (glugging my water). I don't count calories and I eat when I'm hungry and don't eat when I'm not hungry. It's the first one that can be the most difficult as I was a very restrictive professional dieter going into this process. Now I feel hunger and eat until I feel full. My signal is a sigh. I notice, take inventory and I'm done. Sometimes I count off on my fingers 4-5 hours and note the time at which I might feel hungry again. Alcohol certainly hinders weight loss but I indulge for pain relief and enjoyment. Reading through this thread it seems like things got off on the wrong foot. Best wishes with your research. My surgeon is great but he does not discuss the banded life and I suspect has no real idea of how to guide patients in the post-op realm. I got that here when it was Lapband Talk. I found the successful banders and followed them. Now the site is mostly other surgeries and that's a bit discouraging sometimes as the revision folks post so much about their negative band experiences. I love my band.

You will also struggle with fiberous foods (which are ALL healthy foods) and it will be much easier to eat junk like chocolate, ice cream and alcohol. You need to find your work arounds on bad days to be able to eat your lean proteins and fibers and not give into junk or not eat on bad days.

I found minced meat meals the easiest. Meat balls (rissoles & gravy), zucchini noodle bolognese, savoury mince, etc. Single serve portions freeze really well too. I also made chunky soups & slow cooked casseroles. Just add the spices, herbs & vegetables you like & can tolerate. I remember staying with my mum & I made chicken chasseur for our dinner. Bad idea because I added the white wine as per the recipe (alcohol cooked out so thought it’d be okay) & it made it taste disgusting. It as all I could taste. Like acrid. Couldn’t eat it. My mum loved it. So tread carefully.

Superbowl Sunday breakfast- protein drink lunch- low carb tortilla with ham and skim mozerella rolled up Will be taking a crockpot of teriaki meatballs to the party later. I figure 3-4 meatballs and something off the veggie tray should do me for supper. The alcohol is a different story. Taking a bottle of Merlot with me, empty calories but oh-so-good. Yeah right~~~I ate so much crap today. chips and dip, brisket, beans, tortilla chips and guacamole, etc... Gotta getta grip tomorrow.

What's the hot topic for today? I've been thinking about "community." We all have our little groups (communities)...family, work, church, activities, our children's activities....maybe even people who have chosen the same surgery, like here at LBT! These communities give us connectedness to the outside; they provide a meaningful way for us to relate to each other. Sadly, not everyone feels that they belong to a community, so they make some up: gangs, drug and alcohol abusers, unhealthy relationships, etc. Ironically, these communities seek further isolation from society, so that the problem that led people to them is exacerbated further by their participation. Ask yourself if you know anyone who is part of a community that leads to further isolation....I know I have sought company by banding with others who have the same isolating problem I have had. Maybe you're doing the same thing? Take a close look at your communities. Make sure you are part of groups that are caring, positive and supportive of each other. If you are "stuck" in a group that is not like this, (family) do what you can to change your reactions to it. Notice I have not said that these communities have to think, talk, or believe exactly the same as each other...there must be room for respectful disagreement. Respectful. Disagreement. Those two words do not go together often today, do they? They should. So, let's start in our little communities...allow a disagreement of opinion. Seek to give help more than you ask to receive it. Instead of going within, reach out. Somewhere earlier I said I think I do better when I'm helping others...since this topic came to me today, I would imagine I've done enough introspection for now, and it's time to take the show on the road! I am grateful for my communities...my family, my work, my church, my friends, and LBT. I am grateful for my electric foot warmer...so cozy! I am grateful for the love and friendship I share with my husband. To be continued....

Every surgeon seems to have a different opinion on the subject of alcohol consumption. My surgeon said 6 weeks. Some say 6 months and some are firm on never. I would highly recommend you do not do that right now. You are way too soon post op. Your stomach is not anywhere near healed and no good can come from that right now. You must concentrate on hydration this soon and wine will only hurt that goal.

I have the occasional small glass of wine that takes me an hour to drink or a 1 oz. shot of vodka (which I sip over 1/2 hour). No adverse effects and I haven't gotten tipsy from it. That small amount once a week or so is fine for me and I figure it into my daily calories, too. I'm dying for a cold beer, but even a sip of carbonation makes me ill now. I don't recommend alcohol for everyone.

As I stated it was a "series" of sticks. So 8 to 10 sticks at a time over a 2 month period. Same needle every time and the area was cleaned with alcohol not betadine which is the same thing used in a fill. I still have the needle if I need more injections. Like I said, I personally don't see the big deal if the tissue is cleaned and the needle is cleaned there should be no problem.

I actually did try a few sips as in a few tablespoons of alcohol about 2 months out and my stomach did NOT care for it. At about 3 months out I tried about 1/2 a glass of wine and it came back up. I would NEVER try ANY alcohol without food for the first few months. I am about 10 months out now and only drink about once a week and then even just a glass or two gets me a LOT more tipsy than before. Long story short...you can't even eat FOOD right now. FORGET about alcohol. Trying to drink alcohol now will only delay healing and progress and potentially cause trauma to your new tummy if you vomit. Also, I guess I should put this in the Pre-Surgery section so that people stop posting questions about their Disney vacation and other post op plans. Post op is for rest and recuperation, not jet setting and vacation. Also, as far as I know you can't swim a week out so why oh why your husband planned a likely all-inclusive vacation that you cannot fully partake does not seem very supportive or helpful. Maybe he did not realize that. Also you need to know that about a year from now you will be able to eat and drink more like a normal skinny person but always with VERY limited portions.

A recent article posted here on this subject - maybe a bit nannying but covers most of the issues. http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/articles.html/_/healthy-living/bariatric-realities-%e2%80%93-medical-professionals%e2%80%99-guidelines-about-alcohol-use-wls-r601 There are several reasons for avoiding alcohol post op for varying lengths of time, and different surgeons are attuned to different reasons - Allowing the stomach to heal for some period of time (usually a few weeks or months) before subjecting it to irritants such as alcohol is the first and most common reason. That alcohol is basically empty calories that doesn't help your weight loss is another common reason (so a sip of wine here and there after healing wouldn't be a big deal, beyond one sip leading to another...) The prospect of transfer addiction is another reason given - we no longer have food to feed whatever addictive behavior we may have, so it can be easy for a casual drinking habit to turn into full blown alcoholism. Being obese, our livers tend not to be in the best of shape to begin with (hence the "liver shrinking" pre-op diets that some surgeons impose) and metabolizing all the fat that we are losing adds another stress on it. The last thing that the liver needs is more stress on it from metabolizing a liver toxin such as alcohol. The length of time before alcohol is permissible varies from one surgeon to another, from a few weeks to never again. My doc has us agree to not consume any as long as we are in weight loss mode.

First trip since the pandemic started. Strangely, reflux was better, I am wondering if it's because I forgot to pack the iron supplement. I know the iron irritates my intestines but I didn't know it could influence reflux. I will have to experiment with taking it/not taking it to see if that's the cause. Also, I found out I'm sensitive to some kind of sugar alcohol--I had pancakes for breakfast one day and the syrup in a little pitcher on the tray was thicksomething er and not sugary-sweet like pancake syrup. I used a few tablespoons and was treated to the most amazing amounts of bloating, gas, and liquid poop. I spent the afternoon in the bathroom. I think the waiter just grabbed whatever pitcher was nearest in the kitchen and either it was "diet" syrup or they buy something augmented with sugar alcohols because it's cheap. I won't make that mistake again.

I would save the $12. You mentioned you can take it or leave it. Since that will be your first time drinking it would be a real drag if the alcohol did not settle well and you were unable to celebrate and feel good. Good luck which ever way you chose.

I would definitely go with the sleeve vs. bypass. Just my personal opinion. I traveled after 2 weeks of my surgery approved by my surgeon. If your flight is more than two hours just be sure to get up and walk around even if it's just to the restroom. It prevents blood clotting. 1st flight after 2 weeks, 2nd flight after 4 weeks, then had a 10 hr flight 6 weeks out. 5.5 weeks out you will be on soft foods, you can have chicken and fish as your meats. Normal foods that you generally eat now comes at almost 3 months. Your NUT should give u the different phases and when and what you can eat. ALCOHOL is a definite NO, my surgeon told me never, but my NUT told me 1 year after surgery. You will know when your full, some foods for me I'm full after a few bites, others I'm not, for me if I'm eating too much I will feel like I will vomit and can't take another bite. Ultimately you don't have any adverse effects such as having to find a bathroom. I hope this information will help you! Good Luck! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

You should be able to eat any protein. I eat beef, lamb, pork, chicken, seafood as well as yoghurt, milk, cheese & eggs. You could try some plant based proteins as an alternative. Over the last fortnight I’ve been eating small slices of Christmas cake & drinking champagne. I dropped 1 or 2 snacks a day to compensate a little (though I was low on my protein as a result ☹️) & kept to my routine with everything else. I’m completely back on track now. For me, I find comfort in routines: knowing what I can eat, how much I can eat & when I eat. It’s dependable. (Makes grocery shopping a breeze too.) Hate to say it but it’s time to break those bad habits again. Get rid of the lemonade & the alcohol. Avoid sugars including the artificial ones as they still feed any sugar cravings. They’re all empty calories & offering no nutritional value. Chewing gum stimulates your stomach making you think you’re hungry. Try some of the dry mouth drops available at pharmacies instead of the gum. Start taking advantage of your tool again, remember portion size, monitor your calories, eat slowly & meet your protein & fluid goals. What was working for you to get to 140? It will work again. Good luck.

Now my curiosity radar is up about what I must have missed... Random thoughts - did someone confess to murder? Did they buy alcohol underage? Smoking mj outside of Colorado or Washington? Lol.

Surgeon had no list nor limits, he just said, try stuff out one by one and see if it agrees with you. He did say no NSAIDS, but we are talking food here... Nutritionist said no Alcohol nor Carbonated Drinks (I choose to drink them anyway, and nutritionist gives me sad, disappointed faces). I say no bread, pasta, rice. Everyone says: Limit/watch the sugar.

No wheat, sugar, refined carbs, processed foods soda, coffee, or alcohol for me. Don't miss any of them.

I have an addictive personality. Alcohol, cigarettes, food, whatever. My ex husband used to worry that the portion control that the band gave me would never cure me of the way food made me feel, and that I would fail as a result. But once I made the decision to get the band and lose the weight, I replaced my food addiction with exercise and clothes shopping and going out dancing instead. I still have a shoe addiction that rivals Imelda Marcos, I kid you not. Just like any addict, you need to want to kick the habit. And I wanted to. So there is hope for us addicts, really.

Do not be fooled by "Sugar Free", there is still sugar alcohol in the products as well as sucralose. Attached is a link to help you with the different between fat free and sugar free products. http://www.momswhothink.com/diet-and-nutrition/sugar-free-or-fat-free-to-lose-weight.html Either way I have found taking in natural sugar and fats will help curb your cravings and assist you in staying full longer. Try Salmon for fats or organic raw butter. How about cooking with coconut oil. It's wonderful. As far as sugar I love pineapple. Sweet and satisfying. Hope the article helps.

Bibo Are there any local support groups in your area? Does your doctor have a therapist you can speak to about your relationship with food? What is normal exactly? Being able to run through the drive-thru and order a Big Mac and a large order of fries? Maybe that has become normal in our culture but it's not healthy at all. We have become a fast food world in a fast food mindset. Even regular home cooking. I would make these big delicious meals and I would absolutely stuff myself. Two helpings! Two platefuls! At that rate, I wasn't going to be able to survive to see my grandchildren! There comes a time when you have to decide which is more important and why food has such control over your life. Food for us is very much like booze to an alcoholic. It controls our lives and it wrecks our health because we can't seem to consume it in moderation. You say you can't pick up your two year old right now. At the rate you were going, were you going to be around to see him/her graduate from high school? How many diets have you tried and failed at? I too sometimes think I should have given diet and exercise one more try. Well to be honest, I am dieting now! I have to watch my carbs and my calories. I have to make good food choices. But the one thing my band helps me with is quantity. Even if I do indulge in some mashed potatoes, I can't consume nearly the amount I used to! I am in a partnership with my band. It can't do it without me and I can't do it without my band. It definitely sounds like you have not come to terms with the changes you are going to have to make in order to be successful. This is a drastic lifestyle change and commitment. But it's a commitment to yourself and to your family. You're not going to be any good to them if you cannot move around or have diabetes, sleep apnea or any of the other comorbidities associated with obesity. You and I deserve to be healthy and happy people, not someone who is a slave to food. Find someone you can talk to locally to help you through this transition.