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Mine said not until I hit my goal weight but I started having a drink here and there at about 3 to 4 weeks out. I love margaritas and can't drink them anymore because they make me nauseous as well as any sweet drinks. I can drink wine with diet 7 up and I drink bud chiladas or bloody mary's a lot. I've always had a high tolerance for alcohol and find that I still do just not as high as before. It probably wasn't smart to drink that close to surgery but I am 3 months out and am fine.

I was cleared at 4ish months out, I think. My surgeon warned me to avoid red wines (there's actually a member here that explained the tannic acid/pH in red wine can irritate a newer sleeve), and to drink at home first to see how it would affect me. The first time I drank I was passed goal, and I had one glass of a light Riesling. It hit me hard and fast, then I sobered up pretty fast. Now that I'm almost 17 months out, I drink on a more than social occasion, I have a few drinks a month, one to two a week sometimes, in my social circle I'm known as the "afternoon cocktail girl". I lost my taste for red wine completely, drink rum/cokes when I go out to the bars, and for my afternoon cocktails, I prefer strawberry or raspberry mojitos or bellinis. Some people choose to drink sooner, but try to remember, it's just wasted calories for the day. If you're calorie/protein/carb focused, then make sure you track those calories and drink plenty of Water to avoid dehydration. One thing I can say is that my alcohol tolerance has returned to what it was pre-op. I'm not sure that's a great thing, but alcohol no longer hits me hard and fast, I'm able to catch and maintain a decent buzz, and have tied a few one on special occasions. Plus, I haven't had a real hangover since surgery which is a HUGE plus ! ! !

My surgeon suggests 6 months to 1 year before consuming alcohol. I'm only 4 weeks out so I won't be testing it out any time soon

Conceptually, yes - it’s an unhealthy drink so of course it’s good not to find it appealing anymore. But it’s also a drink I have maybe twice a year (Christmas eve and Boxing Day) and very much enjoy as part of a broader tradition of sitting in front of a fire with family while pine scents the air and the kids are conked out in their pile of toys and we’re all cozy and happy. This single, long-savored glass of nog was going to be my stand-in for gorging on stocking contents and dinner! Is it good? Reviews are mixed - some love it, some don’t. It’s an acquired taste, a sweet, spicy, creamy, alcoholic drink. Thicker than Bailey’s, but that same sort of blend of cream/booze/flavor stuff. It’s so rich that drinking it over a long time is advised. I HATE that I don’t enjoy it anymore!

Okay, flipping through Discovery Channel last nite they had a show on about a 750 pound man. Amazing. So this doc was discussing research about food addiction, and they did test studies on obese people, seeing how their brains reacted to foods. The MRI scans were eerily similar to the scans of those who are drug and alcohol addicted. What happens (if I'm remembering correctly and this doc is right) is the food causes dopamine levels to surge, and for some reason, obese folks do not have the receptors for the dopamine like "normals" in the world, so it takes lots and lots of food, in increasing amounts over the years, to get the dopamine levels to cause the addiction to be triggered properly...so you get the HIGH from your food. So, the more you eat, the more you NEED to eat to get your HIGH. Sigh. She also commented that exercise increases dopamine receptor sites, so not only is the exercise good for health and weight loss, it SHOULD cause the need for less food to get the same HIGH. I'm addicted to food, coffee, and ciggies. I'm going NOW to call my doc and change my Wellbutrin prescription so I can actually take it. I'm hoping it helps to get rid of the ciggies for good and helps me not to get so anxious about my food. Don't get me wrong, my band helps tremendously. I have been stuck fighting to stay below 190 for months now and it's getting old. I'm dong whatever it takes!

Here are 11 ways to help break a plateau: 1. Keep a food Diary As you get comfortable with your diet, it's easy to stop paying attention and fall back into old habits. A nibble here, a slightly larger snack, an extra glass of wine… It's usually the little things that make all the difference. Starting a food diary will help you become more aware of what you're actually eating. Most people underestimate amounts by up to 20 percent. "I think journaling is a good idea," says Karen Sullivan, a health coach and AFPA Certified Personal Trainer. "It helps you stay honest with yourself […]. As long as you are in denial you will never reach your goals. Seeing it in black and white is the best way to break that plateau." To keep a food diary, start with a blank notebook and for a week, record everything you eat (down to a piece of gum or cup of coffee), when you ate it, how much, and how hungry you were before and after. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, a food diary must contain not only the food you ate, but also what were you doing and who you were with when you ate. "It will make you aware of any negative patterns," says Hudson. It's important to be truthful to yourself and not change your eating habits while keeping the diary. Also, remember to be specific --A baked potato is not the same as a baked potato with gravy and butter. 2. Break Up Your Meals If you're eating three times a day, eat five. If you're already eating five times, upgrade to six or seven. This doesn't necessarily mean you'll be eating more food; you'd just be breaking it into more meals. Eating frequently stabilizes your blood sugar, controls appetite, and keeps your energy up. Ideally, you shouldn't go more than three or four hours without eating something. Doing so slows down your metabolism and makes your body burn fat at a slower rate. Instead of going for a second serving, stick to one plate and then eat a small snack two hours later. Always eat before you're hungry. A feeling of hunger indicates your blood sugar is going down, which makes you prone to craving simple sugars. "Your body has no idea that there is plenty of food around, only what is coming in," says Susan Lee Ottevanger, a motivational speaker and the author of Running On Premium Fuel. "You need to reach a sense of well being for your body to feel free to burn up some storage." 3. Eat More A big mistake many people make is to cut down on calories so much that they starve their bodies. "When you eat too little, your metabolism goes down," says Ottevanger. "The body goes yikes, metabolism drops, frustration rises, moods drop, motivation dies. You start overeating and gain weight. Every time you go thru this cycle, the less success." If you're consuming less than 1,200 calories a day (1,500 for a man), your body may react by slowing down as a self-preservation measure. This means you'll be actually storing fat even if you're working out consistently. 4. Rely on a Friend If you're having a hard time finding the motivation to step up your program, find a like-minded buddy, either real or virtual. Join a support group, find an appropriate chat room, or sign up with a motivational website. A recent study by the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences of The University of Vermont found that web-based support programs are as effective as traditional face-to-face meetings when it comes to helping people maintain weight loss. The study followed 250 overweight adults through an initial six-month weight loss program, and then set them up with either in-person or internet support. Surprisingly, both groups did remarkably well. "The internet can be a very effective weight-loss tool if used well," says Hudson. "Many people can't or don't want to attend face-to-face meetings. Having access to virtual support, while no substitute for one-on-one counseling, it's still a step-up from going at it alone." 5. Watch Your Carbs You don't have to go on a low carb diet (in fact, low-carb and exercise don’t mix well), but do watch out for the extra refined carbohydrates that tend to slip into everybody's diet –Be mindful not only of white flour and sugars, but also look for hidden carbs in foods such as ketchup, salad dressings, dairy products, and even Soups. Read labels –Many low-fat products, including fruit juices and energy bars, are high in sugars. Avoid carbs at dinnertime, and opt for a larger salad as a side dish. When you do eat carbs, stick to whole grains. Plateaus are sometimes due to Water retention. Restricting salt intake and reducing carbs can give you the jumpstart and the motivation to keep going. 6. Move More Be more active outside the gym. The FDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week to maintain health, and at least 60 minutes to help manage body weight. If you're going to the gym four times a week, that leaves you with three days where you still need to be active. Walking is the best exercise for those "off" days. It's gentle enough to allow your body to recuperate from the heavy workouts at the gym, but still raises your metabolism to carry on the weight loss. Get a pedometer and aim for at least 8,000 steps a day. You'd be surprised to learn most people barely make 4,000. Office workers sometimes stay under 3,000. "Activity is the key," says Sullivan. "You can walk at a brisk pace, ride a bike (but be sure you are working at this little bike ride), swimming, tennis, even golf (forget the cart) are all ways to keep your body moving and increase the energy you are burning." 7. shake Up Your Workout It takes your body only four weeks to get used to a workout. Once something becomes a routine for your metabolism, plateaus are likely. Are you doing the treadmill for an hour every day? Give it up and enroll in a kickboxing class instead. Doing the stationary bike? Switch to the Stairmaster. Or try playing with the intensity of the workout. Add one minute intervals at a high speed or incline (not both) followed by three or four minutes at a lower intensity. If you've been working alone, it may be a good idea to enlist the help of a workout buddy or even pay for a few sessions with a personal trainer. "Whenever you change a workout routine your body will respond by dropping fat/weight," says Sullivan. Many people do not work hard enough. "You need to understand it isn't only the kind of activity you are doing but the frequency, the duration of each exercise session, and the intensity during your session," says Sullivan. "A little walk in the park is not exercise necessary to drop weight. People come to me and say, 'I ride my bike every night with my 4-year-old and I am not seeing any changes in my body.' They need to keep the 4-year-old home while they ride hard for an hour and then come back for a cool down with their child." If you need help planning an exercise routine but can't afford a personal trainer, try Free Trainers, an online program that offers pre-designed workouts to fit any goal and level. Learn exercise routines, track your progress, calculate your caloric intake, and interact with other members following the same program. 8. Pump It Up A common mistake women make is skipping weights because of the fear they would look "bulky." True is, women lack the testosterone needed to develop large muscles. Done appropriately, weight training can break a plateau faster than any other method. According to Wikipedia, "The body's basal metabolic rate increases with increases in muscle mass, which promotes long-term fat loss and helps dieters avoid yo-yo dieting. Moreover, intense workouts elevate the metabolism for several hours following the workout, which also promotes fat loss." The increase in metabolism rate is immediate and it can be as significant as 10 percent. "It takes more energy to maintain healthy muscle than fat," says Sullivan. "This way you are burning calories while you sleep! Also, if all you are doing is doing cardio and dieting you will be flabby. Skinny flab is just as unattractive as fat flab." If you've never tried weights before, start slow and light, mixing machines and free weights. Weights should be done three times a week, alternating muscle groups. 9. Drink Plenty of Water Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Every time you feel the urge to snack, drink a glass of water first and see if the urge goes away. Decaf teas, calorie-free drinks, and seltzer water count towards your eight glasses of water a day, but add an extra glass for each cup of coffee you drink, as caffeine dehydrates. A recent study by the Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center in Germany showed a basal metabolic rate (the amount of calories your body burns at rest) increase of up to 30 percent after participants drank 16 ounces of cold water. Researchers estimate that drinking an additional 16 ounces of water over the required 60 ounces (eight glasses) a day can result in an annual weight loss of almost two pounds. 10. Cut Down Your Alcohol Intake The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 stress the fact thatwhile alcoholic beverages supply excess calories, they do not supply any essential nutrients, making it difficult even for moderate drinkers to maintain a healthy weight. Alcohol is, in fact, very dense in calories. 7kcal/gram compared to only 4 for Proteins and carbs, and that's without taking into consideration that many alcoholic drinks (such as cocktails) are high in sugars and fat. Alcohol consumption slows down the fat burning capabilities of the body, as the body focuses on using the alcohol (a toxin) as fuel, rather than burning fat for energy. Alcohol also dehydrates, which, in turn, can make you hungry. 11. Keep Your Chin Up Finally, it's important to keep your eyes on the large picture. "Focus on health, not fat," says Ottevanger. "[Focus on] feeling good – looking good is just a side effect of feeling good. Forget the notion that some excess just got there by accident, that you are going to get it fixed, and go back to normal. You change your notions and thus your behavior today, for the rest of your longer, happier life. No six weeks of torture will get you anywhere you want to go."

Please remember you are in the "GOLDEN" time with WLS. Your tummy is probably still swollen. Make sure you get your liquids and protein and you are good. Your food taste will come back, in the mean time you should be losing lots of fat, you can get to goal quicker by being on track. Its when people go off track and it takes awhile to get back. ( off track I'm meaning eating slider foods, drinking alcohol, eating white carbs ect.) Hope this makes sense. Good Luck Linda

You can eventually have alcohol but I recommend reading a new report from UPMC hospital out if Pittsburgh. http://www.upmc.com/media/NewsReleases/2012/Pages/Weight-loss-Surgery-Alcohol-Use.aspx

I regularly have wine at dinner. Just a glass but I don't consider alcohol taboo. But Restless Mokey is right - they are empty calories, so I try not to have too much.

I am curious if all alcohol consumption is forbidden after you've had surgery. If after 6 months post op are you allowed to have a couple sips? I know a whole cocktail is not possible. But a couple sips?

Thanks everyone. I reallyfeel I could benefit by eating raisen bran for the constipation issue, but I am a carbaholic. Just like an alcoholic avoids the drink, I don't know where to quit when I start with carbs. I have to wonder if a small amount of raisen bran would cause cravings though. I guess I just need to try and see. It's going to eat up all my carb allowance for breakfast.

Like alcohol? Pre WLS, yes, definitely. But post WLS, I lost most of my taste for alcohol. I have left more half drunk beers behind because I just didn't want anymore.

Helloooo! This is my first time on this forum and I'm very excited! I'm a little nervous because I've never had any kind of surgery before. I've been on the clear liquid diet for almost 2 weeks and I really hope this is the hardest part!! Every where I go I smell food... it's on the tv... it's in magazines... it's everywhere! I definitely find myself getting a little emotional, it feels like I'll never get to enjoy food again. And quite honestly, I really miss food right now. :rain: Couple of questions for anyone that's been banded for awhile.... :help: I heard that all beef and white bread are very difficult to digest... as well as carbonated beverages. Beef and bubbly drinks I can easily give up... but i looove bread... How about whole wheat or multi-grain type breads?? What about melted cheeses? What are some of your favorite foods to eat?? What do you do when you dine out? Do you ever drink alcohol?? Super duper hungry:nervous kayla

Does anyone know how much sugar alcohol you are allowed a day? I know regular sugar is 8 grams.

Deb and Donna, welcome to LBT! I'm the DH (darling husband) to MsJoy (the banded one). I know from reading in here that yes, you can have alcohol, but most of the doctors restrict its use during the healing period. I'm sure you don't need to be told what it feels like throwing a little alcohol on an open wound. Then after they have healed some of the members here have a glass of wine or two, some beer...whatever you can stand, I guess.

Apple Cider Beats Eggnog Six fluid ounces of eggnog without alcohol has 258 calories and 14 grams of fat (more than a Snickers bar), while the same amount of apple cider has only 90 calories and no fat. It's a no-brainer! If you can't forgo the eggnog, consider a reduced-fat version. Veggies and Hummus Top Chips and Dip Veggies and hummus are lower in fat and calories than your typical chip-and-dip (or cheese-and-cracker). Plus, they're full of fiber, which helps stave off hunger and keeps you satisfied. Shrimp Cocktail Is a Winner Whenever you have to choose between deep-fried anything and simple, cold fish, the latter is almost always healthier. Three ounces of shrimp have just 90 calories, but if they're fried, the same amount packs more than 200 calories. Turkey Breast Is Your Best Bet In addition to being an excellent source of protein, turkey offers the least amount of fat per serving, among all other meats, if you pass on the skin. Four ounces of turkey breast sans skin is just 152 calories and almost no fat compared to 236 calories and 12 grams of fat in a skin-on drumstick. Cranberries Make a Good Sauce Spoon cranberry sauce over turkey and stuffing instead of meat-based gravy. Cranberries are packed with vitamin C and also provide a fair amount of dietary fiber, so you can protect yourself from an impending cold and fill up at the same time. Baked Sweet Potatoes Are a Smart Side Baked sweet potatoes are lower in calories and fat than buttery mashed potatoes or candied yams. Plus, they're rich sources of antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and beta-carotene. And if you eat the skin, you'll reap some fiber benefits, too. Just slice them in half, brush lightly with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and bake. Green Beans Minus the Casserole Enjoy green beans steamed with garlic, or for a lower-fat version of the traditional casserole (you know, the one full of butter, cream, cheese and fried onion strings), use fat-free cream of mushroom soup and go light on the butter. All the yum and none of the guilt. Champagne Is Choice At just 100 calories, a glass of Champagne will do much less damage than a hot toddy, which weighs in at 200 calories -- and that's before the whipped cream. Just keep in mind that after one or two glasses of Champagne, you may be more likely to say yes to that pecan pie. Pass Up the Pecan Pie for Pumpkin A slice of pecan pie has about 400 calories and pumpkin pie has about half that. You can cut the calories in your pumpkin pie even more by using an egg substitute, low-fat evaporated milk and a sugar alternative like Splenda.

During my consult, the Doc said that it's fine to drink a glass of wine as it relaxes your stomach. I got the impression that it's all about the empty calories, as opposed to the alcohol itself.

Drinking alcohol also throws you out of ketosis. I'm doing a personal study on this with the level of ketosis and time passed post-alcohol using ketone strips.

How long were you advised to wait until you consumed alcohol? What happened when you drank for the first time?

The holidays remind us of family get-togethers sharing food, laughter and bonding. If you are a food addict, the holidays may be one big guilt ridden binge. Food addicts think about food and have memories of food too, but they will most likely be linked with memories of hiding food, being punished by withdrawal of food, or being abandoned from loving relationships and using food for comfort. This is one reason the holidays are so stressful for people who struggle with food addictions. The frenzy and excitement brings stress, and food addicts comfort and calm their stress with food. Many people don’t understand the obese person’s journey with food. Nor can they relate to actually being under the influence of the intense food cravings, but ask any alcoholic or drug addict what these cravings feel like, and a food addict will be able to recount a very similar craving. The substance most craved with food addicts is sugar, and anyone who has tried to remove sugar from their diet knows how incredibly difficult that can be. The majority of food addicts have been brought up with another addiction. Maybe their parents were alcoholics, abusive, gamblers, smokers or hoarders. The child learned it was safer to turn to food or some other substance for comfort, because turning to a human for a hug or soothing words was impossible. Many food addicts lose weight to get married, only to find that they don’t have the skills to communicate loneliness, boredom, or anxiety to their partner. They slowly begin to turn to what has helped soothe them in the past, which is food. Before long, communication is compromised in the relationship. There is severe weight gain, which begins a disastrous cycle of withdrawing from sex, and turning to food. Soon the partner isn’t happy and the food addict feels shameful and guilty. These feelings of guilt and shame lock the cycle of turning to food even more securely. Weight loss surgery can help minimize disease and help people become more confident and mobile, but if there is an underlying sugar or food addiction, the weight will be re-gained. Sometimes that is in excess of eighty pounds. How can you help if you are addicted, married or know a food addict during the holidays? The key is to plan now. Realize that your partner or friend has a bigger problem than just eating too much. They need professional help, and they need it now. Find out who is on your plan for insurance and what it allows for help with eating disorders. Begin journaling your intake and talk to your partner about journaling theirs as well. This helps you become a team and to feel supported. Encourage your partner to begin turning to you for comfort or if you are alone, have someone who can accompany you to the party. Stay close to them, and when you feel alone turn to them for conversation or hold their hand. This helps delay your sense of needing food. Help them join a food addiction group, and if they are your partner, go with them if they need your support. There are several in Houston, and “Over Eaters Anonymous” offers a 12-step program for food addicts. Your partner suffers shame and guilt every day. Try to remember this, and be gentle. There is a lot of secrecy in this disorder. If they let you in, respect that. Food addicts are hurt, and we as a society can become part of the problem or part of the solution. Most addicts of food (and other addictions) have an enabler. The enabler complains about the behavior, but also supplies the fix. People who are co-dependent or have a low self-esteem may derive their security from enabling an addict. If you live with a food addict, or you suffer a food addiction, the best thing you can do prior to going to the party or being with friends where a lot of food will be present is to have a plan. Set a time limit for yourself at the party and have someone you are accountable to who helps you stay on track. –Mary Jo Rapini *As with all addictions, interventions only work if the addict wants to heal. Harping, nagging and pleading will be met with resistance to change until the addict is ready to make the change.

Hi, based on the mixed reviews I thought I’d respond. I got my lap band at NYU by Dr. George Fielding who is a veteran in the field and has the band himself, obviously I have world renowned physicians assisting me. So I’ve had really terrible experiences with changes in altitude, and they last longer than 48 hours, which caused concern each time because these forums tend to say it only lasts 24 to 48 hours. The first time I was 100% sure something was wrong with the band was after when I hiked over 1500 feet up a mountain. Three days later I was in the emergency room and they did all the tests and the lap band was fine and in the same place. I had to have it loosened but that was the first experience that it was so terrible by the third day I could not even drink water without throwing up. The next time was when I came from a flight to Mexico, that was pretty bad but only for about 24 hours, I already knew this might happen so I stayed on liquids. This most recent time I spent four days in the Adirondack mountains, I am now on day four of absolute torture. I was able to eat an avocado at night a day ago, only after drinking some alcohol, however otherwise, I have thrown up absolutely everything including coffee with milk, I can’t even eat soup and I am completely exhausted. Since I’ve been to NYU three times in the past two years after changes in altitude I’m not going to go again because this is the longest time I spent up in the mountains so I’m assuming that’s why it lasts so long — but just beware that different people have different experiences and you have to take a break and really relax and let everything get back to normal if you’re having side effects like me after drastic changes in altitude.

Ok, so hubby calls me yesterday all excited because he has won an all expense paid trip from work in the 3rd week of April. It includes aifare, hotel, meals and spending money for 3 days in Vegas. We are pretty excited as we have never been to Vegas and were just saying we could really use a mini vacation with just the two of us. Here is the problem. Being as we live in Florida, and Vegas is a bit of haul for us, my hubby says it simply would not make sense for us to drive all the way there for a 3 day trip, especially when airfare is included. So, I am officially terrified because I have never been on a plane before and the idea instills pure terror for me. Are any of you afraid of flying? How do you cope? I was thinking mass quantities of alcohol or something, lol. Seriously though, any suggestions would be appreciated. I have one other question that I am stressing over. I have read other people talk about flying and belt extenders. I am so scared of the embarassment and humiliation of possibly needing one. At 5' 4", 240 pounds, do you think I will need one, or do you think I will be ok? If I do need one, are they discreet about it? Thanks for your input.

Hi Momma Barb -- I don't know about surgeons in Ohio, but I can tell you what it's like having the sleeve. I weighed 303 lbs. when I got the sleeve almost 8 weeks ago. I have been obese most of my adult life -- I had gotten to a point where I was accepting the fact that I would be morbidly obese all of my life -- and that pushed me to the point that I considered weight loss surgery. I can tell you right now, I have very little hunger. I occasionally get hungry when I haven't eaten for hours, but even then I don't have an overwhelming urge to eat. It's like that part of my brain was switched off somehow -- and I love it!! Now, I was never a big alcohol drinker to begin with (chocoholic is my problem) -- but I do know that he won't be able to drink for quite a while and then after that, when/if he does drink, it will affect him much faster than it used to. Frankly, if I'm not missing chocolate, he might not miss his beer! Many people do the sleeve on an outpatient basis - many people have very little to no pain following the surgery. I was not one of them, but then again I am 46 years old and I think that contributed to it. I can tell you this -- and I think it's true pretty universally for most sleeve patients -- I have NEVER regretted getting the sleeve -- I truly believe it is saving my life, making my family's lives that much better, making me a happier, more healthy person. I hope I have answered most of your questions - others will probably want to chime in as well -- I think it's wonderful that you are being so supportive of your son -- a lot of people on this board do not get their parents' support and it really hurts them. Take care!

Fat: 1 gram = 9 calories Protein: 1 gram = 4 calories Carbohydrates: 1 gram = 4 calories Alcohol: 1 gram = 7 calories ​I was thinking the same thing as well since I know they give the same printed sheets to individuals who have also had RNY. This is my concern with those numbers: 120-150 grams of protein=480-600 calories 100-200 grams of fat=900-1800 calories 50 carbohydrates=200 calories That would be 1580 calories on the low end and 2600 calories on the high end. I don't see how I could lose any weight eating that many calories. I also don't even know if I could eat that much food. I am going to present this to my nutritionist on February 6th at my next appointment. Thanks for all the advice! I am going to look at the Facebook groups right now

another fun idea is going to an arcade or something at the mall. that doesnt really involve food or alcohol.. i did this the other day with my daughters father and we had a nice time