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Having questions & concerns before surgery is very common. It is frustrating though when your surgeon &/or medical team don’t prepare you about what happens after or what could happen. So in answer to the things you’re second guessing: (sorry long response) Most pain post surgery is gone in 4-5 days & a lot of that is gas pain from when they inflate your abdomen to visualise the surgical field. Yes, there may be some foods you can’t tolerate especially in the first couple of months after surgery. Some occurs because your sense of taste &/or smell temporarily changes & some foods taste or smell terrible. Your tummy can also be pretty sensitive. Something you eat one day without issue can cause side effects (diarrhoea, nausea, foamier, discomfort, etc.) tomorrow. Just drop that food for a week or two then try again. Most people can eat anything but do so carefully & watch portion sizes. Honestly, I do still have issues with potatoes, pasta, bread & rice - they sit heavily in my tummy - no loss there though. Char grilled foods are too dry for me & oily fish or fatty foods also are a no go but they were before surgery - stirred up my too acid tummy. Again no loss. I used to have a large glass of wine every night sometimes followed by a scotch. When I was losing I’d have a glass about once a month but I’d nurse it for hours. Now I still only have a drink about once a month. I don’t really miss it & I don’t enjoy it as much. At a lower weight, the alcohol may hit you more quickly & you will register a higher blood alcohol content. Also addiction swapping is real. Swapping your food addiction for alcohol, or something else is something to be aware of. Gerd is a possible side effect of sleeve surgery. I had some reflux before surgery I still have it now - it manifests differently though but is easily managed with medication. Many obese people already have or develop gerd or gerd symptoms like heartburn anyway due to poor diet &/or excessive eating. My surgeon allows me to have the odd nsaid - once a month or two. Regular use of nsaids can cause inflammation of the stomach. Post surgery we gave a much smaller stomach so the damage to our tummy lining caused by the nsaids is amplified. Gallstones form as a result of high cholesterol, losing large amounts of weight, menopause or having high bilirubin levels. I had my gall removed 2 months ago. I had one stone which could have formed because of the weight loss, menopause or from my high bilirubin levels. My cholesterol was always ok. Many obese people have high cholesterol so would already have or would form gall stones at some time anyway. Many obese people already have or would develop hernias because of the weight they’re carrying putting stress in their bodies. Many have their gall removed &/or hernias repaired during their weight loss surgery. Some didn’t even realise they had the problems before all the pre surgery medical tests. The shock of the surgery & reduced diet causes your natural hair loss cycle to accelerate. (It happens after many surgeries, pregnancy, menopause, periods of excessive stress, etc.) Your natural regrowth cycle is unchanged so new hair is regrowing as you’re losing more quickly. The hair loss tends to slow to normal rates after 3 or 4 months. I cut my hair shorter so the new growth would reach full length more quickly. You can’t stop it or slow it. It will happen in its own time (those who claim supplements & treatments helped have no idea because they don’t know when their hair would have stopped shedding anyway). You wouldn’t know almost half my hair fell out now - it’s as thick & as healthy as it was before. Yes, some people do experience complications or take longer to get through the initial side effects. But all surgeries have the potential for complications. Sleeve surgery is pretty low risk in comparison. I guess, in summary most of your concerns are temporary, short term side effects or are things you may have developed anyway if you didn’t lose your weight. Is the surgery worth it? Yes! Yes! Hell yes! I didn’t have any comorbidities before surgery but they were very close by now there’s an extremely low to no chance of ever developing them. The balls of my feet used to ache & my stamina wasn’t great. Feet are pain free & stamina is improved. The oddest thing is now I sometimes have difficulty finding clothes to fit me because I’m too small. 😆 Rather have that problem then being too big to find nice clothes. Good luck whatever you chose to do.

Hi, I'm on Day 4 on the same diet. The first few days were awful. I experienced all the same things you did. It was awful! But today it seems like it's getting better. I told my friends that I've never gone through detox but it reminds me of what alcoholics and drug addicts go through when they are trying to get clean. Not as bad I'm sure but it is withdrawel. Anyway I hope that it is getting better for you too. They told me that I could have as much broth as I wanted. I have been heating it up in a coffee cup and having that with my "meals" and that seems to help a little.

The band is NOT surgically induced bulimia! NO! no! No! The band is about restricting you portion sizes, not restricting your life. My DH and I go out all the time, and yes, I have drinks, but many bandsters find that alcohol affects them much easier than before, and blended drinks like margaritas will Close lots of folks down from the restriction it brings. We usually order off the appitizer menue too, or we share, or we bring home all the left overs so I have "good" lunches for days! I know that not being "normal" is the fear of so many baby bandsters, that and worry that the band won't work for them. Because the Band is a lifestyle, it will take some work and mental adjustment on your part to figure how how to live with your new lifestyle. Like figuring out that eating in your car is a thing of the past... Or at least eating while you drive is ...

John, I have to respectively disagree. As a junk food grazer myself (I never ate big meals. My path to obesity was littered with chocolate wrappers and cookie crumbs..lol), the lap band has been a life saver for me. I grazed on sweets and such because I felt hungry all the time, and rather than picking nutritious healthy foods to snack on, I picked junk. I don't know why I got into that cycle, but it was taking over my life. With the band, once I starting getting good restriction, I had no problem sticking to the 1/2 cup meal plan my doctor prescribed. Heck, I was probably eating no more than 1 1/2 cups per meal in the first place. However, now, I don't have those junk food cravings. With the help of my band, I'm not hungry between meals, which gives me the willpower and motivation to nix the junk. I'm a true believer that there's something in those foods that brings on cravings. I don't know if it's the white carbs, starches, and/or fat, but whatever it is, once my between meals' hunger faded and I stopped eating those foods, my cravings faded too. I'm certainly not staring temptation in the face. I keep my trigger foods out of the house. I still have an occasional treat with a one of those foods, but only under controlled circumstances. I'm not made of stone, but I'm sure I'm not the only grazer that found a "cure" with the band. I do believe you have to do an introspection before you get the band. I was confident that if the band gave me the kind of hunger control that I expected, that I could and would do my part. I sort of feel like a quasi alcoholic in recovery, except that I must face food daily, and keep mindful of the foods that led me to being overweight.

Red wine works for me, some of the whites are too crisp and irritate my stomach, and margaritas are a little rough for my band as well. So take it very slow to see how you do. Oh, beware that the alcohol hits you faster because there's not much in your stomach and you're not eating while drinking!!

at 4 weeks I was told it was safe for me to eat anything. I am, of course, low carb, high Protein, as much "real food" as possible as opposed to processed foods. I have all manner of vegetables, raw and cooked, meats, I prefer to be pretty tender and juicy. With toast (I have oat bread toast 3-4 times a week with my egg) I can not stand the crust anymore. so I just eat the middles. I have not tried alcohol yet, but per my plan it is ok - not recommended - not wise yet. I do not plan to try until the holiday time. I love wine, and whiskey - but if I find that they do not sit well with me anymore it will not be something that I worry about. I'll just use my collection for others at family meals or some friends will get some really fabulous birthday presents. I enjoy my coffee, but if I have a lot of coffee I get sour stomach. so, it's a treat a few times a week and then all is good. I was not told "no straws" and that's a good thing, because I am a clumsy clod, and so having a lid and straw is a life saver for me. I am just over 3 months out and have lost just more than 1/3 my excess weight. I also can take any medications I might need to take and I take all my recommended supplements and others that I believe to be good for general health with no problems. I can now drink my Water and liquids normally, and not have to sip.

Sorry, I can't help you with this one, I don't drink alcohol. What about a nonalcoholic beer?

I went to a friend's 50th birthday party three weeks after my surgery and it was rough! I love beer, and to be there without being able to drink was a struggle. But, I made it through the night without a drink, and I did it knowing that some day I could probably have beer again. I didn't have a beer until six months post-op. I'm two years post-op and I have an occasional beer, but it's usually a stout because anything with carbonation bothers me. I've learned to savor my beer because you will be a total lightweight after surgery. I usually don't finish my pint, which still stuns me! Hang in there - you'll get to have alcohol again, and it will be worth the wait.

That was my first thought too but The NA beer still has a tiny bit of alcohol in it so if it’s the alcohol part that is acidic it may still be too harsh. I would worry about the carbonation so early out as well.

Hormones, and metabolism play a big role in that "honeymoon" phase. The first 6 months, the sleeve hasn't typically matured to full capacity, so weight loss is hell of a lot easier because there just isn't room for mush of anything except Protein. Of course, if you continue to make all the "right" decisions, you continue to follow all the rules for the first 12-18 months, you'll continue to lose weight, but more often than not, sleeve size changes, more food goes in, old habits creep back in, and poor food choices seem to be the culprit. Also, metabolic changes occur once the weight comes off. As for losing weight after goal, I've found it to be pretty easy. That might not always be the case, but I can pinpoint a solid gain(not Water weight) to my indulgences typically with alcohol and social eating which I do a lot. . For me, I have yet to have trouble losing weight. Even in the pregnancy, I've lost a few pounds when I was concerned about the rate of gain I was seeing on the scale. Just my $0.02 worth on the "honeymoon phase" of WLS.

I think I would say WAIT, because I am a food addict, and I would want to get in one last free for all. But....... what would you tell an alcoholic considering rehab before the holidays? The big issue is that when you do it, you have to commit, and if you know that committment isn't possible for you until after the holidays, then WAIT. I think the band works the best for those who are desperate for change, but I can't honestly say that I would have done it during the holidays :lie:. ("They're tryin' to make me go to rehab, but I say no,no,no...")

I haven't been here in five years, but I thought I should share what I've learned on this journey... 1. My sleeve was a very minor surgery. Less than 30 minutes passed between being knocked out and the recovery room. Quite frankly, I think this option should be more widely available for marginally obese people. Unlike the other bariatric surgeries - which change your plumbing, this is simply the removal of the stretchy part of the stomach. 2. Think long and hard about who you tell. I told a handful of family members and I think that was a mistake. I suggest you either tell everyone, or just the absolute minimum (spouse or care giver). Within the first year I was sure everyone knew and I felt I was being dishonest. 3. The honeymoon is real. For 18 months it's virtually impossible to gain weight, but after that, you most certainly can. My smaller stomach can hold 8-10 ounces of food and get refilled after about an hour. If you fill it with sugar or fat and keep refilling it, you can certainly get back all your weight. I initially lost about 90 pounds and that was too much. People kept asking me if I had cancer. I've since put 25 pounds back on and while I wish it was 15, it's fine. My weight is what it was when I was an athlete in college. I have used my reduced weight and energy to excercise and I think that has helped. I generally do 100,000 steps a week. Again, eating/drinking the wrong stuff and not exercising would surely lead to more weight gain. 4. I no longer count calories, but I do have a few tricks to keep things in check. I have designed a menu with a lot of 200-500 calorie meals and I have 3-4 of these every day. I burn enough EXTRA calories a day exercising to offset the calories I drink (I only drink 100 calorie cocktails - nothing sugary). 5. There's a lot of good and bad information on alcohol on this site. I waited 6 weeks (the European guideline) and the eased in with weak cocktails and wine. I don't think it hits me harder, but since I'm likely to have less food in my stomach, the effect is to be hit harder. I can see no reason to wait 6 months or a year other than minimizing caloric intake. The Sleeve is a timeout from your bad lifestyle, but it's not a permanent timeout. At some point you'll create a new lifestyle that will include birthday cakes, pizza, French fries and booze. You need to manage around all of these risky consumables. You should think about it ll as you enter your journey, never stop reevaluating, and constantly adjust. I hope this helps someone...

I went all out lol. I got absolutely wasted and ordered a BBQ bacon cheeseburger and loaded cheese fries. Alcohol alone must have been at least 1000 calories. I know a lot of people say not to do food funerals but it was worth it lol.

My last meal before the 2 week liver shrinking diet was hot Buffalo wings, fries, and tuna steak. Actually shared with someone else so I didn't eat a large amount of food. So yummy!! Also had an frozen umbrella drink. Now I am at goal I still eat this stuff on rare occasions... But it ends up being one wing, 1 fry and a couple bites of tuna steak. I totally gave up real high calorie alcoholic drinks.

It was hard to stick to the plan, but I did it. 2 months out and I can basically eat anything with the exception of citrus fruit, dried fruit, caffeine, alcohol (@ 3 months) and steak, pork steaks, ham steaks, or liver (@ 6 months, but for the record...I will not be eating the liver). Not judging, but in my personal experience...I did everything that I was told to do, because each step was so fleeting in the grand scheme. If I can't do something hard for 1, 2, or 8 weeks, how am I going to survive the rest of my life? I was really fat for 23 years. It was really hard to live fat for that long...really easy to get that way, but HARD TO LIVE that life, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. If you want to live something different, you've got to do something different. End of story.

In accordance with all bariatric recommendations and guidelines for weight loss surgery, all potential patients are required to have a psychiatric evaluation prior to surgery. This may be completed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. Generally, the evaluation takes about 1 hour to complete. The evaluation is used to: Assist in the diagnosis, treatment, or management of a patient's possible mental disorder or behavioral problem. Determine competency in deciding to proceed with LapBand® surgery. Determine if there is a history or dependency on drugs or alcohol. Determine if there is a history of psychiatric illness. Demonstrate the willingness of the psychologist/psychiatrist to follow and treat the patient in the postoperative period if it becomes necessary. Determine the patient's ability to handle stress during the period that follows surgery. Determine the patient's commitment/willingness to follow postoperative protocols.

I think everyone's doctor is different... my doctor said it's okay to have soda if I can tolerate it. Some people can and some can't. It used to be thought the carbonation would erode the band but they're finding it's not the case. As far as alcohol, he said it's fine but it's liquid calories so I have to watch elsewhere... and never dronk alcohol with food. I'm told that the alcohol effects you more though so you'll drink less anyway. Probably because there's less in your stomach to absorb it an also your body size is decreasing, so be careful with it, espeically if driving. One drink will effect you more than it used to he said. So basically you can try almost everything before and see what you can tolerate.

I agree! I will miss bagels and pizza more than anything, but they're part of the reason I'm obese. I can't eat them in moderation, and I don't want to. I think the reason for banding is to get healthy and thin. I've accepted the fact that there are just certain foods I won't be eating anymore, kind of like an alcoholic accepts the fact that (s)he can't drink anymore.

Try different kinds of protein until you find what you like. At that stage is normal to feel nauseated, premier protein chocolate what I used. I tried the protein waters and was terrible to me. Keep trying just make sure on sugar content. And sugar alcohol. Make lentil soup and drink the soup of it or blend it. Split peas soup, they are pretty easy to make

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

At this point, you're still deciding on whether or not to have the surgery, right? So, you're not technically on the pre-surgery diet, but kinda trying it out? I know what you mean about that mindset you get into prior to dieting. Everytime I've gone on a diet, I think I gained another 20 lbs. before actually starting! One thing you need to keep in mind is that not all doctors even put you on a pre-surgery diet. Mine didn't. I only had to fast the day before surgery. So, here's what I recommend. Instead of taking away what you love and crave (food), instead add the *other* elements of band lifestyle. If you follow them, you'll probably lose weight, and you'll get a head start on bandster eating. Here they are: Eat slowly. Take tiny bites. Put down your fork between bites. Chew, chew, chew, until it's mush! Stop eating when you feel satisfied (but not stuffed!) Don't drink with your meals, or for 30" afterwards. Then, drink *plenty* of Water, at least 8 8oz. glasses per day. Avoid liquid calories (soda, alcohol, juice, etc.) Exercise at least 30" every other day. (Just a walk is fine!) Try this. If you don't lose weight after a week or so, try eliminating white sugar and white flour products. Focus on what you *can* eat, rather than what you *can't*. Good luck! Tami

I wouldn't recommend it! Not because I'm "old", OR because I'm a mother, OR because you're underage...but because you will have a new lap-band that hasn't settled into place yet. You will still be healing, and most likely not be eating solid foods yet. When prom night rolls around, you will not have had much to eat for the past 6-8 weeks. You won't be eating much that day/night, then you'll add alcohol on top of that. It will take a lot less alcohol to do way more damage than ever before. If you drink to the point where you throw up, then you risk damaging your band and having major problems. You made the decision to have the surgery so that you can be healthy. Don't take a chance on losing all that for a night of drinking. It's just not worth it. And, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to drink later, when you are completely healed. Have a happy and safe prom night!

1st Thanks everyone for your replies! (History: I had a bad stay at the hospital, long story short, during my surgery my spleen was bruised causing me a great deal of pain, I complained of pain in the hospital and it fell on deaf ears, this was extremely tramatizing. After being discharged I went to another hospital through emergency and found out about my spleen. So this has damaged my relationship with my surgeon and I haven't been folowed by a specialist since that day. I have tried to find another surgery but this has been difficult I'm currently on a waiting list.) I wanted to say that in the first three months I followed every rule to the "T" when it was possible. I say this because alot of days I had NO appetite and found a day or two going by and I hadn't ate anything. It's been really hard to get in the required amount of liquids but 99% of the time I drink Water only! On the days when I did eat, I ate only what I was suppose to eat. meaning mostly Protein my diet was more lean and green than anything . What I ate: Lean ground turkey loaf with onions and green peppers, some sort of green veggie, if I used fat to cook it was a dash of olive oil never any breads no red meat or pork either baked or grilled chicken or turkey, no starch! Breakfast a egg and lean turkey sausage, very simple thinks low sugar fruits cantalope, honey dew. lots of fresh string Beans. On this diet I lost an average of 1 pound a week . three weeks after surgery I lost 11 pounds that was 4/2/12 since then I've been averaging about 1pound a week total weight lost is 22 pounds. Last month I have been off schedule feeling depressed and helpless I said F- this and I have ate a few lunchmeat sandwhiches had some choocolate, a few chips here and ther but honestly I can't even eat a a orange without feeling full so I figure even on my binge I hardly ate much due to my reduced stomach uhgggg!!! Oh another thing, I dont have any of those food trackers or fitness trackers mentioned in the or any online tools i'm just learning of these things. I hope this helps other when giving me advice with my issue. I never been a soda or juice girl or at least i havent been one in the last 10 years due to diabetes. I don't drink coffee or tea, I dont smoke nor drink alcohols. I only drink Crystal Light beverages outside of water. Please let me know if I left out any thing that would help you all to help me!

Well, I am only 1.5 years out... but I concur with just about everything you said! Sleeve was definitely quick... but I think I was in the OR just a little bit longer... but not by much. And I concur... they should offer this as an option to lower BMI people more often. Benefits far outweigh the risks in my opinions. About telling people... yes yes yes! Before surgery especially! Before surgery I waited until mid-way through my pre-op appointments before even telling hubby, knowing he wouldn't like it. Good choice because it meant he had less time to talk me out of it. And by the time he knew my mind was made up. Told daughter a few days before because she lived with me and would know I didn't come home for a night and didn't go to work for several weeks lol. Beyond that... I had a COUPLE people at work who knew. After? I told my boys several weeks afterwards... just before one was coming home for a visit from college. I never did tell anyone else in my family. But when I returned to work I slowly started telling other people until my entire office knew. I like the way I did it. Still have no intention of EVER telling the rest of my family lol. Honeymoon phase... I believe this is true - though I am not as far out as you since I just had my 18 month appointment 2 weeks ago. I just recently started gaining weight in the last couple of months and am currently trying to nip it in the bud. I like my weight the way it had been for nearly a year, so I plan to try harder to maintain. Unsure about counting calories. Right now I am going back to it to make sure I get back on track... but I think once I remind myself what portion sizes look like at the right calories... then I will probably go back to measuring a bit better. I do avoid drinks with sugars at all costs. Alcohol... that is the only that I don't have much experience with. I haven't had more than a couple sips on rare occasions. Just don't feel I want or need it... but not going out of my way to avoid it on purpose.

I've had my lap band for about 5 years now. At first I was loosing weight slowly (due to other separate health problems) then last summer, i lost a huge amount of weight very quickly due to extreme stress, and where my port is I was having discomfort, so i went to my new doctor who told me I had to gained weight and that would help with the discomfort, but did not want me to gain too much. I am 5'9 and I was 135lbs and he told me i needed to be at 160lbs. He is not my original doctor that did my surgery and fills. We moved to a different state. Over the last 5 months I (reluctantly) have gained the weight the doc told me to, and even though some of the port discomfort is gone, I now have constant heart burn and acid reflex and pain under my ribs after i eat (I had my gallbladder removed last year) or drink too much I do not drink any alcohol, soda or things like that mainly water tea sometimes and coffee and food has been getting stuck more than it use to. It is extremely hard for me to get back into the doctor, but do see my family primary monthly. I am wondering what type of tests should i ask my primary to order to make sure everything with the band is ok. And if anyone else has had similar problems and what helped. I'm thinking of trying the apple cider vinegar to help with heart burn acid reflex but am open to trying something