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Here is my version of the very simple rules I have to follow if I want to get to my goal weight and stay healthy: Consume 60-80 gm Protein per day and 60-80 oz of Clear liquids per day. Every day. Do not drink anything for at least 30 minutes before a meal or snack. If you forget and do drink, re-set the timer and wait another 30 minutes before you eat. Eat dense protein first at every meal. If you have room, eat a very few bites of non-starchy veggie in addition. Decide how many meals and/or protein Snacks you're going to have per day* (or how many calories) and stick to it. Every day. Do not eat between meals. Wait at least 30 minutes after every meal or snack before drinking anything. If your mouth gets really dry you could rinse after eating, brush your teeth or chew gum. I avoid alcohol because I'm concerned it would decrease my ability to resist bad food choices. Follow those rules at least 90% of the time, and you will succeed. For the other 10%, do not beat yourself up - just get back on the wagon immediately and Sleeve On! * The two ways I know of to lose weight are 1) Low calorie; 2) Low carb. I chose low carb because I can eat more volume and I don't have to count calories - the Atkins diet. I eat every 4 hours (8a, 12n, 4p and 8p), and I keep my carb intake as low as humanly possible. Both factors contribute to my never being hungry for very long at a time. Best wishes!

Biggest difference with what you are dealing with, as opposed to the drug addict, alcoholic, or someone who smokes, is We need food to survive. Its this - the need for something so basic as food...that simply drives me up the wall to. I find my thoughts continually thinking about my next meal...when am I going to eat, what am I going to eat and even something so stupid as asking myself if I am really hungry. Food completely controls my thoughts and often times actions. I have the same frustrations, as I bet nearly everyone on this site does. What makes me feel worse at times, is the mere fact that I have never truly had to worry about meals. I have never had to go without food...in fact, my family (being Italian) tends to cook as though we are expecting 100 plus people to randomly stop over. Growing up, all family gatherings, visits with neighbors involved food. In essence, everything you are feeling is Normal! You will make it, you will survive this journey. It may seem impossible, however, you have taken this situation and are being proactive with your health for not just you but for your family. Try to stay positive.....try to stay motivated....the best has yet to come!

Warning! This is definitely a rant and a whole lot of whining!! Ugh, I am in rough shape emotionally this week! I'm on day three... yes, just three measly days... of the liquid diet and I feel like it's the end of the world. Even typing this, I see how ridiculous that is. People have much bigger problems in the world than this, but I'm miserable. I've been treating my husband like crap all weekend and I've been snapping at my absolutely adorable kids (3 & 5 years old). Right now, my brother in law has cancer and he and my sister are going through so much more of a hardship than I am, but I still can't seem to bring myself out of this. food is my only vice, and it's just GONE... cold turkey. Yes, I'm committed to the lifestyle post op, yes I'm committed to making healthier choices, but at least those involve food. My husband thinks I'm just anxious about having surgery, which may be a part of it, but mostly I am just pissy because I can't have food (and my surgeon's plan is zero food... Protein shakes/diet drinks only). I feel antsy, my stomach is in knots, I'm edgy. I'm just in a general BAD mood. Did anyone else experience this? I've attended OA, and I know I'm an addict, so I feel like this must be what it's like for an alcoholic or a smoker to give up their drugs of choice. This is nuts, though. It's food! It's not drugs or alcohol or cigarettes... it's something as basic and every day as food. Still, I feel like I'm going to go crazy before my surgery on the 13th. I'm just in the worst mood I've ever been in! Probably time to visit my therapist, lol! Thanks for taking the time to indulge my whining!

I'm 6 years out and I can tell you my biggest downfall is resorting to alcohol in times of trouble. A little here and there leads to a lot and before you know it you are ignoring all the rules. My advice: find a drink now that is low carb and not carbonated so you have a go to if you need it. Beer is not ever a bands friend!! Also, don't fall into the trap of allowing yourself sweets just because you can still fit under your carb max or your calorie max...pretty soon you'll be back to eating way more of those than you can because you started with one and they slide down easy.

Here's my story, I'm looking for some guidance on how you got back on track because I am feeling lost and hopeless. Wondering whether Lap Band is a total fail.... 10/08 - Banded by an out of state surgeon who is not retired (Dr. Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies in Aurora, CO) 08-13 - Fills done by Dr. Ricciardi in Las Vegas, NV (doctor just went out of practice) Lost 110 lbs in first year at a rate of about 2 lbs a week - followed rules very easily initially but several life experiences got me back into drinking and ignoring band rules. 07/10 - Divorce - drinking started (weight 173) 01/11 - Miscrarriage at 4 months along - drinking escalated (weight 185) 03/11 - Job Loss - more drinking (weight 190) 6/11-7/13 - Horrible Stressful Job, height of drinking (weight at time of leaving job 205) - In the midst of this job I was overeating and throwing up a lot, had to be completely unfilled at one point because I feared it had slipped. Had to start taking antacids all the time because of endless burning. Eventually got filled back to 5 ccs in a 8cc band. 07/13 - Moved from NV to CA, excellent job, engaged now - trying to quit the drinking cycle and get back on band rules. 03/14 - Did an IVF cycle in March - gained from meds (weight 215) May 2014 Changes 1.) Seeing a trainer 2-3X week 2.) Recommitting myself daily but struggling with motivation 3.) More sitting at this job, less activity 4.) Trying to remember band rules but I'm having a hard time with following 5.) Daily struggle to not drink alcohol - I know this is my biggest issue How do I get back on track? Any suggestions welcome!!

Alcohol is a huge choice/decision for us WLS patients. But at just 4 weeks, you really haven't arrived at the point yet where it is your "choice." You're still under your surgeon's care. Wouldn't you feel better asking him/her that question? But, some food for thought in your future choices about alcohol. As you've read here from other posters, many docs have many different opinions. The nation's largest HMO that does extensive research on bariatric surgery patients recommends NO ALCOHOL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Besides the obvious safety reasons of getting drunk very easily and causing death or bodily harm behind the wheel, the major concern is WLS patients' vulnerability toward what they call TRANSFER ADDICTIONS--alcohol being the most common one. We've already had a major addiction with food our whole lives, and are ripe for replacing our food addiction with something else--like alcohol. But, like every step of the way on our new WLS lifestyle, everything we do, every bite we take is a CHOICE, and we have been taught that every choice is subject to consequences that we have to be ready to accept if we choose the behavior.

What does your surgeon/nut say about alcohol? That's who you should listen to.

I was told no carbonation ever again and no alcohol for a year.

I had a similar question a week back as my surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. Here is the thread: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/315277-drinking-alcohol-post-op-your-experiences/

@@labwalker said: There is a big difference between folks who didn't receive guidance, and need advice from others who have shared the same journey because they have no where else to turn. I think the first poster was upset about folks who were told what to do by their doctors (such as no alcohol for six months) and then come here asking for some sort of validation for doing exactly what their doctor told them not to do. @@labwalker, it's a bit of both. Yes, some people seem committed to recreating their pre-op lifestyle as soon as possible. I sense that some patients would never have been approved for surgery if they'd had to jump through any hoops at all. But I've been puzzled that people would commit to this surgery -- no matter where or at what price -- and not be prepared either by their surgeons or, in lieu of that, self-education about what they can expect and how they will live. As @@tkauhi has just confirmed, some surgeons simply don't educate their patients about post-operative behaviors even a little bit. Mind-boggling! I have to wonder how those surgeons' patients' complication rates and long-term success rates compare (on the whole) to those of patients whose surgeons prepared them better for post-WLS life.

There is a big difference between folks who didn't receive guidance, and need advice from others who have shared the same journey because they have no where else to turn. I think the first poster was upset about folks who were told what to do by their doctors (such as no alcohol for six months) and then come here asking for some sort of validation for doing exactly what their doctor told them not to do.

2 more days until my surgery. Up until this very moment I thought I was prepared but now I'm not so sure. Feeling anxious. Had my pre op appt. on friday. I've lost a total of 47.5 lbs prior to my surgery (I started the pre op diet on January 1st so that my new eating habits would be just that...A habit). Haven't eaten any sugar, bad carbs, fast food, caffeine or alcohol since then. My doc said no liquid diet is necessary and the nurse asked me if I'd talk at one of their seminars. They were both shocked (and happy) with the amount of pre op weight I've lost. I guess I just feel kind of alone in this...I've worn this body Armore for so long, not sure what to expect when it's gone. Tell me my concerns are normal? I'm really freaking out right now...

I'm surprised at some of the questions I see here and on other WLS boards from new VSG patients, like ... * I just had VSG surgery. What am I supposed to eat now? * My surgeon says not to drink alcohol until X months out. Can I drink now anyway? * When can I start eating ice cream? * I'm four days out and just had chicken McNuggets. Have I damaged my sleeve? * If you plan to drink heavily, first take a Percocet to calm your stomach. I totally get that, even pre-op, this surgery can sometimes be overwhelming. But some patients' questions suggest that even though they've just undergone major surgery they haven't read their post-op instructions, understood their instructions, don't believe what could happen to them if they don't follow instructions, or maybe they just never received any instructions at all. Weird!

My Dr/Nut said absolutely no alcohol or carbonation for a minimum of 3 months after surgery. By law they are required to say 6 months. But my nut was like *wink wink* you "can" have some at 3 months out.

First, I'm a lap bander.... One of the most liberating things I ever did after this surgery was to stop counting calories, measuring portion sizes, etc. I also stopped using my apps like fitbit, MFP, etc...drove me crazy and I was not loosing as good as I hoped. I simply learned to eat good, healthy nutritious foods, and let the band do it's magic....I eat when I'm hungry, and when I do I eat well, and stop when I do not want to continue, again when the band says stop. I have friends who have never been fat a day in their life....yet they go out and enjoy things in life, go to parties, alcohol when they wish, etc, etc. I observed their habits when it comes to food and so forth. Also their activity levels, always involved in something such as cycling, running, swimming....always into something as a past time. My lifestyle is, and has been for a few years now the same as theirs, which I consider a normal lifestyle, that lead to a normal weight and good health.....I don't know if they have to work at it or not.... I know I can do it now because the band enables (forces) me to......before surgery, forget it...absolutely no self control around food, and not much in the activity department either.... This is a new lifestyle, a new day to day way of life....DIET is a four letter word, something I will NEVER have to do or worry about again.... Since I eat so little, less often, and there are foods I will never be able to eat again, I have become a real health nut when it comes to food....vegetarian, organic and natural when possible, and always Protein first and foremost.

Am 4 weeks can i have a drink??

I am actually afraid of EVER eating ice cream again. First, I would have to say that chocolate ice cream has always been my favorite treat, even when I was previously thin. However, I developed a very bad habit of dealing with work stress by stopping at Baskin Robbins on my way home from work. This developed into an addiction as I stopped 5 times a week for over 2 years. That is the single biggest thing that caused me to gain 60+ pounds in two years and grow to 243. I am almost 8 months post sleeve and I have not had a single bite of ice cream. I am so afraid that, like an alcoholic, if I allow myself that first bite, it will start me down the path of weight gain again. The good news is that I don't crave it or even miss it. I LOVE my Protein shakes! I use unjury chocolate splendor powder in skim milk and I add about 2-3 inches of frozen banana, ice and a little powdered Peanut Butter. Blend away, and I feel like I am having a milk shake. This is better than Baskin Robbins because it tastes delicious and it is a healthy choice. Is anyone else afraid to even have a small amount of certain trigger foods?

Hey Cath, I'm now eating normal food but I need to be careful coz sometimes it doesn't sit well. I'm two months out now. Had my first drink if alcohol last night and seemed to go down ok. How are you going???

7/21 was my surgery date, and everything went very quickly, very smoothly. I woke up pretty quickly and felt really good almost immediately (thanks, Morphine!) My surgeon used an On-Q pain pump - it's a subcutaneous line that constantly drips pain med directly to the sight of surgery; I had to carry around a little 'hand-bag' for a couple days, but it's totally worth it! Up several times the first day. Had the catheter out the second day and didn't have any problems urinating after that. Had an x-ray with contrast (yucky stuff) on second day to check how everything was running. Stopped using Morphine and went oral on pain med the Wed morning after surgery, and other than one right before they pulled the Q-pump and the Penrose drain, as well as the central line IV in my neck, the afternoon of discharge (Wed afternoon) I really haven't needed pain medicine at all! I have some soreness, to be expected, but nothing I would even want a Tylenol for. I still had quite a bit of drainage in my Jackson-Pratt drain (the one with the bulb) so I went home with that - it was finally removed on my post-op appointment this last Wednesday (10 days with drain). I'm healing up really well, still a little bit of oozing from Penrose drain site, really nothing from the Jackson-Pratt drain site, and I'm itchy itchy itchy. I got oxygen delivered when I got home, I was needing just 1 liter of O2 during exercise and 1 liter at night; now I'm just 1 liter at night for another couple weeks - I've been sleeping really well, so it's helping me heal faster. I was sent home with Enoxaparin, an injectible blood thinner, and had to do that twice a day - here's a tip: be sure to let the alcohol dry before you inject, and keep the fat pinched for a few seconds after you're done injecting, it eases the burning. Prior to my post-op appointment I had to take a nutrition class, and there were several other people that had surgery the same day. I'm graduated to soft foods (yogurt, cottage cheese, scrambled egg, soft fish, etc.), and in another week or two I'll be introducing more soft foods, with solids in about 6 weeks. The day of surgery I was down 5lb from the start of things, and at my post-op I was a total of 20lb down (10 days out). Definitely the first couple of days I felt like I was sloshing around with all the liquids they put in my IV and what I was drinking. I was warned that I could gain Water weight right after surgery and that the scale is not your friend right now! I have noticed a change already, not so much with my clothes, but I can walk down my apartment stairs now without my knees crying - and that's at 20lbs! I would seriously counsel you all to NOT WEIGHT YOURSELF the first few weeks. In fact, I don't think the scale is a friend at all - you should be trying to eat right, drink right and exercise; working the program will guarantee weight loss, but focusing so much on numbers might just discourage you. I went back to work the Monday following surgery, I've been part-time this week but have had zero trouble driving (I have a 5-speed). FYI - the three things I only used from home in the hospital were my small fan, my Android cell phone with charger, and an extension cord for both. With my phone I had relaxing music playing at night, and with the fan I really did rest well - when I wasn't being woken up by nurses! lol Honestly, this exerpience has gone so smoothly and couldn't have gone better. I felt well educated going in, the doc and nursing staff were amazing and I feel a billion pounds lighter already! The only thing I'm pretty disappointed about was that I could not post anything on my cell phone! I have an Android and am using Bariatric Pal Pro, and everytime I tried to post I was kicked out - so annoying. Anyone that is going into surgery, I wish you all luck and good health.

It could be dehydration...But you also need to consider that it maybe Hypoglycemia. Both act similar and alcohol has a lot of sucrose in it! If you do have dehydration. G2 or coconut Water will help.

When I told my mom I was going to get surgery she just looked at me and said "your crazy, all you have to do is diet and exercise", really, wow problem solved, and an alcoholic should just stop drinking and a smoker just stop smoking. If only it were all that easy! Lets see, in my 53 years of life all but a few have been spent dieting and exercising and obsessing over my weight (0-10 were okay).

I am proud of the fact that I have quit alcohol for the time being in preparation of surgery. I think that most of my weight is from those bourbon drinks! Eventually I would like to have a drink or 2 in the future. Glad to know that I can if I really want too.

My psych also specializes in children and adolescents but I've been with him over 8 years now and I wouldn't want to change. At this point we're just in medication management. He asks me how I'm feeling and about my family situation (he also saw my ex-husband while we were married and he talks with me about my 20 yo son's drug and alcohol abuse). He accepts my insurance so that's not a factor for me. I only see him every 3 months to make sure the meds are still working. It's "medication maintenance". Maybe you could ask your doctor if he could write you 90 day scripts and just see you every three months. That will help with the costs and from what I hear from friends who see psychs for med maintenance it's normal practice. It's what my insurance will cover as well. Let him know it's what you'd like and see how he responds. Then you can make a decision to stay there or move on. Good luck!

I haven't heard of that particular one, but I do know there are lots of "Protein breads" out there. But again, there's always way more carbs than protein in anything like that. It's the nature of the beast...baked goods, bread, Pasta and grains will ALWAYS be carb heavy, no matter what they do to try and sell it as a protein or low carb product. Believe me, I don't eat perfect 100% of the time, but I sure did for the first 4-5 months. Since then I have had ice cream, tiramisu, cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, blueberry muffins, alcohol, crackers, noodles, etc. But not until I was at (or darned close to) goal weight. I don't plan on dieting the rest of my life, so I'm OK with eating these things in moderation since I'm technically in the maintenance stage. But 90% of the time it's still protein first, then veggies, fruit and whole grains/fiber.

You know, it is funny, if you mention alcohol, you hear about empty calories, blah, blah. I know they are emply, but I love an IPA, such as Sierra Nevada Torpedo. I am getting sleeved on Sept. 24, so I am worried I will miss it too much. You still have to live your life.