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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.

I don't drink alcohol, so this hasn't been an issue for me. I was wondering the other day if banded people can still drink beer, or if it's too fizzy. I guess it's carbonated, so should be on the no-drink list?

I am not going to sugar coat this.. I am a sorry if you are offended by this comment.. First of all you need to stop going to these lounges.. i understand that you enjoy going out with your friends but you need to concentrate on becoming healthy. You got this surgery because you were overweight and this was the last decision on how to become health and a normal weight.. Your friends if they are your real friends they will understand whats going on. Alcohol isn't a very good thing to have that many times a week for anyone. excessive alcohol can cause damage. Watching you tube videos you will see that it can cause you to stop or delay weight loss.. You might want to consider going to a gym instead of going to the lounges.. I would think that once a week is okay but not three to four times a week. Another issues is carbonation isn't very good you are or can stretch your band because of that... which then leads to slip bands and complications.

I'm sorry but I have to say it. Your drinking is excessive. Not long ago there was a research study that showed in families where the males were alcohics; the females were statistically more likely to be obese. In my family there are a significant number of male alcoholics and most of the females are overweight. The compulsion to drink is closely related to the urge to eat when you are'nt hungry.

July 5 for me at fair oaks hospital virginia. Dr moazzez. Starting weight: 205, current weight 181 (no clothes). Eating less, losing weight, can't wait for band to help me stop feeling so crummy and hungry. My plan is to be hungry for next 16 days and then applying current better eating habits to my new pouch. Have diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Need excess weight gone so I can live to see great grandchildren born.

You do know that alcohol is frowned upon after the surgery right? LOL I have no idea where you came up with that but I thank you

Try this http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f22466/december-delights-2009-a-106299/index23.html#post1388171 or search December Delights 2009 On the drinking thing my lap-band book says that "alcohol has a high number of calories and breaks down Vitamins but an occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage is not considered harmful to weight loss". I would think a beer would be like a coke with the carbonation and all but they do sell some low carb lite beer. Good going all!!

Ok So i'm almost 8 day's into liquid diet Pre-Op. I actually made it through the weekend yay! Caffeine withdrawel headache has subsided compeltely but sunday i had a total meltdown and had a cup of caffeine FREE coffee with fat free skim and a splenda.. so if that is cheating then i'm sorry but it was heaven and really helped me throughout the day . I've not had any food thats not on the list of liquids and i don't plan to, but my weekend needed that ! I have givin up smoking from 2 packs a day to zip 0, alcohol, and food and caffeine. I think i'm doing great! woot woot.. surgery next monday 9/20/10

There are several issues with alcohol, and different docs have differeing concerns about them. The basic initial concern is healing of the stomach, and that's where many docs come down to something around a three month limitation. Empty calories, too is a concern during the weight loss period, but that's no different than talking about Twinkies or any other kind of junk food. The biggie that some docs fret over is liver health - as obese patients, our livers are generally in pretty poor shape to begin with, and then they are further taxed with their role in metabolizing all of the fat that we are losing - they don't need any more stress from metabolizing the alcohol. So, that's where some docs come up with a no alcohol during the entire weight loss period policy - this is my doc's plan, and he's a bit more anal about liver health than most WLS docs as he also does liver transplants, and he doesn't want to see his bariatric patients coming back as transplant patients. The other concern is the prospect of transfer addiction - many of us were addicted to food, and with that taken away by the surgery, that addiction can be transferred to something else that was never a problem pre-op, like alcohol or gambling - so that is something to watch out for. The other thing to watch is that most find that their body's response has changed - usually feeling the alcohol's effects sooner and with less (things tend to go thru quicker, particularly liquids), but then they tend to recover quicker, too. Those are the major issues that influence the differerent surgeons' policies on alcohol and WLS, so take them for what you will. Overall, the occasional drink is not likely to be any more harmful than the occasional twinkie, but there are potential problems with it being a regular thing during the post-op period. Good luck, and may you have something to celebrate!

@@ktscott Hi and welcome! I actually had gastric bypass instead of the sleeve because I suffered from severe reflux. I have an automatic immune disease as well called psoriatic arthritis. Every 8 weeks I get an injection of Stelara which helps with both the psoriasis as well as the joint damage. I try to avoid steroids because it makes the skin condition much worse however I recently had spine surgery and was literally forced to take both IV steroids and oral steroids for a number of weeks. I had no problems with it in terms of my new tummy but of course the steroids kicked up my psoriasis very bad,y and now I am taking a daily dose of Cyclosporine. Hopefully it won't be for too long but it is liquid and if I don't eat something or drink a Protein shake it tends to burn my tummy. I have not had that sensation in the last 11 months since my bypass. It cured my reflux. I suspect there is something like alcohol in that drug which causes the burning sensation. Anyway, there are plenty of people with RA on this site but I would not be overly concerned. If you are taking NSAIDs that won't be allowed. They can cause severe ulcers in your new tummy so they try to have you take Tylenol instead. I found after this surgery that Tylenol based pain relievers actually work. Before surgery that was not the case so I was worried about stopping Aleive. I have not missed it at all. Good luck and let me know if you have further questions!

1- I have only been able to get down a couple of bites of non-mushy food, is this how its is now or is this just because its a new fill. With my second fill I went for about a week, maybe 10 days where my limit was 3 bites...but it did relax. It did not go away, I am still working with that second fill 18 months later! 2- Whats a typical day like for you with good restriction, what do you eat? Drink? Exercise? I know there are similar threads, but I don't think with a combination of all things.. I have what I consider WONDERFUL restriction, it is not really like a shock collar for me---when I get to the point of hurting, it is toooooo late! The reason I feel so good about my restriction is that is seems to be working more on my hunger than on being tight. I am not starving all the time, so, I don't care to eat much. When I do eat, my portion size is still extremely reduced compared to what I used to eat. It is also a lot more than what many on the site eat. But I feel like what I can do now is get proper nutrition. I can eat enough to feel like my Vitamins and mineral needs are being met---my blood work up and overall health is great, and soooo much improved! I eat pretty much everything. I eat much less of it. And I eat it in different ways than I used to. I concentrate on nutrition in my meals a big majority of the time--I mean I still have things that are not always good for me---but not as often anymore. Where before a large part of my big plate would hold starchy foods, now they are only a bite or 2 max---it mainly consists of Protein, and veggies. But since I DO pay attention most of the time, then when I go out, or have something I really want---I eat it. I do not have problems with food, because as I say I am NOT tightly restricted. I can eat bread, just very little, and very slow....same with Pasta or rice---it is not a food that makes me comfy eating it anymore. Where it used to be THE comfort food---now it causes discomfort enough, I just don't care for it often. Drinks---I drink mostly iced tea---decaf, because my DH cannot have caffeine. But juices, Water, chocolate milk, occasional shake--protein or not. Since banding I have had the occasional Diet Dr. Pepper....but I could probably count them on my fingers. I have had alcoholic drinks---no beer, just have not been brave enough to try---it isn't a biggie to me! I have not found anything I cannot drink. If I do not drink enough water/tea---my weight loss stalls. It is something I push--to keep above 64 ounces a day. Exercise---not as much as I should---or will when summer gets here again! I joined Curves---when I was about 6 months out. I also lift light free weights with DH---and when the weather is nice I walk---and play with my grandkids....I mean play---run, swing, go down the slide....fun stuff! This winter I had to have thyroid surgery, and have slacked in my exercise--but Spring is comin' and I have Spring fever to be outside doing something!!! As for being overfilled. My SIL who is banded, stayed so overfilled she could not get in even enough water and ended up with permanent kidney damage caused by continued dehydration, and she was drinking, but not enough, and not eating. Overfilling can be very dangerous....I would not suggest it for anyone, for any length of time at all. I would prefer it to take a little longer and my band last me....it is my understanding that being too tight is linked to slippage, as well as erosion. Leather---I personally would not worry too much with a first fill, if the Dr. is not super aggressive with fills. If it was not the first I would highly suggest waiting til after the trip---it might still be something to consider. Have you ever been air sick? If so---do NOT get the fill. If it will be close to your TOM, do NOT get the fill. It is not unusual for fills to kick in several days after receiving them---and to be so remote with no pre selected medical help available---I would be very cautious. Fluoro shows how the fill is reacting at that time, it does not help with swelling caused by the fill which is usually the few days following the fill. How long will you be gone? And can you get in to get your fill soon after returning? Are you dealing with serious Bandster Hell? I am of the mind----better safe than sorry...... Kat

I definitely understand this. I've been telling pretty much everyone in my inner circle that I am going through with surgery, even updating my Facebook with my current weight loss progress, and it seems like I've got a good amount of outside support! My main concern is I drink like a fish (not alcohol, but water, for instance) and it seems like I won't be able to chug water like I am able to now. I think I can handle the food, though. I've been replacing 1-2 of my meals a day with a protein shake as of recently and its not terrible! I am happy to hear that you feel that way. I honestly think its the best choice for people who struggle with their health and losing any weight at all is a step in the right direction to a longer, healthier life.

Good Morning :cake: Ira CONGRATULATIONS !!!!! Prayers do help :cake: Beanie, that picture is HUGE !!! almost pee'd in my pants...it scared me ROFL. Congrats on the 1 1/2 lb down girlie GOOD JOB !!! 2/6/06 DATE OMG !!!!!!!!! YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats less than 2 weeks YEAH YEAH !!! Betty good luck w/your interview "CROSSING FINGERS" Patty, I'm glad your staying on top of things with the LB. People will let things slide if you don't. And thank you for the Happy Band... wishes lolol. I just can't wait for a fill on Feb 3... I'm gaining and I can feel it. Cindy coming from a family of alcoholics, I really understand where your coming from. My DH is not an alcoholic but my dad was and my brothers are. I'm glad your doing what your doing for your daughter's sake. One thing I promised myself is that my DD will never see her dad or I bring a beer bottle to our mouths. Kids absorbe to much and I remember seeing that as a child thinking it was okay. There's a family up the street that are heavy hitters as well. WHen you go to their house the little boy 7 years old will ask you as soon as you come in the house... do you want a beer? WTF ya know. Your a wise person. Nothing much is new here, sosdd. Just working like a fool lol. Trying not to over eat but pfffffffffffffft.... thats just not happening. Hurry Fill !!! Whats up with you all ? HAPPY HUMP DAY !!!

My surgeon has the same advice. I was was an avid wine/beer drinker pre- surgery (especially around the holidays). I am only 4 weks out, so no alcohol yet, but man do I look forward to a glass of wine someday lol I have family members with a sleeve and RNY and they both drink post-op. Aside from not drinking as much to getting drunk much faster they have had no other "complications"

I just want to share my personal AL knowledge and experiences. Please, hear all of my message. I had my VSG on 11/30/15. My surgeon specifically made me promise never to drink again. Well, except champagne toast at my upcoming wedding. Both of my parents and my younger sister had the gastric bypass almost 15 years ago. My dad rarely drank before, but is now an alcoholic (struggling with recovery). My sister first had prescription pain medication addiction. Once she got that addiction under control, she began drinking. She is currently in an alcohol recovery program. Of course everyone is different. Not everyone that drinks becomes an alcoholic, but statistics DO show an increased risk post weight loss surgeries. I guess I just don't understand choosing such a drastic procedure to improve quality of life, then knowingly possibly choosing a life of addiction.

No one was at the restaurant is holding a gun to your head to make you eat. I find it humerous that people are suing McD's for making them fat. They chose to go in there, eat that food, and in great volumes I might add. McDs provides a service. Bars provide a service. Bars don't cause alcoholics. They might make it easier for people with obsessions to get a "fix", but they are not the cause. There are healthy choices out there. I hardly ever stop at a fast food restaurant. I really don't think of it. We eat out a couple times a week, but tend to go to restaurants. They are just as costly as visiting a fast food restaurant, but at a restaurant I can make better choices. Sometimes I think people think it is easier to stop at a fast food joint than to cook something or search for something better for them. Its all about choices.

The military is another interesting angle. Military families can (or at least could last I was part of one) live free on base or receive BAH to cover/offset if not. Core utilities were free or very greatly reduced. Major appliances are provided. Maintenance (structural) was free. Goods could be purchased at reduced rates, and with decreased sales tax through commissaries and PX. Including non-necessities like alcohol, beauty accessories, furniture, etc. Medical was free, dental was free. I don't remember vision but I think it was free too. Cheap life insurance. There was no required budget for work attire. Gas to and fro base, but parking was free and things like bridge passes were comped. Then consider all civilian world discounts (granted their use is optional). An E-4's avg. full compensation is around $40,000 not including "extras" (e.g. special pay) and not including what they're saving on ancillary perks such as the free medical. With branch discretions. Why is it so much harder (or at least perceived to be harder) for military families? We always did fine, but when I think back, quite a few of the families were on some form of welfare. I can see reasons in most cases, largely around choices or responsibility, not so much related to being a military family.

@@aclinton16 You obviously missed my second post about this subject. BTW - Which medical school did you graduate from? Obviously you did since you are implying what you think is the answer to all. I only imparted what my doctor's office told me. We all think to each his own, but to say you think it has nothing to do with brain damage is misleading unless you have a medical license. If you take a moment to research some academic articles on the internet instead of posting what you think with nothing to back it up, you will find numerous studies performed that do indicate alcohol can lead to neurological damage based on so many factors for each individual. Their own tolerance, calorie intake, ketosis, glucose levels, muscle mass, liver mass, it goes on and on. So it's not damn wonder it effects people differently. So as I said before, to each his own but it's not worth the risk to me. But don't worry, we'll all sleep better tonight knowing you think brain damage won't happen.

I am 1 month out. Last night I went to a concert with dinner before hand. I had a few ounces of hummus and also ordered a Cabernet. I had 4 sips of it over an hour. I didn't get sick. The first sip was too big and it kind of rushed to my head at first but I was fine. No pain. I got slightly buzzed but didn't last long at all. It was kind of weird for me to be at a concert with so much alcohol and not partake, but I still had a blast! I danced around and had fun

Okay, so I was babysitting for a neighbor of mine. She called to see how the kids were doing. They were sleeping but I asked her if she had anything for a stuffed up nose. I was thinking she might have some sort of decongestant but I didn't see any in the medicine cabinet. She told me next to her bed, on the night stand, there was a bottle of nose spray and I could use that. ( I washed the tip of the bottle with alcohol) Also on the night stand, was a tube of lube that said it was for anal sex. It got me wondering why women do this. I could see why a guy would want to do it. I would suppose it's tighter and feels good for him. But does it feel good for her? I can't see it feeling any different than being horribly constipated. I wish I had never seen that tube of lube!

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.

Hi! My surgery is scheduled for Monday, May 6th. This pre-op diet is getting on my nerves, I'm irritable at times, but, I'm making it. When people ask me if I'm excited...my reply usually is " is an alcoholic excited to go into DETOX?" I'm anxious. I'm confused (about trying to cook for a family and then myself) I'm nervous I'm scared BUT, I have noticed (after being on preop diet for 6 days) that my clothes are looser on me, and that gives me a feeling of affirmation that I am doing the right thing. I worry, because I have a friend that didn't really loose much weight after hers, and now weighs more than before her surgery. That sums it up. I'm very thankful to have found this site, and appreciate hearing from people exactly in the same place as me.

Dee, Feb. 9 is good for me, 6:30 or 7:00? I got this from the IRS web site: Topic 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses If you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A (PDF), you may be able to deduct expenses you paid that year for medical care (including dental) for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. A deduction is allowed only for expenses paid for the prevention or alleviation of a physical or mental defect or illness. Medical care expenses include payments for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or treatment affecting any structure or function of the body. The cost of drugs is deductible only for drugs that require a prescription, except for insulin. Medical expenses include fees paid to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and Christian Science practitioners. Also included are payments for hospital services, qualified long–term care services, nursing services, and laboratory fees. Payments for acupuncture treatments or inpatient treatment at a center for alcohol or drug addiction are also deductible medical expenses. You may include amounts you paid for participating in a smoking–cessation program and for drugs prescribed to alleviate nicotine withdrawal. However, you may not deduct amounts paid for nicotine gum and nicotine patches, which do not require a prescription. You may deduct the cost of participating in a weight-loss program for a specific disease or diseases, including obesity, diagnosed by a physician. You may not deduct the cost of purchasing diet food items. In addition, you may include expenses for admission and transportation to a medical conference relating to the chronic disease of yourself, your spouse, or your dependent (if the costs are primarily for and essential to the medical care). However, you may not deduct the costs for meals and lodging while attending the medical conference. The cost of items such as false teeth, prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, laser eye surgery, hearing aids, crutches, wheelchairs, and guide dogs for the blind or deaf are deductible medical expenses. You may not deduct funeral or burial expenses, health club dues, over–the–counter medicines, toothpaste, toiletries, cosmetics, a trip or program for the general improvement of your health, or most cosmetic surgery. You may deduct transportation costs primarily for and essential to medical care that qualify as medical expenses. The actual fare for a taxi, bus, train, or ambulance can be deducted. If you use your car for medical transportation, you can deduct actual out–of–pocket expenses such as gas and oil, or you can deduct the standard mileage rate for medical expenses. With either method you may include tolls and parking fees. You may include in medical expenses the incidental cost of meals and lodging charged by the hospital or similar institution if your main reason for being there is to receive medical care. You can only include the medical expenses you paid during the year, regardless of when the services were provided. Your total medical expenses for the year must be reduced by any reimbursement. It makes no difference if you receive the reimbursement or if it is paid directly to the doctor or hospital. You may include qualified medical expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents, including a person you claim as a dependent under a multiple support agreement. If either parent claims a child as a dependent under the rules for divorced or separated parents, each parent may deduct the medical expenses he or she actually pays for the child. You can also deduct medical expenses you paid for someone who would have qualified as your dependent except that the person didn't meet the gross income or joint return test. You may deduct only the amount by which your total medical care expenses for the year exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You do this calculation on Form 1040 Schedule A in computing the amount deductible. Medical expenses include insurance premiums paid for accident and health or qualified long-term care insurance. You may not deduct insurance premiums for life insurance, for policies providing for loss of wages because of illness or injury, or policies that pay you a guaranteed amount each week for a sickness. In addition, the deduction for a qualified long–term care insurance policy's premium is limited. Refer to Publication 502 , Medical and Dental Expenses. You may not deduct insurance premiums paid by an employer–sponsored health insurance plan (cafeteria plan) unless the premiums are included in Box 1 of your Form W-2 (PDF). If you are self–employed and have a net profit for the year, or if you are a partner in a partnership or a shareholder in an S corporation, you may be able to deduct, as an adjustment to income, 100% of the amount you pay for medical insurance for yourself and your spouse and dependents. You can include the remaining premiums with your other medical expenses as an itemized deduction. You cannot take the special 100% deduction for any month in which you are eligible to participate in any subsidized health plan maintained by your employer or your spouse's employer. Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, contains additional information.

hey marcy, you are having surgery on my birthday...woo hoooo I had surgery on Jan 29th and am down 61 pounds so far. Don't worry about gaining...just concentrate, imo, on making healthier choices. That is a must after surgery. Just like alcoholic, I can't be around the "good stuff", I have to choose to do the right thing. Best wishes girl, best thing I have ever done in my whole life!!!

Green: You continue to bring a different perspective to this discussion that is incredibly helpful and appreciated. Your personal experiences are a testament to how important it is for people not to make reproductive decisions for others. No one can truly know what is in one's heart and soul. And it only helps to solidify my very strong belief that legislators do not have any business making laws that control women's reproductive rights. Btw, when I was a legislative aide in Richmond, many years ago, I met a brilliant young female attorney who was working as a lobbyist (not too many females equipped to compete with the men at the time) in Washington. We frequently had lunch together and discussed topics of the day. Women's rights, the ERA, abortion and many other things were hot items in the media and on the Hill where she worked when Virginia's legislature wasn't in session. One day as we broached the topic of abortion rights, she told me her story. When she was young and in college, a college football player who was headed for the pros, took her to a party. She was a young Freshman, totally enamoured with this fine looking big man on campus. During the party, he (or a friend of his) slipped some kind of substance in her non-alcoholic drink. Later, in the front seat of his car, he forceably took advantage of her condition. She was helpless to stop him - couldn't even feel her limbs, or face. It won't surprise you to know that she became pregnant. Her story isn't all that unique. But she was a young woman who knew better than to be alone in the car with someone she didn't know well, and totally beat herself up emotionally over it. She had to take time off from school to have the baby. But she did. Afterall, abortion was illegal. She gave the baby up for adoption since there was no way she could take care of him on her own. She lost her scholarship since she interrupted her studies for more than a semester. She had to work to get back in school and back on track with her plan to be able to take care of herself as an adult. She subsequently found that she could not allow herself to become serious with any man because she knew she would have to reveal her "unfortunate" past. She sure couldn't lie, even had she wanted to. Her stretch marks would never allow that. She told me over and over that day, how much she wished she had been able to have an abortion. She had all the scars and emotional trauma from going through 9 months of pregnancy and the painful delivery, with nothing positive to show for it, only the emotional trauma of having allowed herself to be taken advantage of by a man she barely knew. She was extremely unhappy because she had to live with the fact that she had a child out there somewhere, whom she did not know, but who could show up on her doorstep anytime in the future, expecting her unconditional love. I also had a friend in high school who got pregnant, her boyfriend abandoned her, and she went to Illinois to finish her pregnancy and deliver the baby, whom she gave up for adoption. She was only 17. Later, she went to nursing school, got a B.S. degree and married a sweet young man. They had their first child and unfortunately he had Down's Syndrome. So she gave up her first totally healthy child, only to find herself raising a Down's Syndrome child. She always blamed herself for giving up the first child - thought it was God's way of punishing her. She was very active in the Baptist Church in our hometown. However, she and her husband subsequently divorced. She and I had another friend when we were just out of our freshman year going into high school, who became pregnant at age 15. This friend was a cheerleader, beautiful and from a wealthy family. Her father took her to Dallas (we lived in OK) for a quick abortion. She didn't miss a day of school or one cheerleading practice. She went on to get her Master's Degree and is a school administrator after 10 years of a successful teaching career. She married her childhood sweetheart (father of the aborted fetus) and they had 3 children and basically have lived happily ever after. So I've come by my feelings about this topic via listening to friends and acquaintences' experiences and seeing the torture that they have experienced and knowing that no one but the people immediately involved should be making a decision of whether to have a baby or not. Sometimes an abortion can cause untold mental trauma for a woman, sometimes having a baby and giving it up for adoption can cause unquestionable mental trauma. Sometimes things are not so traumatic and there is peace in everyone's heart. But these are not things that can be achieved just because some lawmaker says they must happen by their rules. When you've lived through the age of illegal abortions, you realize that this is a very complicated and generally strident topic. I haven't thought about these things for years. But with the current administration and Supreme Court appointees, it has resurfaced its' ugly head. I just wish it wasn't a relevant debate today.