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My doctor addressed the issue. No drinking for 3 to 6 months then it will go slowly. My first g and T was 3 months out. Drank about 2 oz and was woozie. Two days later had another and finished it 1`.5 hours after it was served. The next one my roommate (a true alcoholic) had to finish it. Have not had one in nearly 6 months and may not. Too much money for what little I get from it.

From the fast diet website: Well today is my first day and it’s a fast day! I already do 4:3 most weeks (Mon-Wed-Fri) so will be doing that for the whole 6 weeks. Normally if plans make 4:3 difficult then I just do 5:2 but for the 6 weeks I will sub with a weekend or do back to back in the week. I usually save all my calories for even meal and plan to continue this. (I think I might also do a sep personal diary thread). Here is a short summary of what I have gleaned so far……. Mimi describes the FBD as a “short term, souped up strategy for summer” It’s approach is three pronged, based on way to: - tighten up on fast days - toughen up on non fast days - tune in on any day One of the ways suggested to tighten up on fast days is to try 4:3 but it is not the only suggestion. There is also suggestion to do 2-2 (based on Brad Pilon’s book Eat Stop Eat) which essentially means after a normal lunch on day 1 eat sparingly (or nothing at all) until a late lunch the following day . Extending the fasting window so rather than have say Breakfast at 7am and supper at 7pm missing breakfast or fasting from supper to supper. And being fastidious about your calorie quota. On non fast days it is about holding back on indulgences and “superfluous snacks” and treats, cutting alcohol (entirely or reducing), eating less refined foods and cooking at home. Suggestions include following a more Mediterranean diet or even Japanese with more emphasis on healthy cooking (grilling, steaming, raw). Aiming to have meals based more around vegetables and reducing meat intake, being careful about portion sizes etc. There are lots of other great tips – some of which I have already done over the years like eating more mindfully and not having dinner on autopilot. Then there is emphasis on quality of exercise and the suggestion to introduce 3 High Intensity Training (HIT) to your weekly exercise schedule. They also state it should be 3 max and give lots of suggestions on how to do this. Plus 2 strength training sessions incorporating push ups, lunges etc. on non cardio/HIT days. I suppose if you have Fast Exercise by Michael Moseley you could get the info there. http://thefastdiet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/FB-PLANNER.pdf Book available in US paperback on amazon. Not on kindle yet.

This is from the fast diet website. Evidently the kindle version is available in UK. (Cathy and Coops). http://thefastdiet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/FB-PLANNER.pdf From one of people starting this bootcamp: Well today is my first day and it’s a fast day! I already do 4:3 most weeks (Mon-Wed-Fri) so will be doing that for the whole 6 weeks. Normally if plans make 4:3 difficult then I just do 5:2 but for the 6 weeks I will sub with a weekend or do back to back in the week. I usually save all my calories for even meal and plan to continue this. (I think I might also do a sep personal diary thread). Here is a short summary of what I have gleaned so far……. Mimi describes the FBD as a “short term, souped up strategy for summer” It’s approach is three pronged, based on way to: - tighten up on fast days - toughen up on non fast days - tune in on any day One of the ways suggested to tighten up on fast days is to try 4:3 but it is not the only suggestion. There is also suggestion to do 2-2 (based on Brad Pilon’s book Eat Stop Eat) which essentially means after a normal lunch on day 1 eat sparingly (or nothing at all) until a late lunch the following day . Extending the fasting window so rather than have say breakfast at 7am and supper at 7pm missing breakfast or fasting from supper to supper. And being fastidious about your calorie quota. On non fast days it is about holding back on indulgences and “superfluous snacks” and treats, cutting alcohol (entirely or reducing), eating less refined foods and cooking at home. Suggestions include following a more Mediterranean diet or even Japanese with more emphasis on healthy cooking (grilling, steaming, raw). Aiming to have meals based more around vegetables and reducing meat intake, being careful about portion sizes etc. There are lots of other great tips – some of which I have already done over the years like eating more mindfully and not having dinner on autopilot. Then there is emphasis on quality of exercise and the suggestion to introduce 3 High Intensity Training (HIT) to your weekly exercise schedule. They also state it should be 3 max and give lots of suggestions on how to do this. Plus 2 strength training sessions incorporating push ups, lunges etc. on non cardio/HIT days. I suppose if you have Fast Exercise by Michael Moseley you could get the info there.

I don't drink alcohol because I partied enough for everyone when I was young lol. I do drink coffee though at least three a day. Once in a while now I will have a diet soda but I shake it up to make it kind of flat. I love Water though its a good thing.

This is definitely one of those - varies by surgeon questions. [lap-band patient here] I had no restrictions on coffee except the day of surgery that morning but I wasn't allowed to eat or drink period that morning. I have no restrictions about caffeine except from a generic do not over do it (but that might be more from my primary or ob since I'm trying to conceive). I really didn't have any restrictions on alcohol. I'm definitely a lightweight. I limit my beer due to carbonation. I can drink hard liquor or wine no problem (as long as it's not bubbly wine). Well I still drink bubbly wine but try to let the bubbles dissipate some, drink it slowly and don't drink too much. Carbonation - between beer, bubbly wine, or soda - I just try my best to limit it. I have the lap band. The bubbles tends to expand my pouch which in turn seems to push on that vagus (I think that's the one) nerve which in turn makes my shoulder hurt. I wasn't much of a soda drinker to begin with, but I loved beer. Being in pain from drinking is not that relaxing. I'll have a few sips of my fiancé's and that's about it. Now keep in mind that most surgeons recommend about 800-1000 calories per day, so if you're having a 100-200-400 calorie drink that's a significant chunk of your calories that you drank. My weight loss had stalled for a while, I cut out alcohol and it's moving again. It's empty calories but it is such an enjoyable part of life. You'll need to find a balance for what works for you, your goals, and your surgeons requests.

My Dr. told me that I would have to give up my diet cokes after the surgery!!! I gave it up for Lent however I didn't know it was going to be the rest of my life!!! I am trying to have it only occassionally because I need to learn to live without drinking my favorite drink! I don't drink alcohol anymore and the only coffee I can drink is Carmel Frappuccino Light....and it took me all my life to find any kind of drink with coffee in it but my husband said just try it......so now he's got to support my habit. I am hoping to lose the desire of it like most of you all did.....

@@James Marusek My doctor has the same "rules"... no caffeine, no carbonation and no alcohol -- and he's said forever. They just don't contribute to health and have bad side effects. The hardest for me will be the caffeine and carbonation -- I'm a Diet Coke addict so I hope like many others on here, I lose the desire for it.

Some of the restrictions depends upon the type of surgery. In general, Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages because it stimulates appetite, irritates stomach lining after surgery and acts like a diuretic. Avoid carbonated beverages because it causes increase in gas and puts pressure against the healing staple line which can lead to ulcers. Avoid alcohol because it's empty calories, irritates the new stomach after surgery and may cause dumping syndrome. In my case, I had a 6 diet Coke per day habit. When I began my medically monitored weight loss program required by my insurance, I went cold turkey on the diet cokes. I had a rough couple weeks because my body was addicted to the cokes. But because I made that change alone, I lost 20 pounds in a few weeks. I suspect the carbonated beverage releases small explosions of carbon dioxide that microscopically expands my stomach. Over time my larger stomach allows me to eat more and I gain weight. When I cut this component out, my stomach grew a little smaller and I lost weight.

My surgeon says one cup of coffee a day is fine. That's all I have. I am off carbonation and alcohol. He doesn't want us drinking for a year. I don't think I will drink until I hit goal.

I stopped drinkng soda 6 months before my pre-op and haven't had any sense. My doctor told me I had to stay away from the carbination and to be honest I don't miss it and I was a BIGGG soda drinker. As far as alcohol is concerned I'm not a drinker so.....I drink alot of tea throughout the day and it's cafinated, my doctor never said I couldn't have caffenee but every doctor has different guidelines. The reward of not having certain things is far greater than having them:-) Good luck on your decision!

I'm not sure you can actually use the words binging and responsibly in the same sentence. We all know anything in excess is not good for you whether it's food, alcohol, stress you name it, it's all hard on the body. Vomiting like that can cause your band to slip, and in addition to that alcohol contains tons of calories, sugar and carbs. Just because we can, doesn't mean we should;) I think since being banded our bodies process some things differently then they once did so what you may have been able to do before you may not be able to do now. Listen to your body and your band and most important check with your dr. tell them what happened and follow their advice to the T. Good luck!!!!

I know alcohol is a subject all on it's own and some people don't drink with the band. My dr never said not to drink. I like to binge drink occasionally and responsibly (I'm 23). I will only have a drink while I'm out for dinner or something but last night I saw friends I haven't seen in awhile and we partied. I drank a significant amount of alcohol and was okay but this morning I ended up puking all morning. I rarely vomit from alcohol. Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has been able to drink, be drunk, and not vomit with the band

My surgeon required me to be caffeine free prior to surgery - that sucked, because I was a 4-6 cup of coffee per day person. But I did it because it was important. I wasn't much of a soda drinker prior to surgery, but I did enjoy some every once in a while. I wasn't a heavy alcohol drinker, but I did have a drink sometimes. So, I'm 6 months out...I do drink coffee, but not as much as I used to (I had to pinkie promise my dock that I wouldn't go back to old habits). I enjoy a Starbucks Carmel Macchiato, but it's a treat, not a habit. I drink 2 cups of decaf and 1 cup of regular every day. My drink is a DiSorrono and Coke...I've had two since surgery. The carbonation didn't bother me, but I stirred and stirred to try to flatten it. I can't see my drinking a lot of soda - it just doesn't make me feel good.

Not sure if I woulda gone ahead with wls if someone told me I'd have to give up coffee (well, probly but I wouldn't have been happy). I was offered coffee after I passed my leak test the day after surgery in the hospital. It didn't sound good so I didn't have 1 for about 4 weeks. Then I just woke up and said "Today is the day"! I drink 1-2 cups (to be perfectly honest, they're more mugs than cups) a day splashed with a little sf creamer or sf coffee syrup and milk. I only drink good coffee (grind my Beans as I go) and my family says I'm the "coffee snob" of the family. U couldn't pay me to drink Folgers. As for alcohol, I do drink a glass of red wine most nites. Started that about 3 mths post op. I don't remember there being rule about alcohol, as in when. Just remember to log in those calories (and don't drink too much cuz that will lead to mindless eating - been there). And I've taken a sip or 2 of hubbys soda about once a month when we go out to eat. I miss it when I eat pizza, but thats about it. My dr told me that carbonation might stretch my sleeve so that scares me enuf to keep me away. And I'm not a big fan of letting the bubbles die and then drinking it (as some suggest). Yuck. Whats the point? Good luck to u!

I don't have any carbonation per surgeon's instructions but no problem with alcohol or caffeine. I am a big tea drinker and I enjoy a drink or two some evenings. I don't feel deprived -- at all.

Every doctor seems to have his or her own protocol regarding alcohol, carbonation, and caffeine. I don't drink soda. I used to drink a ton of it and now I just don't. You get used to it. My doctor has no issue with alcohol and caffeine in moderation. I stay away from cocktails..too much sugar/calories. I drink a glass or two of white wine when I'm out to dinner. And yes..the smaller you are, the more you will feel the effects so be aware of that. I also drink coffee but again, in moderation. Two cups max. And I mean cups....not mugs. Here's the whole point of this my friend. Nothing...and I mean nothing tastes as good as thin or normal feels. I know you can see my ticker but take a look at my before and after pics. Amazing..huh? Yes...those are both pictures of me.

I have been soda-free for 6 months (4 pre-op / 2 post-op) and alcohol free for 3 months. I don't miss soda, but i do miss a beer or cocktail everyone now and then. My surgeon told me no alcohol until 6 months post-op. I've read people on here having a glass of wine after 3 months so it's different for everyone. I also gave up caffeine and if I need a coffee I now have decaf. I actually really like how I feel being clean. My head is clearer, I sleep so much better, and I seem to be more in tune with with what my body needs / wants. i wish I could explain it better - I didn't think there would be this much difference when I was researching this surgery, but it is amazing. For example, I know if I don'pt get all my Protein and Water in day 1, day 2 I'm not going to feel very well. I usually wake up with a head ache and feel weak. So everyday I can tell what i did right / and need to work on. I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is ready to make these life style changes. But I feel that is the key - ready to make the change. And they are life long changes.

Very early stages of electing for WLS. I have been reading that many people all together lost the urge for soda and booze. I love bourbon, will I have to forgo this for life? moderation? after losing weight can I get the little buzz from just a drink? I have come to the point where I need to give it up if I want to see my 3 year old and my unborn child grow up. Something that I do enjoy every morning (sometimes feels like a necessity) is my coffee to get me up and moving. how does caffeine affect the body after WLS? I have been looking forward to a real motivator to get me to stop most of these things that are generally unhealthy to begin with.

Random B12 information (includes some folate) Causes of non-megaloblastic macrocytosis (megaloblastic meaning large immature erythroblasts that come from the bone marrow, due to defective DNA synthesis, normally either B12, folate or both deficiencies. Macrocytosis refers to a blood condition in which red blood cells (RBC) are larger than normal) Liver disease can cause these items, as B12 can be stored for years in the liver. Unless released due to problems with the liver, it is normally good for 2-5 years. Serum folate levels are normally taken but red cell folate is more specific. Serum B12 is NOT not always an accurate reflection of deficiency at a cellular level. This is why some patients have symptoms when the injections or pills are reduced, even with normal B12 levels. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570488/ http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410469_4 "A low serum folate level may indicate only a decrease in folate intake over the preceding few days. [26] A better indicator of tissue folate status is RBC folate concentration, which remains relatively unchanged while a red cell is in the circulation and thus provides an assessment of folate turnover during the 2 or 3 months preceding measurement. Also, low RBC folate levels correlate better with the degree of megaloblastic changes in the bone marrow than do low serum folate levels. When there is coexistent Iron deficiency, liver disease, serum and RBC folate levels may be normal -- and serum B 12 levels may be normal or even elevated -- but tissue Vitamin deficiency can be present. This is only demonstrable via subtle hypersegmentation and/or deoxyuridine suppression test and is subsequently confirmed by response to vitamin therapy. Decreased serum total folate-binding capacity is another test that may indicate hidden folate deficiency." An elevated MCV can be associated with alcoholism (and if you look for signs & symptoms of alcoholism, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, you will see bariatric patients that mimic those symptoms when deficient! Vitamin B12 and/or folic acid deficiency has also been associated with macrocytic anemia (high MCV numbers).

MichiganChic got it right. So that being said, I'll going to address a few things I learned with whatever medical resources I have. Please note that I have a local medical school with the best librarians in the world, and I use those resources a lot. I realized I don't have all of them on me, so I'll go this weekend and get specific references. Always pays to ask your doctor as the references I have come to 2 different conclusions (regarding Protein binding of calcium, whether or not its charged on the negative areas or truely is free of the protein molecule itself). I'll try to keep to the "lighter" end of things so you get useful info rather than a lot of scientific snooze material (or as my sister calls it, my reading & video material). Calcium: Several ways calcium can be measured: Serum blood Ionized Urine (24 hour collection) Differences between blood levels and ionized levels is serum blood calcium (what you find in a BMP (basic metabolic panel)) is your total calcium level, whereas the ionized calcium is the free in plasma type only. ** My sources differ on this** Serum blood calcium measures calcium that is attached to albumin/globulins or Proteins AND the free or ionized calcium in plasma OR it attaches to the negative charged sites on protein OR it is bound to proteins, bound to anions, and free/ionized. Parathyroid hormone & Vitamin D regulate your calcium. However, the kidneys assist in getting rid of the excess, so if they are not functioning right, you can find this out by doing urine studies. Many molecules attach to proteins or other blood particles and use them as a sort of "ferry" to get to where they need to be. If you have problems with abnormal levels of proteins like albumin or globulin, this may be one reason you need ionized levels checked. I'll list some items here that would be pertinent to us. Normal ionized calcium levels with high total calcium levels is called pseudohypercalcemia. It can happen due to hyperalbuminemia (basically an edema type condition where the Fluid leaks from your cells surrounding the tissue) or excess Vitamin D. Normal ionized calcium levels with low total calcium levels is called pseudohypocalcemia. It can happen due to hypoalbuminemia from liver/kidney disease. Low ionized calcium levels with low total calcium levels can happen due to parathyoid issues, Vitamin D/Magnesium deficiencies, and high phosphate levels. High ionized calcium levels with normal total calcium levels can happen due to hypoalbuminemia, parathyoid disorders, or acidosis. High ionized calcium levels with high total calcium levels can happen due to parathyroid issues. I'll stay away from high levels because lower levels would make more sense to us, excess Vitamins A & D would probably be the main causes for us. If you have lower levels, hypoparathyroidism, malabsorption, osteo types of problems, but mostly Vitamin D deficiency would be the big issues. Increases in pH levels in the blood, aka alkalosis, will cause more of the calcium to bind to the protein molecules and will decrease your ionized calcium levels. Decreased in Ph levels in the blood, aka acidosis, causes less of the calcium to bind to the protein molecules and will increase the free calcium levels. I add this due to authors' interest, as since the surgery, metabolic acidosis and alkalosis seem to be my buddies. Acidosis in the hospital after the surgery, alkalosis doing a number of endurance athletic competitions. When you get these tests done, make sure to review things such as your other electrolyte levels, PTH levels, Vitamin D, and phosphorus & magnesium. A change in this electrolyte can cause or be influenced by changes in other electrolytes. Calcium is excreted out of the body in urine and feces (a few other things but those are the most important). An increase in pH, alkalosis, promotes increased protein binding, which decreases free calcium levels. Acidosis, on the other hand, decreases protein binding, resulting in increased free calcium levels. Total calcium measurements, as you've seen, can be misleading. If you have hypoalbuminemia, you will have normal ionized calcium levels but total calcium levels decrease. There are ways to compensate for that, what I cheat and do is look online for the medical calculators. If you have kidney or low bicarbonate or serum albumin levels, you should measure the ionized free calcium to diagnose hypo/hypercalcemia. A few of the reasons to test the ionized calcium would be liver or kidney issues, abnormal total calcium issues, parathyroid issues, numbness or muscle spasms around the mouth, hands or feet. Drugs that can increase your ionized calcium levels would be things like thyroxine. Drugs that can decrease your ionized calcium levels would be things like heparin, epinephrine, alcohol. Urine tests measure how much calcium gets excreted out by the kidneys. It can look for problems with the parathyroid glands or the kidneys, or to check and see where the body is getting calcium from. Normal levels for urine calcium can be anywhere from 100-150 to 300. A calcium free diet goes from 5-40, low diets are 50-100 or 150. High levels can be caused by kidney issues, taking too much calcium, too much parathyroid hormone, and very high Vitamin D levels. Low levels can be caused by too little parathyroid hormone, low Vitamin D levels, and not enough calcium and/or malabsorption. If you show up with higher levels of serum calcium, lower levels of urine calcium, and possible bone loss changes, what is happening is that your body is leeching calcium from the bones (bone loss), causing the higher levels of blood calcium, the kidneys are holding on to the little bit you have and not urinating it out (low urine calcium).

I had my RNY surgery on April 8th and just took a road trip to Florida this past weekend. I packed a small cooler with Premier Protein shakes, water and cheese sticks. I also brought bananas. We only stopped once to go to the restroom. My boyfriend even just ate cheese sticks and bananas with me. I would have my few bites and he would have a whole and then finish mine! It worked well! Also I went to FL for a wedding. My surgeon said it was ok to have small amounts of alcohol to celebrate the toasts etc. Everyone around me drank. I had small sips of drinks but really I had no desire to drink much. Because I can get such small amounts of liquid in I was more thirsty for water in the Florida heat than anything else. Have a great trip and try not to think too much about it.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I was trying to avoid a cooler, but I'm thinking I'm just going to have to suck it up and take one. Feeling a lot better about hitting the highway! Now about being the only sober one with all my drunken friends.... Doc was very specific about no alcohol until 3 months. Should be interesting.

Thank you all for the responses. Kind of made me feel like an alcoholic. Lol. Sooooo I just want to clear that up. I am not nor have I ever been a heavy drinker. I wouldn't even call myself a frequent drinker. I might drink twice a year...my birthday and sometimes new years. I will not be partaking in any birthday outings this year. Thanks again.

I just cant seem to make it all work. I must remember my vitamins!! I finally got something to put them in so I can carry them with me for the days I'm gone the entire day. Haven't taken the Citricals, even the petites turn me off due to the size. I try to get in my Protein but I may only get 30-40, could this be what's causing my dizzy spells and nausea? For my Water, I can barely get in 30oz. Water is hard to go down and seems to only go down with a huge air bubble accompanying it. Juices go down fine and shakes too but at 3 weeks out, should I already be expecting to meet the daily requirements or just keep trying? I have a friend who calls her sleeve "Rockstar" because she never has any sickness or complications and she forgets to eat for days(she claims 4 at the most), she eats whatever she wants, whenever she wants, she drinks alcohol like a fish but no water at all, even smokes, never ever took Vitamins and finally got pregnant 2 times after trying for 14 years and at 6 years out, I want to admire her since she still loses weight but now she can do it on demand and looks great but I want to do mine the healthy way, I just cant seem to meet these numbers... I already had a hard time eating which is why I thought this surgery would be perfect because I can eat less but it's like I have to eat so much during a day just to lose weight.....and I just cant force feed myself that way. 1 or 2 small meals a day works just fine for me....or a pill that allows me not to eat at all...I always feel so fat and heavy after I eat anything. So if I can only force one...which is more important, vitamins, water or protein??

Absolutely. It is an awful, awful feeling. Besides the physical symptoms, I have an impending sense of doom, that something is VERY wrong with my body. I first experienced it a week after surgery when I very stupidly ate a couple of pieces of Valentine candy. It was an intense experience to say the least. FOLLOW YOUR GUIDELINES. You do not want to be eating sugar too soon, if it all. I have also had very bad dumping a couple of other times, when consuming alcohol, but sugar is the main culprit and I avoid it most of the time even though I'm a few months out. You do not want to have dumping - horrible feeling (thank goodness it does pass).