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there are a few questions i need some help with. I'm sure some of you have had these questions 100 times, but my searches didnt come up with the results i was looking for. First of all, what EXACTLY is this "sliming" that i keep hearing about. Does it happen a lot? This sounds like a very negative side affect of having this surgery and doesnt seem too fun to me. Is this a once a year type of occurance, or a once a day or week type of occurance? What causes it? What exactly happens? Scars. Okay, i grew up on the beach. My town is on the beach and eventhough i've always been over-weight i have always spent a lot of time with my shirt off on the beach. Basically i dont want to go to the beach in the summer time and have a 5 or 6 huge scars on my stomach. I'm sure it will get really annoying if people i know keep asking me, "what are those scars on your stomach" all day long. Are some scars bigger than others? Will the scars completely dissappear? I have read that putting Vitamin E (i think) will help a lot, and that there are other lotions and what not you can help with the scars, but how much do they help? How long exactly does it take for the scars to almost completely heal? Who has spent time in the sun and got a tan with thier scars, and does a tan help cover up the scars somewhat? I have seen a thread on here all about people's scars, but i didnt see too many peopl's scars six monthes or so after their surgery, so if anyone has thier picture that would be good. alcohol and Soda. Okay, i drink. Not a lot, but i'm in college and i tend to go out with my friends once in awhile (every otherweek or so) and go to the bar. I have heard that the band restricts you enough to where you cant even really drink much pop, so i was wondering if this also happens with beer or if this is just completely a myth. If i choose to drink soda, how much can i drink at a time? If i choose to drink beer, how much can i drink at a time? Willl my stomach feel so full after drinking these that i wont be able to have more than one or two or something like that? What about mixed drinks? Vodka and cranberry or something like that, would that be better to drink while at the bar than beer? Hiccups. I heard somewhere hiccups are bad with the band. Is this true and if so why? Throwing up. I cant remember the last time i threw up, but im sure it may happen again in my lifetime. I heard that throwing up will make your band slip. Is this true? if the band does slip, how much does it cost to get it fixed? Does slippage happen very often? I understand that most people are happy with thier bands, but you have to realize that my BMI is about a 33, so im not EXTREMELY overweight. I just want to make sure that i will be happy with this decision and its trade offs i have talked about here are going to be worth it. So for all of the people on here who have lower BMI's, are you happy with the decision overall? Basically, does the good outweigh the bad? I know this was long, and there are a lot of questions, but thanks in advance to anyone who helps me out.

I just hit my 7th week post op and with the holidays coming up I was thinking about when I would be able to have a drink? I should just call my doc but does anyone know if there is any timeline restrictions for a drink? (I know it will hit me harder now than before)

I am being banded on Tuesday and am on my pre-op diet and doing well. I am having a social dinner with girlfriends tomorrow and would like to have a few cocktails. I can choose low carb alcoholic drinks but am concerned about my liver and the Dr. not being able to preform the surgery. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this.

I’m so sorry for your loss. For me, I believe that not facing grief helped me to gain weight. In 2009 and 2010 I lost two brothers and my dad. All had chronic issues they’d been dealing with so the stress and sadness was well before their passings. I think if I’d had better coping strategies I could have met the sadness instead of shoving it down. finding a professional to share your struggle with is an excellent idea. I hope you have supportive people around you. Personally I’d try to keep away from the alcohol, but that’s a decision only you can make. Again, I’m so sorry.

I am 2 yrs out with my band, I have 8.8 cc and I still use my cpap. My setting is at 9. I dont take it campng anymore, But I know when I use it I will feel good and rested the next day. I really don't want to give it up. I was recently working a second job at night and came home and was able to get about 6.5 to 7 hrs sleep and still felt great. The gas is probably coming from the extra protein or if you are consuming a high amount of Sugar alcohols, that will give your more gas as well..

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.

Those pens are surgi markers, the ones I use for piercing is made of g. violet. It washes off with alcohol or a gentle scrub with dial. You can always use a washable marker or ball point pen, that too will wash off. When my tattoo artist wants to change something in a tattoo stencil he gets out a dollar store ball point pen and draws on my skin and then tosses it in the trash, you could reuse the pen at your house because it is your skin and your germs. My doctor didn't give me any options, I wanted my port on the right side as I am left handed and I am always hitting my port with laundry baskets and such. ~Mandy

My first alcohol was a little over two months post-op. I tried a margarita (tequila). A few days later I also tried a mojito (rum). I had no trouble with either of them. BUT, there are alot of empty calories in those AND I can't really drink enough fast enough for it to have any effect. So, I've pretty much decided that I won't be drinking any more. I don't need the temptation to stretch my sleeve or the empty calories. Good luck!!

How long before you can have a drink? I forgot o ask!!! Any feedback!?!

mine told me to wait a year before drinking any alcohol. But evidently surgeons must have different opinions on this...

Since nobody addressed the alcohol I will. When you are allowed alcohol seems to vary from surgeon to surgeon. I have read some surgeons are no alcohol ever, for a year after surgery or not until you get to the maintenance phase. I am allowed to have alcohol in moderation at 6 months. I have been told that many post WLS people become a cheap date. They get buzzed MUCH quicker post surgery than pre surgery due to the change in anatomy. Therefore, I would not try alcohol for the first time when you are out with clients. You may want to try that glass of wine at home or a non-business event with a designated driver.

That's a really terrible question to ask someone during the evaluation. Mine asked about my home life growing up...if I was close to my parents and siblings. He mostly wanted to know that I had researched the procedure and that I didn't just impulsively jump into this...like I could with all the hoops lol. Also lots of questions about drug and alcohol use.

I used to drink nothing but soda morning, noon & night ... NEVER drank water, couldn't stand the stuff ... when I started researching the band and found out that I had to give up my beloved Dr. Pepper, a tiny part of me said no way in hell am I getting that damn surgery and giving up soda! I don't drink alcohol, I've never smoked ... soda was my one & only addiction. Well, I decided to go ahead with the surgery and a month prior to it I cut out the soda completely. It was alot easier than I thought it would be as I haven't thought about it, craved it or even missed it. Last week I took a tiny sip of my son's soda and it actually tasted disgusting! These days I am perfectly content with my water & Crystal Light and for me, that in itself is a huge accomplishment!

I also have not had any fills and it is as you say, a double-edged sword because we can eat anything and it will go down. For me, that means I have to be even more diligent because I can eat unhealthy and in larger volumes. My experience is that it takes at times, a little longer to feel satiety so I have to be listening closely or I'll miss the signs and go right to uncomflortable. Plus it doesn't take much to get there. Just the other day, I was out to lunch with a friend and we ordered a chicken quesedilla. I ate one quarter of it...which is typical but then I decided to take another small piece from another quarter. It wasn't much, but after I ate it, I knew I shouldn't have. I was too full the rest of the day and by dinnertime, I was still uncomfortable. Since I was out again for dinner, I took very small...and I mean really small portions of the meal and called it a day. I'm glad you are doing so well so soon out...I'm just going to caution you on the beer...just make sure the carbonation is OK with the doctor, and remember...alcohol is empty calories. I drink too...but in moderation. Best wishes on your continued success!

Yeah, you really have to make a conscious decision to stay away from the foods that you know were triggers to overeating, and chips are one of them. Pure carb and fat calories, very little nutritional value and it's impossible to stop, once you start. So it's a little like being a recovering alcoholic...those things that you know have been triggers for you, you just have to give them up...because they will trigger relapses.

I was banded on the 14th so we're pretty close! I talked to the PA at my post op visit today and she said to wait until my first fill appointment in 4 weeks before drinking again to give my stomach the most time to heal. She made a good point of telling me that alcohol lowers your inhibitions so you're likely to eat more, not chew enough, make bad choices, etc. However she understands that the band is something I have to live with so if I enjoy a glass of wine once in a while it's not going to hurt me too much.

My problem is that when I have a goal I automatically try to sabotage myself. It sounds like you may be the same way. Try to take it one day at a time... cuz eating is an addiction... just like alcohol and drugs. When you fall off the wagon, don't just say the hell with it, if I've eaten this one bad thing, I might as well as eat that other bad thing, this is exactly my style, and it has been really hard to break, but it is possible. I totally agree with meggiep... you need a goal outfit. Mine is a little navy blue dress in a size 14... That may seem ridiculous to some of the losers now, but wow that is a huge goal for me!! Anyway, take your goal outfit and hang it where you can see it where you normally eat, be it in the kitchen, living room, or bedroom. When you are stuffing yourself silly and you look at it, it will make you feel sick.

Needed some surgery so had to see my gen practitioner for the final OK. He ordered a battery of tests. I was surprised to see that my liver function numbers were still high after losing almost 100lbs. I understand why they were high b/4 (fatty liver) but not now. They went ahead with surgery but said I needed to retest.:biggrin: I never over do on alcohol...maybe one drink about once a month. Anyone else experience this?

Wedding season is tough. But the thing is, even if you don't tell them you had a sleeve, you can just say you are cutting back on alcohol or watching carbs, or whatever. Heck you could even say you were trying to loose a couple of lbs to fit into the dress. Really you do not owe your friends an explanation about what you do and don't drink or eat either.

So before I ask this question, let me just say "Yes, I am aware of the empty calories and this should not be a habit." Is there any other reason besides the calories as to why you should not drink alcohol? I am young, I want to be able to go out and enjoy a drink or two with my friends occasionally. With that being said I usually only go out about 5 times a year. Thoughts??

Pretty thick, what happens when you have alcohol, if you don't mind me asking. Symptoms like I am describing? Thank you! Me too.

According to the Atkins protein bars, sugar alcohols are subtracted from total carb count because they minimally impact blood sugar. I always deduct them from the carb count on anything I eat that contains it. I have had no digestive problems or stomach pain from it.

For those who drink...how far out from surgery did u start drinking again?

Nikki, I was self-pay as well, so I understand what you're saying about missing all the pre-reqs. I've been seeing a therapist since before surgery and we've finally found a topic that she can't help me with: body image. She's a tall, slender runner who has never had a weight issue, so she's thrown when I talk about how I see myself (still huge, even after losing 110 pounds). But, even though she's not a bariatric specialist, she has helped tremendously on my journey. I had a tendency to eat my problems and I'm learning to be more assertive. The first few times I had a problem after surgery, I was literally lost because I had no idea how to cope. I think a lot of folks here can relate to that. I think that therapy helps a ton with coping skills and helps us to not have cross-over addictions to alcohol and/or drugs.

Hello to fellow sleevers, I just had my sleeve done on March 8th at UCSD (La Jolla, CA) with Dr. Santiago Horgan and his wonderful CTO team. Prior to surgery I was put through an extremely strict and regimented program and diet plan. I also had blood tests galore, Upper GI's, Lower GI's, Middle GI's (jk) - everything under the sun to make sure I was READY. They had a series of Group Therapy classes I went to as well. After surgery, I began having this burning feeling in my chest and it still hasn't gone away yet but I continue to drink my fluids and take Prilosec. They did another Barium Swallow the day after to confirm there were no leaks. I also had a liver biopsy done at the same time. 1- for the study they're doing to track Fatty Liver Disease (or in my case NASH) - Non-alcoholic Steatosis Hepatitis (another term for unexplained liver inflammation); and 2- b/c my PCP required it! Other than the feeling of having spasms in my esophagus and burning in my throat and chest, I guess I'm in pretty good shape. They have me on a VERY rigid 4-level eating/drinking plan for the next 6-8 wks but right now I'm doing the "full liquids" thing. Glad to be part of this group!