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I'm in the "everything in moderation" camp. I avoid alcohol mostly but indulge on occasion. The biggest problem with alcohol, for me, is that it boosts my appetite while lessening the efficacy of my band and that's a bad combination. I always eat my Protein first and then eat bites of anything else on my plate if there's room. I refuse to follow a specific, rigid diet simply because attempting such always backfires for me and I end up binging on what I actually want instead. Of course, traditional binging now is a physical impossibility but during a particularly brutal bout of PMS I did manage to eat an entire sleeve of Oreo Cookies and a glass of milk for lunch. That's all I ate and it kept me full for several hours... Calorically it was in line with what I would've eaten anyway but it was nutritionally void of anything except sugar and fat. I am in no way recommending this, but hey, I have food issues and occasionally I slip. The great thing about the lap band is once the episode ends, I don't just say "screw it" and "go off my diet" because there is no "diet" to exit anymore.

I watched these videos on YouTube by dr Paul obrien who says that it's ok to drink alcohol (obviously in moderation) he says wine is probably the best because its not carbonated. Maybe ring and ask your doctor but I think if you stick to one it should be ok.

Neither are good choices for us bandsters but sometimes you may find yourself in a situation so.....if I have to make a fast food choice I look for grilled chicken, salad without dressing, no fries, dump the bun. On the alcohol side, volunteering to be the designated driver makes me everyone's best friend! But if I have sufficient calories available for alcohol, choose lighter options, non-carbonated.

How long did you have to wait before consumming alcohol? I'm not looking to get drunk or drink anything fizzy, just a glass of wine or two at a wedding. Any input?

@@curlysue86 Which surgery did you have? 7 days out seems awfully fast to try solid foods. I had bypass and my doc had me on Clear liquids for a whole week, the full liquids for a whole week, then pureed for 2 weeks which I did not do well with. Finally at week 4 I was allowed soft foods, Proteins that were very moist, veggies that were overcooked. Even getting used to that at 4 weeks was slow going. Just wondering if your surgical team gave you direction on what to eat, how much and for what period of time. I have found that every physician is different but at the end of the day most of us figure it out. I was given a huge binder with every food stage. What foods I could and could not eat. You name it was in there. Then again, my Bariatric center of excellence made me sign a contract too that ensured I would follow the rules and also that I would not drink alcohol for a year. They were very throrough and it worked for me.

Some of the shakes have sugar alcohols--which can be really hard on the gut. I really love Bariatric Eating's Inspire line of Protein. The flavors are awesome, and the PURE unflavored protein isolate is quite possibly my favorite (it can be added to anything). You can order at BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for protein, Vitamins, and success..

Hi All, I'm pre-op, but this question is for everybody. Is anyone here practicing a way of eating, like Paleo or Wheat Belly, that eliminates grains, gluten & sugars, and focuses on high-quality Proteins (no hormones, no antibiotics, no steroids, grass fed and free range) + organic veggies and fruits? I'd love to get to know people who want to eat this way. I have a lot of inflammatory and gastric issues that I want to heal from (all of which help me qualify for the surgery). Health is my #1 concern and my main reason for wanting to lose the weight. I know from experience that grains (even whole grains), sugar, and junk make all my conditions worse, especially the arthritis, inflammation, gastro issues. I'm already feeling better. I believe that for my best health for life, I'm going to want to stick with Paleo style eating, even after my surgery. I've already spent a lifetime failing at dieting. I believe that everything I put into my body has an impact, good or bad. I'm done with just counting calories. Most diet foods are full of junk, too. Bariatric Protein drinks & products: I see a lot of ingredients that I don't want, including sugar alcohols, other artificial ingredients, and whey. Do bariatric patients have to use these pre-packaged Protein Drinks that the doctor's office is promoting? Does anyone know of healthier options? The issue for me with WHEY as the primary ingredient in a Protein Drink is that whey is dairy from milk -- and the dairy industry is pumping their cows full of hormones, antibiotics, steroids, and feeding them with genetically modified grains. However, it seems that most NUTs say that whey protein is better than plant-based protein for bariatric patients. I've found and have started using an organic whey Protein Powder that's made from the milk of grass-fed cows (organic pasture) and given no steroids/antibiotics/hormones. This product contains just the organic whey protein and nothing else (no added sugars, etc). It's got 100 cals, 1g sugar, 2g carb, and 21g protien. It's the best organic brand I've found. I've been using it in green smoothies. It has no taste at all, so I can add it to anything. The stuff my NUT recommends, Premier Protein, not only has protein but a lot of other Vitamins. Is this what we are required to drink especially during the fasting pre-op and post-op? Or, can we take pure organic protein like the one that I like, and just take supplements for the other vitamins? I'm going to ask all these questions at my next appointment in a few days, but I'd love to get info and thoughts from you. thank you!

Coffee and alcohol , well duh on those 2 but my other without fail, coconut oil. I usually can tell if it is in something even if it's not prominently labeled. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I really hope you'll make an appt with your Dr. The empty calories are bad for your nutrition and the alcohol is bad for your liver. Perhaps your Dr. could do an LFT test by bloodwork. It's a liver function test.

If you are filled as much as you can, I have noticed that i I have a sweet craving I go for fruit as much as I hate fruit it does fill me up super fast and make me too full for sweets. That is the beauty of the LB it works if it is full enough and the foods I don't like do fill me up. It's almost like a diet pill to eat fiber foods. Have you checked to see if you might need a mini fill? Before the band when I started eating anything my insulin would spike (in my opinion) and it would be like an alcoholic with alcohol and I would get hungry and couldn't stop. This halloween was a horror ....I ate my daughters candy and couldn't stop like years before ...

@@cseidman - Congratulations on your surgery. I would caution you with the "drink anything but soda"...of course giving up soda is a great thing but please don't replace it with other high calorie beverages and/or alcohol. It would be really easy to start drinking sweetened lemonade, iced tea, fruit juices, etc. and rack up the calories. Just be careful I have a fitbit and I love it too. You will be amazed at how much good information you can get from it.

Spooky! You sound like me right down to the name and age. So my questions: 1. How will the LAP-BAND® help me lose weight? It is built in portion control but you still have to lose the weight. The lapband doesn't control what you eat, just how much. 2. What kind of diet needs to be kept after the LAP-BAND® is installed? Nothing special. You just eat a balanced meal. The portions will just be smaller. Just don't drink you calories and keep snacking to a minimum. 3. If I/We/anyone can’t maintain a diet regiment before the LAP-BAND®, how can we expect that it would be any different after the LAP-BAND®? That's a chance you'll have to take. You have to ask yourself how serious you are about losing the weight. Don't make the mistake like many here and think that surgery is a panacea. 4. Are there medications or supplements that need to be taken after the LAP-BAND® is installed? NO, NADA, NICHTS! 5. If insurance covers the procedure (I am investigating that with my insurance right now), and there is a problem with the device such as a leaky port, who covers the expense of fixing it? It all depends on the insurance company; your coverage; your deductible; etc... 6. Are there other manufacturing defect problems that can occur with the LAP-BAND®, and if so who absorbs the cost of repair? There are issues but I can't say who pays. 7. I am noticing the number one side effect of the LAP-BAND® is nausea and vomiting. Is that a temporary problem or an ongoing problem? You're noticing wrong!! Most of us never get nauseous and 90% of the time the vomiting is our own fault for not paying attention or eating too fast. 8. Is there any restriction on drinking alcohol when you have a LAP-BAND®? Hell NO!! Although, American beers are full of carbonation and that doesn't work so well with the band. I don't have any issues with Guinness. Keep reading and don't hurry into anything. The lapband is not going anywhere. It will still be available if/when you decide you are ready.

Support is not always touchy-feely; support is tough, open, and honest. Support comes in all shapes and sizes. All of this means that you will not always hear what you want to hear, but the people saying it are doing so because they care. Whether family, friends, coworkers, etc., support comes in all flavors. That said, support is only as good as the person receiving that support. What am I getting at? Sadly, too many people project their own inferiority complexes on those very people trying to help them. In truth, it is you who needs to learn how to deal with the support you seek. How you respond or solicit that support says a lot about you. It is your reaction that is important when mentally processing the support options provided to you. Members of my family are the kings and queens of this type of destructive behavior (among others). Someone doesn't say something that is in blanket agreement? Someone suggests that they work harder, longer, smarter? Someone says that they will have to cut back (on salt, fat, calories, alcohol, smoking, etc.), lose weight, or exercise more? Someone disagrees with their uneducated pontification on Jeopardy answers? All hell breaks loose, let me tell ya. My family, some people on these boards, people at school, work, etc.... we all know these people. The "what the hell does s/he know, anyway?" crowd. The people who, know matter how much they claim to be open to new ideas and viewpoints, shut down as soon as someone suggests that accountability and responsibility lie within the supportee. To all of these dysfunctionals: Get over yourself, people! You don't have all the answers, no one does. If you solicit support (and yes, posting on these boards is included), be prepared to hear something you may not like. The point is to process what is being said, research it and, if appropriate, take steps to better your life because of it. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone falls down. Learn from it; learn from the people with whom you interact; learn from others' experiences - good and bad. Speak your mind, sure, but if it's just to discount everything people say because it doesn't fit into your preconceived notions of how things should progress... shut your trap. If you approach someone for support and advice, and if your best reply begins with "But....," shut your trap and THINK about what they are saying. But wait! I am not saying that the would-be supporters are infallible - I am just suggesting that the mouth doesn't shoot off immediately. Think about it. Think about why you need to rebutt so quickly; think about why you are put off by it. Support should make you think, make you act. It's more than just a hug and some tears, it's something that enables you to move on, move up. Like I've said before, if you already knew it all, knew how to do it, and knew more than anyone else.... you wouldn't be here asking for support.

Don't get a lap band then! Seriously. This is hard work and you have to make the right choices every day. All you have to do is read this message board and you will see that most people with the band are not forced into eating healthy. You'll see people saying they eat the same way they did before the band. You'll see people saying that they have gained weight with the band. The band only works if you work with it (and then sometimes even then it doesn't work for everyone). Sure, I could have ice cream and alcohol and Cookies but I choose not to. I choose to eat healthy and I am not being forced. I also exercise intensely six days a week and the band is not forcing me to do that. Do some more reading on this board and get an accurate snapshot of what the band will do and won't do. The band helps but doesn't force. You'll see that what you need to force you to lose weight is you. May THAT force be with you!

Like you, I crave sweets. I could care less about soda pop, alcohol, fried foods etc. I only occasionlly have a few bites of fast food. But sweets ? Oh yeah, they've got my number, especially if its crunchy sweet. Anything chocolate/pb/nuts = kryptonite ! I find that if im full of healthy protein, I crave sweets way less. Right now im having Belvita Breakfast biscuts and a little turkey jerky, this is my usual breakfast, helps keep me from most sweets. Hope your 2 week liquid goes smoothly for you, you CAN and WILL succeed with your WLS ! Being banded was the BEST thing I did for myself, I just came back from a 2 mile run a few minutes ago . Two and a half years ago I could only walk the same course, now im ( sloooowly) running it ! How cool is that ? Good luck ! You got this !!!!

That was one of my first questions to the surgeon after op -- i like light mars bars, he said it is a calorie thing, dont waste calories on sweets - cakes, alcohol etc. You can lose faster with less calories and sugar foods are high calorie.

Hello - My closest friend has surgery about 10 years ago.Lost a lot of weight. About 4 years ago one beer became two, two became 4, and so on. Just like you are describing. Sad to say that a rough home life expanded the situation and she became a very unhappy alcoholic and still struggles. I know this is not uncommon, for all the reasons others have said. Plus I think our bodies are just wired for "addiction" sometimes. It truly sucks. And I am sorry you have to struggle with this. But, like someone else said, you have done it once. You can do it again. Don't let shame keep you from getting the support you need. Life is too good. Don't give up on having what you want.

I think for me I drink the alcohol because it was easier to do then actually having a meal. I still struggle to this day on certain meals but I have no issues having a drink to fulfill my needs. It's been 4 years since surgery and I have not had one soda because I would be miserable if I did it but I can pound down a 6 pack with no issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon mentioned this happening to some people as a caution. Many of us have addictive personalities to start with or we wouldn't have abused food to the point of being so overweight. You take away one addictive coping pathway and sometimes another one takes its place. He said the only patient he's had who regretted surgery was one who became a drug and alcohol addict who's wife then left him. I wish you all the best. You beat one problem, you can beat another! I'm just sorry you have to in the first place. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm post RNY. Am a long term low carber in ketosis for a long time. As @Matt Z and @CrankyMagpie shared, it is possible. I am definitely in ketosis. I am still low carb rather than calling me a keto girl. I do have to do low-er fat in order not to have bad reactions. If I eat too richly (too much fat/too much cheese) then I will get horribly nauseated and feel like I'm so ill. But I routinely eat between 40-55% fat on some days and am fine. You'd be surprised how little extra fat that represents, once you factor in the need to stay at your personal present "protein adequate level" and reduce your carbs to 20g net carbs (or total carbs) per day. I personally aim for a loose average of 30g net carbs per day mostly from leafy greens, low glycemic veggies, berries, seeds/nuts, eggs, dairy and eat very very few sugar alcohols. I do use some small amounts of liquid stevia drops.

Have banded three months now, and my have been told by my dr that I can have pop once in awhile. At first I didn't want to even drink any with the risk of "over doing it" now within the past two weeks I catch myself drinking a little sip here and there. How much is too much I really can't drink too much cause it is too sweet? What about alcohol? What types of drinks are ok? Not ok?

My surgeon doesn't have a problem with carbonation as our digestive system is not a closed system, the gas will escape. The problem is that it can be an uncomfortable process. For me, soda is too carbonated. I'll sip it sometimes, but usually it gives me the hiccups. yuck! Beer I am generally OK with. The thing with alcohol and non-diet soda to remember is calories. Diet soda can increase your appetite due to the chemicals in it.

Alcohol is ok in moderation after you are fully healed - you just can't do any carbonated drinks. Cheers!

@@pamelardz91 I know you are probably just curious & looking for information, and not necessarily a sh!t stirrer, but this is one topic that tends to blow up quickly & BADLY!! If you are really interested in the responses, do a search for "alcohol" and read the answers under previous threads. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, or discourage you from asking questions, but this is one topic that seems to bring out the worst in some people. Best of luck!

I wasn't a big drinker before surgery. I really have no desire to drink. I am nine months post op and have not drunk any alcohol since before surgery. Will I drink in the future? Maybe. If so, it will be once in a blue moon and very little. Alcohol is just not a priority for me.