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Also your body might be trying to catch up "inchwise" with the weight loss. I find if I stall, I kick the scale under the bed for a few days and get out the tape measure. Also I have noticed that if I have a glass of wine or a "high sodium" day, I gain about a pound and it takes about two days to loose it. I think the alcohol and/or sodium makes me hold in water weight.

*typed as I sip my starbucks... Through a straw* I *think* the main reason they say no straws is because typically we use straws when drinking sodas and milkshakes and alcohol and.. and... you get the point. Sure there's a chance that it could cause you to take in extra air, but the amount would be so miniscule that it likely wouldn't bother you too terribly much. I think it's more just the fact that straws are associated with stuff on the no no list.

You also need to know what the med was, how much they gave you, what happened. Cuz any future operation will ask if you've ever had probs with anesthesia. They will need specifics to make sure it doesn't happen to you again! You also need to be very honest with them about your history of drug and alcohol consumption, cuz it all plays into how much anesthesia or pain meds they have to give you to have you receive the effect. So sorry you had this scary time!!!! ((hugs))

Hi ya.. I am due to be having my band fitted at the end of Aug and since booking the op - i have had loads of questions and hoping you guys who have been through it could give me an honest account of what is to come. In terms of drinking alcohol- what is the situaion with that? Can you still have a few drinks and do you get drunk easier?? With food- what types of foods do you seem to struggle on- and is it rite you cannot drink fizzy drinks? Oh typical; i cannot remember my questions now- but any handy hints you have learnt since being banded would be appreciated- and congrats to you all who have lost so much its so inspiring. Take care & keep it up..:thumbup: Kel

Carbonation causes most people to get gas that I've heard is painful. It also stretches the pouch. My surgeon and nutritionist also encourages people to stay away from alcohol because of the empty calories, you get drunk faster. They also feel that it puts your liver at a risk while losing weight by not only burning fat, but also having to filter alcohol. It's too much stress.

My doc approved anything with no-cal sweeteners. Although my stomach likes diet drinks like Crystal Light, it does not play well with sucralose or alcohol sugars. You just have to test each one to see what your stomach likes. I don't know of any artificial sweetener that is considered safe. They scream about sugar, they scream about honey, they scream about every artificial sweetener. I figure I am doing more harm to my body every day by being fat as opposed to drinking artificial sweeteners every day.

I recently posted the following comments on another thread and thought they were useful enough to live stand alone in a new thread: If it is helpful, my NUT at Swedish hospital in Seattle (yay Britney) recommended eating like the induction phase on Atkins for the pre op diet. I did not have any trouble with that as lots of practice there over the years. The Atkins Induction phase is essentially a very low carb diet, no breads, starches, caffeine, etc. You eat proteins as much as possible with some low glycemic vegetables. The surgeon stated that I had a super healthy and small liver because of doing this type of eating pre op. Most people will end up losing 10 lb. a week by eating low carb before surgery. For example, I switched my diet one month before surgery to be like Atkins induction phase and lost about 30 lbs dropping my weight to 335 lb., probably reducing complications that might have been present had I been 30 lb heavier and still eating junk. I felt it also gave me a good kick start on learning to eat better *before* post op physical and mental struggles. Really important!! Maybe this simple suggestion will help you or others who read this later. I also like the idea of drinking protein shakes before surgery. That will help you get used to the post op drinking of protein shakes. All we drink are protein shakes for up to 3 weeks post op (aka the liquid phase) so the more you prepare yourself for this, the better. However, I do have to warn you that your favorite protein shake flavor pre op may no longer be your favorite protein shake flavor post op. Our tastes often change when going over to the other side. For this reason, it is not a good idea to load up on tubs of protein powder pre op thinking you will be also drinking the same flavors post op. happened to me. MyBariatricPantry.com and other sites like this let you buy sample packets of protein shake flavors. Try some or all until you pick one or more that you do not mind drinking. Again, do this post op as your tastes may have changed after your stomach is removed. I happen to like Nectar sweets (several flavors) both pre op and post op, but did not like Nectar fruits post op where others really like Nectar fruit flavors post op. I used to be big on peach and banana flavors pre op, but hated them post op. Everyone will have different tastes. I still have 1-2 protein shakes daily. They are really helpful for when I need a low effort 1st meal and a recovery drink after working out. Still love to drink Nectar Cookies and Cream even today. I feel good that protein shakes are helping me get in an extra 40-50 grams of protein a day. I try and eat 150+ g of protein a day today. Water and milk will taste different post op, maybe even gross or cause GI issues. I could not drink milk again due to lactose intolerance issues until month 5 post op and plain water again until month 6 post op. You may find an alternative like light soy or almond milk will work just as well as nonfat/low fat milk post op; it will be smoother on your stomach and less trips to the bathroom. Everyone is different. As for water, I could taste all the minerals and it sat heavy in my stomach post op. I am still flavoring my water today at month 9 post op, but can drink bottled and tap water again without flavor if the need arises. Luckily, the need does not arise very often because I have water flavoring in my pocket most of the time. Try and drink as much water as possible to flush toxins from your system. As you are dropping weight, the stored toxins are released into your liver and it needs all the flushing it can get to keep up. I try and drink 100+ oz water a day today. An Atkins style diet without the higher fat foods actually works remarkably well post op to drop lbs month over month until you are able to add back in good carbs around month 5 or 6. For example, month 1 (45 lbs.), month 2 (45 lbs.), month 3 (15 lb), month 4 (15 lb), month 5 (15 lbs.) and month 6 ( 15 lbs). I am maintaining at around 180 lbs now for 2 months. This is only a suggested style of eating post op as it will not work for everyone nor will it be preferred by everyone. As an aside, I also added coffee back in at week 6 and alcohol at month 6. My remaining pre op vices, I suppose. Hey, I am a Seattleite and need my coffee! Today I have transitioned into a Paleo diet with supplementation (shakes and bars) to help optimize my running and cross fit activities. Up until month 5, my exercise was mostly walking / elliptical and I encourage everyone to really get good at walking before taking on additional exercise activities. Besides, your dog will love you for it! Hope this helps! Please add other tips that have worked for you so pre ops will have a smoother transition to post op with regards to eating and drinking.

So I had my surgery on 1/3/08 and am still recovering. Things felt okay when I was first awake, I really just wanted to sleep and they were hooking up the blood pressure cuff and the heart monitor to my finger and they wanted me to drink some sprite, they said that my blood sugar got low during the surgery, so they gave me some glucose in an IV. I think what hurt the worst at first was the gas. When I had to get up for the first time I walked maybe a few feet then felt nausea. I told my nurse and she started yelling for some drugs and she made me get back in bed and smell a alcohol wipe and hold it under my nose until she got the nausea meds. The alcohol wipe really did keep me from vomiting, and I really thought I was going to blow, my mouth was already watering (a sure sign for vomit for me). After my nausea meds I just got really sleepy again. I think I was in and out a lot. The nurse told me I had to do 3 things before I could leave, first drink 500 mL of liquid, I got apple juice, cranberry juice, chicken broth and green Jello to choose from, then I also had to be able to walk and finally be able to urinate. I was able to complete all three tasks and was out about 6 hours after the surgery was completed. I was told by my family that it took me a while to wake up from anastesia because they didn't get to see me for about 2 hours after the surgery, and it seemed to me that I wasn't awake for very long before I got to see them. The days following have been fine, I thought I would feel like I was hit by a "mack truck" but I really didn't, just felt gassy and like I did about a million crunches, oh and very tired! The most pain I've had is when taking a deep breath, or yawning. I called my Dr. office about it and they said the Dr. says the surgery can irritate the diaphragm and that is where my deep breath pain comes from. Overall I would say it wasn't as bad as I expected, for my first surgery ever. I'm really looking forward to being completely recovered. I slept on my side for the first time last night and that was great!:notagree

I need to throw this out there now that I've calmed down. My BFF was sleeved four years ago and has been a big help in this journey but I'm a lil over week out and she just blasted me for a bite of french fry and a taste of sugar free fudge. She's sad that I'm even thinking of eating a food like that, i should be just drinking water, i never should have gone near the the boardwalk and I'm just not gonna make it. Now while she runs marathons and works out, this is from the girl who's eating ice cream and donuts, cake, and more. She's up 10lbs from her goal weight and angry with people that can eat what they want. She's also drinking every night. She's a "tough" personality anyway but this was shocking. I think she's jealous of my "easy" honeymoon stage, needs to cope with her anger about food, in a possible danger zone with alcohol and it just spewed all over my feeling great. I'd like feedback on how to deal. I've let go of my pissed off attitude. It's my journey to test limits, to fall down, to get up but i really felt judged. I won't talk to her about any challenges anymore. I'll use the forums here (which she had said i should get off of). Thanks for letting me vent

I think learning to see ourselves differently is a huge part of our process, and that also means seeing others differently as a byproduct. It isn't uncommon, for example, for someone recovering from addiction to alcohol to see anyone who drinks at all as an addict. That kind of oversimplification often doesn't last, it's part of the process. I agree that judging others isn't wise or helpful. We don't know the stories or struggles of others, and I don't feel sorry for other, either. That puts me in a place of presuming at least part of their story. The person I see at the grocery story who looks 100 lbs overweight and barely able to walk may in fact have lost 100 lbs and be walking today where they couldn't before. It's all too easy to think of ourselves as superior because we're making positive changes in our lives, y'know?

The only foods you should really avoid are bread, Pasta, rice (they do tend to get stuck...and are empty calories for the most part), and sugar obviously. Alcohol because it, too, is high in calories. Carbonated drinks because the bubbles can be a problem. Caffeine because it stimulates hunger...but lots of people still drink coffee and tea anyway!! Other than that you can and should eat healthy foods that you enjoy. Everything you put into your mouth should have good nutritional vaue. You are eating so little, you have to make it count!

Here you go thanks for posting this! Slider Foods Spell Weight Regain For Weight Loss Surgery Patients Soft processed carbohydrates, slider foods, are the bane of good intentions and ignorance often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain for gastric bypass, gastric band (lap-band), and gastric sleeve bariatric patients. Learn what slider foods are and why they cause weight regain for weight loss surgery patients. 5 Day Pouch Test Store By Kaye Bailey For most people eating sliders is a good thing. Popularized by the American food chain, White Castle, a slider (originally slyder) is a miniature grilled hamburger or cheeseburger on a steamed bun often served with onions and dill pickle and other condiments. They originally sold for a nickel a piece in the 1940s making it affordable to add a side of fries for just pennies. By all accounts this is a good kind of "slider" food. To the weight loss surgery patient slider foods are the bane of good intentions and ignorance often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain. Slider foods, to weight loss surgery patients, are soft simple processed carbohydrates of little or no nutritional value that slide right through the surgical stomach pouch without providing nutrition or satiation. The most innocent of slider foods are saltine crackers, often eaten with warm tea or other beverages, to soothe the stomach in illness or while recovering from surgery. Understanding Slider Foods The most commonly consumed slider foods include pretzels, crackers (saltines, graham, Ritz, etc.) filled cracker Snacks such as Ritz Bits, popcorn, cheese snacks (Cheetos) or cheese crackers, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips, sugar-free Cookies, cakes, and candy. You will notice these slider foods are often salty and cause dry mouth so they must be ingested with liquid to be palatable. This is how they become slider foods. They are also, most often, void of nutritional value. For weight loss surgery patients the process of digestion is different than those who have not undergone gastric surgery. When slider foods are consumed they go into the stomach pouch and exit directly into the jejunum where the simple carbohydrate slurry is quickly absorbed and stored by the body. There is little thermic effect in the digestion of simple carbohydrates like there is in the digestion of Protein so little metabolic energy is expended. In most cases patients in the phase of weight loss who eat slider foods will experience a weight loss plateau and possibly the setback of weight gain. And sadly, they will begin to believe their surgical stomach pouch is not functioning properly because they never feel fullness or restriction like they experience when eating protein. The very nature of the surgical gastric pouch is to cause feelings of tightness or restriction when one has eaten enough food. However, when soft simple carbohydrates are eaten this tightness or restriction does not result and one can continue to eat, unmeasured, copious amounts of non-nutritional food without ever feeling uncomfortable. Many patients turn to slider foods for this very reason. They do not like the discomfort that results when the pouch is full from eating a measured portion of lean animal or dairy protein without liquids. Yet it is this very restriction that is the desired result of the surgery. The discomfort is intended to signal the cessation of eating. Remembering the "Protein First" rule is crucial to weight management with bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass, gastric banding (lap-band) and gastric sleeve patients are instructed to follow a high protein diet to facilitate healing and promote weight loss. Bariatric centers advise what is commonly known among weight loss surgery patients as the "Four Rules" the most important of which is "Protein First." That means of all nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol) the patient is required to eat protein first. Protein is not always the most comfortable food choice for weight loss surgery patients who feel restriction after eating a very small amount of food. However, for the surgical tool to work correctly a diet rich in protein and low in simple carbohydrate slider foods must be observed. The high protein diet must be followed even after healthy body weight has been achieved in order to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight regain.

Thanks for the advise ladies... I am sticking to it.... I eat what I am supposed to --follow the rules, and no alcohol even though we live a fairly social life... I am also working out everyday and striving for the goal!!! It is just frustrating when you see pictures and you feel like you haven't changed.... but maybe the next 10 lbs I will see it.... I did do something for a pick-me up during my lunch break-- I went to the store and tried on pants.... and I am down from a 22-20 to a 16.... so I guess that's something... I know that it is working-- I can see it on the scale and in smaller clothes, I guess I just thought that 40 lbs would be more noticable besides in my face!! LOL! My doctor told me that I would really start to notice after I passed 40 lbs... so I will keep up the work...

I can't give you a solid scientific answer like Sue did, but here's what I've observed that seems to bode well for success: -Select a surgeon who has done at least 50 lap-band surgeries (the more, the better) -Find some more experienced bandsters (on messageboads like this or at an in-person support group) to go to for advice and support. -After the liquid stage of the post-op diet, avoid liquid calories like ice cream, candy, milkshakes, and alcohol for the most part. Stay focused on Protein foods. -Be willing to exercise to some extent (I don't think you need to be an exercise fanatic; just walking around the block a few times a week is a good start). There's a little bit of luck involved too (as far as not having any complications that might impede your progress). But, personally, I think that almost anyone who is serious about wanting to lose weight can lose enough weight with the band to improve their health and quality of life. Good luck!

I've been to a bunch of social occasions, and on a 9-day vacation during my first 11 weeks. The secret to success (and mental sanity) is planning! Although, as others have said, there should be food you can eat at the wedding, you can't count on it. You need to bring something you can eat if there's nothing appropriate available. Several thoughts: Don't go hungry -- eat before you go. Bring along a Protein shake in your purse in case of emergency. You might even cook up a chicken breast and have it in a small tupperware container. You can quietly drop it on your plate and eat it with a knife and fork. Don't feel deprived. You're doing a great thing for yourself and your family. Don't let an event derail your progress. If you make less than optimal decisions, you'll pay for it on the scale. Not worth it! And to help you make good decisions, don't drink alcohol! Not only is it loaded with fast, non-filling calories, but it leads to questionable decision making. 30 minutes after you eat (whatever it turns out to be), start pounding the Water. You don't want to be hungry when the cake is cut. (That may be a good time for your secret shake.) When you make it through, be proud of your accomplishment. And if you don't, get back on the horse immediately - not two days later on Monday. That's the "old" way of thinking. Remember, you're only 7 weeks into a new life. Do your best not to sabotage your progress. As others have said, people may notice, but they won't really care what you're eating. And if anyone asks, just tell 'em you're eating carefully these days for health reasons. Good luck -- you can do it!!!

Thanks again. Like I said I know he would want me to be healthy for my children. I am also in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. It's been almost 5 years. Eating was my outlet for all those years and no I don't have that anymore. I want to make good choices but I'm not sure how to do that.

Please read........it might help you. Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV has been around for a long time yet many doctors do not prescribe it for ailments that it is perfectly capable of treating. * * * This wonder food is said to help with weight loss, acne, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation and heartburn among others. Apple cider vinegar, also called just cider vinegar, is produced from cider or apple must (crushed and aged apples). The unfiltered product is a kind of brownish to yellow color, the unfiltered cider contains the "mother of vinegar", this is the part that has the most health benefits. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a natural bacteria fighter that contains minerals and trace elements such as magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine. This wonder food is said to help with weight loss, acne, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation and heartburn among others. it is also said to work wonders for your overall health and can even help fight diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer, memory problems and aging. Apple cider vinegar will also act as a blood thinner which aids in the prevention of high blood pressure (blood pressure chart). Vinegar has been used to cure and prevent a variety of ailments for centuries. As early as the time of Hippocrates, considered by many to be the father of medicine, vinegar was used to treat patients. During the Civil War, it was used as an antiseptic. What makes it so special and why should you use it? Apples are one of the most nutritious, health-giving foods available, containing a host of vitamins and minerals like pectin, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, phosphorous and potassium in addition to enzymes and amino acids. Apples are the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar detoxifies and purifies various organs in the body. As a purifier, it breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. By breaking down these substances, it improves the health and function of organs such as the kidneys, bladder, and liver. It oxidizes the blood, reducing the risk of high blood pressure, and neutralizes any toxic substance or harmful bacteria that enters the body by ingesting certain foods. Apple cider vinegar promotes healthy digestion, assimilation and elimination. Research has proven that apple cider vinegar can assist in strengthening the heart, stabilizing blood sugar and reducing the risk of certain cancers. It flushes harmful toxins from your body and assists in weight control. Try drinking two to six teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with water every day. It can also be used in cooking or sprinkled on salads, vegetables, etc. You can drink it as a hot or cold beverage and sweeten it with honey. You might wonder, if Apple Cider Vinegar is so great, why hasn't your doctor told you about it? I think the simple reason might be that medical doctors are more apt to prescribe medicines than natural remedies. Pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of money getting their medicines and pills approved and they certainly wouldn't want you using the inexpensive, unpatentable alternative of ACV instead of buying their expensive cures and treatments. One big problems today that many people suffer from is acid reflux. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies have come up with a plethora of pills to treat this ailment. But before you take pills that may be harmful to you, you might want to consider treating your acid reflux or other stomach ailments with apple cider vinegar. You see, your stomach needs acid to digest food and when you have digestive problems like acid reflux or heartburn it's not because you have too much acid it's because there is too little. Most medications you would take for these are antacids which diminish the amount of acid in your stomach but this may not be what you need. These antacids may treat the symptoms but they will not address the cause and therefore, will never cure your problem. Apple cider vinegar will mimic the acid level of your stomach and help you digest food properly which can help to treat that burning sensation. In addition, you might also consider taking digestive enzymes that will help your stomach digest the food. If you suffer from acid reflux, heartburn or nausea, try taking one tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar prior to each meal. You may see your symptoms go away in as little as three days. However, you'll want to continue this practice for three to nine months and you may see the problem disappear altogether. You don't want to use just any kind of ACV, though. What you need is organic apple cider vinegar that still has the enzymes in it (called the "mother"). This is where the healing properties are. The "mother" will show up inside the bottle as stringy globs floating around. To get the most out of your vinegar, shake it up each time you take a swig so that the mother can be dispersed throughout. What's that you say? It tastes terrible? Certainly most people do not take to the taste of ACV right away but it can be somewhat of an acquired taste and I know many people (including myself) that slug down a tablespoonful of the stuff all by itself. If you can't stomach this, space however, there are some things you can do to make it a little bit more palatable. Apple cider vinegar can be taken in many various ways including in salad dressings, making mayonnaise, or sprinkled on chips and fries. It also can be sweetened with natural honey to make it taste better, a method often used in India where physicians will often prescribe apple cider vinegar with Gotu Kola (a herb) to help in the revitalizing of the skin. You might try making a tea out of your Apple cider vinegar by heating a couple of water and then adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to that. While it's best to take ACV before each meal, you can also take it anytime your stomach feels a little upset and it will have immediately curative effects. Some people swear by it, and drink it for everything including the onset of cold and flu. Apple Cider Vinegar is also a cure for bad breath or halitosis due to its acidity. An additional benefit is that many people who have taken apple cider vinegar before each meal have seen a moderate weight loss as well. Some theories for the weight loss benefits of apple cider vinegar suggest that ACV may help to speed up the bodies metabolism. Medicinal uses of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Honestly, natural apple cider vinegar is one of nature's own, true miracle health elixirs. The long history of its use demonstrates, rather clearly, that using vinegar was once highly revered as a practical medical application long before Johnny Appleseed graced North America by planting apple trees. The healing powers of vinegar has been traced back as far as 3000 BC, Hippocrates, Babylonia, and to 15th century England as a means to ward off dangerous and infectious diseases, to keep one's general health fit and strong, and used as a simple antiseptic/disinfectant. When deciding to use ACV for medicinal purposes, be sure to select only a raw, non-distilled vinegar. You may be able to find this type of vinegar in your regular grocery store. But more likely than not, you will probably need to look for it at a local health food store. Clear distilled vinegar is easy to find in any food store and is relatively inexpensive. This type of vinegar is great for regular household cleaning chores, but it is not so wonderful for your internal health. Non-distilled vinegars are definitely going to be more expensive and nutritionally potent than the distilled varieties, but isn't your health worth the price difference? Plus, you are going to have the satisfaction of knowing that you have chosen the right mixture that will work hard to enhance your health. Most commercial brands (whether white or brown) have been pasteurized, filtered, and refined or distilled in order to make the final product look more attractive to please the consumer. The manufacturers are only giving the consumer what they apparently seem to want. Unfortunately, unbeknown to the average consumer, this extra processing actually destroys much of the natural health restorative properties of the end product. Look for ACVs that have been cold pressed and made from whole, organically grown apples, with no added chemical preservatives, and in which the 'mother' of vinegar liquid has been retained. This 'mother' substance, as it is lovingly known, is the gelatinous liqueur that is naturally formed during the final fermentation process. This milky, cloudy, and stringy looking stuff at the bottom of the container is what contains the healthiest part of the mixture. It also lets you know that the important vitamins and minerals, enzymes, and naturally occurring good bacteria have not been compromised due to over processing, filtration, or excessive heating. Before consuming, shake the the bottle gently to thoroughly distribute all of the nutrients, pour, and serve. An energy boosting way to drink ACV, without it taking your breath away, is to mix about 2 teaspoons with an equal amount of raw honey in a small glass of warm water. Stir to dissolve the honey and drink one to three times a day. You can sip on this drink during a meal for extra digestive power, or you can drink this ahead of a meal. Refrain from drinking to much water or any other beverage during your meal, and for up to an hour afterward. Give your gastric stomach juices enough time to fully break down the food you just ate, on its own, without weakening their effects with added liquids. Why use apple cider vinegar? Because, when it is used medicinally it helps the body rid itself of harmful toxins, has wonderful disinfecting properties as a natural bad germ fighter, and is a very biodegradable substance that does not pollute the environment. With regular and continued use, this wonderful liquid helps restore and balance the body's pH, taking it from acidic to neutral in a short amount of time. Normally, it would be hard to believe that such an acidic substance could normalize, or lower our pH so easily. As far as I know, this only applies to vinegar, as our digestive system will naturally convert it to an alkaline based substance. An acidic internal system is directly caused from eating excessive amounts of meat, grains, and sugar by eating and drinking too many processed foods and beverages. This will provide an invitation, internally, for unwanted illness or disease to set up house. Otherwise, a neutral or more alkaline system will promote an enhanced emotional and physical health state. Raw, ACV contains over 40 different naturally occurring substances from vitamins and minerals, to enzymes and beneficial bacteria. It has been used for generations to treat a variety of different human health conditions such as, arthritis high blood pressure all types of skin problems chronic fatigue and insomnia heartburn and other digestive abnormalities high cholesterol maintaining normal body weight This is not exhaustive list, by far, of common health maladies that ACV has been known to eliminate. As with any new diet addition, your expectations may be too high in the healing effects of vinegar. Keep in mind that it is not to be considered a panacea for all ill health evils. Although many individuals have achieved a more improved physical state by using vinegar, without modifying their daily dietary habits, serious diet modifications need to be considered in some hard-core cases. Doing so would further enhance a partial response when combined with a healthier diet. This is, especially, a key factor when using vinegar for serious weight loss. You simply must reduce or eliminate your consumption of over processed foods, eat more raw plant foods, eat smaller meals more often, and step up your effort in getting regular and moderate physical exertion. These strategies combined with ACV will take you a long way in seeing the results you are hoping for, and quicker. It is possible to lose up to one to three pounds a week. Remember too...that diet modifications include increasing daily liquid intake. Apple cider vinegar works best when adequate liquids are supplied to help carry out the toxins we ingest and are exposed to every day. Not just any liquids, but read this to mean WATER exclusively. Start reducing the amounts of other beverages you may be drinking instead, such as soft drinks, coffee, tea, fruit juices, and alcohol. Moderation, in occasionally consuming these, is absolutely crucial in maintaining a healthy body weight (even if your underweight), or if you are trying to lose weight. When used as a flavor seasoning, or drinking as a healthy tonic, ACV could have your current health issue becoming a thing of the past. As with any type of natural or conventional health treatment, be realistic. Expect a reasonable amount of time for vinegar to take affect. This may be only a few days, a week, or it could be longer. If you are really committed to giving it a real chance, you may look forward to a much different health reality sooner than you think. Related Articles about Apple Cider Vinegar Magic of Apple Cider Vinegar as a Natural Home Remedy Brenda Skidmore has spent over the last five years actively researching natural health care alternatives. She can attest to the many positive results natural practical cures and preventive strategies bring to human health. Along with the many medical professionals whose public works she has studied, it is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit: (link) Link To" Apple Cider Vinegar" <a href="http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/apple-cider-vinegar.shtml">Apple Cider Vinegar</a> Email Article Printable This site is intended for your general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Read more: http://www.disabled-...l#ixzz11PR3zLr7 Source: Apple Cider Vinegar

Our surgeons at Kaiser told us NEVER to drink alcohol again because of the risk for ulcers as well as the HIGH risk of changing your addiction from food to alcohol. Of course people still will from time to time. Something I've learned through this process is that not many things affect me the way that it does to the majority of people who have been sleeved. The only thing that I am similar to the majority on is alcohol after sleeve hurts. I've drank(not a lot) on two occasions since being sleeved 12/19. First vodka drink with club soda was okay but gave me mild heart burn. The second drink was vodka based but no carbonated drink and my esophagus and stomach BURNED after the tiniest sip. You may be different from my experience so I guess you'll have to try, just be cautious.

For me, I could basically out drink a football team before surgery, so I was looking forward to becoming a "cheap date" afterwards. Unfortunately that didn't happen. A couple drink experiments proved I am still pretty "alcohol -proof". It's actually become a motivating factor for me to not even bother to drink alcohol anymore. If I can't get buzzed, what's the point of drinking those empty calories when it has the same effect as drinking water.

Let me remind everyone that recent studies have shown that all fluids, regardless of whether or not they contain caffeine, are equally hydrating (with the exception of alcohol). So in reality, Coke and Water hydrate the body equally. As for the other facts about the other stuff in it, I'm not too sure, but in terms of hydration, coke or water will both do the trick.

I was diagnosed with an ulcer at the anastomosis at six months post-op. I was fortunate to not have any symptoms other than mild anemia. They did a stool test and picked up some blood which was followed by an endoscopy that confirmed the ulcer. My surgeon doubled my Prevacid along with some restrictions in diet and a second endoscopy five months later showed the ulcer completely healed. Ulcers at the anastomosis are relatively rare, affecting 7% to 15% of patients and can be caused by any number of things including alcohol, spicy food, caffeine, smoking, the use of NSAIDs and increased retention of stomach acids in the pouch just to name a few. Treatment options vary widely from oral medication to additional surgery in serious (but rare) cases. Ulcers are one more very good reason to do everything you possibly can to follow your surgeon's post-op protocol as closely to the letter as you can. But even patients who follow the protocol can develop ulcers from causes beyond our control. Regardless of the cause, ulcers are almost always treatable and can often be completely resolved.

I wasn't given any restrictions but I restricted myself while I was on Vicodin. If you're on pain meds and you drive, you're driving while under the influence and can get in serious trouble. It's just like alcohol. So if you're off meds, you should be fine.

Recently scientists have discovered that what we thought made ulcers (spicy foods, caffeine stress etc) are not so. Unfortunately many doctors are not up to date in the new facts. Such things may irritate existing ulcers but not cause them. (correlation, not causation). They have now learned that 70-90% of ulcers are caused by the bacteria, h pylori. That's why so many programs are now insisting on h pylori screening in the last few years. (when I had my surgery 7 years ago I didn't have such testing). NSAIDs, alcohol and some medications are also factors.

I can eat any meat, seafood or fish if it is cut small enough, moist enough and chewed well, however i cant eat scrambled eggs or raw veg, although i do eat a lot of chopped salads. I dont eat pasta or any high carb foods like rice or bread by choice ! .. Some cant eat much of a morning as the band can be a little tighter so they stick with a protein shake or a warm drink to relax it a little first. Most food people eat is individual to them, so it would be individual to you if u have the lapband fitted as to what could end up eating .. big no no's are drinking while eating, eating large quantities or too fast and not chewing well seem to be the standard sort of restrictions ... In general there isnt really intolerance to anything because of a lapband, some doctors will ask for no caffine or alcohol others will say no problem, i drink coffee, not strong, and tea as fillers in between meals my doctor is fine with it and as u can see i have lost the weight i needed too and am continuing on the homeward stretch to my goal. Good luck and maybe this will be the year that changed your life

Sometimes I get really bad reflux around bedtime - maybe 2-3 times a month? I don't take my Nexium anymore. I'll just pop an antacid and it goes away in a few minutes. Some ways to minimize your odds of getting reflux at night: 1) avoid eating right before bed, especially fattening or spicy foods 2) avoid coffee and alcohol in the evening 3) prop yourself up on pillows - or, alternatively, put some books under your bed legs at the head end so your bed is propped up. I've heard this also helps with puffy eyes in the am!