Search the Community

This may sound dumb as hell, but I almost wish I'd get stuck ONCE, just so I know I have the band!! On the other hand, I've always been afraid of stuck, PBs, etc., so I'm careful most all the time. But even still, I have gone a bit brain dead from time to time, and still…..nothing stuck. Is it my anatomy?? The only thing I did have happen, was at a party two weeks ago. I drank mucho plenty of wine, and ate whatever appetizers were out. I ate a little bit of the dinner (chicken & salad), but mostly wine and finger foods. They had karaoke, and every time I took a breath to sing, little burps came out. No one heard it, but it was so frustrating. I had that issue for a good hour or two. I only have that happen after drinking too much. Eating too much doesn't cause it, but throw in the alcohol, and I become a little burp machine

My understanding is the purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver so the surgeon can get install the band efficiently. Alcohol is not going to help shrink the liver. Maybe a party without drinking is good practice for a new lifestyle -- not that you can't drink once banded but that there are going to be times when you need to make a healthier choice. This may be one of those times! Good luck to you with your upcoming surgery. Very exciting new chapter beginning!

It's been over a year since I've had carbonated beverages, caffeine, or alcohol. It turned out to be much easier than I ever would have guessed.

Why can't you have the party without drinking? If it is that close to your surgery I would have some non alcoholic beverage. You don't know how long it thins your blood and that will put you at risk for a bleed or could possibly even cause a serious issue during surgery. I would say no because we all know that once you start drinking its hard to only have one.

Cancer---my father had a partial gastrectomy for ulcers in 1972. (This was before they knew it was from H pylori and could be treated with antibiotics). NOW in 2013 at the age of 81 he has been diagnosed with gastric cancer. The remaining stomach was removed except a 5% pocket at the top. I found out that "previous gastric surgery" was one of his risk factors for development of stomach cancer when I was researching his diagnosis. THAT WAS 41 yrs from surgery to cancer. During that time, he has lead an active life....41 years worth. I made the decision to have my VSG after his diagnosis.....and no I was not afraid of gastric cancer. I was afraid of having a heart attack, stroke, diabetes etc....from my obesity. That would kill me sooner than the gastric cancer. I am sure the bariatric surgery community has ongoing studies on the long term effects of VSG. Unfortunately, we won't know those results for many years as the early sleevers start to show these effects. In life, we all make choices that may have long term effects on our health. That is why ANY decision we make concerning our health matters. Be it smoking, alcohol, drugs.....and yes food. It is an individual decision.

Alcohol is a blood thinner and usually forbidden for a couple weeks before surgery. Check with your doctor before drinking. It's not worth having to postpone your surgery for a drink.

I am scheduled to get my band on December 18th. I start my liquid diet on December 11th. Every year, I host an Ugly Ornament Party for some long time friends and usually most people imbibe many spirits for the party. I will be on my third day of the liquid diet. I know I probably should not have a lot of alcoholic drinks, as they tend to be high in sugar and calories, but I would really like to have at least a couple of drinks. Does anyone have any good suggestions for a low calorie alcoholic drink that would be possibly "acceptable" on a liquid diet? Also, do you think the alcohol would affect me differently while on a liquid diet? For anyone with a band, what alcoholic drinks have you drank with the band?

I think everyone has made great points. I don't want to be redundant but I will mention something I didn't see mentioned. You touched upon excessive drinking on your husband's part. You might want to go to an Al-Anon meeting. I know a lot of people find these type of meetings "cultish" but some find some good info and perspective. Just my perspective as an woman who grew up with an alcoholic mother, not drinking at home and "cutting back" doesn't always solve the problem. Just a thought. I completely agree though #1 - make no major changes this close to post op #2 - end your marriage only if it is completely irrepairable, not for someone else #3 - definitely give an honest shot before walking away - that means no contact or as little as possible with the other man

I too, am hypothyroid and was not a huge eater. I would eat 1200 a day, walk a mile a day, not drink any alcohol and was only able to maintain being morbidly obese. If I went down to 500 calories a day, starving myself, I could lose weight. That is an unrealistic plan for anyone. My nickname was Olive Oyl as a little girl, so weight was never an issue until the last 10 years. This surgery has given me a chance to regain me. I am 9 days out, from surgery, and down 12.5 pounds. Does it work?? You betcha!!! Thyroid or not.

Yes you can have wine but in moderation. My surgeon said after two months. But keep in mind, alcohol will affect you differently. So when you drink wine for the first time, make sure you have a driver or drink at home to see how it affects you. A little can make you tipsy.

My mother, My food issues are so tied up in her and my father, not all of them of course and I am the one solely responsible for them as an adult. But food and it's power were born to me at a very early age... Funny thing is I was a very skinny young child, My parents were out of control druggie alcoholics, probably had no business having kids, but weren't bright enough to care. They separated/divorced when I was five. And there started a childhood of control. My mother would make me eat. "You are not leaving until you eat it all" hours of standoffs My brother would beg and say "I'll throw up!" And he did.. I never threw up, I wasn't that lucky, my father would scream "why are you making her eat?" "She is getting fat!" One wanted to feed the other wanted it to stop?? I don't know what my fathers motivation was really.. He was fixated on looks...my looks my weight. The fought about it for years, that's all I know.. As I got older he would call once in awhile and ask "are you still fat" (yes I got really fat) it's all he really cared about... Funny at my brothers funeral (the first time I saw him in years by the way and the last) he told me my cousin would be there soon. He went on to tell me what a "beautiful" girl she is how he was so proud if her... She showed up 300 pounds maybe? And all I could think was WTF??? My mom, she was/ is messed up in many ways yes. But I see her now and guess what? she still likes to feed. Not just me though, everyone, she's a great hostess.. It's not malicious, It actually gives her joy. She doesn't do it to be mean or to try and make people fat. She just wants to make people happy...

You are well on your way to a successful weight loss story! This is exactly what is needed to make this work!! We are addicts of food using the food to mask our pain, happiness etc. No different than an alcoholic or drug addict. Same outcome of medicating what bothers us. You have to look back in life as you go through this journey and fix what didn't work! Otherwise it is just a diet with a little help that will end up with some regain. With that said regain can also be used to learn from. Why did that happen? Many circumstances in life can bring us to being food addicts it's a matter of decoding it. I had a mother in the hospital a lot when I was young and spent many days being the mother. I gained weight as a child through this part of my life trying to feel better. Lost it as a teenager and regained it later because of an injury. The regain wasn't that bad but my mind wouldn't let me see it that way. I got depressed and gained more on top of it! The sleeve has allowed me to lose the weight and begin to feel good about myself again. I have realized that my body image has made me a prisoner for to long and will no longer be a slave to it. I am working on finding other ways to feel better about daily life issues, and the serious ones. Food is not the answer taking the problems head on in a realistic manor is what is working for me. In addition I have learned that carbs really are an enemy for me. They take me down a path of destructive thinking about my abilities and make me want them more. Learning yourself and how to make the changes is what it is all about! Thank you for this thread it has helped me to further validate myself and what I have to do and be for a successful me!

We have been going out or having people in more than usual due to the holidays, plus had a little getaway. I drank both nights on our vacation and here and there for about a week or so. Have not gained but I haven't lost either. I'm pretty sure the alcohol is stalling out my weight loss. Not worth it! I just need to remember that when some one offers me a glass. No thank you! I may need a rule for myself to take me through the season -- one night per week or something like that. As for transference, I am very happy to be planning exercise the way I used to plan eating. Instead of wondering about stopping off somewhere for a treat or thinking about that cheese in the fridge, I find myself worrying over getting another walk in before it's dark. This amazes me.

Just googled it, and darned if you aren't right, RNY patients have a higher incident of alcohol abuse than banders. http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/news/20121015/addiction-risk-weight-loss-surgery

i think the addiction problem is with gastric bypass. ppl drink and it goes straight to the small intestine. it takes very little alcohol to get drunk. but with the lapband, we still have our stomachs and absorb things normally.

Patva I avoided the buffets like it was rush hour traffic near LAX. As for alcohol I haven't had any since 3 months pre op. I did a lot of walking and working out while there.

I just left from Vegas. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. At the buffets, I chose the meats first, and then ate vegetables. I just had a spoonful of desert. Even at a burger place. In took the meat off and ate that. The only issue I had was not drinking so close to eating, and if course the drinking alcohol. I realized that I am now that I can only drink 1 1/2 glasses of wine .

My name is Stephanie. I'm a 35 year old wife an mother. My husband and I have been married for 12 years and we have an 11 year old son and a 4 year old Daughter. We live in the Sierra Nevada Foothills of California and live on a lake. My husband and I own and operate a landscape Company that has been in business for 13 years. He is a contractor and loves doing landscape design. I have been a mortgage broker for 13 years of my life and 3 years ago during the recession decided that enough was enough. So I went back to school and got my Bachelors and now work for the State of California in HR. I really like my job, it's fun and exciting and changes daily. I have been chubby all my life. I was born 9lbs 8 oz. People called me the Michelin Tire Baby which then evolved into such horrid nicknames like "fat daddy" or "fluffanie". I wasn't one of those really fat kids, at 11 years old I was 92lbs.. Sounds like a lot actually considering my son is 11 and is 70 lbs if that! Lol! Anyways, I have always carried in extra weight. The only time I was thin was at 17 when I was strung out on drugs. I weighed 118. I got married and was 165, had our son and rocked 190, had our daughter and now in tipping the scales at 235. I've become someone I don't even recognize. I have always been about self love and body image and love your curves and shit so for me this is not a much about vanity as it is about health. I actually have pretty high self esteem and think rather highly of myself! lol!!! 3 years ago my Daddy died. He was my best friend, my beacon and my biggest supporter in life. He accepted me for ME and always built me up and told me I was beautiful and fearless and unique and he taught me how to be strong and never to take shit from anyone. He was my rock and without him I have this huge hole in my heart. He died of: diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and other illnesses caused by a poor lifestyle. He is full blooded Mexican and grew up in Lard and Pork Fat and All kinds of artery clogging goodness. I remember he used to put mayonnaise on everything!! Even tortillas and in Beans and he even just made mayo sandwiches!! He fried his eggs in bacon grease and smoked 2 packs a day and was a raging alcoholic most of his life. And yes he was FAT.. I will never forget the way I felt when he left me.. And I hate the way I feel without him. He was only 62... He never got to meet my daughter, his granddaughter... My son misses him every day. My husband gets choked up every time we talk about him, my sister and I relate everything we do to him and sob in each others arms on occasion. I decided I don't ever want my kids to feel like this... The fact that he lived such a careless lifestyle was selfish of him!! So my reasoning for this surgery (VSG) is based on my health. I want to be healthy and live a long healthy life for my kids and grandkids. I want to be here for my little sister for as long as I can, I don't want my family to see me die slowly and know that I did this to myself. I'm doing this for ME and my KIDS because I love myself as much as I love my Kids. I know it won't be easy.. And it will be a long journey of trial and tribulation. I also know it's kind of risky an may be considered drastic to some but I have never been one to back away from a challenge.. My sister asked me the other day, "well what if something goes wrong Steph? What will happen Ito you if you do this?" I just looked at her an said, "what will happen if I don't?"..........

My doc says says no alcohol ever. But different docs have different rules.

That depends. When was your surgery? I was allowed alcohol in moderation about 4 months out. I usedto have 1-2 beers a month but the carbonation makes it less pleasant now so 1-2 x a month i have a glass of wine with absolutely no problems.

I found this post really interesting because I still have not come up with an answer to "Are you glad you had the surgery done?". Even though I have had few complications and great results so far, my answer usually starts out with, "Wellll,...." But I have to say I felt this was the last resort for me to get some kind of normal life back. A friend of mine who is a recovering alcoholic and AA group leader has said that an alcoholic/addict will ask for help once they get to the point that they are willing to do anything to stop from feeling the way they do. That any other existence is better than the one they are living in. That is probably the closest description I have heard to what made my decision to have the surgery. I woke up one morning and was just sick and tired of being sick and tired, realizing that ANYTHING would be better than where I was at and I was willing to do anything to bring about that change. But I also know that nobody can make the decision for us. Countless doctors and well-meaning friends and family had tried for years to convince me. But I had to be ready and I was willing to accept all the risks that came with it. I think it is reasonable to assume that your co-worker went through a similar experience, so please don't feel responsible for her situation. I do hope that she gets through her challenges soon and her pain is abated. Please keep sharing your story, keeping in mind that it will be their decision. You may even save a life someday.

Interesting, while my surgeon made no mention of alcohol, the psychologist that conducts the monthly group meetings once told us that people who have had WLS are at higher risk of addiction, she specifically mentioned sex and alcohol. It makes sense if you think about it, most of us are addicted to food, WLS interrupts that addiction, but it doesn't deal with the root issues that caused the addictive behavior in the first place. So, many of us simply replace one addiction with another. Or as I have heard many times on this board, the band works on the stomach, not the brain.

i was asked to sign a contract stating no alcohol for the first year. i don't know how my new doctor, my surgeon moved to florida, feels about it. they were partners so most likely had same rules. i don't drink anyways so it isn't a issue for me. but i would likely treat wine, like fruit juice is to a diabetic. we just stay away from it.

I think this may be a correlation/causation type of problem. Do people lose weight better, because they drink wine with their dinner (Causation), or does some other factor in their life (i.e. attitude) that allows them to lose weight easier, also make it more likely that they will drink wine with their meals (Correlation). Personally, I can't stand the taste of wine, and I don't like the carbonation of beer, but I do keep a bottle of vodka in the freezer and I am really fond of scratch margaritas. But you need to be careful, alcohol is extremely high in calories

Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone! I had such a great day. I saw my cousin who I hadn't seen in many years (he happened to be in the area) and I went to my boyfriends moms house as well. Her home at Thanksgiving is a gluttons paradise- literally 40-50+ family members, extended family and friends with buffet style catering dishes with TONS of food. Desserts galore and the liquor flowing. Two men commented on how small my plate was- I told one who's known me for a long time about my surgery. I had even put more on my plate that I knew I wasn't going to eat! I ended up eating turkey with gravy, mac n cheese, dressing, and green beans and drank water. Once my boyfriend settled into a game of Madden (?) with his BFF (men), I took the opportunity to go see a friend from that I recently reconnected with who also was nearby (my cousin and an old friend- what luck!). I would never have gone to see her or my cousin at my heaviest. She and I were obsessed with our weight and the gym in college and I would not want her to see me that way and my cousin is SUPER FIT. I was so happy to see her because she's so much fun, and we've also made plans for a Caribbean cruise April 2015! So excited! I'm going to do every excursion/adventure I can and people will probably wonder what kind of drugs I'm on for the whole 12 days I'm going to be running around that ship so much 8) A few people at my boyfriends moms said I looked good and it made me happy but also kind of sad knowing how much I had let myself go. I'm not going to dwell on the past though, and I know no matter what I will never let myself go there EVER AGAIN. I had a great holiday, didn't have alcohol, and even LOST a pound when I weighed myself today! She wins!!!