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Hi all, I'm new here. I am investigating surgery, probably roux-en-y because I have pretty bad reflux already and that's the surgery that is supposed to help fix that. I've called my insurance several times, and finally, after 5 different people have a printed list of what the qualifications are! And, I meet them! It says BMI of 40 or 35 with comormidities. I have a BMI of 40 and GERD, which they specify as one of the comorbidites. Then is says, "documentation of weight management attempts, and inability to sustain weight loss." I am printing out past weight watchers billing reports, and Jenny Craig is sending me something as well. I'm thinking that should work? It doesn't say it has to be medically supervised, or give a length of time. Then it just says I have to have a dietary consultation, and a psychological evaluation, which sounds pretty standard. And "No history of drug or alcohol use, or drug and alcohol free for greater than one year." I have had a few drinks, but honestly, other than one or two occasions haven't had a full drink in at least 3 yrs.....not because I hate alochol but when I'm supervising my kids I don't have time for booze, lol. Would it be unethical to say "no drinking" when I've probably drank once in the last few years? I can't imagine it counts that I've had a sip of my husband's drink, or 1/4 glass of something here or there sporadically. I imagine they are just ruling out any chances of alcholism.

Technically if you stopped drinking and didn't change anything about your eating habits you should lose 1 to 1.5 lbs a week. A bottle of wine has about 600 calories and you need to burn 3500 calories to lose a lb. So you're taking in an extra 4200 calories a week. So if you cut those out you should lose at last a lb a week. But for someone who is drinking that much and trying to stop you may find yourself snacking more or wanting sweets which is going to cancel out some of those calories. I suggest buying some sugar free hard candies to have on hand if you need them. Coming from a family of alcoholics I urge you to get help if you need it. Don't let it t

Hey thanks for the info.im not a alcoholic bt do see myself having a drink here on there on special occasions.ill just keep it truthful to you n myself..yeah thts the info i had also.family members havent horrible stuff from youtube trying to scare me out of it.

Soooo speaking of alcohol, I have a few concerns. I was told that I could have a 1/2 shot on my birthday (my 21st bday is aug 6) and that I would get super drunk from it. I tried drinking prior to that (a few days ago) to make sure my body could handle it and that I wouldn't barf on all of my friends. How many shots of 70 proof rum did it take for me to actually get drunk? 5 shots. I took 1 at a time to see what would happen and spread that out 20 mins apart. Every shot (until the 5th) got me kinda sorta tipsy for 5 minutes then I was stone cold sober again. Why didn't I get drunk off a 1/2 a shot like I was told? My alcohol tolerance has not changed AT ALL post op. Rather concerned. - Kaylee Ann ~ Surgiversary: 6/11/12

I've had pancreatitis (in 1995) and it was PAINFUL. Whenever a nurse asks me to rate my pain from 1-10, I never use a 10 cuz that ones saved for pancreatitis! Hang in there. I think I got a popsicle on day 4. I was out and feeling great day 6. Dr gave me 6 weeks off work but was feeling fine and went back after 2 weeks (nurse) Pancreatitis is so rare for non-alcoholics. I'd had a procedure the day before to retrieve stones from my bile duct and the dye irriatated my pancreas causing it. ugh. it's so painful. I remember lying on the gurney in the ER literally hanging out the side of it crying/begging for pain meds. They couldn't give me anything till my labs came back. Ass oon as it was confirmed, you betcha I got some meds in my IV!! Good luck!

I am going to be going away on June 1st to a party in LA. I am flying out just for the weekend. Has anyone been on an airplane since being banded? What was the experience? I am scared my band will explode! Lol I also would like to know if anyone has ever had an experience with drinking liquor while banded? I know that there will be alcohol around. By the way I was just banded May 9th!

Haa I have drank several alcohol drinks no explosion. I can not drink as much as before not because of change in effect of drink as some say but because I get full. Take care though go slow see how it effects you.

I'd wait until 1 year for drinking alcohol. I started drinking wine at 9 months and i think it slowed down my weight loss. Also, u might not be able to tolerate carbonated drinks. I know my nutritionist recommended avoiding them. I can tolerate some coolers like 1 or 2 anymore and I'll dump. Cannot stomach beer too gassy...almost 2 years post.

Some people feel tighter after flying. Some not. I feel tighter just from the stress of travel, no matter the mode. I take Protein Shake mix powder with me on airplanes.The liquid can be a problem with TSA rules. I bring an empty Water bottle through security then fill it up at a fountain after. Much cheaper than buying a bottle after. I also take Protein Bars, as often times airport food is so-so for band diets. I've been through the full body scan with no problem. Remember to stay well hydrated. A bit of dehydration can make a band feel tighter. Alcohol..I have it from time to time. Remember, it might reduce your resolve to eat right. I often get stuck if I am a bit tipsy because I forget to chew well and take small bites. Also take calories into consideration. You are newly banded, so follow your post-op rules.

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.

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?

I was allergic to the pain med. Loritab because of the alcohol in it. I didn't take anything after the first dose at home and had a reaction. The pain when I would get up off the couch was pretty bad on my right side on and around my larger incision. I also had a lump under it. I slept in a recliner for the first week because the pain was to bad to lay down. Walking hurt, standing was super painful and showering I shook the pain was so bad! No pain meds at all! I'm sure if would have taken the Norco they sent me on day 3 I might off been in less pain. So take your pain meds. At day 15 woke up and no pain! I had do get out and do all my Christmas shopping so I had no time for pain... I was so tired but I did it. I definitely got my walking in!! I'm 7 weeks Wednesday and I'm down 36 pounds and I feel great! Everyone has been saying how great I look, it feels wonderful!! So pain is common, my Dr said that's where he takes a really big stitch. He said on the outside its an inch long but on the inside its a lot bigger, through mussels ect. But call your bariatric team they will advise you what to do.

I had a glass after 2 months, which was the minimum my surgeon's office said to wait. They encouraged no alcohol until after 6 months, but it wasn't harped on. I made myself a goal before surgery (because I too very much enjoy wine!) that I could have a glass when I lost 50lbs. I probably have 2 glasses a week now, my tolerance levels are waaaaay lower and I'm not complaining.

Let me start off by saying I'm totally against hard and fast rules, and nevers and can'ts. Everyone has to find what works for them. If you can manage the calories into your diet and still lose, then good for you. But I'm swearing off alcohol while I'm in my weight loss stage. At 3 week post op I went on a business trip that was a very social, cocktails and dinner every night event, and then stayed the weekend with a friend and did the lay by the pool thing. I had a beer or cocktail each day, rarely finishing it. I was more active than I had been since surgery. I got my protein in, tracked calories, and averaged 700/day for the week (including the alcohol). I got home, jumped on the scale, anticipating a big loss. Nope, up two pounds! So that did it for me. Also, your tastes may change post surgery. I was a big social drinker. I never drink alone at home, but put me out at a bar, I really like to have a drink, or two, or ten. But since surgery, I don't have that desire. I'm fine being out w friends, coworkers, clients and having water while everyone else is drinking, don't feel any need to join at all. The week I did drink, it wasn't out of desire, it was out of habit and not trying to attract any more attention than necessary to my changed diet and eating habits. So you may not even want that wine after surgery. Or if you do, your desire to lose weight might outweigh it.

Can someone bring you some protein based snacks that don't require refrigeration, I'm thinking like beef jerky, nuts, protein chips, protein bars or shakes and they can wipe the packaging down with alcohol to prevent contamination before it goes in your room and then you can keep them in your room? I've never seen a hospital that doesn't allow a person to bring in food or snacks that isn't on a special diet. You might have to get firm with them that you need the added protein

It has been 1 month since my lapband surgery. I am really feeling great most of the time. I am trying to stay around 1200 calories and exercise every morning. I am down about 12 pounds since my presurgery visit. I started the Couch to 5K running program this week. I did that Monday and today and walked yesterday since I am only supposed to do the running program 3 days per week to let my body recover. This morning I was finished with the running portion and was in the slow walking part to cool down when I almost balcked out and became weak. My heart rate became very rapid. My husband was about to leave for work, but he saw that something was wrong so he helped me in the house and got me something to drink. Now I have had this type of episodes since I was about 18. Usually, my heart will race for a short time and then go back to normal usually after I have taken several very deep breaths or tried to hold my breath for a few seconds to kind of reset my heart. Only one other time about a year ago, I had to go to the emergency room and get a shot to slow my heart rate. I was really worried that time that something was bad wrong because it had never lasted that long before. I recognized that this one wasn't going away easily, so I let my husband carry me to our local ER. They did the same thing and now I feel great. Both of these bad times, I had been running early in the morning before eating or drinking anything. I think it could be what is triggering the episodes. Maybe dehydration or low blood sugar? They told me I have PSVT which is not life-threatening, but could be corrected with a type of surgery. Since it had only happened that once bad enough to go to the ER, I never saw the specialist. Now I am wondering if I should go, but I still am not ready for another surgery right now. I have researched PSVT and the only triggers that I can find are caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and illicit drug use. Caffeine is the only one of these that could have caused my 1st bad episode, but I stopped that before I had lapband surgery a month ago. So that is not the problem. One doc told me that it could happen without any particular trigger. But I am convinced that it has something to do with strenuous exercise before eating or drinking. I just have to figure out what I need to eat or how much I need to drink before exercise in the mornings to prevent this from happening again. I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this, and what I might do to prevent it. I am really trying to make changes to my lifestyle to finally get this weight off for good. I don't want to stop exercising in the morning because I find too many excuses in the afternoon. Plus I have more energy for my day exercising in the morning. I get my first fill in 2 weeks and I hope this helps me to be satisfied with less food. I am hoping that combined with the exercise will help me reach my goals. I would like to be down 50 pounds by Christmas. I know it is possible if I will stick to my program.

How soon can you drink after gastric bypass surgery? I'm planning on hitting the dating sites after I've reached my goal weight loss. I'm interested in knowing whether I'll be able to consume a little alcohol if I'm on a date or just out generally ? Unfortunately my poison of choice is Prosecco,which is fizzy. Would I be able to tolerate it ?

It's ok to enjoy a slice of pizza. I don't completely deny myself having food I like. Many people eat pizza and don't become obese just like many people drink alcohol and don't become alcoholics. I usually reserve Saturdays for when I eat something totally off the diet. One week it may be McDonalds Breakfast burrito, or a slice of pizza, or some nachos from Taco Bell. I used to eat four breakfast burritos and an order of hashbrowns. Now I eat one burrito. One burrito has 300 calories and 12 grams of Protein so I'm not exactly ruining everything. If you have two slices of pizza a week you'll be fine. My past weight lose experiences always failed when I would deny myself the food I really liked and then would finally breakdown and just start consuming it everyday. I at least know now I can treat myself once a week and when I do, I can't eat as much of it as I used to.

I drink beer often. I have no problems with it but I count my calories. Having the surgery has not changed the way how fast alcohol affects me. I think it's different for everyone just make sure you account for your calories and take it slow when you have your first drink until you know how it will affect you. And also don't drink until you are fully healed (6-8 wks after surgery).

My NUT was very adamant about no alcohol for a year. So I asked the doc and the reason is that it will slow down weight loss. I have had a small glass of wine and one rum and diet coke with no problems.

I tried some wine 4 weeks out and it burned, did not feel good. Waited and tried again 9 weeks out and was fine then. You feel the alcohol much faster, so be careful and sip slow.

So sorry for that horrible experience! Yes, the Dr is correct, the band indeed is not meant for things to "come back up" especially from lower stomach. It's only happened once to me (recently) and it was very painful and a HORRIBLE experience, due to alcohol, so I've learned my lesson as well.

@@Daisee68, I couldn't agree more. I've only been looking into WLS for about 4 months but I've been in counseling for almost 2 years to get to the bottom of my eating issues. (and yes, some of it does go back to childhood issues!) Along the way I've gained the courage to finally separate from my husband, which I should have done long ago but forced down my anger and abandonment feelings with food. It's taken quite awhile but I can finally say that when I get stressed or angry now, I don't even think of grabbing sugar, which used to be my automatic response. I still haven't lost my sweet tooth, but I'm not using it for emotions now. So now I'm working on habits (snacking, grazing) while waiting to get approved for surgery, but I'm so glad I've done the mental work ahead of time. My family has a history of alcoholism and I was scared I'd move from food to alcohol after surgery but I think the work I'm doing now will prevent that if I'm careful.

@@binleyvelz I too struggled for years with alcohol and am lucky enough to say 14 months sober. You sound like your questioning your judgment in your drinking habits. We aren't professionals here so please seek out someone that can help you decide what is right for you. I send to you the best of luck and health in your weight lose endeavors.

Thanks for the encouragement babbs. I appreciate it. I mostly worry about not being able to enjoy time with the family the same way. Food or alcohol has been the center of our everything. But I am ready.