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Miitiga -I am Italian too. Everythibg you said totally applies to me. I'm not afraid of the surgery. I'm afraid of losing the comfort of food. Like an alcoholic misses his alcohol - but still understanding that he must abstain. I'm scheduled for 11/5. I'm totally scared that I will be a freak who will never enjoy food again.

i know how you feel. i'm 24, 4 weeks post op, and my friends, husband and i go out A LOT. it's a big difference at first, mostly because for the first three weeks, at least, after surgery (for me) i was on full liquids/purees so any time my friends went out i couldn't go. it hurt, and i cried a few times, but i knew it was for the best. i'm not allowed alcohol for six months after surgery, but i wasn't a big drinker anyway. but yesterday, for example, my two friends and i went to a local bbq place. they both got cheeseburgers, ate the WHOLE plate with their fries. i got a wrap and immediately asked for a box, and boxed 3/4th of the wrap and 90% of the fries. i ate the insides of the wrap and about 5-6 fries. i made a decision to not limit myself when going out to eat because i would think it might make me feel lousy (but i do stay away from my triggers which is a slice of something like italian bread, a breadstick, the bun on a hamburger...) plus, while my two friends scarfed down their meal in under ten minutes, i can still get three more meals out of mine! haha! gotta look on the bright side. will you be a bit different? yeah. but when you see the difference on the scale, it's really not that bad! good luck!

Terry I was (and am again) drinking one glass of wine before dinner - more days than not. But just to be clear, I did not drink wine (or anything alcoholic) until one year post-op. I was diagnosed with the ulcer at about 13 months post-op. So, did the wine have anything to do with it? I really don't know. The doctors were aware that I was drinking wine and they didn't know either. Some doctors advise their patients not to have alcohol for a period of six months following the surgery. So one year would appear to be on the conservative side. The anastomosis (which is where the ulcer was) should have been completely healed after that period of time. I was slightly anemic and a stool test picked up a little blood. There was never any pain or any other symptoms, just the anemia. Following the endoscopy and the diagnosis, my surgeon increased my Prevacid from one capsule (30mg) to two a day. That was it. No other treatment. A second endoscopy about three to four months later showed that the ulcer was completely healed. I went back to my glass of wine and blood work was spot on at my 18 month check-up. Sunday will be my two year anniversary and I have an appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday. Lab work is already done so I'll know the results on Tuesday. Ulcers are one of the more common complications following bypass and are usually the result of bacterial infection (H. pylori) as opposed to food (or drink) related causes. But that doesn't mean that alcohol is not an irritant and was not/could not be a contributing factor. It appears to be a difficult question to answer except in extreme cases such as alcoholism or family history of ulcers.

Well, I think it largely depends on you and what could be personal triggers which may sabotage our efforts. Let me put it this way ... if a recovering alcoholic told you that drinking a particular energy drink reminded them of drinking margaritas, would you suggest they continue drinking them or find an alternative? If candy bars are not a slippery slope for you, then I would say the Quest bars are a great way to get your Protein on the go. But if it could possibly be a trigger, then ...

Earlier this year I had my second episode of DVT/PE. (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) PE can easily and quickly kill, so I am a very fortunate person to sit here and tell you this. When all was said and done I learned I will be on warfarin (blood thinners) for the rest of my life. There are a couple things you have to monitor and mostly give up while on them...anything rich in vitamin K and alcohol. Vitamin K is the natural anti thinner, it builds your blood. Therefore it will work against your medicine. Since your INR levels have to be monitored and meds adjusted frequently, you really don't want things jumping up and down. Alcohol thins the blood. So drinking on top of taking the meds can cause bleeding in excess. Not changing my consumption of vitamin K wasn't too much of a change as I was not a very healthy eater. ( If I had lived on green leafy foods I would not be needing the sleeve!) But I am a social drinker. I do enjoy a glass of wine now and then. I like to go out for celebrations and have a cocktail. I enjoy a cold beer on a hot day. Being told I could not do that anymore really was harder than anything. I am not an alcoholic, and I don't even drink that often. But it was the idea of being told "no"... Shortly after this all happened I did have drinks. It was Memorial Day weekend and I had friends and family over. I had a couple cocktails and thought "I can do this". But next time I was in for a blood test for my INR my levels were off and my meds had to be adjusted. ( plus I got a lecture) So no, I can't do it. Over the months I have come to accept it and move on.. One reason I chose the sleeve is because there is so much less "never agains". I realize it will be a while, after I am through the weight loss phase. But I know that, at some time in my life, I will be able to have things I really miss and enjoy again. I won't make them my everyday, they will be for rare and special occasions. I want to be healthy and eat healthy. Yet I know that, if I truly want to taste a long missed food, I will be able to again. I will just use my newfound better judgment and eat much less than I once had...

When you move from a food addiction - because you just can't ram it down your gullet like you used to - to other addictions like alcohol, drugs - anything that gives you a serotonin hit...

Pre-op can be so stressful, and seemingly have no end, especially when you have to take care for and cook for everyone else. You are almost there and are holding strong. I also love to cook and enjoy entertaining and I can honestly say that though my choices have changed I still enjoy food as I used to. Much less of it, and better choices, but instead of carb-heavy meals, I focus on making the best and tastiest Proteins I can. I experiment with veggies and have had no issues going out to eat. Wine is unfortunately another story, and will have to be a choice you make for yourself. Most surgeons will say it is ok to drink after a suitable period of time, so you have time to heal. I have had a glass or two of wine in the past year, but I limit myself. Aside from the empty calories, increased potential to make bad food choices if I'm drinking and the fact that the alcohol hits me harder now, I dont' want to put anything in my body that will slow down my weight loss. My understanding is that while alcohol is in my system, my body won't burn fat, it will burn the alcohol first. I want to ride this wave of losing as long as possible, so I limit my alcohol consumption. It's a personal choice. Not eating and drinking at the same time is for a few reasons. It allows the food are you are taking in to digest slower, keeping you fuller longer. Also, if you eat and drink at the same time, you will have less "room" for food when you do eat. It gets easier and becomes second nature as time goes by. I think a passion for food gives you a leg up, you are more inclined to experiment and make foods that fit your lifestyle. Best of luck to you!!

I'm five months out. I'm sorry you have to do a pre-op liquid diet. I didn't, instead I did a 6 month monitored diet where I practiced the not eating and drinking thing, which made me know I could do it and eased some of those fears. I'll share my current results and hopefully that will ease your mind, a little. First, fears are normal. Major changes are about to happen! But you know it's a good thing, and you'll do great! I don't drink 15 minutes before and 1 hr after I eat. When I go out to eat, and I do, because I love food and hate to cook (it's just me, and I'm social, so it's easier to go out with friends sometimes), I order Water - no alcohol for six months per my surgeon, plus we'll get tipsy faster with the smaller stomach - and have that while we wait for the food. Then I push it away when it gets closer to food and don't get a refill. When I was new, I didn't order water, or if I did I didn't drink any. Your stomach can't holdwater and food. It's a forever thing. The volume you can hold is much smaller. When I overfill it, it hurts, and I can tell right away. So I'd rather get my Protein in there than useless water at mealtime. I get my water in the rest of the day (64 oz. really is doable, but it takes practice). I've even been to a buffet with friends. I had one plate. I have to eat slower, and they kept getting up and ended up hurting themselves by the time they were done (guys, of course), but I was happy and satisfied. We're not limited in what we can eat, just how much. And the drinking thing gets easier with time. I've learned the hard way, kind of like eating too fast, that mixing them hurts. Better to not learn that way, but whatever "sticks" with you. I travel for work. My surgeon's plan has us on 1 Protein shake a day for the first year. I bring the whey isolate powder when I travel because it mixes without a blender. I bring my Blender Bottle (with the little metal ball in the bottom) and buy soy milk or skim milk when I get where I'm going. I mix the shake in the morning and it's like home. I travel with my Protein Bars, and now with some nuts (can't do them right away, though). That way I have portable protein. (There are a lot of websites with advice on portable protein and travel post-op). If I'm driving, I can bring a ready to drink protein shake with me, and sometimes I do. When I stop I grab string cheese. Depends on my mood. I've never been a big wine person, but wine is to be savored (my perception). So, you eat, you wait the hour for everyone else to finish their stuff, feeding your kids, whatever, and you have some later. Or you wine and then cheese fifteen minutes later and are done. WLS is a commitment to a different lifestyle, but not to giving up your life. It's a commitment to wanting a BETTER life. You can do it! Everyone is different and you make the journey work for you. You'll quickly learn what rules are "for real" and what rules are more "for best results in weight loss". You're going to want to follow all of them, though, or else why go through the surgery (Says the person who knows which ones to bend already...but look at my stats below...but I'm not claiming to be perfect, and I want to admit that to you) Good luck! and take a deep breath. It will be ok.

Thanks all, for sharing in my (my mental thesaurus is failing me, the best I've got at the moment is...)chagrin... Better (perhaps "more effective" would be more accurate than "better") than any laxative I've tried to date! Including the old standby Fleet enema! Splenda is a component of the "sugar substitute mix" of these. If I had a package at hand (Oh yes of course I have more, I bought a case online... because pooping one's drawers should never be limited to "just once"!), I would list more info, but you can probably look it up online pretty quickly if you are interested. Okay, grabbed a package because it really wasn't that quick to find the info online... Maltitol (a sugar alcohol) and Maltitol syrup are the first 2 ingredients on the ingredient list (ChihuahuaMom, stay far, far, away from these!!!), so that's where the beloved "laxative effect" comes from. Most definitely, there is the carb issue. They're about 37g carbs/serving w/8g Fiber, so that's what, like 2 carb servings I think? Pre-sleeve, I'd always bounced back and forth with my personal "sugar philosophy". Is it better to just have a little sugar or is it better to go with a substitute. Fortunately, I've never had an A1c or fasting glucose test that was high (though my docs kept poking me because my "fat" square peg didn't fit in their "must be diabetic" round hole...), so I've had the flexibility to have the choice. MIJourney: I would guess one bad sugar free candy experience would make you suspicious of them all. To which I would say "Good call!" Thanks all for having a laugh with me! What good is a "I Just Pooped Myself" story if you can't share it, right?!?! And it sounds like I'm in good company!!!

It seems to me a lot of people either weren't #1-properly educated pre and post-op, or #2-slept through all of those classes. When I hear that someone pureed pizza & thought that it was okay, I wonder.......wasn't that outlined in the education classes? When I hear of people drinking carbonated drinks because their band hasn't acted up, I scratch my head & think......don't they know that the issue is potential band erosion? Did the education classes not cover how to read food labels? When I hear some of these things, I just wonder what the mindset was was when they moved forward with this surgery. Please understand that I'm not passing judgement on anyone here. I've made my own mistakes. I never tried to "cheat the band", but I've maybe eaten a little bit more than I should have, or chose something that wasn't the healthiest choice. One night at a concert, I drank with reckless abandon. At the time I felt fine. The next morning, the calories were the least of my problem. The fact that I threw up was the HUGE issue. Lesson learned... I rarely, if ever, throw up from drinking. But clearly, my body no longer processes alcohol the way it did pre-band. Was I trying to cheat the band? No, I was not. I think, possibly, the thread header "How to Cheat On Your Band" maybe isn't exactly what you meant? If it was, then no, I do not understand why anyone would "intentionally" push the envelope straight into the danger zone.

Oh I am SO sorry! I had post op nausea too it sucks. I can't tell you when yours will stop, because everyone is different. If they think you should stay in the hospital, you should stay. Numero uno priority right now is for you to stay hydrated. Dehydration is serious business. Tiny, TINY sips of Water are the way to go, and breathe. Just enough to wet your mouth. Tiny sips several minutes later, and breathe. Rest, and repeat. It WILL get easier over time. Also, they should have some anti-nausea medicine, and I've heard smelling an alcohol swab can help. Mine lasted no longer than a week, and while at the time I was miserable --- it's a distant memory now. Hope you feel better soon!!

I joined eharmony at the weekend and have already found a guy I think I really like. We've been talking lots and he has asked if I would like to go for a drink. Obviously I have said yes but I'm so scared! I'm only a week and a half post op so I won't be able to drink alcohol and I don't feel like I've lost anywhere near enough weight for him to be attracted to me when we meet. I don't know whether to tell him about my surgery. What would you guys do? And if you would tell him, would you do it before you met him or not? Argh this is so bloody difficult!

I am getting ready to go on a cruise and I was sleeved 5/15. But this definately is not my first one I am just gonna eat meat and take a couple protein bars with me (just in case) and a bag of Jerky I will be having one bite of the deserts at night. And I am taking my workout clothes, gonna do the walk or the treadmill. And maybe try a little alcohol. Have fun it is your vacation

I went to a DMB concert this summer and was concerend how the booze would hit me so I played it safe and made jello shots. I had one, everything was fine, had two, things were even better, had the third and I was right as rain. They wore off in about 30 minutes and I did it all over again. Thats the only alcohol Ive had in over a year though.

I have had flavored vodka and a small amount of diet soda, I find the soda becomes flat once you add ice. I usually can have a couple and it takes me awhile to finish a cocktail which is good because the alcohol does affect me quicker. Its in a social setting anyway, not like I'm doing shots!!! I like vanilla vodka and diet a&w root beer. I find I can no longer stomach beer, the bubbles make my tummy feel weird and I used to love specialty beer. Oh well, I am going to a winery this weekend for a girls getaway and plan on tasting some wines.

Hi, I am just wondering what I will be able to drink and looking for suggestions once I am back to drinking! Thanks for any replies :-)

Most stories from bypass patients that drink will be similar. After surgery the alcohol moves much more quickly (and pretty much all at once) into the small intestine. That's why it hits you harder and more quickly than it did before. It also moves out of the shortened intestine faster than it did before which is why you sober up more quickly. My surgeon said no alcohol for a year and I followed it to the letter and still wound up with an ulcer at the anastomosis. It healed fairly quickly but I'd be cautious about pushing the time line. I very much enjoy a glass of wine before dinner (pre-op and post-op) but you want to be sure that the surgery is completely healed before alcohol. Pre-op or post-op, alcohol is still an irritant.

There shouldn't be anything in them that stalls you unless you are eating the ones with sugar alcohols. I don't buy those I stick to their original line. I'm just happy to not have to live on protein shakes!

Most likely it is the meds that was put in your body during surgery...drink lots of water take your vitamin and change your shampoo and conditioner... Go to a walk in salon and ask for three shampoos and conditioners that will stop/strengthen the hair then do process of illumination... Price, size, smell, top 5 ingredient.(no alcohol)

Drinking NyQuil!!! Geez, this stuff has only 10% alcohol and seems like it was enough for me! Beware ladies

I'm very sorry you're struggling. food addiction is very real- and very hard to overcome. Unlike a drug addict or an alcoholic that can leave their object of addiction behind, a food addict has to face their addiction many times a day just to live. If I were in your shoes (and I have been, btw) I would really strongly advise seeking help. Maybe a local support group, a counselor, or even a 12 step group. Someone who can help you overcome this addiction and help you get back on track to health. You can do this, you just may need a little help to get there. Best wishes.

I can have any food I want to at this point- I have no food issues after surgery. However, I choose not to drink any carbonated beverages or alcoholic beverages, and I choose not to eat gluten which eliminates a bunch of the "naughty" foods like bread, pasta, cookies, cake, etc., and I also choose not to eat dairy products. I am physically able to eat them, and I definitely enjoy eating them, but I have decided to follow a Paleo diet for health reasons, and it is working really well for me.

I've been to happy hour recently - they had a soup on the menu, and they had baby back ribs that were super tender, so that's what I ended up with. I ate 2 ribs and 2-3 teaspoons of soup over 2 hours and no one noticed a thing (I used to always get the nachos but I wouldn't have been able to enjoy them so I skipped them). I did stick with water, though, because I still don't know the effects of alcohol on my sleeve and I had to drive home solo. Good luck!

I don't get. I love my wine and tequila and rum like the next person. I was having wine shipped to me a small winery in California, but when I decided on surgery I stopped the shipments. I buy the expensive tequila and rum because I like it on the rocks or straight up - not reprocessed rot gut stuff for me. 'I'm not 20 any more. I'm now 6 weeks out and focusing on getting and being healthy. I don't miss having a glass of wine, or tequila or anything. nor do I feel I need to or want to. I've been out with friends twice and on both occasions encouraged them to have their wine.... I just stuck with water. At 3 and 4 weeks your incision is still healing. Just cuz you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. It's about 10 inches long. If the incision was on your leg, would you way it with alcohol? My surgeon recommends waiting 1 year. I may wait that long or I may not. I don't have a plan at this point. But I know this, I opted for surgery to be a healthier me. I know all the ways to cheat the system, but I'm only cheating myself. Once I have my eating in balance and I've achieved my goals then I look at enjoying a 'normal' life. So I have to ask...what is more important to you? Vodka, Wine or a better life?