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Might I add, I am feeling a little sadistic having this surgery. I have given up drinking alcohol, coffee, food, smoking. Where is my will to live? About the only thing left is SEX and that might be difficult because I am such a moody B from quitting everything and being on a liquid diet, who can stand to be around me long enough to ... well you know....

Sorry if I wasn't clear... I'm not really worried that the customers will have a problem with it. I am worried about my sense of self-worth and my identity. I'm the "food guy," both personally and professionally. It's what I do for a living AND what I have done socially and as a hobby for about 30 years. I know that there are people out there who do things other than eat food, sell food, talk about food, and research food, but I'm not that person. My biggest fear is "losing myself." I know that this is addict talk. I've heard alcoholics and drug addicts wonder aloud what they would do with their time if they couldn't drink, but I know this is the right decision for my health. So has anyone had issues with identity struggles after surgery?

Do you know if he celebrates Christmas? I'm not sure if I would do alcohol...what if he is a recovering alcoholic or doesn't drink at all? I would check to see if he can even accept gifts from patients because as Bass said a lot of doctors can't...You don't want to put him in an awkward position...I would seriously just go with a card :thumbup: good luck

While I agree w/most of what you said, I don't agree with the alcohol, and what I mean by that is this.... EVERY Surgeon is different.. My surgeon says no alcohol for a year.. some say, 1 month, etc... so in regards to the alcohol, you are best off asking YOUR surgeon and following what he says, not what other's did or say....same thing goes for smoking, pre-op/post op diets, etc... follow what your surgeon tells you.. not what others tell you...good luck and congrats on making the decision to begin this journey....

You are lucky that you can schedule your surgery so quickly! In Pennsylvania, it is mandatory to have to go through 6 months of 'training' where they give you tons of nutritional advice, make sure you are learning how to change your lifestyle, attending support groups and nutritional counciling, and towards the end, make sure you are ready psycologically for the surgery. My first month, they put me on a 1500 calorie diet, and suggested absolutely NO drinking alcohol and to quit smoking. They wont even do the surgery if you haven't quit. And, as rbailey said, alcohol is empty calories and you don't need that. While I am not yet banded, I would suggest going to a support group and talk to those there about their lifestyle changes. That may help.

hello friends i went to my 1st consultation yesterday. i havent booked the date of the procedure yet, but im aiming for mid January 2010. i learned about the procedure and the diet before and after, so i decided to wait until after the holidays (my birthday aswell) to start the pre diet (new years res). but i have a few questions....... im 28 years old, no kids, and like to go out and have fun....... can anyone who has had the band for a while, tell me what its like to go out and drink alcohol (im not talking about often, or black out drunk or anything like that) night out with the girls???? also any smokers out there....they say no smoking for 2 weeks before and after.....i dont no if i can quit. anyone not quit and it matter in the procedure i dont want to get sick thanks.....and many more questions to come

EGD on Thu confirmed a partial slip. Verbal diagnosises before that was profound slip. Profound was based on the angle of the band viewable with xray, and partial on the actual prolapse that was visible internally. I'm still really swollen, but it's getting better. Thu & Fri night my reflux was back. Haven't had it since my unfill, but since swelling basically gives you a reverse fill, it makes sense that it would strike again. Aspirated it again, and dealth with chest pain for an hour afterward. Haven't done solid foods since Wed of last week, they're too uncomfortable. Frozen liquids (e.g. alcohol free margarita, slush from Sonic, etc.) go down OK after a few sips. That seems to control the swelling enough that I'm good for super mushies or other liquids for an hour or so, then I clench back down. I'd take some ibuprofen to help, but there's no way even the liquid would pass. Reflux is gone at least, so it is slowly calming down. It never occured to me that there would be that much irritation during an EGD. I just didn't even think about it. On the plus side, going through this stuff again is really helping me be over it.

This is a good point. Especially if you are someone that has non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or especially the more severe form non-alcohol related steatohepatitis (NASH), regular drinking probably isn't in your best interest. A lot of obese people end up with NAFLD/NASH since obesity is the leading cause. Depending on the severity of your disease progression, you may have caused sufficient damage to your liver that frequent drinking on top of that could put you on a one way path to cirrosis, liver cancer, and/or liver failure. Now that said, one drink or even a few now and again isn't going to cause severe disease. Also, weight loss often can completely reverse NAFLD, so if you didn't actually damage your liver permanently, this may not be a factor. I totally get those that say alcohol is a poison and don't understand why anyone would purposely poison themselves. Objectively though, ALL of us are here because we purposely poisoned ourselves with food. I'm in no position to judge anyone that chooses to drink. (By the way, my main hobby pre-surgery was winemaking, so stopping drinking was an even bigger challenge for me. I had to give up not only nightly glass of wine, but my main hobby.) In the end, I think we're all grown-ups and everyone needs to decide for themselves what's right. Just know the risks and decide for yourself if the risks are worth it to you.

I have not had surgery yet, but hope to in the next 1-2 months. It sounds like your surgery went well, which is great to hear. I like what you wrote, my addiction to food does remind me of an alcoholic. Best of luck in your journey!

I am not allowed to have alcohol for 6 months.

Jachut, I think you and I maybe polar opposites, we are in theory and probably geographically as well! It's okay I know I piss the heck out of you! I not familiar with the phrase "utter twaddle" but I'm assuming it's similar to what bulls do when they take a poop! This is a Mental Health and Lap Band Life thread, part of a Social Group and not the Rant and Raves Section, just thought I'd remind you of that in case you didn't know. We're all very complicated people and some people here are still considered "obese" so maybe all the "get off your fat ass" stuff maybe a bit humiliating and hurtful in our eyes. It is in mine so I'm sure I'm not alone in that feeling. Is it wrong to interact with others here who also may have low self esteems because of their weight issues to try to get beyond it and feel better about ourselves during our weight loss journeys? Are we only allowed to feel good about ourselves once we've gotten off our fat asses and stopped watching TV and eating bon bons and lost that extra weight? I'm sorry but that's screwed up and we do not need to feel like dirt just because of our size. And I find it insulting that someone would be that critical of fat people who once was fat herself admittedly. You may have disliked yourself but we do not have to hate ourselves just because we are fat!!! Does it bother you that I haven't lost enough weight yet by your standards but still have a lap band but am trying to survive my life day to day and am discussing various topics on this forum? Why does one person upset you so much? You seem to have taken a very militant way of losing weight for yourself and almost remind me of a Marine Corp Sergeant barking out commands at times. You still needed the lap band to use as your tool and it worked for you and your whole approach as you've stated has made you the woman you are today, a much thinner, stronger, healthier person and that's wonderful but don't assume your approach works for everyone! I've never said it was easy for your either, just that it has worked for you. I tend to believe that obesity is a bit more complicated than you wish to believe. You yourself know that a person your age, sex, weight who has never been overweight maybe able to take in more calories than you and not gain. I am not a doctor but I know that weight loss is more difficult for some people, (God I know it wasn't easy for you either!) and we cannot discount that fact! I don't know why you always turn this into a war between "THIN and FAT" with you. I'm sure if you need statistics I could go there on the benefits that thin people have always had over fat people but I think it's fairly obvious. Fat people deserve as much dignity and happiness as anyone else in our world. Do you disagree with that statement and personally do you actually hate fat people and find them disgusting because I'm getting that vibe from you? Do you really think the thin people in our society are getting the shaft??? Not every fat person is an addict. Some maybe but not all! And there are those who don't even believe food is an addictive source like alcohol or drugs are. There are many factors that can affect one's weight. Having obese parents, being obese from childhood to name a few, your situation is a bit different or am I wrong, you did say you didn't gain weight until you had children. I don't think you understand the minds of obese people and tend to be a bit too judgmental with us. Anyway I'm not trying to be your enemy but do resent the fact that you have to attack me when I'm trying to build up my self esteem and help others also. I don't believe we have to wait until we're thin to have it, sorry brandyII.:confused_smile:

fyi-per my dentist, sugar fee mints have sorbitol...an alcohol....which is drying and causes bad breath.

One thing to keep in mind that I never thought about until now: I am having issues with my pancreas. I am a drinker and have only been drinking on a regular basis for about 2 years. Obesity and significant weight loss can bring on gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption can directly affect the gallbladder and the pancreas. Just something to consider

I went to my nutritionist today for my 4 month visit. Down 135 lbs since I started my journey in April. (Surgery in June).... I asked the question as my birthday is this weekend and I thought maybe I could go out and have A drink... I am not a drink. I never have been.. But I was told by nutritionist that there's no way at all I should be having any alcohol... EVER... I was kind of shocked to be honest.. Again I dont drink but I didn't think one drink would be so off limits.... Not a big deal to me but shocked at the answer today...

Does anyone know exactly why we're not supposed to have any alcohol? I'm almost 4 months out and would love to have a glass or two of wine with dinner. Is there any danger or is it just the fact that it would be empty calories?

Would so many sips have affected you pre-op? The sleeve wouldn't necessarily cause alcohol to have a different than normal impact on you post-op as pre op. You still have a pyloric valve, which is the gatekeeper between your stomach and your (normal) intestines. Early post op since you aren't eating as much alcohol might have a slightly greater than normal impact, just as if you were drinking on a nearly empty stomach. The sleeve creates restriction on what you can eat. It really doesn't change digestion. Good luck, Tek

I'm noticing people are thinking they have doctorates in medicine since getting sleeved ..lol. I drank twice. It was my version of a sugar free daqari ..with little vodka..no problem..drank it slow. But I'm no doctor..that's just what I did..and it was under 100 calories and I don't think I am a failure because.of it. I like to enjoy my journey ..this doesn't mean I'm going to turn into a alcoholic Lmao

<p>OK you are not going to like this but here goes.</p> <p>NO DRINKING! NO DRINKING! NO DRINKING!</p> <p>Anything else?</p> <p> </p> <p>Alcohol will cause irritation at your restricted site. This will cause swelling. This will cause acid reflux and Then will cause tightening. This will (can) cause erosion, migration.</p> <p>Be carefull this is a slippery slope. </p> <p>Sure you can have a drink maybe even several. But maybe the first one will cause you to swell up and PB. Is it worth it? Get a nice glass and put some cool tea with some big ice cubes. Looks like Scotch. Who is going to know? Its your band take care of it.</p>

I was banded on the 14th so we're pretty close! I talked to the PA at my post op visit today and she said to wait until my first fill appointment in 4 weeks before drinking again to give my stomach the most time to heal. She made a good point of telling me that alcohol lowers your inhibitions so you're likely to eat more, not chew enough, make bad choices, etc. However she understands that the band is something I have to live with so if I enjoy a glass of wine once in a while it's not going to hurt me too much.

You have to make this decision for yourself. There are some obvious CONS with drinking alcohol anytime and I would say even more of them after surgery. I will say, take it slow. One drink, drink it slow and wait to see how it effects you. It hits me hard, like really hard. I have only drank 2 times and really just once because the first time was more of a sip to taste test. haha But I had 3 drinks over 5 hours the second time and I was destroyed and would NOT sober up or throw up no matter what i did so I was just miserable.

It's not uncommon that bariatric programs warn people not to drink alcohol post-op. Some, like your team seem to take a "never again" approach, while some say avoid it for a specific length of time, such as the first year. As I understand it, here are the biggest concerns those programs have: The biggest concern by far is that there is an increased risk of developing Alcohol Use Disorder. As @Starwarsandcupcakes mentioned, some research suggest that susceptible patients transfer disordered eating onto alcohol. Some studies have even found that the incidence is as high as 20% of bariatric surgery patients. The second concern is that alcohol affects our altered biology differently. Honestly this is worse for gastric bypass patients, but sleeve patients still have have issues with getting drunk much faster, on much less alcohol. Further, it can take a lot longer to metabolize the alcohol you do consume, meaning you'll stay drunk longer. Bottom line, it's really easy to overdo things and end up completely drunk on a lot less booze than before. There is also the concern that this is wasted calories that provide no nutritional benefit and can slow your weight loss. Obviously for those in maintenance, this doesn't really matter, but for those still losing, it might be a concern for some.

This one, is a big bone of contention on this board. There's a couple of schools of thought. 1 is that alcohol should be avoided all together (empty calories, bad on the gut, goes to your head quicker), then there's a group that wants to do it (yolo, lifes a party, don't want to be the only one not having a good time etc). Personally for me, I was a big drinker. That's part of why I was almost 300 lbs. So...climbing up on an operating table and letting them cut out a perfectly good organ, changed my perspective to a large degree. For me, it was more about my ultimate goals and changing my lifestyle. That meant that some things just didn't make sense in my life. Alcohol is one of them along with fast foods, white carbs, sugar and a whole lot of other things. I'm not saying that I won't ever take a drink again, that would be foolish. But what I am saying is that until I reach the goals that I set when I started this process, I have to stand firm. I don't feel that I am missing anything, my life is full and I like sobriety quite well actually. If you do decide to drink, understand that you may feel quite uncomfortable and you might feel the effects of the alcohol quite a bit faster than you might have otherwise. Just make the choice that you feel that you can best live with and go!

My program truly stresses the link between WLS and alcoholism...to the point that every professional in the process: nutritionist, psychologist, nurses and surgeons mention it. I chose to stop drinking 6 months prior to surgery and have no desire to resume...just like I've chosen not to eat white bread, rice, or potatoes. But, I also wonder if some WLS patients have an issue with alcohol because they've heard about the dangers so often.

Journey2healthy- just out of curiousity, what DID you expect from this surgery food wise ?? your dr should of talked to you about what to eat and what you might have trouble with , also maybe some paperwork with food info on it. everybodys different when it comes to what they can tolerate. i can eat anything just in small amounts, but 3 weeks ago i had 3 sips of an alcoholic drink and had a bad reaction. Everybodys different, so check with your dr and a nutrionist to see what you should be doing. Good luck !

GENERAL GUIDELINES Choose healthy and wholesome foods NO JUNK food Always choose low fat and low sugar foods Eat 3 small meals per day NO SNACKING Always eat small quantities Take small mouthfulls use a teaspoon if neccesary (I do) Always eat & drink slowly Allow 20 mins per meal STOP at the FIRST sign of fullness Take zero calorie drinks No alcohol Drink frequently throughout the day (water) Dont drink with meals Take a multi Vitamin & mineral supplement (liquid or chewable) Jenny I have some good food plans here and ideas for meals too many to type out . But If u would like to PM me I would be willing to copy these for you and post them to you . Just pm your name & address . Best wishes S x:thumbup: