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TARPHR - I usually eat around 800 calories a day. I follow the rules and eat high protein (about 3 ounces at a time always measured!) avoiding sugar and carbs. I try do drink alcohol only once a week. Also, I track everything I eat on My Fitness Pal. I'm TinaATL on there and my diary is public if you want to exactly what type of foods I eat. I still have a piece of dark chocolate almost every day but it's just one 42 calorie Dove dark promise instead of a king size Snickers like in the "old days".

They are there to see if you have food addictions and if you do, to help you before and after you have surgery. When I had my eval, there were a lot of questions about depression, alcohol abuse, drug abuse (which all tend to be associated with addictive personality). I think if they find you have an addiction, they want to be able to help you not to fail if you have the surgery. And to make sure you are capable of making that type of decision. I have also heard from multiple people including one of the NPs at Buffalo General that after you have surgery if you have a food addiction, people tend to "shift" their addictions to something new, whether it be alcohol, drugs, etc. I agree though, it would be nice to have a psychologist that has some personal experience with the situation. I went to Colleen Edwards in Elma, Ny. I have a history of depression and drug abuse when I was younger, she recommended counseling, but she said that she recommends counseling to everyone. I don't know what kinds of insurance she takes, but I have united healthcare.

You are definitely not alone in this struggle. Last night I had a couple of drinks - used up that last chilled bottle of champagne (no more carbonation for me!). Oddly, the drinks weren't that good (I pretty much stopped drinking a month ago so this was a true last blast). I just wanted to have a "mimosa funeral" since Monday I'm starting my own version of a 2 week pre-op diet and alcohol can be a real no no after surgery. Hang in there!

Just got back today from our 9 night Caribbean Cruise... This has not been our first since I was banded, but our 3rd...and all I can say is each time, including this cruise, the band has performed magnificently...!! I do not count calories, nor do I measure portions...(have not for 2-1/2 years.....I do rely on the band, and being in the green zone to do that for me...and this vacation experience was no exception... I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, all the time letting the band dictate the parameters.... and it was physically impossible to overeat!!! Even when I tried! Every night in the dining room, I left 1/2 the food on my plate, simply could not go on because the band sets my portion sizes.... One night, I forced the issue and went for that 2nd lobster tail even though the band said No More!....that was the first time in 2 years I came very close to getting stuck big time...started to slime, and had to excuse myself to go to the men's room, and I guess the walk there worked things out and I recovered....lesson learned....always listen to the band!!!! Don't force the issue or else..... I was on vacation so I enjoyed myself (indulged) in my share of alcohol...a couple of Bloody Mary's a day, wine at dinner, and a few beers at the pool or when at the beach, (of course)... The band is the band, is the band...whether I'm at home. on a cruise, at a party, whatever...,it does not change.... I still cannot eat Breakfast, so after my morning workout I had my usual Protein shake, then joined my Wife in the buffet for breakfast where I had coffee and nibbled on a piece of toast.... There is, and always will be, certain foods I avoid no matter where I'm at...but I did snack here and there throughout the day...just not like the pig I used to be...plus I was never really hungry all day...just as it is where ever I am, 24/7.... Bottom line....I weighed myself today and I lost one pound...in other words, no difference given my normal fluctuations....... I do know my body very well now, and I can definitely tell I am loaded with toxins and other junk from all that rich food and drink, so tomorrow I am going on a few days of strict food intake and extra time in the sauna to sweat out all these impurities.....and plenty of water! I can only speak for myself, and not what other people experience...frankly what other people do and how they do it is none of my business...but without meaning to step on anyone's toes...I read posts everyday about people needing to "Getting back on track" NO OFFENSE, but coming up on 3 years I still do not understand what that means with WLS....( I have my theories).... I have done everything possible to get "Off Track" and can not...the band never changes!! (short of a medical condition, knock on wood).... I have been on many, many diets prior to WLS, and "Fell off the wagon" with all of them....so in that respect I can understand...but I find it very hard, if not impossible to beat the band, without major side effects that are not pleasant and one wants to avoid at all cost.... I was "Morbidly Obese" because I simply ate too much, and too often....the band took care of that...Simple as that! No secret formulas or hocus pocus ... Again, what other people do is none of my business...I can only share my experiences....and everyone can share theirs.... Having this Surgery has truly changed the way I eat, and my lifestyle overall!!!

Yes, we are allowed limited amounts of alcohol, and always have to remember that alcohol are empty calories which need to be included in your tracking. The other important information is that it usually takes less alcohol for you to feel the effects of it. My surgeon warned us about this effect, and stressed that he would not be writing any letters in defense of his patients who might get DUI charges. I waited the advised 1 year, well almost an entire year, before having a glass of wine. I could only drink half of the glass...

Everyone: I never drink alcohol, but I asked the question because I just wanted to know in case I'm ever in a situation where I am offered a cocktail. I just want to be prepared. Thanks a mil!

I drink. I never stopped drinking. I've drunk alcohol all my banded life. But I'm also aware that alcohol are empty calories and breaks my doctor's first rule of 'don't drink your calories' but as long as I either burn it off with exercise or realise it is going to make it harder to lose (or even gain if I drink enough) then I'm happy to own that decision.

My doctor has no problem with non-carbonated alcohol once in awhile (after healed from surgery) but says it shouldn't be a regular thing. I do have a drink once in awhile but I'm always careful to count the calories against my daily allowance when I do.

My surgeon said that its never good to have a lot of alcohol because of the empty calories but if u r at a party or get together and u want to have a cocktail or two, it's fine. No beer tho cuz of the carbonation.

Question: Can we have a cocktail?

As you can see you're going to get as many answers as there are surgeons advising patients. There is nothing you cannot eat for the long run. The advice about carbonation? Varies by surgeon. The advice about carbs, bread, etc.? Varies by surgeon. The only real solid rules you'll see? Alcohol should be avoided for at least six months. However, many drink before that and are fine. Foods that cause some people discomfort and that you might want to avoid? Spinach, or any greens, for at least a few months. eggs are iffy - some people do great, some people have problems. Beef is very hard for some people. It took me nearly a year to be able to eat more than a few bites. Some folks have trouble with chicken, too. Definitely popcorn, at least until you're well into the healed phase. The hulls are dangerous around the staple line and it takes longer for that to fully heal than you might realize. I couldn't eat lettuce, particularly iceberg, for more than a year without problems. Foods I still eat in very small portions, and only once in a while (I'm 3 years out): Flour tortillas (I avoid them altogether, they hurt me) Rice (one or two bites and I can be fine, or one or two bites and I'm in pain and I never know which it will be) Pasta (I might eat a bite here or there but it swells like rice) There is a line to walk. Moderation and being "normal", feeling like you can eat without depriving yourself, is important. But there are clearly foods that you should not be incorporating into your diet as a normal or regular habit until you're much closer to goal. Just because you find you can drink soda and eat popcorn (my particular set of trigger foods, and oh, does it slide) does not mean you should engage in that behavior regularly. That's the line - and losing weight is far easier than you realize. Walking that line for the rest of your life, eating so that you feel normal without going out of control? That's the hard part. So incorporate what you need to later on, but be cautious about forgetting what made you obese in the first place. ~Cheri

Hi in the information diet booklet we are given to follow after surgery it says alcohol not recommended for 12 months:-( this is because we absorb it really quickly post sleeve so you get drunk really fast, and our livers are recovering from being moved about in surgery, I think i, ll have a glass at Christmas definitely which is 5 months post op, sure thats enough time.

soda makes me throw up I would never drink soda again... I have had popcorn and I've been fine with that. I even eat cookies here in there.. I love cheese I used to be bad when I started out because I was always on the go because the way I work I used a lot of chicken nuggets i would get a four piece it would take me a couple hours to eat it... but I asked my dad about it and she told me was bad because all the carbohydrate . so I broke my stuff out of that so what I do is I a lot of Lunchables because the protein and it easy on the go... I do a lot of Gatorade or I do that things are going to water but I'm so tired of water and I'm picky when it comes to my drinks at 8 Friday some but they made me sick so I don't do fries no more. I have had alcohol I cant do beer because of that frizz it makes me sick to bread makes me hurt bad so I'm so over it.

My doc's guidelines were to wait 4 weeks post op. I did have some wine around week 3. I'm now 6 weeks post op. I've drank a couple of times...can only have 2 or 3 glasses of wine now over a two hour period. I feel the buzz much quicker. I did go to a baseball game last saturday and I had two beers. They went down fine. I know it's a big no no...I'm not suggesting you do it. Just remember all the empty calories in alcohol...don't over-do it!

I was banded 5 mos. ago and just had my 1st alcoholic beverage since being banded. Pre band, I could drink a whole bottle of Moscato d'Asti...don't judge me, LOL. I poured a wine glass full earlier and could only take about 4 small sips. I was wasted! Geez...luckily, my neighbor is a lush!

I don't have any banned foods. I chew gum -- there's no way swallowing this will harm you stomach. As a sleever, we still have our original pyloric valve. I could see if we had the gastric bypass since those folks have a man-made one. I go through probably a pack of gum a day - 18 pieces. It keeps me from mindless eating. It just loses its flavor so fast. sugar-free... bubblegum, chocolate mint, lemon square, orangesicle, sherbet, etc. I probably have about six different flavors stacked up at any given time. Soda? Yep, I have that sometimes too. Not every day as it just takes me too long to drink it. (Baby sips, not swigs like pre-surgery.) Alcohol? Meh, doesn't appeal to me. My 21 year old self would be appalled to hear my 44 year old self say this. LOL Of course back then, I wouldn't have dreamed that I'd go to bed at 9:30 pm either. Candy? Meh, doesn't hold much appeal. I don't keep chocolate at my desk. I do have a HUGE bowl of hard candies and Tootsie Pops up on a shelf in my cubicle. They don't call my name. Ice cream? Sometimes. Maybe less than once a week, but a small cone. At least the Dairy Queen is ice milk, not ice cream. Actually, a small cone is too much. I usually get it in a dish to avoid the cone. pizza? Once a week. 1/8 of a frozen pizza is less than 200 calories. Considering I used to be able to eat an ENTIRE frozen pizza, this is a good compromise. I am finally able to eat steak again, but it does have to be tender. Grapes and other fruit? Heck yeah. But after the Protein. (Except for tonight. I had some cold washed grapes on the counter that I was munching on before supper - way too filling.) I just wish vegetables didn't fill me up so fast!! I now have spinach and baby carrots in my morning Protein shake. I can't taste or see them.

My nut told me 6 weeks was ok. I'm on week 5 and to be honest in week 3 I did drink a couple of beers and it was not a great experience I think because my stomach was not ready for beer,and I can't stand the way wine taste. If you are post op past 4 weeks I don't think a couple glasses of alcohol will hurt you,but its full of all the bad calories. To be honest I'm off until Sunday and I may have a couple of small 8 0z beers tonight and see what happens, :ph34r: .......

My program says a minimum of 6 months, but they prefer waiting a year for alcohol.

Hey yall! Does anyone know who long one should wait to have a glass of wine?

Dont beat yourself up....Im 18 months out and havent reached goal. It is my fault, I went off track a bit with alcohol but im back on track now...I will be at goal by the end of the year....I am promising myself. You will get there!!! Hugs to you!

As an alcoholic friend of mine says, "that's why there is more than one brand of beer in the world!" I am relating my experience in criticizing a nutritionist who could suggest everything in moderation to a compulsive eater. Hey, if the advice to eat everything in moderation works for you, that's great. I've been trying that for 40 years, and haven't been able to master it yet. While my sleeve restricts the amount I can eat, I am starting to see how people eat around their sleeves. And this is just too important to me to screw it up. For me here is an example: I recently added sugar-free chocolate Fiber bars to my daily Snacks to try to up my fiber intake. And I am suddenly finding that I am craving things like ice cream. So, is the sugar-free chocolate a trigger for me? Too soon to tell, but I may have to give these up lest I go off the deep end and wallow in slider foods.

I actually told a friend of my sisters that he's the guy that would ask an alcoholic to have just one beer with him when he kept after me to go out to a buffet with them! Also having to use the handicapped stall in the restroom, and ordering two or three drinks in the drive through to pretend I am getting food for more than just me! It's been a long journey to get to this point and I am so ready to get the extra help having this surgery will give me!

My surgery date is Sept 2nd!!! Just started my liquid diet today, and I must say that so far so good! I was pretty nervous about it, but for now, it seems doable. I did cut out my caffeine, alcohol, and sugar intake about 2 weeks ago, so I think it helped that I didnt cut everything at once. Hopefully the next few days keep going smoothly! Also, just wanted to add the following items to bring to the hospital, other than the gas-x strips and pillow, which are a great call: 1. Chap stick 2. sleeping mask 3. Baby wipes Good luck everybody!!!

Bud Select "55" = ( 55 cal ) so only 330 cal's for a six pack! Bourbon = A 1-ounce serving of bourbon weighs 28 grams, has 10 g of alcohol and provides 70 calories. Wine = ( about 540 cal ) depending on your choice. for the bottle of course! who has 4 ounces?!?? Wine (4 fl oz serving) Calories Beaujolais 95 Bordeaux, red 95 Burgundy, red 95 Burgundy, white 90 Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Chablis 85 Champagne, dry 105 Champagne, pink 100 Chardonnay 90 Chianti 100 Liebfraumilch 85 Madeira 160 Marsala 80 Merlot 95 Mosell 100 Muscatel 160 Port, ruby 185 Port, white 170 Reisling 90 Rhone 95 Rose 95 Sangria 115 Sauterne 115 Sauvignon Blanc 80 Tokay 165 Zinfandel, red 90 Zinfandel, white 80 6.36 four ounce servings in a 750ml (25.36 oz) Mulitply the serving calorie number by 6.36 and you will have your bottle calorie count. http://www.efficientdrinker.com/wine/

I felt like an alcoholic in a bar