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I keep thinking that I don't dump but maybe it's just that I haven't eaten any of these foods. I don't think I've had rice pasta or bread... Well except I did have a sushi roll with light rice. I haven't tried orange juice or ice cream. I was worried when I ate a yogurt that had 13 grams of sugar. I have a think thin protein bar in my purse but I'm afraid to eat it. It says sugar free but there r 11 grams of sugar alcohol. I'm wondering if sugar alcohol will make me sick?

They didn't operate on your liver. Common sense says it shouldn't take any longer to heal then say, your kidneys unless you have an underlying liver condition. I would never recommend anyone to go against their surgeons orders but sounds like yours is very, very cautious. Every surgeon seems to have a different set of rules. Caffeine, no caffeine, carbonation, no carbonation, alcohol, no alcohol....the list goes on. My surgeon cleared me for anything except carbonation after 6 weeks. That said, I think we have to keep in mind that all the different surgeon's opinions come down to this: 1) Medical fact, 2) medical opinion, 3) serving the lowest common denominator and finally 4) covering their asses. I am of the opinion that we use our surgeon's orders along with our own common sense. We are the ones responsible for our success or lack there of at the end of the day.

Mine says no alcohol for 6 months and I think Swimmom has it right. You might have other conditions caused by obesity that negatively effects the liver (like fatty liver). These would require staying away from alcohol for longer.

I know they say no alcohol but I do have glass of red wine every once in a while.

Mine didn't forbid alcohol, but they do say to BE CAUTIOUS. I think there are two concerns: 1) totally empty calories, and you can drink a ton of them, and 2) fear of crossover addiction. WLS patients have an unusually high rate of alcoholism due to crossover addiction. It is also a good way to gain back weight fast.

My center has said no alcohol ever !

Has anyone else's doctor told them to stay away alcohol for 2 years? I haven't heard anyone else being told this. Something about giving the liver time to heal.

My NUT told me absolutely no alcohol for one year, but then I was talking to my surgeon and telling her about my upcoming vacation and that I would miss my tropical drink on the beach and she told me a few sips of whatever I wanted was fine. I haven't had any alcohol yet, but I would have a few sips if the situation presented itself. Just being honest.

Here's my dilemma: I am my sister's Maid Of Honor and I planned her bachelorette party- which is a weekend away on the East end of Long Island's Wine country. I will be one month post op at the time of the trip. I would hate to go on a vine tour and not be able to at least SIP a tiny bit of wine at the tastings. Unless its harmful to me. Any advice?

Great thread! I am a slow loser. I'm 13 weeks post op today and I've lost 35lbs. It's slow and I stall a lot. I have good restriction, my portion sizes are tiny and I've all but given up drinking alcohol which is a big deal for me. I could be disappointed with my weight loss but that would be stupid ad for the first time in my life I KNOW this is going to work and I will be slim! There are days when I fret and worry that I will be the one who fails or my next appointment with my surgeon will stress me out as I'm not on target but it's working, I am losing weight and I can see it now and feel so excited about the future! I do pleased that I don't obsess about food any more or over eat any more this is a freedom from an addiction that has ruined my life and for that we should be grateful. x

Telling a food addict to "just not eat" is about as dumb as telling an alcoholic "just don't drink." The dumbest advice I ever got was to moderate myself when it comes to sugar/sweets. I realize that many of you on this board can do that; I just can't. Once I start eating sweets/sugar, the cravings begin and I'm on a bender. So...for me "moderate" was the worst advice. I spent YEARS trying to moderate while I slowly put on 70 lbs!

I know everyone has different instructions for sugar/carbs/sugar alcohols etc. I'm wondering what you ate that made you dump? I don't mean that you are too much...but something specific you ate that caused textbook dumping: Nausea, quesiness, cramping, diarrhea, weakness, sweating, vomiting, heart palpitations.

Okay...so.... I have been HORRIBLE about the pre-op diet. Was supposed to start 7 days in advance. Cheated my way through the first three days, including one of my "old" binges, i.e., eat carbs until stomach hurts then go sleep it off in a food coma. I got on the "real" diet 2 days ago and IT DOES GET EASIER just like you guys told me! I actually feel pretty darn good this morning. Now...the caveat is the usual caveat on my blog...I'm always better in the morning. Still....this is huge progress. Also, all smoking cravings are gone and I'm not using any nicotine replacement (didn't want to get addicted to the gum - lol)! Another part of my experience that I thought I would share for those of you who are behind me in this process... As surgery gets closer, I actually am getting calmer. The 3 weeks prior to now, once I had my date, were pretty miserable. I truly went through a 3 week grieving period where I binged on foods and felt completely out of control -- all the worst parts of my food addiction. Spree, remorse, spree, remorse. I think it was a combination of two things: (1) the food funeral/electric chair eating effect; and (2) my nerves about the surgery (i.e., was I doing the right thing for the right reasons, was I really ready to change my entire life - quit smoking, quit soda, quit alcohol, and quit abusing food all at once??, would I be able to stick with my resolutions when in the past I never did, etc. etc. (these thoughts went on and on...). My pre-surgery craziness made me question again whether I was really ready for this. Now that I'm 2 days from surgery, it all feels bearable and I feel calm and confident. I will re-post this so that I can hear it again... I am not doing this for cosmetic reasons. This is not a vanity surgery. This is a necessary surgery to allow me the chance at a long, full life with my children. Even though my BMI is "only" 35 and I'm "only" 40, I have significant co-morbidities: sleep apnea, high cholesterol, PCOS, orthopedic issues. These will only get worse with time. And...as important to me.... I am SO EXHAUSTED from the food insanity. I spent so much time planning what I was going to eat, eating what I was going to eat, hiding what I was going to eat, feeling guilty about what I ate, trying to "make up" for what I ate by starving myself -- which started the whole insane process all over again with another binge. Although I know that this surgery isn't a magic bullet and that my head is going to have to change along with my habits, but I also believe that this is the first step toward sanity. Finally, for others who are Friends of Bill W., I will tell you that my program is really helping with this process. I remind myself that the 2nd step says that it is going to restore me to sanity. I keep repeating that. Take the action (the surgery), work the steps (my program), and be RESTORED TO SANITY. Now THAT is something to look forward to.... To me, this is even better than the 9th step promises! Okay...scrambling to finish up projects at work so I can have a little peace during recovery. Love to all, Angela

Laura I'm with you I am afraid with a gain after the weekend. The alcohol, food and chocolate was to blame and I am back on track today. It was a weekend away and I did really enjoy it, family celebrations turn up all the time so I have to learn better coping mechanisms. Or realise that the parties occur, enjoy them and get straight back on track. That is what I like about the 5:2 the fast days get you back in the right frame of mind. Here's to a good fast day.

Yep, alcohol will pack on the pounds! Thankfully, I haven't been able to drink much - it just doesn't settle well. It's good that you acknowledge what happened and are taking steps to get back on track

So last week I turned thirty and celebrated by drinking and eating all week. For the most part I was eating a little more than normal. However the alcohol seems to have speed up my weight gain to six lbs. I pretty much only worked out twice last week. Point I'm trying to make is I thought since I hadnt gained weight I was good. Served as a wake up call that this is a lifestyle change I must make and adhere to otherwise it'd be easy to gain it back. Oh we'll back to the gym and healthy eating =-)

I discovered how to make Protein pina coladas (non-alcoholic) Mix one scoop of vanilla protein powder, add 1/4 cup of pineapple juice and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of coconut milk*, add enough skim milk to make 8 oz total, add crushed ice and a dash of rum extract (baking aisle in grocery store). Blenderize or shake vigorously. OPTION- use two tablespoons of crushed pineapple instead of the juice. * I buy "Naked" coconut milk which is low in calories, in the refrigerator section of supermarket with chilled sports drinks. Canned coconut milk can have a lot of sugar- always check labels on everything before you buy!

I used to drink more when I was much younger, but now a beer here or there or a mix is all I ever do. I do notice though that since I eat less to absorb the alcohol I feel tipsy quicker than I did prebanding.

I did something I didn't think I'd EVER be able to do Saturday night: I attended a bachelorette party for a good friend, jumped on a party bus with 11 other ladies and didn't touch a DROP of alcohol the entire night. Well, ok, there was ONE sip at a comedy club after my friend sent her margarita back twice claiming it had soda in it so I just had to see for myself how truly hideous it was. And it WAS. But that was it! We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant. My FAV food in the world. Not a chip passed my lips. No beans. No rice. Just some grilled chicken with a bit of salsa on it and a few black beans. The moral? If I can spend 7 hours on a bus full of crazy drunk people, pass on Mexican, (oh and did I mention there was cake?), pass on cake (I shall leave the "shape" of cake to your imagination) - I CAN DO THIS. Just how tough was this? Oh so hard. Normally I'm the life of the party, and at my current height/weight I can put it away. Bottom line - WILL POWER. One week until surgery. I've turned down fruit, beer (gulp), chips, etc. My size 0, 19 year old daughter left a 1/3 eaten Snickers bar on the counter the other day (who DOES that?!) and I wrapped it up and stuck it away for her later. I wasn't even tempted to finish it as I would have been a month ago. I want to be healthy more than I want the 2 second gratification of tasting chocolate. The other thing I'm learning is that food is for FUEL, not for emotions. Old me: "Hey! It's sunny! I need a bowl of cereal! Oh crap, it's raining, I should probably make a pot of pasta and have 3 huge bowls. Look at that, I'm sad - better grab some chips and dip" (you get the idea). Now I'm listening to my tummy for cues that it needs fuel. Let me close this post by saying - to know me is to know how hard this has been and will be for me. BUT I'm doing it and so can you. Stay positive - eye on the prize.

Thursday, the 22nd we are leaving on our 9 night southern Caribbean cruise...I am looking forward to all the delicious food choices, restaurants, and not to forget all the alcohol I'll probably be consuming laying in the bright sun on those white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise Water.... But first, starting today, I'll go 3 days of liquids and mushie type foods, all sliders, to ensure my band is in tip-top shape... We cruise often, and a year ago I decided to put my band to the test, eat what and when I wanted, and let the band do what it normally does everyday for me at home...it performed perfectly..as a matter of fact I lost a pound or two...although I'm sure my cholesterol was probably high... I also bring Protein shots with me which I take every morning before my 5:30am workouts, along with my Vitamins and other supplements...and I cannot eat Breakfast no matter what so I still make my own shakes....just like I do everyday at home! But I'm ready! Been waiting for this and it's almost here!!! 3 more days!

You need to get something that doesn't have sugar or alcohol. Try a diabetic approved cold medicine.

When I had my surgery I lost a lot of weight in a very short period of time and am now at the point where I am experimenting with fills and have hit a plateau. I lose about 3 lbs over the five day week, and then gain 3 lbs. over the weekend over and over and am so tired of it!! I am walking 2-3 miles almost every day and am trying to make good food choices but I do count calories on myfitness pal. It just seems like every weekend there is an event and I go a little crazy like an alcoholic in a bar. I can't just stay home but it seems home is the only place I am in control. Ugh sorry, I just had to vent.

Well yesterday was my first time attending a family function post op. It was a luau, there were lost of food and alcoholic drinks to be had by all. I am so proud of myself, I was phased by anything. On a side note, I made 4 cheese cakes, 2 white chocolate and 2 mocho, this weekend for my children and wasn't tempted. Question: Is this just a fluke or is it normal 2 weeks post op not to be bothered by one's trigger foods.

I have absolutely no problem adjusting to any social situation. If it's in a restaurant I portion. Out what I can eat and ask for a take out container right away. If I go to a partyI'll take a taste of this or that and incorporate it into my calorie count. If I get samples from Sam's I always ask to see the nutritional label so I can add those calories in my count. I use an app called my fitness pal and I log the calories right then and there. There are a lot of good apps that keep you accountable and you'll be able to adjust to any situation involving eating. Let's face it, you can stop drinking alcohol but you can't totally stop eating. We need nourishment to survive. Before you know it your new eating habits will become second nature to you. Good luck!

Im not a huge drinker by any means. I have a drink about 3 times a month but what about those nights i still want to have a good time? Is getting drunk even a possibility with the band? Im 420 friendly. From what i understand things like drinking out of straws for example cause excess gas as well as smoking cigarettes. Id appreciate if readers completely ignored 'munchies' for this entire post. Aside from that and the obvious toxins caused by smoke...are there any thoughts on post op lap band and smoking weed? Has anyone actually asked their doctor/surgeon if there are any other risks? I still want to be able to live my life with moderation if it is necessary.