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I see no reason why she can't work around food after surgery. It's not the same thing as alcohol at all, seeing as how we need to eat to live.

I drank from a fountain just last night, and had no problems.... And the only things I don't drink with a straw is coffee or other hot liquid, and alcoholic beverages.

Keep in mind that many store-bought Protein bars (especially the "low carb" and "low sugar" ones) use sugar alcohols than can cause some pretty serious flatulence at best and have a rather strong laxative effect at worst. So be careful eating too much/many of the sugar alcohols. If you're not familiar with sugar alcohols, see http://breakingmuscle.com/nutrition/what-you-need-to-know-about-sugar-alcohols

Bourbon Congratulations! You're 123 proof, with specific scores in beer (60) , wine (50), and liquor (104). Screw all that namby-pamby chick stuff, you're going straight for the bottle and a shot glass! It'll take more than a few shots of Wild Turkey or 99 Bananas before you start seeing pink elephants. You know how to handle your alcohol, and yourself at parties.

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?

Odiemom, so sorry to hear that you were having a hard time. I can sympathize I had a period of a few months where I couldn't tolerate protein shakes. Then when my gallbladder started I could not eat regular food and tried going back to them and I was fine. But when I try to eat no sugar added ice cream or carb smart with 30-60 minutes I get the diarrhea, I know it's dumping syndrome. Nutritionist told me its the sugar alcohol. Somedays I don't have a bowel movement other days I have diarrhea. I eat mostly regular food also, but I try to like you said nutritious food. I can't tolerate breads, pork or fatty types of meat. I can tell u things do get easier as time goes on. Just be patient, that's the key!

Well i am glad it has been a good journey so far! I hear it will get better a lot of people are intolerant to water at first! That is good you haven't had any dehydration issues! that terrifies me honestly! Isn't that funny that water and vitamins are what give you trouble haha. Dang it! how did you do with protein shakes? Ah yeah i can see alcohol doing that, i am not an avid drinker but i dont mind it every once in a while and honestly its usually during travel! But yeah i would avoid it if it stalled my weight loss too! You seem like you are doing amazing though! We are the same height and basically same weight (starting) i am excited to follow your journey since we have a similar BMI! Yes Scotland was AMAZING the people, the weather (i like mild weather not hot), the architecture! Where are you staying? We thoroughly enjoyed Edinburgh over Glasgow its much older but they both are really cool and the train ride in between cities is so short! like 50 mins each way! No i have never been to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam! I am soo excited! I have heard amazing things about paris so i am really looking forward to it! Anything you did there that you would reccommend i know you say you didnt spend much time there but i am curious Also Italy was a close second on our list i have heard nothing but good things about Rome! I love Europe in general! If i could move there i probably would!

Mine got infected too. No big deal, my doctor made a small incision and drained the puss. Antibiotics for a week and cleaning the wound daily with peroxide and alcohol. It healed just fine. Good luck Brandy.

I suffered with gout prior to having surgery. I was on Indomethecin for arthritis and it never really helped with the gout. I had to go off of it in July of last year (one month prior to 8/5 surgery) and haven't taken it since. Luckily, I haven't had a bout of gout in over 2 years now, but it is probably the most painful thing I went through. I had it at the same time that I had a stress fracture in the same foot. needless to say, the boot I had to wear for the fracture was hell on the gout pain! I have been cautious about red meat. I still eat too much, but I was told that played into the gout a lot. Also, if you drink alcohol, that will increase your chances of a gout attack. My podiatrist calls it "vacation gout", as many peopel drink on vacation and come back with it. Good luck and hopefully we won't experience it again !!!!

I have had pineapple vodka with a splash of cranberry juice. Yum! And I agree with whomever suggested a designated driver! Since alcohol hits us pretty quick, it's a good idea.

I used to love a glass of wine most nights, im 6 weeks post op & i have had 3 small glasses on seperate occasion & the 3rd time i did not enjoy it, & im not bothered about the stuff now, i will drink something non-alcoholic & non fizzy drink, & thats coming from someone who loved her wine & could easily drink 2-3 bottles a week...

You've got this CocoNina, half the battle is being aware you've an issue. I hate suggesting this but it's worked for me, and as one person said, fighting head hunger is like alcoholism. Try OA, it's for people who struggle with food addiction, compulsive overeating, or triggers that cause one to eat. The reasons we struggle are as various as the people who struggle. If you don't like groups, try seeking counseling or therapy. Or, write in a journal (not type) what your triggers are and why you think you have them, how you feel, so you slow your mind down and recognize with clarity what you're feeling and why, and how it connects to food. The surgery is such a fantastic tool, but many of us have work to do on our heads, too. Also, try doing things with friends that don't revolve around food too, if you already don't. Create activities that will take your mind off eating, and replace the old urge to eat with a better habit. Takes time and work but one can get passed head hunger. I think protein helps aid in reduced head hunger, too as it reduces physical hunger.

I meant 8 weeks altogether. 2-weeks pre-op liquid diet, 4-weeks liquid only post-op, 1 week on week 5 post op puree, & now soft foods week 6 post op tomorrow for 1 week. After writing this post, I realize I'm so stressed out with work & school. I wonder if it's an emotional issue not related to the sleeve. Before the sleeve food was my comfort for stress. I like your analogy about almost being like a recovering alcoholic, it could be that too. Since the hunger hormone (gherlin) is removed, I thought this would stop. Height: 5'0" Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs. Surgery date: 2/13/17 Goal: -71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs). Current weight: 185.2 My profile picture is not me. It's my "FITspiration" body.

My family knows but I've only told a few close friends and I did, indeed, get a raised eyebrow or two. I would not begrudge an alcoholic and drug addict whatever method or "shortcut" he or she felt was needed to succeed. But I can understand not wanting to tell people. Of course, I know a handful of people who have had the surgery, and they're very supportive!

Except the SlimFast Carb Control/Low Carb Diet, which is quite a good supplement (other than the somewhat higher calories). It is available in Chocolate and Vanilla and is rich and creamy and very satisfying. It has much better protein than the SF Optima or the SF High Protein. Here's the info from SF Carb Control Creamy Chocolate: 1can (325 ml, almost 11oz) 190cals Total fat 9g (14%DV) Sat Fat 1.5g (8%DV) Trans Fat 0 Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Cholesterol 15mg (5%DV) Sodium 260mg (11%DV) Potassium 550mg (15%DV) Total Carb 6g (2%DV) Fiber 4g (16%DV) Sugars 1g Sugar Alcohol 0g Other Carbs 1g Protein 20g (40%DV)

Congrats on your date! In the meantime stock up on Soup, broth, Jello, pudding, etc. liquid tylenol, heating pad, comfy pjs, robe, slippers, magazines and movies for your first week or so post op. Biggest Advice: after 4-6 week post op (and you are on solid food) eat 5-6 small meals a day watching your calories try not to exceed 1500 calories a day. Exercise everyday for at least an hour if you are able and if not exercise as long as you can. Stay positive. Avoid empty calories like sugary drinks and alcohol and icecream. Don't deprive yourself, but eat what you want in moderation. Make sure to eat/be healthy 90% of the time and it is okay to indulge the other 10%. Enjoy your journey. Make sure you take before pictures, weights, and measurements, and keep up with regular pictures and measurements to show yourself and others your progress. This will help a lot when you find yourself down because you "think" you aren't making progress. But YOU ARE! Be Patient. I know it is hard and I am the worlds worst, but try because with a little will and a lot of determination, this band will be the tool that allows you to lose all of your weight and maintain it. Good luck!

Sammi, my post was not to scare others, I apologize it does sound like it frightened you. Everything I have found that is trustworthy show it is plausible. Some is conflicting saying that sugar-intake actually rises post-WLS, which I find a hard time believing. Nevertheless the Ketosis (Highly acidic, pseudo-alcohol breath) does explain it somewhat, along with acid erosion if people frequently eat until they vomit. Here are the studies I have been looking at. I won't bother citing them because I'm no longer in Graduate school, but the authors are listed in these links. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29304473/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16989694 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5467377/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26409987 This is for the esophageal cancer, a very, very small population, so I would take it with a grain of salt. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3016829/ [edit] I realize this is just a single piece of evidence here, and I intend to investigate it further.

FluffyChix and Sosewsue61 - I'm not looking to attempt to (Again) lose the weight without some sort of assistance. When I was in my 20's, I went from 263 to 163 entirely on my own. I was the poster child for the Subway diet. I went there 7 days a week, ate the exact same thing. Ate under 1000 cals a day, and burned almost 1000 a day (According to the calorie counts on the gym equipment). But as with all of my "successes" I gained it back quite quickly. Mistake? Maybe it was because I didn't incorporate heavy lifting. More likely, I did not have the support with discussion boards and blogs and so forth like this. I have always seemed to have a problem with the maintaining weight phase. I work in a highly scientific field, so being impartial and rigorously examining all paths and possibilities has essentially been ingrained in me for the last 15 years. It is because of this that I go to the nth degree down the pro's and con's path. Although bias is verboten within my field, I admit to myself that I am biased towards getting the surgery. Because of that, I think I spend more time trying to counter my bias examining potential. My intent for this post is that the two issues I mentioned are often not mentioned in "standard" (less academia) literature or discussed as a side effect during information seminars. It was a completely new angle for me to study, but I wanted to get some empirical evidence from my own population, since I am not satisfied with the conclusions made by the researchers thus far. As Creekimp13 mentioned, while informative, these studies (for the most part) concentrate only on WLS patients, and not the double blind "gold standard" of research. Granted, I am positive it is difficult to track WLS candidates that did not get WLS, but I would think such data would exist in simply brilliant record keeping such as the Framingham Nurses study. I agree, my path, without significant intervention, is ultimately diabetes and then cardiovascular death. Grandfather died of 2 strokes and a heart attack at 57. Father had a quintuple bypass in his 50's. Other grandfather died of a heart attack. (Granted grandfathers smoked like a chimney and were both alcoholics). Diabetes runs in my family, and thus far with an a1c of 4.9, I'm doing quite well, but I know that it is inevitable, and frankly it is the #1 motivator for me to get the surgery. Fix the root cause (obesity) and dozens (if not hundreds) of other related complications disappear or are mitigated by a great deal Sadly, I agree that dental work is in my future for sure, and if one wants something enough, they will make it happen by working extra jobs or lifestyle modifications (conserve money). I suppose my biggest concern is that the extraordinary cost that is inevitable, will be a recurrent expense (Due to the WLS-induced decreased longevity). That being said, I wholeheartedly admit this involves a lot of speculation and future prediction, something that I believe no one is skilled at other than the Lord. Thank you both for your honest and candid opinions, I am all ears, believe me. FluffyChix, thank you very much for sharing your resources, later today I intend to go through it.

As far as I am aware the following things can all cause cancer :- Too much protein Too much fat Too much sugar Too much sun Too much stress Too much alcohol Sex Genetics Breathing Being alive

Wow... now reading all of that was quite and earfull! I am new around town but I can tell you that I feel extremely comfortable at this site and have garnished much of the information I was looking for. I think the fact that this site is not as hugely busy as Spotlight is why I feel comfortable. I like being able to really get to know othe members. It's probably because I am a country girl at heart.... the big city gives me hives! I do spread the word about this site because I truely think it is awesome and I hope that it never turns into a Spotlight type site. LapBandTalk seem JUUUUUUSSSST right to me! Alexandra... It's so funny... I do the same thing here and save my woes for my private journaling or other less populated sites...I have asked myslef frequently why I do that???? I think it comes from years of just being happy if another person liked me... it's almost taboo for a heavy person to be anything but happy...jolly and funny. I like it so much hear that I just don't want to bug everybody with my probs. and by gosh... I should be able to solve them for myself shouldn't I??? Sue... I don't feel that I fit into any of those catagories... I'm always early... quiet as a mouse unless you ply me with alcohol or I know everyone REALLY well... endure the process because I know it usually amounts to some level of success... am considerate of others and their ideas and personal space but really would like the same in return... I dunno... what the heck number does that make me???? Anyhoo... it is just my opinion... but I think this site is great just the way it is . (o: I think if there is a site that one likes because of the increased number of members... just ignore the posts by the person that bugs ya. Nobody can irritate you if you choose not to let them. Just my two cents... Darcy

14 ccs to close your stoma??? Did I read that right? 14 ccs--then trying to have you swallow barium? I have never heard of a doctor doing that! Even just as a test, before withdrawing Fluid to an appropriate fill level. (ETA: I just read your profile, and Dr. Curry has a really excellent reputation as a surgeon--but wow. Is his group doing your fills, too? I am really surprised at this approach.) To those who have not yet had fills, please don't be scared--this is NOT TYPICAL. Most doctors start out with conservative fills. Even if they use fluoroscopy, they do not close the stoma, then observe as they remove fluid. Rather, they put a conservative amount in, observe the flow of barium through the stoma, then add/remove a tiny bit as needed. My first fill--and all subsequent fills--have been non-events. A swipe of an alcohol swab, a needlestick, infusion of a reasonable amount of saline. Then, the doctor observes, fluoroscopically, as I swallow barium--and if he believes a little more/less saline would be best, he adjusts. That's it! No biggie.

That's probably the best plan. Some doctors aren't as restrictive about the alcohol, but anything bubbly is bad. It's also generally pretty high in calories, and it can affect you pretty quickly because you can't really have a lot of food in your stomach to absorb it. One bite of cake would probably be fine except for the sugar rush, but if you have any sort of carb sensitivity (which a lot of people who need this surgery have), it's just going to make you want more more more and it's best to avoid it. Have a happy birthday, and enjoy all the non-food-and-drink things that are great about life!

Just jump back in! In the past it would, for me, be, I messed up, ate something I shouldn't have, the day is ruined mine as well finish the day off eating like crap and start tomorrow. Now it's, ok you had a treat, back to the program. Gotta get your mind around that. One bad meal is NOT going to ruin all your progress. You may initially see the scale go up a little, but it won't be a true gain. As for the alcohol, I hate the taste, so I can't help you on that, sorry.

You are going to get a myriad of answers on this board about alcohol. They are going to range from YOLO to never again. Your Dr. and your nutritionist are going to weigh in on it as well. I think that the general consensus is to wait 4-6 months even a year in come cases before drinking. Some here start back much sooner than others. There's also a group like myself that has committed to getting as healthy as possible and has decided that I can do without alcohol until the time that I have gotten myself to my goal. Alcohol, for me, was a trigger food. Start with a few cocktails, get some food down, get a few more cocktails in so on and so forth. It's important to know a couple of things, first, you have a lot smaller stomach so the alcohol is going to hit you way faster and reasonably harder than it would otherwise. secondly, alcohol is hard on the stomach in general. You have a pretty delicate sleeve going early on, so the longer you let that heal, the better off you are going to be long term. Lastly, give some thought to why you had the surgery to begin with and try and connect the dots to any habits that you had in the past that might deter your success. If alcohol played a role in that, like it did for me, then would it not be in your best interest to just let it go? Good luck in what ever you decide.

I too was worried about the same things. I started in March and when I found out my BCBS required 6 months of omnipresent diet before surgery I was really bummed. Now I will be done with everything on August 19 th and will then schedule surgery. I think I needed all these months to mentally prepare. I immediately went off soda, caffeine and alcohol..... I've lost 36 pounds so far and am hoping to have 50 gone before surgery. This forum is a great way to stay focused. I'm not sure I would be doing as well as I am without it. This is a great supportive group. Everyone has been in the same place so there is no judgement. Just support