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@@_CRYSTALLITE_ I don't know if a PCP will attest to that - particularly alcohol (how would they know other than by your word). I've also never heard of that requirement before. Maybe to say you haven't had any drinking problems to their knowledge. The PCP records should document smoking history and be able to confirm that (or submit your records).

I finally got my letter of support from my pcp(I had to jump thru hoops to get one). Well the insurance lady told me that the letter needed to state that I haven't smoked or drank alcohol within the last six months or something like that or the insurance will deny it. Of course My doctor didn't put it on there. It took me forever to get the letter and I don't want to delay them submitting my paperwork because I'm trying to hunt down my pcp. And I certainly don't want to get a denial because the statement isn't on there. My question is for anyone with BCBS federal, do you really have to have this statement on there? Was anybody denied because they didn't have it on there? Do you think I should have my pcp to add the statement? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The show is about general addiction. They have a history of focusing on drug/alcohol addiction, but have been branching out lately. They had a gambling addict, a rage addict (also a drug user), etc.

Your stomach is just another muscle that is susceptible to swelling just like the rest of your body. Think about the lapband as if it were a ring around your finger? If your body(finger) swells due to TOM, sodium, alcohol, carbs(complex and simple), stress and anxiety, so can the gastric lining of your stomach. This can be the perfect time of year for most all of the swelling reasons previously mentioned. The lining of your stomach can swell making the stoma a very small opening for solids to pass through. Go back to liquids, cut back on sodium, alchohol and sugar. If tomorrow is the same as today, call your doc. Just my opinion of course. tmf

Its a personal choice for everyone as to what they eat, and with restriction the band will help with how much you eat. If u are happy to take a chance u might put on weight or lose but very slowly before u hit the green zone then u can carry on eating bread/ processed foods or junk foods like pizza . To me its food like that that got most people to the point where they needed a band .. Isnt it like thinking its ok for an alcoholic to have a small drink each day ? Some of you of course will be able to eat some junk food and not have any effects at all, but for others if u are gaining weight and dont want to then u need to change something like your diet or exercise till u can rely on the band a little more . Only a few people are lucky enough to eat everyday food including junk food in smaller portions and still lose weight, but for the most of us those junk and processed foods need to be eliminated from our food intake in order to lose weight .

I guess this is such a touchy topic and I'm on the fence. I too am self-pay. In fact I had to wait a year to get my band. I have read about the slipped bands, flipped ports, and possible stretched pouches for months. On the one hand, hearing that I'm not the only one who fell off the wagon gives me some piece of mind that I haven't destroyed my band, thus helping me get back on the wagon. On the other hand, hearing that cheating has no real consequences by stories of people who do it is possibly dangerous for some of us over-eaters who can not control their addiction. There exists the possibility that we may just ignore all advice, good judgement and prudence. This would make the band totally useless OR fail and removed. I think someone telling us to get back on the wagon is a good voice. food addiction is like any other addiction: if an Alcoholic has a drink, AA encourages them to start again today. Today is a new day type stuff. Taking care of ourselves and our bands is the same. We may do something we shouldn't be doing but we need to get back on the wagon. This is not in my mind a section of the forum to teach each other how to cheat but support each other after the fact to get back on the wagon:-)))))

I was 234 at heaviest 118 at lightest and am now (4 and a quarter years post op) 149. Yes - lockdown but more than that it’s sugar addiction. At 114 I had no bum or tits or shape and people said I looked gaunt and old but I LOVED being skinny. I’m now a size 8-10 uk - up from a low 6 and definitely not fat or even really overweight. My bmi is maybe a tad over but I’ve always been solid - short legs long back- great build for a hod carrier an ex once told me!!! so I need to deal but it’s sugar I need to deal with. I go in and off IF and Keto but constantly relapse with sugar. I’m weaning off just now and am going to aim for IF on work days (my tummy is v hair trigger so that helps avoid leaving a classroom mid lesson. the struggle is real. I’m a recovering alcoholic and sugar hits the same button. I’m depressed, sedentary, lonely but I’m not giving up. It’s great to hear from people who’ve kept weight off and I’d like too to hear how you get it off again befor it’s all back... on a positive note I have boobs and a bum again!

I was wondering this myself. What am I gonna do on Saturdays??? We always have parties. Dips chips finger food. Oh my!! And lots and lots of alcohol!! But today I had a salad and water. It wasn't the best BUT as long as that sexy beast LES MILES is on my tv kicking. Butt. It's all good!!! When he crosses his arms or touches his hat, it means he's thinking about me!!!!!! Well that's what im going with!!! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Ok, so I quit smoking. Not fun. Also quit drinking. not AS bad. and not a single carb for 7 days now. not-a-single-gram. I'm finding myself having energy crashes, which i guess is a good think cause the old carbo-bank in the liver is empty now. which was the point. My pre-op is basically 10 days of zero carbs (and alcohol, etc) and then liquids only the day before. I'm set for the 15th. did my preops, have clearance. it's a countdown now.

Hey there, well of course there will be bashing going on here shortly after I answer your question, but here it goes. . it really doesn't matter Michael. . . my doctor didn't have me quit or do anything before my surgery. . .he said first off that it takes quite some time to "shrink" livers. . he doesn't believe that you should "stop" smoking . . . your just going to start up after anyhow. . he said it's good cause of the anesthesia, but it really didn't matter. . .the alcohol thing, well you really don't want to put something quite as harsh down there right off, I started my rum and cokes up again at 3 months out and let me tell you that was so good! I think in all reality, let yourself heal up really well, and continue to live your life as usual. . . we are given this great gift to help us and help it does! You will loose the weight some of us quicker then other some of us slower, but hey Rome was built in a day either. . . But don't go crazy over everything. . .life is way too short. . . . ok forum lets have it! :lol:

Congrats on getting your date. As a smoker, I can shed some light on the smoking thing. Other than the obvious anesthesia risks for smokers, due to the smaller size of our stomachs, it does increase our risks for ulcers. It's a risk with gastrectomies in general. As as smoker, I can tell you that I've quit and gone back to smoking 3 times since my revision. Yep, I smoke, I know it sucks, but I'm not going to lie here or anywhere for that matter. When my gallbladder was giving me hell, my surgeon decided to scope me to make sure I hadn't developed an ulcer as well because my pain was occurring any time I eat or drank anything including Water. He was damn positive I'd have an ulcer, well least to say, I didn't and my sleeve is beautiful. That was at 8 months post-sleeve. Also, the little respiratory therapist that I prefer to call the torturer from hell, likes you to use that little spyrometer to help your lungs "wake up", and prevent pneumonia. I can tell you with a cut up abdomen, CO2 gas inflated tummy cavity, gas pains, incisional pain, that whole hacking up a lung really sucks, and I imagine not being a smoker helps with that issue. You'll do great on the low carb, high Protein, the diet will shrink the slippery, slimy fat on the outside of the liver which makes it easier for the surgeon to move it out of the way to get to your stomach. I was specifically told it takes several weeks and sometimes months to actually shrink a true fatty liver, a couple weeks of low carb, high protein, or even an all liquid diet isn't going to do it. All that pre-op diet does is shrink , or help alleviate the fat deposits on the outside of the liver. Nicked livers kind of suck, but happen when it's in the way and slippery. I had a starting BMI of 50, had hoards of tummy fat, and was given 1 weeks of low carb, and high protein, essentially meat, cheese, eggs and salad. Think of all the "fat" in meat, cheese and eggs? ? ? It's not going to shrink a fatty liver, but it'll get the fat burning via ketosis. I was allowed to have a "last supper" night before surgery, and I did just that. I ate spinach/artichoke dip, an 8oz ribeye steak, loaded mashed potatoes, french fries, some corn and other veggies, and I shared a Cookie monster with ice cream, it's essentially a 3000 calorie brownie/cookie combo sundae with caramel and hot fudge, I did share a few bites with my then 10 year old son LOL. My liver looked spectacular day of surgery. Least to say, all that food coming out post-VSG was a total wreck, and good lord, it was NOT a pleasant experience. Sorry for the overshare, but most want the whole experience. Alcohol also thins your blood, you'll get standard anticoagulants to help prevent blood clots and they do not want any other additives, drugs (aspirin, NSAIDS, tylenol, alcohol, etc) to increase your clotting time anymore than the prescribed doses of heparin or lovenox. Congrats on getting your date, best wishes on your sleeve ! ! ! You'll do great. . .

I used ooops paint remover, VERY CAREFULLY, LOL. I tried polish remover, alcohol, peanut butter, olive oil, finally got tired of the tread marks on the tummy and got out the oops, put it on a q-tip and gone with the first swipe. WARNING-DO NOT GET ON OR NEAR THE INCISION.

Not really scared of the surgery, but about not being able to eat much or drink alcohol after. I keep thinking "how am I going to act in social situations?" Will I be a different person? Am I going to be the "odd duck", while all my friends are having a good time? One of my favorite things is to go out for a prime steak & a few glasses of wine. Will I be able to do that? Lots of questions....a little uneasy, & scared. I hope I'm making the right decision. Surgery is set for a month away. On a brighter note, I booked a quick little vacation to Mexico for next week. I thought a little rest & one last fiesta would help me tackle these thoughts & fears I'm having.

I was told that I can never drink alcohol again and that's what I plan to stick to. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530AZ using the BariatricPal App

What's the deal with alcohol? When can you have it post op? I am no way a big drinker, but i do like an occasional night out. Does it affect you differently? What can you NOT drink? Can you have a lot, or only a small amount? My date is scheduled for 1/21, I'm guessing celebrating st. Paddy's day is out of the question??! Lol

My surgeon says no more alcohol... ever! Not an issue for me as my family has a history of alcoholism so I've made a point to never drink much. Typically, my drinking consisted of sampling my husband's beer when he would try a new one. I stopped doing that months before my surgery and don't miss it at all. However, I have noticed that people who do drink around me, (and I don't have any problems with people drinking around me) get very uncomfortable with the fact that I choose not to drink. For some reason it bothers them a LOT! If I don't care if they choose to drink, why should they care if I choose not to?

I had surgery in February. My surgeon told me at least 3 months no alcohol. Over the summer, I'd have an occasional drink. Half way into the beverage you're feeling the effects. Every person is different as every dr is different. Your body will tell you what's right for you.

In my case I have to watch what I eat in order to loose weight even with the band. I do not eat junk food at all. I exercise daily and really work hard to loose the weight. My weakness is not chips, candy, Cookies or cake. My weakness is margaritas. If I could just not give into my cravings for margaritas I would have it made. Even though I do cheat with alcohol, I am still loosing weight pretty steadily. I recommend that you start keeping a food journal. There are several places online that you can do this or just simply buy yourself a small note pad and start keeping track of your food and Water intake. By doing this you will be able to look back and reference what you have been eating and figure out why you are not loosing. I eat between 1000-1200 calories each day. If I have a margarita or two, I try and calculate them into my daily calorie intake. But I always focus on getting my 70 grams of Protein and at least 64 oz of water each day. Without my protein I lack the energy for my workouts. I'm sure that if you check with your surgeon's office or meet with a nutritionist you can get a specific diet plan to follow that will aid in your weight loss effort. Good luck to you!

My philosophy from the beginning of my journey has been, train like an athlete for the rest of my life. I have food cravings, mostly protein. My thinking revolves around feeding my muscles, having enough carbs for energy and vitamin nutrition and fiber for health. The garbage food that is presented to me gets little more than a taste. I am building something here, I have sworn off tearing myself down. The sleeve was a gift given to me. It cost me $1000. out of pocket and nearly $40,000 was paid by insurance. It was like I was walking to a goal that was impossible to reach and someone came along and gave me the keys to a Rolls Royce. I would be an idiot to not make the most of this. An alcoholic once told me he used to detox just so alcohol would have a greater effect on him, not to change his life. Get clean, get dirty again. You might hate being fat but that is not enough. You have to hate living and thinking like a fat person. You must hate the process of getting fat. Stay off that train, find the right one!

How long (Weeks/Months) before your surgery did you stop drinking alcohol and caffiene???? Thanks for your responses! Julie

My NUT said to start getting off caffeine 2 weeks prior, just because you don't want to have a headache while you're recovering. I think I switched to half caff for the first week and decaf for the second. My surgeon told me that the alcohol just needed to be out of my system before surgery, so a couple days.

so you haven't had any problems that i hear on the site about never eating bread again etc....is there anything you find your stomach can not take? I've noticed I'm becoming scared that this might actually work! Which creates a whole new set of anxieties but I've been getting worried about people who say they can never drink soda again or alcohol or bread. I thought it just shrunk your stomach so you couldn't eat as much of things

I do tend to lose more on days that I take a moment to praise God before I step on the scale. It can't hurt! More Protein and Water would help if you are low in those areas. Sounds like you have stepped it up on the exercise already which is good. You might not see results immediately w/the extra exercise, but hang in there because it really does make a difference in the long run. The only other thing you might consider is if you are getting any empty calories any other ways. For me, I was still drinking alcohol when my weightloss started to slow. It was pretty obvious I had to give it up. Since giving it up (a month ago) and upping my exercise, I am losing a lot better now.

This is a bit long but I need to put it in print..... I have been lurking in the shadows reading every post on band complications and all the stuff that can and does go wrong. The reason for this is that I have not lost a pound in almost a year and for the last 6 months I have had this funky at times horrible pain in my stomach, I get raging headaches and I feel like general crud 90% of the time. I kept thinking what is wrong with my band why isn't it working. Then the other day I had an epiphany....ok it was really a reflection on a conversation with Dr. Billy, but it got me back on track....he said that the band is just a tool, it isn't a magic bullet, but just a simple tool that I can choose to use or not. So I sat down and really thought about my pain, my lack of weight loss and my feeling of overall icky. Here is what I came up with...I'm not using my tool right. My issue isn't with my band but in my head. Bummer!! So here is what I have to work on..... I have plenty of restiction but eat until I am FULL thus giving myself a tummy ache because i'm eating myself sick...fortunately for the restriction I can't eat tons or I would be back where I was when I started this venture. So back to measuring my portions, using my small plate and fork I go. Also, knowing when I am "almost" full. I'm not chewing as well as I should...bad bad me! I'm allergic to wheat and corn so "um hello" the nachos, sandwiches and pizza need to stop effective immediately. buh bye headaches! Soda... I was drinking Diet Pepsi heard it was bad so moved to regular Coke....Sad but true this has been my path Alcohol...margaritas are my true weekness....i'm going to limit myself to one a week on Sundays when we bbq. Visiting lapband talk....I stopped...it's like not talking to that good friend that helps keep you on track....stop smacking me upside the head..I am back and yes I will listen! I am putting myself on a quasi-first month diet...back to soft foods, lots of protien shakes and the like and i'm going to give my tummy a few weeks to heal from the mess I am sure I made of it. And for the record I started 2 days ago and have already lost 2 lbs and feel so much better! Whatever my excuse is work, stress, family issues etc....I lost track of the whole point and reverted back to my old ways. I am just thankfull I realized it before I made myself sick! Thanks for listening and hopefully I stop "struggling" and move forward!

@@wannabthin Too funny! Hey, maybe that's the real reason why they don't want us drinking alcohol post surgery. Without a big butt there'd be no place to set our drinks down!