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What's the earliest after surgery anyone has touched alcohol? I have a party next week, that'll be 10 days post op. I'm guessing its a no brainer and a NO GO!!

I quit 2 months ago and still have a month till surgery. But my doctor said they test the week before surgery for any street drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. And the day of surgery.... I was like... Good thing I quit smoking and don't do drugs drink...

So happy able to reach our thread from my phone. I had to click the link in the message Janet sent me so my phone new I belonged. ;/) Well date nite was a fiasco, I guess all the stress of the week, too much alcohol, hubby not being totally honest with me sooo it did not go well. All my calories yesterday were alcohol related, very thirsty today, already drank 3 bottle of Water and yes Teri I logged every little drink! Lots to do today, brother going home, daughter coming next week and prepping for Mom next week. BBL have a great Saturday!

I just saw crystal light in the store and they make alcohol flavors now! Too soon to get my drink on but great idea!

Non-alcohol happy hour anyone?

I'm about 5 months post op... My 21st birthday is in 6 months which will make it 11 months post op & for my 21st birthday of course I want to go out & have a drink. What drinks settle good? & you haven't had problems with? Just need opinions on drinks.. To the ppl that have negative comments don't try it with me...

I am 3 months out too... 1. eat and drink together...I know we are not supposed to, but I do...it causes discomfort, but this is a very hard habit for me to break. I am getting better about just sipping to wash something down instead of a good drink 2. Alcohol? Yes, I have had crown & coke together. I have had a few Bud lights...I felt the effects much more quickly & I am still a big girl, so it isn't that I have lost weight. I didn't feel so well the next day. 3. Alcohol & food...I never do this even before surgery 4. Smoke - I have never smoked. 5. Weed - I have never used any type of drugs 6. Rice - swells & makes me feel uncomfortable 7. Pasta - I haven't tried it yet...I love it, so I hope I can tolerate 8. Spicy - Not tried alot...salsa and jalpenos have been fine for me 9. Fried - yes, but I go to the restroom shortly afterwards..

I was completely wrong no lectures at all. I was talking to my sister and I said to her, I know i am a super fat ass because even while i am dieting and losing weight im like i cant wait until this **** is over so i can get some gnocchi, and i am worried about the surgery because some people say they never can eat Pasta again. we can have some time apart, but i dont know about us never seeing each other again. i dont smoke now but i have before and cant say that i never will again, it is something i like to do on occasion, and if the mood strikes me in a tropical island where there is usually ripe picking id hate for my indulgence to result in bleeding ulcers. i am really stressed about the eating and drinking thing just because im a very thirsty girl and i put down Water like a camel. sometimes i will stop eating until i get some water because im too thirsty to continue, but i guess maybe that doesnt happen when you can only eat so much. i am so curious about the alcohol thing, some people say they get tore down immediately (which i think may just be because your used to drinking for a plus size person and now your not) but i have seen a lot of, it wears off very quickly and i cant really understand why since i cant see how a reduced stomach effects alcohol absorbing into your blood. haragl thanks for the advice, i have not even gotten a surgery date but my nutrition is loving me becaue im losing so much weight pre-op and i expect to get it after our next meeting on 6/25. im trying to make sure i am making the right decision, and though it is a little embarrassing, as you can see food is really important to me. since your a nurse any idea about the alcohol thing? dreambig and serendipity i cant believe you guys can eat all that stuff at 3 months out! and 8 oz of water is super impressive (i have been worried about thirst a lot) other than alcohol water is my drink of choice, but i have not ever managed to have a meal without some and that is still a worry. I love the fact that you guys answered, and differentiated between personal choices and abilities. I hope I get some more answers.

My guidelines are: 60 or more grams of Protein Always eat protein first 3/4 -1 cup of food per meal Good carbs only - fruit and veggies No alcohol In between meals, only if needed - a Protein shake 800-1000 calories

I can eat pretty much anything that I want. I have found that my taste has changed. I have always had a problem with sweets but now it's more salty foods. I don't drink alcohol or smoke so cant help you there but I do know that alcohol is just empty calories and smoking isn't good for you anyway(sorry the nurse in me coming out). I do take sips now with meals but the idea is that you need to fill up with good food (Protein/healthy carbs and a little fat) as opposed to filling up with fluids. I have never had a good tolerance for fried foods but I have eaten a few french fries with no effect. I don't do real well with baked potatoes but that's just because I seem to fill up really fast with them. I do go out to eat and usually get a couple of meals out of anything I order. I do "slip" if you want to call it that and have something "non healthy" once in awhile but hey I am human and I don't overdo it. The important thing to remember it that you are in this for the long haul and that it takes time to break all of our bad eating habits. I just take it one day at a time and if I slid I realize that tomorrow is another day and get back on the plan. Some days I do great and some not so good. As Scarlett would say, "Tomorrow is another day" lol. Good luck on your journey and remember it's a marathon not a sprint and hang in there.

Im sure this is going to probably incite some judgment but I am very curious about foods that have to be given up forever because of the sleeve. Im not talking about 2 weeks post surgery wanting a double cheeseburger. Im also not talking about consuming entire troughs of food in one sitting. Im talking about completely healed, chugging liquid (does that ever happen again?), in moderation, human sized portions. Not eating like a fat ass every day but on some days when you really want to what cant you eat? I am just trying to make an informed decision. I mostly want to know: Can you: eat and drink (nothing major just water)? drink alcohol? (beer, wine, margaritas, tequila shots, cranberry and vodka, long islands, all alcohol) and if so what is the effect? eat and drink alcohol together? eat fried foods? go out to eat? Spicy foods? Pasta? Rice? smoke? weed? cigarettes? cigars? if yes to anything what has the result been? Btw if you puke, i take that as a no you cant and you just havent come to grips with it yet (no judgment over here)

My nutrionist suggests 800-1000 calories for me. Following the protein and serving size rules, no alcohol, no snacking etc, it's pretty easy to stay in that range.

I'm kinda bummed about the very minimal alcohol thing as I'm turning 22 next week and have definitely not lived out my partying days yet lol. I know it's a small thing to give up in perspective but it will be annoying not to be able to have a few drinks out with my friends and stuff. Guess I'll always be the DD from now on..

I had my first drink 3.5 months post op. A gin and tonic that I sipped slowly and go about 1/4 way through. 3 nights later at the same bar I took an hour or more to finally finish one and then again 3 days after that. It was too much trouble so won't do that again for awhile. I am not sure if I could cross addict from food to alcohol but don't really want to try. I go to enough 12 step meetings and then with the bariatric support meetings I am never home. LOL!

I start liquids Monday and I'm going through the same thing like a food and alcohol funeral I know I will be happy when all done but its a weird feeling to have . Good luck on your journey to thinness

Well, I ignored all of your great advice and had two margaritas. I drank them slooooowly. I felt a tiny little buzz for a few minutes at one point, but it wore off quickly. I didn't react to the sugar, or really even to the alcohol. I still lost a pound a day the whole week. I definitely won't be drinking a lot, but I won't be freaking out about it anymore either. And FYI - my doctor told me that it is ok to take ibuprofen or aspirin SHORT TERM when necessary - it doesn't have to be completely cut out forever. (I asked for that time-of-the-month) and he said not to suffer, but to try and not take a lot. Thanks everybody!

That would make for an interesting colada using green superfood mixed with alcohol. I do not think it has been done before... Lol.

Thanks, and sorry I have been AWOL so long. I had my surgery May 13th -- all has gone well, and I'm down 21 pounds since day of surgery. This site was crashing my computer for some reason -- the problem seems to have gone away -- but that is why I've been offline here. I agree there are a lot of weight issues in the lesbian community. I think we struggle against the heteronormative ideal of female beauty (can you tell I came out in the early 80's in a lesbian-feminist community? ). But, we also have a lot of alcohol, emotional issues with our bio families, and all sorts of other issues. Anyway, I will try to stay more regular here, assuming the website works for me .

Don't forget the "how soon can I have alcohol" crowd!

Most of the well-known bariatric surgeons in Mexico have done thousands more surgeries than those in the U.S. My guidelines say "No carbonated beverages or alcohol for 6 weeks."

My wife was diagnosed and suffered from depression for the first 15 years we have been together. She was the child of two abusive alcoholics, who made a clear cut distinction between her and her younger sister. She went through various anti- depressives before the psychiatrist found the correct pill for her. She also went through many years of therapy and did gain a lot of weight but that came off after she found the right cocktail. She has now been off medicine and out of therapy for 12 years and is feeling great. Finding the right pill and therapist will help you greatly. You may need to deal with two different therapists, one for the depression and one for your food issues. I wish you the very best from as the husband who went through this with his wife.

I totally agree with the comment that being an alcoholic is different from being a food addict because you can avoid alcohol and don't need it to live. Food is much harder. You have to be around it every day and make that choice:)

WOWOWOW This is a good thread!!!! This isn't about one vs. another, although I agree with much of what TinyMamiof3kids said. I am SURE she realized she wasn't going to be getting kudos for what she wrote but I definately understand her comments and agree. I know a ton of people and read a ton of posts here about people who are struggling in part due to their "partners" and family members. Another person here related the food addiction to that of an alcoholic and I totally agree with that.... When you make this decision and you risk your life to receive a medical intervention - you HAVE to consider the affect this will have.... and your live-in partners are definitaly a part of that atmosphere. I read another thread where a woman's hubby brought home a cream pie not even 2 weeks after she was post-op. He said it was a GIFT for her and presumed she would eat it because it was soft. THAT HORRIFIED ME FOR HER!!! Yes, eventually the hubby admitted that HE was the one who wanted to eat the pie, but I found the whole situation to be sooooo sad and dysfunctional and a contributor to why WE FAIL!!! We fail because we are not unified - our family sabatoges us time and time again - our friends do it too (some out of jealousy). But for some reason WE ALLOW THEM!!! Food is NOT better than you!!!! I am REPULSED by the foods I see my family eating and the portion size - just as I was repulsed by myself when I did the same, yet I couldn't always stop myself. Watching them eat GOBS AND GOBS of food, saddens me and breaks my heart. It is so unhealthy and damaging. At least with alcohol, you can stop because you won't need alcohol to live, like you need food to live. YES IT CAN BE DIFFICULT but you MUST find the motivation and committment to not eat it anymore. YES this is indeed willpower at its best. However, this does NOT absolve your loving partners from thier responsibility to SUPPORT you and love you in a healthy manor. I think it is mean and selfish for partners to continue to "flaunt" their foods in front of you. But someone here said it well - that you cannot change them. But you should tell them how you feel about it COMMUNICATION I think so many people do not understand the dysfunctional dynamic way in which people react when there is a change. People are losing thier eating partner. They are watching as ONE person does something to help themselves, and they don't know what to do - it's change and that scares many people. In some cases, things get really bad - divorces happen even, and the one who changed always gets blamed - even when they did nothing bad or wrong.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree:). If we had this willpower I doubt we would have needed wls in the first place. Plus if your having a hard time controlling a craving why would you want to put yourself in such a difficult situation to begin with. Better to set yourself up for success in my opinion. A struggling alcoholic would not be smart to go to a bar so why would we do something that seems very similar to me to ourselves??? This is a lifestyle change we have to make and in order to do so we must change our environment the way a drug addict would no longer hang out with user friends. Plus I totally agree that family can benefit from a healthier diet. It's not about the fact that my son is not fat. It's about the health benefits of a good diet not just being fat or skinny. Ok so now that being said I def agree that you can't change everybody in your life and to say that if so and so eats this then I can't succeed is definitely going to cause failure. You have to take responsibility for your own actions and choices for sure. I just think if you can change the lifestyles of others around you for the better then great:). If not then find a way to work around it. Mami I think you are wonderful and such an inspiration to me and to many others and I am in no way offended by what you said It's great and inspiring that your willpower is so strong. Just for some us that may not be the case:)

I found this information about erosion quite interesting, seems like ven the doctor's don't know Why. How does Stomach Erosion happen in LapBand Patients ]Intragastric band erosions have been reported at rates that vary from 3 to 10% depending on the operatory technique or surgeon´s experience, the device used and the patient’s eating behavior. There are several different and controversial theories for the cause of erosion:[/font] The LapBand around the stomach gradually erodes into the stomach wall over time, and goes into the gastric lumen, as we have seen with other intrabdominal devices. The stomach damage done during the LapBand procedure debilitates the layers of the stomach wall, resulting in erosion at a later time. The sutures were placed too deep and trespassed all the wall layers of the stomach, causing micro perforations that generate leaking, infection and later erosion. Events that happens inside the stomach, such as frequent vomiting, medications, ingestion of irritants as spicy or hot food, alcohol, etc. as well as a large adjustment to the band system, will produce an ulcer that penetrates toward the balloon of the band. [I believe the last theory is the most consistent and also the most frequently seen in the vast majority of patients with erosion. Other theories, such as a crease or a fold in the balloon, which may harm and erode the stomach lining, were not scientifically proven. We have seen erosion with all kinds ofLapBands and with all kinds of balloons and find no correlation with the fold theory. ]Once the erosion-ulcer is established it is not possible to cure the ulcer, not even by removing all the Fluid in the band. Therefore the need to remove the band itself becomes imperative. I recommend the band be removed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,not because this is an emergency in any way, but because there is a risk of increasing the ulcer’s size. Removing the Lapband can help to decrease the risk of complications such as infection traveling along the hose to the port and to the skin, or stomach bleeding. How Can LapBand Erosion be Prevented? ]There are several ways to prevent erosion. The first way that I personally recommend is to avoid “large fills” to the LapBand, in order to prevent vomiting or gastric reflux. The second way that I recommend is to protect the stomach with anti-acids frequently, especially at bed time. The thirdrecommendation is to avoid alcohol, hot or spicy food, vinegar, soy sauce, and coffee. Talk with your Doctor about the medications you are actually taking and ask about exchanging the ones that can hurt your stomach for others with the same effect but less stomach irriation. ']http://arturorodrigu...ap-band-erosion