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The typical baggage would be like eating high sugar or high fat food. This is going to sabotage a person's efforts during the transformation. Also drinking too much alcohol or caffeine might also get in your way. Things like that. Try and eat as cleanly as possible, almost a paleo diet.

I remember researching this long before surgery. I'm a little over five weeks out now and I smoked again for the first time last week. Since then, I've smoked twice more. Honestly, it is something I will probably always do. I am not a big drinker and my body responds good to weed. I get relaxed and it's something that can really make a night out with friends more enjoyable. As for the munchies, I haven't had any issues. I went to dinner with my friend and had my small plate of food. I ate slow and really relished the taste of it. I actually think I ate slower than I would sober because I was so aware of everything. Honestly, it's not for everyone. I get that some people will always frown upon it. But I personally think alcohol is far worse for you AND for your sleeve. To each their own!

Yup, definitely possible. You just need to wait until your doctor clears you for alcohol and then be aware that you may be affected by alcohol differently now. I enjoy a nice glass from time to time as a post op. one glass is usually enough for me in a sitting.

I went to Vegas six weeks post op and did fine. I am 41/2 months out now and can handle the alcohol and food fine. Have fun!

Don't sabotage yourself. In the long run, you'll be glad you gave up and resisted. I reached my doctor's goal in five months and my personal goal, five pounds less, a month later. I did not have one sip of alcohol until a year out, probably more like fourteen months. This first year is your honeymoon period, get the most bang for your buck.

I'm sensing a bit of envy here. We are all only victims of our own choices. Not trying to add insult to injury but perhaps you could have been in control of whether or not they came over? Asked them to leave? Kicked his bag out of the house? What drugs was he on? People who use marijuana are passive non-aggressive. Sounds like he was on either crack/coke/meth or even alcohol. I have crap inlaws too, and I've point blank told my husband to make a choice, me and our family or his family. We haven't had a problem for a long time now with them. (the bad ones) not all of the inlaws are bad. I also work in the Social Service field specifically within the GAL. juvenile protection and I've never heard of DHS removing children for someone elses stash. Further, an on-site drug test could have been administered, and if brother in law admitted it was his bag, then his stuff wouldn't be impacting you. If anyone, a minor posession charge which is a misdermeaner could be issued. A traffic ticket is also a misdermeaner. DHS doesn't take children away for misdermeaner charges, and further "a few small baggies" sounds like its less then 25 grams, and is simply a fine. http://norml.org/laws/penalties/item/new-york-penalties-2

I'm not sure whom you are talking to but here in Colorado it is legal, as well as Washington State. Currently there are 18 states plus D.C. that legalized for medical purposes, with another 11 states with pending legislation. During the economy crisis in 2008, the mmj industry kept our state afloat. I have done extensive research on the substance, and I use to disagree with it. I wanted to divorce my husband for years ago. However, it's better than any of the medications the doctors give me, that cost tens of thousands a year. ... I have CT Scans and MRIs of the brain showing the brain on no substances, legal substances and illegal substances. The Brain killers are listed as follows; #1 Caffeine #2 Nicotine #3 Alcohol #4 Methadone #5 Amphetamine Notice how all of those are legal. Now moving forward, #6 Cocaine (crack is a by-product of this) #7 Heroin #8 LSD/Psilocybin #9 MDMA Note that 6-9 use to be legal, some very recently. Cannabis, through the International Institute in Israel, has been proven to have NO, ZERO, ZILCH negative effects on the brain. The products classified as most dangerous per DEA include Cannabis, Heroin, LSD and MDMA. Why, because the government cannot control us when we use these types of mind expanding products. Heroine received its name from Bayer, and was first advertised as "Bayer Heroin". Yes, the same company that makes Aspirin. Cocaine and Heroin remained legal up into the early 1920s, cannabis until late 1930s. MDMA/LSD until the 1980s. Obesity is more of a health threat than cannabis is. Sugar is the worst! That’s why we are all here. Along with GMOs, preservatives, HFCS, etc. So when someone who claims it's bad, I challenge them to look at them their own self. Cause it's likely the people who smoke cigarettes and drink coffee and love Starbucks. I say those people are already missing half a brain (literally) and no longer can think logically. So, how many people drink soda/coffee and other caffeine products? How about those energy drinks and energy shots. Monster has a class action law suit right now against them for people who drink just one drink and have a massive heart attack. THEY ARE TEENAGERS!!!!! Teenagers are dying from Monster energy drinks. How about smoking? How many people smoke cigarettes here? Or drink alcohol? I can’t even count how many forums I’ve seen people complaining that they want their margarita or a cigarette, or even fast food. John 8:7 "Anyone who has no sin in their life should step forward and throw the first stone. That sentence is often cited as a reminder to avoid judging others when there are faults in your own life that need to be addressed."

Hi all April 2013 sleevers! I had my surgery 4/19/13. I started at 240 and down to 213....27 lbs! My goal is 150...I'm 5'9". i had a stall too but in last 2 days down 4 lbs! was glad to see. I've tried to increase my protien to see if it helps. I can have caffiene? and can have alcohol (just not beer). I feel great! I only had 3 incisions and all 3 have compeltely healed with no problems. Well, I do miss food! especially in social gathering...which i do a lot of I also am a RN Cruise bound on 7/1/13 and hoping to be below 200!!! thats 13 more lbs in a month!! hoping i can do it!

Alcohol kills and its legal. Pot doesnt kill and its illegal. Why, for the life of me I can not understand. I dont smoke and I sure in the hell dont drink. If I had to choose between the two it would be pot!

I dieted the whole six months prior to surgery and lost 40 lbs. My nut gave me a goal each month, such as cutting out soda, fried foods, alcohol, sweets, etc. When you stop each of them slowly, it is easier to keep avoiding them in the long run. I quit most things in the first month, cuz I was so excited to lose weight. Since this surgery is a lifestyle change, it is good to get a head start on this before surgery. Good luck!

I, too had a leg DVT caused by a torn meniscus. Mine was last Sept. and I immediately went on Coumadin. I had my band surgery the following February while I was still on it. I know you are overwhelmed right now, as I was initially but I honestly didn't find it hard to manage while losing the weight. I just recently was taken off of it as the clot had dissipated. The biggest thing to remember is consistency in your diet. Just get familiar with the foods high in Vitamin K and eat minimal amounts of them consistently. I had to have a blood test every week for months. Most weeks required a dosage change to keep my levels in the right range - no big deal. In relation to the band, the only affect was I would bleed much more than normal from a fill! We just used 2 bandages and my stomach would be bruised for a week afterwards. I was in the early stages of losing so I did not drink alcohol then, but prior to WLS I was okay with drinking in moderation. My advice would be to relax for a couple of weeks and feel sad about the DVT. Mine completely ruined my 50th Bday party celebration plans! After that, get back on track and just be more careful about your diet than you were even before. 3 months is not that long - I took them for over 8 months partly because I chose too. You will do fine.

Hi everyone, I was sleeved on 4/6 and pre op wt was 266, and I'm down to 242 today, 5/26. I think I'm 7 weeks out. That seems slow to me, but admittedly, I'm not following the diet 100%. My food quantities are very low, but I'm maintaining the no alcohol, no carbonated drinks, no caffeine rule. I am feeling weak though and lack of energy.

So, super long story short...I had arthroscopic knee surgery 2 weeks ago for a torn meniscus that I've had for years, and finally fixed because I couldn't handle having my knee lock up on me all the time. Surgery and recovery went remarkably well, then suddenly I noticed a large lump in my calf. I showed it to my dr during physical therapy, and she told me to go to the ER right away. I got an ultrasound which showed I had deep vein thrombosis reaching all the way to my hip! They admitted me to the hospital, I had to stay there for 4 days until my blood was thin enough for me to be safe enough to go home. Now I have to take cumadin for the next 3 months! This drug is very complicated, and I've never taken it before, but basically I can no longer eat most green veggies, which is a majority of my diet, and everyone is telling me I need to take a break from losing weight, and focus on managing the cumadin. Of course I intend to do so, but I'm so overwhelmed because my weight loss has been so successful, I've lost 90 pounds in 6 months, but I still have a long way to go, and apparently I gained 3 pounds in the hospital, which blows my mind!? I cannot mentally handle gaining weight, but this cumadin is so damn sensitive, that it says any changes in weight could throw the drug off and put me in the danger zone again. I just can't handle this, I absolutely can't smoke or drink alcohol anymore now, and I find my thoughts, and actions drifting towards unhealthy food choices...this is a mess.....is anyone else on cumadin? I'm so sad and just had to vent. Thanks

To me, sugar is as addictive as alcohol and drugs. I can totally lay off sugar rather than tell myself I will only eat one or two mouthfuls. If I can't have three cupcakes, i don't want any. I feel so much better mentally since I am not eating them. I finally feel in control of myself. I truly understand how people feel in trying to kick the habit.

Your entires are great. What normal eating! Do you still measure everything or are those guesses? When you were still losing but at te point when you could stomach most foods, did you allow yourself rice and alcohol and all? Or do you ink eat that now that you're on maintenance? I ask bc I find myself stuffing to just eat Protein and want rice and fruit and all as well. Thanks and awesome work!

If you saw one of my earlier posts asking the removal of the drainage tube and how that felt, surprisingly that was the biggest thing I was concerend with in this surgery; not the possibility of risks, not the posibility of no weight loss. Had my surgery on Tuesday morning. Took the nurses quite a while to find find a vein to start the IV. The told me that most overweight people have this problem so I shouldn't worry. I was little upset because I drank so many Clear liquids the two days up to it and still they had problems. The IV going in hurt like a MOFO. I can't stand needles at all, or any kind of pain. I'm a 32 year old male that screams when I see a tiny spider in a corner. Yea, figure that one out. Then came time for the surgery, I actually started to cry as the nurse came in and said the doctor is ready. I was crying because it was finally happening - all the waiting, insurance approval, 2 week Protein diet, everything had come down to this. I remember going into the OR and they moved me from my bed to the operating bed. The anestesiologist put an oxyegen mask on me and said to take some deep breaths and that I should start to feel sleepy soon. I vaguely remember having my arms and legs strapped in? But that might have been my imagination. I also remember there were two attractive nurses in the room with me, and then I zonked out. Next thing I'm waking up and the anestesiologist is talking to me, saying things like "Jason...can you hear me?" "Jason, are you awake?" I'm rolling around in the bed all groggy, not really in pain or discomfort, but just trying to figure out what the hell is going on. He asked me what I remember and I said the oxygen bit and that there were 2 hot nurses in the room and he laughed and said "That's why I keep coming back!" He asked if there was any chest/shoulder pain and I said no. The first few hours of the surgery were the worst. My abdominal muscles were tight as hell, and I kept dosing in and out of sleep for the next 6 or so hours. By the evening the nurses were getting me up and having me walk to the bathroom to see my urinary output. Some of my friends visited me which was nice. I had an extremely hard time falling asleep that first night - strange hospital, only 12 channels on TV with stupid shows and infomercials, pain for the most part was non existent because I was on a comination of tylenol drips and morphine. The next morning they did the final blood draw, had me do my barium exam and I was discharged. I've got to say, before I continue, the nursing staff and the surgeon, as well as the anestesiologist were of the highest professionalism, care and bedside manner. I could not have asked for a better team. In fact, overnight I was the only one in recovery and I had both nurses to myself! Then I was being discharged. My dad was driving my car, and I rarely ride passenger, I'm normally the driver. His driving has always made me groan a bit because he just doesn't drive like me....I'm a little more agressive. I started to get naseaus right away and thought, am I having motion sickness? Getting in the car hurt like hell, bending those adominal muscles as well as getting out. My parents let me stay with them for a few days to recover and immediately I decided to lie down. I slept hard for about 2 hours. Here is an outline of the pain/discomfort I have had since surgery - Surgery day - Not much because of the morphine and tylenol drip Day after surgery - Not much until I got home. Sipped on a Protein shake and took another 2 hour nap. As I was sitting up I started to feel naseaus and there went the protein shake. It was dark in the room and I thought for a second I vomitted blood. Thankfully is just a light brown color reminiscent of when I drank too much alcohol and bile would come up. Called my surgeon to let me know and they said that was common after surgery but not to worry. Started feeling sharp pains in left shoulder/chest area. Worried I had a leak. Thursday - Off and on discomfort - still feeling sharp pains in left shoulder. Occassional naseau. Friday - Off and on discomfort - still sharp pains. Went to surgeon for first followup to get the drainage tube removed. Ok, I'm going to digress here, but that was the most unfomfortable, oddest, strangest sensations I have ever experienced. It was quick, but honestly felt like he was rummaging around my organs. I pray I never have to feel that experience ever again. Sharp pain in chest IMMEDIATELY went away. Who knew it was the drain causing it??? Saturday - I took 2-1 hour naps today, much imrovement from the days before. Had a lot more energy. Very, very little abdominal discomfort, only when changing positions from seated to standing, laying to standing, standing to seated etc. It's not as bad as it nearly was. Either I'm getting used to the pain, or the muscles are finally healing. Now here is a diary of my liquid/protein intake - Day after surgery - Got 30 ounces of liquid...if I was lucky. The one protein shake of 13g of protein was lost when I vomitted up. Thursday - Got around 30 ounces of liquid. Finished one protein shake for 13g. It is so difficult to get in the required 64oz and 45g for the first five days. Friday - Got around 40 ounces of liquid. Finished one and a half protein shake for 20g with skim milk in both, so around 25g of protein. Told the surgeon I would like to extend the liquid diet past day 4, as he had originally planned, because I want to make sure I'm up to 64oz liquid and 45g protein before moving to stage 2. He said I can stay as long as I want on each stage, just don't end it early. Saturday - Got around 55 ounces of liquid. Had Jello, half cup skim milk, popsicle, about 30g of protein. I'm getting there. Tomorrow, Sunday, I should be starting the 2nd stage of purreed foods. But I don't want to yet, I really want to get up to the 64 oz of liquid and 45g of protein for a solid 4 days in a row before I got to stage 2. I owe it to my new stomach to get used to all liquids and actually completing a stage before moving on to another. Plus, I think in the long run that will help to heal my stomach better than by forcing myself onto a new stage when my stomach isn't ready it. Each day gets better, and I'm hoping I can get the 64 ounces of liquid and 45 grams of protein tomorrow for my first official day at that mark..... .....as much as applesauce, cottage cheese, and refried Beans sound right about now! LOL For everyone that has said it before, as soon as that drainage tube was removed, so much discomfort IMMEDIATELY went away. My only concern is right now I'm developing a cold, and my ears are popping and I have a slight cough. I am sure this is due to not eating and staying hydrated. I am taking my required multi-vatamins and supplements daily. Finally, I have not had any stomach or head hunger. I'm watching tv and I will see commercials for Steak and Shake or donuts and think, "Hmmm, I remember how good those tasted" but I am very happy with the decision I made. The hardest thing for me is just sipping ice cold Water, because I'm so used to chugging ice cold water, especially when I'm thirsty.

I too have only had sips of pop (sorry, can't call it soda lol) and had no negative side effects. That being said I think overall it is not good for you regularly or if you are drinking full servings. As for alcohol, I have never been a big drinker but like to sip something when i'm out with friends. Again, I'll probably sip the same drink for the whole time and yes I do then count the calories in myfitnesspal and I HATE wasting calories on my beverages, but they are few and far between. Hope this helps!

My alcohol tolerance is almost zero. I drank a glass of wine, and I am at my limit. And drinking that glass takes me a while. Kindove sucks, miss going out and taking a couple shots with my friends. Beer no way, I have had zero carbonation so I dont drink it. Im pretty sure hard alcohol would get me so drunk that I would be on the floor. Maybe all this happened becuase I have not had it in while, so my tolerance is lower, or maybe because it absorbs in my tiny stomache faster... Either way I hope thier comes a day when I can drink at least one drink without feeling so buzzed...

I'd like to know about people's experience with alcohol post-op. How much do you drink? Last night while I was on a plane back home to LA I ordered a mix drink with my dinner, after 4 ounces I knew I'd reached my limit, I felt very sleepy lol.

I drink coke zero everyday, multiple times a day, no issues at all. Doc said it's up to you some people can handle it some can't, apparently I can. Alcohol is okay too you just have to remember alcohol turns into sugar in your system in order to be processed. And that sugar for some reason hangs on a little longer than normal carbs or simple sugars. Just my 1/2 cent worth.

Butterflyhigh, From what I've read, you can still drink a little wine 1+ year post op but not everyday, just very occasionally, and not a whole glass. I drink only very occasionally and don't intend to give up alcohol completely. Vix, Yeah insulin resistance is usually cured when you lose a lot of weight. The thing is, it's hard to lose weight when you're insulin resistant. Catch 22 right? I have no doubt that insulin hunger has contributed to my weight today, although it's definitely not the sole cause. It's hard though because the one symptom I can't stand is nausea. If something makes me nauseous a few times, like a food, I'll never want to eat it again. Sadly, it has made it so I am not compliant with any Metformin dose over 500mg. I've never been able to get through the sweating, shakes, and nausea that I feel on that dosage. But metformin has not caused me to lose much of any weight anyway. I can't wait to kick this insulin resistance. For me it's truly the worst part of PCOS. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

My surgeon didn't tell me how long to wait before drinking alcohol. He did tell me to say goodbye to Margaritas! :-( He said they have way too much sugar. I think the trade off is fair. I can say goodbye to beer & Margaritas in exchange for a better body & better health. Maybe you could start off trying some wine...

No to carbonation...works OK flat if you must have the taste. With Alcohol you should always count the calories as they add up, and do impact our resistance to food.

My dr said no carbonation or alcohol for 6 months and even THEN, open it and let it sit got a few minutes. The alcohol is due to dehydration too early after surgery.

No carbonated drinks - EVER. The gas plays havoc with the band, and can cause issues you probably don't want to experience. Alcohol is another story, but certainly not early in the post-op phase. You have to take into consideration that there is zero nutritional value in alcohol, and it also tends to bring down our resistance to eating in a way that we shouldn't. I know for me, eating a lot of finger foods goes hand in hand with drinking. But if you do decide to have a drink or two, make sure & count the calories in your daily allotment.