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I had bad diarrhea days 3 and 4 after surgery. I also blamed the protein shakes but my surgeon said sometimes it's happens when things are waking up and starting to work again. But, too much sugar free stuff can do it to you for sure. I can't stand artificial sweeteners so I have always avoided them but they contain something called sugar alcohol which upsets tummies sometimes. You newbies should all take it easy. I did nothing but short walks in the house for the first two weeks. You are recovering from major surgery and getting almost no calories in. Give yourselves time to heal. As far as water goes I never met those goals. I still don't truth be told. As others have said when you are early out the protein shakes count as fluid. Just do the best you can sipping water between shakes. If you are peeing a lot, and it's light in color, you're fine. Sent from my Nexus 6P using BariatricPal mobile app

How are things going with the sleeve? Things are great now. Some days I don't even think about my smaller portions. I just made sloppy joes two nights ago, portioned out my 2.5 oz and topped with a serving of mexican blend cheese. The day before that? I made crockpot honey garlic chicken. I ate one thigh. It really isn't anything special. I just make my boyfriend's plate right along side mine, but I get the cuter plate, lol. It is just a way of life now making sure I get enough Protein and keep my carbs down. I use myfitnesspal religiously to make sure I am getting the nutrients I need. How long ago were u sleeved? I was sleeved 7 months ago. Has the adjustment gone well? Yeah, I was doing low carb six months prior to being sleeved. Soon as you get past the Fluid and mushy stages, I really think life perks up. Before that though, you gotta remember you are healing and relearning to eat with a totally new stomach. And sometimes there are hiccups, I didn't get any protein in my first two weeks. I had a really hard time with anything not a vitaminwater, but it gets better. Don't rush the stages, sometimes you have to linger a little. How has adjusting to so little food been? It was a mind trip at first. I really liked my big portions. Before VSG, I could eat an entire hot-and-ready pizza by myself in about 15 minutes. Now? I eat about 3/4 of a slice. I just tear off the crust. You get used to it. You sigh, you cry, you have a little fit where your SO laughs at you, and you move on. This is life. Side note, I really hate leftovers now though. I didn't before surgery, but post-op I really can't stand dried out chicken or even one of my favorite foods ever, pulled pork. I loathe eating reheated stuff. My boyfriend laughs and says, I got picky post-op. It is okay though. I just make a smaller meal that night and remake it in a couple of days so the meal is hot and fresh. Have you engaged socially yet? Haha, yes, and that is where I go a little carb happy. I may not be able to eat like I used to, but I sure can still get down my fluids. I am really only limited by how much I feel like. I can drink 2 large unsweet iced teas from McDonald's in about an hour if I tried, and 3 or 4 of my low carb daiquiris like it is nobody's business. I have no problems getting down fluids. I like to keep a decaffeinated beverage in my hand now because I almost passed out on campus once when I forgot a Water bottle all day. I definitely learned that lesson well. When I go out with my friends, I order things without bread, and I just don't eat Pasta. At Chipotle? I get my burrito bowl without rice and Beans, lots of veggies, double meat, and pile on that cheese and sour cream please! I eat about a third of the meat, cover it and bring it home. Okay, I will always eat Chipotle leftovers. I lied, lol. If I go to Buffalo Wild Wings or an Ale House? I get wings. If I go to my favorite Mediterranean place? I get the fried jibneh or kabobs. Indian? Paneer or Tandoori chicken. Vietnamese? Pho with extra beef. If I go for BBQ, I always get my ribs and just refrain from smothering everything in the sauce. I get the things I want, try to stay on plan, and just try to keep my protein up and be happy. I can eat whatever I want, but I feel better when I am not eating bready things. They just don't sit well for me. I get really uncomfortable. At parties, I take a beer and chat. Carbonation doesn't bother me too much anymore. Have you had a glass of vino yet? Err... lol, I guess I got ahead of this one. I will have to say yes. I have had wine, beer, vodka, tequila, bourbon, rum... Can I use my college student excuse? I admit I like going to parties and the club. What can I say? Just talk to your surgeon about when it is right for you, and definitely wait until your stomach is healed. Did your body respond differently than previously? At first, yes. I definitely could get tipsy off of a few sips of Riesling. Now? Tequila shot, you say? Don't mind if I do. Alcohol hit me hard and fast at first and it tapered off just as quickly. Eventually, you will definitely be able to hit the tapas and restaurants with your hubby again, but it might take two or three months. Again, talk to your surgeon about his or her recommendations. Don't worry, life goes back to normal. Just follow your plan though for the most part and the weight will come off. How will I stay engaged at social or family events that ,as always, revolve around cooking, eating and appreciating copious amounts of food? Well, for me, I just do what I normally do, chat up a storm. I carry my unsweet iced tea (blashphemy in the south, I know), grab a deviled egg, and play with my cousins. Same old, same old. I am just not carrying a huge plate anymore. When I have friends over for a meal, everyone knows I eat low carb, so I just grab a little meat and a couple of veggies and do the same song and dance. I eat slower. I enjoy my company more. If I go out, I like not having to worry about eating an appetizer, entree, and dessert all by myself. I enjoy a little of everything in moderation and take the rest home along with my shrinking waist line. Hope I answered all your questions and didn't come off as an alcoholic, lol. I really don't drink that often. VSG is just life now, and I really am happy with my decision. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

I was told no alcoholic beverages for at least a year by my doc. They emphasize the fact that your liver is like the housekeeper and needs to filter so much junk out of your blood as you lose, that asking it to metabolize alcohol on top of that could cause serious damage. I've also heard through some other groups that I belong to that people have gotten seriously ill and died just from a couple of drinks after WLS because of the way their new system works. Totally not worth the risk to me. I love a glass of wine (or a mojito, or margarita...) as much as the next person, but I'm not going to chance it for at least a year.

The only harm alcohol causes us is empty calorie weight gain. Most likely people get drunk more quickly due to the fact you have abstained from alcohol for a good bit of time. Your tolerance is different. I used to enjoy a couple glasses of wine every night, but 2 now is way different. I don't do it simple because I'm still trying to make goal and wine is way off my course. It's a mind set

Yes, I posted the same question a few days ago b/c I hadn't seen anyone mention it either and a few people responded with a yes. Mine was horrible, very sudden and severe but only lasted one day. I'm on day 6 now and it happened on day 2 or 3 but none since. Hope yours clears up quickly too. One thing I wondered - the first 2 days I'd had a serving of sugar-free pudding (allowed on my plan) and the prepared ones have sugar alcohols in them. That might be the cause for me, as I haven't been brave enough to try it again! I don't think the ones you make yourself have those.

My surgeon says 2-3 months before alcohol but that it's never really recommended because it does slow your weight loss. Some surgeons say longer or never, but I think they are not giving a medical answer but a value judgement. Plus, you'll be a lightweight, if you weren't already. So do the first drink in a controlled environment. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Remember, with a sleeve they are removing Ghrelin, that is a hormone produced mostly by your stomach that signals your brain that you are hungry. That's not the only way your body tells you that you are hungry, there are also insulin/blood sugar issues too. But Ghrelin is the big one. The first week you do not WANT anything. You struggle just to get your fluids down. You should be drinking 64oz daily and I haven't met anyone yet that has managed to get all the fluids down. Not in the beginning. In the hospital you'd almost pay someone to drink fluids for you so that you don't have to hear the harping from everyone telling you to drink fluids. ;o) By the end of clears you are bored with it, head hunger DOES kick in, but not stomach hunger. I will be honest, I had a band and then revision surgery so I have done the post op diet twice. The 2nd time was a breeze, I don't know how much of it was that I had been dealing with food issues and head hunger was not kicking in full force and how much was the lack of Ghrelin. But I will tell you that I didn't have any problems with it. But again, I had already dealt with many food issues, I revised at 125# and a BMI of 20.8. After banding it was hard but doable. You won't want alcohol at first, it will burn along your staple line but I have it every now and again. I will tell you that when I was losing weight alcohol would stall my weight loss every single time. Without fail. It will slow down your weight loss. Artificial sweetners are fine, I live on them. ;o) Coffee... only problem with coffee is that it changes the cells in the lining of your stomach and it does tend to make your stomach empty faster thus defeating the purpose of any WLS. It's the caffeine. But if coffee did not bother you before surgery it probably won't bother you afterwards. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I haven't experienced this after surgery, but from all the diets I back-slid on: Go back to tracking every bite of food that goes into your mouth. If you've stopped, get back on the 30-30-30 plan. Don't eat within 3 hours of bedtime. No alcohol. Always get your protein in first. Don't despair. Your "tool" is still in place. You can recover from this!

Ugh, so sorry. I have had small cheats here and there and been fine which i view as good and bad. . I don't want to push it eating a large amount of sweets for fear of getting ill. Have you tried alcohol? Not that I am encouraging that, just curious if you tolerated it since you didn't tolerate the sweets. I haven't and don't plan to anytime soon but someday would like to enjoy a half a glass of wine twice a year. Are you back to eating your normal meals post surgery?

Well it's true you can eat around the band, but you can eat around GBP too. Trust me, even if you are a sweet eater, you'll find a way to get "your drug of choice" down with either procedure. If you've had GBP, and trying to get your fix they substitute alcohol becasue it's metabolised like a sugar, some find they can eat things like cheesecake ( my friend) or cake. But low Iron counts, rerouting my insides, longer recovery and more complicated, risky surgery was my reason for choosing lap band. It is a hard choice to make. Good Luck.

My file will be submitted to Carefirst BCBS (DC Plan) tomorrow (5/26) morning. Here are my vitals: Age 30 Female Height: 5'3" Type II Diabetes (diagnosed 5/10/2011) Hiatal Hernia Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease = Metabolic Disorder Weight at surgical consult: 205 Current Weight: 198 Goal Weight: 127 Carefirst BCBS through DC. Only insurance concern is that I have had two three month diet plans that went like this: My weight doctor: Visit 1/3/2011, visit 1/17/2011, 2/1/2011, 2.16.2011, 3/1/2011, and 3/17/2011, with a primary care visit in early April - should be OK for this one. My other weight program was a visit on I think 1/20/2010 and another visit on 4/9/2011 with a primary care visit on 1/21, blood work on 2/16 and a neurologist visit on 3/17/2010. I have good documentation of visits, receipts, medical notes, etc. but there could be an issue with the fact that I did not go to the weight specialist between 1/20/2010 and 4/9/2010.The insurance coordinator at Bluepoint Surgical group seems to think that we can get approval because my documentation is good and it shows that I have lost weight but can't keep it off.

When I went to a Plano session at the beginning of the month they talked about beverages of choice (caffeine, alcohol, etc.). I was like: water, tea, and crystal light!

I'm in the process of hoop jumping for my insurance. As long as I perform all of my tricks successfully, I should be approved for surgery by the end of the year. My question is this. If I have surgery in December/January, what will my life be like in March. My fiancé and I are planning on getting married in March in Vegas. I understand that I won't be able to drink alcohol and food things will be different, such as smaller meals and avoiding high fat/sugar stuff, but what will it be more like post-op three months? Thanks in advance, Chante'

If you don't mind me asking , has anyone had or has had a stomach ulcer ? staple line ulcer ? marginal ulcer ? and if you did have an ulcer at some point. Can you shed some insight and truth on preventive measures, and how to deal with them? You can be honest with me and direct message me about drugs , or alcohol, or weed, or cigarettes or whatever, you took, that caused the ulcers, if you do not want to make it public you can Direct message me , and explain . I would really appreciate any real world facts on this please . thanks so much So far I found out from my dietitian and surgeon : 1, they can heal themselves. 2. there is medication someone can take to heal the ulcer. 3. dying from sepsis is the worst case scenario which is extremely rare according to my doctor and dietitian ?!! thanks so much

At 10 months out I slime when I dont chew well,eat too fast or have eaten too much.this happens only when I stuff something in my mouth before I actually sit down to eat (while still preparing the food or dishing up..lol) The dumping is a different thing altogether.I dump on sugar.It does not happen all the time but if my stomach is empty and I have even a bite of a chocolate,I get very sick.Nausea,shakes,runny tummy,really really sick. I had one sip of Baileys about 3 weeks ago and boy I thought I would die.There was also no time lag between drinking the sip and the sick feeling,it happened instantly. So,alcohol,creamy liqeurs actually,and any sugary thing like ice cream,chocolate ect is a definite no no in my life.The Lord surely blessed me with this as I often dont know my limits with these things...lol

I could have written your post in the past. In fact I HAVE written something VERY similar. I just recommitted to my band a few months ago... and wow.. what a difference it is to work with the band when I am MENTALLY ready and on board. You have to be proactive in the choices you are making. Pasta and ice cream shouldn't be in your diet right now. Period. Down the line, when you are in maintenance... sure... add them in, but right now you need to focus on Protein and low sugar and carbs. Period. Small portions. Exercise. Water. Lots of water! YOU need to do these things. The band is there to help keep you satiated on smaller portions.... it isn't there to stop you from eating. I can always eat around the band. Trust me, I am an ice cream addict... and ice cream will ALWAYS go down. So I forbid it now. I treat it like an alcoholic treats alcohol. You say you can't eat protein. Then you are either too tight, not chewing well enough, or eating too fast. I too thought... I can't eat chicken, I can't eat beef, I can't get these healthy foods down. I was mad and angry, and blamed the band for my poor food choices. In reality... I WASN'T READY! Well guess what... I COULD eat those things... when I slowed waaaay down, kept my band at a looser restriction, and really focused on pre-measuring my portions and STOPPING when the food was done. Did I want to eat more? HECK ya! Do I stil? Heck ya! I ALWAYS want more food. That is why I am FAT. I have to trust that the head hunger will pass (it does) and that the small portions will keep my body satiated (they do). Start over. Go back to basics. you are still so fresh into this! The sleeve is another restrictive surgery. If you still make poor food choices, you will get poor results. I too thought of revising. Hell I scheduled a revision at one time!! But after a lot of soul searching I decided to give it one more HARD try. I have lost 32 pounds in the past few months. I FEEL great. I FEEL supper motivated. It has NOT been easy. This is NOT what I thought being banded would be like. I thought it would be easy. Effortless. Boy what a shock when it wasn't. YOU CAN DO THIS! Sit down and really think about what you have been doing so far. Are you following the rules? Are you measuring your portions? Are you chewing slowly? Are you not drinking with meals? Are you exercising? We are all here for you. For support. Hang in there!! If there is nothing medically wrong with your band... please... give it another shot. It can really be a great tool if used properly!!

I have been going to counseling for some other issues and the first thing they asked me when I told them I had WLS was if I developed any other addictions. At first I didn't even know what they meant. They had to clarify, do you gamble, shop , or drink? It kind of cracked me up. I hate gambling because I am cheap. I am not fond of shopping unless I need to buy something. Luckily, I hate the taste of alcohol. I am even having trouble bringing myself to drink that sugar free gatoraide that Dr. Campos suggested I drink because it has artificial sweetner in it.

This thread is going to be very embarrassing for me, but I've talked to ALOT of women who are 8 or more years out on this subject, wished I'd of talked to them sooner!!! Before surgery I was warned OVER AND OVER again about alcohol!!!..did I listen, NOOOOOOooo. I was going to be the ONE who drank like she did before, This is the ONLY issue I REFUSED to listen to, I didn't want my surgeon or the PhD's to get in my 'Cup'. I did give up beer, only because of the carbonation, but what was I thinking, I wasn't!! About a year out, I thought I was safe, I was a miraculous 115 lbs, entering 'Maintenance" , had my Vitamin regiment down pat. blah blah blah. Feeling accomplished. BARTENDER!!! vodka martini please!!! first one, feeling good, whooo hooo...did a body check, no pain in the pouch, cool, BARTENDER!!! Vodka martini Please!!! People, I don't even remember leaving the establishment I was in. I opened one eye, head pounding and my husband standing at the foot of the bed shaking his head!!!..OH GOD!! what did I do!!!...well apparently not much. One minute I'm sitting there socializing, next second, I'm on the floor. I was a complete puddle, he carried me to the car and poured me in. out like a light!!!..I consider that episode a fluke, wont happen again, I'll drink something lighter DING! round 2: GNO aka: Girls Night Out. This time I decided I'd better get a strategy. I'd eat first. well this time I ordered my fave: White Wine..loveeee my wine, or I did. 1st glass, good, milder and lighter than the martini, slower to get a buzz. good strategy. yay me, figured it out. Drank a glass of Water in between, good, no pain in the pouch, not to buzzed. 2nd glass good, THIRD GLASS, BAM!!!! Hit me like a tone of bricks, this time I didn't fall out, but my buzz factor incapacitated me, I knew I couldn't get up and walk. crap! I whisper to my gal pal, to take me home. EMBARRASING!!! ok fine, I get it, I don't need round 3 to teach me anymore lessons, I'm not hard headed. But I do miss hitting the Vino till 2 A.M. So I do have 2 glass on whatever with a water back, and call it a night, or if its a dinner party, I drink water for the rest of the night, I mourned, and still mourn my 7-8 glasses of vino on GNO'S. thanx for listening, embarrassing as that was.

@LumpySpacePrincess@LumpySpacePrincess that is an eloquent and empathetic view- thank you. I don't watch tv much and avoid "trainwreck reality" shows like the plague so haven't seen this but your response reasonated. My dad was a mean, volatile alcoholic, but I am quite sure he didn't want that life. I am quite sure"Penny" would love to have a normal full life but she doesn't even know what that looks like. It doesn't excuse or enable the behavior but empathy allows us to care about the human while hating the behavior.

My doc specifically said say goodbye to sodas and alcohol, of course I tried both, I don't recommend that you so, cause the feeling will make you miserable, YOU Have been WARNED! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

newgrandmother.... I coach people here in Tampa Bay and when you do the right things you can stay full and lose it safely. SugarFree is not the way to go. Sugar free just puts other crap in the food to make it taste good. - After reading the above there are lots of tips and tricks that you will use post surgery so might as well start them now. MYFITNESSPAL.com - absolutely the most important tool for staying accountable to yourself. choosetochange.org is my website and blog. Follow the blog I have lots of recipes that will work to help you eat cleaner. When I put people on a detox it is a way to clean their system and remove the cravings that we all have. Figure out your vice and start there first. COLD TURKEY... Get through the first week and you will be golden. DETOX - Eliminate Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Sugar, Alcohol and all Vinegar and Oil based products. (Exceptions are Cold Pressed Olive oil, Coconut Oil and Sunflower Oil) Find a Pea Protein (It is natural as long as it is certified Organic; message me for suggestions) Change your milk to unsweetened almond milk (perfect for gluten free oatmeal, baking and protein shakes) All of the categories above are natural allergens and your digestive system stores the excess until you clean yourself out. The average American holds 20-40lbs in their digestive track of undigested bi-products. Get yourself a colon cleans product for week 2. Make sure you are drinking 4-6 20oz bottles of water a day.... Vitamin Water Zero is the only flavored water that doesn't contain artificial sweetners. It is detox approved. This DETOX takes some getting used to, but you will lose 10 lbs in your first week if you don't cheat on yourself. I would be happy to help you out and coach you through the month and beyond if you want. I have a facebook, skype and blog dedicated to helping non-ops and ops lose weight and eat cleaner!

I'm scheduled for 10/12. I'm working on losing some weight between now and the end of September when I'll start the two week pre-op diet. I need to work on cutting out sodas and not drinking while eating. Not to mention trying out Protein shakes to see which ones I will like. I don't think I'm the pre-mixed shake type, but it might just have to do. Oh and I also need to start moving more.....I guess the only thing I've accomplished in the 4 days since I started working on eating less is not drinking alcohol. I guess that's something!! I'm a huge procrastinator, so I know I have to be better at this....

Not sure of the date yet, but it'll be sometime in October. For now I'm working on eating well (high Protein and veggies/low carbs) and moving my body more. Also cutting down on caffeine little by little (I'm down to one cup of half caff for now) and cutting back on alcohol (down to once a week or so - I wasn't a heavy drinker before but I usually like a glass of wine with dinner). Here we go! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Expecting a surgery date in October. So far, I'm cutting down on diet soda and alcohol, and drinking less with meals. For me, emotional eating is an issue, so I'm working on that. Trying to recognize the head hunger, and find other ways to satisfy my needs. I'm also getting exercise back into my life, mostly walking and dance videos. 10-15 minutes at a crack so far. Things are starting to get real...

I'm almost 1 month post op, so I'm just out the gate. I used to LOVE wine, but I've been a good girl and have had nada. I am a bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding and I REALLY want to imbue. Be honest. How have you dealt with alcohol? I don't want to go bananas and drink all night, but I'd sure like a glass of wine at the bachelorette party (this Sat) and one at the wedding (June 4). Go for it? One or the other? Avoid? Do you drink? Please put in your 2 cents.