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Ok, so i had my GB removed years before my LB. I have to still agree with Mis73. I ate and still do eat: Dairy Products Especially cheese Peanut Butter Red meat Raw Vegetables (i don't eat these because i don't like them. and now because of the band) Caffeine Alcohol I removed the fried and high fat, because those are correct. I also had trouble in the beginning with eggs & corn. Each person is different. I have a friend that still... 10+ years later still has to take a power every day or she will have diarrhea. some doctors will remove the GB at time of LB surg. due to the weight loss, most people will develop GB problems. But, the LB it self does not cause GB problems....

Gall bladder issues ARE and CAN BE related to ANY weight loss surgery, it's a FACT. Now as far as waiting to have surgery to get the lap band, ASK your Doctor ...GB surgery recovery is usually 2 weeks There are some foods that should be avoided after gallbladder surgery. Generally, any foods that gave you pain before surgery will need to be avoided. It will take awhile for your body to learn how to digest fats so you should stick to a low fat diet for at least a few weeks after surgery and reintroduce them very slowly. Dairy products and too much Fiber can also cause problems. The BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast) should be avoided if you are having problems with constipation. However, if you are having diarrhea you may want to eat more of these foods. Every one should avoid these: Fried food Dairy Products Especially cheese Peanut Butter Red meat Greasy Foods Raw Vegetables Caffeine Alcohol (especially if you're on prescription pain pills!) It's not uncommon for a Doctor to do a H. hernia repair while doing the Lap Band, seems like gall bladder could also be removed at the same time BUT....most surgeons aren't going to do that due to insurance limitations, especially when they get have the surgeons do 2 surgeries and get paid double

When I went in for my two week post op visit I was actually instructed NOT to sip anymore. I was told to drink in large quantities at a time. I can get down a 16-20 oz bottle of Water in less than 20 min easy. I usually have 32 oz in the mornings while I'm getting ready for work over about two hours and that is really taking my time with it (sometimes even forgetting to drink for 30-45 min at a time). Yes you will be able to eat fruit and veggies before getting in 60 gm of Protein in first. I haven't been released to eat red meat yet so I'll let someone with more experience than me answer that one. And I was told to stay away from alcohol for at least the first year. I do know that my NUT does not want me eating and drinking at the same time again, ever. So I'm guessing that would be a no to the wine with dinner but you could have one before dinner after you are far enough out

Mushroom Soup 1 can beef broth 1/4 cup Water 1 package mushrooms (portobellos or wild mushrooms taste best, but button mushrooms are ok) 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tbl sherry 1/4 onion minced 1 tsp olive oil 1 garlic clove minced 1 cup greek yogurt, nonfat plain (optional) Unflavored Protein powder (optional) 1 tbl Optifiber or other unflavored Fiber supplement (optional) Salt/Pepper to taste Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft. Add the sherry and light a match to burn off the alcohol but leave the flavor. Careful, it will flame up for a few seconds. Add everthing else except the yogurt and simmer covered for 10 minutes until everything is soft. Blend the soup mixture together. Add the yogurt and serve.

I'm an info hoarder too -- I waited MANY years to pursue WLS until the VSG "clicked" as The One for me. So I'm also a researcher and did a lot of background studying for a long time. That said, the answers to the questions you posted above are NOT obvious and are not the same for all people, surgeons, countries. - I'm one week post-op and my doctor says liquids only. Can I have bread yet? The answer to that in my case would have been..."liquids only"?? There is no such thing. Of course you should eat bread! - I'm 6 days post op. can I get wasted on vodka yet? Alcohol wasn't expressly forbidden at all, though it was suggested to keep it a minimum for the first six months. But yeah, vodka in quantity on day six should be a fairly obvious NO. LOL. - I don't really have to exercise do I? No, you don't. Not at all. It's a good idea and good for your health -- but not required for weight loss. - why am I hungry? I thought they cut the hunger out of my stomach! I never lost my hunger either, despite being aware of the ghrelin gland thing. So I get why people ask about this one. There are enough people uninterested in food entirely, that when you're still hungry, you feel like u r doin it rong... - I can only hold down crystal light and haven't had anything else for three days! What should I do? (Obvious answer- ask your doctor, not an Internet forum) LOL. Agree. But it doesn't hurt to also ask the internet forum cos you will never find a critical mass of your people in real life as you will here!! :-)

I experienced this for the first time at mass this week. I didn't take the wine because I was afraid the alcohol would burn. I took the wafer and chewed it to a paste before swallowing. I didn't have an issue. I am still in week 1 post-op.

It's not that I can't go out and not have a good time if I'm not drinking it's just when me and my friends get together we like having a drink or two as we talk. Not alcoholism or anything. This Wednesday is 4 weeks out and next weekend I honestly do intend on drinking a glass or two of something I feel comfortable with. Like I said me and all my friends are young, it's not a real excuse by any means but it's just what we do. surgery: April 28th~~~current weight loss 20 pounds

CONSTIPATION.....not any easy subject to talk about. Let me tell you a little about myself first and how I came to post this. I am 52 years old and was sleeved Feb. 25, 2013, 83 days ago. I am down 42 pounds. I feel better than I have since I was in my 20's. I am off my cholesterol meds, high blood pressure meds and triglyceride meds. I am coming on here to tell you the mistakes I have made in the last 2 1/2 months that have brought me to tell you all this. I avoided some of the advice that we are given after surgery. For instance, no alcohol, I ate foods I probably shouldn't have before it was time to, etcetera. Why was I setting myself up to fail? I don't know why either. But please listen when I say there is a reason why there are rules after this surgery. Take them seriously. Now lets get to the constipation part. Actually my stool was impacted. And if you don't know what that is or how painful it is, count your blessings. I'm sure it all began right after surgery since you can't drink as much water right after surgery that you could before. Then I started drinking alcohol (a diuretic) about 1 month post op. I usually would drink a snifter of Grand Marnier almost every night because for some reason it made me feel like I wasn't giving up everything. Then I started eating soft foods before my doctor said it was ok because I got sick of only having protein shakes and soup broth. I would vomit if I ate too fast or too much so I slowly learned that lesson. But nothing could have prepared me for the constipation I have been experiencing since surgery. WARNING... HERE IS WHERE IT GETS GRAPHIC. Before surgery I was "regular", once or twice a day actually. Since surgery I have a bowel movement maybe every 3-4 days, sometimes longer. When I was able to go it would come out like grape sized rabbit turds. Then they started getting packed together making it a little harder to get out. But I'd sit on the toilet until it came out. Sometimes I would be in there for over 30 minutes, sweating and cramping until it was over. But today was the worse it has ever been. I felt like I had to have a bowel movement so I went upstairs prepared to stay in the bathroom for awhile. 45 minutes later....nothing. I knew I had to go but it felt like I was trying to pass a football and it was NOT going to come out without a fight. I came down and Googled "severe constipation". A lot of suggestions would only help AFTER whatever was in there came out. I was in so much pain I called the hospital and explained what was happening. They told me that it sounded as though I was "impacted" and I had two choices because at this stage the "plug" has got to I wish I wouldn't have taken his direction so lightly.

Week one is done on the transformation challenge and it has been awesome! In the gym every morning while on vacation in Kauai. Here is what I did @ about 9 am every morning: Monday: travel Tuesday: 2 mile run @ 6 mph Cross fit warm up of sit-ups, push ups, lunges, pull ups, etc 15 minute AMRAP of 1 minute plank, 10 v-ups, 15 sit-ups, 20 weighted sit-ups ( 15 lb) 2 mile run @ 6 mph Wednesday: 2 mile run @ 6 mph Cross fit warm up of sit-ups, push ups, lunges, pull ups, etc Push dumbbell exercises with 12-10-8-8+ sets, really focusing for peak intensity. Started with 20, 25, 30 and 35 lb for each set progression. 2 mile run @ 6 mph Thursday: 2 mile run @ 6 mph Cross fit warm up of sit-ups, push ups, lunges, pull ups, etc 15 minute AMRAP of 1 minute plank, 10 v-ups, 15 sit-ups, 20 weighted sit-ups ( 15 lb) 2 mile run @ 7.5 mph Friday: 2 mile run @ 6 mph Cross fit warm up of sit-ups, push ups, lunges, pull ups, etc leg dumbbell exercises with 12-10-8-8+ sets, really focusing for peak intensity. Started with 30, 35, 40, and 45 lb for each set progression. 2 mile run @ 6 mph Saturday: 2 mile run @ 6 mph Cross fit warm up of sit-ups, push ups, lunges, pull ups, etc 10 k run @ 7.0 mph ( used a program that statistically simulated actual course - cool!) Push dumbbell exercises with 12-10-8-8+ sets, really focusing for peak intensity. Started with 20, 25, 30 and 35 lb for each set progression. Sunday (today - this is my plan): 2 mile run @ 6 mph Cross fit warm up of sit-ups, push ups, lunges, pull ups, etc 52 card exercises of jumping jacks, burpees, push ups and air squats (will take about 20 m). My wife will push me to completion. 2 mile run @ 7.5 mph Monday: will travel I followed the clean eating plan for the week (eating a meal every 2-3 hours paying attention to a good balance of the macro nutrients) and drank about 1.5-2 g of Water a day. banana with Peanut Butter is now my favorite pre workout snack! so yummy and good for you. Stayed away from alcohol for the most part except for last night. It was also my wife's bday dinner. Last night dinner was my cheat meal for the week and I had 2 glasses of nice Frank Chardonnay imported from Italy before eating ( one would have been ok, but hey, vacation??). Appetizer was a yummy beet salad. Main entree was some nut encrusted Ono fish. Dessert ( my cheat) was 1/2 of a gooey chocolate macadamia cookie. OMG - I died and went to heaven with that ( have not eaten a dessert is many many months). However, I do have to say it was not all good. The alcohol and sugar knocked me out on the car ride back to the hotel and my body was giving me hell until I went to bed. Felt fine in the morning, but a little bloated. Overall, I made some incredible changes in my physique just from this one week of transformation program. Wow. It is very doable. I am looking forward to what the rest of the transformation brings. The program, as you can see from my exercise log, is not that hard. I am only spending about 1 hour in the gym, maybe a little less. Good luck everyone!! Do share your progress so far if you like.

Is that sugar free gatorade you are drinking? Because even sugar free can contain sugar alcohols or xylitol which are harsh on your new tum. Isopure is a trustworthy source.

Yes - the Smirnoff Ice drinks are carbonated. I would stay away from them. I was told no alcohol for a year...so I'm just staying away from everything for now.

My doctor cleared me to drink alcohol but not soda, due to the carbonation. Smirnoff is lightly carbonated. Does that mean I shouldn't be having it? I had a few sips and then had the realization. I can literally hear my tummy making sounds because of it. Anyone know if I can have it? Similar experiences? Any knowledge?

To the weight loss surgery patient slider foods are the bane of good intentions and ignorance often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain. Slider foods, to weight loss surgery patients, are soft simple processed carbohydrates of little or no nutritional value that slide right through the surgical stomach pouch without providing nutrition or satiation. The most innocent of slider foods are saltine crackers, often eaten with warm tea or other beverages, to soothe the stomach in illness or while recovering from surgery. Understanding Slider Foods The most commonly consumed slider foods include pretzels, crackers (saltines, graham, Ritz, etc.) filled cracker snacks such as Ritz Bits, popcorn, cheese snacks (Cheetos) or cheese crackers, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips, sugar-free cookies, cakes, and candy. You will notice these slider foods are often salty and cause dry mouth so they must be ingested with liquid to be palatable. This is how they become slider foods. They are also, most often, void of nutritional value. For weight loss surgery patients the process of digestion is different than those who have not undergone gastric surgery. When slider foods are consumed they go into the stomach pouch and exit directly into the jejunum where the simple carbohydrate slurry is quickly absorbed and stored by the body. There is little thermic effect in the digestion of simple carbohydrates like there is in the digestion of protein so little metabolic energy is expended. In most cases patients in the phase of weight loss who eat slider foods will experience a weight loss plateau and possibly the setback of weight gain. And sadly, they will begin to believe their surgical stomach pouch is not functioning properly because they never feel fullness or restriction like they experience when eating protein. The very nature of the surgical gastric pouch is to cause feelings of tightness or restriction when one has eaten enough food. However, when soft simple carbohydrates are eaten this tightness or restriction does not result and one can continue to eat, unmeasured, copious amounts of non-nutritional food without ever feeling uncomfortable. Many patients turn to slider foods for this very reason. They do not like the discomfort that results when the pouch is full from eating a measured portion of lean animal or dairy protein without liquids. Yet it is this very restriction that is the desired result of the surgery. The discomfort is intended to signal the cessation of eating. Remembering the "Protein First" rule is crucial to weight management with bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass, gastric banding (lap-band) and gastric sleeve patients are instructed to follow a high protein diet to facilitate healing and promote weight loss. Bariatric centers advise what is commonly known among weight loss surgery patients as the "Four Rules" the most important of which is "Protein First." That means of all nutrients (protein, veggies, complex carbohydrates, then fat and alcohol) the patient is required to eat protein first. Protein is not always the most comfortable food choice for weight loss surgery patients who feel restriction after eating a very small amount of food. However, for the surgical tool to work correctly a diet rich in protein and low in simple carbohydrate slider foods must be observed. The high protein diet must be followed even after healthy body weight has been achieved in order to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight regain.

Regarding the MMPI Test - It is a lot of repeat questions asked in different ways like: I drink alcohol every day. And. I drink more than 10 alcoholic beverages a week. It also asks what seem like kind of silly questions like: I would like to be a librarian. It's not hard. Just answer honestly. I just got the results of mine yesterday and its interesting how much it reveals about you. By the way - I passed with flying colors - nutritionist on Wednesday, then it goes to insurance. ALMOST THERE!!

Thats a tough one. I guess talk yourself into the real reason your going. Not for the food but for the wedding itself. Im going to a surprise 30th tonight and cant (or shouldnt)drink but im going for the birthday girl not the alcohol you know? You'll be ok

Hi everyone:) this is my first thread, I've been reading some of these posts for the past two weeks and am excited to join this amazing support group! I am getting sleeved on the 30th of May and am going through a roller coaster of emotions. Surprisingly my biggest concern (besides the obvious concerns with surgery) is after the weight comes down, what's the likelihood of excess skin? Any recommendations for tightening it both pre/post op? I was an athlete my entire life and always in great shape until I quit all sports in college and gained 100 lbs (thank you dominos and alcohol! Lol). Anyway, any and all suggestions are welcome and I wish you all the best on your individual journeys.

Also, contact your surgeon to advise you if it's okay to have your PCP prescribe you something for flying anxiety. I would not suggest mixing it with alcohol tho...

My plain said I could drink 6 months out. I've heard some say 3 months or a year. Even not till they make goal weight. I say as with every thing after RNY... Proceeded with caution listen to your doc :-) educate yourself and be aware :-) I'm a year out and drink time to time and had my first drink about 7 months out. Try your first drink or a new drink in a safe place. Some people get absolutely sick from certain drinks cus of the sugars in them. I had one do it... Woke up from my sleep with upset tummy. It's a given we all have to be aware of cross addiction. It doesn't just happen alcohol... It could be drugs, sex, shopping... I've seen someone obsess and completely freak out over gaining .07 pounds o_O Good luck :-)

You have got a TON of great advice from everyone on here!!! One thing I can add is STOP STOP STOP watching cooking videos of foods you miss on YouTube!!!!!! That's pure torture!!!! That's like a recovering alcohol sitting at a bar watching everyone enjoying alcohol. It's torture and could lead to using bad judgment with food!

I am young as well. I started drinking again a week ago... 4 weeks out. Everyone said it would effect you differently but not for me. I can't seem to get anymore than a slight buzz. I can't drink fast enough to feel it. I'm fine with that though. I used to drink 7double whisky and cokes plus a few shots when I would go out... three times a week. So far, I have gone out twice and had just two single whisky sours. My doc recommends to never have alcohol because of cross addiction and empty calories, but I don't think it will be a problem for me.

Check and see if it has sugar alcohol in it. That can act like a laxative. Also some bars have too much fiber. I gave up trying yo find a bar and decided eatting food works much better for me.

Do you have an addictive personality? I noticed you asking about smoking earlier. I have an addictive personality. food, cigarettes, alcohol....whatever. But I'm trying to be healthy...and I just went 12 grand out of pocket to try to lose weight. And I've been quit on the smoking for over 2 years. So smokes and booze are not in my future (unless if it's just wine with a friend...and only occasionally. I'm not even planning that). And I'm not judging...I just didn't waste a bunch of money to be an addict to other things. I've seen too much cross addiction when researching this step in my life. You should ask your surgeon when they recommend drinking. Many say 6 months...some say a year. Then it's only supposed to be one drink at a time (I think). I didn't ask my surgeon about this, since I have no plans to do it. It's not recommended to drink a lot though....and alcoholism is a major problem with post GB patients.

You know, I haven't had a drop of alcohol since New Year's Eve (pre-surgery by 8 days then). I don't crave it, but man, the other day I wanted a beer so badly. Being under my goal now, I might start having small little dabbles into nursing a beer on a hot summer day. You've got me thinking of it now, that sounds like a great one to try. Thank you!

You can leave out the wine, but after cooking for 8 hours, the alcohol cooks off. Sent from my iPhone using VST

When did everyone start drinking? And when you did what was it. I've heard since you should stay away from the fizzy stuff drink wine or an idea I also heard was diet snapple mixed with vodka. I am just curious because I'm young and want to be doing what my other friends are out doing. Plus my 21st birthday is in September surgery: April 28th~~~current weight loss 20 pounds