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I'm not sure how much this would help, commit to one glass of wine, then finishing one glass of Water before anymore alcohol. If you can't go out without drinking, I'd see a therapist NOW... Before it gets worse. I went through a heavy drinking period, when I talked to my doctor about it she gave me Xanax and Prozac which brought down my drinking by a lot. I have major aniexty and depression- Xanax really helped me.

Nicolanz beat me to it...but I was going to bring up caffiene and tobacco. Many people are addicted to one or both of those substances, but I doubt all of those addicts steal, cheat and lie to get their fix. Some may lie to their spouses about not smoking, but who lies about coffee? If you do, you've got bigger problems than just being addicted. But the point is, addiction can certainly exist without these behaviors. I know more than one functioning alcoholic. They don't think they have a problem because they've never missed a day of work, or had a DWI, or wrecked their car. But they can't leave the house without a beer or 2. Where ever they go, they are drinking. They may never admit to "needing" it, but you won't catch them without it. Is that an addiction? I think it is but I'm no doctor. As for eating, here's what my life looked like for over 20 years. First of all, I never hid food or sneaked around eating food behind anyone's back. I never lied or cheated. But I ate all the wrong stuff. Basically, I ate fast food for every meal. I never cooked. If I bought groceries, it was cereal, cookies, chips, peanut butter and bread...not much else. The oven was for pizza box storage, not for cooking. I nearly set my apartment on fire once because I attempted to preheat the oven too cook a frozen dinner, but I forgot it was full of old pizza boxes. When I bought my meals at whatever drive thru I went to, I bought way too much. It was extremely carb heavy. My blood sugar must have been through the roof, and after a few years, I was on my way to being insulin resistant. If I tried to restrict my calories, I had massive blood sugar drops every 3 hours like clockwork. Anyone who has ever bonked knows exactly how that feels. That negative reinforcement trained me to eat before that happened...and specifically to eat carbs (sugar) because that was the surest way to avoid that awful feeling. I know now that eating those carbs caused the rise and fall of blood sugar, which caused my feelings of temporary satisfaction, followed by increased insulin production which lead to the inevitable crash...unless I ate again before it happened (which I trained myself to do). It was a self inforcing pattern that lead to massive weight gain and overall poor health. I made some poor decisions, in part because I didn't know any better...which is my fault, nobody else's. As the weight piled on, it became ever more difficult to give a crap about my health. After a while, you get to the point that you feel you're too far gone so why try? Again...I don't know if this was an addiction. It certainly fits the description of damaging behavior that I couldn't stop. Even when I made up my mind to have VSG I was still in the dark about this stuff. I thought I could have surgery and it would only allow me to eat half a whataburger per day. That 6 months with the nutritionist really paid off for me, she opened my eyes and lit a fire in me to educate myself on food and the damage certain foods caused. Now....if I could only have one....the knowledge or the sleeve, I'd take the knowledge. But there is no denying that the sleeve gave me a push over that insurmountable hump that I couldn't see around before surgery...a push that I continue to ride into a better way of living.

Yes true sugar alcohols and certain sweeteners they use in sugar free foods cause GI distress in some people. Gas' date=' bloating, diarrhea and pain.

Mr. Doctor warned me that the effects of drinking alcohol would be much more pronounced after the lap band surgery... apparently the alcohol gets into the system faster for some reason? He also said empty calories, avoid it... but we are all human and I think everyone cheats on occasion.

I would stay away from the alcohol if I were you - I was told no alcohol for the first year post-op. not only that - it will dehydrate you...

I drank alcohol just over a week ago. I would not risk it this close to sx.

Pre-surgery I usually had a couple glasses of wine after work. I've had a few post-op, but my main reason I don't is because of the weight gain or no loss it gets me into. When I get to my goal I'm going to (try to) continue focusing on my weight and go light on alcohol. Maybe if you focus on your goal it will help. I love my wine and miss it a lot. My friends and I belong to the "wine of the month" club.. Ugh!

Yes, Dylan Disney was great, SeaWorld was AWESOME!! We walked ALOT, but it was good. Today I went for a nice long walk because my body was craving the movement, I was itchy to walk- how odd It was my first time there, the hubs went when he was a kid. I didn't always eat the right stuff, but at times I was just looking for something I could get down. However, I did not over indulge in at anything. I did have two alcoholic drinks (pinacolave), but that was it. I have tried to drink a lot today to flush my system and I haven't been able to eat much. I went to one restaurant and the waiter said what I order would be fine it I wasn't to hungry when it came I promptly told him he lied. The hubs and I ended up sharing it. I guess he thought since I am still chunky I could eat a lot.

I do not drink at home after a stressful day when I am alone (that's when I ate too) It stared for me with my pain meds (refilled twice after surgery) I found I was taking them at night to relax. So I stopped quickly! I've never had a drug or alcohol problem so it surprised me at bit. I will have 1 glass of wine or cocktail if I go out to a social function only, and that's not very often. It's a good thing that you are noticing it now and are looking for a way to deal with it.

No judgement here. I have my own past with alcohol and I'm a little scared of after surgery. I've been alcohol-free since the end of November of last year and trying to stay that way, one day at a time.

No judge...if it really is that bad, you might want to think about talking to someone that counsels on addiction type issues. Also, try keeping busy, hit the gym as often as you can, get the wine out of your house, and try to stay away from the situations that trigger you wanting to drink. Alcohol was a trigger for me, and since being sleeved have stayed away. I know how easy it would be slip into a tough situation. Hang in there, talk to someone, and get the wine out of the house. You'll be okay!

A small amount of wine goes wayyyyy further than it did before surgery. I'm being truthful here and having a hard time with stopping when I know I should. I really don't want this to get out of hand. Advice appreciated but please don't give it if you choose to judge me. Thank you.

just had mine 2 days ago. i went in there with the mindset of "well if there's some reason i shouldn't have this surgery, let's find out, and let's address it" -- this is how I've approached ALL the testing. we talked for like an hour and a half. started with asking my height/weight, weight history, past attempts at weight loss, my family & their health, my marital status, is DH supportive, questions about whether I have bulimia or anorexia, and do i use food for comfort and eat emotionally. She asked me to explain my understanding of the surgery, how it's done, what it does to my body, what the risks are, what the eating plan is during recovery as well as 2 years out. She asked me to tell her my expectations of the surgery. She asked me to talk about the reasons I want the surgery, and the reasons I want to lose the weight. She mentioned several times the dangers of alcohol (family history). Then i took some silly T/F written test, which she told me to not overthink when she handed them to me. And they really were kinda silly, and I chose to take her advice and not over think them. She sent her report in approving me yesterday. So either she feels that I'm an excellent candidate for surgery, or she thinks I need the surgery asap! I think it's just cuz I'm ready. It's not so bad. Think of it as a conversation with a friend. You'll be fine.

Hi can anyone tell me what their experiences are with alcohol and their lap band

it's a serious question as I try to live with someone who had this surgery. it does seem to me that many of the things I see and read on here, apply to any diet. isn't this surgery "tool" really nothing more then a diet? what is the difference? what is it that having major surgery does to your way of thinking, that just going on AND STAYING with a diet not do? I read on here that you've changed your way of thinking, the foods you eat, you give up carbs, alcohol & diet soda. you're willing to exercise. all of these things you'll do now, whereas before you wouldn't. you call no WL a stall, where as any diet calls it a plateau. what is the difference in your way of thinking, that changes because you had surgery?

Bless you for posting this! I am so frustrated I could just scream. Sleeved on Feb 20th, lost 30 pounds practically overnight and haven't lost a pound in 20 something days as well. I am getting my ass kicked in boot camp several times a week plus going to the gym on alternating days and I am back to the liquid diet. Haven't touched sugar or alcohol since my surgery and the shakes I prepare do have some carbs but not a lot. It saddens me to think that this is as good as I'm gonna get :-(

Do you think with our food addiction we would be like an alcoholic? That is, they can remain sober and in control as long as alcohol is not present. However, if they drink one jack Daniel in a hotel mini bar they may say " what the hell" and clean out the mini-bar, assed-drunk even the next day (think: scene in the 2012 movie "flight"). Would that happen to a former food addict if left alone with a plate of Cookies or a dozen donuts? Not sure. I wouldn't think so if we can truly break the food addiction / emotional eating tie. What do you think? Forget for a moment that the sleeve would actually physically prevent you from eating a dozen donuts, a full pizza, etc. Would it happen otherwise? Personally, I think the answer is no but would love to hear your responses whether you consider yourself a raving food addict, an arm chair food addict or not a food addict. It would be a scary thought if we reverted to crazy binge eating like the alcoholic and a hotel mini bar. I think some of us can point at self pre op and say "yup, food addict" and then never have a food relationship issue again post op. Or do they?

Thank you for your thoughts. I am purely a social drinker but I'm in a band and most of our gigs are in pubs and clubs, so it somewhat goes with the territory. I'm not saying I need to drink but I can't remember gigging and not drinking with it, so that will definitely be an adjustment for me but I want to be thin a lot more than I want to drink alcohol. I'm hoping that I will be able to drink again in the future in moderation though.. lifestyle changes are good but I'm hoping not to become a nun here.

You are going to get a myriad of answers on this board about alcohol. They are going to range from YOLO to never again. Your Dr. and your nutritionist are going to weigh in on it as well. I think that the general consensus is to wait 4-6 months even a year in come cases before drinking. Some here start back much sooner than others. There's also a group like myself that has committed to getting as healthy as possible and has decided that I can do without alcohol until the time that I have gotten myself to my goal. Alcohol, for me, was a trigger food. Start with a few cocktails, get some food down, get a few more cocktails in so on and so forth. It's important to know a couple of things, first, you have a lot smaller stomach so the alcohol is going to hit you way faster and reasonably harder than it would otherwise. secondly, alcohol is hard on the stomach in general. You have a pretty delicate sleeve going early on, so the longer you let that heal, the better off you are going to be long term. Lastly, give some thought to why you had the surgery to begin with and try and connect the dots to any habits that you had in the past that might deter your success. If alcohol played a role in that, like it did for me, then would it not be in your best interest to just let it go? Good luck in what ever you decide.

Do I have to stop drinking after the surgery.. I mean forever? I usually like to drink vodka and slimline tonic when I'm gigging, so I have a fair few of those once a week... I do enjoy the occasional drink. I assume that as tonic is carbonated, I will have to find a different mixer, maybe a juice, but I'm keen to know whether I have to give up alcohol altogether?. At gigs I have to admit I do get a little merry every now and then, would be a shame to give it up altogether so I just need to understand what having the sleeve means in terms of alcohol consumption post surgery? Thanks.

My doctor prescribed me ambien. I slept all night last night it was heavenly. Oh thank heavens. I am a drug and alcohol counselor, in an inpatient facility and am a single mother of 2. I need sleep to function or I would go clinically insane. Lol.

I'm so glad this thread was made. My family and I are huge backpackers and hikers/mountain biking folks. On a weekend we usually ride 25-30 miles of singletrack trails, and take frequent biking/camping trips. We're planning a 3 day hiking trip in September when its not 1000 degrees in Texas. We did the same trip last year in July, hot as hell and wasn't as fun because of the heat. In May we're celebrating our 4 year anniversary and my wife has planned a camping trip for the two of us. No hike in, but a primitive site with plenty of hiking opportunities throughout the area for day hikes. When I was carb cycling in the past to get ready for meets, I loved the carb conscious Supreme Protein bars. 30g protein per bar, 6g NET carbs, and 4g sugar. the do have sugar alcohols so depending on how your body handles them, be forewarned. They never knocked me out of keto in the past, and never gave me the runs unless I ate 4 of them. Like Fiddleman said, Water water water, moreso than ever before. We bought a filtration system so we can collect water from any source. They really do work nicely unless the water is just way too muddy, you'd need a good filter then. It makes it a little more challenging with water sources in places, but I think it's more rugged living off the land. We take camping pans with us, cook up eggs and sausage/bacon by campfire when we go on 2-3 day hikes, no carbs, good source of protein to get the day started. Also carry cheese and pepperoni with me, love it. Also, electrolyte water like Vitamin water, Gatorade G2, or just electrolyte tabs to put in to your water. You can find a lot of low carb electrolyte supplements on runners websites since they're huge on that stuff. As for the when, my doc told me 6 weeks at first, then released me at 4.5 weeks. But after he saw a video of a few trails we maintain and ride frequently, he told me no crazy off road biking until 6 weeks just to be safe.

Wow I didnt see the trend until you brought it up. I am 18 months out and life and food is pretty darn normal. I think it is a combination of not doing your homework and knowing what you are in for, but also being ready to make and accept a change in your life. This isnt just having surgery, you are changing the way you have to eat, to get enough nutrients in (especially early on). It is for many like giving up an addiction and you need to be ready, only with this addiction rather than being able to get your vice (alcohol, cigarettes etc) there is no going back, no restart button. There are days I over eat and make myself ill (not intentionally) and think when are you going to learn your lesson? However did this happen before...yes! Now it just happens a whole lot quicker now, no consumimg 5000 cals in a sitting. Despite these moments I am anything but regretting this. If you do regret, i am sorry to hear that, but you have no choice but to embrace this now!

My favorites for TOM are cocoa almonds.. almost like chocolate covered almonds but with only 5 carbs per 1/4 cup and these delicious "Supreme Protein" Protein bars. Specifically the caramel nut chocolate flavor, you have a chocolate outer coating with little crisp rice (like krackle), nougat and real caramel. 15g protein, and 5 sugars, (15 sugar alcohols). They are crazy good and fake low carb pretty well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RD6L98/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=solacefarm-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B001RD6L98&adid=1S7GY74BPCPYDT2DCPQH& Walmart has them too, looks like GNC as well.

Sounds like me Dee. I chose to ignore my weight and blow it off whenever family or a Doctor harped on me about it. Unfortunately he needs to want to do something about it. This is no different then an alcoholic or drug addict. He has to want to do something about it. If he is doing it to appease people then he will fail. I pray he will find his way while he still has time.