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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.

Well it depends I definitely needed them while in the hospital (2 days) . I was sent home with liquid Lortab and "needed" it for a few days but it was not until a couple of weeks later (2nd refill) that I noticed that I was having an issue... I found I was using it only at night to relax and feel good. Kinda like I used food before... I never had a problem with drugs or alcohol. But my mother is an alcoholic (recovering) and my brother was a functioning drug addict. I'm glad you are thinking about this ahead of time, I did not.

Luckysmomma - Be patient, give it time. You'll be able to eat whatever you want soon enough. I am almost 5 months out and I can eat whatever I want. I haven't tried alcohol yet, but I haven't been a big drinker since I turned 25 or so. I've always been jealous of those tiny girls that can be happy with a slice of pizza or half a hamburger when I had to have half a pizza (or more!) and burger, fries and still be looking around for something else to snack on. Instead of going out and being sad that you cant eat, go out and be happy you have more time to talk without having to finish the bite or you can be generous and let someone else have the last bite because you are full. It's kind of like stopping smoking.. suddenly it's like you gained an extra hand because it's no longer having to always hold the cigarette. You don't always know what to do with that hand, but eventually you get used to having two hands again. You'll get used to the amount of food you can eat and space it out accordingly. I voted "other" in the poll. I'm not where I want to be right now, so it is hard to be fully behind it. I had no complications, my first 4 months were fast losing, even this last month I've lost weight faster than I've ever lost it before...it's just not as fast as I want it to be. I look at my hands or my legs and they seem smaller. I look at pictures and I'm still HUGE. Maybe I should have gone with the bypass or one of the other more extreme surgeries.. I think right now I'm just looking over all the other fences and deciding their pastures are greener though. I think overall it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I could not have lost (and kept it off) the weight by myself. I feel healthier than I've felt in a very long time. hair grows back, scars fade and loose skin is the reason Spandex was created.

Alright here is my secret to success! Exercise, follow the meal plan, stay away from breads and sweets as much as I can because my body loves to hold into carbs, and I treat the sleeve with the respect it deserves because it is giving me back my life. Everyone is different on how we process nutrients so here's what helps me stay fit and healthy. Your dr may have different recommendations, so find what works for you! My dr recommended 50-60grams of Protein a day. I normally stick to that. Sometimes, I will go into the 70-80 g per day range and if it is seafood, I can easily hit 100g per day. I do chose chicken and fish most days only because with pork and beef, I have a harder time getting in what I need before I feel full. Nothing is fried ..I prefer roasted, baked, broiled, or grilled meats...reason why is I slime and then promptly vomit when I eat fried meats...or it takes my hours to eat small bites here and there and to me...that's just too much work and not worth the effort. I eat fruit and veggies everyday...without fail. Now I will indulgent in an occasional piece of chocolate, cake, bread, ect. But I find when I do, I 1) don't feel as well, 2) can't eat healthier foods because all that other stuff took up my space. Honestly, eating healthier has become such a habit that I actually will crave those foods and I don't miss too many of the old foods. I still drink a Protein shake daily to help with protein intake, but I now mainly get my protein from foods. Now realize I am a year out and Protein shakes where the way I got my protein in for a long time. I also had lactose intolerance immediately after surgery so any milk or dairy was off the radar for 6 months. I lived on Soy milk and unjury Protein powder. Eventually my tiny tummy decided to start making lactase again so now I enjoy EAS Carb Advantage Shakes, milk, cheese without worry of horrible diarrhea. So for those of you wondering when the diarrhea will stop...check to make sure you aren't lactose intolerant. And now...constipation is on board...so that's a whole other discussion. Now onto exercise. I had a trainer in the beginning and it helped, but you don't need a fancy gym to become physically active. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise to do in the beginning. I walked but my favorite was yoga. I found a peace with yoga and my trainer informed me that yoga only burns 10% less than aerobics. And then proceeded to ask me do you ever see a yoga instructor that isn't fit? So, for the first 6 months...I strictly did yoga with the occasional treadmill and weight routine. Rodney Yee was my best friend and still is. Then once I got enough weight off to be able to run, I started the couch to 5 K app but due to incorrect form( thanks to a very special bud on here for correcting my form..you know who you are..many thanks to you!!) I injured my hip..so I am getting ready to start that back now that I have healed. So in the mean time, I got into Leslie Sansone's Walk Fit...love it. I exercise 5 days a week religiously...it's important for the success of your sleeve. Yes I have hanging skin...but I'd rather have sagging skin and less hair than diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. And I can always get plastic surgery. Now onto fluids, I drink the majority of my fluids as Water. I do indulge in a glass of sweet tea here and there. I do not partake in carbonated drinks or artificial sweeteners. It's not that I have anything against these..it's just my preference. I do get some artificial sweetener in my protein shake ...so like I said I am not against it...it's just a personal preference. I also do not partake in alcohol. Again...I not opposed to alcohol, I just prefer not to drink it. I drank maybe 4 cocktails a year prior to surgery so for me that wasn't much of a stretch to stop. I could take it or leave it. Same thing with carbonated beverages. I grew up with tea and water ...soda was a treat ..so that wasn't a stretch. Now I will mention one more thing before I end this...I drink from a straw. I get more fluids in. I asked my Dr and Nutritionist what the scientific basis of not using a straw was and they said there isn't any...it's just a recommendation. Ask your provider for studies showing that straws are detrimental to the sleeve...it's not there. So, if you get less air from a straw..I say use it. I gulp too much air without it. If you have anymore questions...please feel free to contact me! I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability, but remember your surgery team is your best bet! Good luck everyone! You can do it!

They said my symptoms are not severe enough to be bipolar. I am taking meds. For ml and doing great on them. I drink once in a while but I have never been a alcoholic.

You said you were being treated for a mood disorder and not your bipolar. Why not? Studies have shown that people will often turn to alcohol after weight loss surgery as a coping mechanism.

I am not necessarily on a diet....meaning I eat whatever I want and do not restrict any foods. I had a revision 1/25/13 but had my lap band for almost 2 years prior to the revision. I monitor my protein and know the best ways to get high protein and less calories but I do not have any food that is off limits. I have had soda, alcohol, and other junk food items (chips, ice cream, etc). I restrict the amount of those foods but not the type of food..... of course I can't have that junk everyday. I have lost 80 pounds and have not gained any back. Food doesn't taste the same to me anymore so I don't chose to eat a lot of the foods that I used to love. Soda burns, I have been off bread, rice, and pasta for 2 years so I don't even want it anymore, I can only eat about 3 chips, and sweets like cookies make me nauseous. It's really weird now that these things aren't tempting and don't taste good. I do have a small addiction to jolly ranchers that I am working on.

I know you are frustrated but the reason these psych evals are so important is to see how well you cope. Statistics show gb pts often turn into sex addicts or alcoholics due to the surgery. . You lose your vice. I'm not kidding and I've been very open on here about my experience this surgery was hard especially hard mentally. I was 60lbs down and having extreme irrational thoughts. I opened up to my surgeon and he immediately placed me in therapy. I consider myself a tough person I worked ems for years and saw some of the most traumatic things a person can and it didn't phase me. Then here came gb weightloss and all those imbalances started I thought I'd lose my mind but I came through it. I want to tell you its friggin awesome you went in there told the truth and didn't bs them I know a lot who has and has went on to commit suicide or bc alcoholics or worse sex addicts. You go to ur surgeon open up to him/her and say yes I had these problems I'm willing to do anything and everything to prove I'm no longer like that so please guide me on what I need to do to save my life from morbid obesity.. ... I pray what I've said has helped u. Don't give up it's a long mountain...u will get there I truly believe.

Wow I know mine drilled on my family history of alcoholism but realized I had a handle and other coping mechanisms. I would see about a second opinion. That's seems like an awful like to diagnose in one session.

I met with a psychiatrist yesterday and he said he wouldn't clear me for wls because I'm bipolar, have a history of alcohol abuse, and suffer from pts! First I'm on meds for a mood disorder not bipolar and I was 17 when I drank and it was on Friday or Saturday night at parties! I never blacked out or any of that! I'm almost 30 now and yes I have a drink every once in a while 2 or 2 times a mobth maybe... come on... think I need a second oppinion. As for prs really??? From the time I was 11??? Bull!