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Hey Everybody.... Gosh where have I been!!!!! I totally missed this thread!!!! Thank you all for the compliments! Can someone pull up that second picture of me so I can make it my new avatar by request PLEASE!!!! Sorry you all had to wait on me... I've been away from LBT to long... I've just been buisy!! Trish is so sweet and I was so glad to meet her and her sweet hubby John too!!! He did some good singing.... Well I guess anyone could sound good after all the bad non bandster beverages we had. It was a special occasion though and we took advantage of it. Trish said I didn't eat much and my reply is...... who can eat much when your drinking all that alcohol!!HEHE!!!! Bad.. bad.. bandsters we are!!!! HEHE!!!! Trish thanks for posting the pictures!!!!! I had a blast!!!!

My doc said no carbonation or alcohol for 6 months, post surgery. So, there's hope - it might just require some waiting! I'm looking forward to a margarita next month!

I haven't had one since surgery which was on January 8, 2010. Although I wasn't a chronic drinker(maybe a couple in a week) I don't enjoy tea, coffee or many things besides a diet soda(I like a few but if its brown it has to be a diet coke because diet pepsi is way too sweet) Every day I probably want one especially if we are eating out. I love Water and all but get bored. Fruit drinks and fruit-flavored drinks are carb-ridden so I drink Powerade zero, Fuze low carb or flavor packs in bottled water. I make a pitcher of sugar free koolaid, like Crystal Light. Every day I want a soda and think about it, I just remember well I've already gone this long without one, why break the streak. It's more of a competition with myself. I have fought my willpower all my life and it is just one more area in food where I will triumph and not live to eat rather than eat to live. Now icecream is another story. Plus I have something to brag about....."so your not drinking a soda", "no, I haven't had one in over 6 months", "oh that must be why you are glowing so much", "thank you so much". Plus now that my sugar is stable, I am not as thirsty as much and completely hydrated due to all the water I inhale. Weird...since surgery, no sodas and weight loss, I don't even have a desire to really drink alcohol, I think I might have had a beer or 2 in six months and one or two cocktails, it all has just left me.

I had an unusual experience after Lap Band surgery that not even my surgeon can figure out. Please read my story and tell me if anyone has had this experience and what the outcome was. I was banded on April 18, 2011. Surgery went well without any complications. By 11:30am I was on my way home. I took a short 2 hr nap once I arrived home but had an extremely hard time moving around. I would lie down and get stuck because the pain was so unbearable. By that evening my back was hurting so bad I could not get comfortable at all. I also kept having hot flashes where I would actually start sweating. And I was unable to drink anything besides Water without getting extremely nauseous. The back pain would keep getting worse over the next few days. After speaking with a nurse at the surgery clinic on Wednesday afternoon they instructed me to come see them the next day if my back pain did not get better. Later that evening I took a shower and was shocked at how horrible the shower made me feel. It actually felt like someone was stabbing me in the back everytime the water would hit my back. A few hours later I checked my temperature and found I had a low grade fever. No longer feeling like I could wait until the next day I went to my local emergency room. After running a few tests they found that my Duodenum and Pancreas was inflamed. They contacted my surgeon and fearing my Pancreas had been lacerated during surgery I was transferred to a hospital across town where my surgeon was affiliated. To make a long story shorter I was in the hospital until Sunday night 04-24-11. During my stay I was put on strong antibiotics and pain killers and had tons of test done including Xrays, multiple CT Scans, EGD and an ultrasound. They did not find a laceration but I was diagnosed with Pancreatitis. My surgeon along with a Internal medicine and Gastroenterology DR there at the hospital cannot explain why this happened. They said there is not reason why my pancreas would act up like this as I do not have Gallstones and I do not drink alcohol. Has anyone else come up with Pancreatitis after Lap-Band surgery? And if so, have you had to have the band removed or did everything turn out ok for you?

You mean skinny girls are people too?!?!?!?! Really, Lisa, I'm sure all the skinny girls out there accept your apology. The ones that matter, anyway. One of my dearest friends is skinny. She is a recovering alcoholic. She is like a soulmate, and totally understands my food addiction. I can always turn to her with my weight despairs, because she's been through all the same things with alcohol. So you're right, Lisa. Skinny girls ARE people too... Teresa, you ARE graceful and lovely.

Hello everyone, I am still in the research phase of this journey and I would like to see people's experiences with going out with friends either to bars, or parties and doing some social drinking. I am 22 soon to be 23 and I like to go out at least in the weekends and drink. I know that alcohol is empty calories but I am prepared to work out a little bit extra so I can go out 2-3 times a week. I guess my biggest concerns are if you would be able to drink enough to even get drunk without having to vomit (because of the volume) and if your tolerance goes up or down? Thanks in advance for any insights.

I had a biopsy when I had my band surgery. They said I have non alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Has anyone had this same diagnosis. They say you have to loose weight slower... Boo Hooo

Thamks for the answers guys, i knew i would have to give up beer but i was wondring about any alcohol thanks again

Hello to fellow sleevers, I just had my sleeve done on March 8th at UCSD (La Jolla, CA) with Dr. Santiago Horgan and his wonderful CTO team. Prior to surgery I was put through an extremely strict and regimented program and diet plan. I also had blood tests galore, Upper GI's, Lower GI's, Middle GI's (jk) - everything under the sun to make sure I was READY. They had a series of Group Therapy classes I went to as well. After surgery, I began having this burning feeling in my chest and it still hasn't gone away yet but I continue to drink my fluids and take Prilosec. They did another Barium Swallow the day after to confirm there were no leaks. I also had a liver biopsy done at the same time. 1- for the study they're doing to track Fatty Liver Disease (or in my case NASH) - Non-alcoholic Steatosis Hepatitis (another term for unexplained liver inflammation); and 2- b/c my PCP required it! Other than the feeling of having spasms in my esophagus and burning in my throat and chest, I guess I'm in pretty good shape. They have me on a VERY rigid 4-level eating/drinking plan for the next 6-8 wks but right now I'm doing the "full liquids" thing. Glad to be part of this group!

Good luck to you...all your fears are normal. I'm surprised he's offering you all the choices at the very end (I knew from the initial seminar). If you're worried about him messing up the port placement, just ask one of the nurses to mark the spot on you with a Sharpie "Port Here" (it's alcohol based, so it's sterile...and they mark people for different surgeries all the time). Or if you're crazy like me, you draw a 'porthole' on your tummy. If it helps, I did a lot of research and chose the LB (but I know you'll find people on both sides of this debate). One of the docs on here who has been in trials for the new Realize 'C' (which most docs don't have access to yet) says he prefers the LB to the old Realize...the new Realize 'C' makes them more equal, but I still would have picked the LB (and the LB site is in the process of being updated so it will eventually be more like the Realize support site). Stay overnight if you can...even though I didn't get much sleep, all my (minor) things happened the 2nd day and I would have had bigger problems at home (like when my blood sugar spiked...I'm not a diabetic so I would have had no way to deal with this). Try to get some sleep tonight, and good luck tomorrow! -BG

Anyone see the Oprah show today? It was about gastric bypass and how once someone can no longer overeat, they substitute the addiction with another, like alcohol or sex or some other addiction. The point being that you must deal with why you have a weight problem before you should ever consider weight loss surgery because you may get a "transference addiction". Carny Wilson was a guest. She talked about her alcohol addiction after her surgery and how she overcame that. Has anyone experienced anything like this after lap band surgery? <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Agreed on getting the bad food out of the house. You won't be tempted to eat it if you keep it on hand. Think back to when you first got back on solid foods, what were your typical snacks like within the bounds of your new lifestyle? Were there ones you enjoyed that are also healthy? Try to keep those on hand instead. But also try to find an outlet for your stress that isn't food related. My personal thing is video games. It's how I unwind when I've had a rough day (it's also REALLY helpful in distracting you from head hunger). Get absorbed in a book, watch a movie or a tv show that you like, listen to music and dance like a maniac in the bathroom. Most of us got to where we are because we turned to food to heal our bad feelings and it is very much an addiction just like alcoholism. Breaking that cycle is a huge part of being successful with this surgery.

A 12 step program has taught me how to live life on life's terms. How to confront my issues instead of drowning them with alcohol. A lot of people think this program is about alcohol, but nothing could be further from the truth. People use substances of all sorts to keep from having to live life head on. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, food ... fill in the blank. I didn't want to feel what I was feeling, so I drank. Food comforted me, too. Some people shop. When you become powerless and there are real life consequences to your actions is when you drop to your knees and say, "Dear god, (fill in deity) I can't do this anymore." Only then was I willing to confront my demons and become teachable. You don't have to believe in this or any program, but just be willing to believe there is a solution. Whatever you use to cope, there is another way.

I love how you say AA is your solution for your alcoholism and the sleeve forces you to confront your relationship with food. Sorry Pdxman I misquoted, you said alcohol was your solution, what i meant to put was AA forced you to confront your relationship with alcohol and the sleeve your relationship with food. I like that.

Does anyone know exactly why we're not supposed to have any alcohol? I'm almost 4 months out and would love to have a glass or two of wine with dinner. Is there any danger or is it just the fact that it would be empty calories?

My doctor never put a time rule for when it was ok to drink alcohol again. I have found that I can't drink carbonated beverages, hard liquor makes me sick even just a little so wine is my alcohol of choice. However I must be careful with it because it does make me drunk fast even after one glass!

Is that the website?Linberghnutrition.com? Are those ready to drink or is it a powder? I have seen Mac mention those OH Yeah Protein bars too. Has anyone seen those in the stores? Do they have sugar alcohol in them?

A couple of more thoughts to consider: 1. Why do some plans allow and others ban for life? I think there are a couple of reasons. Most high quality programs measure the results of their patients and they want good results! No doubt, you are more likely to lose and stay thin if you avoid alcohol. It's empty calories and can lead to bad choices. 2. When to drink, when not to drink, and what to eat while drinking is very complicated. In addition excessive alcohol consumption can easily lead to more excessive alcohol consumption. This makes it very difficult for NUTs and Pyschs to give us effective guidelines, so they "just say no". 3. Many obese people got there because they had an addiction disorder with food. It has been shown that people who have one addiction disorder (food, cigarettes, drugs, Etc) can easily become addicted to alcohol post wls. I know that I never had an addition to food and thus felt that I could safely manage my alcohol consumption. So far so good!

I had my surgery on July 9th at/around 800-900. I was terrified! I had read a lot of horror stories on the pain and discomfort and almost had myself psyched out the night before. Thankfully, after meeting the anesthesiologist (day of surgery), he gave me a Xanax and something for acid reflux. I remember being carted off into the operating room. The sterile smell was unlike no other, and the coldness even worse. Once inside, they moved me onto the operating table. I had 2 nurses helping with my transition as well as my anesthesiologist. I remember the anesthesiologist placing the mask on my face. The feeling of huffing the gas in was nostalgic. I felt light and airy and without a care in the world. I could hear the nurses making the sweetest comments to me for encouragement and well wishes, but obviously could not reply, thank, God! That was the last thing I remember until waking up. Then and only then do I remember being nauseated, which is to be expected. My anesthesiologist brought me an alcohol prep pad and had me inhale deeply. Wouldn't you know it worked!! I do not remember much about being in recovery, but I vaguely remember my family and I being on an elevator going up to my room. Fast forward to around 1pm and I had gotten out of bed, on my own, to use the bathroom... DO NOT DO THIS. Not everyone recovers from anesthesia the same way. This is according to the nurse who busted me and almost scolded me for my own safety; however, after she realized that I was fine, she gave the clearance for me to begin walking. As most others have informed you, WALKING is key! Walk, walk, walk. Every time you walk, walk a little further or for a little while longer. This will help not only with gas, but help to minimize your soreness. One thing that I held onto like a life saver was a pillow! When you begin to walk, use that pillow to press into your stomach. It makes a world of difference. Also, use a pillow to prop you up on your side. I was lucky and had very minimal, if any, gas this time; however, I learned with my gallbladder surgery two years ago that this trick will help move it around as well. sleep in a reclined position, but not straight back. Its unGodly to have to get up from a prone position! With all of this being said, all I was given post op in the hospital was Tylenol and even then I didn't want it. The pain isn't a PAIN, its more of discomfort. I didn't use the hydrocodone I was given once home. Now, that's enough about my surgery day and what I experienced. Here's a list of things to take with you to the hospital: - Wear loose clothing. I wore a pair of comfy sweatpants and a t shirt. Upon discharge I wore the same home and even wore a bra with under wire and had no discomfort; I also wore flip flops with good tread to prevent slipping. You won't want something to have to bend over and put on. - Chapstick - Tooth brush and tooth paste - Travel size shampoo, conditioner, and soap. The hospital does give you their own, but it wasn't the best. Thankfully, I was allowed to shower the next day. This too helps greatly throughout your recovery. A warm shower ALWAYS works wonders - Pillow. Take that thing with you every where you go. Its an aid to get up, down, and to get you walking and make you comfortable on the ride home (place it over your stomach prior to buckling! Hold onto it going over bumps and rough terrain) - Cell phone charger At home recovery: - Pillow - I upgraded to my body pillow. The first few days I used two(stole the hubs') and put one on both sides of myself and slept in a recliner. - Keep Water nearby. Sip. SLOWLY. Do not try to sip too much as you will end up with esophageal spasms and those are the devil.. Seriously! - Do not let anyone force you to eat too quickly. And by eat I'm obviously meaning drink Protein or soups. Your body is healing and right now you should only be worried with water consumption. I also recommend a low sodium, low sugar sport drink for electrolytes! - You know your body so listen to it. If you feel as though you need to have a bowel movement, get some Miralax. This was recommended by my physician and I've used it. Don't wait till it gets too bad. - Your pee will stink... BADLY.. Mine is finally beginning to return to normal, but I have concentrated a lot on water consumption. You should too as this will prevent dehydration. - Us women get thrown curve balls time to time... Be prepared for a yeast infection. Its quite common. Stock up on yogurt! - Walk. Walk a lot! - Don't over do it. You've just had surgery so don't push yourself beyond your means. Be prepared to nap a lot in the week. After week two, I began feeling almost normal. Here I am 20 days post op, back at work, feeling almost like myself. I get tired, but it's nothing unbearable. If I think of more, I will surely post it here. Good luck and best wishes!!!

My Brother is a raging alcoholic. The only thing that has helped him is the antibuse. It is worth a try. Good luck.

This is really none of my business, but your story has hit me very hard. Has anyone considered getting him into rehab? You know if he has a serious problem with this, he made need more help than anyone realizes. I certainly do not condone any type of drug use, but unfortunately it's out there and these kids can't seem to stay away from it. His situation sounds very similar to a situation my very own nephew had, he was dating a younger girl, only 16 at the time, he was 18, they ended up with a baby with special needs, autism, and then a year and half later, they had a second child, a beautiful little girl. Their relationship was extremely tumultous (sp) they always seem to be fighting and they lived with different family members always going from one place to another. My nephew got very caught up with drugs and alcohol, self medicating himself from all of his problems, in the worst way possible. This past December he couldn't take any of it any longer and he took his own life, at 22 years old. You have no idea how much of a loss it is until it's too late. We believe that the drinking and the drugs played a very strong part in his decision to take his life. I still can't believe he's gone, I loved him dearly, he had a really good heart, he just went down the wrong path. I certainly understand you and your husbands concern for your own children and the zero drug tolerance policy is an absolute. You cannot allow it from him or anyone else. I am just trying to bring a different perspective to you to consider after what I have just been through. I will keep you all in my prayers and I hope you all can get him to get help. God Bless you and your family. I wish all of you the very best. Cindy

It was found in the dryer in her house. That is a common area. If he didn't admit to it being his then yes the situation would be worse. We are not sure HOW much was found either. I don't care how much was found the fact that is was is my concern. Your comment about "hell it is only a misdemeanor" really bothers me. Unless you are on the other end of how that can affect a family it seems very insensitive to make that comment. Just too many issues to consider here. Shanna I think you did the right thing. That took courage and I applaud you for it. Rehab would be a good idea as well but the person would have to be receptive to it and most times they are not. It is a hard situation all the way around for everyone concerned. Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, Eating disorders, etc any addiction is hard to deal with and should not be treated with disregard for how the people around the addictive person are being affected. Good luck Shanna and I hope your nephew gets a wake up call. Hugs!!

So are you saying that it isn't childhood trauma and learning out of survival to respond to situations in a dysfunctional manner that can trigger my addictive behavior? The roots of my addiction were my morbidly obese and alcoholic family members? I don;t know that I buy that....Sure I recognize that my genes make up who I am, but I think other life events make those characteristics more prominent than others. I am not even through all the steps and have not read the big book, but I thought that the point of the steps was to dig out what makes you do what you do, I could have blamed my addiction on my heredity, but what good would that have done, it is not something I can change and the point is to accept the things you cannot change and change the things you can(I can;'t remember the exact prayer). Am I missing the point of the steps here? BTW... sobriety of 6 years and so young, that is great! I too am around your age and am encouraged to see your success.

BTW: the AA big book doesn't say anything about making amends to yourself or triggers. Don't let anyone read your big book for you!! I spend way to much time in all of my addictions being selfish and self-centered and not thinking enough about others...I certainly didn't hurt myself the most...how selfish is it of me to try and tell my family and friends who I robbed emotional security from, that I hurt myself the most? LOL! Alcoholism and Overeating are genetic pre-disposed illness, no situation in my life is the cause of my drinking.

It's been 2008 since I had a very successful surgery. Seriously, I swam in SF Sharkfest from Alcatraz to SF 2 yrs in a row. As I've gotten older, I have learned a few things I'd like to pass on to those who might not know this. Someone who has had bariatric surgery can only drink 5 oz of alcohol (wine/beer) and then they are legally drunk (trust me, you look act like you have had way too many drinks--slurred speech, staggering, falling down) and if you were to blow into a breathalyzer, you would get a reading indicating you are inebriated. Although I hadn't had anything to drink in about 30 yrs, during a few social dinners at our house, I had a small glass of wine and then my husband wanted to know just how much I had had to drink. When I say, "Not even one glass of wine," I was in such bad shape that he didn't believe me. He was furious and told me I wasn't to have any more drinks for the night. This also happened at my son's who was just livid with me and told me to go to a spare bedroom for the rest of the night. And, truly, I felt super drunk. At some point, I did some research and learned that because of how small my stomach pouch is and the way liquids are absorbed, I really shouldn't even have a sip of alcohol. Just thought I'd pass that on. Also, I originally lost 137 lbs to get to my goal weight. I maintained it for several years because I was working out regularly. A few yrs ago I started to put some weight back on, mostly because I wasn't exercising as much, I was alone ALL the time because of Covid because my husband was in contact with Covid infected people at the hospital he worked at 5 shifts a week for 1 yr and 9 months until his last day was Nov. 1. My diet wasn't as healthy and we were sleeping in different bedrooms on separate floors because he was so afraid he would test positive and give it to me. All last year, from July through May 29th when I had left hip replacement, I swam in a local lake for 1 hr each session...2x-4x a week with water getting down to 40 degrees. That kept me sane. Both of us have had our Covid vaccination shots and booster shots and I'm back in swimming in the cold water. If you have gained weight during the pandemic, just go through every day thankful and get back on the post-surgery diet your doctor put you on. (Currently, mine is 1200 cal, unless I burn over 900 swimming and only then do I get to add on 300). Even though I was afraid I had "stretched" my stomach pouch (I'll be 68 yrs old in a few weeks), I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy a month ago and the gastroenterologist said everything looks perfect.