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I'll be really honest with you, for me it's interesting. . . in the beginning i hated this stupid sleeve. . . i really did, then when i went for my 1 1/2 week doctor appt after the surgery and saw i lost 32 lbs i thought "huh, interesting". . . then after 7 weeks i lost 53 lbs all together, now at 11 weeks, i've lost 63 lbs. . .i don't like that when i want to go out to eat i have to request a carry out box right away cause i know i'll only eat about 5 bites of the food. . .i know that i can't go to a buffet anymore, that it would be a major waste of money. . .who after all wants to spend $10 for a buffet and all you can really have is 1/2 piece of meat loaf or a bowl of Soup???? I really hate that i have hunger pangs and eat something too fast and it gets stuck that you have "i need an ambulance" pain for about 20 - 30 minutes and have slimming for that same about of time. . . I don't like that i can't drink alcohol as i used to and that my taste for cokes, and coffee have changed and i really hate those beverages now. . . but all in all, would i do it again? yes i would, my hatred for my obesity is stronger than my dislike for this sleeve. . . the weight loss makes me happy, i feel healthier, i no longer snore, that means my apnea is gone, my heart rate is 45 - 48 bpm that means that my heart doesn't have to work so hard anymore . . cardiologist took away the nitroglycerin pills. . . my knees don't hurt so much anymore, i have more energy and can bend and pick up things . . i'll be able to see my daughter graduate from university, i'll see her get married, and have kids, i'll be able to see those kids grow up and maybe even attend their graduations too. . .so you see that weight loss is so much better. . . no i will never be able to eat normal again. . .so i have to get used to that idea, i have to be careful about what i eat cause i could eat "around" my surgery and gain weight, now that would be humiliating! I would love to eat some chocolate, or some chinese food, or fried chicken, but that would forfeit the purpose right? So i stick with my Protein foods, and the healthier stuff and sugar free stuff. . . god knows maybe i'll eventually get used to all this . . . after all old habits die hard, 48 years of over eating and stuff and being fat, fat, fat, and so sloppy looking, and literally rolling about, not being able to fit into plane seats, asking for extensions for the seatbelt, how sicking. . . so now it's time to change old ways, will take a while, but one day i'll overcome and then I'll be thin one day!!! good luck with your decisions.

Probably gonna make some enemies here but why would you go through a surgery like gastric bypass and eat carbs and drink alcohol and try to go back to the way things used to be. It is driving me crazy. I'm successful because I follow the plan. You will not hear me whine about stalls in weight loss... It's part of the plan. But really ladies and gents the surgery is a tool to be used and not abused. We have all been overweight for awhile and know what makes us fat. Why do we insist on trying to go back to old ways!

PrincessErin, you can order virgin drinks that look and taste as good as having alcohol. If you are a beer drinker unfortunately carbonation is bad too. Having one normal drink will make you legally drunk so maybe that is a good thing for some people. My big issue is my diet caffeine free Pepsi, I will truly be mourning that!!!!

Hmmm... I didn't think about that. On first pass I'd think that, as bypass patients are missing the beginning of their small intestine, they'd absorb less alcohol, as the majority of absorption happens in the upper small intestine. However, I'll need to read and look more (Yes, I am a nerd, and formerly a scientist, so I like this stuff! It's keeping me busy while I sip and recuperate from sleeve surgery on 9/15!)

All or nothing attitude? Look, I'm completely sorry if you think I came across as rude or insensitive. And this will not be the first time someone has accused someone else of being rude because they don't like the things the read. So I apologize if I hurt your feelings. But perhaps you need to hear something like that for you to get on the right path. Before my surgery I was told (by my surgeon) that some people, for whatever reason, don't lose weight after getting the band. I asked "because they aren't eating correctly or exercising?" And she said "no. Just because. We dont know why they can't lose weight." Whoa. Obviously I went through with the surgery. I'm four months out. I was told very clearly...no alcohol for six months. Have you ever bothered to look at the nutritional value of wine? Look, all I'm saying is...now more than ever in your whole entire life, it is imperative that you eat healthy. I'm not saying "don't have a small piece of birthday cake when your (enter friend/relative here) has a party". What I'm saying is...not even two months out and you're "cheating?" You still need to train yourself. That's all I'm saying. I haven't had it easy either. But I was given a pretty good guideline/diet book before my surgery. And I've prety much stuck with it. I spent 33 years eating whatever the hell I wanted, and you're right...I didn't get this very expensive surgery to mess it all up. So I really do apologize if you think I'm rude. I'm really sorry. But join a support group. talk to your surgeon, or better yet, your nutritionist. Go over your food diary (are you keeping one of those?) And hopefully they can help steer you in the right direction. I'm just guessing (and I'm no professional) that if you aren't losing weight, the nutritionist isn't going to OK the sweets and wine. That's all I'm saying! Saline in your band isn't going to fix what's going in your mouth.

My NUT told me I can have a sip of champagne or white wine at an upcoming wedding (I will be about 4 months post-op), but never have liquor, beer, etc. I have no desire at this point to go against her wishes. One day I will probably try it, but I rarely drink anyway, so it's not a huge loss. Every time I think about alcohol, all I can see are calories and sugar now...not as appealing as it once was!

First I will address the hospital in the ghetto concern: Yes I would go if it was a good hospital. I do my research and would not go to a hospital that did not have a glowing reputation. Many of the best hospitals in the country are in so called "ghettos". Columbia Presbyterian Hospital aka New York Presbyterian Hos is in a ghetto but it hasn't stopped US Presidents, famous athletes, and some of the richest people in the world from going there. Secondly, it hasnt stopped the top Md students, Doctors, and researchers in the world from coming to the hospital. Oprah's favorite Dr, Dr. Oz is the head of Cardiology at the hospital. So in closing, I think that you should choose whatever hospital you want. However, do not equate the quality of the hospital with your assumption of the quality of the people who live around it. If you don't want to see poor people or people who don't fit into your view as acceptable, so be it and don't go. Now I will address the no so subtle subtext: Alcoholics are everywhere, the homeless do exist, and drugs addicts live in the suburbs too. You should realize that the people who live in economically depressed areas are just as offended by the living conditions as you are.Try not to be so judgmental, we are all human.

Kimmie Starting weight: 274 Current Weight: 262 Green Day Weight: 260 DOWN So Far: 12 lbs LBS TO GO: 2 lbs Well, I was 2 pounds off, but glad I was able to lose 12 pounds in the last month. This weekend I had a little more alcohol that I had wanted lol, which is why I think I didn't lose more weight. But I'm happy as hell! :shades_smile: It's all gonna work out in the end!

Wow, ok. Well she didn't ask IF you were drinking. She asked those who are drinking what they prefer to drink. If you don't agree then don't post. Preaching or off-subject opinions are not needed. Keep it to yourself and keep moving. I don't get why people feel the need to post at all if they have no valuable input to the topic. Anyway, I did my research when I was dieting pre-op and one of the lowest carb drinks is vodka soda. For me, the taste isn't that great so I will add a splash of cranberry juice or try to bring my own Crystal Lite packets for flavor. I've been sticking to that or wine. My NUT recommended it as generally the lowest carb/calorie drink. I used to be a big beer drinker but I cannot tolerate it anymore. Even almost 8 months out I cannot do the carbonation. I do get an occasional craving but I don't miss it that much though. My doctor's guidelines were no alcohol for six months. I did pretty well with it, just a few exceptions. I talked to my NUT about it because I was hosting my BFF's bachelorette party at four months out. She said the main reason they say that is not only because of the empty calories but because you tend to make poor eating decisions when you are drinking. That can be what you choose to eat or grazing or drinking when eating. So just be mindful and do your research!

Alcohol for me goes down crazy good. I can have 2 bud light and be super buzzing. At almost 300 calories for those 2, it was dinner and my snacks that day but not problems with the bubbles. Vodka cranberries were my fav pre op and my go to post op. haven't had one in almost 2 months, went crazy when I did though and had a lot of cranberries with double shots of kettle one. I surprisingly wasn't as drunk as I thought I would be though. But I use to hold my liquor very well pre op so maybe that was it? Or maybe I was super drunk and just didnt notice lol.

Had my first mixed drink at about 4 months out. Did perfectly fine, and a few at a time haven't been a problem for me. Word of warning...while I hardly follow the 30 mins before and 30 mins after principle with Water, you absolutely must do this with alcohol! Horrid problems will result with food and alcohol in the sleeve at the same time. I get dizzy and feel like I am going to pass out. Carbonation has generally been difficult, as it can cause stretching and horrible gas, so I try to avoid beer or champagne except at special events. Your doctor will probably be pretty discouraging about consuming any alcohol, so this is where you will want to use particularly proactive trial and error to see what works for you and what doesn't, both on the scale and off.

I didn't really jave a drink till i was 6 months out. I think for everyone alcohol works differently you have to see what works for you. I found vodka, with water and lots of fresh lime wedges suits me best. Theres no carbonated drink added so you dont suffer from gas though luckily at 1 yr out if i choose to i can pretty much consume anything in moderation

We actually have one of those Margaritaville machines that shaves ice. I just haven't taken the time to figure out a low-cal flavoring to make it happen. It does make good margaritas (none since I've been sleeved tho) but there's no reason you can't make other non-alcoholic slushie drinks too. I am actually thinking about making a slushie mojito drink for company tonight. I went to the Dallas farmer's market and bought big beautiful limes and a mint plant. I've never heard of frozen mojitos, but why not? It might be my first alcoholic beverage since sleeving - except for a taste of wine a couple of times. The wine just doesn't sit well with me. Kinda burns my stomach, know what I mean? And thanks for the encouragement. Yesterday was tough for me. I don't know what happened. I just kept snacking after dinner on cocoa dusted almonds and regular almonds. Sort of like I used to not be able to quit when I was out of control. But today has been fine and I have had nothing but healthy, small quantities of food all day.

Thanks again. Like I said I know he would want me to be healthy for my children. I am also in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. It's been almost 5 years. Eating was my outlet for all those years and no I don't have that anymore. I want to make good choices but I'm not sure how to do that.

Hi everyone! I was sleeved on April 7th and I've lost 61 lbs! I have a couple of issues I need to put out there. One I have days of such nausesa I can't eat or drink. It feels like wet cement and lays there for hours. Secondly I have multiple sclerosis which is stable. I'm a highly medicated bipolar. I take lamictal Prozac for OCD I take Four mgs of Xanax for anxiety and seroquel which is a mood stabilizer and sleep aid. I've fallen twice in the last two weeks but MRI came back good. 3 days ago I had an event I don't recall much about. I was complexly out of it, dizzy, falling doing weird stuff, incoherent and confused. The ambulance kindly came to my rescue when my roommate knew something was very very wrong. They thought I had taken street drugs and it alcohol, blood test was negative. My bp was dangerously low. I had a cat scan which was negative. They think somehow I had overdosed myself. Apparently I had spent the day in bed and not eating. When I finally came home and tried to drink every little sip came up. It was like that for about six hours. It's been brought to my attention that because I've lost weight so rapidly there's been no dosage change. The ER doc said I was on enough meds to kill a horse. I'm actually prescribed 15 bottles and I just take my regulars and then as needed. Could my weightloss and meds possibly be the cause??? I intend on calling my psych tomorrow but I'm just curious what any of you have experienced. Thanks for hanging in there!!!

you can drink alcohol with the band once you are healed... all Drs have a different rule of thumb as to when but usually its not before 3-6 months. I have been known to have an adult beverage during my losing stage but not without tracking it and counting the calories as part of my daily 1000 so it didnt effect my loss. Also for every drink have 2 extra glasses of water on top of your normal 8 to off set the retention....

Thanks for the advice guys! I went out last night and had a great time. It was a little awkward at first because I wasn't endulging in the bar food appetizers and my friends kept saying, "does this bother you, are you ok" and of course I was, I just didn't want to make them uncomfortable either. So, I drank my water like a good sleever and enjoyed their company. My divorce with bad food and alcohol is much better...we can now tolerate being in the same room together .

I am going to Jamaica next week to celebrate my birthday with my girlfriends. I'm nervous about the trip. Should I take protein? Can I have a small Drink of alcohol... I'll be 8 weeks out... Please share your thoughts or experience!

I can eat any meat, seafood or fish if it is cut small enough, moist enough and chewed well, however i cant eat scrambled eggs or raw veg, although i do eat a lot of chopped salads. I dont eat pasta or any high carb foods like rice or bread by choice ! .. Some cant eat much of a morning as the band can be a little tighter so they stick with a protein shake or a warm drink to relax it a little first. Most food people eat is individual to them, so it would be individual to you if u have the lapband fitted as to what could end up eating .. big no no's are drinking while eating, eating large quantities or too fast and not chewing well seem to be the standard sort of restrictions ... In general there isnt really intolerance to anything because of a lapband, some doctors will ask for no caffine or alcohol others will say no problem, i drink coffee, not strong, and tea as fillers in between meals my doctor is fine with it and as u can see i have lost the weight i needed too and am continuing on the homeward stretch to my goal. Good luck and maybe this will be the year that changed your life

I was at 3-4 drinks a day, salad, mild protien. No added carbs, very little fat and no trans fat,refined sugar. That is about all I can recall. Alcohol and soda was a no-no, with the exception of 2-3 oz of wine a day, and coffee until 3 days before. Oh, and Water, water, water!

Happy Friday! Today is my 4 Month Surgiversary. I have lost a total of 56 pounds, weighing in at 196, down from 252 pounds. I had no complications from surgery, and my recovery was ridiculously easy. I haven't gotten sick once, and have yet to eat something that my sleeve of steel doesn't tolerate. My doc had said that my sleeve was small, and was meant to hold 3 ounces. I can usually take in 4 or 5 ounces, which she says is fine and which I don't really understand, but I am trusting her on that). I run 2-3 miles, 4 times a week, try to follow a low-carb diet (not too strictly;I essentially just keep myself under 50g per day) of 1000 calories per day. I have a glass of red wine almost every night. I include this in my calorie count. If alcohol is considered a "cheat," then it is the only cheat I'm currently enjoying. I was required to quit a 30-year smoking habit several months before surgery and, to be honest, the pre and post op diets were an absolute cakewalk compared to giving up the cigarettes. But I'm nearly 8 months smoke free, and I'm thrilled to have gotten through the process unscathed. Although I've lost 56 pounds, I've been wearing the same pant size for the last 3 months; the waist on my size 18s still fit, but the legs, butt, hips are extremely saggy. I'm looking forward to getting into some more fitted size 16s, as I'm looking pretty sloppy at present. I feel great, and I look pretty darn great, too. I'm delighted I made the decision to have VSG. The results thus far have been wonderful!

I don't know you, so I am not implying anything about YOU, but this is what I found for ME. It could also be true for you. I do not lose I am not honest with myself. I need to eat around 900 calories daily to lose weight I have to average those calories over days and weeks A few extra calories over a weekend (in the form of alcohol or anything) will absolutely kick my average calorie consumption up over the 900. I can't graze. It's very hard to track calories when you stick a bite of this or that in your mouth. I gain when I do that, even if I try to track it all. It's all easier said than done, but so worth it!

OK Guys... Here it is.... Saturday, June 25th Movie night at my house!!!! I need to take a vote though, Chesie Sci fi movie, Action adventure, Kids animated, Suspense, Comedy or romance?? Here's the "rules" For my yard.... No tobacco of any kind no alcohol No Glass containers Bring a chair and any munchies you want And definately bring your sense of houmor!!! My vote is for a comedy Let me know what your choice is!!

I was so tired till closer to 5 months out. I was very sensitive to greasy foods, acidic foods, and spicy foods till 6-8 months out. Things are still a bit different but in a good way, At almost 18 months out, I feel I can eat a healthy meal including veggies, whole grains, and Protein. I can enjoy junk food or alcoholic drinks when I want and, in fact, I have to monitor their intake to keep my weight stabile. I finally have more energy than I did pre-op. It's amazing how losing more than 100 lbs. can free your movements! Keep an eye on things. If you are feeling worse instead of better, time to call the Dr.! Best wishes on your journey to the goalies bench! Lynda

I had my first drink 15 days post op. I've had a total of two other drinks since then. As others have indicated, my doctor's office cautioned about the empty calories in alcohol. I planned the calories into my daily total. And, yes, I did feel the effects of the alcohol much sooner. You know, it's amazing how long you can nurse a drink - particularly a glass of wine. Enjoy the party with your friends. And decide what works best for your new lifestyle. Best wishes.