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My doctor told me I can if I want to. With that said I'm actually drinking a diet coke right now. my surgery was 2 years and 1 month ago. I have never had a problem with drinking sodas. Nothing has happened to my band. My doctor advised me that most doctors say no about carbonated beverages such as cokes/ alcohol just because they want you to change your diet and such and not really rely so much on the band. I've lost almost 100 pounds since surgery. Today I weighed in at a check up dr apt at 130.2. I'm not really the best example only because I haven't had any problems with band slipping or anything and I still eat everything except not much bread or rice, just smaller portions.

My doctor forbidden me any types of carbonated sodas ( coke,beer red bull and so on..... ) it's not good for sure becouse in time it will expand your stomach!! honestly i was addicted to coke and my favorite alcohol drink was vodka and red bull but now i simply can't drink it ( doctors orders ) i replaced it with orange juice and so far it's going pretty good ! i am one month post op lost 27 pounds my bmi was at 35.6 i started eating normal food ( mashed patatoes,rice , pita bread , i tried all types of vegetables so far and no problem ) i am really not attracted by junk food anymore ! i am actualy discusted it's becouse of that type of food that i had my surgery it made me the way i was ! the only thing i really miss is drinking whine and eating in the same time cant do it anymore but heck if that's the cost of being healthy and to get to my weight objective i can manage !! Mary i wish you good luck and try to cut those things your forbidden to eat ! replace the bread by pita and cut out the sodas you will see it will get much better ! mednar Congratulations !!! a real acomplishment ! best of luck to you all !!!

My doc approved anything with no-cal sweeteners. Although my stomach likes diet drinks like Crystal Light, it does not play well with sucralose or alcohol sugars. You just have to test each one to see what your stomach likes. I don't know of any artificial sweetener that is considered safe. They scream about sugar, they scream about honey, they scream about every artificial sweetener. I figure I am doing more harm to my body every day by being fat as opposed to drinking artificial sweeteners every day.

It's normal for alcohol tolerance to drop with weightloss. My understanding is also that the problem with alcohol is that it's liquid calories so it will generally slow weightloss and in excess it can affect our ability to at attention to what we eat and could lead to vomiting which is especially bad for bandsters. Once you're on normal food having a single drink of hard liquor or wine a night should be fine and there is research to show it is healthier than having both none or 2+.

I'm done. You just HAVE to be right don't you? Or maybe you were her nurse. She wasn't going to aspirate, her freaking throat was dry. I came to this site for help and support during my surgery process. All I've found is: 1. People who like to complain. A LOT. 2. People who still want to have their cake and eat it too. Good god. If I see one more post about being 5 weeks out and wanting alcohol! 3. Debbie Downers and Negative Nancies. Get over yourself. Everyone has bad days. Your horror stories are not even told to educate, rather scare people. Want sympathy? Look it up in the dictionary. 4. High and mighty 'Veterans' with flippant responses. NurseGrace, no one was attacking you personally on your I'm sure 'fabulous' bedside manner. I'm a teacher. You don't think people attack my profession constantly?! I ignore it and take the constructive criticism to improve my self. One teacher at a time. I cannot stand this bickering and blatant disrespect people have for each other on here just because you sit behind a computer. I will go through this silently or find some other support. Good luck to you that really want to change their lives. Those who wanted a quick fix? Shame on you.

I just had my first alcoholic drink since pre op diet. I had two glasses of wine at a tavern grand opening this past weekend. I had eaten but what I didn't expect is that I was almost fall down drunk on those two glasses. Now I used to be able to throw down shots with the best of them and hold my own. I don't know if it had to do with being banded or that I haven't had any alcohol in two months but WOW! I won't be doing that again too soon! :-)

Wine is just fine but only in limited quantities. Like Terry said, they're liquid calories. I had to give up wine and beer 5 days a week before I started to lose weight. And of course, alcohol will lower your inhibitions so it's easier to binge if you drink too much. tmf

It's hard to scientifically link these two events together. You mention that you were in a "stand still" with your weight loss. Perhaps you were in a short stall and it coincidentally moved the day after your alcohol consumption. As well, as Groovinchikin mentioned, alcohol will cause dehydration, but 8 oz of a single alcoholic drink would probably not cause large-scale dehydration. Now if it was 8 oz of alcohol, that would be a very different story (and a source of concern, especially within 3 months of your surgery (you should probably be avoiding alcohol completely for min. 6 months post-op!) There are other factors that could influence your weight change as well that you haven't mentioned. How is your digestive tract schedule? I know that due to the smaller amount of food that I eat, even now after 10 months post-op I only have a bowel movement every 3-4 days (without using supplements to speed up that schedule...). So if you have not had a movement for several days, then have one perhaps on the day of your alcohol ingestion, it may APPEAR that the alcohol consumption is the cause of your weight drop, where the change is actually due to your elimination of 1-3 lbs of waste from your colon! Also, you mention that you are not eating much. That is not good! While we are trying to lose weight, what we really want is to lose excess body fat, not just weight! By not eating, you are not giving your body the proper nutrition it requires to maintain your muscle mass. The body will break down muscle BEFORE it breaks down fat (as biochemically it is an easier physiological source of energy). This is known at catabolism. If you are not ingesting the correct amount of Protein to maintain or rebuild muscle, you will lose weight but suffer tremendous lean muscle loss, strength, agility and fitness. Our HEART is our most important muscle.......and it is NOT exempt from the catabolic process. Eat protein! Then vegetables (you need the Vitamins and minerals!) and lastly, good carbs if you have any room left. I highly recommend you review your diet, examine why you are consuming alcohol so close to your surgery date (and eliminate it!) and reset your focus on health for the long term. Your weight loss goal will come with time. You want to be in the best shape of your life to enjoy it!

Every doctor has different opinions on that. One drink occasionally should be fine. Account for the calories by eating lighter throughout the day or getting extra exercise. Be mindful it will affect you more post weight loss. I actually had not had alcohol at all after my surgery, until I was in Brazil last week and tried a caipirinha. Life is for living!

Your Dr's advice may vary, but mine has not problem with it. I usually have 1 or 2 ounces of alcohol in the evening. Currently my drink of choice is Irish Whiskey on he rocks, although once in a while I will make a margarita. Remember, alcohol is a liquid calorie, make sure to count them.

Alcohol is a diuretic. If you were retaining water, it could have caused you to eliminate it through excessive urination. That would be my guess.

I get on the scale every day. Yes, i know i shouldn't but cant help it. I record weekly loss every Wednesday which is the day of the week i had surgery.... Last week and this week that just past, from wednesday to saturday i hadn't lost anything, then i went out on Saturday night, had a few sips of an alcoholic drink (maybe about 8 oz, spread out) and then on Sunday i was 2-3pounds lighter. This happened last weekend and this weekend, could it be coincidence? Both days i barely ate anything so cant point it on higher calories consumption. Not trying to advocate this and not making it a habit to drink alcohol, just wondering if anyone else has had similar expereince.

Not really a big drinker so I don't worry about this too much. More or less curious. . . Alcohol and the band? Do they get along? Clearly not carbonation but at what point if any should alcohol be aloud? How much? What kind? It freaks me out to think about even tryin this for some reason?! Am I wrong? Thanks guys.

Who I am now isn't so important as how I came to be this person, wife, mother, grandmother, sister. The history is what formed me, challenged me to overcome, compelled me to do better than those who came before me. I was born near the mid-point of the last century, in a large western US city. My parents married because they had conceived me when my mom was 16. My birth father was 19. As it turned out, he was a violent paranoid schizophrenic and a pedophile. My mom was later Dx with Borderline Personality disorder. I won't go into detail, suffice it to say that my earliest memories are horrific. My two younger brothers and I suffered the abuse and neglect until I was 9 1/2 years old, when a neighbor girl was assaulted by my birth father, he was arrested and sent to a state psychiatric hospital for treatment. I was taken in to protective custody for four days, while my mother was investigated and cleared of complicity in my abuse. He was not allowed within 300 miles of me, upon his release, 4 years later. When I was 14, he committed suicide. My mom had remarried in 1960 to a wonderful man I refer to as Dad. He earned my trust, respect and love. They had two more little boys in the two years following their marriage. My Dad died of sleep apnea in 1978, we were all devastated and heartbroken...it was the undoing of my mom and my dearest brother. My mom turned to scotch for comfort, inviting my 17 year old brother to be her drinking partner. My mom died 8 miserable years later of pancreatic cancer. Those 8 years were awful, watching my mom decline, my brothers suffer. She raged constantly, told me often that I had no idea of her pain, her suffering. She made life a living hell for her family and circle of friends. She was diagnosed and died in 12 short weeks later. My brother died 14 years later, the victim of a predatory female who took advantage of his alcoholism, a recent injury, subbed his Rx pain Meds with extra strength Tylenol. Took him 3 weeks to die of liver failure, on our dad's birthday. My heart was broken. This brother was the first male I had in my life who loved me unconditionally. He was born when I was 11 and he was like a son to me. He was my husband's best buddy, my kids favorite uncle, everybody loved him. Yes, he was an alcoholic, very high functioning, but losing him was the saddest event of my life to date. My brother has been gone for 12 years...I think of him every day. I remember my little grandkids running up to the car when I'd arrive at their house, all four of them would climb in the car hugging me, asking me "...is you sad? Did your Brubbie die? Sorry *****, usses loves you! ". They did this for months, until I finally told them I felt better because they healed my broken heart. I have 8 grandkids 6 teens, 2 in their twenties. The youngest 4 are all the same age, 3 identical girls and a boy. I am blessed. Of my four siblings, two have passed. The oldest, died at age 51 as a transient. He inherited the mental illness genes and I never saw him after my mother's death. The next oldest lives in NM, his mind ravaged by years of alcohol and drug abuse. We have minimal contact thru FB. The youngest has never been able to form healthy relationships with anyone...I see him once per year when he comes to visit. He misses his big brother too. He tells me that his true home is wherever I am. I wish my mom had let me take him when he was 15 and she went on her 8 year binge. So...this is my emotional history, in a nutshell. The other stuff doesn't matter, except to say that my family is healthy, successful and happy. We celebrate often, mourn together when the time comes and love and support each other faithfully. My kids have all been married to their HS sweethearts for over 20 years each. We have done better than the generation before us...the bar was low on my side, but my husband and his family were great role models. I'm thankful every day for their love, support and example. I miss them painfully.

I think the answers are quite obvious: portion control high calorie snack foods, chips, cookies, cake, sweets, too many carbs: bread, pasta, rice lack of exercise grazing liquid calories: milk shakes, chocolate, alcohol the list can go on we all know what not to do.

Glad you look forward to my posts It's nice to know people actually read what I write, even though just writing it out is therapeutic in itself Awesome question!! When I was thinking about having the surgery, this was one of the biggest things I was worried about. I am a very social person and I enjoy going out with my friends - what can I say..I'm only 23 My good friends and my boyfriend (we've been together for 5 years and live together) know that I have had the surgery, so going out with them is not too difficult. They will offer to just order appetizers for the table and share...that way I fit in and don't look like a bird picking at my food! When I go out with people who don't know, I always go for the soup!!! I always have the excuse, "Hey...I'm a broke college student." As far as drinking...I wish I could say I just never drink but I would totally be lying haha I loved trying different beers before the surgery and was terrified I would never be able to have a beer again!! I did not have one sip of alcohol for the first 4 months after surgery. Now when I go out (It's not all that often-maybe twice a month?), I will order a beer or a glass of wine and it's fine. I get tipsy quite fast, so usually one is good for me. Beer gets filling and I have a hard time finishing one. I've had one night where we "got drunk" and were at the bars all night and I had 2 shots. Yes, probably not the best decision but I honestly eat healthy 95% of the time and I work out a lot for this reason. I don't want to be so restrictive that I can't have fun with my friends. Hope that answers your questions. Feel free to ask whatever - I'm a pretty open book Overall, I've been lucky - I have a great support system. My friends and boyfriend have been awesome. We like to joke and say "through thick and thin"

I have been hoping and looking forward to your next post and it did not disappoint! Congrats. You are very motivating, with truth and positivity! So my question this time is .. You are young and I am sure friends go out a lot how have you dealt with alcohol and social settings going out to eat???

It has sugar alcohols in it, would send me into IBS hell. Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 Piece Servings Per Container: 12 Amount per Serving Calories Total 35 from Fat 23 Amount per Serving % Daily Value+ Total Fat 2.5 g 4 Saturated Fat 1 g 5 Sodium 5 mg Total Carbohydrate 8 g 3 Dietary Fiber 6 g 24 Sugar alcohol 2 g Protein 1 g % Daily Value Calcium mg 5 Iron mg 5 * Daily Value not established. + Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Webblarsk, do you buy this at the grocery store? Cranberry and cherry-lime are two of my favorite flavors ever, so I have a feeling that this would be right up my alley. Kind of like a non-alcoholic cape cod cocktail with a little grenadine.

You're not reading them right. They only have 6 actual carbs because of all the Fiber. Plus no sugar used or sugar alcohol. Sent from my iPhone SD - 1/28/13

I'm pre op and also addicted to carbs, fat and auger. I find if I can stop eating them for 2-3 days then the cravings stop. Eating dense protein helps. Like an alcoholic as soon as I have a small carb or fat item I just lose the plot and can't stop eating more and more.

I am 4 days post op. I did a 2 wk. pre op liquid diet, and I am currently on a clear liquid diet that consist of protein shakes and water. These past 3 weeks have been uncomfortable and frustrating but well worth it. I have BCBS of Michigan , I began my journey of the first info class Dec. 27th, saw the doc on Jan. 3rd, completed all requirements in January , no diet plan needed with my insurance and surgery completed February 25th 2013. For me this was the easiest process I have ever endured. Surgery day was tough and painful of course the days that have followed have gotten better day by day. Today I went to SAMs with my husband and son, BIG mistake I wanted to eat everything I saw even the samples which I never found appealing before surgery. My advice to my sisters and brothers is keep temptation to a minimum. Don't cook for family while doing pre op and post op, don't go to restaurants, don't even think you can do it! This is your time and everyone around you needs to understand you are on the most important journey of your life and your family won't starve if you stop cooking for them for a little while. And when you do begin again intro new healthy meals everyone can enjoy. Those friends that are eating buddies ,either cut them loose or encourage they change as well. I did with my friend of 23 years, she joined weight watchers prior to my surgery so by the time I'm ready to eat real food again she will be well on her way to losing weight as well. People who love and care for you will change for you those who want just aren't worth risking your health for. We are food addicts, you wouldn't take a recovering alcoholic to an open bar. So stay away from buffets, and those places that caused you to overeat. Someone asked me how are you losing weight and I just kindly said I stopped going to the drive thru and began going to the gym and the health food store! Good luck everyone and I am here if you questions or just support! God bless!!!!

What kind do you take are they soft chews? If so are there sugar alcohols in them or dairy? Maybe that's it?

I always eat a little bit before taking mine. I've never felt gassy. But you might check to see if it is sweetened with sugar alcohols or sucralose. Both of those sweeteners cause me cramps and gas bubbles.

I would worry about getting an ulcer drinking alcohol this early after surgery. Things that dont affect you now may in a month or so after all the nerve endings of your new pouch heals. Honestly I think you are playing with fire drinking alcohol and coke this early in to the procedure. You may not be getting sick now but who knows what it is doing to your pouch. Just my two cents. Good luck