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I would ask you NUT see what they say, I was told no alcohol for a minimum of 6months but everyone's dr and NUT are different...

Yep sounds like dumping. Alit of people cant eat the sf jello due to the sugar alcohols in it

Drinking calories is not good. You have to weigh what's important to you. I predict anyone who cannot do without soft drinks will have problems reaching goal and staying there. When I read about these addictions, I swear, I haven't heard anything worse when someone's on TV talking about drug or alcohol addiction. It just seems to me that something like that needs to be handled prior to surgery. I stopped smoking back in the 90's. I smoked a pack a day for about ten years. If I can stop smoking....and rest assured, it was the hardest thing I'd ever done, surely, no cokes or dr. peppers forever is possible.

Today while I was at work I honestly had to say to myself I am so thankful for my health. When you work in a hospital you think you have seen everything and then there is always something worse. The pain that people suffer, the drug addiction, alcoholism, patients with HIV, miserable infections that antibiotics wont cure, people trying to kill themselves, and the list goes on, I just have to think these aches and pains I have from being on my feet for 12 hours is nothing compared to how these people suffer daily. All the people in ICU on vents being kept alive by a machine. Some of these things just are not right. When you see these things from a medical perspective it really is an eye opener. I never in my life have seen family's who are so selfish to keep someone alive and make them suffer because they don't want to let go. Then they stand outside of ICU and argue about what the patient wants, when in fact it's not at all what the patient wants but what they want. The patients that get me the most are the elderly with dementia whose bodies work so well but their minds don't. It must really be pure hell to have a healthy body but you can't remember who your family is or where you are. I don't take life or my health for granted because it can be gone in a minute. One of my coworkers today had to leave work because her cousin was shot dead in her car because someone tried to car jack the car and she wouldnt open the door. A life gone in less then the time it takes to send a text. Life is hard and people are even harder. I am thankful today and always for everything I have. I will take my bad hip any day then suffer like others do. Take time to be thankful for everything in your life.

I haven't been on these forums in so long!!! A lot of life changes/busy schedule kept me away but I have to come back to share good news with all of the amazing online friends who have been there for me throughout this entire journey. 1.5 Year Post-Op Stats: Highest Weight: Around 360 Current Weight: 190 Biggest Size: 34 / XXXL Current Size: 12 / L The topic title is "Forever21" because I've never been able to shop at that store for pretty and cheap-y clothes my entire life though desperately wanting to - and now it's become a staple of my college wardrobe. I can't believe I'm under 200 lbs. I didn't think I would be so successful since I have PCOS. I haven't had any complications from the surgery, with the exception of hair loss (which seems to be recovering) and brief bouts of acid reflux (not significant enough to be a concern). My life? Well, I'm doing things i never dared to dream about. Shopping, traveling, dating, exploring, and enjoying. I'm still not used to the positive male attention. Sometimes I freak about that I can "fit" into places and buckle plane seatbelts and stuff. Just enjoying life and living it the way I've always longed to. I am so grateful that I did this. I beg anyone who is hesitant or has fears of doing this surgery to come to me with questions, I will answer any. But I must be completely honest and state that I do not, in any way, believe that the surgery is entirely or even mainly responsible for my success. It truly is just a "tool." I have put in a lot of hard work into getting the results I have. It takes a lot of serious time and dedication. Funny mini-success: -A guy I used to know asked me out, not realizing that he knew me back when I was over 300 lbs. He would not believe that it was actually me until I showed him my ID. Man, was he embarrassed! You don't realize how truly overweight you were until you notice that new people you meet just accept you as "one of them" and not their one super morbidly obese friend. It's weird being part of the gym crowd. It's weird dating fitness enthusiasts and realizing they wouldn't have given the old me a second look. It's weird getting comments like "oh you wouldn't understand, you're not fat." Really, really weird. Making new friends and having them never know that I was (and on the inside, still feel like) super morbidly obese. I feel like I sometimes need to "come out of the closet" and confess this to them! I still don't recognize myself in pictures/video, but in a good way. Sometimes I feel like the world/my reflection is trying to trick me into thinking that I'm average-sized, because I can't believe that I'm no longer so overweight. I've been thinking seriously and I believe these are the most important steps to take in order to make the best use of this surgery and to hopefully get similar or better results than I have: -Start a simple walking regimen at least two weeks before the surgery, and keep it up afterwards. -Weight train. I'm serious. Don't put it in your "to do later" list. Start doing it now because the strength and muscle building will seriously burn fat and make your loose skin look SO much better. -Take good Multivitamins. -Don't ever get back on the cycle of eating sugary/fatty foods because it will be very hard to stop. -DON'T cheat on your pre-op diet. Prove to yourself how serious you are about this. -Avoid smoking/alcohol. Some concerns/negatives: -The hair loss (somewhat resolved) now that my weight has stabilized. No weight gain so far. -I no longer feel the same amount of restriction. I still can barely eat a fraction of what I used to, but now I can have a small salad, a meal of 4 oz Protein + side, and a tiny dessert. Basically, I can fit in the minimum amount that a healthy eater should be having. But it's no longer just 1/2 a cup of cottage cheese! -It is still a little uncomfortable to have fizzy drinks. I'm so happy with my life right now. I feel like people give me more respect and listen to what I say, which can actually be frustrating at times. People treat me immensely better, and although it feels good, I feel sad that it took all this weight loss for it to happen. I'm talking giving me free stuff, opening doors, going out of their way to do things for me. Why the hell am I getting special treatment? It still feels similar to unfair treatment I got from being obese, only now it is positive. I go out of my way now to treat everyone with equal respect and courtesy. Update: I'm looking into getting surgery to remove a lot of the excess skin that I have. Thank you for all of the support in the past few years - I hope to have more great updates in the future!

Hey Mr. Butterthebean, My thoughts for you are if ever you feel numbness or tingling in nerves and limbs, hands and feet you'll know that deficiency may be acting on non repairable systems. My other thought is that perhaps the liquids diet and good B values in your food are OK for you enough but I know from reading that a portion digestive system missing post surgery inhibats natural process during digestion for obtaining larger enough B12 long term. I do have a more genetic type disorder ( not alcohol/drug induced ) and I only knew about after suffering loss of feeling in toes and parts of feet and legs, after the fact of getting enough B12 back into my system, artificial ways, direct way through sublinguals and now shots my energy daily was boosted and the numbness is mostly gone as I have haulted that process of detereoration of part of nerves in my system. Have you ever require it, know ahead and not to late that a small or good amount supplement can correct the problem. Nerve system can not repair all this type damage after its done. As for D, I live way North, for G@d sakes we are having this Blizzard as I write here. We can't get D3 enough in winter months and deficientcy is a hot topic as a cause for many things and found to be at a high rate prior to studies. Also, it might be a good personal choice or medical needs may be there enough but not necessarily for WLS folks searching necessities. lol, love seafood, south & north traditions, spanish stew with octopus.

I was sleeved in MX on 3/12/12 this is what I was given. Hope this helps and please treat your tiny tummy and do this so you don't have any serious issues. like a leak. Also I see my primary care for follow up here in the states. She just did my labs for me a few months ago. This was my post op diet Days 1-3 Clear liquids only Days 4-7 Clear liquids and drinkable yogurt Days 8-21 Clear liquids and full liquids Days 22-35 Clear liquids and soft foods. Liquids try to get in 48-64 oz Clear liquids: broth, penitential, diluted apple juice, Protein Water, Popsicle Full liquids: Protein shakes, creamy soups no chunks, (I blended chunky soup) Soft diet: oatmeal, toast, crackers, tuna, mashed potatoes, puree vegetables, cottage cheese, apple sauce. Days 1-7 only clear liquids fruit juice diluted 50/50 NO nectar's Gatorade Special K protein water Vitamin water water tea (herbal) clear broth Popsicle Days 7-21 Day 4-8 begin with drinkable yogurt 1/2 cup servings, with no pieces of fruit. Day 8-10 add liquid Protein to the regimen, at least 30 g of protein a day. Day 7-11 add creamy soups (no chunks) if you can't drink it don't eat it Week 4 Begin with soft foods 22-28 Tuna cottage cheese oatmeal apple sauce Ensure pudding puree veggies mashed potatoes Week 6: increase food as tolerates, chew thoroughly, eat slowly. No carbonated drinks Take small sops, don't chug. Use a tablespoon at first. Drink only what you can. Do not force feed. Do not take more than half a cup at a time. Meds should be cut up or mashed. Take your Vitamins each day. The idea is to not expand the stomach pouch. During the fist week, you will Not be physically hungry (careful with the mental hunger) If you feel lethargic, or very, weak, it's because you are dehydrated, call or email the nutritionist. Important changes: Never combine solids with liquids. Liquids should be taken one hour later after your meal. Suck on an ice cube if you are thirsty. No carbonated drinks. They can make your pouch stretch Avoid high calorie drinks, juices, frappuccinos, milkshakes, alcohol... or you won't be able to lose weight. Or you can easily "dump" Sit down for a meal and take at least 20 minutes for yourself. ( yes you will need 20 mins for 1/2 cup of food) Take small bites. CHEW!!!! 30 Chews per bite Avoid productive burping (P'bing) eating too fast and not chewing food properly, eating solid food too soon after the surgery, drinking liquids with the meals or right after eating, eating too much at a meal. If anything gets stuck, stop eating, wait for it to burp up and don't eat again. Resume your meal later. Eat three meals a day ( solids, no protein shakes) Each plate should have a serving of protein, green veggies, fruit and grain, and one serving of fat If you feel restricted in the morning, drink something warm prior top your Breakfast. If you do not exercise use a pedometer and take 10,000 steps a day. Resume with your exercise 3 weeks after your surgery.

It is a bit early for any type of alcoholic beverages. I would check with my insurance company to see if you could meet with an in network nutritionist that specializes in WLS patients. I would then find a physician familiar with WLS to do the necessary F/U's and bloodwork. It's a shame that you weren't provided with after care.

do not drink any type of alcohol this soon!

mnbaileygirl, I have the same thing - depending on what I eat. I'm 6 weeks post-op and still have trouble with chicken, or anything with sucralose or alcohol sugars. I tried some Gatorade G4 today and my stomach didn't like it one bit, but I was able to eat sunflower seeds and a peanut power bar with no problem. For each food, I have to go through a testing process to see if my stomach is ready for it.

I got my first fill today at 10. The worst part was the waiting. The doctor cleaned the area with alcohol and before I knew it , it was over !!! I did close my eyes because the needle did look big on the table. But it was a small pinch like the flu shot pinch. Some pressure and it was over. Ihhungry now because

I was told to wait a month to have alcohol.. I still drink the same minus I don't mix it with soda anymore, I use juice or take shots. I do get tipsy faster. I don't drink often. Maybe once a month if that.. more or less.

Alcohol is empty calories so a lot of doctors do not want you consuming empty calories. I enjoy wine & drink a glass every night before dinner (have since day one). I counted the calories into my 1200 calories. Now that I am at goal I enjoy a martini once a week, too. Carbonation is off limits (beer & champagne) unless you let it go flat first. Ask your doctor what he recommends.

I occasionally drink a margarita, 3 yrs after. I've had my fair share of glasses of wine also (the first 1 after surgery - maybe 2-3 mths - I was tipsy on about 5 sips!). Even partaken in the carbonated beer. I'm really watching it right now, however - on the Atkins plan. NO ALCOHOL is allowed (lowers your food eating inhibitions). I promised myself NO MORE DIETS after getting banded, but after a 20 lbs gain, I ahd to do something! Everything in moderation... Marci

My dr recommends waiting 3 months before drinking alcohol and then nothing carbonated.

can you drink after being banded? I'm not much of a drinker, but I like to have a margarita once in a while, you know during girls night out

In my arsenal at the moment is - a Feather all stainless razor Mitchell's Wool Fat shave soap. I'm addicted to this stuff. The best soap / cream I've ever used. It has icon status amongst wet shavers. It comes in a ceramic bowl with a loose cake of soap. I grate mine and then press it back into shape so it forms to the bowl. I have always used an alum block. I don't use it anymore, since starting to use Wool Fat. I have a pot of Trumper Coconut Oil cream that I use instead of Wool Fat sometimes. But I always got back to the Fat. Post shave I slap on some Trumper Sandalwood Skin food. It's a great as a soothing aftershave. I'm anti aftershaves containing alcohol.

I know the feeling of whether to tell anyone about it or not. I think my problem is that I feel like a failure at losing weight on my own. If I had surgery to correct a heart valve or had treatment for smoking/drugs/alcohol, then there would be an outpouring of sympathy. So I really don't understand some peoples hostility when they hear about WLS. I only told those that needed to know because once you've told someone, you can't untell them.

Yes good luck to us all! I stopped caffeine and all carbonated drinks 3 weeks ago. This past week has been my hault on Advil, (which I was an addict too) Tylenol sucks. Trying to lower the carb intake now until Sunday. Oh stopped alcohol this past Sunday.

I LOVE this topic. The emotional side has been a struggle for me, and one I did not expect. I thought the source of most of my sadness was being overweight, and that being thin would solve so many issues for me- but instead, I realized that now that I no longer have the outlet of overeating, I am confronting more of my fears and in a way feel like I've mourned a loss. It was not instant, but rather about 8 months later (I am one year and 2 months out) it started to creep up, and it took a while to identify it. I also find myself more prone to wanting to drink as an outlet- since then, I have chosen to avoid alcohol for a couple months. It's an amazing journey, and though mostly a happy one- the adjustment can bring up some unexpected issues you may not know you had. I certainly did not acknowledge how much of an emotional outlet food was for me before.

I've started working out 5x week, journaling, not eating/drinking at the same time, no alcohol, no caffeine, and drinking 64 oz of water daily.

I was sleeved aug 13,12 I started 204 and today I'm 140 down 64 lbs! My average day is under 1200 cal. I can eat thick soups, salads, chicken, pork, fish. I don't do bread or pasta too good. I can't drink alcohol. If u like join my fitness pal and u can see a lot of sleevers and what they eat daily.

OK. So I KNOW alcohol is an empty calorie intake... but I have drank some wine from time to time since new years (banded on 12/3) an the last 2 times I've drank a certain amount I've had excruciating pain in my upper abdominal area for like 5-10 minutes. What is that all about?!

Thanks guys - I hadn't even considered having the 'runs' It's strange - as I have been worrying so much about dying on the operating table that I hadn't given my post op condition much thought. I was up and about quite quickly after my band op but I realise that was a bit simpler and I was 7yrs younger... I'll get stocked up with liquids and keep away from ice cream & alcohol.... I had only mentioned ice cream as it's part of her menu and I hate being a bother as she's pretty stressed right now. She has been great though offering me use of a room to rest during the day etc. Determined to enjoy the day with her. I had hoped my op would be in Jan and I'd be looking a little slimmer by the wedding but heyho wasn't to be... gilx

Everyone's surgery is different. Will you be having a drain? I had a drain for 9 days after surgery. Once the drain is out, there is a big relief. Bring Protein shakes with you, the ice cream may be too much for you, as the sugar could cause you to have diarrhea. I was on full liquids for 4 weeks so stick with Protein Shakes, broth. If you can bring a sugar-free Jello to keep in your room. Make sure you have your Vitamins and take rests. I did a lot of walking after surgery but I also took naps every day for the first two weeks too. We all heal at different rates. Remember to sip your Water still and stay away from alcohol, rest when you can.