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I also eat the walmart sugar free maple and brown sugar flavor but I just noticed that it has 18g of carbs. No sugars and no sugar alcohols. I'm hoping someone knows, Are these considered "good Carbs" and if not should we be eating these?

I'm only at month 9, but if you'll allow me to put in, I can answer to my experiences. Just in the last month I can eat a whole apple -- although I like small gala apples. However, prior to a month ago I could only eat a portion of a small apple. I have had a bite or two of rice and Pasta here and there, and have not ever eaten enough to feel discomfort. I don't think it would bother me unless I ate a bunch. That's why I stay the hell away from rice and pasta! LOL I do have wine before dinner occasionally, and sometimes I've had other alcohol. I just don't have beer or champagne, because the bubbles are definitely uncomfortable. I don't have wine (or any liquid) with dinner, or for 30 minutes afterwards. I am able to drink Water quite comfortably -- usually. I've always been a big water drinker, and when I'm thirsty I like to take several big sips. I would say after I was pretty much healed (couple of months) I could, on most days, drink water like I always have. Some days, inexplicably, big gulps are uncomfortable. Who knows why. So I always 'test it out' before I down several sips at once. Not really an emotional eater.... And no sadness really about not being able to eat large portions. Maybe more like frustration sometimes. And it's not that I can't eat a large portion. I've learned to eat "gourmet style" -- you know, small amounts of really good food. I find that no matter how delicious something is, when I'm full, I'm full. The frustration I think is just that it is SO DIFFERENT to the relationship I used to have with food. I just have to get used to getting satisfaction from eating quality food and not from the quantity. It's such a change and takes some getting used to. But ya know, before surgery I knew I would be changing my relationship with food, and that's what I absolutely 100% WANTED -- was to not enjoy so much damn food! LOL. The frustration is also in the cooking....I spend a lot of time to prepare a nice meal for my husband and myself, and then I just seem to get full so quickly. It seems like a waste of time to have spent time preparing the meal if I'm going to be done so fast.

This is a bit long but I need to put it in print..... I have been lurking in the shadows reading every post on band complications and all the stuff that can and does go wrong. The reason for this is that I have not lost a pound in almost a year and for the last 6 months I have had this funky at times horrible pain in my stomach, I get raging headaches and I feel like general crud 90% of the time. I kept thinking what is wrong with my band why isn't it working. Then the other day I had an epiphany....ok it was really a reflection on a conversation with Dr. Billy, but it got me back on track....he said that the band is just a tool, it isn't a magic bullet, but just a simple tool that I can choose to use or not. So I sat down and really thought about my pain, my lack of weight loss and my feeling of overall icky. Here is what I came up with...I'm not using my tool right. My issue isn't with my band but in my head. Bummer!! So here is what I have to work on..... I have plenty of restiction but eat until I am FULL thus giving myself a tummy ache because i'm eating myself sick...fortunately for the restriction I can't eat tons or I would be back where I was when I started this venture. So back to measuring my portions, using my small plate and fork I go. Also, knowing when I am "almost" full. I'm not chewing as well as I should...bad bad me! I'm allergic to wheat and corn so "um hello" the nachos, sandwiches and pizza need to stop effective immediately. buh bye headaches! Soda... I was drinking Diet Pepsi heard it was bad so moved to regular Coke....Sad but true this has been my path Alcohol...margaritas are my true weekness....i'm going to limit myself to one a week on Sundays when we bbq. Visiting lapband talk....I stopped...it's like not talking to that good friend that helps keep you on track....stop smacking me upside the head..I am back and yes I will listen! I am putting myself on a quasi-first month diet...back to soft foods, lots of protien shakes and the like and i'm going to give my tummy a few weeks to heal from the mess I am sure I made of it. And for the record I started 2 days ago and have already lost 2 lbs and feel so much better! Whatever my excuse is work, stress, family issues etc....I lost track of the whole point and reverted back to my old ways. I am just thankfull I realized it before I made myself sick! Thanks for listening and hopefully I stop "struggling" and move forward!

I, for one, think that making access to the RnR forums limited is basically hand holding of people who are old enough to make their own choice as to what they read. If you are mature enough to make the life changing decision to get the Lapband in the first place then you are mature enough to decide what posts you want to read and don't want to read. When you enter the RnR forum you are not automatically thrown into each and every thread and bombared with peoples thoughts, opinions, rants, raves, etc. whether the topic is "inappropriate in your mind" or not. You see titles of various topics, you are NOT required to click on them and if you do then be aware that you could read something that you may personally find offensive. Ignorance or lazyness of not paying attention to what forum you are in and what thread you read is no one's problem but your own. If you step into the street without looking both ways and get hit by a bus - is that the bus driver's fault? I don't think so. Making the RnR forum something that you would have to specifically ask for registration with would absolutely inundate the site moderators with unnecessary work. A newbie thats posts something like "help I'm having the lapband and I have a bunch of questions, etc, etc, etc ..." when they get no response will then realize "hmm perhaps I'm not posting in the right spot" and if they don't ... that is their problem for not learning how to read and research around the forums before making their post. Who are WE to decide who should have the right to participate in certain forums? I've only been around these forums since approx. July and have less than 60 posts (I think) and generally choose to read more than I choose to post. I am old enough to vote, buy cigarette's (not that I smoke), buy alcohol, and even porn if I so choose and I am mature enough to make the decision to have the Lapband done. So who are YOU to tell me what I can and cannot read, and if I read it and don't like it then I can chose to not read it again, that's no one's issue but mine. Last I checked this is a free Country... If you don't like the heat - stay out of the fire. This post is not aimed or directed at anyone but is an expression of my opinion. When I state "you" I am not singling any one out.

I would avoid wine or any kind of alcohol entirely. If anyone looks at you funny just say, "sorry, I can't drink right now, doctor's orders!" Unless your boss and co-workers were raised by wolves, they'll respect that and let it drop. If you have a great time and are friendly and happy with everyone, they aren't going to think you are being rude or ungrateful.

The nurse at the hospital gave me a trick for feeling nauseious, if you put an alcohol swab or any cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol on the bridge of your nose and breath in through your nose slowly and out through your mouth. It really worked for me and I never heaved. As for the taste, everything changed for me I loved the chocolate pre op and then after I hated it (still do) I found I love the fruite ones (Syntax nectar Lemonaid ) is my favorite, but all the fuite ones are ok with my new pallet. I am now 4 weeks post op and eating soft food but it too is dificult to find what tastes and feels right, don't worry you just need to find what works for you. I hope you feel better soon. I am 2 days post op and feeling miserable. My left side pulls constantly, I have been dry heaving since gettin home from the hospital yesterday and have a bit of blurred vision. So please excuse any typos. I am having buyer's remorse as well. ALl I want to do is sleep. I wake every 1.5 hours though amd walk, do my respiratory therapy and drink another ounce of something. I have been taking prvacid and gasx and they are helping some but I am having strong hunger pangs as well. Nothing tastes good. I am trying to drink a Protein shake today as my 1 ounce every 15 minuts. But, I know I have missed alot of them since I keep sleeping so much. I am praying for all of us to get better. For now, I am a bit depressed and miserable.

I like 'ritas too, just keep track of the calories. 4 oz. strawberry mix = 140 calories and 33g sugar, 1 oz tequila = 70 calories. So a strawberry margarita the same size as a beer will have around 600 calories and 100 grams of sugar. I realize that's a big 'rita, but if you think about it as having just 2 average sized ones, that's a lot of sugar and calories. :closedeyes: There are some sugar free mixes out there that have zero calories (not counting the alcohol), might be worth checking out.

I agree with everyone else. It's WAY too soon for alcohol. Have some sparkling grape juice or apple juice instead, but just a sip or two. I have a tiny bottle of white wine given to me by a friend, but it will wait until I hit six months out. As for the hunger, please make sure you are taking an acid reducer. It really does help. And, since I'm on coumadin as well, may I suggest that you have your PCP keep close track of your levels? Mine were pretty steady before surgery but I'm having to get mine checked at least twice a month now. The small volume of food I can eat makes my levels fluctuate a lot. I'm finally allowed veggies again, but, for a while there, I was on no veggies because my levels were varying so much. Also, talk to your doctor about what kind of acid reducer you can take. My pulmonologist has me on two tums twice a day rather than using either Calcium or prilosec. The others were, in his opinion, causing my fluctuating coumadin level. Good luck! Your stall will break soon and you'll be amazed at how fast the weight drops off of you!!!

I agree with everything @AshAsh1 said, especially "it doesn't sound like you are in the right mind frame to have this surgery. These are questions I wouldn't be concerned with if I was ready to change my life. ......You are concerned about not having to change your lifestyle. These questions don't sound like they are from someone who has hit their rock bottom and wants to have life changing surgery to lose weight. Just saying...." I agree that WLS surgery is a lifestyle change. Your sleeve isn't going to change anything in your mind. You can totally defeat this surgery by eating the wrong foods, eating too much and eating too frequently. Here are my experiences/opinions, 5 months post op 1. Will I be able to eat a cheeseburger and small fry with like a milkshake? Clearly I won't be opting for this on the daily but we all still need to indulge in our favorites once in a while and I'm not sure how much of it I'll be able to eat I'm assuming maybe like 1/3 or maybe 1/2 of the entire meal. But does anyone have experience with eating cheeseburgers, fries and a milkshake on like a vacation or for just a little "cheat meal"? I live in LA, so I have had In-n-Out post surgery. I can eat about 1/3 of a hamburger, protein style, no room for anything else. I actually prefer In-n-Out burgers protein style, since the buns are nothing special. I get it protein & animal style, hold the Thousand Island (mustard grilled patty & grilled onions, wrapped in lettuce). Their fries seriously suck, don't waste any stomach room on them. Have a sip or two of a milkshake if you must. But milkshakes are pure sabotage, so be careful. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong about eating local specialties on vacation, and being flexible for a week. But you have to be absolutely certain you can get back on plan once you get home. 2. I absolutely LOVE sparkling Water like La Croix and San Pellegrino, does anyone drink sparkling water on occasion? I have no issues w carbonation, as long as I don't drink out of a can. Over ice takes away some of the fizz, and doesn't bother me. 3. Cocktails and Wine, I'm not sure about you but being 24 I like to have myself an occasional couple of social beverages, how was your experience with alcohol both mixed drinks (hard liquor) and wine? (Don't worry about beer I don't like it). I have no issues with how alcohol effects me. But I have almost completely given up alcohol, because they are liquid calories with no nutritional value. I have worked way too hard and had too much success to undue it with a few drinks. A mixed cocktail has as many or more calories than I consume in a day. If you are serious about WLS you will come to the same conclusion that drinks, except on rare occasion aren't worth it. I may not be 24, but this was a BIG adjustment for me, as my job centers around entertaining and wining and dining. 4. Not to generalize but I think a lot of people have a sweet tooth, I love the occasional scone, croissant, cookie, French macaron, etc. how has your experience with these types of baked pastries been? This is the biggest worry about your post. Can you occasionally have these, yes, of course. But the fact you are worried about this pre op makes me think you are too attached, and occasional will be far too often. 5. coffee. I'm ADDICTED to coffee and espresso beverages; lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, matcha lattes. How have these affected you and do you sweeten them at all or keep it plain? Can you sweeten them with like flavored syrups like a pump of lavender simple Syrup or matcha powder? Ugh, lavender simple syrup, pure liquid calories again, as are most coffee drinks. Try out coffee at home with Premier Protein Caramel or Fairlifemilk and sf syrup. 7. Also will there be a time when eventually I can have a beverage while eating a snack or meal? Or will I forever not be able to consume liquids and solids at the same time? Nope, at 5 months I usually have to wait more than 1/2 hr to drink after a meal. I feel full, I feel my restriction working. I don't want to defeat it, push the food out of my stomach, and make myself hungry again. It's not a big deal for me at all. I do wish you luck, but think hard if you are ready for the lifestyle changes that successful WLS requires

I went away to atlantic city this weekend i drank diet coke and cherry vodka. The alcohol does kill most of the carbonation. Rule of thumb is that whatever proof it is is how many calories it has so 80 proof vodka has 80 calories. So my drinks were only 80 calories. I asked my doctor if i could have diet soda and he told me yes as long as it doesn't brother me. Now i can't drink soda straight up because i get some pain in my chest but with the alcohol no problem. Now i don't drink all the time maybe once or twice a month and when i do i just cut back on my calories for the day so i can have a drink or two. 3 drinks with diet coke and vodka = 240 3 drinks with juice and vodka =600

So I didn't drink for the first year post-op. When I did finally drink it was a glass of wine and I *felt* it pretty quickly. Now 3 years later, I'm still a lightweight when it comes to drinking. My favorite drink is a lemon drop martini. The place that I order it at makes them small, which is perfect. They do still hit quickly thought, so just be careful around alcohol. That being said, I rarely drink at all. Actually the last drink I had was the lemon drop martini when out with one of my good friends back in August of this year.

How far out from surgery are you? I'm 7 weeks out and once in a while will get the cramps/gurgling in my intestines. I can't guess if it will be gas or that I have to go so I get up and go just in case. Most of the time it happened earlier after the surgery for me and has gotten better. Just occassionally it happens now. Pay attention to what you've had to eat that day....you could be sensitive to milk/dairy, sugar alcohols etc.

With the change in the weather you can get away with warm drinks that have very little to no acohol in them and still be festive. I know that Eggface has an eggnog protein shake recipe, and you can have mulled cider. I personally do not care for the taste of alcohol except for mead, port, and this one rhine wine I had in Germany. When you said what's your poison, i thought this was going to be a discussion of our drug of choice, food. Mine was and is grilled cheese. I have zero control around grilled cheese, fresh bread with butter, and chocolate.

Crusoe's Daughter by Jane Gardam -- love her character Polly Flint! Here's a review from a while back: http://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/27/books/polly-came-through.html Also taking a long time finishing a memoir called Mother, Daughter, Me by Katie Hafner -- I prefer fiction but a friend lent me this book and it's very compelling for any one who grew up with an alcoholic mother or some one in the sandwich generation of an aging parent plus a child at home -- here's a review: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/04/garden/mother-daughter-me-a-feel-good-experiment-that-wasnt.html?_r=0

Yup, I'm "mentally interesting" too. I always say without bi-polars in the world, it would not be half as interesting. hehe My drug has been food, because I saw my brothers, who have it too, (it runs in families, if one person has it, chances are more do) use drugs and alcohol and literally ruin their lives and health. They were also brilliantly talented, as most bipo's are in some way and did not want that. Food however, made me as much a junkie as they are and kept me from living my dreams and a fulfilling life as much as smack, crack or drink would have. You go Beachee. Pat yourself on the back for taking that step because the sad truth is, most people with our problem DON'T go and get help.

Hi @Emilieh26 I've smoked a few joints since surgery but not until about a month out, I have gotten munchies once or twice but have been fine. I'd just make sure you have healthy things to snack on. Personally I wouldn't mix alcohol + THC so close to surgery, but thats just me. I have no advice on molly or coke, they're both appetite suppresants so I can't imagine you'd get hungry however I'd be careful to not get dehydrated with molly, remember you probably won't be able to tank water if you get thirsty. Stay safe!

So, without any diatribes, why have surgery if you're just going to ignore the guidelines, drink empty calories, and then pump your body full of appetite suppressants? Why not just use the surgery as the tool it was meant to be, lay off the booze, suck it up, and lose weight without drugs. It's great you haven't gained weight, but Adipex isn't going to kill off the empty calories/sugar/carbs you're consuming with the alcohol intake. All it's going to do is hype you up, increase your heartrate, and maybe keep you from eating nutrient dense food all while stressing your liver on top of the booze. Mexico must be fabulous, but the after effects of what you are choosing to do to your body might not be worth it down the road.

A food addiction is physical. If I eat *any* type of carbs found in Pasta, Beans, rice, bread (basically any flour product whether it be whole grain or refined), I set up a chemical reaction in my body that physically craves more of these carbs. I went on Atkins for 5 months and lost 70 lbs. The first week was the hardest. I was literally going through withdrawal. I had all of the physical symptoms of withdrawal as well...nausea, lightheadedness, headaches, etc. After the 2nd week of absolutely no carbs, I was fine. No cravings, no 'compulsion' to eat. The *first* bite of carbs I put in my system and it was downhill from there on a rollercoaster binge. So I learned not to eat carbs...at all...and I lost 70 pounds. At some point it just became too much to avoid all carbs. So no more weight loss. Fortunately, I didn't gain it back though because I increased my activity to compensate. However, I deal with it from another angle -- diabetes. The only way to keep my blood sugar levels within a normal range is to either give up carbs completely...or take insulin. No surprise I'm on insulin. The band helps me deal with my carb addiction because I physically cannot eat the carbs except in tiny quantities...and yes, when I sit there and finish my 1/4 cup of potatoes, rice, a roll, etc...within 30 minutes my body starts screaming "MORE!" and the only thing that stops me is knowing that if I do, I will get immediate, painful feedback. We (therapists) call it 'aversion therapy'. Like the drug they give alcoholics that makes them nauseated and feel sick if they drink while taking the medication. Calling something an 'addiction' doesn't make it an excuse. It's just an explanation for the behavior. If calling it an 'addiction' is an excuse, then the same applies to alcoholism, gambling, shopping or any other 'addiction'. Just pull yourself up by your boot straps and fix it. Fortunately, we're coming out of the dark ages and recognizing that people can be addicted to food and it's not completely about willpower or self-control. It's about a physical craving. This may not be true of all overweight people. Some people eat to bury their pain. Some just eat the wrong things or aren't active enough. My mom dropped 75 pounds and has kept it off by doing nothing more than kicking her 12 cans of Pepsi and bag of chips a day habit and getting off her butt. She now drinks diet-pepsi and rarely eats potato chips and stays active. Some of us have a physical addiction. In any case, until we each find the reason for why we overeat, we'll always be fat. Just ask the people who've been banded for years and still are. .

My Dr. Told me to never drink alcohol after surgery, and my NUT told me after 1 year. I know it stretches the stomach as well as soda.

My doc & my dietitian recommended no intoxicants for 12 months post-op. That is probably edge-case recommendation, but I'm not much of a drinker anyway, so I'm going with it (six months post-op, so far). They explained a counter-intuitive reason for avoiding it, which has stuck with me. I didn't get to where I was by being completely free of obsessive tendencies. It is quite common for folks to transfer their food habits to other self-medication options and obsessions. Obviously, alcohol is one easy ride to climb onto, so for that reason I'm pretty much staying away until I'm a little more secure with my new life. I've had a couple of tastes - literally a sip from my wife's glass. But that's it. I'm a fan of whiskey, but so far, I've completely set that aside since my surgery. My very nice collection sits in the case untouched, for now.

I recently had a girls weekend. At one of the bars, I noticed they had small cups (like the ones you buy for your bathroom to rinse your mouth). I asked the bartender to use those cups instead of the larger ones. The large cup just exhausted me to look at it. To know I had THAT MUCH to drink overwhelmed me. I had about 2 1/2 of the small cups. Mostly vodka with a splash of cranberry. I got a little buzz, but not too bad. Definitely could not have eaten and drank all of that. I opted for alcohol instead of food that weekend. lol...I didn't gain any weight and wasn't yacking either, so all in all, I guess I handled it pretty well.

I've been to two functions with alcohol and even though I was dying to pour up, I restrained myself. My plan says no alcohol for 6 months and I plan to stick to it. When I had my lap band, I did not follow my plan and ended up with horrible eating habits and slipped band. This time around, I want to do things right. I get it, we're young. My friends like to get tore up drunk lol I wish I could have me a Maker's Manhattan, but this Protein shake will do. Besides, I like greens more anyway Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@TYRey12, Yes, that sounds about right! Your body metabolizes alcohol faster, and a little goes a long way. Good for you for noticing and for adjusting your intake to stay safe.

It takes time to heal from a MAJOR surgery. Alcohol does not aid in the healing process. Besides the possible surgical complications, there's also a risk for transfer addiction. Everything in moderation sure, but seems to me like if we were all experts at moderating ourselves we wouldn't be here in the first place [emoji848]. I'd much rather see the vets, supposedly mean and sarcastic, stick around than have to coddle people who just want to be enabled.

This isn't a judgement, just a comment I think 4 weeks out is too soon to drink alcohol. You're not even on the life time sleeve diet yet and I believe your stomach is still healing up. I don't thinking youre hitting solids yet are you? I'd give it some thought before I hit the crown and coke. Also, your body I'm guessing hasn't metabolized liquor for a bit so you're a kind of lightweight in that regard. Best wishes to you.