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I know how you feel. I have found that once I start snacking throughout the day and eating processed carbs it's extremely difficult for me to control myself, and my band seems to become less effective, almost as if all the slider foods cause it to loosen up. On the other hand, when I eat no more than 3 times a day, and I avoid carbs, I feel much more in control. It's probably somewhat of a psychological effect, but it seems like my band will let me overeat when I really want to, but when I eat less often it gets tighter. I know that many people don't like to "diet" after getting the band, and I don't know what your views are on this topic, but I think something like the Atkins induction diet (or at least completely avoiding sugar, white flour, and processed carbs) for a while would help you regain control. I have had lots of slip-ups, and I know how hard it can be to get back on track. Just try not to beat yourself up about it. The important thing is that you're willing to fix this problem before it gets too out of control. I have tried several different eating approaches while being banded, and I have finally admitted that I need a structured eating plan that eliminates both the need to make daily food choices and "trigger foods" (carbs). I wish I could handle routinely eating all foods in moderation, as this is probably the healthiest way to go, but I have found that it really is necessary for me to completely avoid all carbs except for veggies most of the time (I eat junk food once in a while but definitely not on a daily or weekly basis). During my regular schedule I have a can of v8 vegetable juice and an atkins advantage bar twice a day, and for dinner I have Protein and veggies. If I start eating carbs I get completely out of control, but after sticking to my plan for a few days the cravings go away. Maybe you can eat some other whole grains and healthy carbs and do fine, but I know that I am better off sticking to veggies only as far as carbs go. I think using Meal Replacement bars twice a day is a good way to keep calories low, get in your protein and Vitamins, and help you regain control by taking away the need to think about food. Then for dinner have protein, veggies, and possibly one serving of a healthy carb. I know this plan is very rigid, and some people might say it's not realistic to follow it long-term, but I am pretty sure that I will always be following a modified version of this plan to avoid weight re-gain. Some people are complulsive eaters who need to avoid their problem foods (usually processed carbs) almost to the extent that an alcoholic needs to avoid alcohol. I know this is not true of everyone who has lap-band, but it's what I think you should try if you're feeling like a foodaholic. Oh, and exercise can also be very helpful, as I'm sure you already know. I would highly recommend the Bodybugg calorie counting device (www.myapex.com) if you're interested in tracking your calorie intake and seeing how many calories you burn through exercise.

It sounds to me from your brief description is that you need to get to the core of WHY you are putting slippery, high calorie foods in your pouch. We all have to come out of sleepwalking through life and denial tand accept that we are food addicts. Seek a good therapist to help fix your head before you go and have another surgery. He/she will help you discover why you are sabbotaging your band and weight loss in general, if you are brave enough to go down this path. Were you truly ready for this surgery at this point in your life? Did you do it for the right reasons? Hell, we all can be drinking milkshakes, eating cheesecake, and creme brule and blame the band for not restricting our minds from making bad choices. Your reliance upon the band to fix your head is a fallacy. Our heads made us fat, it is our head that needs healing. I found a wonderful therapist in 2010 and I still seek sessions every few months. We are food addicts/ food abusers and will always be one. Have you ever thought of Overeaters Anonymous or something similar? Drinking alcohol is another easy way to keep weight on. What are you trying to stuff in your pouch to fill your soul? You gotta take the effort and figure it out. Best of luck and keep on trying. The food part will easily come once you resolve your psychological issues.

The chicken noodle soup sounds good. I think that was my first too. Good luck at work! Walk as much as you can and warm beverage (tea, chocolate or coffee) goes good. Forget the sodas & alcohol. Praying for all in Band-Land! Merry Christmas & Happy Healthy New Year!

Unfortunately she has placed the addiction of food with alcohol, dealing with the emotional issues of addiction will surely help your whole family. You should try to get into some counseling together. Have an honest conversation with your kids, all sit down and discuss the feelings that drinking has on each of you.

You want to ask your surgeon about rules regarding pills. They all vary -- there is no "we" in post-WLS patients when it comes to things like medications, food, exercise, alcohol, caffeine, etc (unless you are talking to someone who had the same doctor you did). My doctor's rules may be very different from yours. All that said, have you considered liquid multi-vitamins? I took Wellesse liquid multi for four weeks after surgery - a double dose. I didn't have any trouble getting it down, but you can dilute it with water or light fruit juice if the taste bothers you. My labs have always been great. Good luck to you!

I know it's bad for you, full of calories, and a sin. But I'm going to the beach next week and I would really like a drink. I have always been a bourbon or rum and coke guy. Is it okay to have carbonation every once in a while like that?

You can have anything you want...just be prepared to accept the consequences for your choices. It's not a sin to have alcohol...it's just not advisable. And when you had your band placed, you should have been aware of the need to stop having carbonated beverages. There are medical reasons for these rules. Carbonated beverages have gas in them...the gas in your pouch has the potential to distend it, thus creating pain, and the possibility of causing harm to the placement of your band. I believe I have also read that over time carbonation can also be a factor for erosion around your band. Can't you enjoy the beach without the drink? An additional consideration is that once you give yourself permission to break the diet rules, it can become progressively easier for you to do that in the future. Some people have the willpower to avoid that scenario...if you believe that choosing to have the drink will place you at risk to begin a new pattern of risky behaviors, just say no.

I wonder what that person took that she reacted to? I have to agree with SpartanMaker that its related to an ingredient in the medicine, it may be the dextromethorphan, but it could also be that the medicine has alcohol. The problem with NSAIDS/Advil type medicines, is not that you'd react wierdly, its that NSAIDs are a lot of work for your liver to break down and since you're tummy is already stressed and small, the liver takes on MORE of the breakdown work. So taking Advil/NSAIDs after weight loss surgery is very damaging to your liver. Smaller tummy = much lower tolerance and slower breakdown - so yup, you can get drunk really fast and stay that way for longer, you could have an adverse reaction to things with sugar (even lactose in dairy products), that you never had before, etc. I found this article which was kinda helpful: Cold and Flu Season after Weight Loss Surgery (utahbariatrics.com)

Also I heard briefly you can never have Motrin again? Ever. What pain killers are allowed after surgery

I was banded 10/25/10 & while it hasn't been a totally straight down the scale journey & having lost 107lbs I still need to lose about 25lbs more I am the type to tell everyone. The way I see it is they have seen me fail a million times at weight loss & if I failed even after surgery no one would be surprised LOL!! Also I personally feel if I treat it like a secret it makes me feel shameful about it. I come from a long line of addicts (alcohol or smoking) & even though no one really struggles with their weight I didn't want this process to be a secret. I wanted to take ownership & pride in my decision to try a bold step in my efforts to lose weight.

you have to a recovering alcoholic for a year before you can get the surgery. i don't know how it is with everyone else's insurance or drs but this is the way it is with mine. if she isn't willing to take the steps to stop drinking then the band isn't going to help. you have to have self control with the band and not eat or drink. i'd def go in or call the drs office. if you call they might blow you off but if you were to go in person it might be better. but i would open my mouth. she does have to do the other tests like was mentioned so they might pick up on it. good luck

Months before bariatric surgery, I started making diet & lifestyle changes, such as NO sugar, artificial sweeteners, desserts, processed food, carbonated/caffeinated/alcoholic beverages, smaller portion sizes, no drinking during meals, and minimal bread or rice. This allowed me to lose 30 lbs pre-op. I did not tell my family, colleagues, or friends (except for 1) about my gastric bypass surgery. No one noticed anything different after surgery as I had already been losing weight and was eating less in their presence. This allowed me to focus on myself and not have to deal with negative comments, energy, or misinformation. It worked well for me. YMMV

@@coco86 - In general, it is more that the fat surrounding the liver(and all your organs for that matter), which causes fatty liver, is what your body will use first. A diet which causes your body to break down fats into the sugars your body needs will generally shrink the liver due to that fat being used first. So, your liver shrinks because you are putting less sugar into your body. You can read up on NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) When I had my testing done my ultrasound showed that I had "fatty liver". If it is to fat then the surgeon cannot get in and see the stomach very well in order to do the surgery. So, my putting you on a high Protein, no sugar, low carb diet it can help shrink the liver. For my own decision, I would rather do and help put my mind into play about starting this new life change, and also I don't want the surgeon to go in and then can't perform the surgery because they can't see my stomach. I have heard stories of that happening, where surgeons have gone in and the liver was so large they had to come out and do the surgery another time.

I think for me I drink the alcohol because it was easier to do then actually having a meal. I still struggle to this day on certain meals but I have no issues having a drink to fulfill my needs. It's been 4 years since surgery and I have not had one soda because I would be miserable if I did it but I can pound down a 6 pack with no issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App What about Protein shakes? They're filling and are great for avoiding food when you don't feel like chewing.

It would be best to ask your medical team this question, as this may vary by physician preferences. I was advised to wait for an entire year post op to have any alcohol. I almost made it a year before having a glass of wine, and did not have any adverse effects. You should be aware that it may take less alcohol to experience the effects from it, so judge accordingly. My surgeon warned ahead of time that he would not be writing any letters to assist patients who got stopped for DUI because they were not monitoring the effects of using alcohol post op.

NO ALCOHOL. The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. Alcohol is directly opposed to that. I would not be able to do any parties right about now. Parties and alcohol will always be here.

I was released for alcohol at 3ish months. Doc warned me it's wasted calories so just don't go overboard. I drank Riesling the first time, and it hit me kinda hard and fast, but wore off pretty fast as well. I drink socially now, and have a glass of wine once maybe twice a week. I've tried margarita, and they didn't settle well. But, mixed drinks, rum/coke, and various shots work just fine. My tolerance is like it was pre-op, it doesn't hit me hard and fast, and I can maintain a decent buzz. I don't drink a lot, but when I do, the big plus is that I rarely get a hangover anymore.

@@Seagull - Yes. Lost a bunch pre-op (you quit drinking alcohol and work to shrink your liver, good things will happen). I actually gained 10 at the hospital thanks to all the IV Fluid they pumped in me. But after 10 days of healing, everything started "moving" inside again, the weight really came off fast.

If any of us could do it alone, we wouldn't do this. 99% of people who lose weight on diets gain it back plus more weight. We are no more flawed then other people. Some people are drug addicts, alcoholics, smokers, batterers etc. Its just that our addiction shows up on our body as extra weight. I think having the lap band isnt a cop out. I think it is smart. Because we are taking responsibility for our lives and our health. Its nothing to be ashamed of. But we don't have to tell everyone either. Its a personal choice to take care of ourselves.

Thanks Dee, for your response. i too gave up sugary stuff for lent even though I'm no longer a Catholic. Somehow the discipline of lent from youth is still with me; stuff I couldn't give up in January becomes easier to give up beginning Ash Wednesday. Lately I've been reducing the carbs too. This morning my weight was 120.8, Hurray! I can eat more than I used to be able to, so I think it's important for me to concentrate on Protein and vegetables and to limit carbs. I'm back eating artificial sweeteners and though I don't think they are actually healthy, they are far better than the alternative. Sugar is such a drug for me. The sugar alcohols have side effects which is a good thing for me. I cannot eat a 100gr bar of SF chocolate because of the stomach cramps it causes. This means that my portion sizes are reasonable and not gluttonous--in the end a very good thing indeed. I think the weight thing will always be a struggle for me, but at least I have a chance of winning this battle now instead of trying my hardest and losing miserably. I feel pretty good of my protein-first diet. My BF and housemate are both on no sugar diets so I don't have loads of temptattion. My boy still eats sugar with abandon, but I can dismiss that more easily. Sugar now seems like pixie sticks or cotton candy--stuff you eat in your youth but wouldn't really ingest during adulthood.

I was banded approximately 18 months ago. I've lost 33 lbs, 20 of which came off almost immediately following surgery. I was frustrated like you during the first four/five months following surgery, because, like you, i was still eating pretty much what I wanted with only minor discomfort. Your first fills won't do a lot for you. I was banded November 2007, and started getting "significant" restriction in April or May, after my third fill. At that time they filled me to 6 ccs. I went in again last January, and they refused to fill me, although I wasn't losing any weight- at that time, I was still 185 lbs. Since then, I've lost down to about 177. I would like to get the band tighter, but to be totally honest, I do have significant restriction already, I just cheat alot!! Don't worry about it for right now. I paid my $15,000 out of pocket too, expecting it to be magical. It isn't, I still have to make good food decisions and let the band work with me. I drink too much alcohol and don't really make the best food choices. But here is the good thing! I may not be a size six, like I want, but I am a size 12, down from a size 16 and I AM NOT GAINING ANY WEIGHT!! That's pretty much a miracle for me!

Mine was even easier. I was really scared going into it and it didn't even last 10 minutes!! The first three minutes he was on the phone with someone else and then he just asked about where I go to school, how is my home life, any history of sexual/alcohol/substance abuse in my immediate family, and my opinion on the surgery. It was so easy lol.

Understood. I try to avoid fast food. It's high calorie, fairly low satiety, and loaded with who knows what that would probably gross me out if I knew it was in my food. If I'm forced into it, I also try to go for Wendy's chili. The important thing is that whatever you choose, control your portion size and count your calories. And still practice small bites and slow chewing. As far as alcohol goes, it's a similar story-- control your portions and count the calories. Wine is, in my opinion, the best bet. It's socially acceptable to nurse a glass of wine forever, you have a variety of flavors and styles to choose from, and it's not mixed with anything carbonated or high in sugar/calories to add to its negative impact. Also, there are proven health benefits to red wine in particular, provided it's consumed in moderation (1 glass per day). Don't be surprised or insulted by people who caution you after reading this type of question. In the end, everyone just wants to help you succeed. Good luck!

Had my psych test today. It was not at all what I expected from what I have read of others experiences here. I had no pen & paper diagnostic testing at all. Just spent about a half hour w/ a psychiatric nurse practioner. She asked me to explain my understanding of the surgical procedure and the frequency and sort of follow up required. She asked me why I wanted to have this surgery, if I had ever been able to lose weight on my own. Asked about family psychiatric history, if I ever thought of suicide,if I ever thought of killing anyone, if I ever hallucinated, asked whether I had a history of eating disorders, and if I had a history of drug/alcohol abuse. Then she did some simple, verbal evaluations of my cognitive functioning. This consisted of asking me my name, where I was, and what sort of surgery I was pursuing. Then she said three words and asked me to repeat them back to her. Told me she would ask me again later, and in the meantime would distract me with other questions. She asked me to spell a word forward and backward and had me do some simple arithmatic in my head and then asked me if I remembered and could repeat back the 3 words she had given me earlier. In the end, she said I did fine and that she thought I was a good candidate, psychologically speaking, for the surgery. YAY! That was my last pre-op test! Now I just have a follow up appt. with the pulmonoligist to get the results of my sleep study and I have to await the nutritionist's stamp of approval. :smile:

Wheezy is correct. RNY surgery is restrictive and malabsorptive whereas the band is only restrictive. So alcohol does not have an effect with metabolism. Although... you're also right where if you do eat less, it tends to absorb quicker in your system... but its nothing different than what you did before the surgery with an empty stomach. -Jason