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I think it's way too soon and I am not even sure if we are allowed to have alcohol since it can dehydrate you. Plus those drinks have way too many calories. Just think if a drink is worth after all you have done to get your surgery. At least in my own opinion, I wouldn't like to go back to an OR. I already let my doctor cut me once and I want it to work.

Well, it's the end of another year and to be honest, I still have to remind myself to write 2012 on my checks (when I actually have to use one). Therefore, writing 2013 is going to be a huge pain in the rear for me. Now, I am not one to make resolutions. To be honest, i don't think I've ever kept one I've made so I finally realized that there was no reason to make any. If someone wants to change, they will...it won't just magically happen becasue it's January 1st. Trust me, I wish that was a case. If it was, we wouldn't all be constantly working to get/remain healthy and thin. Also, there would be a lot of surgeons out there who wouldn't be as wealthy as they are right now...thanks to us. You are welcome surgeons...from all of us. Sorry, i digress. Now, I thought I wold take the time to look back on my year and share my wisdom with you all....or at least what I think is wisdom. It could be a big ole pile of steaming crap, but I'm going to share it anyway. Lucky for you all, if it is crap, you don't have to smell it since you're reading it. So, here is what I've learned...or at least began to learn in 2012. 1. It's true, you do feel much better when you stop smoking. But, it's also true that even after a year, there are times you still want one....even if it's only for a second or two 2. Weight loss surgery is NOT an easy fix. It's hard work and I battle every day with changing my negative food thoughts and behaviors. But, it does get easier. 3. Getting frustrated becasue you can't eat what others are having is normal. Crying and yelling at your husband for eating pizza in front of you is PMS. 4. Fiber is CRITICAL after WLS 5. Stalls are normal...even if they last for a while 6. Getting down for being in a stall is just as normal....but remember number 5! 7. My weight loss is not like anyone else's. There are people who have lost more or not as much in the same amount of time. 8. Going from a tight size 26-28 to a good fitting 16 feels better than any food can taste 9. Taste buds change....which can be good and bad. 10. Pulling out my clothes from the dryer and having to double check to make sure they are mine due to how small they look is the coolest thing about doing laundry 11. Sex is better....and it was really good before hand 12. Raging hormones can make you a b***h to live with so make sure you live with someone who truly loves you.....I'm lucky because I would have divorced me if I were my husband 13. Make up sex while having raging hormones is even better than better 14. My boobs hang low....(cue my "hang low song"....for all those who have read my prior blogs) 15. I miss my boobs...and my butt. 16. Surgery can give me my boobs back and I'll still be thin....sounds better than having perky, big boobs right now. 17. Onions don't sit well with me anymore 18. I fart....a lot since surgery. 19. I really hope that stops soon....but not as much as my husband does 20. I have a rabbit living in my colon....and we've learned to live together 21. Pain after surgery isn't as bad as I thought it would be...and they didn't give me the right meds to deal with the pain 22. Walking is the best thing to do to get gas out 23. I am not perfect and sometimes I eat things that I shouldn't...but I don't eat much 24. Alcohol has a WHOLE different affect on me now.....that can be good or bad...good for me, bad for hubby who doesn't like me tipsy. LOL and last but not least 25. Laughing through all the ups and downs is the only thing that can keep you sane So, with all these little tid bits learned, I plan to go into the new year with an open mind and a willingness to continue to make positive changes, the knowledge to know I'm not perfect, and strength to say no to the bad food (most of the time). I hope you all are able to do the same. Happy New Year everyone.....here's to a safe, happy, and healthy year ahead. Now for some funny stuff.....LOL Have to remember to eat so that I don't look like this in the New Year!!! Have to remember not to eat too much so this doesn't happen....again....LOL Most importantly, I have to remember to be happy with who I am...on the inside and out.

I enjoy wine...a lot. Drinking to get drunk is not the point. I just think enjoying a glass of good wine (preferably with friends) is about one of the best things in life. That hasn't changed with the band. I prefer dry red wine which usually has less calories than whites (which are often sweeter). I drink slower and order a glass of water along with my wine these days, but "feel it" faster so I haven't had more than 2 glasses. Since restaurants/bars serve different amounts, I usually ask the bartender or server to let me know how many ounces are in each glass (usually 3-5 oz but sometimes 6; they have equipment to measure properly for you, so they may as well use it). It's not too hard to find a glass of wine at or around 90-100 calories a glass and not too hard to find those calories in a day. Alcohol converts to sugar (carbs) in the body, and will still be used by your body as fuel, unfortunately it's more likely to make you want to eat than make you feel full. But if you're deciding between a glass of wine and a 100 calorie pack, they're both throw away calories as far as I'm concerned. Just about what gives you most pleasure.

Hi everyone, been super-busy like everyone else, but checking in. Still holding at 172 which I guess is OK. Have a doc appt in a couple weeks. Nicole, hope you are feeling great again... Pneumonia is serious stuff. I like your idea of New Year's liquids. I've done that a couple days this week myself to make up for the horrid aftermath of the office Christmas party. I did so many things wrong that day. First off I was tired and decided to have a caffeinated peppermint mocha on my way there. It did pep me up since I haven't had caffeine in a year! Then I ate spicy food and drank margaritas. I was in a world of hurt the next day with my stomach. I will not be drinking alcohol for New Year's, thank you, it is not worth it! So onward and downward, wishing all of you a very joyous and prosperous New Year! Bandiversaries are coming up!

That is an interesting parallel. Most of us are food addicts. I guess if you were an alcoholic and went to your AA meeting and asked if it would be ok to have a few beers on Valentine's day or shared that you threw back a fifth of vodka, you would get some different responses. Hugs from some maybe? I don't know. Others who were disappointed in you? Some who were angry? Some who said they understood but tomorrow is a new day? Of course not really quite the same thing since we can't stop eating food. I just thought it was an interesting way to consider another angle.

Floridays,,, thanks for your response as Ive said to you before I often loo for your advice and input as one of an 'expert' becuase you are so far along in your journey. I am not much of a drinker, actually the last time I "drank to much" was over 2 years ago. Yes I do party, but it mainly consists of dancing, and talking with my friends.. no other activites much beyond that. Interesting to me that you dont like alcohol much anymore, I could absolutely live without it now, but I do enjoy it once in a while. I wonder if I will have the same feelings as you. Only time will tell!! Thanks for your advice!!

I've seen people asking if they can drink alcohol 1 week post op. That has nothing to do with a doctors strict post op regime.

I haven't had any alcohol since being banded only because I never was a drinker but tonigjt I will to Celebrate the new year, staying in the city at a classy hotel with friends and am going to enjoy a glass or too. My surgeon and nutritionist have said its fine to have wine if I want too. Moderation is the key.

Not to be a black cloud but it concerns me when I see post like... It will be impossible for me to avoid alcohol... I am young and want to party once a week with my friends.... No one says you cannot drink with the band. But nothing is impossible to avoid and say no to. So if you do and want to continue to lose weight please be mindful of the calories.....and the food choices you make after a few drinks... Before i was banded I drank socially 3/4 times a week entertaining for work and on social occasions.. Those occasions didn't change after I was banded, I just made a choice to drink Water instead. I had my first taste of alcohol after losing the first 100 lbs. I really didn't enjoy it. I just lost the taste for it and couldn't see the point of the empty calories. I will have wine now and again and on vacation I will have some fruity frozen drinks but that's pretty much it.... My weight loss has become to important to jeopardize .

God, some people here are so judgmental. Weed has actually been decriminalized in many states. and just bc something is illegal doesn't make it morally wrong. you need to look at the historic reasons weed was banned while alcohol was not.

I had a rough night last night. Family holiday dinner and SWEETS galore. I mean, it was ridiculous! My drug of choice is cookies and there were literally six different kinds and it took every iota of willpower and determination not to indulge. I hope that at some point in the future I can be an eat-one-cookie-and-be-fine kind of girl, but I'm not that girl today. It would've been like an alcoholic saying, "I'll just have one drink." I was feeling sorry for myself last night, but I'm proud of myself today.

I think what I see in most these threads is that most people will count their drink calories into their total for the days, enjoy if your doctor says ok just remember alcohol is empty calories and they can make some over eat because lowers you inhibitions . It is true many enjoy a drink or glass of wine and have no problems.

I am 18 and here in New Zealand that's the legal drinking age. Since alcohol is heavily in our Barbecue/backyard/laid back life style I know it's going to be IMPOSSIBLE to cut Alcohol out completely. I plan on counting every alcoholic calorie and allowing for it once a week or so (and of course nothing carbonated.) I know it's not ideal but its what works for me!

Many people enjoy a drink after being banded. I've had one or two recently, however when I do, I am sure to count them in my daily calories. Alcoholic drinks are nothing but empty calories so just be careful not to over do it.

Just enjoyed a glass of wine (not yet banded) and thought... Can u still do that after the band? Also I have occasionally gone out with my friends to the bars and probably drank more then I should... Can I do that after the band?

Please don't take offense at the addiction comments. My grandfather was a severe alcoholic who was in and out of rehab at least eight times and got DWIs, was blacking out and had liver and brain damage. I am just so angry that I wasted 10 months when they could have told me this at the beginning! If it's only a waiting period, I have proof that I went to the seminar in February, that I've been to two support group meetings since then. I'm just so devastated and I'm trying so hard not to be a negative b&tch in my real life. This feels like a safe place to vent.

I didn't binge but I did eat everything I wanted to before my diet started. I ate my husband's amazing homemade salsa with my favorite chips, had fried chicken, drank diet soda and had a couple of margaritas. I was allowed 1 glass of wine by the doctor at a holiday party and had no alcohol beyond that. I did cheat a little - I had a couple of pigs in a blanket at another holiday party, etc. I was terrified that my little cheats would show up but the doc said my liver looked great as I've never been a heavy drinker and they could see that I followed the diet. I remember seeing an interview with Rex Ryan of the Jets and he said he used to eat 12 tacos at once before his surgery and now he eats 1 to 2 at a time. I used to eat 1 - 2 myself so my husband said I'll probably eat 2 bites. my doctor said that eventually I can probably eat small amounts of what I like and this is sustaining me.

The reason that most insurance companies want you to do a physician supervised diet for 6 months is to make COMPLETELY sure that you want to do this. If you are serious, and fly through their requirements then you will be fine. Every insurance company/employer does it different. It depends on how much the employer wants to include on their plans, which drives the employers costs up or down, the same as your out of pocket costs up or down. I sincerely doubt that they do this to increase pain and frustration. Remember there is admin costs on their end as well. And with the Affordable Care Act only 20-25 cents for each premium dollar can go towards administrative costs at the insurer level. I think it would be worst if it was a simple process, then you will have lots of people having some type of weight loss procedure, then sueing as they had no idea what they were getting in to. I also do not feel you can compare this with drug or alcohol rehab, that is comparing apples to oranges. I work for a health insurance company and had to do the 6 month physician diet, even after having to have my lap band removed due to slippage/failure. I had to jump thru every hoop to get my sleeve down, just a couple of days ago.

Using this same reasoning....why should insurance pay for addicts to go to rehab? The rates of failure are huge! Should an alcoholic have to go to their doctor once a month for six months to monitor their sobriety? That's crazy. My insurance pays for cancer patients to have very expensive treatments regardless of how many months they have left to live. why should we pay to get another few months out of someone? See that line of thinking is crazy when it comes to other things but not when you are overweight. Then it's ok.

I didn't have a stricture or any of the symptoms. In my case they did the endoscopy to identify the cause of the tiniest amount of blood in a stool test. Turned out to be an ulcer at the anastomosis. No pain, no other symptoms, I feel great. I'll get more information after the first of the year but I don't think it's real serious. But it's there and it means no alcohol, chocolate or spicy food for a while. I miss my glass of wine before dinner but the rest is no big deal. If I can lose 130 pounds I can beat an ulcer!! Lol!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but...I love spicy food too but it can be an irritant. Having just been diagnosed last week with an ulcer at the anastomosis, I would urge caution with alcohol, chocolate, and spicy food. All taboo as of last week until I get this thing healed up. No pain, no symptoms, I feel great - but it's there all the same and I didn't have a drop of alcohol, a bite of chocolate or anything even remotely spicy until I was six months out. My experience does not in any way mean yours will be the same. But it's always good to be informed. You're gonna love the new you!!

BRAVO!!! This is what we are trying to accomplish. Besides the immediate danger, the OP is setting herself up by continuing her normal "I crave it so I'm going to have it" habit. Not only are these months for healing, they are for completely changing you eating habits and your issues with food. It's a training period for when most people just really do not feel like eating normal foods anyway. Maybe we should have a pinned DO and DO NOT list posted and pinned like: DO follow your surgeons post-surgery diet to the letter DO eat Protein first and fill in the edges with a little healthy carbs like veggies and Quinoa. DO take your Vitamins, minerals and Calcium daily DO exercise when you get cleared DO drink all your water/fluids DO NOT eat popcorn or nuts until cleared to do so. DO NOT eat until you feel sick or hurt. DO NOT drink alcohol until cleared to do so and then WATCH IT. Cross additions are common and alcohol has tons of calories. DO NOT eat nutritionally devoid high calorie foods such as white flour, white rice, high sugar, etc. DO NOT eat highly processed foods. The last two are debated by some people, but as a rule I follow the last 3 except for very special occasions.

Here is an article I read some time ago about WLS and alcohol. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/weight-loss-surgery-increases-risk-alcohol-addiction/story?id=16582225#.UN2tgeQ80xE

I also became an alcoholic after gastric bypass. I've been sober for over 2 years now but it was a tough fight to get there. I only recently found out that gastric bypass makes you prone to alcoholism! That's because the alcohol goes straight to your small intestine (bypasses the liver) and into your bloodstream and brain. It's a powerful head rush and very addictive. You can google "gastric bypass alcohol" and find articles about it. So it's not all your sister's fault that she is addicted to alcohol. They should warn EVERY gastric bypass patient before their surgery and forbid them from drinking after the surgery. You might be able to help your sister by going to al-anon or other support groups for family/friends of alcoholics. It will help you too. Hopefully once your sister is ready she will be able to stop drinking. It took me a trip to rehab and then 4 months of drinking on and off before I finally gave it up for good. Re support groups after gastric bypass: for me there weren't any. That could be partly why I failed. I went to the US (Rochester) to get my op done and then there was nothing here for me in Canada. For my lap-band I deliberately chose a clinic that offers a lot of online and in-person support after the surgery.

wishing you the best of luck on your LB journey! My sister had a gastric bypass and also lost a lot of weight and then gained it back and became an alcoholic. I'm so worried about her. I asked my Dr if he would band her and he said no b/c she didn't have her head into it. I think she messed up b/c she never went to support meetings. Be sure you post often here and get the support you need for success. Best wishes to you!