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I was still thinking of canceling it the night before surgery! The first 10 days post-op are no fun, but the surgery is SOOO worth it. I am almost 5 months out and feel no negative residual effects, but I can tell you: 1. I can work in the yard in the summer time all day and not get that tired 2. I can fit in an airplane seat with no discomfort 3. I do not have to take ANY medications anymore 4. I wake up every morning at 5 AM with plenty of energy 5. I do not snore anymore The list goes on and on. For me, it was short term discomfort for what has so far been pretty easy weight loss. I have only had one incident with my sleeve and it really was my own fault, too many sugar alcohols at once (atkins bars), at week 4. Best of luck to you.

Hello all. I am struggling with making the decision for lap band. My weight has flucuated between 300 and 140. I am at least 205 to 210 right now and sick of being a yo yo. It puts my BMI only at 33.5-34. I am actually healthy with no weight causing conditions except for a bad knee and chaffing. I eat really healthy just too much and my sugar craving I only give into about once a week. I don't do alcohol or caffeine. I actually manage to get to the gym maybe 8-10 times a month and walk at home some days for maybe 30 minutes each time. This is where I struggle. During a horrible divorce and ensuing custody battle that still is going on I got down to 140 at one point with eating very little. Maybe 3-5 bites of food at a time a few times a day. This seemed to be alarming to people and they were concerned for me. The only times I have been able to keep myself at a "normal" BMI is eating 1200 calories a day and working out at least an hour 5 days a week. Working full time, having a special needs son and still having some time with my husband I just can't spend that much time at the gym or exercising. So in all that what I see is that it's no socially acceptable more me to eat very little UNLESS i have surgery that limits what I can eat. I can't find my balance and honestly I like being thin and being able to wear cute clothes, not have my thighs rub together. I feel more attractive and more socially acceptable when I am thinner. Any thoughts?

Wow! I know this has nothing to do with your thread. But I saw you speak at the Hillary Clinton Nomination! Thank You for all that you have done!!!!!!! Now onto your post. No a doctor never should have called you a name. Yes, we are all addicts. Addictions will never go away. I will always be a food addict. The day I forget that I am an addict is the day I break what I am supposed to do. We are all food addicts. That is the reason why we are in the positions we are in. Why do some people cheat on their liquid diets? It is because we are addicts. It doesn't mean we aren't ready for surgery. Heck. Very few people can stick 100 percent to the liquid diet. Just look at this forum. Does that mean those people aren't ready for surgery? No. Should they be insulted the way PeachesCat was? No. We are here for reinforcement. Positive reinforcement. If an alcoholic fell off the wagon they don't need to be attacked. They need to be supported and to tell them start again immediately. You can do it PeachesCat. I am sorry if you are still as sick as you are in that picture. Do not let anybody on a forum get you down. You are going to do great and remember. Nobody needs to insult you. Not a doctor or a unnamed person on a message board. Thank you for your service and your speech with Hillary was AMAZING.

14 ccs to close your stoma??? Did I read that right? 14 ccs--then trying to have you swallow barium? I have never heard of a doctor doing that! Even just as a test, before withdrawing Fluid to an appropriate fill level. (ETA: I just read your profile, and Dr. Curry has a really excellent reputation as a surgeon--but wow. Is his group doing your fills, too? I am really surprised at this approach.) To those who have not yet had fills, please don't be scared--this is NOT TYPICAL. Most doctors start out with conservative fills. Even if they use fluoroscopy, they do not close the stoma, then observe as they remove fluid. Rather, they put a conservative amount in, observe the flow of barium through the stoma, then add/remove a tiny bit as needed. My first fill--and all subsequent fills--have been non-events. A swipe of an alcohol swab, a needlestick, infusion of a reasonable amount of saline. Then, the doctor observes, fluoroscopically, as I swallow barium--and if he believes a little more/less saline would be best, he adjusts. That's it! No biggie.

Many people will die without liver transplants. But there are conditions for getting a transplant. You have to remain alcohol free for a set period of time to qualify for a liver transplant to save your life. If you screw up and have drink...you don't get a transplant. And you die. And that's on you. YOU have responsibility in the process. Many people do elect to die. Just like weight loss surgery. You can elect to comply, or you can elect to die. It's up to you. To qualify, you have to be accountable and prove that you're serious about changing the behavior that contributed to the damage. Without behavior changes, weight loss surgery is not only a waste of resources, it also can cause more harm. Particularly, if a patient cannot get hold of their eating habits enough to keep themselves safe. Yes, you have to lose weight before surgery and prove you can break your addiction JUST EXACTLY like liver transplant patients must give up alcohol. Liver transplant patients get their blood alcohol tested....weight loss patients get weighed. If you screw it up, the next step is therapy, not surgery. If the fact that "you're going to die" without surgery is not enough to inspire you to comply with a few months of pre-surgical requirements....you will very likely get a referral to a psychologist to help you work on these issues first. Not being unkind, just telling you the truth.

Yes, at 4 months out, I was still super restricted. The adding bread, potatoes, other mushy foods to my meat really changed well after a year post-op. A lot of it was "how" I ate the food on my plate. I would only eat the meat first, add nothing to it. Once I got into maintenance, and eating more varied diet, I started eating differently. A bite of meat, a bite of veggies, a bite of meat, a bite of potatoes. Those mushy foods helped the food go through faster, and didn't take up space. I didn't touch bread for months, and for the first year, it was really difficult for me to eat breads. Now, they're a bit of a slider food. I still feel restriction with breads, but I can eat it without discomfort at this point. Just like, if I decide to drink wine before a meal, I can eat more. Sometimes, I'll have coffee or a hot tea (like at the Japanese restaurant we frequent) before my meal, I can fit a few more bites in. The alcohol and warm liquids all relax my stomach. Another reason why alcohol is so discouraged early out. Snacking and drinking go hand in hand especially in social settings. We drink, we snack, we drink some more, we snack some more etc etc. That's what led to my gain over the holidays last year.

Was wondering the same post sleeve. Not a heavy drinker to begin with, but it would be nice to have one here and there when I go to happy hour with my girlfriends...but fortunately I haven't craved alcohol one bit. I would, however, like to know. My doc suggested not to do it for one year, but I got the vibe that this was more about forming bad habits than causing damage to the sleeve/pouch. Although I know some bypassers can dump from alcohol, so in that case I would probably avoid it just to avoid the embarrassment of something going wrong in public. If you do venture out, maybe try at home first so you know what to expect.

I'll fess up...I enjoy a cocktail or two (sometimes up to 4) a couple of nights a week...whether mimosas at brunch or a trip to one of Denver's many breweries. I know I am going to have to give up bubbles...so no beer or bubbly which I am just fine with. I also am prepared to give up alcohol for several months prior to an after surgery. However, I just got off the phone with my sister who is coming up for a visit this summer and one of the things she and her husband are looking forward to are brewery tours and festivals that will, of course, involve alcohol. I know I will have to be careful about how much I drink as it will effect me quicker than before and with less (I'm thinking similar to moving to altitude). I also know that most drinks are empty calories that can and will lead to weight gain if you over indulge. My question for you wonderful post-oppers is how many of you gave up all alcohol for 18 months as many Surgeons recommend? And if you didn't what was the result? Am I going to be the designated DD for the next two years?

I think it comes down to most people feeling or thinking that surgery for weight loss isn't needed you just have to eat less and exercise well no kidding if it were that simple no one would be overweight right? It's an addiction a habit a comfort much like alcohol and drug use to which some become addicted well geez if only they would stop drinking or drugging right so simple that's why rehab exists right? Addiction changes your chemistry like alcohol and drugs food is always there a temptation I think of this as a sort of rehab for us a chance to reset and move forward after all this will help us lose weight but if u eat bad food all the time u will be right back where u started

I'm no expert on this (I leave that to the surgeon, who is a liver guy...) but rapid weight loss does tax the liver, so that increase in diet severity could lead to altered numbers. This is a good part of the reason that my surgeon has a strict no alcohol during weight loss policy - the liver is stressed enough as it is metabolizing the fat that we are losing. My suspicion would be that it is just the dietary change, but it would be best to run that by your surgeon to see if he has any concerns about it. We didn't have the pre-op diet so it wasn't an issue then but I suspect that my numbers may have been a bit out of whack post op while losing but it was never brought up as an issue by either my PCP or the surgeon.

Just jump back in! In the past it would, for me, be, I messed up, ate something I shouldn't have, the day is ruined mine as well finish the day off eating like crap and start tomorrow. Now it's, ok you had a treat, back to the program. Gotta get your mind around that. One bad meal is NOT going to ruin all your progress. You may initially see the scale go up a little, but it won't be a true gain. As for the alcohol, I hate the taste, so I can't help you on that, sorry.

I view this a bit more philosophically. I had the lapband so that I could get healthy, first, and lose weight, second. Both important. What I'm not willing to do is to let my band become a prison in the sense that it rigidly prevents me from indulging in what makes life a joy to live. I believe in "everything in moderation". Today, I follow a healthy diet, I go to the gym 4 times per week, and I greatly restrict the amount of alcohol I take in (carbonated or otherwise). That said, if I want a beer or 2 at a ball game, or a bite of dessert from time to time, I go for it. As long as it is the exception, and not the rule. I have always been known in my circle of friends as the guy who appreciates good beers. I like being that person, and I like the flavor of a well crafted beer. I'm not willing to let the band change that. For those people who think this will doom me to failure, I can only say that I am pleased with my current weight loss results. My health has never been better (sugar and blood pressure). All this, and I have managed to keep a small amount of beer in my diet. BTW, I asked my WLS doctor about the carbonation and his opinion was that carbonation would not stretch the stoma. He pointed to a lot of other foods that cause a lot of gas as a by-product that we are still allowed and encouraged to eat.

i also forgot to talk about drinking. post surgery i don't drink. frankly after the band surgery i had reflux and the last thing i wanted to do to my burning stomach is add alcohol. I'm on prevacid post bypass and have no desired to test my tummy with alcohol. that I can live without. For people who really enjoy drinking you need to be careful because weight loss patients have significantly higher rates of alcoholism, especially if there is a family history of that. it puts you at a much greater risk.

How did I let this happen again? I had lost nearly 60 pounds, and slowly but surely, the weight had reappeared. I say that as though it happened without my knowledge or consent. I guess it would be more appropriate to say I put the weight back on. I wear it around like a lead coat. It stifles me, it breaks me, it pains me. Yet, I have done this over and over and over for my whole life. All the fluffy girls reading this know exactly what I am talking about. As a collective, we have probably gained and lost the same 60 pounds a million times. I hate to think it is because I am lazy, or that it is because I have no will power. I know that’s what most people think when they look at me - that woman is a glutton. I suppose there is some truth to it. Although, if they knew how disheartening it is to reach a goal, only to have it taken away . . . wait, there I go again, acting like some invisible power caused this. I know I have to take responsibility. I did this to myself. It didn’t happen to me, I caused it. But could it be that I can’t help it? It may be my fault, but maybe I just need some help to be successful. I tried many different things to “help” but nothing worked in the end. Weight Watchers was great, and I certainly learned a great deal about what foods to eat, and what portion size I should be eating. I remember the first time I learned about the portion size for pasta and rice. I think I laughed out loud. I did lose weight, quickly at first, but I never could get past that 40 pound mark. I had such a long way to go, over 100 pounds, and stalling out at 40 pounds just threw me over the edge. And when I would cheat, I WOULD CHEAT. I think it is a great deal like being an alcoholic. If I had one drink, or in my case, bite, it was all over. Forget about moderation, or “Points” or whatever. Then getting back on the wagon was harder than ever. Again, I know, excuses, excuses. Nevertheless, that was my pattern. I even tried medication for a while. I went to my doctor and begged for help. I remember saying, “I think something must be wrong with me. Even when I am really good, for a really long time, I can’t seem to lose the weight I need to lose!” So she gave me Wellbutrin. It states clearly that it is a medication for depression that should not be taken by people with eating disorders. Well, at 300 pounds, isn’t it fair to say I had an eating disorder? 50 pounds later, gained, not lost, I decided to quit taking Wellburtin. It definitely took the edge off, and helped me realize that I probably have some anxiety issues to work on, but it certainly did not help me lose any weight. In fact, it just made me complacent. The end result, however, was that it did force me to recognize that I have an addiction to food. It forced me to recognize that there was not going to be an easy fix for me. That was a huge disappointment. So, this last bit of temporary weight loss came from a surprising turn of events. I was pregnant, and all of a sudden, food was not my first priority. Taking care of the little being inside me was the most important thing of all. Because I was so large, 355 to start the pregnancy, my doctor was very worried about gestational diabetes. I met with a dietician at the hospital, and I followed her directions to the letter. I cut back on carbs, no more orange juice, lots of fiber, plenty of protein. Well, compared to the fast food junk I had been living on up to that point, it was no surprise that I started to lose weight. All told, I gained 13 pounds through my pregnancy, but lost 35 immediately after my daughter was born. Then, the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life occurred. My dear little one came 6 weeks early and was critically ill. She had to stay in the NICU for nearly a month. For the very first time in my life, I did not turn to food for comfort. In fact, I could not stand the thought of eating a thing. Leaving the hospital without your baby is the most unnatural thing in the world. I felt like I was literally being torn apart. I remember, the night I was discharged from the hospital, my husband and I were walking across the parking lot, and I said, “I feel like I am forgetting something.” Then I broke down and bawled. I don’t think I quit crying for the rest of the evening. I had to pump every three hours because I was hoping to breast feed my baby. Since I wasn’t eating, there wasn’t any milk to pump. I didn’t figure this out for about three weeks, and was getting very discouraged. However, I did find it funny that every time I turned around, someone was trying to make me eat. It was the strangest thing! My father especially, who was such a champion for me during that time – driving me back and forth to the hospital – would always try to get me to eat. I just couldn’t do it. In the end I lost an additional 20 pounds, creating an ultimate weight loss of about 55 pounds at that point. Eventually, my beautiful baby did come home. She is the light of my life. Being her mother is what I have been waiting for. I know all mothers probably feel this way, but she is the most lovely creature I have ever seen. She spreads such joy everywhere we go! I feel so blessed to have a baby that can make even total strangers smile with glee. I continued to lose weight. Ava and I walked every day. All the climbing up and down the stairs with baskets of laundry didn’t hurt either. Breastfeeding did work out in the end, so I know that helped me shed a few pounds as well. All told, I lost over 60 pounds. Then, I had to go back to work. Summer was over, and I had to return to my job as a literacy specialist at an elementary school. I started eating again. It happened slowly, and I saw it happening, but I didn’t do anything about it. It was as though I could watch myself through someone else’s eyes, but I didn’t try to intervene. I just kept eating. WHY? I have thought about this a great deal, and I don’t have any good answers. Was I feeling guilty about taking my baby to daycare? Probably. Was I worn out and looking for comfort? Probably. Was I wishing for more consistent help from my husband? Probably. Are those good reasons to gain 60 pounds? Absolutely not. So here I am, obese again, trying to raise a well-adjusted girl in the United States. That is why I have made this decision. She is the reason I am going to be successful this time, even though I have been unsuccessful all the other times. I want to raise her, not watch her from the sidelines. I want to still be alive when she gets married and has beautiful babies of her own. I want to be able to chase her if she is getting into harms way. I will do this. So that brings us up to date. I have decided to have gastric banding, also known ad Lap-Band surgery. This simply has to work. I have to do the hard work to make it work. I am going to be successful at this! Several things happened to bring me to this decision. My good friend Heidi had gastric bypass surgery a little over a year ago. I mention this for several reasons. First of all, I love Heidi. I have always thought she was one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, even when she was heavy. Second, Heidi has always reminded me of myself. We were both women of faith, school teachers, intelligent, opinionated and well-read. I hold her in the highest esteem and respect her immensely. When Heidi told me she was going to have gastric bypass surgery, I was so excited for her. She had followed a path similar to mine, struggled with her weight all her life, tried all the commercially available programs, all to no avail. I was a bit worried of course, especially because I had just heard about another person I knew that had died from complications from bypass surgery. I started thinking about the notion of never being able to eat gluttonous amounts of food again. I thought about not being able to drink a can of soda pop. I thought about eating only Dixie Cup sized potions. Yuck. That was not for me. Not only that, it scared me. (continued in part two)

Pre-Op Diet for LAP-BAND Surgery About two weeks before your LAP-BAND surgery, your surgeon will have you begin a special diet. The pre-op diet is important because it is designed to get your body ready for surgery and make recovery easier. You will need to lose fat around your stomach and liver, as well as shrink the liver itself. If the liver is too large, the surgery may have to be postponed. The diet helps reduce potential bleeding that can accompany surgery by reducing fatty triglycerides from around the liver and spleen. A primary part of the pre-op diet is a Protein supplement. Myocel, a Protein powder, is designed to lower the fat content of the liver, maximize recovery, and promote weight loss. Myocel can be mixed in with skim milk, Water, fruit juice, or fat-free yogurt. Foods that will need to be decreased in your diet include high-sugar foods, high carbohydrate foods (including bread), fats (such as butter), fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk products, and alcohol. Your diet will be limited, but foods that may be included are yogurt, fruit, Cereal, eggs, oatmeal for Breakfast and lean meat or fish with green vegetables for dinner. Pre-op diets may vary between surgeons and patients, but you should always follow the recommendations of your doctor. My surgeon suggests either 6 carnation instant breakfasts a day or 4 atkins shakes for 1-2 weeks preop...

Hey Perthgirl, Joondalup is a good hospital been there a few times and close to home. Not sure on what we can and cant eat but no more drinking (alcohol) is scary haha

Soooo speaking of alcohol, I have a few concerns. I was told that I could have a 1/2 shot on my birthday (my 21st bday is aug 6) and that I would get super drunk from it. I tried drinking prior to that (a few days ago) to make sure my body could handle it and that I wouldn't barf on all of my friends. How many shots of 70 proof rum did it take for me to actually get drunk? 5 shots. I took 1 at a time to see what would happen and spread that out 20 mins apart. Every shot (until the 5th) got me kinda sorta tipsy for 5 minutes then I was stone cold sober again. Why didn't I get drunk off a 1/2 a shot like I was told? My alcohol tolerance has not changed AT ALL post op. Rather concerned. - Kaylee Ann ~ Surgiversary: 6/11/12

Hi interesting post, My Dr. never really talked about drinking, I am not a big drinker due to the calories, since being banded I do have a drink even beer once in awhile, I am also not a big beer drinker so maybe I might have a half of a beer or drink it over a bit of time. I also find that alcohol seems to affect me much faster than before. Also a friend of mine is thinking of getting the band, she is just 21 and asked specifically about alcohol as she has only recently legally allowed to drink and the Dr. said that you should avoid due to the Calories, and carbonation is not really good but that a drink once in awhile is fine.

Let's clarify this. I've had my band for 3 years and I'd be lying bold-faced if I didn't say I've gone through phases of enjoying a martini or three every now and again. haha. The claim that alcohol affects bandsters more than non-banded people is purely circumstantial. It has mostly to do with how often you drink, how much you eat, and if you're a man or a woman. The band, in and of itself, makes no change in anatomy, so the physiology of alcohol metabolism doesn't change. HOWEVER, in someone with a gastric bypass, the anatomy is modified. The little pouch that they have dumps right into the small intestine, bypasses where the stomach would begin metabolizing the alcohol, so when the alcohol hits the small intestine, it soaks it right in, which increases blood alcohol level MUCH quicker.

I am sure my relationship with beer will change as I won’t quite have the space to put away much of the substance and that is okay. I already cut my consumption way back the last time I started packing on more pounds. I just couldn’t afford the calories. I wonder though, since beer feels so giant in your stomach will I be able to have it once I am in the groove with my band? One beer? Two beers? I figured a glass of wine would still be safe, but beer had me perplexed? Anyone out there have experience here? Thanks!

Yes we do have a small pouch, but when the alcohol passes through that pouch it goes into the main part of our stomach where it metabolizes the same as before surgery....maybe slightly quicker due to the lack of food in there. But in the bypass patient 95% of the stomach is bypassed causing the alcohol to absorb at lightening speeds thus causing quicker and longer intoxication. I'm not saying that bandsters, or anyone else for that matter, should drink and drive. I'm simply saying that the article you referenced does not apply to us.

I don't do "diet" anything. I eat normal, regular meals, just in smaller portions. I never worried about fat...I do full fat dairy and eat a ton of nuts. I use real butter and real maple syrup on my homemade pancakes. I also don't like artificial sweeteners, so I drink Water, decaf herb teas, milk, juice and if I do drink a Vitamin water or other "sports drink", it's the real thing, not low cal. Seriously, the only thing I do different from preop is drink a large protein/fiber smoothie everyday (30-40g protein/10g insoluble fiber), make sure I'm getting plenty of fluids and eat healthy.....Protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains instead of fried or processed junk food. Not to say I don't still have deserts, alcohol, bread, Pasta and other "bad" things, but in moderation, and not everyday. And, BTW, I lost over 100% of my excess weight and have kept it off for 5 months....all without "dieting"

I have read that you will feel tipsy very quick. However, I had a little under half the amount of liquor that wouldve had me feeling it -- and only felt slightly woozy. I didn't try any alcohol until 5 mos out. Also be wary of wine it contains a lot of sugar and it could make you feel sick just from that. I hear they have skinny margarita mix with no sugar. My hubby works for a food distributor so I'll post the stats on that wenever I get a chance (: have a great weekend

@@_CRYSTALLITE_ I don't know if a PCP will attest to that - particularly alcohol (how would they know other than by your word). I've also never heard of that requirement before. Maybe to say you haven't had any drinking problems to their knowledge. The PCP records should document smoking history and be able to confirm that (or submit your records).

I finally got my letter of support from my pcp(I had to jump thru hoops to get one). Well the insurance lady told me that the letter needed to state that I haven't smoked or drank alcohol within the last six months or something like that or the insurance will deny it. Of course My doctor didn't put it on there. It took me forever to get the letter and I don't want to delay them submitting my paperwork because I'm trying to hunt down my pcp. And I certainly don't want to get a denial because the statement isn't on there. My question is for anyone with BCBS federal, do you really have to have this statement on there? Was anybody denied because they didn't have it on there? Do you think I should have my pcp to add the statement? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App