Search the Community

In this case I'm glad they differ -- I hate milk!! But thank you for clarifying! Just FYI, once you're back on solid foods you should be able to enjoy wine again. I know a lot of doctors discourage alcohol consumption because it is empty calories and full of carbs, but I just count my wine in my allotment of calories and carbohydrates and have been successful with my weight loss.

A extension cord for your phone charger outlets are never close enough to the bed. Phone charger your own shampoo and conditioner and extra britches incase your sutures leak. Buy a box of alcohol wipes smelling them helps with nausea

My surgeon said I had to wait a year bc of transfer addiction concerns. As food addicts we are very susceptible to transfer addictions especially with alcohol. Jenn

Now i know drinking isn't allowed for a while but I'm curious on the experiences of those that drank after surgery, whether a week, months etc. How far out were u, how much/what did u drink and how it affected u. Thanks!

I'm over a year out and I still haven't told many people. I have since told my immediate family and they've all been very supportive, even my mom who usually is not. My grandmother, no matter how often I explain the band, still refers to me getting my stomach stapled. When I requested time off from work, I just said I was having a medical procedure done. On my FMLA forms, no specifics were given. I did have some people ask me what I was having done and I simply told them it was of a personal nature and I didn't feel like sharing. I find that a lot of people have very strong opinions even though they're uninformed. I didn't really want to deal with other opinions. There is one person that I eventually told whose main concern was that I'd become an alcoholic. I just don't feel like educating each and every person who's ignorant on the issue.

Both my experiences with anesthesia ended with me waking up okay and puking. But the 1st time I was 4 years old, having my adenoids removed. The 2nd time was 5 years ago and 100+ lbs lighter sans sleep apnea, for my gall bladder. Same results as adenoids. Wake and puke. I'm trying to lose as much weight as possible between now and 3/11/13 to lower my BMI and my risks. I'm using Idealshape meal supplements. An organic cleanse. A Multivitamin. And tons of salad, veggies, Greek yogurt, fruit, lean meats, and the occasional whole grains. Kicking up my activity level. I've been a nonsmoker for almost 7 years and I'm eliminating alcohol and caffeine going forward. I am, in all seriousness, a little OCD with an emphasis on the "O". I don't know what else to do to improve my health and decrease my risks. Amanda Sexton

I joined this forum today and read a lot of interesting posts with different points of view on the Lap Band. I decided to share my story and let anyone who reads it take from it what helps them. I was banded three years ago in Mexico. To date I have lost 30 pounds. I would say it’s more of a maintenance weight of 185. Is it a “fail?” I don’t know… I’m still in deliberations. 1) I can tell you I have always had problems getting protein down from the beginning so I chose foods that went down easier. It didn’t matter what size fill I had. Protein was not my friend, ever. But I was eating 1/3 my normal portion and sometimes even less. But it was pasta, rice, and adding gravies made food go down even easier so I wouldn’t get stuck, which happened quite frequently. That was a wrong choice, so for any reader here, don’t do this! When my surgery was performed the Dr. fixed what he described the biggest Hiatal hernia he’d seen, which would explain the feeling of Satan living in my stomach for years. I recently had bouts of heart burn, waking from sleep choking, a lot of sliming episodes and it didn’t matter what I ate, I ignored it and went to liquids for a day or two on several occasions with success (but not this last time), again don’t do this! My point…I had to go back to the Dr. 2 weeks ago, it was an emergency visit because I let it get to the point where water was having a hard time going down and staying down (for a couple of days. You know what I’m going to say, don’t ignore this symptom of a tight band). The Dr. thought that I may have had a slipped band and had symptoms of a perforated stomach (from what happens when you get stuck repeatedly and ignore the signs of a tight band, yes, vomiting food back up). Turns out it was neither of the above and with an un-fill (now two weeks) I am fine and enjoying protein and other foods I still shouldn’t be eating BUT CAN. Big FAIL on my part! I realized the other day with a 5 pound gain in 2 weeks that HELL, like alcoholism, drug addiction, and other addictions, that food is an addiction for most of us on here that have had the surgery whether we have all realized that or not. We’re just not wired like thin people, bless their tiny little bodies . So I proclaim tomorrow is day one again for me with eyes wide open. I’ve already messed up breakfast today! In two weeks I’ll get a refill and start counting down again, smarter this time. A poke from someone on here now and then would be great. I will say that the band stopped weight gain but I don’t think my Dr. would agree that using this tool upside down is how it works. I’m glad I found this forum because when you have surgery in Mexico you go home and that’s it. You have no support group, no follow-up nutrition classes to go to, no nice office staff to check up on you to see how you are progressing or to give helpful pointers during plateauing. You are on your own to figure the whole band experience out for yourself, good, bad and indifferent.

I totally agree Christmas is the worst time of the year for putting on weight I normally put on a stone over December I think to be honest its the amount of alcohol I drink! and well as food. This year I thinking about going away somewhere cheap and hot, but have not found any deals yet its all looking a bit expensive

You are welcome! I'd advise you to eat only 1/4 or 1/2 of it and wait 24 hours. I always feel the symptoms of too much sugar alcohol in about 8-12 hours. What's the name of the protein bar?

Thanks!! I found a protein bar with 20 grams of protein, 0 sugars and 11 sugar alcohol. I wasn't sure if that was bad.

I saw an ad on facebook for Gummy Owls. They have no sugar and have yam Fiber and a little Protein and sugar alcohols. Check them out and see what you think? http://www.gummyowls.com

Nope, your body cannot absorb sugar alcohols. But be careful! Too much of it can cause bloating and painful gas. It also can have a laxative affect. Sometimes i'll have an Atkins bar if my chia seeds and miralax don't work. :-)

Are we supposed to watch this as well as sugar?

The pot was not what did this to you unless you have been making some awesome Cookies and ingesting it. More then likly the alcohol had more to do with it. That and to much acid in you pouch. Glad they got that figured out. Feel better soon PS you made a old mans heart skip with your hospital gown picture looking good keep it up Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

I eat greek yogurt for breakfast or a protein bar. The pure protein are about 180 to 200 calories but they have sugar alcohols that can cause stomach upset and gas. I limit those to about 1 a week. I eat tuna, boca burgers, black bean burgers, cottage cheese, low sodium V-8 because I dont always eat my veggies, I make black bean casserole. Edamame with sea salt, sometimes but rarely chicken salad and I do not do low fat or fat free anything because the amount of fat I eat in a day is not too much. I also buy any of the pic sweet veggies in the single serving size. Protein shakes I am done with. I don't think at a certain point you should still drink them. It is liquid calories and they do not keep you full. I eat eggs for breakfast too with a small amount of ketchup to help them go down. I hardly eat any meat because it doesnt like me. There are many things you can eat you have to try them. I thought I would never eat tofu but I love it. Sauteed in cabbage it is so good with lots of different seasoning such as dill, seasoning salt, cracked pepper. Packed with protein and taste like whatever you cook it with.

I've always been a coffee/espresso drinker and had to give it up obviously for a short time after surgery. I started a 3rd shift job the week after surgery and have been gradually falling back to the caffeine boost. The difference now is I only drink 1 small latte or coffee vs. the Large and or multiple cups I drank previously, however, the effects seem to be amplified now which is weird to me. Trouble sleeping, feeling jittery, etc... I've heard that the absorption with alcohol is different after surgery (feeling tipsy faster) so I'm wondering if it's the same as caffeine. Anyone heard or experienced something similar?

Some people are really sensitive to the sugar alcohols in sugar free products. I love Life Savers sugar free wild cherry flavor. They are primarily isomalt which doesn't bother me. I also like the Werther's sugar free hard candies. I try to use these only as a last resort. They aren't calorie free! But, they are obviously way better than my beloved Reese's PB cups!

Possibly my pot smoking, but I have a vape now so... mostly due to me being an idiot and taking a shot of alcohol only a month out (21st bday) - Kaylee Ann ~ Surgiversary: 6/11/12

Good evening my friends! When you had RNY did you ever tell yourself "if I lose this weight I will never let myself gain it back again"? Well, I sure did. I had RNY in June of 2008 and went from 328 lbs. to 175 lbs. I felt positively svelt and could do all the things I could never do heavy. I continued on and did very well until my son passed away suddenly at the age of 27. That was in December 2010. He had a brain tumor in 2001 near his pituitary and due to the trauma to the gland, he would be on testerone injections, thyroid meds, DDAVP (Desmopressin for Diabetes Insipidus) and an assorted other types of pills to do for him what the pituitary couldn't. One of those drugs was Prednisone. He had been on them for nearly 10 years to help provide the cortisol his adrenal gland no longer did. My son literally dropped dead outside his apartment on Friday, December 17, 2010. I had just hung up with him and I said "I love you Brandon" and he said "not as much" and I said "whatever". We found out he had passed on Saturday afternoon when he didn't meet me for Christmas shopping. Long story to say that the prednisone had caused severe liver damage and the liver had severe cirrhosis. The cause of death: Arythmia caused by Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. After Brandon died, I can't explain it other than I felt like I was being trivial to count carbs and exercise when he would never be able to do those things. I was pretty strong throughout the arrangements and the weeks to come. The only way you could really tell I wasn't dealing well is when my weight started spiraling out of control. Fast forward to September 2012. I was 246 lbs. which was a definite oppositie of "I will NEVER gain it back again". I felt fat and bloated. I was sad and felt like I had (once again) let myself go. I decided I had to do something so I attended the Obesity Help Conference here in Atlanta. That was the motivation I needed to get back on the wagon and get the regained weight gone. I started a program called Back on Track through the Bariatric Resource Center and I am literally back to basics. Protein, protein, protein.....watching those carbs.....starting to move more.....drink water.....log my food on My Fitness Pal. If you have regained and want to get back on the loser's train, this groups for YOU! We can discuss our ups and downs (quite literally), our strategies, our plans and lessons learned. Monday was my weigh in day and I am at 225.2 which is still about 50 lbs. to get back to where I got down to but I'm on the journey. Come join me and we can do this together!!!

I know others are saying that she's jealous, but I think its actually that some people have NO concept of what its like to battle with their weight. Like my Surgeon was saying, for some people food just doesn't 'do it' for them, and those people have no idea and no sympathy for the struggles we have gone though. I dont think she is going to be a very supportive person in your life, and honestly would consider dropping the relationship, because she could seeth like a toxic swamp and ruin any good feelings you have. My 'best friend' last night said something that really hurt me. I was talking about how another friend came over and bought pizza one night and Lagsane another night to eat in my house in front of me and how insensitive that was. She told me to 'suck it up'.... seriously, If I was an alcoholic and someone brought over a bottle of wine to drink in front of me would she react the same?? It made me really really angry

Couldnt have said it better myself, FOOD IS EVIL!!!!! it is not your friend the devil puts it there for temptation just like alcohol and drugs. got to make that stiick in your mind, and yea me too. lol please let my next addiction be exercise and cleaning. much more healthier

My doctor recommend not drinking Becuse the alcohol is now digested in the small intestines which will absorb the alcohol much faster thus giving you a buzz faster then normal. That and the fact that alcohol is a bad habit that will lead to other bad habits that will lead to weight gain and then frailer at WLS. For me that scares the hell out of me I don't want to be FAT ever again. So if it means giving up beer,soda,candy,fatting foods I'm ok with that. I love the way I'm looking and haven't been this light in 40 years. Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

Sorry to hear about your friends. Did the smoker smoke before the surgery? I smoked years ago, but I haven't had any cravings for cigarettes for a long time. I think I would rather be fat than smoke. And I did put on about 30+ pounds when I quit smoking. My biggest "common" concern would be alcohol, but not necessarily because of addiction or alcoholism. It is easy to start going out more once you drop a few pounds because you feel more social and feel/are more attractive. Alcohol can add a lot of calories, and drinking can lead to other things like overeating, poor food choices, smoking, DUIs, sleeping with ugly people, etc.

I just told my parents last night. I'm 28. I think they were in shock because they didn't ask nearly as many questions as I had anticipated. Maybe it was my delivery? "Oh, yeah, I'm getting a lapband" Very nonchalant. My mom's response was "no you're not! You know you can't drink alcohol with those things?" #classic