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@@_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 occasionally drink - tequila, beer, Mike's Harder Lemonade. I don't drink very often, so it was about 6 months post-op before I had my 1st drink. Now that I'm 2 years post-op, I'm not worried about drinking. But for the 1st year, I was worried about the extra calories in alcohol. I just take into account the approximate calorie count in my drinks and cut back on my carbs to make up for it. I have notice that I get a buzz faster, but it doesn't seem to last as long.

My name is Stephanie. I'm a 35 year old wife an mother. My husband and I have been married for 12 years and we have an 11 year old son and a 4 year old Daughter. We live in the Sierra Nevada Foothills of California and live on a lake. My husband and I own and operate a landscape Company that has been in business for 13 years. He is a contractor and loves doing landscape design. I have been a mortgage broker for 13 years of my life and 3 years ago during the recession decided that enough was enough. So I went back to school and got my Bachelors and now work for the State of California in HR. I really like my job, it's fun and exciting and changes daily. I have been chubby all my life. I was born 9lbs 8 oz. People called me the Michelin Tire Baby which then evolved into such horrid nicknames like "fat daddy" or "fluffanie". I wasn't one of those really fat kids, at 11 years old I was 92lbs.. Sounds like a lot actually considering my son is 11 and is 70 lbs if that! Lol! Anyways, I have always carried in extra weight. The only time I was thin was at 17 when I was strung out on drugs. I weighed 118. I got married and was 165, had our son and rocked 190, had our daughter and now in tipping the scales at 235. I've become someone I don't even recognize. I have always been about self love and body image and love your curves and shit so for me this is not a much about vanity as it is about health. I actually have pretty high self esteem and think rather highly of myself! lol!!! 3 years ago my Daddy died. He was my best friend, my beacon and my biggest supporter in life. He accepted me for ME and always built me up and told me I was beautiful and fearless and unique and he taught me how to be strong and never to take shit from anyone. He was my rock and without him I have this huge hole in my heart. He died of: diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and other illnesses caused by a poor lifestyle. He is full blooded Mexican and grew up in Lard and Pork Fat and All kinds of artery clogging goodness. I remember he used to put mayonnaise on everything!! Even tortillas and in Beans and he even just made mayo sandwiches!! He fried his eggs in bacon grease and smoked 2 packs a day and was a raging alcoholic most of his life. And yes he was FAT.. I will never forget the way I felt when he left me.. And I hate the way I feel without him. He was only 62... He never got to meet my daughter, his granddaughter... My son misses him every day. My husband gets choked up every time we talk about him, my sister and I relate everything we do to him and sob in each others arms on occasion. I decided I don't ever want my kids to feel like this... The fact that he lived such a careless lifestyle was selfish of him!! So my reasoning for this surgery (VSG) is based on my health. I want to be healthy and live a long healthy life for my kids and grandkids. I want to be here for my little sister for as long as I can, I don't want my family to see me die slowly and know that I did this to myself. I'm doing this for ME and my KIDS because I love myself as much as I love my Kids. I know it won't be easy.. And it will be a long journey of trial and tribulation. I also know it's kind of risky an may be considered drastic to some but I have never been one to back away from a challenge.. My sister asked me the other day, "well what if something goes wrong Steph? What will happen Ito you if you do this?" I just looked at her an said, "what will happen if I don't?"..........

I weaned myself off regular coffee a couple months before surgery. Per Kaiser bariatric’s guidelines, after surgery we cannot drink beverages with carbonation (due to gases), caffeine (acid/risk of ulcers), alcohol, and sugary drinks (liquid calories). Since I started the pre-op program (July 2019) I haven’t had alcohol or surgery drinks. I DO have half-caff coffee every morning. ;-) and throughout the day water, diet Snapple, and herbal tea. I don’t miss alcohol or carbonated beverages.

Alcoholism is a serious problem for post WLS. It's a transfer addiction. Be very careful. It's not just about the calories, it's the damage you are doing to your liver. Most WLS patients already have extensive scar tissue from having a fatty liver pre surgery. It takes a long time for that to heal if ever.

You have to do more exercises that tone muscle so you burn fat. Cut out the sweets, chocolate and chips. Your exercise routine should be at least 45 min cardio and 30 min weight training. Hope this helps. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Also cut out the cake, pie and alcohol. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Glad to find this forum and really appreciate all your feedbacks and support! Last couple of days that I found this forum, kept me busy to read most of the topics and feedbacks and really boosted my energy. I am 41 and in my 18 months post op period and started my journey at 209 lb and lost 50lb and presently at 159lb! I dropped size from 1X to 10 and wearing medium size but still what I see in my body is lots of fat specially on my hips and legs! My nutritionist says I've done very good but I think I should lose another 20 lb as I am not satisfied at all with my body right now! She said in August that I've lost 75% of my excess fat which she thinks it would be the max for me as my weight losing got very slow or non at this point! Do any of you have any suggestions for me that how I could start to lose some more weight? I do exercise but not that much! 30 minutes 3-4 day per week! I use to walk for an hour a day but she told me try to work on your muscles! I feel that I dont drink as much as most of you say 64oz, at my best maybe i drink 24 oz per day! I am on Protein but still take some carbs, max a toast in a day or half a toast and half a cup of rice and some sweets, like dark almond chocolate pieces and dry fruits and dates, sometimes a small piece of cake or pie! No juice or carbonated drink for 18 months, i dont drink with my food and dont eat soups, no potatoes, no pastas, sometimes few chips to satisfy my crunching craves! Alcohol small glass once in awhile (in 2-3 months)! Any suggestions will be appreciated as I think I am in need! I am getting so obsessed with my weight now and is kind of depressing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I expect people to support laws that benefit society. Where it's a matter of personal beliefs, with no compelling reason outside of that, then I expect people to be willing to live as they believe, and allow others to do the same. I expect people to look beyond themselves and realize that freedom may be hard to grant sometimes, but that we all have areas where we should be glad it's there. My in-laws don't believe in drinking alcohol. So, I don't order wine when I'm out with them, but I do drink a glass now and then otherwise. And I'm glad their belief is not law in this case. Which is why I am a Christian who doesn't agree gay marriage should be outlawed.

Hey, Marine--nice to hear from you, and happy one-year anniversary (more or less). My surgeon and nutritionist both said alcohol is fine one year out. However, it always going to be calculation as to whether it's worth the (empty) calories vs. the the benefit. Becoming a teetotaler isn't realistic for everyone, but drinking of course needs to be done in moderation. This will be a lifelong balancing act that does't end just because we are in the maintenance phase. I hope you are doing well!

we were told we could occasionally have alcohol a year after bypass. I do - but I probably have about three or four glasses of wine a year. I can feel it right away...

Hi ladies, I read several pages to try and catch up. Carole, your constant reflux concerns me, something is causing it and it is not good for you or your band. Many people who have Gastric Reflux (GERD) and an adjustable gastric band often will see a reduction in their reflux symptoms. In some people, however, they may begin to notice gastric reflux after their adjustable gastric band is placed. This could be a sign that it needs an adjustment, but if it's persistent, here are ten tips on how to deal with gastric reflux: Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime. Rinse your pouch with a glass of water an hour before bedtime. Avoid foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux: (rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods; chocolate; caffeine; alcohol; some fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers; peppermint; or carbonated drinks. If you smoke, quit smoking. Reduce stress. It increases reflux symptoms. Exercise to promote digestion. Raise the head of your bed. Avoid aspirin, aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime. Tylenol is Okay. Take an antacid (Pepcid Complete, Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium, etc.) before retiring, or see your healthcare provider about other over-the-counter heartburn medications. Mini, I think a mothers stress is never over, you are eating, Carole has reflux. I am having pains so bad some nights i almost can't stand it. I hope your daughter finds her inner strength and leaves her husband. Sadly all you can do is be there to pick up the pieces, listen and love her. Try to find a constructive outlet for your frustration. Remember eating and hurting you does not help her, I know how food comforts us, I have many days lately where junk goes down much easier than protein or healthy foods but I am trying not to go back down that road. Know we all love you and are here for you. Dee, it saddens me to read about your lab, I lost my baby several years ago. I held my Alex as he took his last breath, it hurt so bad but he was always there for me and i was determined to be there for him as he left this world. My fur Babies mean as much to me as my real children, they bring me such a sense of peace. Big hug to you my friend. Teri, Carole, Janet, Dawn and Cawanna, I am here and I am so sorry I have been absent. It has been a very hard couple of weeks. I do good most days but Mom is fighting me with ever fiber of her being. I hate to even write this but she has been so mean and said so many hurtful things over the past few weeks it has really taken it's tool on my emotions. Daily she tells me how horrible I am and how much she hates me, I know, I really do know that this is not my mother but it still hurts so much. Every time I know it is time for me to go over to her house, my stomach hurts so bad, it doubles me over in pain. I went back on my antacid medications and have tried to cut back on acid causing foods. I got on the scales tonight and oh wow, down two pounds, not sure how. I have been trying to focus on eating but some days are better than others. My daughter and grand children are here visiting and this helps some, but reality sets in and than there is Mom. I know this all will pass but I am finding it increasingly difficult to cope with my resentment and feelings Mom dredges up. She is manipulative and knows how to push my buttons. I think this is what I hate most because I know she has dementia but sometimes she is not confused and just down right damn mean and spiteful. I pray every night and hope God will hear my prayers and help me find some peace and make sense of all of this Chaos. Carole and Teri, I will be there on the 26th come hell or high water, I need to do something for myself and I am looking forward to this so much. thank you all for allowing me still to participate, I will get back to myself one day, I have faith and having you all as friends means a lot to me. Hugs all around!

I'm going to assume that since you chose to quote my post, that you're directing this at me. Helping someone justify potato chips at five weeks out, Swedish fish at five days out, alcohol at three days out, etc. is not **MY** idea of compassion or kindness. It doesn't help them and it especially doesn't help others reading, researching, absorbing. That's a pretty significant leap you've taken there and one that I am completely boggled by. So instead of anger and vitriol, the only other option is compassion that helps justify potato chips and swedish fish? That's ludicrous. It also helps no one out - ESPECIALLY new people navigating their way through their world just after a surgery, probably with a lot of negativity in their life already, to come to a place that's supposed to be supportive to find threads like these. And for the record, nowhere did I suggest that anyone should be coddled/applauded/passified in any way for dangerous or foolish behaviors. I merely suggested that anger and vitriol is not useful. Compassion, understanding, extending kindness IS. That can be done without enabling or coddling someone. Are we really suggesting that it's NOT possible? That's it's really that black and white? Compassion worked for the John F. Kennedy, Dalai Lama, Ghandi, Einstein, and a number of other amazing notable people in our history. None of whom coddled anyone, but all of whom saw the value in lifting their fellow man up instead of kicking them when they're down. Anyone can criticize, it's easy. I think Mother Theresa said it best: "I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness."

We're almost twins! I was 245 at surgery and am at 178 today. No exercise. I am discouraged and mad at myself for not taking full advantage of the honeymoon phase, which I fear is over. I've let some bad habits creep back in - sugar, alcohol, carbs. Still losing but only 1-2 lbs per month. I'm recommitting this week...getting rid of the bad stuff and trying to get to goal once and for all!Well, it looks like you and I are going to have to encourage each other!! Where do you live? I'm in Iowa Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

"A food addiction addict". Hahahaha. Redundant, much? That's like saying, "an alcoholism alcoholic". By the way, addicts aren't "pathetic". There are many, many studies that prove beyond reproach that addiction is a disease just like cancer or diabetes. People like yourself who insult addicts are the truly pathetic ones. Tell me something, genius. Where did you get your psychology degree? I assume you have one since you're playing armchair psychologist and pretending you're qualified to make these statements. As someone who does have bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology and will be finishing up my doctorate soon, I actually am qualified to diagnose and treat. I can see clearly that you're a rude, lonely, bitter, uneducated, uninformed, judgmental idiot who thinks they know it all, but actually knows nothing. I'm also guessing you're probably quite old, which likely contributed to your bitterness. Bummer. On June 12, 2017 I had my gallbladder removed, my lapband removed and revised to an RNY. HW: 402, SW 306, CW 257, GW 185

I have a 12 to 16 ounce cup of coffee every morning. My doc says it's alright. I was on decaf initially right after being banded as instructed, but now I drink a cup a day and I'm fine. Please, if I can't smoke, drink too much alcohol, have no soda, and eat I'd be one mean b*tch without my coffee LOL!!! That is what works for me, but I am not trying to speak for all the bandsters here :-) (Again, you see from the responses, it does vary from doctor to doctor--what does yours say about it?)

I find alcohol affects me more of less depending on what i eat during the day. I drink wine and hard liquors but all only in small amount. If I drink too fast I feel sick and not drunk and it is not a fun time. Usually 2 glasses of wine leave me as a write off. There are different drinks that sometimes I can and can not handle. Vodka I can't seem to manage but whiskey, gin and rum are ok. I rarely drink these those. Just remember to drink slowly because it takes a while for the drink to go through your band. The last thing you want to do is drink too much and then have to throw up and can't because of the band ( trust me NOT pleasant) I used to be able to out drink everyone now I won't even try and always stop after 2 drinks. If I eat too much during the day and then go drinking I don't get as drunk as fast. Remember to drink even more Water as it makes you more dehydrated. Now I drink my whiskey with water instead of coke and add some ice. It sounds gross but it isn't that bad.

Hey Michelle, That is so sweet to hear! The whole thing is amazing. I don't obsess over food like I used to... I am trying to do a weekly weigh in and last wednesday I was down 20lbs. People are starting to notice. The best is fitting into my smaller clothes. Last night was my first social since the band and other than the itchy stitches, all went well. I ate mostly fish...the hard part was the alcohol. My fave is a G&T! I did have a vodka infused jello shot! LOL! Yummy buy strong! I also did go for an amazing walk yesterday. Trying to get some excercise in. Will start with my trainer on April 1st. I think I need to do some more healing! Oh yeah, major crazziness...in Costco yesterday and my mouth felt dry and stupid me took a very small sip of my daughter's 7up! Wow, what a feeling. Won't ever do that again! Question: when we have surgery, is there any fill in the band?? You look amazing and I love reading your blog! Keep it up sunshine. A

It sounds like it is a really good idea for us to stop blocking ourselves from meeting friends and to put ourselves out there with a meetup or two. Thanks for the suggestion. Now I just need the courage to do it. I need a magic drink that would make make me an outgoing person in social situations. And I am not talking about alcohol.

I'm so so so glad you're comin Tracy, I was gonna cry a lil too if you weren't there :embaressed_smile: And, I'm not as much as a lush as I talk. Alcohol hurts me, so I only drink 'for real' once in a blue moon. I may sip on something, but odds are I won't be drunk

Yes, I tasted a couple of sips of a Michelada. BIG mistake. Not anxious to repeat alcohol any time soon--including my beloved wine. Honestly, I thought I'd miss it. But I do not. I'm much happier with tea. And plus, any time pre-surg that I had alcohol of any kind, I stalled for 4 days. I could count it on the calendar. And I'd usually go up a couple pounds about 2 days after drinking. It SUCKED!

Haydee no problem at all. Will book in the morning, and make it for the early flight. I promised Rick I would wait and talk to him about the flight part. We are having a disagreement about me driving to ABQ. The direct flight from ABQ to Houston is over $300.00 cheaper! So I drive! I can spend that 300 bones there!! At any rate, it will not change anything, if it comes down to it, I will fly from Farmington to ABQ and hop that flight. Nothing to stress over for anyone but him! Laura might remember the issues of night time driving on the reservations. They are not allowed to sell alcohol on the reservation, so they come into the towns and cities, and buy it and then proceed to drink it on the way home. How the different law entities handle the problem is vastly different as well---depending whether it is reservation police or not! Makes driving on Friday- Tuesday pretty dangerous out there some times----BUT this is an off weekend. Not a government check weekend, and it is late Monday night, most of them will be home and passed out! I will be careful, I will have a phone, and likely have my gun, and be good to go! Yep girls-----------a Violet packing heat!! Not in TX though---although I am licensed and could! But shhhhh it is a secret! None of the family knows I went through the classes! Snow has melted like crazy today once it quit snowing! It is slushy & nasty out there right now, but better than snow packed! Road opened up and my DD made it back to get Kinsey. Laura, so glad you decided to go with us--it will be so much fun! Wish some of our others were able....Denise (I understand), Suzanne---didn't you have previous plans??, Gina---now what was your reason Gina??? Ms. Jen???? Cindy???? Y'all are going to miss a good time!!! And yes the itenerary sounds awesome!! I am game for it! And I know it will be sad to say good-bye when the time comes, but it will be so nice to come back here, and be able to put faces to each of you----I have a family reunion this summer, and I am no where near as psyched for it!!! LOL TTYL~~ Kat

Wow, it has been great reading these post, now I don't feel alone. I have 2 for you: I have been going to the same ob-gyn for years. He has saw the scales go up and down like crazy. I asked him is there anything that would help me (meaning meds) He said" sure, duct tape. It really hurts when you rip it off" Hopefully, I will like my new Ob dr. 2nd jerk, getting a pedicure, same girl that has done them for years. Was talking about Lap band, this nasty man beside me says, "just stop eating" I shouldn't have been so rude, I just smiled and said, "just stop breathing" Of course then I explained that if I was an alcoholic I could never have it again or if I was a drug addict I could never have them again, however food is required to live. Then thanked him for putting his comment into our conversation. I'm from the south so I sure he didn't realize I was being sarcastic. Why do people think this is the lazy person's way? I am only 5 days post op and it has been very painful. I didn't come out of surgery skinny. Oh well, let's keep our head up and lose the weight with this valuable tool. Good luck everybody. We are all beautiful.

5'2", ♀️3 days shy of being 10m PO, maintaining 118.7 lbs (I missed my scale when on vacay, and i'm pleasantly surprised that it told me I am a mere 1lb more than I weighed when I left...considering the sheer volume of chocolate chip cookies and alcohol I consumed, this is a total win. Plus I haven't pooped since Friday, lol) Yesterday, Tuesday Aug 20th: This was a travel day so my food intake left much to be desired. Unexpected delays and ensuing hunger caused to me make food choices I would have balked at before. But I long ago gave myself permission to go off plan with no guilt during this trip so its all good (all measurements are estimates). Will return to anal MFP tracking-mode tomorrow ❤️ 7:30am: 1 Americano, 1/2 a mango, 1/3 of a 2-egg omelet with 1 tbsp each of bacon and cheese 12:00pm: about 5-10 salt and vinegar chips 3:00pm: 1/2 bag of almonds 5:00pm: 1/2 a turkey and bacon wrap with mayo + 2 oz cheese + 4 crackers 7:00pm: other 1/2 of turkey and bacon wrap from 5pm meal 11:00pm: 3 bites of the Kid's Hawaiian panzaratto + salad with pumpkin seeds + 1/4 cup vanilla ice cream + 1 strawberry pocky stick (think a really thin breadstick-like cracker dipped in strawberry flavoured chocolate) Totals: ?? cals, ?? Protein, ?? NET carbs, ?? fat Exercise: NONE. It was basically just sitting and walking in airports today.

Okay so since about month 2 PO, I’ve been doing TRE most days. I came across that method almost accidentally. My sleeve is so tight in the mornings that trying to get in a morning meal was hurting me and then I found myself intentionally putting off until later in the day that first meal at the same time I started reading about IF. Well, the whole concept of eating only when hungry instead of when you’re “supposed to” eat made sense to me so I did a mostly 16:8, or 14:10 (on hungry days). I mostly listened to my body. Now I’m 6.5 months PO and some bad habits were creeping in. I found myself using up valuable space with things like salad, parmesean crisps, pork rinds, pickles, kimchi, etc BEFORE I was eating protein. Oh yeah.... wine/alcohol was prominent in my diet for a 6 week stretch between mid-June through end of July. Lots of family events, 2 weddings, a vacay to NOLA and a girls night out. As a result, I only lost 12 pounds during almost 2 months so I decided I had to get very very serious starting July 23. Since then I’ve lost 13 pounds and I’ve kept on top of pre-planning and logging my food For me, the planning heavily involves when I eat as importantly as what I eat—hence the rotating IF schedules. I was doing really great until last Friday (my daughters white coat ceremony and emotions running all over the place due to some other family drama). Long story short, my daughter and one of her besties (a girl I hired as one of my techs a few years ago) wanted to go out to eat in celebration and I succumbed and took them out to our fave Mexican restaurant. I was actually pretty good— measured out 10 tortilla chips, 1 flour tortilla, and ate the insides only of one of my daughters chicken enchilada, and had a single skinny margarita, but it gave me a 1.6 pound bounce when I weighed 2 days later (lord only knows what it could’ve been the next day) Lol, previous Sheri would’ve rolled her eyes at someone who complained about gaining less than 2 pounds after eating out, but I was disappointed in myself and knew I had a decision to make. So.... we can’t forever avoid special occasions and the self-flagellation that follows , so I decided to get more aggressive with the IF for just a few days (or however long it took to rid me of the bounce) and it worked. Sunday I did 20:4, Monday I did 16:8, Tuesday I did 20:4, and by yesterday am I had gone from my Sunday am bounce weight of 172.4 down to 169.0. I’m now back on a “maintenance” TRE of 16:8 for the rest of the week and thankfully have no plans to eat out for at least a few more weeks.

I also have never heard anyone say their doc was ok with it, but maybe I will if I finish reading this thread? What I have heard tho from post ops is that even when they tried to drink it months-years out it hurt. You should be aware that I had a similar stance on caffeine, but I actually did follow my doctors advice and didn't even try it until the 9th week (he told me no caffeine for 8 weeks). What did I find? That my poor sleeve could barely tolerate it. I did about 1/2 cup of chai tea diluted with 1/2 cup of vanilla protein shake bc I could certainly not tolerate any coffee. I could not even tolerate a half and half coffee mixture for several more months. Moral of the story....99 times out of 100 your doctor is recommending something for a valid medical reason. Also you might find that you don't even want or need or even like the same things post-op as you did pre-op. An example is that I loved chocolate shakes and never wanted a different flavor pre-op, but when I went to have my first post-op protein shake I couldn't even phathom a chocolate one. I just craved plain vanilla. I'm 9 months out and still have a ton of chocolate protein shakes in both ready to drink and powdered form sitting around my house which I will probably never drink. I myself was an absolute Diet Coke fiend pre-op. I was willing to give up the food. I was willing to give up the alcohol. BUT when they told me I had to give up caffeine, I resisted A LOT. I thought it was silly and unreasonable but it wasn't. It was totally legit. Long story short...you need to realize that you are possibly addicted to soda which is why you don't want to give it up. You need to make a commitment to taking care of yourself and your new sleeve. You may find that once you wake up from surgery you have a LESS THAN ZERO desire for diet soda. More importantly please try to hold out for as many weeks as you can because all that carbonation could literally pop open your new tummy if you try it too soon post op. I did not mean for this to be a lecture. I just wanted to share my experience with you and ensure that you weigh the potential benefits (I personally don't see any) vs the potential risks in your own decision making process. Good luck!