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I'm with ya on the alcohol, Andy. Had a good friend who had bypass and choose drink over food and died at 43 from alcohol poisoning...just not worth it to me!! too easy to switch addictions...I'd rather deal with my food issues with a clear mind. I go to Happy Hour regularly with friends, they are just as happy with iced tea and lemon. I do have other friends who are sleevers and they do drink wine in moderation...as Woody Allen says "what ever works".

Lol..seriously alcohol, that's funny. It might make tolerating it easier. BUT NO, no alcohol!!!!! And no alcohol for a long time.

I was banded in January 2011 and am now back to my pre-banding weight. Needless to say, I am discouraged. I don't have any allergy problems or anything like that - I just can't seem to lose the weight. I am going to have my fill level checked this week and maybe that has something to do with it. I do have some vomiting from time to time - so I don't think that I have too much fill. I really sympathize with all of you who are discouraged. I have taken up walking and given up alcohol and red meat but am at a loss as to what else to do to speed up the process.

Hi dear, it is hard to find that perfect fill volume once you do that it becomes better...its taken me 5 years to find that... but I know others are luckier they have lost all their excess weight in less than a year. In past 10 days I have lost 5 pounds. things I am doing differently now are, 1- No water 30 mins before or after meals. NO WATER OR ANY LIQUID WITH THE MEAL. 2- alcohol consumption stopped. i will have it only on special occasions now. 3-I walk everyday for 30 mins. Try this. See if it helps. Keep us posted.

My husband keeps asking me this. I'd the post-op lifestyle still involves a low calorie diet, exercise, no alcohol, no caffeine...why can't I just do that without the surgery and pretend I had it. Especially since the low hunger only apparently lasts 6 months or so even with the surgery. I know I can only go so long with a low calorie diet with my current body and metabolism. I did it with Weight Watchers (-35 kg) and Optifast (-20 kg). The problem is that it is such hard work and I am worming against my body so much, that after 6 months or so on such a restrictive diet I just lose steam I am hopeful that the surgery will give me that extra advantage that I need to push through it, and that at least I will have somewhat of a break from the physical hunger so I can focus on developing the good habits. I am already starting to develop them. I have cut back from 5-8 cups of coffee a day to 1. I have cut back to one glass of wine a week. I have completely cut out carbonated beverages (even though I love sparkling water) and have been drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. All of this before I even book my initial appointment. I figure if I'm not able to do at least this much now, I won't succeed after surgery. The next change I will make is to get my exercise going, starting with 3 times a week and hoping to work up to 5. I am serious about this. But can any of you articulate why we need the sleeve to move us beyond what we can do with diet and exercise alone? When I try to talk about it, I just get flustered and emotional!

P.s. Stevia is also a sugar alcohol and I'm allergic to that too even though it's supposed to be natural!

Do look up the increased rates of alcoholism in wls patients. Transfer addiction is real. Whether they are doing it because they can't eat much so they drink or it's because our bodies metabolize it differently after surgery is still a little unclear. For some it can be a very slippery slope.

I miss drinking alcohol and I'm 2 weeks post op. The only risk I heard (because I'm planning on drinking in May when I go on vacation which is 3 months from now) is alcohol too early might mess up any medication you're on (I'm on medication for 6 months to prevent gull stones & ulcers) & it will make you more hungry like you'll eat beyond the 4oz you're supposed to eat with our small stomach. So, I only have the answer for you with # 2. Not sure if it causes leaks. Height 5'0" Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs. Surgery date: 2/13/17 Goal: - 71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs). Current weight: 188 lbs My profile picture is not me. It's my "FitSpiration" body.

You increase your risk for ulcers with alcohol. I'm 4 months out and took a few sips of alcohol the other night and each sip burned. That's the last time I will do that for a long time. Alcohol is not worth the risk of damage.

All I can suggest is to stay hydrated and keep using body oil, etc.also, put your body oil on over damp skin. One tip I learned from one of my doctors is to make sure your lotions and moisturizers do not come in a pump bottle. Apparently, the additives (alcohol?) they use to make lotion pumpable is in itself drying.

Had my surgery Tuesday the 27th. I guess I really did not prepare myself for the pain I would be feeling. I was so caught up on what I could and could not eat, it never occurred to me that I would be hurting like hell. Liquid percocet is my best friend right now. Surgery went well without a hitch. Having alot of shoulder pain. Having alot of heartburn, indigestion. Not hungry at all. Struggling to get enough protein and fluids in me. When I was in the process of all the testing, paperwork, preop, etc, etc...I thought that was the hard part. I thought after surgery it would be a breeze. Not exactly. Now the real fun begins. But I am up for the challenge. Sorry if I am rambling on. Blame it on the alcohol...no..no...the percocet.....

I read the previous post. My NUT does not count sugar alcohols. So I do total carbs minus fiber minus sugar alcohols. It might not make a huge difference in the daily total since not a lot of things have SA but if you eat any SF items on a regular basis it is going to greatly impact your count. I don't know if you use My Fitness Pal but many SF and NSA items you can search for the food with just net carbs, if that is what you count. Ex: ole tortillas net carbs

i was set for the band on 6/13 but the assistant told me to have the sleeve done. said i wouldnt have to have the 2nd part of the surgery done. on the band will i throw up or dump? what about the sleeve. i'm afraid the sleeve will stretch back out and i will then need the band anyway. what food, alcohol restriction on each? ive heard no sweets or alcohol on both. then heard to bread,rice etc on band but couldhave on sleeve. im very confused.

Below is a copy of my experiences and if you go to my pictures you can see a sideways view of my progression over the weeks. Well I had the sleeve done - This is the story. Left for Vegas on Tuesday got off the plane and headed for my appointment for Pre-surgery - everything was a go. So my wife and I hit the strip and I played black jack and won.... not much but still won. We ate normal and I did not drink alcohol. Went to bed on time for a 7:00am surgery at a surgery center. We had signed up on one of those package deals where the hotel is included. So we were up and headed to the center (by the way rent a car it is better to have the freedom to go) I went in and filled out some more forms and headed to the prep room. Met the anesthesiologist he went through a few items and the nurses were wonderful. Then I saw my Doctor (Thomas Umbach ) not long after that I was being wheeled to the surgery room. I was give something that made me feel very sleepy but could understand everyone. Then told to breath deeply two breaths and I don’t remember anything except being woke up saying surgery went fine and it is done. This was about 10:30 or so I think. Surgery was about an hour and recovery 2 . I took some pill for pain and they started me walking. It did not hurt to walk so I kept going after hearing everyone on this site telling me how walking really helped. Dr Umbach also installed a pain drip system that hung around my neck and had some small tubes planted around where the surgery took place, with a big ball that would dissipate in 3 days, this provided a pain free experience. I was released at noon to go back to my hotel which I walked and slept and drank water (very very very small sips) the fist night I had some small discomfort felt like acid reflux so I called the doc on his cell phone which was nice about 10pm and he said I could get some pepto or any over the counter acid reducer I wanted. My wife drove out to get it and also got liquid Tylenol which I recommend very much. I burped a lot and had to raise my arms when drinking water to get it down. The doc said for the first day my stomach would be swollen and until it went down it would be a bit tough. It was, but by the end of the next day it eased up. Sleeping and walking is the trick and the Tylenol made everything right as rain. On Friday we went back for a follow up with the doctor, and everything was perfect so we said our good bys and we headed for the Hoover Damn wanted to see it. I even drove – I don’t feel the surgery hardly at all it is the drinking that lets me know it is there. So we got back from there and got our flight out back to Kansas City – Because I have traveled so much we both were in first class so that was nice, bigger seats if you know what I mean. This is the first day back home and since the 2 weeks prior with the protein shakes to today I am down 27 lbs. I am just starting to feel hungry this whole time prior I have not had a desire to eat. I have force the drinking because I know that is good for me. I hope this helps with those who have not taken the plunge yet. I plan to keep you up to date on the progress. My doctor told me to walk everyday so my wife and I are headed to the gym in a little while, course I will be on slow mo for a while. Thanks for listening and hope it helps someone else.

i know i use them to sometimes but im sure you wopnt beable to drink them no more after surgery .i think it well have the same effect like drinking alcohol it well hit u faster and you might get all geterry

I find that opinions like that are baseless yet popular..ignorant I guess you would say. I think a person only suffers from constant purging, and not being able to eat normally if you don't follow the specific set of directions you are given for the rest of your life. Im just about 6 months post op and I drink alcohol (wine), eat steak, treat myself to some dark chocolate or halotop, and sometimes eat taco bell in a pinch and I'm down 86lbs and still going. It is all about getting out of your own way to listen to your body. If you are full after 4 bites then stop eating and save the rest for later because there will be a later. The biggest thing I had to get used to was fixing my portions. Even sometimes now when I am at a restaurant or eating at a party I immediately fix a plate the way I would a year ago and have to take a second to realise well this is just too much and then i make it right. I won't lie, I had my band converted to bypass because my band and i were complete failures so I KNOW what its like to fail with wls and now I know what its like to succeed.

I just joined this Forum a few minutes ago. Take a look at my Post under "my story" section where I discuss my use of alcohol. It might be instructive.

When you type "lap band" into google, this forum is probably on the top 5 websites listed. That is the reason why you hear more negative things than positive. People go here because they are scared, worried, paranoid, whatever. So they post it here. Most of the time it's nothing. Other times it's serious. Trust me, you will eat. I still eat. I wish I didn't eat. But you have to eat! If you don't eat you won't lose weight. So don't worry about not eating. I also drink alcohol, but I'm not a drunk so I only drink it once in a while. I also have soda once in a while (I shouldn't though - actually no one should drink soda. It's bad for you!) I was in a lot of pain. It was the worse pain I've ever felt. I've never had children, so I don't know if that's saying much. The pain does go away. It's just frustrating. I would have the surgery all over again if I had to. There is no way I could lose 67 all by myself.

My doctor tells his patients to not consume alcohol for 1 year post surgery. It is really common to replace the food addiction with an alcohol addiction and you want to give yourself the best outcome possible. It is possible to go to a party, have a great time and not drink any alcohol.

Take an alcoholics stance on this--take it day to day. It's very important that you don't move your diet ahead any faster then the doctor tells you to. That being said, after 7 days or so on clear liquid--call them (if you haven't already had a follow up by then) and ask them if you can have more at that point. You have to give yourself time to heal. I was pretty hungry by day 3 or so also. I know the feeling, most of us here do. Try very hard to keep yourself busy, do light housework around the house, paint something, take the dog for lots of walks, do something to keep your mind off your stomach Good luck dear

I just read over some of my blogs and posts. I don't even remember what its like to feel like that anymore. Today I feel good. I actually just broke up with this recent boyfriend and I feel good about having some me time. He was just drunk and said some stupid things to me. But I'm just not going to settle or put up with it. Why? Hell no am I going to be my mom. No way! Alcoholism is a serious issue. When you don't know when to stop drinking every time you drink, you shouldn't even waste your time. Since he isn't smart enough to not waste time, I'm not going to waste mine. I'm a freshman in college. Your high if you think I can't move on. :]

You got that right! I grew up with an alcoholic and it was horrible!

I just read over some of my blogs and posts. I don't even remember what its like to feel like that anymore. Today I feel good. I actually just broke up with this recent boyfriend and I feel good about having some me time. He was just drunk and said some stupid things to me. But I'm just not going to settle or put up with it. Why? Hell no am I going to be my mom. No way! Alcoholism is a serious issue. When you don't know when to stop drinking every time you drink, you shouldn't even waste your time. Since he isn't smart enough to not waste time, I'm not going to waste mine. I'm a freshman in college. Your high if you think I can't move on. :]

I hear you girl !!! Every celebration there is always alcohol involved with my friends and family . This weekend my friend is having a house warming BBQ tomorrow evening of course with alcohol and next weekend my family and I are going out of town cause my little sister is graduating from college so I'm sure we will celebrate after with dinner and drinks . So I'm thinking to just have one drink at each event surely it won't be too bad. :-/ I went to church this past Sunday and went to communion and without thinking about it I accidentally took a pretty good sized drink of the wine it went down smooth but I did get a lil buzz a minute there in church but it didn't last too long haha !!!

My instructions were to avoid alcohol for one year post-surgery because it can cause an ulcer. However, I started having an occasional glass of wine, about once a week, about 1&1/2 months out. I don't notice that I get drunk or sober any differently than pre/-surgery. But I was always a cheap date! LOL! pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274; 4 month post-op 266.2