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I just saw this....you're kidding, right??!! Where's the Protein you need? 60 - 65 grams??!! A Protein shake......alcohol (carbonated) Desserts.....I am speechless!!

Congratulations 65 lbs is more than some people lose with surgery,give yourself a little butt pat,way to go kid.For me the sleeve has been the tool to keep motivated,after the mind gives in the stomach can't really follow.The single best thing I have ever done for myself ! I did notice a beer in your hand in your profile picture,you would serve yourself well to research alcohol use post surgery(beer is a carbonated beverage),honestly ask if you are ready to put that on hold for a year.If so ,RUN don't walk and get yourself a sleeve.

Oh my, I've been drinking soda for years. Well, at least since I got banded in 2010. I like a diet 7-up with gin. Or whipped vodka with diet root beer. Only when I have alcohol. I do stir it around and get a lot of the carbonation out. I haven't had any issues. What would I look for? I do have a lot of reflux. But, I have that regardless of whether I've had any soda.

I don't want to open those floodgates. When it comes to soda, I am like an alcoholic. I can't even have one.

I understand exactly how you feel. The thought of surgery often frightens everyone, but just remember the outcome. My mother and father both died in their early 60's. They both had numerous health issues, including high blood, diabetes and heart disease. Neither one of them smoked or drank alcohol, but they were over weight. My life-long goal is to become healthy and live to enjoy the "Best" of my life... I have surgery on May 25th... not too scared at this point... trusting that God will see me through this time... Hang in there...

I will get plastics eventually but if I have to choose it will be the apron. It is large but really nowhere as big as my tummy was before surgery. That is more of a concern for aging and being independent in my later years. Daily skin therapy - baths with glycerin are good - dry brushing and such that stimulates the skin will help too. a MODERATE daily lotion therapy will help. Drink your Water, drink, drink - avoid alcohol. Cigarettes are no good either! Accupuncture may help this - I am lookin ginto a few reports that it helps the subcutaneous blood flow, which helps the lipids and such dissolve, which triggers the skin to "recede" blah, blah - like I said, I have not confirmed this!

So glad to hear I am not the only one averaging 1000 about. I have drank a few drinks lately alcohol beverages and it had messed me up. No more of that!!

1) Take 5-6 per day of the following: Go to Medifast website www.coastalbariatric.tsfl.com – you will need to order enough shakes for at least 2 weeks (minimum 12-14 boxes): __Medifast 55 shake (1 packet mixed with water) If Height: female < 5’ 9” or male < 5’ 7” __Medifast 70 Shake (1 packet mixed with water) If Height: female > 5’ 9” or male > 5’ 7” 2) Go to www.bariatricadvantage.com or call 1.800.898.6888 __ Bariatric Advantage High Protein Meal Replacements (2 scoops mixed with Water x 4 per day) 3) Take 6 per day of Muscle Milk Light 8oz RTD 4) Take 3 per day of one of the following (enough for >2 weeks): __Isopure Low Carb powder (2 scoops mixed with water) __LaBrada Lean Body (17 oz. ready to drink (RTD)) __MetRx Meal Replacement (3 packets mixed with water per day) __Muscle Milk Light (14 oz. RTD or 2 scoops mixed with water) □ Drink more than 64 fl oz fluids daily – ½ fluids from water □ NO carbonated or alcoholic beverages □ Drink 2 cups water for each cup of caffeinated (tea, coffee) beverage you consume. □ Choose sugar-free & non-carbonated flavored waters.

I have a friend who told me to be sure I deal with the issues around food that got me here in the first place. She didn't have a "death" story, but she told me about a friend who had WLS and traded food for alcohol and now she is a "skinny drunk". I know she's right about dealing with the issues, but I hope she can be supportive of me. If not, well, I guess she's not a true friend.

Sugar alcohol is what causes diarrhea in most people. I was told to limit the amount of the sugar alcohol because of that.

Joy, I am a heavy drinker, no not alcohol, Water with crystal light, and I drink constantly, wondering if I'm pre-diabetic. Anyhoo, I am struggling with not going to be able to drink once I'm banded, during meals, I know this is how to lose the weight and I can do it, I know I can and will, but I simply get thirsty while eating. A gastric bypass patient told me a trick: she takes a glass of ice and when she feels the urge to drink, she take a pc of ice and puts it in her mouth and gets her mouth wet and then takes it out. I think this may work for me. I can't wait till I'm banded and want so much for this to work and will work the program. Congrats on your weight loss.

I was banded on Tuesday and I'm going on a 5 day cruise 30 days after my surgery. Really not ideal but I had planned this trip a year ago. My band is unfilled. My surgeon and nutritionist said I will be on soft foods/normal foods by then. My concern is, i saw no healthy food on my last cruise. I've already decided I will not be drinking any alcohol on the cruise, and no grazing at the buffet. What foods will keep me full but are "safe" for a very new bandster? For the formal sit down dinners, is it ok to have Soup as an appetizer or will that leave no room for meat and veggies? Any tips are much appreciated.

In defense of the alcohol suggestion, I believe a cocktail can relax the band in the evening before dinner. But, each to their own? It did help me!

So he didn't cry....but he has sent me 6 text messages in the last hour! LOL There's nothing wrong with a man who cries....I'd rather have a man who shows and shares his feelings than a stoic who never shows his humanity! I'm in the Maple Leaf Lounge (first time!). It's pretty nice, but I'm missing the chance to eat all the yummy food (for free!). They even have free alcohol (at 9 am!). Ah well, maybe next time.......(only little bites though...LOL). More updates coming later.

I was told by surgeon and nutritionist to keep away from alcohol for a least six months if not permanently. In some they said it causes dumping, but also we can get drunk very quickly, and that statistic shows that one in four bypass patients becomes alcoholic. Addiction transfer, and our faster absorption. To me that sounds scary.

I sure don't want to sound "holier than thou", but for me, it was just the opposite. After I made the decision to get the sleeve, for me it was an acceptance that I was going to make a fundamental change with my relationship with food. I did have a "last meal" at my favorite german restaurant (which turned out to be sooo disappointing). But I think it was like an alcoholic. Once you admit you have a problem, you can't go back to drinking the same way again.

Shannon, I didn't get flagged on anything, and I literally had hit every single "major" life event in the year before my surgery except giving birth. I had recently married, had a child graduate high school, got custody of another high school age step-child, moved, bought a house, separated, lost a very close friend/family member, major health problems. The only things I got flagged for were being an ex-smoker and my psyche told me that I WOULD become an alcoholic. So far so good. Don't lie to the psyche evaluator, but you don't have to dig up ancient history. If you tried pot in high school, it's a non-issue. Just leave that out. Unless, of course, you're IN high school right now! LOL

My surgeons office said people can dump from sugar alcohol but I have had things with 29 g of sugar in them and haven't dumped yet so I guess it depends on the person! Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

The carbination is the cause of possible pouch dilation and gas pain. The soda itself, can be a source of extra calories and sugar that are counter productive for weigh loss. My MD said that with Beer and other adult beverages, that because we don't have as much food in our stomachs to absorb the alcohol, that it can result in becoming intoxicated much more quickly and also the calorie factor again. My MD said just to be careful with any alcohol and listen to my body signs and that carbinated beverages are ok in small amounts once in a while, but the flatter the better.

My surgeon said to keep sugar alcohol intake fairly low, or at leadt keep aware of it She said that it will cause gas and therefore a lot of discomfort if you have too much.

I was wondering about sugar alcohol and if anyone has experienced any negative effects or dumping? My dietician never mentioned anything about this. It was kind of a comfort knowing I didn't have to give up sweets completely because of the sugar free chocolate I've seen in stores prior to having surgery. Lol. I mean I know moderation is key but has anyone been told any specifics on this stuff?

Please don't take this comment as judgmental - I just have to speak to the suggestion that having some alcohol helps dealing with restriction fluctuations. I can't imagine any medical reason or believe that any doctor would endorse the idea that alcohol would help. It's a diuretic, it's a gastric irritant, and if it "helps", that's probably because it makes you care less about eating problems, not because it actually fixes them. Finally, alcohol is empty calories and loosens inhibitions, so that taking an extra bite or an extra serving that you don't need suddenly seems like a fine idea. Just my opinion, mind you, but I speak from experience!

ive read where sometimes the band can loosen somewhat later in the day. Also, having a hot drink before hand, or having some alcohol helps to ease it as well.

I was told that I definitely WOULD become an alcoholic. So far, I'm not. I see a therapist for my food issues as well. It's amazing how much of our lives and our minds are tied up in food. I'm working really hard to become addicted to exercise. I think that would be my best bet!

I haven't blog in few weeks or months, but wanted to let everyone know I am still out here, reading the blogs and forums to keep up with everyone. I spend more time on MFP these days. I started working out with a personal trainer 5 weeks ago and that is really working out good for me. I had really hit a slump in my program and was pretty much dead in the water again. My band was working, but I just wasn't eating very well. I had hit a spot again when food just wasn't my focus and was eating way to few calories. My trainer told me I was pretty much starving my muscles and my body was holding on to those fat cells for dear life. Sad I had to pay someone to teach me how to eat, but it is working. At first I thought there is no way I can do this. I am suppose to eat 3 meals a day and that is it. But guess what 5 weeks later, I am eating my 3 meals a day but I am supplementing a protein shake twice a day for snacks and most days take in 100 plus grams of protein. I still have my days I struggle but they are fewer and further between. My first month I lost 5lbs and 9 inches. I am hoping to lose 4 lbs this month and I will finally be out of the 150's.. While what a mile stone, I have not been this petite since high school. I used to think a goal of 132 was unreachable but I am finding out if you have the right attitude you can make anything work. Now don't get me wrong I have my ups and downs with the band but for the most part this is the best thing I every did for me. And seriously it really is all about me at this time. This is my chance, my time and my journey. Lap band is not an easy journey, it is paved with trials and tribulations. It will test your passion, it will test your commitment, you will have to fight temptation on a daily basis. There will always be food and lots of it, you have to realize that food to you is no different than alcohol is to an alcoholic or drugs are to a drug addict. My journey has consisted of distancing myself from temptations, I do not allow certain foods in my house or more specifically in my cabinets or fridge. I have no control of what others do but I do have control over what I put in my mouth. I find my self more aware of what others eat and I often think, man I used to eat like that and look where it got me. I think now my goal has become an obsession, I work my butt off, 3 days with a trainer, 6 days a week of cardio and logging religiously every morsel I eat. I have a new set of fears now, I used to fear not losing weight, my new fear is how will I maintain? I am trying to make exercise routine and part of my life. To all you newbies and those weighting to have surgery and lose of you who are struggling, stay positive, stay focused and if you detour, forgive yourself, pick you up and move forward. We can all get caught up in the soulda, coulda, woulda! Look at everyday as a new beginning. Good luck to all of you and if you know a nurse be extra special to them this week, this is our week to celebrate. It is national nurse week, so hug your favorite nurse this week and tell her how much you appreciate what she does.