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Glad to hear you are doing good Lissa, I remember seeing you on here when you were much bigger! It's weird to experience the feeling of your equilibrium being off (I put it this way, because it's not your traditional room spinning dizziness), but considering that my VSG friend shares the symptoms, all of our labs are normal and no doctor thinks we have anything seriously wrong with us- I find some odd comfort in the notion that a few doctors and friends have given me, is that the body adjusts in mysterious ways, and on a cellular level so many of us VSG patients are completely different people. I've dropped over 10 points on my BMI, which isn't much compared to some! I'll share all the info I get that has helped me or given me insight, as it seems like others experience some dizziness and balance issues too, and I think knowledge is power. Things that have helped: water! Increasing my hydration seems to be the most important part, but it takes a while after treating and recognizing that I was dehydrated or drinking alcohol to be symptom free. Acupuncture: I'm fortunate enough to work with a experienced Chinese medicine practicioner, and this has made my symptoms seems to go away sooner. Also, I'll add that it's quite easy to become a hypochondriac when you are feeling dizzy or off balance: stop it! Panicing and worrying that you are deficient or have a brain tumor or something serious will only make you go nuts. There are countless things that can make a person dizzy- get a physical, a full metabolic panel, and check all your B Vitamins as these are related to balance. VSG is an amazing surgery and typically does not result in deficiencies if you are eating a supplementing properly. Beyond that, a basic neurological exam from your PCP will show if there is anything alarming. Pay attention to your hydration and protein- but don't go nuts. I do not think anyone in normal climate needs to exceed 100 ounces a day.

I too, have had the dizziness kinda thing happen. Usually when I get up to quickly, there is a moment where everything is a bit woozy. I recently had an incident where I passed out (broke my ankle somehow in the process), they did all kinds of tests on me, BP ok, bloods perfect. It does seem more common when I have had some alcohol the night before. *Shrugs*

I found putting an alcohol wipe on my nose really helped with the nausea Sent from my SM-J727V using BariatricPal mobile app

I understand how his words can be very discouraging for you. I asked my adult son if he thought I was a failure for having weight loss surgery. His first comment was "Where is that question coming from?" I responded that I was wondering how my family and friends were looking at my choices. His answer was, " Do you think I was a failure for going to rehab for alcohol abuse?" I opened my mouth to respond and stopped. Then all I could say when the light went off in my head was "touché". I too must realize I have an addiction problem and will be working the rest of my life to contain my addiction and my WLS is just a tool in my arsenal. I must make this journey about me and working hard to be the best, healthy, and happy me. I hope that you too can realize it doesn't matter how you get to your goal but that you got to your goal. You go girl.

I know too many people who got really sick on Atkins to think about trying it. Plus, most of the Atkins meal substitute bars, etc., have really high sugar alcohol content, and I can't have that. I just follow the instructions my doctor and NUT gave me. That seems to be serving me well thus far.

Hi Joe, you will probably lose some weight in your first 60 days. Men tend to lose faster. It depends on how you do with your post op diet. My recovery was easy. You can lose 100 lbs by September if you like. I've seen 100 lbs off in 6 months with some patients. You can expect to lose 30% of your weight in the first year if you stick to the bandster rules. So that would be 120 lbs approximately. Everyone is different. I'm a slow loser at 1 lb per week. But I over endulge in alcohol which is empty calories. After I had my surgery I lost the appetite for food. I didn't have restriction so I went into my doctor for a fill 6 week post op. Everyone is different. You may not need a fill for a few months, it all depends. Good luck to you. You will love your band. It will change your life. Wow 6'5". That is amazing.

My nut told me no alcohol for a year. Many surgeons say the same thing as a precaution. They don't want you to develop a transfer addiction. A co-worker of mine became an alcoholic after her gastric bypass and she passed away from liver disease three years after surgery. That's enough to get me to listen to my nutritionist. AniO

Hmm.. lol. Okay.. So what does this mean?? "Contraindications The LAP-BAND System is not right for you if: You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease. You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel). You have portal hypertension. Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance you might have a narrowed opening. You have/experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement. You have cirrhosis. You have chronic pancreatitis. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.) You are addicted to alcohol or drugs. You are under 18 years of age. You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area. You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment. You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure. You might be allergic to materials in the device. You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device. You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases. "

Congrats on the wedding. I am a little over 4 weeks out and I can only eat 4 oz and I am full.. but I am still on soft foods. Although there is always good food at a wedding, focus on the good times and dancing and you won't miss the food and alcohol. Have fun

You can eat real food again, but the question I found is whether I want to. After losing weight like I have, I just don't want to go back there. I think of it as an alcoholic would think of drinking alcohol. If I indulge in many of the foods that got me to the weight I was, how long before a eat a little more and a little more and a little more. I really embrace the "life style change" aspect of this thing. I rarely eat red meat, almost never eat bread ( I totally love bread), eat a lot more vegan type meats and chickens, keep my sugars and fats to a minimum. Every once in a while, I will have something that I shouldn't like pizza, a hot dog etc but I make sure it is a small portion and I stop after that small portion. I have suffered too much to allow myself to relapse and gain back all the weight. It is a mental fight as much as a physical fight for us to permanently change our eating habits and keep weight off. I try not to think of "real food" in the context of what I used to eat. In the past I would have a huge appetizer at dinner out and then an entrée and sometimes dessert. Now, I may pick at my wife's appetizer or we split a small app. I eat a reasonable entrée, usually fish or chicken and by that time I cannot fit dessert. It is still enjoyable to eat out, but again, if you mentally convince yourself that you need a chicken wing or flat bread appetizer then a 16 ounce steak and consider that normal, then there is going to be roadblocks. Instead, a tuna tartar app and a piece of tuna at dinner is what should become real food for you.

great job - you look fabulous! Question - I think on your last pic you mention 'no makeup and hung over' - can you tell me more about alcohol after banding? (Please everyone no lectures about wrongs of alcohol, calories, lowering inhibitions - exchanging one addiction for another etc.) - truth is alcohol is the only liquid with calories that I ever drink - and I know if I'm being realistic I will eventually want my weekend drink(s) here and there after banding. You mention sorority and drinking - are about my age and build (pre-op) - so we have some things in common and I just wanted to know how alcohol and the band have mixed for you. Thanks!

Quality Soup helped, Isopure Protein, as much exercise and walking as you can do. The point of the pre-op liquid diet is to shrink the liver as much as possible so the surgeon has an easy route to the stomach. So no carbs or alcohol. The week before the surgery stinks, and it's not easy for the next two weeks, but it's just beginning steps on a longer journey. The rewards have been well worth it. There are many inspiring stories on this site and those stories helped me get ready and continue to inspire me to do more for my health. Ultimately WLS is a tool, you still have to do the work. But it is a very good tool.

I really thought I'd be doing this alone. I'm not one to prattle on about my problems and my thoughts. I give everything in my life adequate though, and I make decisions accordingly. I decided a month ago to have the banding surgery. My surgery date is ... well, in 2.5 hours. I've lost 20lbs pre-op (down from 356 to 336) in 3 weeks. I know I can do this. I'm certain of it. So why am I not sleeping? Why have I had nightmare after nightmare with the central theme of reluctantly having to kill the one thing I love the most (translation- FOOD!). I gave this a lot of thought, really. I considered a cost/benefit analysis and came up with this answer. But... last minute, I'm terrified. (Dr appt implied the following) Pasta is a bad idea... for the rest of my life?? White bread, big fluffy biscuts, and garlic toast are gone forever? Seriously, wheat pasta??? So much for Olive Garden... I know these are guidelines, and maitenance is different that losing, so I'll be able to re-introduce my lover (carbs) when I'm at my goal weight... but even then, only in small doses. And I've been heavy my whole life. I don't even know what I'd look like without excess baggage! I don't know what I'll do. I know I won't change how I dress - you can take the fat out of the girl but you can't take the girl out of the fat (frame of mind). I just don't know who I'd be if I'm not the fat girl at every event. It's scary. There's the whole "oh, just be yourself" school of thought; but I've been the fat girl. That's been my role. I've worked very hard at pretending it doesn't bother me, at telling people I'd be happy at any size as long as I'm healthy. I lie more to myself than others... so who? Who am I supposed to be? I have to take my pre-op shower and get on my 'loose fitting clothes' (that statement on my instruction sheet alone makes me wonder if this place 'gets' fat people... what do I wear that tight, besides my bras?) for surgery. Hopefully I'll be out by this afternoon and ready to post again, but I know it could be days. I tend to be a big baby when it comes to pain. I certainly don't feel like everyone else. I refused banding for so long. On my father's side of the family (the side I grew up a part of), something like this is considered giving up and letting your weakness win. Of course, these are the same people who believe alcoholism is a choice, not a disease. I got through surgery fine. I had a huge hiatal hernia that had to be repaired, and the band went in with 4cc of fluid. I have bruises and slices and PAIN. I knew there would be pain, but... seriously? The pain from the cuts aren't too bad, but the air they push into you in order to see better may kill me. I'm told it should be gone by tomorrow or the next day. *Post - Op* I haven't had time to fully process the fact that this is done. I went into this quickly, as I said before, and so to be at the finish/starting line is a little intimidating. My doctor told me today that if I lost 22lbs in 3 weeks of pre-op dieting, my weight loss over the next 6 months is going to be dramatic. I hope so... I just promise my husband(who works in Afghanistan) a long hike when he comes home on break in March! I'm about to head to bed... but I know ppl who think this is easy are NUTS. I've had nightmares for weeks... food is my ally... but I have to give it up. And not just a little... but some thing forever--like soda. I'm hoping for 4 days--or 1. Ugh. This pain is absolutely the worst. Worst than gallstones passing. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!! *Posted on forum yesterday*

Dumping syndrome will not change a food/sweets addiction anymore than a hangover prevents alcoholism. The problem is mental, but can be overcome with help. Do the surgery if you want to, but combine it with therapy or another form of support. It will help to ensure your success.

My nut told me 6 weeks was ok. I'm on week 5 and to be honest in week 3 I did drink a couple of beers and it was not a great experience I think because my stomach was not ready for beer,and I can't stand the way wine taste. If you are post op past 4 weeks I don't think a couple glasses of alcohol will hurt you,but its full of all the bad calories. To be honest I'm off until Sunday and I may have a couple of small 8 0z beers tonight and see what happens, :ph34r: .......

Wow Jack, I guess you have more than enough motivation to stay away from the booz. Personally, Pre-banding, a 12 pack of beer would last me about a month. I did not even consider myself a drinker. I just liked to have one after a hard day at work. I have not had any alcohol in the 2 weeks since banding. If I ever do have the hard stuff it is usually at large family gatherings. Then I might have a few scotches or maybe a white russian. I suppose the three or four times a year I usually partake in a few hard ones wont hurt me in the long run.?

Finally, I have been looking for answers about drinking alcohol, and have found it! I am getting banded on the 19th and there are just a few things that i am worried about. One is not being able to drink. I'm a college student at LSU, and my friends and I like to go out to the bars and have a few drinks. And I know that in order to lose wight, you have to give up a few of the things that you enjoy, but a lot of the social scene around LSU involves alcohol and i enjoy having a drink or two. I was just wondering, how long after surgery are you advised to wait before you start drinking again?

I'm honestly really bad with water. It's the only thing that hurts my sleeve. Even without the pain from water, I just find drinking large quantities a chore. So to be completely honest I'm sure I won't get my water in while traveling. I don't get my water in when I'm at home, and I don't get it in when I travel domestically for work. I have never had any issues from dehydration. So even though I make an effort to drink more water, I'm rarely near 64 oz. Not advocating this, just reality for me. I'm 9 weeks out from being sleeved. My sleeve has been relatively trouble free. As I mentioned I have some stomach pain and nausea with an empty stomach and when I put water on an empty stomach. No food has upset my stomach at all. Water and vitamins are the only things, ironically! I have had beer a few times at 4 weeks out. The carbonation didn't bother my stomach. I didn't have any taste for it though. Most of it I just let get warm and flat, and then it really wasn't appealing. I haven't had any since, because the week I had beer, I had a few cocktails as well. After I got home from that trip (business) I had gained 2 lbs despite averaging only 700 calories/day, including the alcohol. So considering I didn't enjoy drinking, I've sworn it off for the time being, as I don't want to sabotage my weight loss. I will try it again in Scotland, even though I won't be at goal yet. I'm not sure if I will enjoy it again, but I'll definitely give it a shot. Yep, it will be my first time to Scotland, I'm looking forward to it! Have you been to any of your locations before? I loved Paris, but didn't spend long enough there and want to go back. I've never been to Amsterdam or Brussels before, I'm envious!

My doctor doesn't allow alcohol for one year after surgery. Too many empty calories.....

Sorry....cat jumped up and sent my response! Anywho.... I never regretted the surgery. I was just glad it was behind me and I was on the healing side of things. And every day it got better. I still have pain, but not much and not constant. I eat 4oz TOPS now. It may seem like nothing, but believe me it is enough. I'm not hungry. I'm full. I do find myself craving these salty little chips I used to eat, but I wouldn't dare at this point. I can have a reasonable amount in the future. My doctor says no alcohol from here on out. I know there are different thoughts on that. His reasoning is that alcohol is so hard on our bodies,and we really only have a little stomach left. If we damage that, it would have to be replaced with intestines. Before surgery I enjoyed a glass of wine now and then. Last night, we had a fire outside on the patio with friends and family over. That would have been a night where I would have liked a glass. But it honestly didn't even appeal to me. But if you feel you have an alcohol situation, talk honestly with your doctor well before surgery. I have lost twenty one pounds so far and feel great. My blood sugar is down to the point I'm not taking insulin anymore. I was on four injections a day before. This surgery has been an amazing thing for me at only three weeks! Do your research, there is no reason to believe it won't be for you. Just do what your doc says, pay attention to your body, and enjoy the results!

Correct. Liquid in food doesn't count, strong coffee doesn't count,alcohol definitely doesn't count - it dehydrates rather than hydrates but a lot of things do. And checking with your own doc is always a good idea.

Mine were loosening up but not enough to fall off by my 2 week follow up with the doctor. When he saw them, he said I was healing fine so just pull them off next time I got ready to hop in the shower. So that's what I did. I was nervous, but once I took them off and got the crusty blood off, I looked so much better and felt much cleaner. I'm still having trouble getting the sticky residue off though.... alcohol didn't work, so I just gently rub it when I'm in the shower and it's slowly coming off... but too slow for me. LOL

When can u have a alcoholic beverage?

I agree with Bert. People who are suffering from psychiatric difficulties cannot just simply get a grip; for those individuals who are experiencing a true depression this is completely beyond them. Their behaviour will be erratic and they will self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Often they will have eating disorders. I know all of this because I have read up on the subject and because I am a clinical depressive. In my case it is genetic and runs in our family. I have had problems, sometimes severe, with depression all my life. Many women, however, suffer from post-natal depression. Some will suffer fairly badly and there are the rare cases of women who experience psychotic breaks with reality. We had two in my large city over the past 7 years who made the news. These were women who killed their babies and themselves. One of these women was a psychiatrist! She jumped under a subway train while holding her baby. Britney has had two children recently. She is constantly in the public eye; she has no privacy. She was laughed at for her choice of husband, for gaining weight, her bizarre behaviour is scrutinized, and she is under pressure to regain her superstar status. This is an awful lot to have to deal with when you experiencing serious psychiatric problems. I have never found her nor her music at all interesting but I do feel sorry for her now.

18 carbs, and 6 of those are from sugar, the rest are from sugar alcohols which are not absorbed by the stomach, so they don't spike your blood sugar as bad. I am not diabetic but I followed south beach for about 2 years until I had to stop it due to a major Vitamin c deficiency. I got really used to paying attention to carbs. My husband is borderline type 2 diabetic, and our roomate is type 1 diabetic. He has no issues with the frozen yogurt with no added sugar