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I had a lapband placed four years ago and had good success. Steadily lost weight and went from 275 pounds to 155 pounds. About four months ago, I was so happy with my band and the progress that I'd made. I felt like I was at my goal and the whole process had been wonderful. Then I realized that I'd been having problems for the past 8 weeks, which helped me lose that last 15 pounds. I was to the point that I could barely sip water. Barium XRay confirmed that I was almost completely blocked. Since I'd recently moved across the country, I didn't have a surgeon, and since I live in a remote area, the closest weightloss surgeon was 2 1/2 hours away. After a frantic few days of trying to find a surgeon that would see me before taking a few weeks to evaluate my records, and more importantly evaluating my insurance, I went to an emergency room three hours away. The ER doctor removed the fluid from my band and I was able to drink again. When the surgeon saw me the next day, he was concerned that the ER doctor had punctured my band - my stomach looked like sausage after all the times he poked me trying to find my port. I've been going back every 4 weeks to get my band filled back. I gained 30 pounds almost immediately but have gotten to the point that I am no longer gaining. From the beginning, this surgeon has wanted to do a revision. He thinks my band slipped and it will happen again, so he is afraid to fill my band to where it was before. Furthermore, we just realized that my band is leaking. So, something needs to be done. Since my original surgery, I have gone off my blood pressure meds (blood pressure was really high even the highest doses of meds that I could take) and the pre-diabetic issues (insulan resistance) have gone away. However, my blood pressure has shot up over the last few months and I'm going to have to go back on meds soon if something doesn't happen. I talked briefly with my surgeon this week about where to go. He is talking about RNY or a sleeve and would prefer RNY. He feels RNY would be safer to let my stomach heel after surgery. I am just not feeling the RNY and am leaning towards a sleeve. At this point, we are trying to figure out my insurance because my (new) primary covers surgery, but only if it is the original surgery and I've gone through the whole approval process with them. My secondary, which I used before, does not have the hospital that I'd have to use for this surgeon in their network. So, I have some time to think about where to go. If my primary won't cover the revision, I have two options. The first is to pay some out of pocket. The second is to find another surgeon that does practice at a network hospital. I like the surgeon that I'm going to now, mostly because he spends a lot of time with me discussing concerns and options. But, I'm sure there are lots of other good surgeons out there. So, questions that I have: Maybe it's safer to have the RNY rather than having my stomach sleeved during a revision, but is that a real concern? I think I'd rather go through the tedious process of liquid/soft diet for the weeks/months than to have the issues involved with RNY. I'm just not feeling good about the RNY. Next question - if I do have a sleeve, what can I expect as far as pre-surgery diet, time in the hospital and overall recovery time, and diet once I am recovered - i.e. I've seen discussions about alcohol, carbonation, not using straws, etc.... I've read through the website, but would appreciate any information and advice I can get.

Well I have to admit that I have not always followed my preop diet to perfection. Through Kaiser they want you eating a certain way and well I would on a few occasions have a cheat day or rather a cheat meal. Just this past Friday, 9 days before my surgery, I drank two margaritas and had a veggie burrito. I felt really guilty about the alcohol. I guess it was sort of my last meal. I just now worry that my liver is going to be all gigiantic and slippery during surgery. I think that I am just getting really nervous about the surgery in general. I will be sticking to low carbs and high protein until my surgery which will mean that I will be doing that consistently for 8 days. I have lost a little over 30 pounds during this preop period. I just hope that I will be okay and that my liver will not cause any difficulties during surgery. I can't stop thinking about this surgery. It is so crazy that I am doing this to myself. I know that it is just nerves and that almost everyone goes through these feelings before surgery. I just wish that I wasn't so freaked out. I am sure that I will have a mini panic attack when I get into the operating room. Then being in the hospital overnight by myself. I guess I just need to stop thinking about these things and try to think about 2 months from now when I have lost weight and can eat and drink easier and not be in any pain. During my preop class last week the case manager gave us relaxations CDs...maybe I need to go and listen to it!

Your insides will be healing, alcohol is too acidic. No one will know what's in your glass.

I waited seven months before I consumed alcohol, but everyone is different. Listen to your body, it will let you know if it doesn't like it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery June 10th so drinking is not on my mind yet. However in the future I would still like to be able to enjoys a cocktail here or there when out with the wife and friends. For those that have continued drinking post op a few questions. 1. How long did you wait. 2. How did it go. 3. Any complications Thx

Mushroom Soup 1 can beef broth 1/4 cup Water 1 package mushrooms (portobellos or wild mushrooms taste best, but button mushrooms are ok) 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tbl sherry 1/4 onion minced 1 tsp olive oil 1 garlic clove minced 1 cup greek yogurt, nonfat plain (optional) Unflavored Protein powder (optional) 1 tbl Optifiber or other unflavored Fiber supplement (optional) Salt/Pepper to taste Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft. Add the sherry and light a match to burn off the alcohol but leave the flavor. Careful, it will flame up for a few seconds. Add everthing else except the yogurt and simmer covered for 10 minutes until everything is soft. Blend the soup mixture together. Add the yogurt and serve.

Red wine glasses are larger so there is more room for oxygenation of the wine. The average pour should be 4-6 ounces. The calories In wine come from the alcohol(sugar) look for wines with a lower alcohol level. Stay away from heavy red wines like Cabernet or zinfandel. They have higher alcohol percentages. Pinot Grigio or most sauv Blanc have lower alcohol percentages. Skinny Girl products including margaritas and spirits have lower alcohol percentages and they are pretty good. If you are drinking spirits try them on the rocks with a wedge of citrus. The majority of calories I'm cocktails are from the mixers.

Hey Everyone! Questions here! I just turned 21 last August and I've been on a pretty strict plan on making better choices with what Alcohol I consume but I was wondering if there are any low calorie drink recipes you have? Or have you completely stopped intake of Alcohol all together? My sugery is in a few weeks and I'm willing to make any changes to be successful. I know nothing carbonated, of course but I know you could drink the calories away if I wasn't paying attention. What is everyones opinion? Thanks guys!

My doctor told me alcohol would be absorbed into my system a lot faster after banded, so it might be best to start with careful moderation. I try to avoid the stuff, but there are social occasions when I do imbibe.

I am attending a halloween party on Saturday and we were asked to bring some type of alcoholic beverage. I'm a few days away from a month out so I wouldn't even consider drinking but it makes me wonder about upcoming holiday parties and I am wondering if it will ever be ok to drink. I prefer wine but my doctor has not said anything about alcoholic beverage restrictions. Does anyone know the general rule behind this?

I would say that yes it is because of dehydration. Alcohol dehydrates and dehydration makes a band tighter.

Sugar alcohol does not affect the blood glucose level like sugar. But I understand too much can cause diarrhea or discomfort in some people. I imagine how much differs from person to person but I don't know. I've had pure protein bars with no trouble. Sugar alcohols ok to eat on a low carb diet though according to my doctor's nutritionist.

Protein Plus is lactose free powder and has 27g protein per serving. I use the vanilla one only--I like to freeze berries fresh to actually flavor my shakes with. Since I am now doing pureed food, I also use either Almond Breeze Light or light soymilk to blend my shake or foods with. It is very good with strawberries and /or banana in a shake. As for the sugar alcohol issues, I would limit those and try to sweeten naturally with stevia. The art sweeteners have left my tastebuds uneasy, and I decided early that I would limit using those and to cook with natural ingredients as much as possible. I won't use cow's milk anymore. That tends to bring on gassy stomach aches. Knowing my lova affair with some bars, I would not stop at one or a half of one. So, for me, I avoid those--the GF ones sound like they are delicious, tho.

@@rmbaldah I am so very sad to hear that things have gone badly for you. I hope that things will get better in the future. I would be curious to know where you had your bypass procedure. Was it a Bariatric center of excellence? The reason I ask is because I see such a huge difference in pre op education depending on where one goes for help. My insurance company required me to use a Bariatric center of excellence. I had to go to classes, I had to take tests and I had to sign contracts before the surgeon would even see me for a consultation. I had gone completely through the 6 month required diet before I even met a surgeon. During that time I was made aware of every risk that could possibly happen. I was held accountable to execute changes in my life before I would even be considered. If I missed one appointment I was warned if I missed 2 there would be a written warning that if I missed a third I would be dropped from the program. I signed a contract that I would not try alcohol for a year, that I would take all my required Vitamins daily for the rest of my life as indicated by my doctors and most importantly that I would go every 6 months for blood work to verify that all my nutrition is in good standing. I know there are many people on this site that were not educated enough about what to expect and what was required. Some people admittedly don't pay attention others simply didn't get it from their surgeons. I don't understand why every surgeon does not require the strict education that I had. Isn't it worth it? After hearing everything you hear that could go wrong, then you get to decide if the risk is worth it. It just makes sense. I am with you, you must do your homework and understand the risks and also understand what is expected of you. If you don't, you could be making a terrible mistake. Surgery for me was a last resort. I had developed a seriously deadly comorbitity, stage 3 chronic kidney disease. I was told I would soon be looking at dialysis and likely a kidney transplant. I chose the surgery knowing it was a second chance at life for me. I had no complications. Yes I have a bit of lactose intolerance in the beginning but that is now gone. For me, having this surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself but I do understand that others don't always have that same experience. I really wish that were not the case. I hope and pray things get better for you. Clearly you have been through the ringer and did not have all the information you needed or you might have chosen not to have the surgery. Hopefully for most this surgery really is the last hope of losing the weight and not their first attempt.

I can't wait for Christmas 2011 (a little premature right now, I know!), where I'll be sleeved and my life will be so different! This was my last Christmas as a big girl... I had been sick for a week, I could barely speak and had the great idea to go clubbing on the 25th, which made me sicker and took away my voice completely. The food wasn't a problem (we have a very small family with no cooking skills) but the alcohol on the night of the 25th! We stayed out all night (I am 30 but I really act like a teenage girl sometimes), like at the old times where nobody had a bf/gf, I talked to everyone at the club and people were telling me how funny I was... Well, I'd be seriously worried if I couldn't be fun after 5 gin&tonics (and here we do not measure the quantity of alcohol for a cocktail, the barman just makes your glass full. It's really worth the 5 euros!)!!! But all I could think about was: this is the last time I go dancing this large. No more Christmas parties like this. No more fat&fun girl...

Wow!! Thank you all for taking time out to leave words of encouragement and tips! All of the advice is truly appreciated! Now, here's a little about my surgery and where I am today. I was extremely nervous Thursday morning, but as soon as the anesthesiologist came in and reassured me that I wouldn't be comatose post surgery, I was fine. They rolled me into the OR, but the only thing I can truly remember is holding a mask over my face and inhaling DEEPLY(thinking, "I don't wanna wake up in the middle of it"). The next thing I remember is waking up in my room(I cannot recall anything from recovery other than being slightly nauseated and having to sniff an alcohol prep pad). Upon waking up, all I wanted to do was walk and do things for myself. I began walking hourly and trying to do as much as possible to prevent so much stiffness.The nurses and even my doctors were impressed with my willingness to get up and move without instruction - I do attest that to reading a lot of forum comments about those who had walked right away and those who didn't. I'm telling ya, this is an amazing place for information! I tried getting my doctor to let me go home that evening, but he wanted to keep me over night just to make sure there was no leakage or other complications. I was released the next morning and am feeling pretty good. Now, aside from some slight discomfort at the suture sites, the only thing that has bothered me is what I believe to be gas or indigestion. I feel like its an air bubble in the middle of my chest that will take my breath away. Has anyone else felt this? Again, thank you all!!!! Btw, I lost 10lbs on my 2 wk pre-op diet and have lost 10lbs since Thurs!

My experience is similar. My surgeon recommended waiting 6-8 weeks post-op. I had my first drink at about 2 months. Don't like fizzy drinks (beer, soda) or sweet mixers. I usually sip a long island tea or sometimes I will ask for Water and a shot of liquor and add a packet of crystal light. While alcohol affected me a little more post op, it wasn't as much as I expected. And it was probably more because I had abstained for a while. You do need to be careful of the transfer addiction. I have an addictive personality and alcoholism runs in my family so that is always in the back of my mind. You also have to be careful because too much can be hard on our stomachs and there is the risk of ulcers.

I'm 6 months post opp and enjoy alcohol a couple times a week (down from a couple drinks a night pre-opp). I waited about two months post opp to give it a try. I've keep it to wine and the occasional martini, beer or anything fizzy doesn't seem appealing. No physical complications whatsoever and alcohol basically effects me the same as preopp. Two big points of caution, (1) there are many people that trade one addiction for another post surgery so beware of that phenomena, and (2) as others will undoubtedly tell you, alcohol basically falls into the useless calorie bucket same (or worse) than a coke or glass of grape juice.

Your diet composition and how frequently you eat determines how hungry you are for the most part. If I eat CRAP and carby stuff? I want to eat every 2 hours. It's hell for 2-4days to break that cycle. If I have a weekend of grazing and "treat" type foods with higher carb items and any alcohol? I want to eat like a beast for 2-4 days after. But if I eat my plan, work my plan, and do what I know to be true for my body and lifestyle and health status? I have "appropriate" hunger. At this point in your recovery, you should be able to make 3 hours between meals IMHO or longer. Missing a meal is not an emergency for me anymore--now that the initial phases of healing are finished. I regularly go 4-6 hours between meals or longer and I do IF for 16-20 hours on selected days without a great deal of hunger. But the more and more often I eat of very deeply pleasurable foods? The MORE of them I want to eat.

When I had the nausea and lightheaded feeling I was told by the nurses to smell a alcohol pad. And it worked! Also I went through the same thing. Cooking for the family and u cant even eat it. I am now 6 weeks post-op and I cook what I eat for everyone. I just use turkey or chicken instead of beef. And so far no one has had any complaints. So it will get better! Hang in there...lol yoco28

Let’s face it - after bariatric surgery, life is not the same. Your diet will change, your body will change, and in many cases, your attitude will change. For many of us, however, a point in time comes when we find ourselves in a different state. In some respect, we almost forget that we’ve had bariatric surgery. After our initial phases of being on liquids, soft and chopped foods, and transitioning into full solids, we spend some time reveling in our ability to eat a ton less and to be able to only eat certain foods. For the first 6-12 months, we are in a “honeymoon phase” of sorts - we’re losing weight easily, we have the assurance that we just CAN’T eat certain things such as rice, bread, pasta, etc., and we’re in a certain mindset that I’ve dubbed the “Bariatric Brain”. For some of us, that mindset remains because we are never able to eat certain things without them getting stuck or without experiencing dumping syndrome. For others, that mindset all but disappears when we discover that we can eat certain foods without sliming or them getting stuck, or that other foods no longer send us to the bathroom for an hour. From my own experience, the downfall out of the “Bariatric Brain” began 6 months after my surgery. I was told my my nutritionist that I was allowed to have carbonation from that point on. I was a little confused, as all of the other people I knew with the sleeve had been told they could never have it again, but my addiction to diet soda was stronger than my common sense. From that point on, I learned I could also eat bread (8 months), pasta (10 months) and rice (14 months). From there, it was no-holds barred. Something else that happens with the sleeve that they don’t tell you is that at a certain point - your stomach capacity will increase after a time. This is because for a few months, it’s swollen to a point that you can only hold about ½ a cup of food at one time. After the first year, and it is completely healed, that capacity increases to about a cup. For someone that’s not expecting that, it can be a little confusing. For a food addict, it can be exciting and tempting. At that point, you are no longer bound by restrictions. When this happens, some people begin to forget about their surgery. They begin to get back into a different mindset. One of “oh, I can eat this!” instead of, “Nope - gotta leave that off”. When this happens, the diet shifts to one of fast food, sugar, carbs, soft drinks, and alcohol (not every food in every case, mind you). It is that moment when the tool that we so greatly loved and admired begins to fail us. Or, rather, WE begin to fail our TOOL. When this happens, it’s time to return to the mindset we were in during the first year. It’s time to think like a bariatric patient again. This is no easy feat, after all, we’ve returned to our addiction - FOOD. But at the same time, in the case of most other addictions - drugs, alcohol, nicotine, etc. - there is almost always a backslide. A heroine addict may sneak out of rehab for that one more fix, an AA leader might get depressed one night and get insanely drunk, someone trying to quit smoking might sneak a puff or two at a rock concert. These instances are normal and, some believe, even a healthy part of the healing from addiction. If this is acceptable in these cases, why is it not acceptable in the weight loss world? When this happens, take a step back. Look at yourself from the outside in. It’s important here to remind yourself that getting off track is NORMAL and OK. Although not everyone has done it, many MANY people have - and some of those people have the most successful weight loss stories on the Bariatric Pal forum. With that in mind, how does one go back to the “Bariatric Brain”? Go Back To Basics Remember what started the weight loss to begin with? Protein, water, walking? Get back to it! Make sure you’re getting AT LEAST 60g of protein a day (even better is 80-90g!). Make sure you’re getting AT LEAST 64oz of water a day, and make sure you’re getting some kind of activity for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day (30-45 minutes is better). Return To Liquids? Some people return to a liquid diet for a few days (no more than 3). They feel that this helps “reset” their system and returns their mindset back to where it should be. One way of doing this is through the “5-Day Pouch Test” (designed for RnY or Gastric Band patients) in which you return to liquids for a few days then gradually return to solid foods. For those that have the sleeve or the duodenal switch, the pouch test might not work for you as it’s not designed for that kind of surgery. That being said, if you feel the need, you can also return to liquids for a few days. Return To Support Groups Support groups are the #1 key to a successful weight loss surgery, regardless of your surgery or your stage. If you are a year or more out, consider returning to a support group. Hearing what the people in the early stages are having issues with, and helping them work through those issues can, in fact, help you work through yours. Read, and Educate Yourself Consider finding books, articles, cookbooks, and magazines on bariatric surgery. Do research on one aspect that really interests you. Immerse yourself in it again like you did in the beginning! Remember Your Motivation What was your reason for having Bariatric Surgery to begin with? Your health? Your family? Your looks? Looking at what you wanted from your surgery and where you are now might help you to refocus. In The End Remember … What you are going through right now is okay, and completely normal. Thousands of people are going through exactly the same thing you are. You are not alone! Remember that if you’re REALLY struggling, you can always find help. Talk you your nutritionist or dietician, seek mentorship in a support group, or find a good counselor that has experience with food addiction and bariatric patients. And ALWAYS remember - YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

some people like to approach banded life with a set of rules and a ban on alcohol because of the empty calories often tops that list. But a band is a tool to help you manage a lifestyle change that will see you reach a normal weight. And within that, I personally believe, there is room to be a normal person once in a while. You've got to face facts - if you go out and have 3 or 4 drinks four times a week, that's going to affect or negate your weight loss. Alchohol IS empty calories and you cant down too many empty calories. However, going out for a drink once or twice a week if you stick to 2 or 3 drinks and dont do the usual burger/hotdog/kebab thing at 2 am need not really be ap problem for a young person who is otherwise active and healthy in their habits. Decide before you go how you're going to tackle it, some occasions are honesty not worth wasting the alcohol calories on - others, like dinner with the in-laws, you need all the help you can get! One thing that really struck me in my decision making though was the fear of having to change habits like this. I love my cup of coffee, packet of Cookies and a good book sit ins on the couch. It was my relaxation time. I really feared what life would be like without it. then it hit me like a bolt from the blue - IF I WANTED TO BE THIN, I COULDNT EAT LIKE THAT ANYMORE, EVER AGAIN, BAND OR NO BAND. It wasnt the band I was afraid of, it was changing the habit. D'oh! So obvious. But so true. Likewise with social drinking. The band doesnt make you stop that. But if you ever want to get thin and stay that way, something must change, no?

Wow, I read EVERY post and it took until the last one to finally find someone who thought like myself. I told everyone (once i had it, prior to it was my medical business and nobody elses). I wanted the support, and am VERY proud of what I've decided to do for myself. Alcoholics are not chastized for getting help, nor is anyone else with a crutch, problem or yes even Addition! I may be crossing the line, but I don't mean to :-) Its my personal experience that many many woman are the ones who fear letting everyone know, where as the guys are more willing to accept the consequences and gain the support. I might be way off, if so I apologize but its just a personal observation. Let the world know, the more help the better!!

I have done the alcohol thing but I do t think you guys understand how much there is lol. It’s gonna take days [emoji849] Thanks **I’m losing it**

The 100 reasons was fantastic. What so many people don't realize when they have never been fat or yo yo dieting their whole life like us is that unlike alcoholism, you can quit drinking and live. Food is a necessity and we just have to learn to limit the amount, we cannot stay totally away from food and survive. This website is the greatest part of this journey for me. Thanks to everybody here.