Search the Community

My liver wasn't fatty because of alcohol LOL it was fatty because of fat! But it's better now! I was very obese and I'm sure that's why he put me on the diet; all surgeons are just a little bit different! :tt2:

Over the weekend I drank way too heavily at a Mardi Gras party and the next day was very, very sick. I think I had some alcohol poisoning- it was that bad. Well the entire day I was in and out of the bathroom, trying to get sick, but it seemed like I could only **warning-gross** throw up what was in my pouch. I had eaten once and I knew that there was food in there and felt certain that I would throw it up, but it was like the food was stuck under my band. Well this went on all day... over and over. My question is this- I have lost a lot of restriction since the incident... could this be a possible slip? Please don't harp on me about the drinking. I know it was bad. I need opinions and advice on what to do now. Thank you so much in advance!

Victoriana, thank you for the kind words. I like the fact that you have sons too. Yes, he did dabble with alcohol and marijuana. He is only 14 so I am concerned for him. I am trying to get him into the Psychiatrist I see to make sure he isn't depressed. Thanks for the insite.

I'm almost 4 weeks post Bypass and have not been experiencing any hunger issues, just the opposite actually. Months before surgery I gave up many things (e.g. alcohol, sweets, carbonated beverages, processed food...), which was difficult for the first few weeks but it helped curb cravings and start weight loss. This may be why post- surgery has been fairly easy thus far for me. Suggestions on "hunger" are to make sure you're getting enough fluids in each day and to take PPIs for a period of time after surgery (work with doc on exact dosage and timeframe). Good luck!

Love this post Ash! I agree, food is everywhere. Food and alcohol is embedded in my work life, they are embedded in my personal life. Go out on a date, let's meet for a drink. My mom meets me for lunch on weeks I'm not traveling. Extended family BBQ for birthdays and holidays. Out to dinner with friends. Vacations focus on delicious and unique local foods. With work going out for a meal and drinks is invaluable for building relationships that can't happen across a conference table or the phone. I have a love hate relationship with my restriction. I love that I am satisfied with a couple of ounces of food. It is still crazy to me. But that is such a small amount of food it is absolutely noticed by dining companions and wait staff. I hate the attention it draws. I absolutely feel strong every time I ignore the bread basket. Each time I order the chicken vs. the pasta dish. I honestly never thought I was capable of making good choices over an extended amount of time. I do really miss social drinking though. It is a big part of my work life. I feel very self conscience and awakward drinking my water while everyone else is having drinks.

Well your Dr. or nurse is a @#&$*? for sure. Here is my answer to your question I think. How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted You are losing 1-2 pounds per week. That's it! However If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week: You may need an eating adjustment Are you eating 60 grams of Protein a day Are you eating 25 grams of Fiber Are you avoiding all liquid caloriesSoup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome” Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram It's also a stomach irritant fruit juice is just sugar wAfter [*]Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? Are you avoiding soft foods You can't just eat what's easy cheese is glorified fat [*]Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of wAfter a day between meals [*]Are you eating too much junk chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, Cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don't avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. Stay out of fast food places [*]Are you getting in two servings of Calcium daily [*]Do you always eat the protein first [*]Then the vegetables or fruits Five servings a day Potatoes are NOT a vegetable [*]Is your portion size appropriate? meat or fish - 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards Vegetables - 1/2 cup – the size of your fist Starch - If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don't need much. Avoid: rice, potatoes, Pasta [*]You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar They teach you to like things too sweet There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don't [*]Avoid most diet foods Real food usually tastes better Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great. Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine You may need a behavior adjustment Are you eating only when you are hungry?If you're not sure drink 8 ounces of wAfter and wait. [*]Are you eating three meals a day? With maybe 1 or 2 small Snacks [*]Are you sitting down to eat? [*]Are you eating consciously? No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions [*]Are you eating slowly? Put the fork down between bites Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying [*]Are you taking small bites? Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork [*]Are you chewing well? [*]Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? Practice wAfter loading between meals You won't be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal [*]Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? Sometimes it's a whisper: not hungry, had enough Hard stop versus soft stop [*]Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing. [*]Do not eat when you are not hungry You may need an activity adjustment Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week?Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes? [*]Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators Walking on the escalators instead of riding Parking your car further away from the entrance Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through Getting off the bus one stop before your destination Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash Playing with your kids You may need an attitude adjustment Are you committed to your weight loss journey? Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising?Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days [*]Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor? [*]Are you attending and participating in support group meetings? [*]Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends? [*]Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically? [*]Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey? [*]Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? Obsessive – compulsive thoughts Perfectionism Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss [*]Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards? [*]Have you learned how to take a compliment? [*]Are you giving up diet mentality? Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day Stop dieting Stop depriving yourself Stop defining food as “good” and “bad” Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food You may need a band adjustment You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals? You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions. You are having to struggle to lose You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set. There are times when you can't get fluids down You are vomiting too much Mattintosh Long I know but maybe helpfull.

Sorry to hear about your situation. Alcohol has a ton of calories which could be a factor for not losing weight. Also if you are not getting what you want from your doctor then yes I would find another one. I have been blessed with my doctor and so I know there are good ones out there. Good luck!

I've only experienced dumping syndrome a few times, but I knew exactly what it was. I still do not know what I ate to cause it, but the abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea, was enough for me. My nutritionist said it may have been the sugar alcohols in a sugar free life saver. They will get you every time.

Hey, so i live in a big coastal city myself, and just had my bypass. I’ll tell you, yes, it’s a funeral for food. I always ate all kinds of things, and now I’m full off of 2oz of water.. your new stomach doesn’t have room for much else. I have no idea how people are drinking alcohol and eating other stuff.. you’ll feel very sick if you do. But this is the cost of wanting to get health or small.. however, other friends of mine who had bypass, after one year or more, eat and drink pretty normal now.. they just haven’t kept their weight off all the way... as for insurance? I’m in California and have medi-Cal , so in all covered. Only payed for vitamins and my shakes.

Just curious...has anyone been diagnose with stomach ulcer since surgery. If so, how was it treated? I'm almost 1yr post op and attended a 1yr post op support group class on Wednesday. The RN really focus on things to eliminate after WLS. The top three are smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeine.

I pay a lot more attention these days to how much others are eating. (Pre-op, I didn't notice that so much.) And in my estimation, only a few of my skinny friends are eating "a lot." When eating out at restaurants, they generally order what they enjoy eating and what they find delicious (not particularly low-calorie food), but they usually don't eat it all and leave food on their plates. They don't eat a lot of bread (or any). A lot of them are "foodies" -- they cook a lot at home, share recipes, and are on the lookout for where good food is served. They exercise -- walk a lot, do strength training, and yoga. Every once in a while, they take a break from food -- doing a mini-cleanse diet, eschewing alcohol for a few weeks or a month, etc. They stay well hydrated (they're seldom without a bottle or glass of Water nearby). Yes, some of them do complain about having gained five pounds and how they need to take it off. But they always do seem to lose those five pounds. And then gain it. And then lose it again. This is what their normal looks like. Sounds like "maintenance" to me.

I had my sleeve mid January. I waited a month before having any alcohol and only had a glass of wine. At 6 weeks, I had a martini. I drank both the wine and martini slowly over an hour or so. I didn't notice any difference than before my surgery.

Hello my fellow Marchies!! (Crickets chirping...) Where is everybody?!?!?!? Oh well guess everyone is busy this holiday weekend... Hope everyones 4th was a fun one... So how are we all doing this month... Hows the progress?? It seems like i am officially stuck at my current weight without being able to crack the 168/169lb marker... I know my fill level is good and i have optimal restriction, i guess my problem is my eating habits haven't been following the good old bandster rules... and the exercise needs to be kicked up another notch!!! I say we all vow to go back to those bandster rules this month and get the ball rolling again!!! Anyone with me?? Here are the good old rules as a nice reminder: Avoid drinking liquids during or immediately after meals as liquids tend to flush food through the stomach pouch. This prevents you from getting that prolonged feeling of satisfaction needed to help you eat less. As always, staying hydrated throughout the day is important, however. Drink at least six to eight cups of water per day, and make sure you consume them between meals. Chew your food thoroughly and eat small bites so that the food can easily fit through the opening to your stomach pouch. This will help you avoid the problem of food blocking the stomach outlet. Only eat when you are hungry and no more than three small meals a day, but you must make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrition. Remember, your stomach can only hold about one-quarter of a cup of food, or two ounces, at a time. Stop eating when your hunger is gone or when you feel comfortable. The general nutrition guide below can help you create good and healthy meals that contain adequate nutrients but low sugar and fat: Good Food Choices Fruits and vegetables One to two servings of fresh fruit daily Two to three servings of fresh vegetables daily [*]Breads and cereals One small portion of low-sugar cold or hot cereal Half to one slice of toasted whole wheat or rye bread each day. Note: Some patients have difficulty eating bread [*]Meat, fish, poultry, eggs One to two ounces of meat, fish, or poultry-or one egg each day. Remove all visible fat from the meat. Remove the skin from poultry. Prepare the meat in ways that need very little fat. Grilling, steaming, microwaving, or boiling are all good ways to do this. Note: Some patients have difficulty eating meat. [*]Dairy products Milk and yogurt are calories in liquid form. However, these types of food have calcium, which makes them an important part of a healthy daily diet, so choose a maximum of 2 cups of skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt and 1 ounce of cheese a day. [*]Fats Restrict the use of fat to 3 to 4 teaspoons of margarine, butter, or oil per day. You can have low-fat salad dressings and mayonnaise in moderation. [*]Drinks Drink as many calorie-free liquids per day as you wish (though not with meals). Suitable drinks are tea or coffee (black) with low-calorie sweetener, water, non-carbonated beverages containing few or no calories Some doctors have reported that carbonated beverages may contribute to enlargement of the small pouch and recommend they be avoided. Back to Top [*]Foods to Avoid Some foods deliver a concentrated supply of calories but little nutritional value. These foods should be avoided whenever possible. They include: syrups cakes jam chips pastries Alcoholic drinks should also be consumed in moderation: for example, one glass of wine per day. [*]Common Problem Foods Some foods have difficulty passing through the stomach opening created by the LAP-BAND® System and may cause blockage. These include: dry meat shrimp untoasted or doughy bread rice peanut butter fibrous vegetables like corn, asparagus, and celery nuts greasy or fried food membrane of citrus fruits I got everything directly off the lapband site... I figured we all may need a little jog in the memory once in a while... Oh and tdont forget the most important rule!!! PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN ALWAYS FIRST!!! I'm pretty sure that is well drilled into our minds.... but i can honestly say i haven exactly been following that rule very well lately!!!

Ok, so, I know that alcohol can irritate the stomach, and is full of calories, but that aside, I'm sure lots of people still drink with the band. Right? I'm not talking a glass of wine or 2 at dinner... but you know, going out to a party/pub/bar or wherever you do your recreational drinking, and actually getting drunk... purposely. If someone were to do this, to the point of feeling nauseous... is there anything that can be done? What about a bad hangover with the potential for puking? Probably just some Gravol, right? I'm not a huge drinker, and I actually haven't had a drink in months, but I know that it's gonna happen again (and I'm looking forward to it!), so I just want to be prepared so that if I drink too much, and start feeling sick, I know what kind of things might help. Thanks guys, Mandi

I love these forums: where else would you get bugs, poo trandplants, insect eating and discussions of grilling salmon in the same conversation! Imma look at the gut stuff too. Find me some fermented stuff. Question about kefir I'm told it contains alcohol and I'm abstinent from that for very good reasons. Would kefir wake up my booze monster? Is really rather not, you see!!! But I would like to try some new foods.

food addiction is VERY real. In my opinion, it's the hardest addiction there is to break too. For instance, I am an ex smoker. I smoked for almost 20 years. When I quit smoking 18 months ago, I knew I couldn't have a single puff again or I'd be smoking a pack a day again. Cigarettes were 100% off limits forever. It wasn't easy, but I quit. However, I am also a food addict. I need food to live so I can't just walk away from it. So here I am, a recovering food addict staring down the face of my addiction multiple times every day of my life. Really, think about it!! Do people take an alcoholic and say "you must drink 3 beers a day, but no more! No don't cheat! Where's your willpower?" NO!! Yet, that is EXACTLY what they expect of us food addicts. It is just brutal. As far as the band, it is amazing tool, but sadly it won't fix our brains. That addiction is still there. I've lost a lot of weight in a relatively short amount of time and I still battle against my own brain daily. That desire to binge, to graze, to seek comfort food... is still very much there. Learning to tame my food addiction can only come from me. The band can't and won't help you with that. The best advice I can give you is to seek counseling for your food addiction along with the Lap Band. I really think it will make the journey a lot more manageable for you and give you a much higher chance of success with the band. Best wishes to you! Remember, you're definitely not alone.

I was a big beer drinker before surgery...a twelve pack a day was no challenge on a river trip or weekend camping. But alas, I cannot handle the carbonation postop. I've had a couple sips, but the fizz is a no go. (And yes, it still tasted yummy). As for the getting drunk faster, I have had wine and vodka cocktails postop, but I really didn't notice a big difference in "rate of buzzedness". Honestly, my desire for alcohol has drastically lessened since surgery. I guess that's a good thing. Waking up hangover-free after a few postop parties has been wonderful.

Hi Cindy, I was told no ibuprofen at all or aspirin, only Tylenol. Also I think ibuprofen causes kidney damage. In fact I know it can, because it did for me a few years ago. I had a doctor who prescribed 8 a day because she was an alcoholic and drinking on the job. I got a new dr who found the problem and took me off 8 a day. Tylenol can cause liver damage though.

My immediate thought after reading that post was “just don’t drink so much that it makes you sick, then you won’t need to worry about throwing up.” But it has me wondering…is drinking a lot of alcohol like overeating? Is it a compulsive thing that you have to fight to control? Is telling someone not to drink as useless as telling a binge eater not to eat? I’m sure it’s obvious that I am not a drinker, but this is something I have wondered about. What is it about alcohol that makes people drink to excess, knowing that it will ultimately make them feel like hell? Is it a comfort thing? Does it just feel really good? Or is it that you really really like the taste and it’s a treat you allow yourself? I hope everyone doesn’t jump on me for this. I’m not trying to say that drinking is bad or wrong. It’s just something I’m totally unfamiliar with, so I’m curious...

Hi - I was disappointed that the video did not include anyone who had been overweight their entire life. I think that is the most common profile of obese adults. Everyone I currently know who is obese has been so since high school or before, I went on my first real diet at age 6. I am 56 and this week was the first time in my entire life that I did not shop in the plus size (or, as it was known 50 years ago for children, the "Chubette" department). And, at 207 lbs now, the only reason I am now a large in some things and not plus size is because Americans are so big that they've made the sizes larger! The video made me feel that I don't have a legitimate reason to be fat. I didn't have fertility treatments. I was never a professional athlete or military person who had to learn to eat for a new lifestyle. But I do know about nutrition, about exercise -- I am smarter than the average bear and it didn't do me any good! No one has worked harder or longer at weight loss than me -- except for the millions of other regular people who have also been fat all their life! Can I blame genetics? Sure, why not? But this video message said that you had to have a good reason to be fat and the implication is that only those people, those legitimate obese people deserved weight loss surgery. How about recognizing that life is different now for most Americans - there are less physical jobs, even school is more sedentary as less kids walk to school, flavor enhancers in our food has altered our tastes, etc, etc. I don't think we need to showcase only those weight loss surgery patients who are deemed presentable enough to be spokespeople for the cause. This attitude plays right into the crazy and punitive insurance policies around WLS. Denying so many people who need it, yet paying, without question for rehab for alcoholics or drug users. Or denying people if they go below a BMI of 40 while they are in the pre-op phase, or cancelling surgery if they gain a single pound! It's the same judgmental, condescending, belittling attitude that predominates society in general, and the medical profession in particular, around obesity. A colleague of mine at work had her VSG surgery scheduled earlier this week but it was cancelled because they found a cyst in her lungs. She has been complaining to doctors for ten years about pain in her chest - to the touch -- not just simply being out of breath. The only answer she got was "loose weight". Not a breathing test or even a simple X-ray - just a lecture. Now she is facing thoracic surgery and G-d knows what else! If doctors had treated her like a grownup instead of a non-complaint child, she would have had this taken care of years ago. it's the same attitude as this video -- some fat people are worthy and some are not. I am very happy that I had the surgery, but I am truly regretful that I didn't have it when I was much younger. I have suffered in my personal life and in my career and while I take responsibility for my decisions, I do not take responsibility for the cavalier and cruel attitude of the medical profession that for most of my life, did not give a damn. Regards, Ellen

I've heard that alcohol hits you harder after WLS. Last night I tried a shot glass full of red wine for the first time post surgery. I got really loopy quickly, but it also went away quickly. I've only consumed alcohol in a social setting, but I'm not sure it is worth it at this point. It never was a high priority for me anyway. Yes, you need to figure out what is causing your symptoms. Sounds like it might be getting worse.

wow that's great i don't even think mini bypass was an option for me . i initially wanted the sleeve , but my insurance only covered gastric bypass 100% was the mini out of pocket? sometimes i get depressed thinking mine can not be reversed, not that i want to reverse it, its a mind game i play with myself i guess. plus going through the surgery and diet and everything on top of trying to recover my natural testosterone is tough mentally i start thinking i cant eat, i cant drink alcohol, I have no sex drive , but I'm down 50 lbs looking good. its a crazy mind game, I'm mentally tough ill be fine.

My surgeon said don't drink w hile eating as this can wash food through the band too quick seems to make sense so why r people here drinking with meal ? Also alcohol makes me real hungry!!!

No desire for alcohol what so ever. No rant here, but I'm sure it was part of the constellation of compulsive consumption of all things caloric that lead to my morbid obesity.

OK...first, get back to your pre-op diet. We all mess up a little on the pre-op diet. It sucks, and it is hard, but get back on it. Next, I hope you realize you are not going to be living a non-alcoholic life, eating only warm cottage cheese after your surgery. Yes...it will be that way for about 6 weeks post-op (depending on the instructions from your surgeon). I am almost 5 months post-op, and I eat whatever I want, just in very small quantities. I'll be honest, there are foods that I cannot eat...most breads, pastas, rice, pancakes, biscuits and cakes. They just don't work for me. They get stuck in my band, and it hurts. Do I miss them? Yes. Do I miss the 40 pounds I lost since my surgery more? No. I'll take the weight loss over the bread, any day! If I want a glass of wine, or a margarita...no problem. I'll indulge every once in a while. It is all trial and error. There is nothing you will be told you cannot eat. You will try it, and see what works for you. I actually eat better now than before surgery, because I am not eating all that nonfat and lowfat crap. I eat very small portions of whatever I want. It is much healthier and more satisfying.