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You might also look into aversion therapy, since smoking is a combination of chemical addiction and behavior/habituation. Aversion is what the Schick-Schadel centers provided 20 years ago or so and used a minor shock (like from a 9V battery) to replace the pleasant sensations you get from smoking with unpleasant ones. My wife went through it (a few sessions within a week) and has been smoke free for the past 20+ years. I don't know who does this these days as Schick Shadel seems to be into alcohol and drug addiction treatment these days, but it's something worth checking out if the chemical/drug based solutions don't work.

Queenmab - here is what I did in the last seven months. I did not do a lot of exercise the first six weeks. At six weeks, I started walking at work. (Huge building – large halls – organized walkers) and using my elliptical. At about 4-5 months, I started doing Zumba class once a week. I haven’t any exercise for the last 6 weeks because I have had a cast on my right foot and ankle. I just got out of it into an ankle stabilizer, so it’s back to walking and the elliptical – but no Zumba for a while. I will start physical therapy on my ankle in another two weeks and will find out when I can start back to Zumba. I am going to start working out with light weights and doing floor exercises (lunges, squats and ab exercises) and am looking to add a spinning class or two a week. From the standpoint of eating – I started out barely able to get 40 grams of Protein in a day. By about 3 weeks into sold foods, I was able to get my 60 grams of protein a day. (if I'm remembering right) I counted total calories, grams of protein, grams of carbs, grams of fat and ounces of fluids. I was tried to keep the carbs low – usually ranged from 30 – 60 grams per day – but wasn’t as adamant about the carbs as some on the forum. But my carbs primarily came from veggies, a few fruits, cottage cheese, yogurt, and the prepared Protein shakes. I do not eat white carbs – bread, Pasta, potatoes, crackers (except melba toast or flatbread) or cereals. I measured (still do!) my food – my food scale and measuring cup are my best friend. I kept my calories to around 500 from 6 weeks to about 5 months – then went to about 600. At 6 months I raised it again, and now eat between 600 and 800. I try to get between 60 – 80 grams of protein per day.. For Breakfast, I eat a protein smoothie made in my magic bullet, or drink a Protein shake. Once in a while to vary the monotony I will eat cottage cheese and fruit and may add a little extra protein into the mix. If I make a shake it is with nectar Protein powder – I like the fuzzy navel flavor – which I mix with part of a frozen bananna and frozen strawberries, or the chocolate flavor mixed with a low cal yogurt. For a snack – I might have 2 laughing cow wedges on melba toast, or a baby bell light cheese or an Activia light yogurt. For lunch – I make tuna salad out of the foil packages of tuna, mixed with 2 T of dill relish and 2 T of lite miracle whip. Or I have 3 ounces of chicken breast or 3 ounces of salmon (again from the foil pouch). I will usually eat a veggie at lunch – either cherry tomatoes, green Beans, sugar snap peas, carrots or cucumbers. For a snack – I will have one of the cheese Snacks from above, or another helping of veggies. Now that I’m eating 80 grams of protein, I might have 15 grams of protein from beef Jerky as a snack. For dinner – it’s usually 3 ounces of some kind of protein (the choices listed above) or beef or pork or grilled fish or grilled chicken. Sometimes I make an omelet with one egg, 2T of cheese, some sautéed mushrooms, and 1 ounce of protein. I have another serving of veggies with dinner – I love steam squashed or steamed asparagus or fresh sliced tomatoes. Sometimes for lunch or dinner, I go to a Chinese food restaurant or a Mexican food restaurant. If I eat Chinese food – it is chicken and veggies, beef and veggies, or shrimp and veggies. I get 2 to 3 meals from the meal. If I eat Mexican – it is chicken fajitas – no rice, no beans, no tortillas. Again – 2 to 3 meals from the meal. I also eat the fresh salsa like gazpacho – about ¼ - 1/3 cup. That restaurant also does steamed zucchini as a veggie – and I eat some of it. If I want a treat in the evening, I have a low cal sugar free pudding or a low cal fudgesicle. I don’t eat sugary or really fatty (fried) foods. I haven't eaten a real "sweet" since the surgery. I think my Calcium chews (like caramels) are a wonderful "treat" when I have them in the morning. I drink between 60 ounces and 100 ounces of Fluid per day. I don’t drink carbonated beverages or caffeinated beverages. I have sipped a little bit (2 mouthfuls) of alcohol 3 times during the seven months. It goes straight to my head. I don’t plan on having a real drink until I am at goal. M2G - Here is a picture of me at Christmas. I met with my doctor about January 10th, and started my pre surgery diet on February 9th. My surgery was on February 22nd. The second picture is of me on March 1st - while I was still home recuperating from the surgery.

My therapist talks a lot about having to learn new coping skills since food has always been it for me. I joked that I don't know anyone with good coping skills Seems like it always...alcohol, drugs, food, shopping, gambling, workaholic, sex addition etc. I asked if "real" people have good coping skills, lol. She insist they do. I'm planning on getting sleeved next month, and was wondering without food, what new habits have others learned for coping? Right now if I have a terrible day, I stop for fast food or ice cream....with an almost "I owe it to myself" mindset, for comfort. I desperately want to be successful after WLS and never want to be this large ever again.

I was on basically the same plan - nothing special until the day before. There is a lot of variation in programs - intensive pre-op diets or none at all; extensive Clear Liquids to normal liquids to mush to soft to normal over weeks post op to mush and soft from the hospital on out; no carb trendiness to basic good nutrition with hi Protein. It's mostly based upon what experience the surgeon has and what has worked for him in the past. With the VSG being relatively new, much of it is based upon the surgeon's experience with other procedures, so I suspect that a lot of the intensive liquid post-op diet is a holdover from RNY practice. I was one who was on mush/puree/soft stuff in the hospital, so if their program says that garden burgers, egg noodles, mashed potatoes, tuna, rice & Beans, oatmeal, etc are fine in the first month, they have a lot more experience with sleeves, some 20 years worth, than I do - who am I to argue? If the doc doesn't feel that an intensive pre-op "liver shrinking" diet is necessary, and he's a liver specialist along with his bariatrics, I figure that he knows that aspect of it better than most (I also won't argue with him about his no alcohol for the 12-18 months prime weight loss period policy, either - he knows our livers better than most docs.)

My dr. said her #1 rule is absolutely NO carboration. She said it stretches out our pouch, and can cause the band to slip, which means another surgery. She said the #1 lap band problem-maker is carbonation! So now, if I want an alcoholic drink, I sip a glass of wine, or a shot of bourbon over ice (both 100 calories). I didn't drink diet soda that often, so now I just don't.

I'm a firm believer that if the relationship is rocky pre-major life change, the relationship will only worsen. And, now he's accusing you, and projecting his guilt and insecurities onto you. For me, I would not stay. I just would not allow myself, or my children to endure the abuse and lack of a real marriage. I agree that exposing your children to this will forever imprint on their hearts and minds that this is the way "love and marriage" is supposed to be. Believe me, coming from an adult child of divorce(my mom finally left my abusive, alcoholic father after 23 years of marriage, I was 21 years old), I learned a lot from their relationship. I had my fair share horrible relationships(because that's all I knew), but something finally clicked and I realized that myself and my son deserved so much better. Love and marriage is a choice we make every day. It doesn't sound as if the marriage is repairable at this point, nor does it sound as if either of you have a true desire to make it work. It won't be easy, but getting out would be easier than living in and allowing your children to see/hear/feel the toxicity of your marriage.

I was married for 24 years to an alcoholic/drug abuser. He was very functioning and I didn't even know about most of his lifestyle, but that is neither here nor there A few things I've learned in life: Your kids see your relationship and will recognize it as they form their own......that means your sons will think this is normal behavior. How much do you want them to grow up this way? This behavior is not going to change. Your relationship is not going to change. He is not going to change. You COULD overcome it, but it will not change. It may deteriorate, but it will not change. This is a hard concept, but people are fundamentally unchangeable. I see the way I have grown since my divorce, and even though I look at myself and see this "change" that I mention above cannot happen, in my soul I know I've grown, I've mellowed, I've done a lot of thinking, but the part of me that knows me best knows that I am basically the same, I have just learned to recognize traits in others and myself that I wasn't willing to see when I was in my 20's and 30's. I had a 5-year plan prior to my divorce, and made it through 3 of those years before his addictions were beyond living with. I stayed together for the kids as so many do, and when it was all over I realized I didn't do anybody any favors. I wish I would have followed through when my kids and myself were younger. Starting over at almost 50 is not much fun, but it can be And it sure beats starting over in my 60's or 70's. Find a therapist, for yourself, your family, your marriage. They teach you exercises to help you recognize what you need and if you're getting it. Go together, go alone, just go.......it does help. I won't tell you to stay or go, but you already know what you need to do, its the doing that is hard. Its going to suck, but it isn't permanent. Today, life is pretty fabulous.........and a long time coming!

I think you'll be fine chickee ! ! ! They are mainly looking for trends in behaviors such as addictive personalities (previous alcohol, drug abuse), depression/anxiety, lack of coping mechanisms/skills, triggers for suicide and/or other mental disorders that could be intensified with the life-altering post-op lifestyle. My psych eval went fine, the personality test was a bit skewed and labeled me as an introvert which is the furthest thing from the truth. And, I agree, it is very intimidating to walk into an office and feel like that one human holds the key to your entire future. Hang in there ! ! !

I am not a beer drinker, but I drink soda. The carbonation is not going to stretch out your sleeve. There is zero scientific evidence to show that soda stretches anything. I drink mixed drinks mostly (not in pregnancy), but when I go out it's either wine or rum/cokes. I waited until I was at goal to indulge in alcohol mainly for 2 reasons; 1) Empty Calories that weren't worth drinking 2) In the rapid weight loss phase, our livers are working overtime, I didn't think it was worth it to throw alcohol in my body for my liver to process on top of everything else.

I agree with everyone else. Those "rules" just don't sound right. I do the sublingual B12, never used Protein shakes/drinks regularly because they made me sick, and I eat anything and everything. I drink soda, alcohol, through a straw, and I'm over 2 years out with zero issues. The pre-op diet (if yours is all liquids, mine wasn't liquids at all just low carb) yep that sucks, and the couple of weeks of liquids to allow your staple line to heal suck, but those things are temporary. So, by your program's rules, I would be the least compliant patient. By my program, I'm one of the biggest successes ! ! ! I would ask more questions, and really evaluate the "why" behind these rules/suggestions.

I haven't asked my Doc how long I could drink Alcohol. I just figured, it wouldn't do anything to help with weight loss, so i was content to just wait until i hit my goal. Coffee on the other hand.... For now i'm okay because of the B12, but I do miss the taste

Your dr. sound VERY similar to mine. I was told no alcohol until at least 1 year post-op (I'm 10 months now and haven't had a drop of alcohol or soda since before surgery) I was told to say goodbye to caffeine forever and now I do drink 1 cup of decaf a day (decaf still has small amts of caffeine). My dr. also doesn't believe in the liver-shrinking diet and said my liver was beautiful when he was in there...lol. I think follow your surgeon's guidelines and use your own common sense. If caffeine or alcohol are slippery slopes for you then maybe give yourself more time before partaking. While they are not slippery slopes for me (I truly had no problem giving them up, as I'm not a big drinker anyway, diet soda was harder than alcohol for me, but I did it anyway, cold turkey too!) I just felt it was in my best interests to not give myself tiny amounts of something that my body doesn't even need. You will figure out what works best for you and your sleeve.

I had my 1 week post-op follow up yesterday & they told me that I'm ok to drink alcohol again. They even said an occasional beer here or there is ok, but did highly discourage it because of it being empty calories. So, I had a small glass of scotch last night instead! It was so nice!

sometimes carbonation can make you throw up... also it expands your stomach, which is why you are suppose to avoid it. I dont know where you are at in your journey, but when yhou have a lot of restriction you may be more sensitive to it. I used to be a diet coke addict, now one drink makes me puke. Litterally. Dont stress it. Just do the best you can to avoid alcohol and carbonation so you dont stretch out your pouch or consume too many calories.

I think that the variation in advice stems from the differing experiences and backgrounds of our surgeons - some have noted their docs as not caring about the nutritional aspect of the plan, as they are the surgeon and that's the nut's job. My doc is one who is in the no alcohol at all for the 12-18 month (or whatever it takes) weight loss period camp (which also gets brought up in the psych eval - can you give up drinking for a year or more?), and that comes from his experience as a liver transplant surgeon, which he still does along with the bariatrics. Needless to say that he is a bit anal about liver health. His view is that being obese, our livers are in bad enough shape to begin with, add to that the load it has metabolizing all of the fat that we're losing, so you don't want to give it any more to handle in metabolizing alcohol. Other surgeons don't have that perspective, but may bring other experience to the table (hence, you find some docs heavily into the no carb trend while others stick with more classic balanced nutrition concepts.) I do find it curious, however, that my doc doesn't go in for the intensive "liver shrinking" pre-op diet that seems to be so important to some docs. These program variances may be disconcerting to some, but on the other hand, it does give us some choice in programs when choosing a surgeon.

bigserv, I think you need to think long and hard about whether you want to have this surgery since you are having doubts. I knew I'd be giving up some things, like alcohol and sodas, but I'm gaining so much more: health, longer life (I hope) and the ability to move more freely than ever. I had serious health problems from my obesity and I see the surgery as a way to overcome those problems. Perhaps you need to do some more research. It IS possible that the sleeve isn't for you. It's a big decision and one that only you can make. I will be cheering you on no matter what decision you make. It's your life and your health, which means it's up to you. Good luck!

I think most programs expect you to get to a point where you don't need the protein shakes. The pre-op diet is for a couple weeks at the most. I take b12 in a sublingual form, I think the shots would be if you get low. What were you told you can never have again? I have heard soda/carbonation and alcohol. I have seen lots of people on the boards who either incorporate these in to everyday life or special occasions.

I waited about 6 weeks before I had caffeine and about 3 months before I had alcohol. I have found though that one drink at a bar (probably 2-3 shots worth of vodka) makes me feel good and 2 just makes me unwalkable drunk lol. So be careful!

I find when I drink alcohol the naughty me comes back! I want Amigos or Mc Donalds. So then I go get it & I can't even eat it!

10 days? That is pretty soon to be falling back to bad habits. It probably will not hurt you but remember alcohol is empty calories. The other thing to remember is you cannot drink it until after 30 minutes, so you probably will be drinking on an empty stomach, this will increase the effects of the alcohol. If you are going to drink you still need to treat it like anything else you put into you. It goes into you daily calorie count. Check the calories, you will probably say no to that margarita once you see how high it is. I do occasionally have a drink now but when I do it is bourbon on the rocks or strait up, no mixers for me. I love wine and beer but both are so high in calories that I usually stay away from them.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/118934-drinking-alcohol-after-being-banded/ Hope that Helps

I am 10 days post op today and I'm feeling much better. My shoulder and gas pains are lessening. I am going to my girls bunco party this Friday night which will be 15 days post op, and I know that all the girls will be drinking some sort of alcoholic beverage. Could I have some wine or a margarita to sip on or is it a bad decision so soon?

Replace the drinks with Water. Switch it up some like one drink of alcohol and then 2 waters. I live in Korea and people tend to go nuts here too a night out can be a finally roll outta the bar at 7 am ( they close when you leave). At first it was hard getting back into hanging with my crazy drinking friends, but after a while they got used to my drinking and I got used to switching it up some. If your friends are pushy with getting you to drink then start just leaving your glasses at the bar without finishing them. At dinner have some wine but don't finish it. Once they are drunk they probably won't notice the changes.

@winifred76- most definately I would be interested! This has been great for me reading how everyone has done. Reading about everyones post op diet makes me jealous to be able to have something new. I started my pre op on Labor Day. Only 4 days left. I have done a great job of sticking to it resulting in 14 lbs gone so far. But last night I will admit I had a moment of weakness. I had an extremely stressful day at work (pediatric donor) and it was a 20 hour day. At the end I was so hungry! I had already had my shakes and soup for the day. My work partner suggested we go to Old South Pancake House (Those from the Fort Worth area can vouch for the total YUMMINESS of this place). I thought about it and thought I could have some soup... Well I ended up eating some omelet and a few bites of pancakes... I felt awful afterwards. There is something to be said for picking food ahead of time and not looking at the menu when you get there! Suprisingly I was full after eating just a small bit. So this morning I am back to the diet. I am pretty sure my liver didnt puff up like a marshmellow from what I ate but regardless I still feel bad... Like an alcoholic sneaking a drink! Anyways- Sept 22 hurry up and get here!!