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I feel like I have struggled from day 1. I was banded on June 6th and I've lost about 15 lbs total. I finally have some good restriction so I am hoping this will help . One of my biggest issues is alcohol consumption. I am trying not to drink too much but sometimes I want to drink so the calories are empty.

@@flokismom - Just be sure to use the sugar free syrups. There is sugar alcohol in them which bothers some people, but a little goes a LONG way.

Hi, I'm new to this site an I am scheduled for VGS on June 30th. I am a social drinker and many times attend social events with coworkers after work. How has everyone adjusted to drinking alcohol after surgery? Is it something I will have to completely give up?

I lost about 17 pounds, but I would have to say about 5 of that was water retention. I used to have very puffy and swollen lower legs, ankles and feet. After two weeks, the puffiness started to go down. I think it was all the water I was drinking, staying away from alcohol and not eating salty or fried foods.

Hi DWBrown- For me, besides going over the diet plans (Pre-op, 3 weeks prior to surgery and after surgery diets), my nut. gave me some protein powders to try and some web info (MyFitnessPal- was on the suggested list if things to do- love that app.!) They also make sure we understand the procedure and what to realistically expect to eat eventually afterwards and the ramifications of not following the plan. I know a few people really struggling with losing and keeping off any lost weight who've had the lapband. We have to be educated as much as possible - insurance liability, ethics, etc. I wonder how many people get turned off by the fact they can't smoke or have alcohol for a while before and after surgery and don't go through with it. It probably weeds out those who truly aren't ready! But I am (10/11/12- date of surgery) and you will be too! Good luck!

I am now on the countdown- 7 weeks until surgery. I am so anxious and just want to start getting everything prepared and ready. What are some things I should be getting ready now? I have been asking the coordinator (whom I think is great) if I can get a pre and post op diet information and she keeps putting me off saying she will get it to me later. Should I be worried about this? I have a low BMI so I think I only have to pre-op diet for 3 days, but I am cutting out all alcohol, sweets and grains starting Nov. 1 (Surgery date Dec. 17 with Dr. Ponce De Leon). I cannot lose more than 6 pounds or I will be below my BMI for the surgery. Any help would be great. I think I would just feel more at ease if I could start planning now.

I'm on my third day and there are moments when it's difficult but they pass. Instead of focusing on how much this sucks I focus on the prize. I also focus on what I have to do today. I know I have 11 more days until surgery but I can only live one day at a time. It's the same mindset recovering addicts and alcoholics use. And it helps tremendously. Another way I look at it is that is part of the price I have to pay for letting myself overindulge for so many years. This won't kill me but the weight will. Our mindsets are where the biggest battle is fought and if I give into a negative mindset about this then I've already lost the battle. And I'll be damned if I'm going to let that happen this early in the process and hopefully at no point in the process. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I did liquids for 1 week, mushy for 1 week then into regular solids and had no problem. I know more than a few people who have terrible trouble with even a little alcohol.

I am also having a nissen fundiplication reversed. My Dr. has me on a 1 week "CLEAR" LIQUID DIET. I can have anything clear except alcohol or carbonated drinks. he said to put a little unflavored protein in my clear chicken broth or my drinks. I am doing great on the diet... day 6 today. 1 more day then on Wed. I have the surgery.

food has been an integral part of my life for so long. A lot of my social life revolves around food (and a bit of alcohol to some extent). I am mentally trying to prepare myself to change that aspect of life, and there's a part of me that does not like it. However, I cannot continue down this path I'm on, so I definitely need to change my mindset. I'm also afraid of not making it through that pre and post op liquid diet when it's time...but I'll have to cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, the food = celebration part is the most important piece that I have to change.

You're getting close! Mine is on 1/10. The pre-op I was put on consists of protein shakes, fat free low sodium broth, sf jello, lots of water and sf water drinks like LifeWater, and the nutritionist said if you absolutely need something that feels like a cheat, go for a sf pudding. I was instructed no dairy, no caffeine, no alcohol, no NSAIDS, and pretty much nothing else except the above consuming 80 grams of protein a day. Good luck on your surgery!

Ok Im not liking these responses. I wish i read this before surgery. Im so bummed about this. Id like to be able to have an appropriate balanced meal and it doesnt look like it will ever happen. Will i ever even be able to have a salad. This is just depressing. I can see why so many wls become alcoholics.

I can't believe our insurance companies would rather pay for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and what ever else comes our way. I am so tired of premiums up the wazzu and they pay for drug rehab and alcohol rehab, but what about eating rehab???

I can testify that alcohol will put on lbs. on you quickly!!! I had not had any alcohol in 1.5 years after being banded. I recently attended a graduation party and had several mixed drinks (about 5), plus, a few high caloric foods that weekend. I gained 10 lbs. in 2 days.

I agree with Papoose above - it's just smaller portions and nutrional choices. But without the band, I would think the smaller portions would keep me hungry all the time. It sounds like you may benefit from Weight Watchers and going to their meetings. It would keep you accountable for the weigh ins and not be so constricting on the food. And, if you exercise, you can add points you can save up for special occassions. It truly doesn't sound like you are ready to make the sacrafice needed to get the band at this time and, therefore, it may not work for you. You truly have to want it more than you want food and alcohol.

Does your insurance cover mental health? If so, you could start by looking at who is covered on your plan. That's what I did. Then I googled them to see if they had a website and read up on them to see what kinds of things they specialized in. The one I picked didn't necessarily deal with food issues, but she's so good that she's zoned in on what is causing my food issues...depression, loneliness, etc...and we're focusing on that. She said people use all kinds of things to deal with their "issues", we use something to dull the pain...alcohol, drugs, excessive exercising...mine is binge eating. All that to say...even if someone doesn't "specialize" in eating disorders, it doesn't mean they can't help you with it. Another thing you could do...if you feel comfortable...is tell your surgeon that you didn't really click with the therapist he used for your pre-surgery consult. Ask if he could recommend someone else. Or ask someone else in the office (nutritionist, nurse, etc) who they would recommend besides the original therapist. Last option is word of mouth. Ask around. Ask those close to you if they know of someone, you would be surprised to know how many people around you have seen a therapist/shrink. Good luck! You're making the right step...

Junior Guru, I am so sorry for your troubles but it sounds like a mirror image to mine. Do not wait an longer to get the reflux under control, it can be very dangerous if left untreated over time and can lead to erosion and cancer as well as erode the enamel from your teeth. My reflux got so bad that I couldn't even bend over without throwing up acid, and even Water irritated it. I went and had 1cc removed and although most of my reflux symptoms have reduced it is still there. Everybody is different, so what is tight for someone at 3cc's can be totally different for someone else. I still have to take reflux medication, but I found a doctor who is also suggesting black licorice. No, not the jelly bean kind, but get some chewable black licorice root pills, they taste pretty good if you like licorice and it is an herbal remedy for reflux and it seems to help. I chew 1 before each meal and 1 before bedtime. I also stay away from the worst offenders, alcohol, chocolate and caffeine (I know, just kill me now). I also HIGHLY recommend getting your next fill/unfill with fluoroscope, it is an eye opener and you can see EXACTLY what is happening in there. I sometimes have a feeling of regret with the surgery, but I was insulin dependent, with horrific cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, etc. and all of that is resolved. S I try to keep that in mind. The doctor I recently went to admitted that Bariatric Doctors on the whole are doing a disservice to the overweight population at had. They are selling a "golden ring" that does not exist. Expectations for extreme weight loss with just the "tool" of LapBand does not exist. I thought I was being reasonable wanting to get down to 150lbs. at 5'5". But apparently wanting to go from 230 to 150 was unrealistic at best. I am at 176 now and my new doctor, said if wanted to lose any more, to get off my ass and run. There is no golden ring or easy way out that I was sold back in 2009. Oh, well, off to run...lol The best of luck to you, and I hope you get to feeling better soon!!

And I suppose she's one of those that thinks Jesus didn't drink alcohol?? Yea, like there was anything else in those days to drink but BEER!! We had a neighbor that used to come into our house, talk our wine and hollar that we were going to hell for drink it!! I told her too late... we're already there and she's the antichrist....

Almost every car accident here has alcohol involved.

My friend is a bartender and I went out to visit her bar. My drink was always rum and coke. So I told her no carbonation and she ended up giving me a shot of honey whiskey with lots of ice so it looked like I had a mini drink. I sipped it and was fine. I felt a slight buzz that didn't last long and I've gone wine tasting and didn't really have any issues. From my friends who have had weight loss surgery, they say it hits you fast but the buzz disappears quickly. That's the downside. But even though you feel sober, you still have the alcohol in your blood so you have to be careful not to continue to drink to chase the buzz because you could black out or get alcohol poisoning.

I can't really address either of your concerns, because I not experienced with either with the band. But its been my experience that good or bad for you, if there is a will, there is a way. But There is one line that you wrote that bothered me. Here's the thing, it sounds like you are self medicating. From your statement it sounds like you rely pretty heavy on these drugs to relax,sleep,work, socialize thats a very large aspect to someones life. Have you ever thought about why? Its my guess that food for you may be another "drug" to self medicate with. I would suggest that you talk to your doctor...most patients must have a pych exam before having the surgery. I think you might want to figure out to source as to why you "need" these druds in excess. You may benefit more from anti-depressants and Therapy. The lap band is not like some of the other WLS, if you want to cheat , you can. It's very much a head game. It will be what you make of it. If you choose to make bad choices wheather it be in food, alcohol or drugs, you will probably not be as sucessful as someone that committs to the life style. Good luck lemons........please consider talking to someone about your concerns/issues.

Oh I am SO sorry! I had post op nausea too it sucks. I can't tell you when yours will stop, because everyone is different. If they think you should stay in the hospital, you should stay. Numero uno priority right now is for you to stay hydrated. Dehydration is serious business. Tiny, TINY sips of Water are the way to go, and breathe. Just enough to wet your mouth. Tiny sips several minutes later, and breathe. Rest, and repeat. It WILL get easier over time. Also, they should have some anti-nausea medicine, and I've heard smelling an alcohol swab can help. Mine lasted no longer than a week, and while at the time I was miserable --- it's a distant memory now. Hope you feel better soon!!

I have years of dieting, exercising, nutrition counseling, personal trainers, and diet pills to prove otherwise. First off I want to say, you know the truth and you wrote it in the sentence above. This decision is between you and your medical providers, not family members who don't know jack about surgery. - bowel control problems I have had no bowel control problems - vomiting I haven't thrown up once since surgery 2+ years ago - weakness it took me a couple weeks to get through post-op weakness. Since then I am stronger than ever. Come join me in my weight-lifting workout and judge for yourself whether weight loss causes weakness - hair loss this is a temporary, cosmetic issue and there are lots of ways to deal with it - depression because you cannot eat Of course you can eat! You just can't eat as much and if you are smart, you will change the sorts of things you eat on a usual basis. Food is still enjoyable, at least after you get through the first weeks of transition after surgery. If you are someone who uses food as an emotional crutch, I certainly recommend seeking therapy to go along with surgery, because yes, you will have to learn new coping and soothing mechanisms. - can you drink alcohol (if you do) I could if I wanted to, but I've never been a big drinker so this is moot for me. - problems with loose skin I have some loose skin, it doesn't cause me any problems that Spanx and somewhat modest clothing cannot solve. - visible scars I have no visible scars from vsg. My dermatologist had to get out her lighted magnifying glass to find them. Besides that, you can't go through life refusing to do things because you might get a scar. We all have scars. Are you going to decide not to have children because you might end up with a cesearian scar? - will it interfere with social life? Not unless your social life is centered on binge eating, in which case I would recommend re-evaluating and making some changes with respect to your social life, rather than forgoing surgery. - will it prevent me from being a mom one day No, it will help you be a mom. If you decide to get pregnant, losing weight makes it easier for you to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and safely deliver a healthy baby. Pregnancy only requires about an extra 300 calories per day for your fetus, and that is easily achieved even with a post-vsg stomach. If you decide to adopt, you can count on being a healthier and more active mom to your children. Seriously, research obesity and pregnancy and obesity and childbirth and you will see that losing weight is one of the very best things you can do on this front. - when can I return to work? (Not a strenuous job) Probably 1 - 3 weeks after surgery. Good luck!

Hey guys, I'm getting closer to this reality, and after a negative conversation with a family member I'm considering backing out on surgery. His concern is that I should be able to loose weight on my own. I have years of dieting, exercising, nutrition counseling, personal trainers, and diet pills to prove otherwise. I am 30 years old with a BMI of 36 and I have no children, but would like to one day. Here is a list of my fear/concern: - bowel control problems - vomiting - weakness - hair loss - depression because you cannot eat - can you drink alcohol (if you do) - problems with loose skin - visible scars - will it interfere with social life? - will it prevent me from being a mom one day - when can I return to work? (Not a strenuous job) Thank you in advance for any advice! This is such a big decision and I want it to be the right one!

I tell them I had surgery, follow a high protein/low carb diet and don't drink alcohol (much).