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Hi there, my name is Michelle, from southeast MI. 44 years old, married, mother of a daughter who is a sophmore in college. I have thought about surgery a few times, but ultimately, the gastric bypass just scares me, too invasive to me it seems. I didn't know much about the LapBand, briefly talked to my primary about it, and he was not opposed to me looking into it. Bottom line, I weigh over 300 pounds, I am at my all time heaviest. I have GERD (acid reflux), aches and pains, just found out recently that I am borderline diabetic and had breast cancer 3 and a half years ago. I have probably lost 500 pounds in my lifetime, you lose 100, gain 110, etc. So, I have taken the first step, I went to a seminar, then made an appointment for a consultation 2/17. I don't look at it as a cop out, it is a tool. For Pete's sake, drug addicts and alcoholics go to rehab and they are treated better than overweight people (the last acceptable discrimination). Another thing that has motivated me is that a friend at work had the LapBand done in September, down about 40 pounds so far, a friend in Chicago had about a month ago, down 27 pounds. I have gotten nothing but positive feedback from both of them. Sure, you are sore for a few days, sure you get tired of the Protein shakes, but I am more tired of feeling like crap all the time, and huffing and puffing just walking to my car in the parking lot!! I too am self conscious about going out to eat, movies, etc, I see the looks I get. First and foremost I am doing this for my health, I have just had enough, and again, this is a tool, it is forced portion control, and if it helps then great!! It is so easy for people that don't have a weight problem to say, you can do it on your own, sure you can, I have before, but gained it back and then some!! So, listen to yourself, and if you need a tool, then so be it!!

Mandatory Disclaimer: this is what i did, and the results/side effects are particular to me. YMMV. With that said: Im 3.5 years out. If I wanted to, i could forgo weighing and measuring food to avoid physical discomfort…i have long since learned what my stomach likes/dislikes and how much it can hold at a time. BUT i still measure/weigh because i’m a serial food tracker/logger cuz that’s just how i roll. Its not for everyone, but its just part of everyday life for ME. Beer and Coffee: I don’t drink beer (never did), but i do drink hard liquor. I had less than 10 partial drinks during my 7 month weight loss phase, but am now a regular drinker…some may say too much, but whatevs. Coffee, i served at the hospital, and i went back to my at least daily thermos of coffee at around 1 month post op. Also, i started drinking my fave sparkling water again around the same time. I probably drink about 5-6 litres of it a week. Fave food eating: I can honestly say there is nothing that I don’t eat IF i want to eat it. Alcohol? Check. Desserts? Check. Chips? Check. Fried foods? Check. Mind u there are alot of things that WERE my faves and ate alot of pre-op that just don’t register much anymore. I’m looking at you, rice and pasta. I barely eat (nor want) rice anymore…basically only if its sushi. Same goes for pasta and bread…i mostly only eat it if Mr. makes it, and we are talking like once every couple of 1-2 months. The volume of what i consume of my “faves” though is like a fraction of what I consumed pre-op, but thats just fine with me…its all about taste anyway, not about stuffing myself. —————— All this works for ME, and may or may not be your experience as well…you won’t know until you know. P.S. I’ve been maintaining below goal weight this entire time, so i must be doing something right! 😇

as far as food, once you get a few months out, there are no restrictions. Obviously, you have to eat less than what you were eating before surgery or you'll gain the weight back, but as far as not being able to eat certain types of food, no - no restrictions there. At seven years out, I still have to track my intake and measure/weigh some things, though. Otherwise, my weight starts heading north again pretty quickly. beer - we were allowed to drink alcohol at one year out, but like someone else said, some people's stomachs can't handle anything carbonated (mine can't). caffeine - there seems to be no consistency among surgeons on this. Some say you can never have it again for the rest of your life, some allow patients to have it while they're still in the hospital. I would say the majority are OK with it after a certain time period (for example - a month or three months or six months). Our clinic allowed decaf pretty early on (maybe 3 or 4 weeks out?), and caffeinated coffee at six months out.

Well I had liver fears even though numbers weren't that bad and I stopped alcohol months early. Maybe it was make up of our group pre-op My nut stressed importance of diet but said I know you will cheat a bit the first week just don't cheat the second. It helped me feel human and buckle down.

You can also fight candida by taking live enteric coated lactobacillus and bifidus, found at the health food stores. The enteric coating allows the capsule to only open in an alkaline environment which is in the latter part of the small intestine. These good biotics sometimes referred to as probiotics excrete enzymes that are hostile to candida, and viruses. There is so much danger by not geting rid opf the ulcer causing bad guys!!, at least candida will not kill you. the candida does require sugar to reproduce so there are cleansing diets that you can go on, no refined carbs, no sugar, no potatoes or rice, chips etc. This combo gives the candida a one two punch. Another thing is that when the candida reacts with sugar, you can actually produce as much as 1 pint of alcohol in your gut causing headachs, lethargy and later on liver produced cholesterol. I would visit a naturpath DR. asap and get on the natural cures for candida and also take the antibiotic the get rid of the stomach bacteria and then be able to get the band. If you noticed that you continually crave sugar, the candida is asking for your cooperation... Dont give it!!!

@@James Marusek My doctor has the same "rules"... no caffeine, no carbonation and no alcohol -- and he's said forever. They just don't contribute to health and have bad side effects. The hardest for me will be the caffeine and carbonation -- I'm a Diet Coke addict so I hope like many others on here, I lose the desire for it.

I had my first bit of alcohol 6 months after surgery. I wasn't planning on drinking but witnessed a traumatic event right before diner. I had less than an 1/8 of a cup and felt it way hard. I don't think I'll be drinking again anytime soon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My plan says no alcohol for 6 months because of irritation to stomach. After that it warns about empty calories, etc.

Thank you for everyone's advice and support. I'm going to try the Protein bars at cosco. Also I never heard of alcohol sugars before, its that new? Hope everyone has a nice weekend, Janine

Putting an alcohol prep pad on my nose helped me with nausea after surgery. If you don't have those, maybe put a little alcohol gel hand sanitizer on???

This weeks weigh-in: 172.2lbs - HELLS YES - 90lbs down! I've been away for a few weeks so this is going to be a long one! SORRY ahead of time. I had a realization about my band Saturday morning. The besties and I were headed out for a day of bridesmaid dress hunting (yes I know, less than a month away) after a late St. Patrick's Day night. I rolled out of bed and figured that we would hit up a drive-thru on the way since I felt kind of like death. I am a coffee fanatic! I neeeeed a cup of joe in the morning before I even open my eyes. My regular routine is to have a few sips before my shower and getting dressed and then I eat the same oatmeal type concoction every morning. Same time, same portion, same everything. I never have problems in the morning. Since my last fill, I have had a few issues when I am on the road. Twice now, the Mr. and I have checked out of a hotel without coffee or breakfast and stopped in at McDonalds or Tim Hortons on the way since it is such a long drive home. We are in a hurry!!! Because I do not drink and eat with the bad, I have made the mistake of trying to eat first without the coffee. Things that would never get stuck, do. I couldn't figure it out and thought that it may be my band reacting to alcohol (for shame Jennifer, for shame). Well, this Saturday - BING!!! the light bulb came on after throwing up into a take out bag in the front seat of Sparms' new car while Mama G sat unfazed in the backseat. Totally embarrassing. They are both totally supportive and have really taken this journey with me but it sucked making them pull over to ditch my bag of slime. Then, it came to me - COFFEE LOOSENS MY BAND! I should not be eating anything solid in the morning until I have had a warmish liquid in there first. I have heard and read about this with many bandsters but never thought that it applied to me. Well, now I know. Over a year out of surgery and I am still learning and adapting to my ever-changing band! Work is nuts!!! Wedding stuff is even more nuts and life seems to be whizzing by! We leave in 12 more sleeps. Both of our suitcases are packed, the passports are locked and loaded and my dry whiter-than-snow skin is just dying for some sunshine and some humidity! I get my hair done today too! I've never had my hair done by a real professional. I stop by at the local strip mall for a chop here and there and because I have curly hair, no one can ever tell that it is a shitty job. Not today friends. I am hitting up a real professional! I am going to wait to put up this post so that I can include a pic. I'm hoping for something natural looking.UPDATE- The trip to the salon was worth the head message alone! Really liking how soft it feels. He even straightened it too! I felt like a special lady all afternoon. Over the last few weeks, the wedding odds and ends are being tied up. Saturday night, Sparms Bestie and I went to my Mom's house. Mom is a scrap-booker, card maker and crafter extraordinaire. We made gift tags for these gorgeous little ditties that we are sending home with guests: (this is not my photo, nor our guestbook). Collectively, the tag dream was materialised! They turned out better than I ever expected. This proven by the fact that we used none of the things that I purchased specifically for them! Thanks Mom and Sparms! Mama G Bestie braved make-up and underwear shopping with me. I have to admit, stores like that were really intimidating for me before. I don't wear make-up often at all. Partially because I have always purchased crap that I don't use more than once or twice. Mama G took me in to Seph*ra and wrangled a shop girl to test a bunch of powders on me.(Who wants sweat lip shiny wedding shots?) I would never insist on this alone. I would do my best to pick the one that I thought matched my colour and be done. After that trial, I know that I am completely clueless. I would assume that my skin was pink, not yellowish. What the hell do I know? Obviously nothing! Left the store with some great stuff and a little bit of an interest in make-up. I always believed that I would never be able to buy something from "V*ctoria's S#cret". Pssh, who cares? That place is STOOPID anyway! HMPH. Well, I hate to say it... I couldn't have been more wrong. These bras are like little silk memory foam pillows for the girls! The straps are made out of some kind of anti-slip material that feels like money on my skin! I was floored. I wanted one of everything! Mama G stood beside me and was my courage. We had so much fun chatting and browsing that all anxiety went out the window. I flipped through the drawers looking for a white strapless for under my wedding dress. They didn't have it in white at the one location but I found the style that I wanted and they held it for me at another location. The next day, the Mister and I went to pick it up. The Mister totally enjoyed the store more than he would ever care to admit and he bought the bra and a bottle of a perfume that I had been raving about. It's called "BOMBSHELL". *cough* *cough* HELLS YEAH I AM! I am also a very lucky girl! I love my friends and family... and they love me too... most of the time. lol.

it seems i can only lose on about 800 and since i can't live like that (or i chose not to) i stay the same. i'm learning to accept it. i'm happy at about 1200 and that's pretty easy if i stay away from alcohol. although i quit alcohol for the last 60 days and still didn't lose so tonight i'm having a nice glass of red. lol

I was allowed to drink while on post op liquid phase. I asked in my 1 week post op and they said you can drink now. Again i didn't want to overdo it just had a glass of wine being that I haven't had food in 4 weeks! They also tell us that we can drink some alcohol before dinner to help relax things.

I'm not sure how I would feel about this, but I was also told you could take a shot of hard liquor. I know when I drink alcohol it relaxes the band somewhat. I've never tried a shot when stuck though.

Alcohol doesn't affect me any differently. I started with 1/2 glass wine about 4 months out. Since then I've had more wine, vodka cocktails, whiskey, and twisted tea. I've consumed up to 3-4 pretty strong drinks without feeling drunk (buzzed, but not slobbering drunk). I cannot do carbonation of any kind, so beer and champagne are out. A lot of people report that alcohol hits them quick and hard postop, but not me. I had a very high tolerance before surgery and was looking forward to Being a cheap date but it didn't happen. i used to drink every day, but now maybe 1-2 times/month. The calories just aren't worth it anymore.

I would water it down. One of the things they told us in the preop class I went to was that alcohol is absorbed much quicker, so a 1/2 glass is like a couple of glasses previously as far as affect.

Great job staying on track on a cruise!! I just got back from Florida on a week long vacation. I was on a 2 week stall when I went (at 4 months out I had avoided a stall up to that point). It was really hard not having a scale while I was out of town, but I survived! I didn't deprive myself at all, but I was eating small portions of mainly fresh seafood. I did drink too much alcohol but didn't really have any issues with it. I was walking on the beach and swimming a lot. I was able to move so much better and play with my kids! When I got back, my stall had broken and I was down 1 pound. Over the las few days, I've lost a couple more pounds. I'm happy with that!! I can't wait till Florida next year when I will be at goal

As many of you know, I'm a travel agent. I really hated to ask for a seat belt extension and not being able to do much but sit on the beach. I was sleeved at the end of May and today am down 60 pounds. Well, at 55 pounds lost I went on a cruise. Any of you ever done this? You know all of the food that is served on board...and in ports of call. I was with my hubby and parents...all eaters. I think I did pretty well...seeing there were a million desserts etc on board. The first night was bad.....I had a small soft serve icecream cone, then later that evening had a virgin mudslide. Ugh!! My first time having "dumping"!!! needless to say I watched the rest of my trip. My cocktails consisted of watered down cranberry juice in a cute glass with a piece of fruit and straw. The bartenders were pretty cool when I told them I couldn't drink alcohol or soda. They didn't even charge for the juice. I got so tired of iced tea. Every morning I had a fresh omelet made..well every other...I have to have bran cereal about every other day to try to stay regular. Breakfast was fine. I always tried to eat a mid morning snack like I do at home, but no cheese sticks or fudgesicles on a ship. I tried to get a fresh fruit cup but man the soft serve icecream machine kept getting in my way. I only had a few, very very small ones. Hubby kept giving me the evil eye. Lunch was usually a yogurt cup and fruit..There was a little cafe onboard that you didn't feel like you had to load your plate at the buffet. Dinner was usually a piece of baked chicken or fish. Not really eating any veggies yet, just mostly protein as I get full really fast. Mid night snack was eating the pepperoni and cheese off a slice of pizza.....or these cute little mini croissant ham and cheese sandwiches. When ever I wanted dessert my hubby split it with me...the pieces are only about a 1 inch square anyway. The point is, I didn't want to feel deprived. I took a portion of everything I felt I wanted to eat, but by the time I ate my protein there was not much room left for the other things. It was a bummer at the lobster house and getting a whole lobster and only being able to eat the claws....but I survived. My parents looked at me like wth....cuz I'd get full on a few bites. But that's ok, I had lost 55 pounds so far and I was walking the steps. We took the steps and walked every chance we could. Now, before the sleeve I would've come home with an extra 5 pounds. I wouldn't have walked and taken the elevator.This time I maintained....so proud of myself. But back home for almost a week now and 5 more pounds gone...yippee!!! Our next trip will be in April. I hope to be down another 30-40 pounds and parasail...that's my gift to myself...something I've always wanted to do. Anyone else have anything to say about vacations????

I am 2 weeks post op today and onto the "puréed" stage. I also had the pre-op liquid diet for 4 WEEKS which was such a joy:) Truth: My opinion is that every body type is different and reacts differently. There are some things you should plain just not eat right now (fried foods, tough meets, soda, alcohol etc) but others I feel are in the grey area. I'm on puréed foods and had a very small piece if deli turkey (size of my pinky). I chewed and chewed, took it very slowly, listened to my body and I feel great. I've had a few veggies that have been so steamed they melt in my mouth and then I chewed and chewed and chewed. I think you are the only one who knows if its worth it and how your body is healing. Of course you should be careful, but no judgement here;) good luck!

Mine is Ellise , level 49 Shadow priest.. Chromaggus server. lol. And I love battlegrounds. I'm geared up with purples and blues and trying to get my new boots right now. It is fun for sure. I don't think I'll transfer my addiction to alcohol as I'm really not a big drinker.. actually the last time I've been drunk was at my bachelorette party over a year ago.. but last night I was definitely tipsy.. If it becomes a habit I'll make sure to check myself and not go too far.. WOW = World of Warcraft. It's mostly a guy game, but it's fun. It does cost a monthly fee of like 15 bucks and it helps to have somebody show you what to do. I teased about the 16 year olds.. actually theres a lot of older men on there too.. my husband being one of them and most of his friends play too. If you're a chick in the game you get hit on A LOT actually. lol Somebody mentioned the calories in a glass of this wine and I looked it up and its only 40 calories and nothing else.. no carbs or anything..

Yes, it is confusing. When I attended my first WLS seminar nearly a decade ago, I was told that we could never have alcohol again after surgery. This year they recommended waiting at least six months. There's a big difference between six months and forever! I guess the science is evolving.

I don't think it is nonsense. I think the reason why any data has come out is based on the fact that the lapband and gastric bypass have been around longer. There is very little data about the long term affects of the sleeve since it is still very new as a means of WLS. Hence why most of the articles are revering to the gastric bypass. However, it is an interesting correlation since many on this site alone have expressed a new found addiction to shopping. And there have been studies about people going from alcoholism to other things, so the argument can be reasonably made to suggest why not WLS too. We have addictions to food, why can there be no transference. All and all, I agree with IrishEyes that they were merely trying to share information with fellow Sleevers and give food for thought (pardon the pun). I know that it will keep me on guard once I get sleeved since alcoholism does run in my family. So I, for one, say thank you.

I just tried a beer at 3 months out. It was a non-event. I had to drink it slow and I ddn't finish it, but I was able to sit back a happy hour and feel like a normal human being. I am staying in my calorie guiltiness. I think there is a little too much drama around this. I can ruin my diet with excessive alcohol, or with Cookies. I don't plan to do either. So far beer does not appear to be an evil, sleeve-exploding devil-beverage. Sent from my iPad using VST

I had it a month in a half ago. I haven't drank any alcohol but I was curious why I was told not to drink alcohol for life. Thank u:)

What are the the side effects if I drink alcohol? Why was I told I can't drink alcohol, I know beer has too much gas but what about straight tequila or vodka???