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My dad is 74 and also begged me not to do the surgery, especially in Mexico. 8 weeks oost op now, 49 yrs old, serious arthritis pain is controlled with tylenol, 82 lbs down total, 35 since surgery. I absolutely would do this again (sleeve). The first 3 to 4 weeks were tough, so was the preop phase, but is all worth it in the long run. I still have 70 to 80 lbs I need/want to lose, and I know with this tool/assistant I will keep it off. You have to work on healthy coping skills, i used to lean on alcohol more than I should, and you lose both food and wine as coping methods post op. Overall I'm so much healthier in a short period of time. Do this for you if you feel it's the right step, based on Your research, best wishes! Jeanette Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

I used to drink quite a bit (whatever that means--1 or 2 a day, maybe more on weekends), but have cut down since surgery. I don't have restrictions from my doctor (or the band itself) on alcohol, but I keep in mind the liquid calories! Plus now I'm not really used to drinking as much. I have anywhere from 0 to 3 drinks most weeks; sometimes I want more, but usually the calories keep me from doing it! And even on special occasions, I try not to drink too much; there is NO way I want to drink to the point of getting sick with the band--I cringe when I think of how unpleasant and dangerous that would be.

Do you think it will be possible to have a little alcohol over the holiday period. I have my op on the 19 Dec.

I, too, had ulcers and it didn't interfere with surgery. As a drug and alcohol counselor, I congratulate you on use being in the past. Good luck with surgery! Sent from my KFASWI using the BariatricPal App

I'm glad I'm not the only one tapshoes. Eating is fun, and I love it...hence my problem. Drinking...well unless it has alcohol in it or it's just plain Water I'm just not that into it. Ps- I am not an alcoholic, that was a joke.

First of all, I'd like to say something to Angie and to anyone else to whom this might apply: You are not failing at the band - the band is failing you! the band has a specific function. it is meant to create a sensation of saiety (sp) (fullness) with less food. if it isn't doing that, it isn't functioning properly. sure, we can eat our way around this band, but that isn't the initial point. it is a point, but for later. i was fortunate to have this life changing surgery April 1st, making me 71 days post op. and for those counting, my practice looks at 90 days out to have adjustments close to where they should be. so stop being so hard on yourselves and take advantage of this adjustment period to figure things out, including your head. even if there is some serious sabotage going on, you still have a chance. because you still have the band. anyone who isn't friends with their doctor should get another doctor. do not declare defeat. fight for the results promised to you when they were selling you on this procedure. you haven't failed. (stepping off soap box) 1. WEIGHT highest 228 surgery 4-1-212 5-1 - 204 (2 lbs a week) 5-26 - 201 (you do the math) 6-8-09 - 196 (2 lbs a week) 2. FILLS-in a 10cc band 1) 5-1 - 2.5 cc 2) 5-26 - 2.6 cc = 5.1cc 3) 6-8 - 1cc = 6.1cc 3. RESTRICTION- none until the 3rd fill. i think i've got it. when i don't eat slow enough, i physically cannot eat another bite for a few minutes. PERFECT. so i slow down. i can't drink as fast as i could before. PERFECT. 4. RULES-here's where this process will be different for me than any other time i've tried to lose weight. i will break the "rules" life happens. so how do i account for the times and incidences and still make this work? THAT is the job of this medical staff that has my life in their hands (and mine in my stomach). 5. ANYTHING ELSE when i go in for a check up (and a fill) i tell them all the things i am able to eat that i don't want to be able to eat. i could down 6 Biotin pills all at once. i ate 6 oz of steak and another 7 oz 3 hours later. that's when they looked at each other and said "she needs a good fill". if you don't succeed, THEY haven't succeeded. they didn't keep their promise. i want the physical restriction promised to me. that's what i signed up for. that's what i paid for. that's why i'm doing this. there is no failing, because there are no other options for me. i hit bottom and there is no where to go but up. so stick to your guns ladies. tell them you are capable of eating in a way that will not help you lose weight. tell them you need them to make it so you cannot physically fail. on a side note, let me say this: at the initial office visit, i met with four different staff members. on four separate occasions, they all told me "ya know, you can eat your way around this band..." until i heard it (4 times) it never dawned on me to even try. I admit, with all due respect, I looked each one of them in the eye and in no uncertain terms told them : "hey, i'm not fucking around here." I'm not here to learn HOW to eat my way out of this. i'm here to learn how to use this to my advantage. on another side note, let me also say i realize after reading these posts that i am one of the lucky ones having little or no complications. the worst part of it all has been left shoulder pain post op for 3 weeks and now if i eat too much or too fast. it's a good signal for me to stop when i feel that. i am happy to say i might have found a good fill point with this last visit. i had 8oz of steak in front of me tonight and could only eat half. i had an entire box of Green Giant brussel sprouts in butter sauce before this last fill, made it again and couldn't come close to finishing. so this is good. my practice is overcautious with a very gradual approach allowing the stomach and your system and YOU to get familiar with this process. USE THEM to help you. i've had alcohol, and counted it (i'm a food log nut). i had 16 oz of 2% chocolate milk. and i counted it and didn't go over for the day. and that's going to happen sometimes. so here i am deep into week 10 (your typical weight loss program) and as my motivation starts to waver as patterns show, this is when we figure out how to live with it. someday i'll have to figure out the "why" but for now, i am still optomistic. so keep your heads up ladies, and hold the doctor accountable for some of this. work with him, be honest and let life dictate how you can use the band to help you the most. sorry for the long long post, but i felt it important since so many of you are blaming yourselves for what might not be your fault. keep your head high and we will succeed. hugs knewme

Caution about drinking!!!!!!!! Research is showing the gastric surgery recipients are increasingly becoming alcoholics after surgery-even if they had no drinking before the surgery!!! I know its easy to say "it won't happen to me" but be careful. The band is for life so you'll have to deal with it.

I am about to get the LB in 2 weeks. I only told a few close folks, however, for everyone who got it at my very large establishment, there were always rumors, and people always will talk. Heck, even if you loose it without surgery, they will assume the lader. I am 33 as well, but will say that at this point in my life, I live for me and my family. Eating unhealthy junkfood, smoking cigs, alcohol abuse, whatever the addiction...any healthy tool that helps me change for the better is nothing to be embarressed about. In Fact, I praise anyone who wants to be healthy and take control of thier addiction. For the most part, ignorance fuels people thoughts and actions at time. Hold your head up, love yourself and be proud. Having the support of your family may or maynot have helped, just having a loving and supportive ear is important in times of despair.

My surgeon said I could drink whenever I wanted to post op, but to be VERY CAREFUL. Alcohol is absorbed by the stomach into the bloodstream and being sleeved means we can get drunk very quickly. I sipped a couple of wine spritzers at a party four weeks out and just one week out I drank two half-glasses of sav blanc with no ill effects. Your surgeon will recommend what he thinks is apt.

I'm six weeks post surgery, I have had red wine on occasion, and more recently found 100 calorie margaritas ( Cuervo and Margaritaville) There is definately a trade off because of calories, and do watch the quantity that you drink. Your body has changed or in the process of changing, you are eating much less so you will (you will) be effected by the alcohol ! I learned by experience... really ice down your drink or pour a half glass of wine instead of a full one.

Do you think it's possible that your bad eating habits might have anything to do with this post you made less than two weeks ago: "ppl are such prudes lol drink up ull be fine im about 6months out and i drink more now than i did before surgery and im fine lol well everything is fine so far since i STILL cant eat as much " http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/339715-call-the-bariatrics-police/?p=3932473 Maybe if you concentrated more on Protein than drinking alcohol, you wouldn't have to resort to Pringles and Snickers? Or am I being a prude?

My opinion is the question has nothing to do with the band, per se, so it's really your decision! Meaning, it's empty calories, but there's nothing about being banded that changes your choice whether the benefits of alcohol outweigh the calories. You can absolutely still have it and since you're cutting your cals from food, still lose weight. You'd just lose faster without it, which would be true without the band as well (again b/c empty cals). But if you want to have it, it's completely your choice! You may find that you want it ndow, but you get kind of addicted to losing weight and that the payoff of losing weight faster will, at some point, outweigh your desire for those calories. Good luck. You're going to do fine.

It's wasted calories, but I guess if you alocate those calories for the day, it would be like eating anything else with those calories. However, I read the other day the way your body 'burns' stuff... It said first it burns Alcohol, then carbs, then protein, then stored fat (I believe it went this way.. I do know Alcohol was first and stored fat was last).. so if you add alcohol, it's longer on the chain to get to the stored fat.

And the skinny girl margaritas are ok just doesn't contain much alcohol.

Hi everyone Now im not a big drinker at all infact i have only had one drink this year ( red wine) at my sisters wedding but im wondering after the sleeve whats the rules regarding alcohol? i woud just like to know if, now and again when i go out i can have alcohol or is having the sleeve taking that ability away?

I wasn't given any restriction on alcohol from my surgeon after the first healing period was over. I can drink wine and beer just as before surgery, however - I don't get as effected by it now. My husband and I had a couple of moijitos when in Thailand and while he was clearly not sober from the experience I felt nothing! :-)

I had mine Monday. We talked a bit about my family support system and history. Why I wanted the surgery and what the risks are. About my eating habits and then I had to take a personality quiz on the computer which was 340 questions and I swear about 200 of them stated about alcohol,suicide and drugs in sneaky ways...you would think after the first few times I said I do not drink,I do not do nor have i ever done drugs and I do not feel like committing suicide they would get it lol

You'll also want to remember that alcohol might hit you harder/faster than before, so don't expect to have your normal amount. Just drink and pay attention to how you're feeling.

Two weeks of parades, parties, and fun. Two weeks of ALCOHOL and FOOD shoved in your face at every turn...... But, this year will be different. I won't be partaking in King Cakes, fried chicken, snack foods, and lots of adult beverages.... I will be able to march parade routes 6-7 miles long as a chaperone for my son's high school band (that's a first bc i couldnt do that 100+ pounds ago). And I may be partaking in sugar free Jell-O shots the night I'll be riding in a parade..... If you're coming to New Orleans, remember to yell, "Throw Me Something, Mister!"

Was sleeved oct. 21st this year and there is a party coming up. How long did everyone wait to drink?

Yeah, niacin shortage doesn't make much sense to me. BTW, VSG patients aren't instructed to take niacin separately, although 100% of a day's niacin needs are in the Multivitamin I take. People do die of niacin deficiencies. They tend to be people who live in poverty, are alcoholics, and are generally malnourished. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niacin

Do you have to have a cocktail? You can go out for a drink without it being alcoholic right? Just a thought.

Oh and drink at home your first time, just so you know how the alcohol will hit you.

Hi ya'll! I'm fresh off a 4 day weekend and wanted to get you the up to the minute Johnny news. C'mon, be honest.... how many of you just can't wait for your fanatical fat fix? I thought so. This blog is like an auto race. Most of the spectators just come for the crashes. At the very least, I am a cheap version of a reality show. Your own personal rendition of Biggest Loser. Or Survivor. Hey, I got an idea ... What if we combine both of those shows? Let's strand a bunch of fat asses in the middle of no where with no food and the potty mouthed TV chef Paula Dean. We'll call it Fattasy Island. My bet, 7 contestants arrive, only 5 leave. The other 2 will be enjoyed with a homemade tropical marinade. No doubt this will be a huge hit. On to the news. Last Monday I went for monthly follow up visit at the center for Fat-ass-i-ness. As reported last week, I officially hit the 50 pound loss point. Yippee! I have to tell you that I am starting to look and feel a little out of place in the waiting area. I am no longer the short, overly swelled man that enjoyed the extra comfort of the fat ass chairs. I am now just a short, plump man that looks like a little kid sitting in a big chair. Add the fact that I usually wear a suit and tie on Mondays. The waiting wobblers probably think I'm some kind of creepy sales person waiting to show Dr. X my new drugs. But sitting and waiting is part of my commitment. It is part of my rehab. Yup. Rehab. Because that's really what this is. Fataholic's Anonymous. My name is Johnny ... and I'm a fataholic. Anyone that reads this, and definitely anyone that tries this, must realize what a significant weight loss project really is. It's a full time commitment to food sobriety. Without full dedication to the cause, you are doomed to fail. "Just one Oreo" can be as catastrophic to a fataholic as "just one beer" to the alcoholic. That first step backwards can lead to a tumble. The end of the binge is just as devastating for both. Self consciousness, loss, shame, failure. All the same buzz words. The alcoholic may end his bender in a a tavern with a shot and a beer in the wee hours of the morning. The fataholic may end up in a corner with a jumbo bag of Dorito's and jar of salsa. Self inflicted wounds for both. The fataholic requires guidance just like his counterpart. We get all the information we need to succeed from our nutritionists, shrinks and doctors. But at the end of the day, it is still on you to watch and motivate yourself. You have to make constant decisions to succeed. Food is not only required to live,it is part of our culture. Think about it. Just about every social gathering includes food. A nice night out with your better half probably includes dinner. A business lunch includes food. Weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs ... you name a social gathering and there will be food. And plenty of it. How about our addiction to Fat Ass TV? There are several channels that air nothing but food shows 24/7. Then you have Masterchef, Iron Chef,Top Chef and a myriad of other kitchen shows. There is a guy that drives around the country and pigs out at out of the way diners. There are guys that fix broken restaurants and a guy that spies on various eatery's employees. If has to do with food, there is a TV show about it. And these chefs / stars get paid humongous salaries for this! I'm really in the wrong business. It's easy to see how someone can lose sight of a healthy lifestyle and fall in to the grips of fatness in our country today. Once you get there, going back is b***h. It's a challenge every minute to stay on your selected program. It's a good thing I have my sober coaches to guide me ... good ol' Al C. Hall and his cousin Vinny Vino. See you soon.. Johnny PS I'm at a little plateau here. The weight loss is slowing down to around a pound per week. I'm going to have to change something up here next week

Who am I to scold anyway. I drink alcohol and eat Taco Bell. course I'm below goal weight! Hang in there, stay strong, get to goal weight, and chocolate will perhaps be an occasional indulgence that you can handle. But now isn't the time!