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My doctor didn't restrict me from alcohol or carbonated beverages after the first month although did warn that the carbonation might give me problems. However, I don't drink because (1) I'm a cheap date...one glass and I'm ready for bed, and (2) I physically crave carbs the next day. .

Ok guys and gals. I confess. I tried the AWOL last night. Reviews- "EH" Did a some Jose Quervo Gold. Wouldn't recommend the AWOL unless you have the desensatized lungs like that of a smoker. Yes, the liquor is harsh on the lungs at first. After the initial 'break in period', you don't get a typical alcohol buzz. You get a nice relaxed mellow feeling. No hangover noted. Nice and relaxing after you get past the taste, but still not as fun as the effects of drinking the alcohol. Basically, it's a novelty. Like an ice luge, it's cool to have for a party, but soon looses it's appeal. But hey at least I can say I tried it. Won't be doing it anytime soon though.

I can only speak to what I've seen first-hand. I knew someone who was addicted to pain-killers. When she got clean she refused to ever even take an aspirin again. She went through child-birth drug-free because she didn't want any pain meds she was so afraid of getting addicted again. I quit smoking cold-turkey 6 years ago. I tried many times before that but I found myself in situations often that other people were smoking and I would take "just one." Well that just one turned into me smoking a pack a day again. I have relatives that were alcoholics. They know they can never even taste alcohol ever again. We couldn't even have cooking wine in the house. So it's not hyperbole to say that while most addicts can shut out the addiction completely, food addicts can not. We were addicted to carbs, calories, fat whatever. We still have to have some of those to live. You knew a heroin addict who could handle pain killers without becoming addicted again. That's great. That person must have a very strong will. But did they have to take pain-killers every day? I'm just saying that that is the kind of will that ALL food addicts must have EVERYDAY to overcome their addiction. Not that it can't be done. That's why there are support groups - to help bolster our will. Maybe it's easy for you, and that's wonderful. But there are people who struggle with their will every day. I would never downplay their efforts by saying it is any easier than a drug-addict's struggle. It's bad enough that much of society still think that all fat people are lazy and stupid, let's not do it to each other.

I have yet one more theory on tolerance, You have very little food in your stomach AND the liquids slide right through and hit you hard and fast. Yet more wise advice: Vodka, whisky, gin, grappa, cognac, rum or any other distilled alcohol, with no sugar added (all turned into alcohol) have zero carbohydrates. Beer has lots and so does wine (red more than white, but still a lot.) A good rule-of-thumb is anything even slightly sugary or malty has carbs. Alcohol is sugar in another form (better, I'd say) and not a calorie is lost. You still get the energy. But no carbs, natch. The carbs have all been magically turned into booze. However, they severely delay weight loss. I guess they keep the liver too busy. All those "empty calories" must bounce about a lot. Atkins died before he'd come to a conclusion on the matter, though I remember him recommending a glass of vodka rather than beer, wine or, supreme sin, fruit juice. But booze not only delays fat loss; it withholds Water and puffs you up. Distilled alcohol is still a miracle little understood and appreciated.

Haha, yeah, sometimes things just feel like they should be done now. Had that feeling about a few things lately. Good on you for raising the money too! I was just having a chat in another forum with a Dutch man who's getting the surgery done soon - comparing differences in insurance paying for these sorts of things... Huh, lucky you got a bank loan... My bank wouldn't give me one last year. Which reminds me, need to email them. I remember Dr Fris being really relaxed about the first few weeks. Probably a good way to be though - your body gets put under a lot of stress having a rubber band stuck around your stomach so it pays to take some time to get used to it. (Actually, because I got it done before Christmas he actually told me he wasn't bothered if I put some weight back on. Heh.). Once you're off liquids it is a lot easier... And hey, 5 years down the line and that summer holiday is just a blip, so even the memories of it get better. Hmm. And now you're making me want mashed potato... Lol. You can still eat rice, but be careful with it cos it fills you up real fast. Probably don't try it too soon, and pay attention to how much you're eating (remember the example I made of a friend thinking I was bulemic? ... Yeeeah. Hehe.). To be honest I don't think there's much I can't actually eat, it's just the amounts that have changed. I have even had garlic naan when friends and I have gone for Indian food - though only a tiny strip of it. You appreciate the taste/texture/all the other characteristics of the food a lot more when the amount becomes a lot smaller. It is a bit hard when you're restricted to only liquids or something. You can actually get pretty creative. A friend of mine recently mentioned a 'Moroccan-spiced autumn vege soup with orzo'. I haven't looked up a recipe but probably best to wait till you're back on solids before trying anything that is chunky (like I'm guessing this is) or orzo (or other pasta). But I've discovered looking up different recipes to test out is fun. You could try making your own smoothies for breakfast, too, perhaps? All I know is I was pretty damned sick of optifast by the time I was off liquids... Heh. Of course, that doesn't help being sick of soup, really, but... It won't last forever! Haha! Yeah, the port does feel really weird. My mum kept poking me in the stomach for a while... Did think of two other things today that I've noticed throughout the time I've had the band (amourette, would be interesting to see your thoughts on this, too) - 1) Energy efficiency - much more energy efficient now, mentioned this before as well. My body is a lot better at using the energy it gets now, which is really good. 2) Don't go hungry for too long... I found I'm walking a very fine line now of being hungry vs being full. Sure, I can't eat much, but I can't go hungry for long either. I usually keep snacks on me - a muesli bar in my bag, for instance, or pretzels in a draw at work. I was away with others for a conference once when back in NZ (about 3 years ago now) and I couldn't eat much of my lunch (a potato salad) and didn't have any snacks on me. We went to the beach for the afternoon and it was probably 7 hours till dinner... Walking around looking for a restaurant turned out to be the last straw and by the time I ordered dinner I was so low on energy I almost fainted. Fortunately I'd also ordered an orange juice which came out almost immediately and that helped me wait for dinner to arrive. You don't want to over eat, but I know I can't /not/ eat either. I've only felt the same way twice since when I didn't keep suitable snacks nearby and nowhere near as strongly as that time on the conference. Sort of makes the 'small meals often' thing ring quite true. Semi-related observation: Actually, my stomach seems to be really sensitive now days - I get stressed, I can't eat as easily. I go on a plane, can't eat as easily. Try sitting down for 33 hours of flying - all I managed of my last meal on the plane was the tea and a bit of a roll. Found when I was in Amsterdam in February last year that put 33 odd hours of flying + stress of an interview together and I had a week of surviving off about one to two meals a day, could hardly eat anything for the first few days I was here - Jet lag really messes up my appetite as well. Things change a lot. My alcohol tolerance seems to be a bit lower, but then I don't drink all that often anyway, so could just be because of that. My tastes seem to have changed as well, but that could just be an age thing or something. Good to hear you managed work!

I think the reason a lot of people complain that their tolerance isn't what it once was is really quite simple to explain. If you go a long time without drinking any alcohol, your body loses its built up abilities to process it. Therefore, your tolerance can go down. With practice, you should be able to get back to "normal". I have a family reunion this summer and you'd better believe that I'll be putting back a Blue Moon or two in order to not kill anyone.

Learn new habits & keep your follow up appts with your own surgeon. Follow their advice but rememeber to: Eat slowly/chew well and Protein first (try to get in 70 grams of protein a day) Hydrate often during the day - no soda/alcohol, limit caffeine such as ice tea, coffee - drink minimum of 64oz a day Take your supplements daily Seriously limit your carbs while trying to reach goal - I followed Tiffykins advice of under 30 a day and met my surgeons weight loss goal in a little over 5 months - my goal in 6 months Don't slip back into old patterns - slider foods can sabotage your weight loss (chips, bread, Cookies, potatoes) Do you see my weakness here? Exercise daily! If all else fails take a 20 minute walk after dinner before you sit down to "relax." Walking is relaxing. Use light weights to tone up those arms - you will be happier Enjoy the journey of change. I was a good lady before but now, I am improved version. Good luck ... no regrets!

Hi all. Here is my questions... I am not nearly ready for a drink but do wonder WHAT to drink when I am. Yes I am thinking way ahead I know. Here is my thing... I love Rita's but I am sure the sugar content in them will be terrible for sleevers. Beer you are not supposed to have because of the bubbles or something?? Mixed drinks with juice have sugar in them too. What is safe to drink that wont send you into dumping syndrome? Thanks for any advice yall have!! I just want to make sure that I dont do anything that will cause me to have any problems down the road.

Hello all Week 35 Well I have got tighter and tighter again and only really managing cuppa soup. Even yoghurt is difficult but then that could be that I tried to rush it down as I needed to go and teach. Soon let me know as I get the most terrible pain in my back and just have to go get rid of it. Feel absolutley dreadful afterwards aswell and very reluctant to take anything in. Weighed in yesterday and had lost 1.5 lbs and 1.25 inches so total loss of 77.5 pounds and 66 inches. Phenomenol! So on the downward path for the last 25 pounds to get to a total loss of 101 pounds hopefully by the anniversary og having the band (30th July 2010). Had a setback yesterday whilst walking to pick the children up as I managed to fall over (didn't trip over anything or anyone) my dad said I should take more water with it BUT as I don't touch the stuff (alcohol) then that's not possible. I feel absolutely exhausted and wonder if my lack of water could have been a factor. I ended up in A&E with my knee brace on and just wanted to be checked over because of the ACL replacement I had done in 2008. Just as things were going so well with teaching yoga and school! I realy don't want to embark down this path of my life again. So fingers crossed that it is the swelling that is causing all the twinging in the back of the knee and nothing more sinister. Apart from this, feeling very positive, I was asked by the nurse in triage if I had taken any pain meds and explained that I didn't think they would go through because of the band so she gave me soluable paracetamol as I can't take brufen. She was really interested in how I had got on wth it and I was really proud to tell her how much I had lost and that I was waiting to buy new clothes and just replacing little bits as I go along. She was very impressed. So all in positive but in a lot of pain. Take care and have a lovely weekend. Claire

Guess others will have to be the guinne pigs for this experiment ;P LOL Did wonder about the amount needed though. When drugs can't be given IV in a code situation, you can give some through the breathing tube, BUT at 4 times the dose to do anything. Figured alcohol would require same 'dose' adjustment. IDK Need to keep every last brain cell I have ;P

Hey Gang! I just got back from the endocrinologist. I was pleasantly surprised to find I do not have low D. In fact, he told me I had excellent numbers especially my cholesterol. My good cholesterol is 103. He is the second doctor in two weeks to tell me I am going to live a long time. He said he had never seen anyone lose 80lbs on a lap band like I did. He just doesn't know all of you. I have gained, but he said it was probably the Savella(FM drug) and Lexapro. Now, I am going to talk to the shrink about getting off of it or cut it down. Apples, I know you care very much about me succeeding on this journey. I appreciate all the comments. I just want y'all to know where I am coming from. I do believe I have an addiction to sweets. I inherited it from my dad who was and alcoholic. The more I battle it daily the more I forgive my dad for his disease. The more I forgive the stronger I become. This is definitely "One day at a time". Your poor FIL. I take it he is coming back to MN. Who is going to care for him while he recovers? Yes, you BIL is the current saint. I hope all the sisters appreciate his sacrifice. I know you do. Melissa, I know your DH is being a butt. Men always feel less than whole when they can't give their families all their needs. Try real hard to reassure him that you understand. I am praying for you a full time position. What is a carb monster Soup? Where are the recipes? Linda, I am going to see if I can watch that show online. I am sorry I missed it. I have been watching Dr. Oz. He has so many health tips. Eva, I have seven cherry tomatoes on one plant. Now I just go out twice a day to check on my garden. I had forgotten how much I loved having a garden. This is my first time to have an above ground garden. I put some Miracle Grow soil in it so I should have a good crop. LauraK, I know what you mean.....a vacation sounds so good especially after a hard winter Sndy......well, your doctor knows best. My friend just did not want to be put to sleep three times. She is a nurse so all that stuff scares her. I'm ignorant......so I just trust God has put me in good hands and He will wake me up.

Shirley you are right. I tend to swap addictions. I used to smoke. Then I quit and I've gained almost 90 pounds since then! I'm hoping that I can become addicted to being healthy and exercising. When I was young I loved running and playing sports. I really hope I can get back to that kind of "addiction." And as far as food being an addiction like alcohol or drugs - well can you imagine a drug addict just taking a little drug every day or an alcoholic taking one drink a day? I've known recovered drug addicts that don't even take pain meds because they're afraid of becoming addicted again. But food addicts can't do that. We have to eat everyday. Maybe a program would help. I don't think it's a horrible thing to do a program if you're addicted to something. It shows that you admit you need help. And we all need help or we wouldn't be here getting the band right? So, like pp said don't knock it. It may be just what you need.

If anyone has had the experience of swapping one addiction for another. ie: food to alcohol Post it O.K.... This is really quite common for some people "NOT ALL". Point is these are people that have known addiction all there life, "FOOD" so when they get over the food addiction, lose a great deal of weight., they have already picked up another addiction. This way it keeps them from going back to their food addiction. The pattern continues. I have a son who has given up the bottle, only to discover that he loves to eat everything. He's 36, and has been very thin, and a very picky eater all his life. But the bottle was a great life to him. Now he totally loves food. I keep telling him, remember me! I no what a food addiction is... He agrees, he said he would rather be fat then a Drunk. I agree to that thought, but,,, I told him don't get to fat ! It's to hard to get off. He doesn't look fat, just thickened out. But still you have to watch... What's not fare about a food addiction "I THINK" is you need food to live, it's a must. So to tempt you every day is rough! Booze and Drugs are your own choice. You don't need them to live. I met a lot of people like this at Band Meetings. The one I will never forget was a man that lost over 400LBS. with the Band. He was also a memember of A A & N A. He was my first experience as to swapping addictions..

Hey, there, back up a minute. Do you really consider a problem with food somehow superior or more socially acceptable to a problem with drugs or alcohol? Addiction is addiction. Some of the finest people I know are veterans of twelve step programs, and yes, I met them while sitting in the rooms myself. The lap band is not a miracle worker; it won't change your attitude, your mental processes, or your addiction. You have to do that yourself and a twelve step program gives you a plan to follow and support along the way from people who understand exactly what you are going through. Give yourself a break. Don't knock OA till you try it. I wish you the best.

YAY for you!!!! I agree that you handled your family perfectly. Why do family and friends get so negative about WLS surgery? I mean someone could be an raging alcoholic or drug user and I swear.....I think they get less grief from their families than a lot of WLS surgery patients do. It's crazy. You are on the way to improving your life. Go you!

Interesting to know that it didn't do much for you.. I figured it smelled horrible lol.. Wonder what would happen if you nebulized a strawberry daiquiri or a pina colada or even coconut flavored rum??? HMMMM LOL j/k.... Oh well.. Thanks for trying it out and letting us know!!!! There are die-hard alcoholics that will drink listerine or in a worst case scenario, rubbing alcohol, when desperate...

I don't know if it'd work very well, otherwise alcohol wipes would be flying off the shelves! I've never gotten any sort of buzz from using rubbing alcohol, for example.

Ok recognizing right away this in nothing but a nebulizer ( ae machine for vaporizing liquid medicine) I immediately dug out the old nebulizer and filled it with vodka as the idea of relaxed and buzzed minus calories was very appealing! Well the alcohol did indeed vaporize. Buzz???? Not anywhere near what a shot would do. Worries? I could smell the alcohol, much like rubbing alcohol. Made my lungs ache. Long term damage?

OMG! Reading too much here on the alcohol subject. Sounds like teens- girls AND guys, are using vodka soaked tampons as another way to get a buzz. CRAZY!

http://www.gotvape.com/vaporizer/alcohol-vaporizer.php Well looks like if you're gonna tie on a few and drive yourself home (dumb idea) that this is the way to go. Apparently you get the alcohols effects but the breathalizer tests can't get a reading like if you had drank the liquor. Parents out there- if you have a nebulizer and teens in the house, keep a close eye/ nose out for alcohol use in this manner!

Have heard of this before. Never met anyone that has tried it though. Hmmmmm don't need the extra O2 but could just as easily use a nebulizer. Hmmmm may have to experiment this weekend ;P Guess as long as it's an alcohol without all the sugary mixers it wouldn't hurt. Otherwise I could see the sugars making an easy breeding ground for bacteria in the lungs. Ewwwww. Talk about catching your death of Pneumonia. Jeez. Think I'll wait for further research to come in on the topic. Looks to be a cool novelty though.

I think if I am going to inhale anything that's been vaporized, I'd much rather inhale vaporized marijuana than alcohol!!!** LOL... I doubt you get the hangover with vaporized alcohol though, which is a perk... I don't really like alcohol much anymore, why get bloated on something that's just going to make you feel like crap the next day? But yes, similar vaporizers are available for illegal drugs... **I am not advocating weed smoking... Just making comparisons since it was mentioned that it is like drugs

I'm not saying I'm a drinker, since I'm underage, but this was really interesting. AWOL or Alcohol WithOut liquids. They came out with a machine where you inhale the alcohol, like oxygen, so you can get the buzz without the extra calories. It goes to the lungs instead of the stomach. I thought for WLS patients who enjoy the buzz but have trouble drinking, this is a like a 'loophole.' I have a couple links. Skip to 3:23 in the video if you don't want to watch the whole thing. I'm having trouble deciding my thoughts on this. It's the same thing as drinking but it reminds of me drugs too much, I think. What are your thoughts? http://www.ebasedprevention.org/oewn/awol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sqGgMXIllA

Re-evaluate your diet. I to have had bad diarrhea and eliminated sugar free pudding and jello and it slowed down quit a bit. I also had problem with milk but I love milk so much that I still try to have some to maybe get used to it again. I talked to my NUT yesterday and she informed me that sugar alcohols in sugar free products will cause diarrhea (as posted earlier in this thread)

Every surgeon is different for sure... Mine let me have coffee in the recovery room.... lol Mine allows alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages - carefully and in accordance with ones' tolerance - they all effect each of us differently. Personally, I'm a coffeeaholic... I drink many, many cups every day. Brad