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i know! i have the exact same problem. i also live in ny and every social thing involves alcohol. i don't have a problem with booze either but i can't cut down/stop long enough to really get my weightloss going. when i have my 'no booze' stretches the weight really comes off. i don't have any answers, but if someone does, i'd love to hear it! i guess i'll just have to try really hard to cut down. i only drink whiskey & soda to try to cut down on the calories, but i definitely struggle with this one!

My surgeon discourages alcohol (stimulates the appetite) but does not forbid it. Carbonation is on the no-no list so sodas are history.

ok. bartender checking in here. :confused: and professional drinker/partier. Ask around...its every weekend for me. And when I go out, I go out with one intention. I want to walk home on my lips after a night of flirting, drinking, smoking (no drugs please/thankyou) dancing and other unspeakables. lets go over some basics of alcohol. Dehydration: We all know that alcohol has calories. It also dehydrates you. A day after mass consumption of etoh will cause the next two days' weigh ins to be high just due to Water retention. You should, if you are smart, have at least 4oz of water with every 1oz booze you down. This will help you to not become dehydrated, and will even chase away the next morning's hangover. Beer/Mead/Ale/Lager: Most of these are carbonated, some are not though. They are HUGE on the carbohydrate scale...EVEN THE LITE BEERS. Just cause it says lite...just means it is lighter than the regular ones. Don't let this fool you. Now lets talk about the brewing process. When it is brewed in the tank it seperates into different levels. Alcohol is chemically lighter in weight than everything else you will have in there. That means the ingredients added to give you taste will sink to the bottom. The darker the liquid, the lower the alcohol content. That also means the richer the contents. The richer the contents the higher the calories. Guiness is low in alcohol volume, it takes more of it to get you drunk, and is higher in calories. The lighter the beer in color, generally, the lower in calories and the higher the alcohol content. Conclusion? You get drunk faster off of fewer drinks. There are exceptions to this rule, but it is a good thing to keep in mind. Beer generally has 12% alcohol. Wine: Wine has a LOT of sugar in it, and while it is good in Vitamins and antioxidants, goes well with fish or beef, you will be packing on the calories if you try to use wine for a night of wild and crazy partying. You should save this for a nice dinner out. Enjoy the flavor. Maybe use it as a dessert alternative. Champagne and sparkling wine is, again, carbonated and not really a good choice for bandsters. Mixers: Most mixers used at bars are PURE SUGAR. The powder packets used to make barmix (this is used for EVERYTHING.) and other fruit juices in most bars are nothin but sugar that turns to syrup behind the bar. It is baaaaaaaad news. Basically if you want to stay away from calories stay away from any sour drinks, and margaritas or other frozen drinks, tom collins mix drinks, sweet and sour drinks, etc. juice drinks are like this too. Drink your juice at home in the morning with your Cereal. At least then you will be getting the nutritional value from it. And soda drinks (rum and coke, tequila and coke, creamcicles, jagerbombs, quaterbacks, etc.) have the carbonation to deal with, and the empty calories from the soda/energy drink used to make it. "But Amy! I use diet soda!" you say? No you don't. LOL I'll let you in on a little secret. Bars sign the contract for coke and pepsi to supply their fountains and tanks to get them for free and in return they promise to buy their syrup from them. Then after about a week a guy shows up to the bar before it opens, and offers the bar to buy syrup from him at 1/5th the price. MOST BARS CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS GUY TO SHOW UP!!! And the diet tastes like diet, but is not diet. So if it is coming from the fountain...do not think for one second that you are 100% sure it is diet. If you want diet, make sure they are getting it out of the can where you can see them. Cream liquers/all liquers: The base ingedient in liquer is SUGAR. Pure sugar. Liquers are a flavored alcoholic sugar liquid. This is a fact of ALL liquers. They are also notoriously the LOWEST in alcohol content. They are used to flavor other drinks. These are not drinks you want to try to get drunk off of. You will ingest more calories than you did all week long before you start feeling ANYTHING. Now there are a few liquers out there that are higher in alcohol content that will get you drunk fast, and taste good, and I use them a lot because it only takes a little to get a long way. These include the following: 99 Bananas 99 Apples 99 Blackberries 99 Oranges Calories (kcal) 91 Carbohydrates 8.1 g 99 proof. High alcohol content, great straight, or mixed with a diet soda Personally I love it straight. Blackberries and Bananas are GREAT together!! A few of these will have you feeling very happy in no time. Southern Comfort Calories (kcal) 65 Carbohydrates 2.7 g 70 Proof but NO! you say? Southern Comfort is a liquer?? YES!!! But god is it good! All of us like to channel Janis every now and again, and this stuff will get you happy in a heartbeat!! Great mixed with anything, or just plain straight. It is ULTRA sweet though. Watch yourself now! Liquor: Not to be confused with Liquers. REALLY different. These are made from many different bases. Rice, potatoes, grain, engine oil... You name it someone has probably tried to make alcohol from it. These are going to have your lowest calories to highest alcohol content ratio generally. I will give some examples of some basic liquors you can find behind the bar, and what we are looking at calorie wise so you can drink band-smart the next time you go out. Depending on taste and personal preference you can mix these liquors with various other liquids to enjoy them. Personally, I like to find what tastes good straight, and drink it like that. But like I said, I am a pro. Vodka Absolut (Anything) Calories 69 Carbohydrates 0g Most vodkas are going to run around 80 proof. Absolut is your typical bar vodka and it comes in a bazillion flavors. These flavors are added chemically. There is no lower calorie flavor between them. Rum Bacardi Calories 69 Carbohydrates 0g Most rums are going to run around 80 proof. The main exception is that most coconut rums (Like Malibu) are going to be much lower in alcohol, and has sugar added. Stay away from the Malibu. Dark and light doesn't really make a difference. So enjoy a nice spiced rum on the rocks. I know I do!! Scotch/Whiskey/Burbon Glenlivet/Crown Royal/Old Grandad Calories 69 Carbohydrates 0g Most whiskey drinks (which includes scotch and burbon, but does not MEAN scotch or bourbon. That is another discussion entirely) are going to, again, run around 80 proof. There are exceptions. Old Grandad is 86 proof. Yukon Jack Canadian Whisky is a honey based whiskey and is 100 proof and will knock you down fast. Tequila Jose Calories 69 Carbohydrates 0g Usually 80 proof. VIVE CUERVO! Oh Jose...you have been the downfall of many a night for me. LOL Most tequilas are going to be the same as the other alcohols in caloric and carb content. Drink it straight and you are on your way to a good evening without too many calories. I do not have the nutritional information on the worm. So just stay away from it. Grain Alcohol Everclear Calories 190 Carbohydrates 0g Holy hell. Even I don't drink this shit. LOL This stuff is 190 proof. That means that it is 95% alcohol volume. Straight pain. This stuff has to be mixed with something. anything. Or it will burn a hole in your throat, and you will be stupid in nothing flat. But as far as calories versus content goes...this will get the job done for very little. Good luck on that one. Well I hope that i have been able to shed some light on this. If you are determined to go out and have a fall down good time, do a little research. Plan ahead of time. Work out a strategy. It will only last for about the first 2 drinks if all goes well, but at least your intentions were good. Happy partying, and I'll see you on the dance floor!!

food addiction is probably similar to other addictions like drugs or alcohol, etc. Look at the 12 steps in those programs. 1) I admit I am powerless over my eating and that my life has become unmanageable. 2) I came to believe that only a power greater than myself could restore me to sanity 3) Made a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understood Him. When you truly embrace each step, you open yourself up to change -- you are willing to change. Step 2 says you can't do it alone, you need help from a higher power. Step 3 says you accept that you need help and are willing to get it. It seems to me that you need to fix the emotional/ mental problem not just the physical. I've been to 12 step meetings and they really helped me get rid of my addiction. Being around people who have the same issues and are getting better makes all the difference in the world. If you're truly ready to start a new chapter, you must be willing to go to any lengths to stay "sober." But don't try to do it alone.

I make sure, and I drill it into my head before leaving the house, that every other drink is going to be a large diet coke or ice Water. Something without calories. Another trick if you're sitting at a table or bar is to order a large diet coke or ice water along beside the alcholic beverage. Every two or three drinks pick up the water or coke and drink quite a bit of it instead of the alcohol. I'm usually very glad that I've done this the next day. I don't feel so hungover! Hope this helped. Freeradical

Last week my mother was looking at the pics on my phone, and she came across a few from my work Christmas party, in which I was dressed up for. I also happened to be exactly 3 months post op, and 50 pounds lighter, so I used that time to create my "monthly" post pic. The poses were akward and stiff, you know................back view, side view, the whole deal. I was also in a skirt, for the first time in years! So, anyway, my mom, who is also an alcoholic 5 years sober (I am sure you know the type............in their own world and only thinking about themselves! LOL) looked at these pics and said "these would be good pics to use as your before pics"!!! Oh my god!!!! Moms...............gotta love "em!!

I have learned a very hard lesson this weekend.... I am almost 1.5 years out and have never touched a carbonated drinks. I am on vacation and have not had alcohol since surgery so I decided to have a beer. Stomach hurt all day and I was bloated but I thought it was the heat. Day 2 had two Mike hard lemonade and my stomach bloated to double in size and rock hard. I googled if beer and Mike's hard lemonade were carbonated and well it turned out that yes they are. I can't believe how uncomfortable I am. No more drinks for me!!!! I will stick with my crystal light

Ok, enough, I'm on here to avoid my sociology statistics class!!! There's a forum for crossover addiction studies for this thing. The opening poster is only 21! She has probably given up a lot of her youth to obesity, having a social drink with friends seems ok, although I probably wouldn't only because even sips of alcohol give me anxiety issues... I agree with mjrevel, sometimes this concern is false but sometimes it comes from a genuine place but they don't know the suffering. Out of the blue my sister got breast implants. I was terrified for her safety and mental health but when she explained her situation I understood better. I hope jennapenn had a happy birthday and her healing is going well and pray her friends are genuine and come to understand her right to choose what she does with her body

Thank you all! I know they love me and want the best for me and that's what prevents me from getting angry with them...I'm just glad there are people who know to some degree of what I'm going through. Like I said in no way have I become an alcoholic... I don't like to be drunk very much, I just am enjoying being able to order a drink or go to a liquor store... I'm not going to be able to experience 21 like the rest of my friends and I have accepted that long before I had my surgery. I knew what I was giving up. But in comparison I am gaining so much more!!!! The almost 50 lbs I have lost has made me feel do much more myself... The self I have always been underneath and I wouldn't change my sleeve for the world!!!

I want to be 100% honest here because I need some straight answers & I want all the support I can get through this process. I have been in recovery from drugs and alcohol for a little over two years now. I take my recovery very seriously & want to protect it. I have recently been told that there is a high rate of relapse in recovering people who get weight loss surgery because they can't use food to comfort themselves anymore. Has anyone else had any experience with this issue. Please share with me. I want a happy healthy life free from addictions. Id you are in recovery, how did you cope?

I tried it!! Nd don't do it !! It burns so bad . Think of a open cut and pouring rubbing alcohol on the inner lining of stomach !!! Please save ur self'!

Addiction is awful. My alcoholic parents quit that, then quit smoking when my mother had cancer. I admired them so much for overcoming that. Sometimes medication can help with addiction, so hopefully if the therapist sees you maybe that would help restrain the beast. Know that this beast is NOT the true you. You could try naming the 'beast', as Squeeky mentioned, sometimes separating out that part of you could help you and your family. Remembering you in my thoughts.

So, just be careful. Most if not all surgeons/NUTs advise to not drink. Why? Because it is very common for people to replace eating issues with alcohol and the statistics are very high that many people who have had the surgery become alcoholics. Not everyone but it is a huge risk. And to start drinking alcohol that soon after surgery seems like a huge red flag to me. As someone has said, carbonated drinks of any sort, including beer, are not advised and can be really tough. I had been told no juice, no carbonated beverages - ever. Not just at the beginning. And to avoid alcohol, especially at the beginning. I do have wine now and sometimes a small glass of bourbon but the sugars in them are a lot as well. I would advise you to ask your surgeon and nutritionist what they think/recommend. That would be the best option.

I think it is important to be honest and admit my mistakes. I was the biggest Diet Pepsi addict I know. I have even damaged my bladder with the ammount I drank. I always tried to off set it by drinking tons of water. (How often do you think I uttered the phrase, "I gotta pee!") For 6 months after surgery, I didn't do any carbonation. Then, like an alcoholic, I justified....maybe just a little. Now I drink one every morning and have no trouble. Is it good for my band? NO. I will get a handle on it soon I hope. Christine

Hi there! I was wondering what you all decide to drink when you have an adult beverage. I miss my beer to be honest! So, I need to find something else (besides wine) that I can drink when I feel the need to have a drink. Now, I know I can't be drinking like I use to but my birthday is coming up this weekend and I'd like to have a few drinks. I know I could have like vodka w/ a fruit juice but that's too many wasted calorie with the juice. It's hard not being able to mix alcohol with diet soda. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Or drink alcohol??

I am also feeling like backing out. My banding is scheduled for Oct. 14 and my family is not all that supportive. They don't get why I can't just stop eating and exercise without this. I am also worried about no alcohol because I like to have a beer now and then. :-(

Hello, I didn't tell my two brothers in Michigan. They are in for one heck of a shock when I will see them in July. Didn't tell them because when I joined the Army, they said: "you'll be back in a week." I knew by that comment, no way in hell was I telling them about WLS. By the way, I served 7 years and a few months in the Army with an honorable discharge--so screw them. My two sisters knew about the surgery. They have been very supportive. Looking forward to seeing them in July. My brothers, not so much. My brothers are alcoholics--I have a problem being around such negative, unhealthy people. I live in Texas not only becuase it is where my husband retired from the military, but because I don't want to be close to my brothers and their negativity. There were fewer employment opportunities in Michigan when I left the Army as well. I'm glad I didn't tell them. They may be my brothers but I have grown away from the awful "childhood" I had and they are still stuck in the same patterns of unhealthy behavior. Kathleen

We are already in to week three of the year. How many of you made a resolution to lose weight? Did you promise yourself you were going to lose a few unsightly pounds, or are you thinking about losing the weight of a small Volkswagen? Well, I'm here to tell you that regardless of how much you want to lose, to be successful you've got to get right in the head first. There is a huge chasm between thinking about it and doing it. The first thing you need to do is ask yourself: "Self ... am I ready for this? Am I ready to severely change my life? Am I ready to rethink the way I look at food and drink? Am I ready to temporarily forego dinner parties, lunches, and various other social functions? Am I ready to make my weight loss the most important thing in my life? Am I ready to become more active? Am I ready to find a plan and stick to it? Am I ready to have patience? Am I committed to succeed? Well, are ya? If you have answered NO to any of the aforementioned questions, you probably need to rethink your resolution. Whether you're thinking of blowing out 5 pounds of baby fat or 100 pounds of fat ass, the commitment is the same. The only difference is the distance you may travel. Your 5 pounds may take a couple of weeks. Your 100 pounds may take a couple of years. I know this first hand. If you read my previous rant, you'll remember that Dr. X shocked me by telling me that my quest for Thindom is a 2 year journey. All the while, stupid me was banking on being done in one year. So if you're a "biggun" hitting for the fences, face the fact that you're going to be doing this for a while. Let's talk to possible Lap-Band candidates. Know this. Don't think you're going to go in for your first consultation and schedule a surgery date. That's what I thought. I went in on January 21, 2013 and thought I would schedule my surgery for a few weeks away. Right between some travel plans I had. Oh NAY NAY! I was given a laundry list of things that I needed to accomplish to get scheduled. My doctor told me if I was diligent, I could get it done in 5 months. Yikes! I saw numerous doctors, shrinks, exercise gurus, nutritionists and fat counselors. I went to group therapies and had batteries of test done. I did everything asked of me as quick as possible and it took me 4 months to get the food fighter installed. So potential Lap-Banders ... be ready for that! Another thing Lap-Band candidates must grasp. This Lap-Band contraption is nothing more than a tool. To be successful, you must find a diet plan your comfortable with and stick to it! Fact is, it will be a while after your surgery that you even feel the device working for you. In my case, it was at least 5 months of saline injections before I finally felt a small restriction. Even after 8 months, I still am not in the "green zone". My doctor and nutritionist discuss this every month at my check-in. And every month we're still tweaking it up a bit. It's all part of the process. Bottom line readers ... If you're trying to lose weight, it's gonna take commitment and time. I have read many blogs of newbie lap-band patients that are disappointed in their results. But if you read between the lines it's always the same. They got the surgery and they are sitting on their collective fat asses waiting for the pounds to melt away. Sorry. That just ain't gonna happen! Going into month 9, I am bouncing around the 70 pound loss number. I did it by carefully watching my calorie intake of both food and alcohol. I have gotten more active. Do I work out? Yes, but I ain't killing myself doing it. After all, my original goal was just to fit back into my Level 3 pants. I was never trying to qualify for the Olympics. I will get back to you when I am firmly under that 70 mark. Should be real soon! Johnny

Um-I just read that article and nowhere in the USA today article did they mention the tobacco and alcohol industry marketing such a thing. In fact I read your post and the article twice. As much as I despise those two industries, it is the illegal drug makers that are selling the stuff-not "test marketers". I am also confused as to how you blame the tobacco and alcohol industry for "bringing us the meth problem?" Did you read the original article or just Savage's interpretation? To each his/her own, but for the record Savage is full of *()*)(*^^%46, which is why he was fired from his radio show. Just my opinion.

I can't imagine the feeling of starting surgery and not having it go through. I am so sorry. I had such fears of my liver causing an issue. Just keep thinking of the goal, look at the success stories and photos here. That is what kept me going when I was suffering the liquid phase, not to mention the longer caffeine and alcohol free time. I actually stopped drinking all alcohol and taking almost all OTC drugs months before my diet restrictions because I wanted to do all that I could to avoid issues. Not sure if it made difference or surgery would have happened regardless. But, I do know that my liver numbers got better in those few months. Good luck!

Agree with all the previous posts. My biggest fear for newly banded patients is drinking to the point where you get sick or hung-over to the point of hurling your guts out over the white throne. This kind of over indulgence could cause a slip or erosion. I do drink now, but alcohol affects me so much quicker now so it's usually one beer or one glass of wine.

An alcoholic because I want a drink? I'm sorry did I say I wanted to get hammered or have a several? I said A DRINK. Had I known that posting a question would require me to deal with a bunch of judgemental people I would've refrained from doing so. I thought this was somewhere I could go for support and for answers without being judged. Sorry I asked geez..

You are 9 days out of surgery and craving alcohol, you're not even on mashed foods yet but you want to drink that sounds exactly like an alcoholic to me, really wasn't judging, but it sounded like a cry for help. Sent from my N9560 using BariatricPal mobile app

I have a sleeve and am one of the "lucky" people who dump...it seems like any combination of alcohol with carbs is what causes it the worse, but potatoes and apples do it to me also. I've fainted a few times because of it.