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Ok It's 85 outside.. it was in the 90s yesterday.. I'm feeling summer mode creeping up on me. I was looking at drink mixers for summer of course (along with shorts & tank tops... YIKES!!!!). I know, I'm going to wait until I'm cleared for alcohol but a girl can dream in the meantime can't she? I came across a brand of mixers called Baja Bob's. They're all low to no carb/0 cal etc etc. They're Hungry Girl approved as well. Has anyone tried them? I've VERY curious how they are before I spend the money because I love me some tropical rum drinks in tiki glasses on the deck in our backyard with the dh & our herd of dogs. The website is BajaBob.com if anyone is interested. LOL The legend of Bob is kind of a funny story too. I had a mental image of my husband and his friends all admitting to each other (in very dejected tones) "Ya we're on a low carb diet too".

Hello everyone! My surgery is coming up on March 7, so i'm reading everything I can get my hands on to try and stave off the nervous feelings. That's how I came across this forum I'm excited, and nervous, and that seems to be the norm around here. I am loving reading everyone's stories. I'm a self-pay, 30 years old, and live in Dallas. I've not had much experience with surgery, i think i've only been put under twice in my life, the last time was when i was 20. I've never been skinny, but my weight started piling on a few years ago when i started a company and working 80 hours a week, sitting at a desk. I'm now up to 240lbs, with a 39 BMI. I have high blood pressure. As a social drinker, i'm really nervous about what the surgery is going to do to my social life afterwards. To be honest, this is actually a huge concern for me, since it is so important to my lifestyle. I'm not an alcoholic, but I drink pretty consistently about 2-3 times per week. I smoke when I drink too. Obviously, i'm going to want to limit that behavior in the long term, (I don't think I will have a problem treating myself right during the healing process), but I don't want for the social drinking part of my life to be over yet. So this is my experience so far - I'm planning on updating as events warrant. I go in for my pre-admission bloodwork tomorrow morning, and just started on my pre-surgery liquid diet. Thank you to all of the participants on this board. It's making me feel better by the minute. Laura <3

Technically, no. But, you could always call your doc and ask. I think the anti-coagulant effect of alcohol is a big concern as well since they'll be loading you up with heparin or lovenox to prevent DVT, and other clots.

Yes, I have found that there is a steep learning curve with the band. I am not where I want to be at least 60 lbs down but I am down almost 40 and if I had not been banded God knows where I'd be. I have found the band to be harder than any plan I've ever done but I have no regrets and know that if I had lost it otherwise I would have been back up in my weight. I hate the stalls and the plateaus but at least the scale is going down and I know that would not be the case with anything else. I have learned that I cannot drink any alcohol because it stalls me so in my case having those drinks on the weekend just caused me to have back to back stalls. So for the next 6 months I'm ramping up my exercise by joining the gym and watching my portions and quality of food and I'm sorely in need of a fill which I'll get on 3/9/10. I'm also going to do a 24 hr detox every Monday. I still have hopes of reaching my goal by 8/16/11...my 1 year surgiversary. We will all make our goals.

I've been drinking a lot lately and haven't had any issues. I realize it's wasted calories but I don't mind losing slower at the moment. I'd wait a month or so after surgery before trying alcohol, I'm not sure why everyone waits longer apart from the empty calories issue. Just make sure you drink plenty of Water and I would recommend trying to drink BEFORE you eat instead of after. I've been big on redbull+vokda lately. I have to go a little slow on these since there is some carbonation. Wine, mudslides, margaritas, straight whiskey, and I've even had a couple beers although I have to drinks these REALLY slowly and pour them into a glass so they defizz faster.

I went under surgery with a BMI of 34.4 (or 34.7, it depends n the doctor, whatever). I have diabetes 1 and that was my biggest concern, I was afraid that eating so much and getting day by day more insulin resistant I would just have seriously bad consequences pretty soon. I am 30 y.o. So I really don't think I you're crazy, there must be a reason if one day you decided it was the right thing to do. Go back to that day. You do want to kill your diabetes (type 2, I guess?) and high cholesterol, right? Right now, just over 2 weeks after op, I am not using my insulin pump and I am only getting one shot of insulin in the evening. It's amazing. I do plan to go back to my pump one day, when I start to eat more. It's a relief. My blood sugar level is always great. I feel so good. I have to reach my ideal weight - 128/127 lbs - for health reasons (the less fat you have on your body, the less insulin resistant you are) and I could never ever do it without the sleeve. It has already helped me so much! Seeing that my bmi wasn't that high the surgeon told me I didn't have to follow any diet before the surgery. I stopped eating at 7 pm and drinking at midnight the night before surgery. I had surgery at 9 the next morning. I had a great last Greek lunch wth just one glass of wine the day before (they did tell me not to drink a lot of alcohol for the day)! Now this is MY personal experience, I hope it can help you somehow...

Please read........it might help you. Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV has been around for a long time yet many doctors do not prescribe it for ailments that it is perfectly capable of treating. * * * This wonder food is said to help with weight loss, acne, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation and heartburn among others. Apple cider vinegar, also called just cider vinegar, is produced from cider or apple must (crushed and aged apples). The unfiltered product is a kind of brownish to yellow color, the unfiltered cider contains the "mother of vinegar", this is the part that has the most health benefits. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a natural bacteria fighter that contains minerals and trace elements such as magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine. This wonder food is said to help with weight loss, acne, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation and heartburn among others. it is also said to work wonders for your overall health and can even help fight diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer, memory problems and aging. Apple cider vinegar will also act as a blood thinner which aids in the prevention of high blood pressure (blood pressure chart). Vinegar has been used to cure and prevent a variety of ailments for centuries. As early as the time of Hippocrates, considered by many to be the father of medicine, vinegar was used to treat patients. During the Civil War, it was used as an antiseptic. What makes it so special and why should you use it? Apples are one of the most nutritious, health-giving foods available, containing a host of vitamins and minerals like pectin, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, phosphorous and potassium in addition to enzymes and amino acids. Apples are the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar detoxifies and purifies various organs in the body. As a purifier, it breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. By breaking down these substances, it improves the health and function of organs such as the kidneys, bladder, and liver. It oxidizes the blood, reducing the risk of high blood pressure, and neutralizes any toxic substance or harmful bacteria that enters the body by ingesting certain foods. Apple cider vinegar promotes healthy digestion, assimilation and elimination. Research has proven that apple cider vinegar can assist in strengthening the heart, stabilizing blood sugar and reducing the risk of certain cancers. It flushes harmful toxins from your body and assists in weight control. Try drinking two to six teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with water every day. It can also be used in cooking or sprinkled on salads, vegetables, etc. You can drink it as a hot or cold beverage and sweeten it with honey. You might wonder, if Apple Cider Vinegar is so great, why hasn't your doctor told you about it? I think the simple reason might be that medical doctors are more apt to prescribe medicines than natural remedies. Pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of money getting their medicines and pills approved and they certainly wouldn't want you using the inexpensive, unpatentable alternative of ACV instead of buying their expensive cures and treatments. One big problems today that many people suffer from is acid reflux. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies have come up with a plethora of pills to treat this ailment. But before you take pills that may be harmful to you, you might want to consider treating your acid reflux or other stomach ailments with apple cider vinegar. You see, your stomach needs acid to digest food and when you have digestive problems like acid reflux or heartburn it's not because you have too much acid it's because there is too little. Most medications you would take for these are antacids which diminish the amount of acid in your stomach but this may not be what you need. These antacids may treat the symptoms but they will not address the cause and therefore, will never cure your problem. Apple cider vinegar will mimic the acid level of your stomach and help you digest food properly which can help to treat that burning sensation. In addition, you might also consider taking digestive enzymes that will help your stomach digest the food. If you suffer from acid reflux, heartburn or nausea, try taking one tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar prior to each meal. You may see your symptoms go away in as little as three days. However, you'll want to continue this practice for three to nine months and you may see the problem disappear altogether. You don't want to use just any kind of ACV, though. What you need is organic apple cider vinegar that still has the enzymes in it (called the "mother"). This is where the healing properties are. The "mother" will show up inside the bottle as stringy globs floating around. To get the most out of your vinegar, shake it up each time you take a swig so that the mother can be dispersed throughout. What's that you say? It tastes terrible? Certainly most people do not take to the taste of ACV right away but it can be somewhat of an acquired taste and I know many people (including myself) that slug down a tablespoonful of the stuff all by itself. If you can't stomach this, space however, there are some things you can do to make it a little bit more palatable. Apple cider vinegar can be taken in many various ways including in salad dressings, making mayonnaise, or sprinkled on chips and fries. It also can be sweetened with natural honey to make it taste better, a method often used in India where physicians will often prescribe apple cider vinegar with Gotu Kola (a herb) to help in the revitalizing of the skin. You might try making a tea out of your Apple cider vinegar by heating a couple of water and then adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to that. While it's best to take ACV before each meal, you can also take it anytime your stomach feels a little upset and it will have immediately curative effects. Some people swear by it, and drink it for everything including the onset of cold and flu. Apple Cider Vinegar is also a cure for bad breath or halitosis due to its acidity. An additional benefit is that many people who have taken apple cider vinegar before each meal have seen a moderate weight loss as well. Some theories for the weight loss benefits of apple cider vinegar suggest that ACV may help to speed up the bodies metabolism. Medicinal uses of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Honestly, natural apple cider vinegar is one of nature's own, true miracle health elixirs. The long history of its use demonstrates, rather clearly, that using vinegar was once highly revered as a practical medical application long before Johnny Appleseed graced North America by planting apple trees. The healing powers of vinegar has been traced back as far as 3000 BC, Hippocrates, Babylonia, and to 15th century England as a means to ward off dangerous and infectious diseases, to keep one's general health fit and strong, and used as a simple antiseptic/disinfectant. When deciding to use ACV for medicinal purposes, be sure to select only a raw, non-distilled vinegar. You may be able to find this type of vinegar in your regular grocery store. But more likely than not, you will probably need to look for it at a local health food store. Clear distilled vinegar is easy to find in any food store and is relatively inexpensive. This type of vinegar is great for regular household cleaning chores, but it is not so wonderful for your internal health. Non-distilled vinegars are definitely going to be more expensive and nutritionally potent than the distilled varieties, but isn't your health worth the price difference? Plus, you are going to have the satisfaction of knowing that you have chosen the right mixture that will work hard to enhance your health. Most commercial brands (whether white or brown) have been pasteurized, filtered, and refined or distilled in order to make the final product look more attractive to please the consumer. The manufacturers are only giving the consumer what they apparently seem to want. Unfortunately, unbeknown to the average consumer, this extra processing actually destroys much of the natural health restorative properties of the end product. Look for ACVs that have been cold pressed and made from whole, organically grown apples, with no added chemical preservatives, and in which the 'mother' of vinegar liquid has been retained. This 'mother' substance, as it is lovingly known, is the gelatinous liqueur that is naturally formed during the final fermentation process. This milky, cloudy, and stringy looking stuff at the bottom of the container is what contains the healthiest part of the mixture. It also lets you know that the important vitamins and minerals, enzymes, and naturally occurring good bacteria have not been compromised due to over processing, filtration, or excessive heating. Before consuming, shake the the bottle gently to thoroughly distribute all of the nutrients, pour, and serve. An energy boosting way to drink ACV, without it taking your breath away, is to mix about 2 teaspoons with an equal amount of raw honey in a small glass of warm water. Stir to dissolve the honey and drink one to three times a day. You can sip on this drink during a meal for extra digestive power, or you can drink this ahead of a meal. Refrain from drinking to much water or any other beverage during your meal, and for up to an hour afterward. Give your gastric stomach juices enough time to fully break down the food you just ate, on its own, without weakening their effects with added liquids. Why use apple cider vinegar? Because, when it is used medicinally it helps the body rid itself of harmful toxins, has wonderful disinfecting properties as a natural bad germ fighter, and is a very biodegradable substance that does not pollute the environment. With regular and continued use, this wonderful liquid helps restore and balance the body's pH, taking it from acidic to neutral in a short amount of time. Normally, it would be hard to believe that such an acidic substance could normalize, or lower our pH so easily. As far as I know, this only applies to vinegar, as our digestive system will naturally convert it to an alkaline based substance. An acidic internal system is directly caused from eating excessive amounts of meat, grains, and sugar by eating and drinking too many processed foods and beverages. This will provide an invitation, internally, for unwanted illness or disease to set up house. Otherwise, a neutral or more alkaline system will promote an enhanced emotional and physical health state. Raw, ACV contains over 40 different naturally occurring substances from vitamins and minerals, to enzymes and beneficial bacteria. It has been used for generations to treat a variety of different human health conditions such as, arthritis high blood pressure all types of skin problems chronic fatigue and insomnia heartburn and other digestive abnormalities high cholesterol maintaining normal body weight This is not exhaustive list, by far, of common health maladies that ACV has been known to eliminate. As with any new diet addition, your expectations may be too high in the healing effects of vinegar. Keep in mind that it is not to be considered a panacea for all ill health evils. Although many individuals have achieved a more improved physical state by using vinegar, without modifying their daily dietary habits, serious diet modifications need to be considered in some hard-core cases. Doing so would further enhance a partial response when combined with a healthier diet. This is, especially, a key factor when using vinegar for serious weight loss. You simply must reduce or eliminate your consumption of over processed foods, eat more raw plant foods, eat smaller meals more often, and step up your effort in getting regular and moderate physical exertion. These strategies combined with ACV will take you a long way in seeing the results you are hoping for, and quicker. It is possible to lose up to one to three pounds a week. Remember too...that diet modifications include increasing daily liquid intake. Apple cider vinegar works best when adequate liquids are supplied to help carry out the toxins we ingest and are exposed to every day. Not just any liquids, but read this to mean WATER exclusively. Start reducing the amounts of other beverages you may be drinking instead, such as soft drinks, coffee, tea, fruit juices, and alcohol. Moderation, in occasionally consuming these, is absolutely crucial in maintaining a healthy body weight (even if your underweight), or if you are trying to lose weight. When used as a flavor seasoning, or drinking as a healthy tonic, ACV could have your current health issue becoming a thing of the past. As with any type of natural or conventional health treatment, be realistic. Expect a reasonable amount of time for vinegar to take affect. This may be only a few days, a week, or it could be longer. If you are really committed to giving it a real chance, you may look forward to a much different health reality sooner than you think. Related Articles about Apple Cider Vinegar Magic of Apple Cider Vinegar as a Natural Home Remedy Brenda Skidmore has spent over the last five years actively researching natural health care alternatives. She can attest to the many positive results natural practical cures and preventive strategies bring to human health. Along with the many medical professionals whose public works she has studied, it is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit: (link) Link To" Apple Cider Vinegar" <a href="http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/apple-cider-vinegar.shtml">Apple Cider Vinegar</a> Email Article Printable This site is intended for your general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Read more: http://www.disabled-...l#ixzz11PR3zLr7 Source: Apple Cider Vinegar

Funny you should bring that up, I am 4 weeks post op and asked my doctor today about drinking. He stressed make I start out with a white wine at home for the first few times. Don't over do it, and he said again make sure its done at home. Apparently the new stomach have to use to alcohol. Also, be careful because alcohol have a high sugar content. Take care and be well Lash

I drink pretty socially now. Didn't through my losing stage. It's wasted calories, and I wasn't going to deal with drinking over eating food to take a hit on the calories. If I wanted to drink, I wasn't willing to do the crystal light and vodka b.s. either, give me the fully fueled stuff or stick it. I was over 6 months out, but was released for alcohol around 3.5 months out. First time I drank, 1 glass of wine hit me hard and fast. Face numb, lips tingling, slurred speech it was a fabulous, however very short-lived drunken moment. I was sobered up within about 20-30 minutes. Had 2 more glasses of wine over a 3 hour period and was nicely buzzed. My tolerance is just the same as it was pre-op. I drink mixed drinks with soda, wine, shots, the only thing I don't drink is beer because I'm not a fan of the flavor. In my group of friends, I am that "afternoon cocktail" girl. A bellini here, a mojito there, a strawberry margarita here and there. It's what I do. I tie one on once or twice a month, and it's never negatively effected my loss. I do bloat up if I drink salty margaritas and mojitos, but a couple glasses of Water in the morning resolves the issue. Good news is that no matter how much I drink, or how drunk I get, I never hangovers anymore. I do drink with my meals especially if it's a glass of wine, and it's a way to cheat the sleeve. Alcohol relaxes the stomach muscle, and it allows for more food intake. I actually just sip the wine or rum/coke through a meal, and it doesn't hurt, or anything along those lines. All it does is soften the food, making it leave the stomach faster. So, it is 100% possible to sip through a meal. I do regularly now. There is a big difference between sipping through a meal, and taking big drinks through a meal. Also, I've never had to follow the "stop drinking XX minutes before eating" with the sleeve. We don't have a pouch, liquids go in, they go out. With pouches, Fluid hangs out and kind of has to leak out the stoma. We have a pyloric valve and liquids do not stay in the stomach thus NOT taking room that is valuable for food. I do try to follow the "not drinking for 30 minutes after eating" rule, but being below goal, in maintenance for almost a year, you kind of find things that work your body specifically. Personally, I sometimes just need a little liquid to wet my whistle during a meal especially Thai or Spicy Mexican food. So, those little sips aren't going to make me gain 140lbs back. I can't eat more than maybe 1-2 more ounces of food than if I don't sip during my meal. Plus, it hasn't changed my sleeve capacity, just like drinking soda for the last year hasn't changed my sleeve capacity regardless of what any surgeon says. Not one surgeon has been able to produce any studies showing any scientific evidence that soda will cause sleeve or even pouch stretching.

Hi! We share the same band-date. Change is hard sometimes, especially when it comes to something this big. I have been on the other (thinner) side and you are going to be SO happy. Not only are you going to look great but more importantly you will FEEL GREAT!!. I have hid behind my weight because I fear the unknown. I can tell you it will be a rebirth of sorts. Surround yourself with only positive things and people. You deserve this and all the good that follows. It may be like some who, when they give up a bad habit, find they have to move on to healthier relationships as well. A recovering alcoholic shouldn't hang around "friends" who hang out in bars. Whoever doesn't support you doesn't understand. Aside from your family being scared for you, embrace everyone who supports you. And give it time. This is a mental thing as much, if not more so, than a physical thing. Keep us posted!!

I'm pre-op and curious about the rules for drinking alcohol after a VSG. Right now, I really enjoy a glass of wine with or after dinner, not every night but maybe a couple of times a week. Will I still be able to do that after surgery? What about other kinds of alcohol -- a gin & tonic or whatever? So what about it, sleevers? Do you drink? If so, what? And when?

I quit 1/7/11 with Chantix and had surgery on 1/26/11. I had to stop taking the Chantix at least while I was in the hospital. I had such bad headaches from the withdrawal that I opted not to start taking them again. I felt really confident at the time that I would not go back to smoking. So far so good, but it is REALLY hard. I was a 30 yr 1 - 1.5 packs a day smoker. Now I've given up nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and food basically. I feel like there is no pleasure in my life. I also have a lot of stress due to my 23yr old son & his girlfriend just moving in with us. The urge to smoke has been terrible lately. I really enjoy saving the money, and not smelling like an ashtray........but I'm not sure how much longer I can fight the urge. I will be 4 weeks post-op tomorrow.

I haven't had any alcohol yet (I'm 4 months out), but I am not much of a drinker anyway, so it really hasn't been that hard. Not sure how long I will wait, definitely 6 months, but I can honestly see waiting until the 1 year mark.

Eating out or at a party I say to myself "eating that food is bad for me, or now that the band is helping me with hunger I don't have the urge to eat a cookie just because it was offered". I like tasty foods (we are built that way); I just need help not eating something because it's there. I will say that many of us having been mistreated because of our weight need to remember those moments. My mother has always said "the only thing worse than a recovering alcoholic is a recovering fat person!" They are very quick to point out someone elses poor food choices.

I am waiting for these 3 months after surgery to be gone so that I can have a glass of wine. Any idea of how a life in Italy without wine is? White in summer, red in winter, that's my motto. Anyway, I do know how to match wine and food. I am just waiting. I promised myself I am never going to open bottles at home and drink them here without guests again, but it's a torture to go out and not being able to drink. I am so ready for wine (and still have 7 weeks of sobriety in frontin front of me)! I am so going to tolerate it! Personally I am not worried about it! I must have written it somewhere else, anyway when I told my friends I wouldn't be able to drink alcohol for a few months, they were like: "Ok, no alcohol. But wine is fine, right?". It isn't ignorance, it's just that wine belongs to meals as much as water does!

Good Evening Gang I was way to busy at work to ck in today - will be that way all week... It was very hectic - just catching up on email - my desk and my gf Diane's - didn't really get much accomplished just pushing paper from one pile to another.. Then I have this $20 charge on Valentine's day on my debit card - I didn't go anywhere that day - so I called bank - as well 1/2 hr later transfered to 3 pple - I was very frustrated - now I have to go to the bank and get a new debit card - they say it was swiped at 6;40 p.m in Rancho Mirage - I have card and I wasn't in Rancho Mirage at 6:40 p..m. Monday had gym got home around 6:20 - So just a icky day.. Didn't want to go to gym - but did... Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown (lysis) of skeletal muscle (rhabdomyo) due to damage to muscle tissue. The muscle damage may be caused by physical (e.g. crush injury), chemical, or biological factors. The destruction of the muscle leads to the release of the breakdown products of damaged muscle cells into the bloodstream; some of these, such as myoglobin (a protein), are harmful to the kidney and may lead to acute kidney failure. The severity of the symptoms (which may include muscle pains, vomiting and confusion) depends on the extent of the muscle damage, and whether kidney failure develops. Treatment is with intravenous fluids, and dialysis or hemofiltration if necessary.[1][2] Non-physical causes Non-physical causes reported to cause rhabdomyolysis include:[1][2] Drugs of abuse, including: alcohol, amphetamine, cocaine, heroin, ketamine, LSD Linda - Yep being a step parent is really hard - Hugs Hugs Hugs.. Lori - Hope the baby hurries up and comes, those last few weeks are always tough Charlene - I thought fillers only lasted about a yr - we will see ;0) Well gang - I'm pooped - Ttyl

I did have a couple slime incidents when I was sick. Had a couple coughing episodes that ended with a messy suprise! The first time was not long after I had eaten and thought for sure the food was coming up, but not a bit a food. It was odd. Other than that, I've never thrown up and the only food issue I have is when I eat spicy things. I love spice! I try to keep it to a minimum, cause I pay for it with acid upset and heartburn =( Otherwise, my stomach hasn't really rejected anything. Got a little upset about a Burger King burger I had eaten...at a time that may or may not have been just a little to soon after surgery =) It's all trial and error and different for everyone. OH! I almost forgot! I totally CANNOT drink alcohol!! I really don't drink anymore, so it's not a big deal to me. I used to drink...a LOT!! But I got bored with it and decided to have a child instead! SO GLAD I traded!! Anyway, on New Year's Day, we had a bottle of champagne. All it took was 3 drink/sips, over the span of about 20 minutes and I was good!! Then one night I actually agreed to get out of the house and go to a comedy show with my BFF. So I go and decide to have a drink...cause you know...I'm out! Long story short I drink about 95% of a (I'm guessing) 12oz drink. I drank it over the course of the show, which was an hour 1/2. I felt buzzed while drinking it. By the time we left, I felt fine. I wasn't driving, but I didn't feel buzzed by the time we got to the car. My tummy was slightly queezy but not bad. Got home, decided to have a drink of water...and...well...I didn't get to keep what was left in my stomach. Wasn't much, but still not fun!

Lori, keeping fingers crossed for your DD...sorry she's not feeling well, but geeze she's got that baby in there and it's got to be pushing on stuff everywhere. I wish her the best. Linda, I have a step son too and I do understand. DH does most of the stuff for him, but I still have to watch what I say on some stuff. Step son will turn 18 in May and then it doesn't matter because most of the problem was with his mother. She would keep Robbie away from DH and I wouldn't allow that. Robbie's Mom is bi-polar and is on and off her meds so you never know what's going on. The poor kid has some issues too but for now it's not drug or alcohol abuse. He's seen the negative sides of that and doesn't want any part of it. Yipee for that. Had a dentist appointment this morning...regular cleaning. Not my favorite thing, but necessary. We watched a cute movie in Spanish class called Valentin. I really enjoyed it, but needed the sub titles. Working at my job a little. They're finally send me stuff to do. Not much else exciting. Hope everyone is good! Eva

I have been really worried about the non-drinking aspects of this - particularly when combined with the fact that I just quit smoking too. I was sleeved on 1/26 and I asked the nurse at my Dr office about it last week. She told me that they generally recommend no alcohol. I'm convinced that this is because it contains sugar and is considered empty calories. However, she said if I wanted to try 1/2 glass to go ahead. I did indeed with no problems. A few days after that I had a business cocktail party to attend and drank 2 cranberry/vodka small drinks. No problems there either. I'm just glad to know that I can enjoy it in moderation if need be. I'm still losing, and have not hit a stall yet either.

@DisneyAddict - I quit smoking on 1/7 with Chantix and had surgery on 1/26. So stopped taking the Chantix on the day of surgery and never started it back. Now with all of the ways I'm feeling deprived currently - no nicotine, no alcohol, no food, etc I'm finding myself having really strong urges to start smoking again. I know I shouldn't for many obvious reasons, and really enjoy saving the money and not smelling like an ashtray. I wish I could truly enjoy going to the gym, but I just don't - at least not yet. I just need to find something enjoyable to do with myself. I feel like I go home and can't do anything except walk for a little bit and watch TV. It's a daily struggle with all of that.

Hello! I had surgery exactly 2 weeks ago. Last weekend I got the stitches out and since that moment everything is great. Yesterday the busses were striking (we always strike in Italy) so I walked home and I was fine. No pain no more feeling too tired to walk. In just 2 weeks. I am 30 too, but I have no kids and no full time job. Anyway, I was able to go back to my silly job already 8 days after surgery. I can go shopping alone (last weekend I told my hubby I still needed his help, but that wasn't exactly true, I just wanted to spend some extra time with him), I did play the whole afternoon with my 5 year old niece last Saturday. My mother has told her friends that I am on a serious diet, so that if they see me smaller they'll know "why". My friends know that I had hiatal hernia removed and can't eat much nor drink alcohol for 3 months (they were like "Not even wine??? Is wine alcohol, really?". Very Italian). I am going to be a bridesmaid too in a month and I told the bride the same: I had the hernia removed and can't eat nor drink much, so she won't annoy me if I don't get drunk or if I don't eat like a pig. I will dance though! You'll definitely be one size less in two months. As DonnaG says, try the dress one a week before the wedding and see if there are any small arrangements you can do with a couple of stitches (they all look at the bride at wedding, so I wouldn't worry too much...) And! I have said goodbye to my boobs. They are already shrinking, while everything else still looks the same. Thank goodness there are Wonder Bras etc, so, again, I wouldn't be too worried! Now this is my experience...

I don't have Barrett's but know of someone that does. Are you on any meds to control the stomach acid? As for alcohol and being able to eat. If I drink, I tend to be able to eat more than I normally can. Not sure if the alcohol just relaxes us more or what but I have definitely been able to eat more when I drink any alcohol.

Hi there I was wondering if anyone has had to deal with having a band and finding out you have Barretts Esophogits. I have had continual trouble from time of banding. Everyday throwing up 1 to 5 times a day, depending on how many times I tried to eat or drink anything. Even Water on bad days made me throw up.I have had all saline removed from band for a long time. I had a scope and dr found out I have this problem in my esophogis. I have had band for almost 2 years now and am really close to making decision to have it removed as my quality of life is so bad. I am either throwing up or in pain most times I try to eat or drink anything.Has anyone been diagnosed with Barretts. Can you cope. Any suggestions. Also has anyone experienced following a couple of alcohol drinks you can eat easier and more variety than days when you have no alcohol. Wierd I know and not that I drink often but I have noticed this on occasions you have alcohol that I am able to eat finally. Would really like to hear from fellow bandsters and would appreciate input.....thanks deb

I miss an ice cold beer (Corona) more than anything else. I have tried to drink it but it makes me feel full and bloated. If I want a drink, I have a shot of Malibu chilled. I can drink it straight and theres nothing mixed in so no extra calories on top of it. As far as alcohol having a greater effect....I believe its because our tummys arent full of food. You will always need less when you drink on an empty stomach. We get together with friends and family quite often and there always good food and drinks. I've given up most of the foods and my addiction to Diet Coke...can't take away my alcohol too! "CHEERS!"

I think there's a question you need to ask yourself: What's more important to you... losing the weight, or doing whatever it is you do on the weekends that you deem as a reward for working hard all week? If you're already trying to find a way to maintain the pre-op diet and still indulge in things that violate it (convenient foods, alcohol, whatever), you're going to have a hard time post-surgery. The lap band isn't a magic wand, it's simply a tool to help you lose weight; you still have to have the self-discipline to change your current lifestyle. Ya know, the one that lead to you being overweight in the first place? Instead of looking at it as trying to alter what the diet calls for so it fits in with your social life, why not focus your energy on finding ways to alter your social life so it fits in with your diet? For what it's worth, alcohol takes the same metabolic path that weight loss does... so if your body is busy processing alcohol, it's not busy processing weight loss. That's why every doctor you speak to will tell you that alcohol is a no-no post-op, and I'm sure they'd say the same for pre-op as you should be dropping 10 lbs... weight loss is the priority.