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I know this has been discussed to death on here but....... Why do people feel that banding or GBP is "cheating" or not really losing weight? How is this tool any different from WW or JC or South Beach? If obesity is medical condition why should treatment for it be viewed differently than treating any other disease or addiction? If there was a surgery to curb alcoholism or drug addiction would people poo-poo that as cheating? UGH People are so ignorant. The worst part is that this attitude comes mostly from other obese people. Tad of the green-eyed monster I suspect. Not just over the weight loss, but at the decision to take control over this. Aaarghhh! GRUMBLE GRUMBLE..... Thank You-Rant over.

From the Dakota Voice My emphasis added. You show that you are against personal responsibility all the time. From wanting to further the liberal agenda of making more people dependent upon the government instead of themselves, to constantly blaming others for problems and crimes that are committed by an individual. As far as you saying, it's funny that I know someone that knows someone that abused the system, that statement would be wrong. The person who I was talking about is a very close friend. And to be perfectly honest, I don't really blame him for collecting unemployment when he's perfectly capable of finding another job, he'd have to work his butt off to just break even with what the government gives him for free. Why work 2 or 3 crap jobs 40-60 hours a week to break even with the handout your getting? As for the bartender story, I didn't say it never happened, I said I had never heard of it. Now that I have I've lost even more faith in country. Who would you all have blamed if he had gotten drunk at home and killed someone? The liquor store who sold him too much alcohol for one person to safely drink? Bars and drunks go hand in hand. Bars serve people who are intoxicated, probably more than they serve people who are sober. Have you ever been in a bar? If bars didn't serve intoxicated patrons they would all go out of business. The only thing that bartender should allowed to be charged with is serving alcohol after hours. I just don't understand the thinking behind blaming someone else for another's actions. About the only time I would agree with holding someone else partially responsible for another's actions is with a child. And I use that term loosely. When a "child" reaches 15 or 16 in most states they can be charged as adult for various crimes, at which point I no longer think we should hold the parents liable. Personal responsibility and accountability, seem to have no meaning to the left, and this case, where before anyone even knew the killers name, and the left was already throwing blame at the tea party is a perfect example.

I think you'll do it. I'm a couple of months away from surgery with insurance requirements and am completely resigned to doing this and sometimes am down-right excited. My group gave me a book called, The Skinny about Weight Loss and it addresses some of your concerns. I've told my friends and am stopping alcohol, trying to get to 62 oz of water a day and so on.....I think once I made the decision, told people, and then pretty much developed an attitude about just pressing on and not worrying over the people not especially on board with my decisions. I think having a LOT of requirements beforehand is a very good thing. This week I'll go to my first Sleeve Support group. I, too, rely on these posts for information. They are so comforting and I've learned so much! You'll do the right thing. If it's right for you, tell your friends. I didn't ask for support or approval, but told them it's what I've decided is right for me ---and that after a LONG time considering this! Good luck!

I just want to say that we still need to be nice to people who are not nice to us. The best revenge is living well. I love when someone asks a question already asked because I can relate to them and maybe help them. I am not really hungry. I do eat more than I should but I am working on my issues with food. I know I need to work with my issues with alcohol, but hey I am 21 and want to have fun. I know that eventually I will lose my weight. Let's be nice, no matter how experienced we are. The world is tough on us as it is we need to support each other completely.

I'm talking about the shooter, all signs, as of now, point to him being a crazy left winger, mad that she is not liberal enough. As of now, no one, except the father is linking anything to the tea party or and tea party people. I wasn't aware of us holding bar tenders responsible for drunks drinking too much. Personal responsibility, I know libs hate it, but its something that has to find it's way back into our society or we'll continue falling apart. I literally had to read that post like 5 or 6 times to get my head around you saying that. A drunk kills someone and you blame the bartender? Are you kidding me. What if he got drunk at home? Do you blame the Jack Daniels company? Or Grey Goose? I've not heard of any bartenders being help accountable for a drunk killing someone. The most I've seen in that aspect is when a minor kills someone while under the influence, the police will go after whomever they got the alcohol from. Personal responsibility, again. If a 17, 18, 19 year old is capable of making choices on their own, I don't think that anyone should be responsible for their actions except for them. Why are you so against PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY? It doesn't make any sense to me. Will you also want to go after the gun maker and ammunition maker of the weapon and bullets that killed these people? There is not plenty of blame to go around, there is blame on the person who pulled the trigger, period. The only arrogance I've seen is from the people saying that this is something that it is not. To demand an apology from anyone other than the shooter is arrogant, and ridiculous.

Hello everyone. I've been absent from the forums for a while, I got a bunch of great information and asked a few questions which got me through the decision + the stages to be able to eat again. I was a self pay so the process was much easier than I expected. Psychology wise, I've adapted to the new lifestyle pretty well. I have my moments where I'd really like to eat something shouldn't. Anyhow, I'm fairly impressed with my progress, if not a little shocked. I'm currently around 55 lbs lost in about 12 weeks. I certainly didn't think it would come off this quick and I'm expecting it to slow. My original goal is ~120 lbs down, actually, anything near 200 would be awesome. Most importantly, I don't let things go to my head. Even with Thanksgiving and a wedding in the span of four days, I kept myself on the straight and narrow. During the holidays I just kept saying to myself that I wanted to have a whole new wardrobe by next Christmas. I did indulge a bit, had alcohol, had some sweets. I find I can't eat many breads, few pastas, and that's fine with me -- probably where I got most of my calories. I'm stepping up the physical activity over the next few months. I had no delusions about it coming off, it will, I'm just going to work as hard as I can to make it happen. Anyway, I hope the New Year is treating you all well. So far, I haven't even had a fill yet, the doctor is happy with the progress. Any advice from anyone in the same place as me? Anything you'd do differently? I'm not over confident, if anything I'm the opposite. I will tell you, it feels great to eat so little compared to what I did and feel full. I'm not sure if I can say with any assurance that I could ever feel full before surgery. I was either starving of stuffed, not "full". My best to you all. John

My palette changed on a whole raft of formerly favorite foods postOp. I can't report on alcohol tastes as I had to jettison that decades ago due to diabetes. Many articles of what I've read supports the occasional drink, and it seems some successful Bandsters have included such in their life styles. Learning how to treat our own community members as we learn how to function in our New Lives is an added benefit LBT encourages. It is a world full of differing opinions and standards of behavior. Learning how to disagree without being disagreeable is a beneficial goal for all of us.

My surgeon basically said that after the wound healing, it is "just a liquid". He didn't spell it out, didn't give me anything in writing, but the way I understood it is that it is discouraged for a couple of reasons. 1. It is high in empty useless calories. 2. Most people make dumb decisions after drinking which is bad in general but after surgery, you can hurt your pouch if you gorge on crap. 3. It is difficult to get in 64 oz. of liquid and if you fill up on booze it may prevent you from drinking good and hydrating liquids. 4. Last but not least they are DOCTORS and no doctor will ever tell you "Sure, go ahead and drink alcohol". Saying no to alcohol is part of every doctor's "party line", together with "don't smoke", "exercise", and "drink plenty of water" (among others). Take from this what you like :-)

I have had a few drinks here and there since having surgery.... I have steered clear of all carbonated beverages since surgery so that its not too overwhelming! ..... I am over 3 months out from surgery and I have had some alcoholic drinks about 4 times MAX....

My doctor group says alcohol of any kind goes straight to your liver and one becomes a "cheap drunk" real fast. My friends who've had any of the surgeries pretty much gave up alcohol. I quit a week ago to get the idea in my head before surgery in April....

drinks? You bettya. I don't drink every night or every week, but I will go out and enjoy with my friends or husband. I usually stick with wine but also will occassionally have a beer. I did some internet searching and vodka is the lowest calorie and I will have that with club soda or have a vodka gimlet. (vodka with lime juice) Answering some questions above, sure alcohol is empty calories. Sure, you can compare it to eating Cookies but there isn't FAT in a vodka and club soda. Plus, depriving myself feels like a diet and I am not on a diet. I am changing my lifestyle and that for me means not having a drink with sugar like a Pina Colada and instead changing to vodka and club. People with WLS can't live in a bubble--we need to learn to live in our society which would occassionally mean going to a social event. It's how we maneuver though these social events that makes or breaks us. So, I say bottoms up, with limitations. (meaning I would not do that every night)

I think the reason my nutritionist stated no alcohol any more was more the empty calories than anything. Call yours and ask the specific reason to be sure. As for the carbonation, i was told to stay away due to the gas pain it can cause. Not a problem here as we don't drink much soda to begin with. Had a sip or two of the hubby's beer last month and i know i don't need that any more. Just didn't taste the same. As for wine & other alcoholic drinks, i think only you can know if those empty calories are worth it. Are you in control of your diet? Can you just have one socially now & then? If you can, then why not. Might mean an extra trip to the gym or a little pre-planning before the event with your diet. Realistically, i am one of those persons that believes if you forbid all empty calories, eventually you are going to want to cave just because you know you shouldn't. If I can do moderation and just sample something now & then, i'm good with that. However, if you know you are the type to fall off the wagon very quickly, then i would look long and hard before taking that step. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses. One of my weakness.....cream cheese fill cupcakes. I love them & can eat them like nothing. Of course my youngest has a birthday this week & wants those in cake form for his family party. NOT happening. So instead i'm making 24 cupcakes that morning & sending them into school with a note saying "throw extras away, do not send home!". Temptation avoided. For his family party he's getting homemade ice cream cake made from fat free cookies, fat free ice cream and fat free cool whip. They've NEVER known the difference & I can have a sliver & not feel guilty.

Alcohol intake in access amount will definitely affect on ones oral health. That's why Dentists Carlisle PAsuggested to avoid alcohol in accessive amount.

My doctor has never said no to alcohol. He even said beer is ok if your not at full restriction. For me I stick to wine or mixed drinks were I can add more of the juice or Water to make sure I dont get tipsy too fast. Sometimes I have baileys and coffee or with milk, wine, cran vodka etc. My doc knows I drink and says it is ok as long as it is not all the time. Some docs are different and say no alcohol because it is empty calories.

I hate to be an ex smoker and to preach..I quit smoking 4 1/2 years ago when I got pregnant with my son and now I can't stand the smell of it. I am allergic to caffeine so I am like an alcoholic with that..I have been caffeine free since June 6, 1990 (my sobriety date LOL). Anyway there is no better time than now or as soon as you get banded to quit. I always feared gaining weight before but with the band it will keep you on track. Also, before one of my smoking friends got banded I asked my surgeon straight out what damage does smoking do...he looked at me straight in my eyes after I convinced him I wasn't going to start again (I have known my surgeon for 5 years now)..he said erosion & ulcers and you never want to go through that so if "you" can convince your friend to quit do what it takes but have her quit as soon as possible. As for the caffeine headaches...when I went through the withdrawals (I was drinking on average 8 mountain dews a day) I had cold sweats, chills and massive headaches for 5-7 days but after that I started living a normal life without have peaks and gutters throughout the day. Once I balanced out my attitude and temper were also balanced were as before the amount of caffeine played so much of a factor I didn't even know until I didn't have it. When people say they don't function until they have their coffee...it is really the caffeine but once they learn to live without it it is amazing how balanced they are without that "java". I wish you the very best on your journey!!

Now it seems that people just dont know how to search the forums to find an answer to their question and repeat the same question so here I am laying it all out for ya as simple as I can: Its all normal!!!!!!! Gas? Yes you will have gas, your stomach will growl, talk, make noises you never heard, be loud enough for the neighbors to hear it. The gas will go away within a few days or by the first week. You may never get rid of gas. It may always be there. The band changes your digestive flow causing GAS. Put gas x on your grocery list. Pain? Yes you will have pain. It is just not an option. To what degree you have it is up to everyone. Your port site will however be sore longer than any of the other sites can take up to a couple months to feel completely pain free. One day post op pain, two three four days post op pain. You may have pain for two weeks. Sore Throat? You may have a sore throat after surgery because they put a tube down your throat while you are sleeping. Nausea? Most bariatric patients wake up nauseated. This is common it should not last. Have them put a patch behind your ear before you go in to surgery. However if you throw up unstoppable for more than you think is normal then call your doctor. Problems? If you feel you are having a medical issue call your doctor. That is what they are there for. We are not medical professionals and can not diagnose medical issues. Band slippage? If your band slips you will have uncontrolable vomiting. Not because you can eat more than normal. HUNGER? When the swelling from surgery goes down you will BE HUNGRY. HUNGER IS SOMETHIING THAT NEVER STOPS ITS IS NATURAL FOR YOUR BODY TO TELL YOU WHEN TO EAT. You may get fuller faster but you will still get hungry. Shoulder pain? If your pain persist more than normal you could and probably are eating too much. You have a nerve that goes from your stomach to our left shoulder and the band presses on it. Signal STOP EATING. Head Hunger? You need to realize that the band will not control head hunger it just wont. If your stomach is growling you are hungry eat. If you just feel empty drink. If your not roaring then you are not hungry. Restriction? You may or may not have it from the beginning. If you dont you may need a fill 6 weeks post op. Weight loss? It is not going to be fast. Im sure you were told slow but steady and then maybe not steady after a while. Its all about you, your metabolism and your ability to stick to the diet. Diet? The lap band is a diet and if you dont think it is then dont get it because it is a diet/life style change. You can not continue to eat the way you did before surgery and think you will lose weight because you wont. Nothing taste better in your mouth than being thin. Soda and carbonation? Drink it if you want to expand your pouch otherwise stay clear of carbonated beverages. Alcohol. Although alcohol will not hurt your band the empty calories will hurt your weight loss so dont attempt it. One leads to two. If you are steady losing weight I dont suggest getting a fill. Only get a fill if your not losing weight, overly hungry but if you eat enough Protein you should stay fuller longer, and or gain back weight. If you keep losing weight you do not need a fill. Why put yourself through that when it is not necessary. Fluids? You need to drink 64 oz of fluids after surgery whether you want to or not or risk being dehydrated. Dehydration means IV"s if you love needles then dont drink after surgery. Bread? Some may never be able to eat bread ever. Some may. Same with Pasta and rice. Exercise? Its entirely up to you whether you want to excersise or not. The band alone is not going to do it. It is a tool and that is all it is to teach you portion control. If you do not use it as a tool then you will not lose weight. If you are severely overweight wait until you feel comfortable doing some type of excersise. Eat protein first with all your meals then add the other things you will find out you wont need so much of the other things. Anyone want to add anything else I forgot then please do. I am not being smart just trying to answer all the questions in one place.

each doctor is different. my doc told me no soda or alcohol for 3 months post-op. i drink diet soda now... 1 or 2 cans a day... and my stomach gurgles like its hungry when it passes thru the band. i get a lot of funny looks lol

first off, let me say CONGRATULATIONS!!! Soon you will be a new person. . .now for your answer. . . on my part (and this doesn't mean it'll be like this for you) I'm out 1 year now and am now comfortable with my new tummy. . I can actually eat more about 1200 calories well balanced meals. . I can drink sodas, alcohol, water, whatever i want 8 oz glasses without a problem (not gulping though) I have no problem drinking 64oz of fluids. . .I can eat whatever except steak, that hurts still. . . but it's a learning process. . . you didn't become fat overnight, but your expected to relearn overnight. . .literally. . . it's a learning process and you will eventually learn what hurts from what doesn't. . . just follow doctor orders and you'll do fine. . we are all here for you as well. . .so chat about whatever and remember the only stupid question is the one not asked. . . so ask away that is what we are here for.! Good luck to you!

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11607-i-have-a-question-about-alcohol/page__p__99986__hl__alcohol__fromsearch__1#entry99986 There is another topic with lots of information, and other people's experiences.

It's probably best to ask your doctor, they all seem to have a different date in mind for when you can begin exercising, eating mushy food, eating solid food, and when you can drink alcohol. I can say that beer, or carbonated drinks in general, should probably be at the bottom of your list since the bubbles will fill you up (and expand in your stomach). If you're going to drink you may want to try wine or a mixed, non-carbonated drink first to see how you can handle it. I'm only 3 weeks and probably shouldn't be drinking yet but on New Year's eve I had a vodka and cranberry and Crown & Ginger (setting the ginger ale out in a glass a couple hours early to let it go flat).

Hi Elise, You have asked some very good questions! I'll be honest, it will take time for you to figure this all out! I hope you get some good responses! As far as parties go, people don't really notice what you are eating. I actually find I enjoy my food more now. I'll just have a little taste of everything. The one on one restaurant thing can be a little tricky, but there is usually something on the menu I can have. If you are looking to eat "healthy" while out dining, which I know we all should, I look toward the Soups and anything crunchy. I have to admit the things I pick out usually are not healthy, but I don't go out to dinner very much. We are all different and toleratae foods differently. I find people are very understanding and have not had any issues. I do find my friends actually feed "bad" for me having to leave so much food. I often do not take a doggy bag, as the food is just NOT the same warmed over, but that is a personal thing. As far as alcohol, I have had the occasional drink, but not to excess. I will have an occasional glass of wine mixed with club soda, fruit juice, etc. I know this is shunned on, but a few times a year has not hurt me. Good luck! I cant' wait to see the responses to this great question!

Hi everyone I am new to this and am 6 weeks post sleeve doing ok i think would love to know if i can drink alcohol, in moderation ofcourse. I have a family party to go to this month and was wondering has anyone got any advise, my drink normally is bottle lager, or am i being to ambitious. Thanks for any help

Well, I think we have found that there are various explanations. My nutritionist said 3 months out (or 6, I forgot, lol). When I asked the surgeon directly, he said the staples have to heal but at the same time he said that after that it is just a liquid - albeit a highly caloric liquid. What I took from that is: Nutritionist doesn't want us to drink alcohol because it has too many calories (and can possibly lead to unwise eating when tipsy) Surgeon says that the suture wounds should heal (I assume a tequila shot on my internal raw flesh post-surgery wounds may not be recommended) Surgeon said that after that it is a simple liquid (not sure about Everclear though, lol) I had small glasses of white wine about 6 weeks out (the sample glasses from the wineries) I had a few cocktails around the holidays (about 8 weeks out) I try to restrict it simply for caloric reasons

Sooo glad I found this post, alcohol is the only my doctors won't give me a clear answer on:( Loved to hear all of your experience! I am three to five months out from surgery (depending on insurance). I used to be a party girl but now that I have graduated college, I only drink on the weekends. Very glad I won't have to give up alcohol completely:)

Yes, you can drink as you can with any WLS type. It's typically recommended to wait until you are goal, or at least 3 months out to allow adequate time for your stomach to heal. Plus, staying hydrated is key during the first 2-4 weeks so adding alcohol to the mix is just wasted calories, and is a diuretic essentially it's just wasteful to drink early out. Your surgeon will have guidelines. While some surgeons are super conservative, they'll tell their patients 6-12 months wait for alcohol. I was cleared for alcohol at 3.5 months. I was advised to avoid red wines due to the tannins (acid), and have been drinking since around 6.5 months out. I was below goal. I will tell you that the first time I drank. It hit me hard and fast. One glass of wine, and I had slurred speech, numb lips, and overall not pleasant after just one drink. I sobered up quickly as well. Today, at 19 months out, I drink extremely socially. My alcohol tolerance is back to what it was pre-op. The one thing I have noticed is that I urinate 4 times the amount I did pre-op. Once I break the seal, I'm in the potty every hour. It runs right through me, and I have to really drink heavily to get drunk. Catching and maintaining a buzz is much easier now, but early out, 1-2 glasses of wine and I was pretty buzzed then it'd leave me pretty quickly and there was no fun in that.