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Alice, I am sorry to say this but your post reads kind of strangely. While I agree nutrition comes first, the occasional dessert or alcohol drink is not going to make ANYONE a failure. Working out a new lifestyle of balance is part of what the journey is all about. Mimi

Hi Brian, Sorry you are having such a hard time. Please go to another Dr. on Monday!! Don't waste anytime. You have done the right thing by asking for advise, so that shows you are a strong person. YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS HUDDLE WITHOUT HELP FROM DRUGS OR ALCOHOL!! I am new, only been banded 6 weeks, so I can't help you with the right advise, but I do know you sholdn't be drinking alcohol, so please call a friend and don't isolate yourself. You WILL get thru this. Hang in there buddy. Junibug

Yesterday: I was super bad yesterday and somehow someway still lost 1 lb. Here goes: Breakfast:1/2 cup egg beaters and 3 slices of turkey bacon Snack-Ham and cheese kolache Lunch-1/2 cup of chicken salad and 6 crackers Snack-strawberry donut Dinner-4 shrimp tempura 2/3 cup of edamame Had several coronas because I went out for girls night. I lost count so felt extremely bloated last night. Total-1434 Calories (food) Alcohol (not too sure just know that it was alot) Protein 89g Protein

no info given on pre-op or post-op. but there is a paper given at the seminar the DON'TS are smoking, NSAIDs, carbonation, fluids with meals, fresh coconut, snacking and caffeine. AVOID FOR THE FIRST YEAR arepregnancy, alcohol, read meat, orange and apple juice, corn, raisins and gum. and the DOs are positive mindset, take responsibility, exercise, water/water, quality Protein, multi-Vitamins with minerals, Iron, b12, Calcium with magnesium & zinc, support group and follow up. the seminar lasted 1 1/2 hours. it began at 550pm. open questions started about 645, but you don't have to stay for that; your choice. the doctor did have a open floor to those who wanted to stay longer and speak with him. i thought that was awesome. i drink Pure Protein already made in a can. i tried buying from their website, but you can only buy at health food stores. i buy minds at trader joe's. with that said, the surgeon will most likely give you your diet info. remember everyone is different. ohhhhh, the doctor mentioned also that they try not to use banding too much and they prefer to use gastric bypass, but the decision is yours. the majority of the class raised their hand for the sleeve. also if there are teachers out there, get that paper work in because you are definitely first in line.

Wow, Tina what a SMALL world. What is medifast? Congrats to her! Id have to admit i lost WAY easier prior to band then now. Now its like you have a hard time eating when stressed, tired, dehydrated, exhausted, early am, late night, and liquids are just so nice. I am making a goal though of 15-20 before xmas.. i think we can all do it. Thats only 1 lb a week. Weve lost 3 a week.. so i know it can be done!!! Im cutting carbs down to one meal a day, and no more alcohol. That stuff i think seriously is getting me in trouble. OH and my coffee intake!!! I never drank coffee preop.. now i get migraines if i dont!!! Today I bought some natural herb supplement and st johns wart lol.. and mom wants to try slim fast for two weeks to detox.. off the carbs.. AND, i moved all my pasta crap to stephens cupboard. Ok.. im done talking. Anyone wanna do a challenge or something?

NO ALCOHOL. The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. Alcohol is directly opposed to that. I would not be able to do any parties right about now. Parties and alcohol will always be here.

I found that I could not tolerate much, if any, of the Protein supplements, shakes, ready-made or not. I was a bit panicky, but finally found 2 that got me through. I rarely, if ever use now. Just one note - don't let your Water (milk, etc) get above 105 degrees or the Protein powder will clump. Believe me - if you have a hard time getting down well-mixed protein, you don't want to try clumped protein. YUCK!!!! Any whey from Amazon - [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Instantized-Protein-2-7-Pound/dp/B000GIUQOG]Amazon.com: 100% Any Whey Protein: Health & Personal Care[/ame] I add this to yogurt, oatmeal, hot cocoa, etc Serving size: 1 scoopAmount Per ServingCalories70Calories from Fat0Calories from Saturated Fat Amount Per Serving and/or % Daily Value*Total Fat0g (0%)Saturated Fat0g (0%)Polyunsaturated Fat Monounsaturated Fat Trans Fat Cholesterol0mg (0%)Sodium30mg (1%)Potassium Total Carbohydrate1g (0%)Dietary Fiber0g (0%)Soluble Fiber Insoluble Fiber Sugars0g (0%)Sugar Alcohol Other Carbohydrate Protein17 (34%)Amount Per Serving and/or % Daily Value*Vitamin A0 (0%)Percent of Vitamin A present as beta-carotene Vitamin C0 (0%)Calcium0 (8%)Iron0 (0%)Flavor0 (0%) unjury chicken Soup - https://www.unjury.com/store/protein/reg/chicken_soup_flavored_protein.shtml

Molly - sorry--I didn't see your question for me until now. I think people fall into two camps: the dieting-got-me-nowhere-and-I-want-to-take-the-focus-OFF-food camp and the track everything camp. I've never tracked my calories or Protein or anything else just because I know that that sort of thing doesn't work for me. For example, I did very well with Jenny Craig/Blueprint Cleanse and that sort of thing with strict "rules" and terribly with Weight Watchers where there is some guesswork and subjectivity. I could never remember to write my food intake down and at the end of the day would practically be making it up. After I reached restriction (I was lucky--it only took two fills) I let that do the work for me. I'm aware of whether or not I've eaten a decent amount of protein (I don't use protein supplements much) and certainly know a good day from a bad day. If I "cheat" it's mostly with Weight Watchers Desserts or something along those lines. Not to too caloric, but really unhealthy kinds of processed things. But mostly I just let the band work for me. Very often I'll have some Soup for dinner. Although this is considered to be a slider food, we eat late enough that there's not really time for me to get hungry afterwards. So that's a rule I definitely break. I try and keep alcohol down to a minimum. I know I consume a whole lot of extra calories in sauces for my protein, but they make me happy enough that it's worth it. I exercise my ass off and...that's about it. The band has enabled me to eat ALMOST like a "normal" thin person. I cheat. I overeat a little bit sometimes. But those things are pretty rare and if I do it once I don't throw my hands in the air and say that it's all over. I wake up the next morning and get back to business without a thought. The band makes it easy. It takes willpower, but it's willpower that I have. Unlike life before the band it doesn't entail moving mountains. Just making some small, reasonable, easy-ish decisions along the way. Sorry for the rambling post. I actually gained a few ounces this week which I'm not too happy about but in general this thing has worked exactly how they said it would. Two months of bandster hell (see all the "did I make a mistake I'm getting this thing removed" posts all over this board) and then pretty smooth sailing. I wish you all the best! Do a search for "journaling" and that sort of thing to see others' opinions on the subject. It just depends on what works for you!

Hello Brian, I am also like the other Wendy. I have not been banded yet. I have learned from the forums on LBT that the Lapband is a tool, it will help you lose weight if you are willing to try. Yeah, that would be my first step, see a doctor. One that knows! If you didn't like your first doctor, go see a new one. Sometimes there is a fee. If you find one search thru this forum and look at the other people that have used him. Check out their weight loss, send them a personal message. I feel everyone out there on this forum is very helpful. I myself am worried about the alcohol. I drink beer. But looks like that might not be in my future. Maybe I will be able to have a shot and water ocassionally. May you find happiness with you band and help keep me posted. WendyAnn

I've actually never been a soda drinker, think it makes my mouth taste nasty and my teeth scummy so my question is about other carbonations. I love mineral water which is often carbonated and since alcohol is out during the first few healing months it would be nice if I could have a club soda with lime or something when out with friends. So is the big worry over carbonation because of soda-carbonation and its empty calories, or is it over the tiny bubbles? I'm a month out and yes I will ask my surgeon but, soda water - thoughts, comments?

Which PPI are you on? Are your calories matching your activity level? As stupid as it sounds, GasX strips contain some sugar alcohol which triggers some funky hunger like feelings for me. It's not hunger really, it's just this funky strange feeling I get. I was able to isolate it when I was snacking on Protein bars. On the PPI, are you taking it on an empty stomach and waiting a minimum of 30-60 minutes before eating? This is on my RX of Prilosec, and I have a girlfriend down here that went on Protonix (generic) and her bottle reads the same.

I dont know a Dr in that area, but I am sure there are plenty. It actually sounds to me like you are too tight, therefore cannot eat a reasonable amount of food, so you settle for alcohol and proberly other "bad" slider foods. I would consider getting a unfill....I have noticed that I do not lose weight when I eat a lower calorie diet. And just so you know, I was in the same situation. I have been banded 3 years. I lost 30 pounds the first 6 months. The nothing. I disnt have real good restriction and I didnt make good food choices. I finally decided i needed to use my tool! I started going to the gym 5-6 days a week and realing watching my food. I went and had a fill...I know have great restriction...and I have made it to my initial goal...I now love the gym and really into weightlifting etc...I feel great and look even better... Dont resort to drugs...use your tool...and yes, its not a magic pill...u have to put in some work!

Hi Brian, I don't think I'm really qualified to answer most of your questions because I am just getting ready to get banded myself, but from the research I have done I think you need to find a new dr who can help you figure out why you cant stop throwing up. I'm sure you already know that drugs and alcohol won't help solve any of the problems that you are having. Have you considered talking to a councelor as well, I know it has really helped me overcome some very difficult circumstances in my life. I will be praying that you find some answers and that you will be able to overcome all the obstacles that you are facing now. Try to look back and remember all the things that you have already overcome and how far you have come. I know that that is not always an easy thing to do, but it always helps me to think about where I could be compared to how far I have come. Take care and God bless you, Wendy

Hey everyone, Name is Brian. I have had the lap band for about 3 years now. I lost 50 pounds in the first 3 months with the band. In the last 2.5+ years I have not lost any weight in some cases I maybe gained a few. I have a 10cc band and have 9cc`s currently in my band. No restriction. You would think that not loosing weight is the worst part. But its not. No matter how little I eat. No matter how well I chew my food. I am constantly throwing up, It has had serious Psychologically hurting implications. I am self medicating with alcohol on a constant basis and I am constantly thinking about going back to smoking methamphetamine's to loose weight. I have survived through drug induced heart attacks(2) and I have also survived a shooting 1 bullet in my side and 2 in my stomach, and I dont think I have ever felt lower then I feel now. Lots of people know I had the Lap Band and I am always the center of Jokes that I dont know how much more I can take. Is their any RESTART that I could do? Like Open my band all the way and fast to shrink everything ? Like you would restart your computer when it is running slow. I also need a doctor Local to Los Angeles where I live. Who is caring and will help me. My doctor is about 3 hours from Los Angeles and its too much to go up their and even when I am up their he has little advice to give me. PLEASE HELP.

I was told no alcohol & no carbonated or caffeinated beverages. Acceptable clear liquids are: decaffeinated tea and coffee, sugar free kool aid, sugar free jello, sugar free/clear popsicles, clear broth and bouillon, crystal light, minute maid light, diet snapple and sugar free/ low sugar protein supplements. Hope this helps

So those who've read my posts know that I asked a lot of questions before surgery about post-op depression, and have had a few struggles since my surgery with the problem. I've had a lifelong history with depression and anxiety, and have at various points in my life done therapy and been on just about every medication known. None of those things worked, long term. Note: some people do suffer real physiological depression post-op. It is well documented, and you should always talk to your doctor if you're struggling. I'm just posting my findings so that some of you might have a head start in unraveling this ball of twine. What I'm finding is that my depression is almost entirely related to physiological factors. In short, when I take care of my physical needs adequately, I'm not depressed or anxious. In fact, when I'm getting enough sleep, food (especially carbs -- yes, the evil carbs!), Water, and exercise, my mood is very, very good. When I AM taking care of myself, I'm calm (not anxious), hopeful, and generally a pleasant person. However, any of the following will QUICKLY put me into a tail spin: Not getting enough sleep. I don't know how many times I'm going to have to re-learn this lesson, but for posterity, here it is: if I don't get enough quality sleep, I'm a wreck. This is getting more pronounced as I get older, and has gotten dramatically more pronounced since the surgery. It used to be that it took a week or two of crappy sleep (or not enough sleep) to bring me down. Now a day or two and I'm a wreck. Not getting enough exercise. This is intimately tied in to sleep; when I am exercising regularly and vigorously, I sleep better. But even if you take sleep out of the picture, exercise has worked better for me than any antidepressant I've tried, and it has worked quicker. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of better living through chemistry; if you need AD's, take them, but for me, exercise is much more effective. It can nip an anxiety attack in the bud, and 15 minutes of brisk walking in the sunshine (or even in the gray... come on, this is Seattle!) can prevent an entire day of blue moping. Not eating enough. If I don't eat enough food, or good enough food, I am a mess. I get wobbly and cranky and prone to irritability and depression. Worse, I tend to compensate-eat later, and eat far more calories (and far worse calories) than I would have if I'd just forced myself to eat properly to begin with. Also, I've noticed a strong correlation between mood and carbohydrate intake in particular. I guess it makes sense; taking in far fewer calories means I have far fewer reserves to spare, but quite often snapping out a blue funk is as easy as drinking a glass of skim milk (which has both Protein and milk sugar -- a win/win combination of carbs and protein, according to my nutritionist). Not drinking enough. This doesn't make me blue, but it makes me feel ill and grumpy, and that often leads to OTHER bad behaviors that precipitate blue-ness. Drinking too much caffeine. Of course, overindulgence in caffeine is always a shortcut to feeling icky, but since my surgery I've found that my tolerance is much, much lower. One big cup of coffee can make we wired and jittery for hours, followed by a deep crash of exhaustion and depression and anxiety. It's almost not worth it anymore. Drinking too much alcohol. Similarly, alcohol is a depressant so this shouldn't be that surprising. What's surprising is how much stronger the effects are now. Particularly, unfortunately, the negative effects -- two or three drinks and I'm hung over, moody and anxious the next day. Just like caffeine, it's to the point where the "fun" is almost not worth the cost. None of this means that I can avoid other good mental hygiene, like keeping social contacts strong and so forth. But ultimately, I find that simply taking care of my body -- doing the things I should be doing anyway -- is the most potent antidepressant available. It's as simple as this: when I take care of myself, I don't get anxious or blue. When I don't, I suffer.

No one can make you feel like a failure without your permission. If someone tries, smile sweetly and think, "Permission denied, sucker." No one who has recovered from alcoholism is a failure. As for a device controlling your eating: it is a medical procedure to help you cope with a medical problem. Would you hesitate to use insulin to control diabetes or an inhaler to control asthma? As for encouragement, I can only tell you that the band is working well for me and that I would do it gain in a heartbeat. Good luck and great blessings to you.

I am going to Vegas next month and I will be about 2 1/2 months out from surgery by then. I would love to be able to have a drink socially here and there, but I don't want to harm my tummy. has anyone tried it that soon and if so was it ok? Thanks Sherri

Good for you, August, on all counts. When I had surgery many years ago, I was concerned about the use of pain pills. A very wise nurse who was also AA told me firmly that even addicts and alcoholics had the right and need to be pain-free after surgery, and that if pain pills were used properly, there was no danger inherent in the use. When the pain quit, so did I.

My doctor is OK with alcohol in moderation. I had my first glass of wine about a week after surgery. Hope that helps! Catherine

My doc says that an occasional glass of wine or mixed drink is fine but no beer/carbonated beverages. The only thing about alcohol is that there are extra calories...

Every doctor has different rules. Mine recommends against alcohol until goal is reached. That's not a safety guideline, though--it's geared to maximize weight loss. (He's a low-carb kind of guy--and it's worked really well for me.) Other doctors are okay with light alcohol use, but recommend against carbonation.

How long before alcohol consumption after lapband surgery?

I'm going in on a Friday and hoping to be back by Monday (Tuesday at the latest). My twin sister had lapband surgery last year and took a whole six weeks off. She has an excellent employer!! I do know that she was not allowed to drink alcohol for 1 year. It's something to do with corrosion of the band. You may want to research that before you partake! A year out she enjoys a drink now and then.

alcohol swabs:thumbup: