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I have thought about that too. My dad was an alcoholic too, and I have had my years of drinking too much. But for the last 5 years, I never drink.....so I am hoping that alcohol won't be the addiction for me. I just went and got a bunch of yarn...yup, yarn, so I can start making scarves for a friend of mine, she sell them. I know that I need to have my hands busy. If I can't eat...then I have to have my hands moving and doing something else. So, I am hoping that I will be busy making scarves all winter long, so I have some time to understand this new me. I hope that you will find something wonderful to do with your family. I also hope that I can transfer my food addiction to jogging ..... or something. Well, I can dream can't I?!?! I am having my surgery on October 12th....so it is just around the corner. Good Luck to you!!!!

Thank you, I am going to find some alcohol right now! I can't wait to beable to eat something. But I'm also a litl scared too! :\

Is anyone else a little concerned about this? At my Psych evaluation yesterday my therapist gave me a few photo copied articles out of OH Magazine (obesity help) and it was talking about how when people get wls and lose the addiction to food, the addiction transfers. Some of the women starting having a shopping addiction, one started smoking, one started drinking, ect. I also learned that as a child of BOTH parents having been alcoholics I have a 90% chance of having a drinking problem if I were to ever start. Luckily, as seeing what jerks my parents could be when they were drunk, drinking has never been my thing. But What one of the girls said really caught my eye. She said having been almost 300 lbs when she went out she never wanted to dance or anything but she got down to 135lbs she felt beautiful and wanted to party. I could see that. So I know I will have to pay extra attention to make sure my "addiction" is shifted towards something else. Like working out or doing something with my husband and kids. Anyways, I just thought I would share and see if anyone has an input?

I followed my doctor's strict guidelines. So didn't t try questionable foods like lettuce or a cracker until 6 months. I got really sick from oatmeal around 6 months but I think it was too thick and got stuck. It was bad enough that I still haven't tried it again and have no plans to ever try it. Around 8 months I started trying pretty much everything. However I have only literally had 1 bite of regular ice cream, a tiny Halloween size candy bar, one piece of bread, 1/4 cup of noodles etc. at a time. I tolerate a variety of foods but don't want to try a large amount and get sick. I still haven't tried cake with icing, soda, or alcohol and have no plans to. I have only had a few grains of rice that were stuck to chicken and was worried that would cause an issue but it was fine. I am pretty scared to push the limits.

I mourned for a few days that I would never be able to gorge myself and feel "happy" again and damn I want this piece of plastic out. But I am trusting in the idea that I will find other things to make me happy. I cleaned up my garage this weekend. Made a pantry out there so that when the twins arrive we'll have a place for large bundles of pampers. Time heals most wounds. Emotional and Physical. Plus, I know, when I get to eat steak again, it won't be chop steak on a roll with cheese, but a savory filet mignon with green Beans on the side. (Yeah, I'm hungry right now) Anyway, what had me upset the most was that my alcoholic parents didn't call and still haven't called to find out how I'm doing. 10 days post op. Not a word. Screw'em. They were a major contributing factor to my weight issues. Now I got babies on the way. Due in July. I'm already working to be a better parent.

I can't speak for your specific case, but in general, the liver is stressed by metabolizing all of that fat that we are losing so quickly - this is why many surgeons advise against consuming any alcohol during that first year or so of rapid weight loss (the liver doesn't need any additional stress from a liver toxin like alcohol). So, liver numbers in blood tests are often abnormal for a while during this loss phase and for some time after; whether that extends to a physical fatty liver diagnosis from an ultrasound, I don't know. My surgeon is also a liver guy (does transplants in his "spare time") so these things get discussed in general in the support groups, though I never had occasion to talk any specifics with him. It is hard to say if your surgeon is just being casual about it because what he sees is fairly normal, or is something beyond his job description and experience. While they may not have anyone else within the bariatric department who is more knowledgeable, they certainly have a liver disease department there that will have a hepatoligist that you can talk to. The problem is that they may not be that familiar with bariatrics and rapid weight loss so may want to go farther in treatment than is necessary - they may need to get their heads together between the two departments to determine what is really going on. Good luck...

Yeah he wasn't at all thrilled with the party untill we got into the presents. He was a good sport about it all. I just love that man. The beer is a gift from get this, an alcoholic friend of ours. Isn't that too funny.

In addition to meeting with my nutritionist for an hour appointment, I had to attend a 2 hour class which discussed nutrition post surgery. We were told to avoid alcohol at all costs for the first year of losing weight. Not only does it lower your tolerance to alcohol but also puts your liver at increased risks for liver toxicity, cancer and other liver diseases. It can also contribute to hypoglycemia. ulcers and malnutrition. It was explained that your liver is not only working overtime burning fat from your body but if it has to process alcohol then it's giving it a double wammy for having to work that it's defenses are at higher risks for getting sick.

The capacity of the stomach will increase a little after the first year, but not by much unless you are constantly intentionally overstuffing it. Someone above said they increased to about 1.5 cups. Many people who regained were convinced their stomach had stretched out, but those who had it checked were still as restricted as expected. Most people who I've seen report that they regained and are seeking support to get back on track say that over time they fell into bad habits and started grazing/emotional eating/eating poor/junk/slider foods. At 6 weeks post op I reckon I could easily consume 3000 calories or more a day if I was eating poor quality/slider foods frequently and drinking alcohol and other liquid calories. People who start drinking with their meals will find they can eat a lot more (even though it may cause some indigestion or toileting issues). Get advice and support from a nutritionist. Develop good eating habits in your post sleeve honeymoon period and work to build a strong metabolism with a workable long term diet that will remain suitable and sustainable and keep you maintaining your weight loss beyond 2 years post sleeve. Creekimp63 has posted in a couple of recent replies that her support team recommend increasing to a maintainable 1200 calories (incorporating healthy carbohydrates while still meeting protein targets) as soon as possible post sleeve, to avoid damaging your metabolism (when it wakes up post honeymoon period) with very low calorie diet and triggering diet fatigue and the metabolic/hormonal push to regain weight that so many of us already suffered after years of failed dieting and regain. And get help now for any psychological issues that were contributing to your previous weight gain and any bad eating habits, as you need to deal with stress and mental issues without resorting to food, or progressing to other damaging behaviors like alcohol and drug abuse (some people with unresolved issues move on to other dangerous addictions once surgery prevents using food to manage/avoid stressors) We are all here to support each other, and we all want everyone to succeed! Too many of us have suffered too many years from obesity.

I just had the 2-year anniversary of my VSG and I'm maintaining my 100 lb weight loss. It IS harder at this point, my restriction has relaxed a bit and it's not as insistent...I now rely on proper portioning and good eating habits vs letting the restriction keep me from overeating. I had very strong restriction for a year, slightly less until 18 mos, a small lessening after that and I expect it'll continue to lessen as time goes by. You have to discontinue any old, bad habits: grazing, eating crap carbs, soda, overindulging in alcohol, not exercising. Use the first year wisely and you can and should maintain, but if you waste that first year by eating what you want and thinking you can do that long term, you might find yourself in the 'regain' group. Your sleeve is a tool, a helper...it's not a solution.

This is something that I've found out for myself. Nobody made me eat the vast amounts of food I ate, I did it all myself. I am a compulsive overeater and even with WLS I will still be a compulsive overeater. The WLS has given me a great head start in the right direction but, if I don't control my compulsion I will be back to where I started before my WLS. That is why I sought help with Overeaters Anonymous (OA). It is modeled after the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. I go to meetings, call my sponsor everyday and most important I work the steps. I have said this in the past, there are many on here who can maintain the weight loss by themselves, I unfortunately am not one of them. I will never be able to eat like a normal person. If you feel that you need help, look for it and embrace it. I am only nine months out from my WLS, I don't consider myself a weight loss success just yet. I hope that I can maintain long term and stay healthy for the rest of my life.

Thank you!!!! I ended up having vodka and diet 7up last night. Alcohol did hit me sooner then it used too but felt nice to relax. Not to be nasty but after I drank, I was able to get a lot of gas out. Did carbonation help? Back to being good today!!! Thanks everyonw

My surgery is scheduled for July 11th! I've been really nervous about flying out of state to have this done. The coordinators have been very kind, but very much saleswomen, so that made me anxious as well. I'm really glad to hear that everyone is having a great experience there, it is very reassuring. Another worry I have is that when I signed all the consent forms yesterday and the forms mentioned potentially not being able to do surgery if one's liver is too large. I do have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease...but I think many obese people do, and that's why the pre-surgery diet is so important. I know they have to cover all their bases on the consent forms, but a big reason I need this surgery is to treat the NAFLD.

It won't fill you up at all...and has no nutriton what do you mean? alcohol? soda? 2 margaritas or pina coladas is like 1500 calories... thats more than you are aloud all day.

rlane - I am not very far into this journey. But one thing I noticed about myself that may be helpful for you is that when I was home with nothing to do - I obsessed more about food. When I went back to work I obviously had other things on my mind. I also know from my past habits that I am a boredom/stress eater. You didn't mention if you worked/went to school or had a hobby...but if not I would strongly recommend one or all of those if possible. The more you do outside the home the better you will feel. chocolate is my downfall...so is cheese. Heck if you provide me with a chocolate cheesecake I thought I was in heaven. I just haven't allowed it in the house. My family has been supportive. I told them its kind of like an alcoholic just getting out of rehab...be sensitive to me regarding my triggers. You wouldn't put beer in the fridge or a keg stand in the kitchen for an alcoholic...so please have the same courtesy for me.

The article was about people with gastric bypass being able to absorb alcohol quicker so therefore could drink a lot more , lpbands should not affect alcohol consumption other than all those calories u are consuming. The article was specifically to do with gastric bypass people who have more tendency to become alcoholics because of the absorbtion differences .

Its like with anything. It is willpower. Some people have more addictive personalities. People mourn the loss of the way things used to be so you want something else to fill the void. My husband had the bypass 5 years ago. He since has been addicted to drugs, alcohol, shopping, hoarding, porn, eating, dipping, smoking. His sistet had it and is fine.

Hi Angela1der! I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, borderline diabetes, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, and a liver that was diagnosed as non alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, which means it's storing fatty deposits and was so huge that my liver doctor said the next step is getting on a donor list. :thumbup: When my endocrinologist told me I MAY have 10 years left to live, my choice was made! :biggrin2: I chose the lap band mostly because my liver doctor wouldn't help me get the surgery for the gastric by pass or the RNY due to so many of his patients having complications..not saying everyone does because I have a friend that had gastric by pass and she's doing great, but it was his decision to help me and he chose the lap band over all the other diet surgeries and I would say it is because it is the least invasive and totally reversible. I had a 10 day pre op diet that only had 3 days of liquids before surgery and an 8 week post op diet that to me really just gets you used to measuring your food and making sure you don't get into too much that may at first be hard to digest or even keep down..I still have to really be careful when I get an adjustment.:thumbup: If you have seen a nutritionist that's great..if not I would highly recommend one so you will see how much a change this MAY make. Some don't have too hard a time because they had already started eating healthier before surgery.:Dancing_wub: Now I'm down 40 pounds less and my liver after only 2 months with the band has started regenerating and my blood pressure meds have been cut in half and my cholesterol meds have been weaned off as well. I just went to the family doctor to check the liver panels and cholesterol readings, so I'll find out in about a week how they are. The hardest thing I have had was getting used to the portion sizes. I'm limited to 1/2 cup per meal with Protein shakes in between the meals. I am very satisfied with that and my doc said I was going twice as fast as I needed to so he's happy. :biggrin2: I am the first patient my family doctor has that has a Lap Band and she asked me how everything was going..(she's was so curious that she had to find my port, check my scars, ask me tons of questions)..and I told her I was doing great and feeling the best I had in years. I also told her that if she has any patients that were wondering about the Lap Band that she was welcome to tell them my story. It has been an amazing journey for my health and well being. Nothing has ever made such a positive difference in my whole being as having this band put in! I would recommend it to anyone that has tried dieting the conventional way and exercising to get it if their doctor considers them a candidate. I'm a bit older than you and I just wish I could have had this band even 15 years ago!! I am sold on it and with anything else in life..you have to give to get..so yes, you won't eat like you used to but the end results will be a healthy long life. :thumbup: The questions I had for my doc..this was after getting on this forum..was exactly what band did he use and what size it was. Did he put in a fill during (or in your case would he) surgery?? How much and how often does he plan on adjusting..every 4,6 or 8 weeks?? I'm a research participant so I have to go in every 4 weeks. Really my seminar covered almost every question I thought of and then this site is full of peoples experiences and questions they themselves have asked. I joined AFTER my surgery, so you are a step ahead of where I was! I wish you well on your surgery and my number one opinion on what you should ask your doctor is only that he be available to answer any more questions you will have later..I sure did!:thumbup: Keep us posted on your progress and I think it's a great idea that you are checking out all avenues! :thumbup:

I had a lot of diarrhea and called the nutritiionist because I think that it is the protein shakes. I am diabetic and use the low sugar. He told me to change to the regular, not low sugar ,because the sugar alcohol causes some people to have diarrhea. I did this and no more problem. Thank god. The sugar content is not that much greater and my blood sugars, so far are stable.

Janet, That was a wonderful response. I have not been banded yet (8/16) however, I feel like you. I have done every diet under the sun. I even sent a woman that was on Oprah a few years back that had lost weight $1,000.00 over the internet to help me lose weight. Yes, embarrassing but true. I did every and anything to lose weight and I had some success but could never keep it off for long because I didn't change my habits or thinking. I feel like you I am not going to risk my life having major surgery to lose weight and then 5 days out I'm having the same junk I'm used to having or going against my Dr's instructions. I feel that would be like a drug addict or alcoholic coming out of rehab sober and then falling back into the same bad habit that will eventually kill him. I don't mean any disrespect to Jessica. I know how she feels I have been there done that. I have the fear too that I will have the surgery and not lose weight ...just fall back into eating whatever not a binge or volume eater just eat whatever, whenever. Like you fish but not baked ...fried. I was having a drink every night there for a while. I realized that I have to change those habits starting now. So I cut out the drinking and I'm stopping eating earlier. I used to sit in bed and eat as late as 8,9pm. I hope I never forget the fact that I had surgery to lose weight and let that be a motivating factor to help me to do what I'm instructed to do and to do my best to conquer this horrible weight problem once and for all. Dee

I used Biotene a lot after surgery, too. I'm not sure about breath mints right away - but check with your surgeon's office - they may be fine. I use them now (several months out), but the sugar free kind. The sugar alcohols in sugar free products bother some people's digestive systems, though (not mine - but a lot of people), so start slow just in case (like - one tiny mint...)

It was disgusting. But the reason it was disgusting was because it was a competition with winners and losers. Our children need that exercise. Today's children will be so fat that they might have to start installing Lap-Bands at birth. The P/E teachers very often are just teachers with no background in P/E. Many schools save money by using the math teacher or English teacher. We need people who are trained in P/E and who have compassion, not because they were jocks at one time. We need to teach our kids good eating habits. I saw a study recently that showed brain-waves of children similar to the brain-waves of addicts when they see drugs or alcohol. What triggered these brain-waves? SUGAR!!

I had my first fill today!! It wasn't as bad as I thought. But once he got there it took all of 5 minutes! He did my fill by flouroscopy so he knew exactly where my port was. I didn't have any numbing meds just alcohol, it tickled because everything was cold. It was cool watching the screen and the balium(sp?) float around in my body. I am ready to enjoy this my step in my journey. H/S/C/G 276/271/250/199 1st fill 12/29/09 3.3cc's

Most will say no way, but I'm three months out and I have had a few drinks on the weekends when I've been at the lake and camping and I feel just fine. I have read here that you get a buzz way faster, but I just didn't feel that was true. I thought it may happen so took it slow, but overall the alcohol experience is much similar to the way it was before surgery. I do miss beer though. I can not stomach anything with carbonation. That I do know is very bad. I know I will probably get heat for sharing this I just wanted to be honest because this was a question I was looking for before I had surgery.

Check with the universities in your area... the one near me offers free counseling with psych majors, as part of their educational requirement. You do need to beat the alcohol habit, and ensure that what you take into your body is worthy of feeding the goddess in your temple. You deserve to be treated well... especially by you!