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My surgeon does not play into the entire "soda stretches our stomachs". The portion of the stomach that is left behind is extremely muscular. That is as long as the surgeon dissects the fundus completely, and has good technique. His explanation went something like this ' okay, any liquid goes in, hits the pyloric valve and goes through. It isn't like it's in there sitting around bubbly, if you decide to have some, you're going to drink, burp, it's over." Also, 80-85% of absorption of calories/nutrients occurs in the intestines. So, liquid goes through pretty quickly to get to the intestines. My program and many others do not require patients to stop drinking 30 minutes before eating because of the same reasons. liquids don't sit in our stomachs. We do need to not drink for at least 30 minutes after eating because it can liquefy the food, or there isn't room for the liquid once we get to solid foods. My surgeon specifically told me that sodas, and alcohol are wasted, empty calories so to avoid them until I was close to goal. I did just that, and now I drink soda weekly and have been for about 4-5 months. I was scoped early February, and my sleeve looks amazing, and is not stretched, or damaged due to my soda drinking. Not saying that it's "okay" just because I do it. I believe in following your own surgeon's guidelines, but it's one of the little tidbits that many surgeons disagree on, and there's not any published studies that can back up the assumption that soda will/can stretch our stomachs.

I'd forgotten about this site; When I eventually stumbled across it again I was amazed to see that I originally registered way back in Nov 2008. 17 months ago to be precise;17 months of wasted time;17 months trying to convince my self that this time when I loose weight I'm gonna keep it off; 17 months of pill popping, 17months of powder slugging; 17 months of failure. I reached the grand old age of 49 in Feb and promised myself that I would not be fat and 50! In March I gained another 8lbs, despite my promise to myself I gained 8lbs! Can you believe that? I get on my scales every morning and every morning I get off my scales I start my diet. I talk to myself-OK today is gonna be the start, no messing around, its easy you know how to do it, its easy. Well you know what its not easy. Ive finally admitted it, ITS NOT EASY AT ALL! I can kind of understand now how and alcoholic must feel when they first attend AA. Admission is the first step and I really feel quite liberated. The only differrence between me an an alcoholic is that my addiction comes in the form of food. I actaully now realise I can't do it on my own. You see Ive never had a problem loosing weight my problem is keeping it off. So 2 weeks ago I decided I was going to have a band fitted. I spent the next three days researching as much as I could about gastric banding. I watched almost every video on You Tube relating to Banding. I read loads of testimonials. Looked at the most amazing before and after photographs. Cried for people where it had goine wrong. Frowned at people who openly admited to cheating their band. It was time, I was ready. I sent off my initial enqiry and within 24 hours received a response. My consultation appointment was set up and I began counting down to a new me! At my consultation I was shown a model of a stomache, I was shown a band. How could something so small be so effective and life changing. I wanted to pick the band up off the docs desk and kiss it! They told me I was a perfect candidate for banding. My BMI was below 50 I was under 50 years of age (just) ! Non smoker low cholesterol normal blood pressure. Its the first time I can remember a Doc actually telling me I was perfect! :thumbup:My band is going to be fitted on the 3rd June . I cant begin to tell you how excited I am. I will be slim for Christmas, no if or buts I WILL BE SLIM FOR CHRISTMAS. I'm trying to learn as much as I can from this site to make sure my recovery is speedy and trouble free. I know there can be complications however I'm not thinking about that, I'm being positive! 27 days to go :cursing:

I'd forgotten about this site; When I eventually stumbled across it again I was amazed to see that I originally registered way back in Nov 2008. 17 months ago to be precise;17 months of wasted time;17 months trying to convince my self that this time when I loose weight I'm gonna keep it off; 17 months of pill popping, 17months of powder slugging; 17 months of failure. I reached the grand old age of 49 in Feb and promised myself that I would not be fat and 50! In March I gained another 8lbs, despite my promise to myself I gained 8lbs! Can you believe that? I get on my scales every morning and every morning I get off my scales I start my diet. I talk to myself-OK today is gonna be the start, no messing around, its easy you know how to do it, its easy. Well you know what its not easy. Ive finally admitted it, ITS NOT EASY AT ALL! I can kind of understand now how and alcoholic must feel when they first attend AA. Admission is the first step and I really feel quite liberated. The only differrence between me an an alcoholic is that my addiction comes in the form of food. I actaully now realise I can't do it on my own. You see Ive never had a problem loosing weight my problem is keeping it off. So 2 weeks ago I decided I was going to have a band fitted. I spent the next three days researching as much as I could about gastric banding. I watched almost every video on You Tube relating to Banding. I read loads of testimonials. Looked at the most amazing before and after photographs. Cried for people where it had goine wrong. Frowned at people who openly admited to cheating their band. It was time, I was ready. I sent off my initial enqiry and within 24 hours received a response. My consultation appointment was set up and I began counting down to a new me! At my consultation I was shown a model of a stomache, I was shown a band. How could something so small be so effective and life changing. I wanted to pick the band up off the docs desk and kiss it! They told me I was a perfect candidate for banding. My BMI was below 50 I was under 50 years of age (just) ! Non smoker low cholesterol normal blood pressure. Its the first time I can remember a Doc actually telling me I was perfect! :thumbup:My band is going to be fitted on the 3rd June . I cant begin to tell you how excited I am. I will be slim for Christmas, no if or buts I WILL BE SLIM FOR CHRISTMAS. I'm trying to learn as much as I can from this site to make sure my recovery is speedy and trouble free. I know there can be complications however I'm not thinking about that, I'm being positive! 27 days to go :smile:

What is addiction ? for a long time i always thought an addiction was some kind of substance abuse such as smoking of any kind legal or not or drinking alcohol without having control of it . what i came to realise was shocking . this all happend during a conversation with my mom and i mentioned that i was glad i did not have an addictive personality or any type of addiction i dont smoke anything and when i drink i can just have one and walk away . then she said "well what do you think you had to have this surgery for ? " i was just blown away . OMG !! for real i had never seen my eating habits as an addiction not once not EVER !! until now . WOW .and that in it self is just UGLY . but as each day comes along threw out my journey i will be more conscious of my addiction and learn to control it . i had my band placed Nov. 10th and had my first adjustment on the 10th of Dec. and about 3 more sice then including one defill was not even able to have fluids just sucked 100% my starting weight was 254 and im at 190 and still going i'm about 20lbs from my goal and 35 from there goal . i feel so great and love the ability to buy cloths that i like and being able to find them much more easily than before . but threw it all it has been hard to make those better food choices but everyday that comes along i begin to see that its not the food that i need to control it is me and my addiction food is just for nourishment and nothing more

What is addiction ? for a long time i always thought an addiction was some kind of substance abuse such as smoking of any kind legal or not or drinking alcohol without having control of it . what i came to realise was shocking . this all happend during a conversation with my mom and i mentioned that i was glad i did not have an addictive personality or any type of addiction i dont smoke anything and when i drink i can just have one and walk away . then she said "well what do you think you had to have this surgery for ? " i was just blown away . OMG !! for real i had never seen my eating habits as an addiction not once not EVER !! until now . WOW .and that in it self is just UGLY . but as each day comes along threw out my journey i will be more conscious of my addiction and learn to control it . i had my band placed Nov. 10th and had my first adjustment on the 10th of Dec. and about 3 more sice then including one defill was not even able to have fluids just sucked 100% my starting weight was 254 and im at 190 and still going i'm about 20lbs from my goal and 35 from there goal . i feel so great and love the ability to buy cloths that i like and being able to find them much more easily than before . but threw it all it has been hard to make those better food choices but everyday that comes along i begin to see that its not the food that i need to control it is me and my addiction food is just for nourishment and nothing more

I have had similar reactions from my overweight friends. One wanted my clothes, others it just made them feel bad about themselves. Makes them face the fact that they are also overweight and need to do something about it. When you start a diet your friends have seen you start many diets probably and are there to sabotage you too... We have eating buddies, just like alcoholics have drinking buddies.

Julie...so sorry for what you have to go through. Drinking wine might just be what you need. My Grandfather had a couple glasses b/4 every meal and swore it kept him young. But, I am no expert on wine. You would need to ask our resident expert, Phyll! LOL Janet....there are meds that can be taken for vertigo (for dizziness). They put me out and make me feel crappy. Like I stated yesterday....it just runs it's course after a few days and continually gets better. I don't think mine starts in the inner ear. I believe it starts in the sinus' and affects the inner ear once sinus swells. That first day is miserable and after that just off-balance. I just have never been a medicine taker. Not even when I have my kidney stones. Just do not like the affect it has on me. I think my system is overly affected by meds and always has been...kind of like alcohol. Doesn't take much to make me loopy. Not always...but most times. But, does not deter me from having a weak one once in awhile.

Thank you for your support luckyinlove, I really do appreciate it! Janetsjourneytoslim, please google HCG diet, its a pregnancy hormone. There are several different ways to to take it. I have tried both the homeopathic kind and the perscription kind. I got my perscription from alldaychemist.com and it took about 3 weeks to get it since it is coming from out of the country it also has to be approved from customs (I also order latisse from them for $10 a bottle vs $120 here in the US and you wouldn't believe my beautiful eyelashes and how quickly it works) I learned how to mix the RX kind by watching youtube by mamaclock. I also had to buy the mixing kit which I got from EBAY. You can also inject, which I chose not to inject. Injections are 1x per day, oral sublingual RX HCG is twice a day, and the Homeopathic HCG is 3x's per day. The homeopathic kind I got from healingpowerwithin.net, and it has worked too. Its the best price and very reputable with all the women I've talked too. Many are using it and having great great success. I've been trying to decide which brand I like the best and I am almost leaning toward the homeopathic kind, so either one is great. If you want to start soon, I would order the homeopathic kind and you will have it in 3 days. The key to the homeopathic kind is to figure out what dose of drops you need, many do not do well on "10" drops as the instructions state, and find themselves hungry, most do better on 6 drops or .35 on a dosing surringe (1 cc surringe) which is what I do. You can pick up a 1cc/ml surringe at the walgreens pharmacy, they just gave me 3 of them at no charge. No needles on them, just the surringe part. I hate to confuse people more, but there is so much information out there on HCG, and if you want to know more, please PM me and I will send you Dr. Simeons Manuscript called pounds and inches - google that too and you can find it online, free. He outlines the entire plan. I follow his plan to the T. Except in his plan he talks about how sensitive HCG is to oils, so you can't wear your makeup, lotions etc. A lot has changed since this manuscript was writtin in the 50's, so I continue using my makeup and a lot of women I have talked to do to and have no problems. So I did ignore that part of his program. There are many clinics out there and charging $$$$'s big bucks for it, $500 to $1000 a round. I am doing it for less than $1 a day on my own. Also many of the clinics "tweak" Dr. S's program, this slows down the weightloss so you keep coming back to the clinic - therefore, they make more money. If you follow his progam to the T - you can expect to lose 1/2 pound a day average. A 30 day program and you will more than likely lose 15 pounds. I lost 22 in 39 days and I had a few "cheat days". I then went off it for a "planned interruption", drank some sugary alcohol drinks and gained 8 lbs back. Lost the 8 lbs in about 10 days after I got back on it, now down an addtional 10 lbs - and want to lose just 10 more! Weighing around 150, and hoping to get to somewhere between 135 to 140. My doctors goal was 155 and I've passed that now! I'm no longer overweight! So happy and pleased. I wear anywhere from a size 6 to an 8, depends on the style. But I own several size 6 clothing peices now, and some of my 8's are swimming on me. I havent been in a size 6 since, I can't even remember ever buying a size 6 to be honest. Also, I took a break from it for most of April and just stuck to eating "bandster" style, and I maintained my weight. It is not a starvation diet and many claim, even though you are eating very few calories. Your body is surviving on the "stored" abnormal fat and getting nutrients from that. So that is why there is no hunger. I did find I had slight hunger for the first 10 days, mainly because I didn't load correctly (this is outlined in the manuscript). But it was a managable hunger. But after the 10th day, had absolutely no hunger, almost like when I first got banded. I hope I didn't confuse anyone more, but please feel free to PM me and I can send you some information I have on it. Best wishes!

Morning............. hope everyone is up and being productive...unlike me.... just sitting here doing not much of anything.... like ordered..... Apples, I'm so glad you feel some better today... Do flowers bother you that much to start an attack? I guess I don't know much about vertigo.... thought it was more a balance things... I'm not good either... No help from the doctor on Friday and now I'm once again waiting for insurance approval for more tests and another shot.... The pain is spreading to the other shoulder, getting stronger, and coming at any and all times of the day.. Already had a medium sized attach this morning that I'm just coming down from.... Had one at 4 yesterday afternoon that about got me.... I don't drink, but I called my DD at 5:30 and asked her to bring me some sweet pop wine, like Strawberry Hill.. I remember drinking it from the bottle in college.. A friend and I killed it last night... I don't think it did a thing for me, but I was just completly crazed and thought it couldn't hurt... I know it says no alcohol with the pills, but I didn't figure a little wine would like kill me..... don't know if I'd care at the moment.... So, I need to try to do some paperwork today.. Did some during the night, then went to sleep about 5:00 and woke up the hard way... Maybe the rest of the day will be better ...... hope so.... Everyone have a safe day.... Hugs to all... Julie

The people who are not obese do not know how it feels to be obese. Just like if you are not a different race that gets targeted you don't know how it feels to be in their shoes. Feel like an outcast treated as a less of a human being what gives them the right? Where is my rights as a man our society it is ok to be a junkie alcoholic who abandons their children than being overweight

Hum, Phyl, ulcer? are you taking a new med? food allergy? I deserve the ass-kicking. I'm tired and when I'm tired I eat. I did check out my CPAP and my apnea is down to 2, huge decrease. When I did the sleep study, it was 56 to 100 per hour. Got it down to about 5 with the CPAP, now down to 2 with the weight loss. The resperatory theropist says that I can try to wean myself off. But I'm affraid to. Plus let's get real, I love the white noise and the moist air. Power was off most of the afternoon so got a few boxes unpacked. Wind blew over 4 powerlines and flipped a semi. I figured I'd be out of power for days but they must have gotten a temporary line up. I sure hope the semi driver is okay. Had a knockdown drag out with DD#4. So tomorrow we are sitting down and writing house rules. If she doesn't follow she either pays rent or leaves along with her dog. DD#5's dormroom mate got caught with alcohol so DD also got a disciplinary notice and has to go before the dorm board. She has moved out of the room and is staying at the 'innervarsity' house, the campus church group that she belongs to. Don't know if DD was aware of the alcohol or involved, but hopefully she learned something from it. Need to find some dinner of sorts. Had a piece of cheese and 3 crackers when I thought the power was going to be out. So I don't really need anything. I think I will go for another latte instead. Well best get busy...on something. TTFN

Here is my plan on maintenance. I was worried about it too since my Dr never really gave me any guidance. I have to eat 800-1000 calories a day and work out at least 2 times a week to lose 1-2 pounds. So after I get to goal I am going to keep working out (I hope) and raise my calories to 1200-1300 a day. Then I am going to weigh myself every.single.day. If I gain more than 5 pounds I will go back to 800-1000 calories until its gone. (I have a daily fluctuation of about 3 pounds due to Water, salt, etc. So I will not change anything unless I gain 5). If I continue to lose I will go up to 1400-1500 calories a day until I find what my body needs to balance my weight. If I cant get as many calories as I need I can always do a slight unfill which will allow me to eat more, but I have found that as I lose weight, the fat under my band goes away and my band gets looser anyway. In the past when I dieted I was starving and I knew when I stopped what I was doing that I wouldn't have the strength to start back. (Adkins, diet pills, ww, etc.) So I never could maintain. It was like an alcoholic once I started eating "normal", I couldn't stop. Now I know I never have to stop what I am doing, I will eat like this forever but just add a few things to up my calories. I hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies. :thumbup: I knew the alcohol would be less likely a problem. The smoking thing I was more curious about, and your response, Besty, is dead-on for a habitual smoker. I come from that rare breed where for me it really is a social drug just like alcohol, though, so I don't have the build-up of lung damage from smoking. I don't know how fast lung damage occurs from it, but I'm guessing it's not too much from 4-5 cigs/day for 4 days. :thumbup: For perspective, IF I do smoke over this trip, it will only be the second time in 2010 that I've smoked at all. I don't get out a lot, LOL! So I'm not worried about going through hacking or withdrawal or any of that. Your comment does tell me what the surgeon is concerned about regarding smoking, though, which is helpful. I wasn't sure if it was because of the nicotine possibly constricting blood vessels, or what. I'll ponder how the information might apply in my case as a very infrequent social smoker. :smile: I know that the cigs and alcohol aren't necessary to have fun.... If that was the case, I'd only be having fun a few times a year, and that certainly isn't true! It's pretty much something I only do around a particular group of friends, and I don't see them often. Now I think I'm probably more concerned about not stopping my BC early enough.... heheh

Be careful about sugar-free candies with sugar alcohols--they cause some people serious intestinal distress.

You don't have to have fun with cigarettes or alcohol! However, choosing alcohol would be the lesser of the two evils. :thumbup:

Careful with the Werther's. Lots of us are very sensitive to the sugar alcohols in them, and this can become more of a problem postop. I discovered the mini Werther's preop and was SO excited---until I discovered that 1/3 of the "serving" had more sugar alcohol than my poor gut could tolerate. Horrible cramps and diarrhea ensued---which is likely something you don't want to experience. So, take it slow with them until you determine whether your body has difficulty with sugar alcohols. Some people have no problem at all with them---but for others, they are misery.

Go for the vodka, no beer. Also, I would just say to be careful because the alcohol will effect you a lot more if you are eating very few calories. And, it can also make your band feel tighter the next day (because of dehydration). I just went to Vegas last weekend and was drinking a lot more than normal. I ended up so tight I could barely eat. The good thing is I still lost weight, but definitely not the healthy way to do it! LOL

I'm a month post op and I've always had a ritual of friday night bar hopping with my girlfriends. I've drank that last couple weekends and have been absolutely fine. I eat well and work out, and I'm losing slowly but surely. So I don't feel the need to sacrifice the alcohol.. just like the others said, avoid beer and carbonation.. i prefer vodka and will usually have it mixed with something light.

I waited over 6 months before even thinking about drinking alcohol. I had a glass of wine at that point and I have had a couple more since. It is just too high cal and I have enough trouble getting all the good fluids in anyway, so a drink is very rare with me.

Hey gang, I am back. Still hurtin from my last fill. I can't keep anything down but fluids. I think I am gonna stick with protein shakes tommorrow and try foods again the next day. I tried fish for dinner and it wouldn't go down, chicken for lunch, eggs for breakfast. None of it went down. My weight is though. If I can't get something down after monday I guess I'll have to get an unfill. I really don't want that to happen. I want to be able to use my band. Before my fill I was wide open now I am so tight. I am sleeping alot again. Don't know if it is from not eatting or if I am getting depressed again. Probably the latter. Just gotta get through this last week of school before I have a melt down. With this new level of tightness I find that I am feeling the same way I felt after surgery. I miss food. Now it is stronger cause I am losing sight of my goal. Back in my post op days I was high on the thought that I would be thin one day. So I was not bothered by my longing as much. I am just confusing myself so don't know if yall will even understand my ramblings. I am just a little down by my last checkup/ fill. Doc says I am a carboholic and just as an alcoholic can't allow themselves 1 drink I can't allow myself 1 carb loaded meal. I need to quit making justifications to eat carbs. I feel like a failure at this. My last 2 visits have been this way. I am losing the momentum I had and not making much progress lately. I did contact the therapist that works with my surgeon. Hopefully monday I will get a response.

I don't think that the alcohol will be an issue at all. As long as you stick to real moderation, you don't have to worry about it affecting your weight or impacting your liver in any lasting way. The smoking is a bigger issue. It really is strongly, strongly recommended that you not smoke for at least four weeks before surgery. While even a couple of days of not smoking produces some benefits (reduced carbon monoxide levels, for example), quitting for less than 4 weeks before surgery may actually increase respiratory risk from anesthesia. I know this sounds insane, but it makes sense if you consider that when you stop smoking, your lungs increase their production of mucus as they heal. These extra secretions help you hack out the crud from smoking----and in the long term are beneficial. But they're not beneficial if you are combining them with anesthesia, abdominal pain that prevents coughing to clear the secretions, and so on. Smoking 2 weeks before surgery really ups your risks. Quitting for 2 weeks before just isn't enough. I'm a former smoker, and know that drinking and smoking often go hand in hand; when I quit smoking, I had to give up drinking for quite a while. If you can't separate the two, that'd probably be the safest route for you to take.

I would also think about the calories in alcohol. It may or may not be worth it to you. Mixing with crystal lite will save calories over cran.

I was told by surgeon and nutritionist to ingest no alcohol (or caffeine) for at least six weeks while healing post-surgery. Beer is also in the carbonated beverages category and my doc and nutritionist both said I may never be able to drink a beer again without problems due to the carbonation. Good luck.

I had my surgery april 7th and am doing great sticking with my liquids now on soft mushy until may 5th yay. but im wondering about drinking alcohol im not talking about a whole bottle of vodka but just one or 2 mixed drinks like i like vodka and water with crystal light or vodka and cran? what about that or what about miller lite? im not sure and never thought about bringing up to dr until now and its the weekend. can i please get some advice.

Wow I had no clue about alcohol. My doctor didn't mention alcohol at all. Are we supposed to avoid it? I am not a regular drinking and only drink a few times a year but when I drink, lol, well, I DRINK! :tongue_smilie: I assume that is not something I can do anymore? What about 1 mixed drink. Would that be OK? I only do mixed drinks.