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Mine's The Governor. (Like the devices attached to cars' ignition systems to prevent people with blood alcohol too high from driving.) The Governor tells me when I can't "drive" because I've had enough (food)

Well, I cruised 6 weeks after surgery. Typically vacation drinking for me entails carrying a martini in each hand to balance myself as I walk around the ship LOL I did not drink much this time, but when I did I had no issues. My tolerance was a little lower, but not much. Probably because I couldn't sip an adult beverage while eating. I also made homemade margaritas last night to watch Idol. They went down really easily. It really is empty calories, so I am going to keep having a beverage down to 1 or 2 one night a week at most. The best "diet" alcoholic beverage is a vodka martini up. Not an insane amount of calories, no carbs (or virtually none), and more bang for your buck so to speak. You can sip on one of those for an hour no problem. Now if you slam it, well then you may get a tee bit wipsy

I got banded in Sept 09 - have had one fill. have really felt no restriction but my provider quit and have been waiting for someone in area and have lost very slowly so just trying to be patient. I am now out of state and probably have been eating too much and have had some alcohol with dinners tho have tried not too. starting yesterday after eating it has felt like my food "went down the wrog pipe" have had some coughing but no vomiting. I have actually only vomited a few times all in one evening due to be drunk ( I know I know) this was about a month and half ago. I have a 'feeling' directly between my boobs maybe slightly higher, feels like when you have coughed really hard . I am able to eat and drink. has anyone experienced this I am out of town and my only option is ER untill April 9th don't feel like it is an emergency but worried it could be something serious I spoke with somone at the surgery and he said maybe taking it easy and eating soft or liquids. but that since I am able to eat it does not seem serious. It kind of feels like I am feeling restriction constantly but really not sure what restriction is suposed to feel like since before all this I felt like I could eat anything but of course I mostly stuck with reccomended diet. PLEASE HELP

LOL I think my typical gain was 8lb per day :crying: I also drank next to no alcohol. For me that is a very weird thing. Vacations are made for drinking. No desire this time though. The couple of cocktails that I did have went down realllly easily though :blushing:

I have been banded for 2 1/2 years. I have been an addict/alcoholic for 33 years. Last summer I lost my mind and got deep into drugs and alcohol again.:smile: I all but stopped eating lost a lot of weight this way, but do not reccomend it. Went to rehab again and finally started working the steps. I now have almost 7 months clean and sober. I have gained 10 pounds but know I can get it back off. My goal is 150 was at 155 at my sickest point. This time I plan to do it with exercise and diet oh and my higher power.:thumbup:

I've never heard of a stoma spasm either and have never experienced anything like what you described, Apples. Hope I don't! I got a bit of a reprieve today. My parents were to arrive at 1005 this morning and I was to pick them up, take them to Grandma's, lunch etc. Well, Dad being a retired airline employee, they fly standby like me, and they are stranded still in Florida unable to get a flight. The earliest they will arrive now if they get the next one is 7pm tonight and my sisters are off work and they can pick them up since they are staying there the first week. Suddenly I have some free time today and DH just called and now I have a hot lunch date! Just Mickey D's but I'll take it! Gotta have my mcnuggets you know. Speaking of mcnuggets, I was so ticked at my DSIL they other day. She is a self appointed food police I guess. She likes to preach lots of more holistic type herbs, foods, etc. She's always on some new fad (but overweight). Anyhow some how the discussion got to fast food and how bad it is, and yes I agree but am not obsessive over it. I believe everything in moderation. I commented on how McD's McNuggets were my thing and addiction from before surgery and since surgery I have allowed myself mcnuggets each week as my 'off plan choice'. It's worked for me, I've lost 126 lbs doing it. Well......she asks if I heard what is in them. I said no and I don't want to know. She said you have to know. DD said no we don't (she takes after her mother and many times when we get nuggets we order a 10 pc and split it). She insisted on telling us anyway and is now always preaching at us to give them up. Granted, they aren't healthy, they probably have crap in them, but don't spoil my splurge. Is that the wrong attitude for me to have? I'm not a drug addict, alcohol, but I love my nuggets. I know a stupid food to have a thing for, but still, let me enjoy them. That's my thought. Once a week isn't going to hurt me.

No news is good news. I guess. I did not call the financial guy, was waiting for him to call me. I will call him by 9:30 am tomorrow though. I am wondering about alcohol with the VSG- so far I have not read anything that talks about whether it is a good idea or not. I kind of like to have one drink a couple of times a week- but it isnt anything I HAVE to have. I am needing to buy some new clothes since I have not bought that much in the past three years since my lap band. I kept thinking one day I would wake up and start losing. So many people told me that was exactly how it would be. I even tried my best to jump start it- cardio, eating few carbs, not weighing, weighing, focusing on other things, and alas- nothing. So, I am still thinking not to buy clothes, as my life should change drastically psychologicallly and physically, if I can put the money together. Again.

BriBri...I know how your feeling when it comes to quitting smoking.. When i started this journey last year and found out my surgeon expected me to be smoke free 2mo prior to surgery I freaked. I loved smoking. Then one night out with some friends I got extremely Intoxicated and ended up with alcohol poisening. I was sick for 3 days. I didn't even want to think about smoking or drinking again. Once I felt back to my old self I wanted to smoke again but thought its been 3 days why start back when im going to have to quit for the surgery. I was a total "B" to everyone around me.. I finally decided tl try tic tacs. THEY ARE AMAZING!!!! They curbed my withdrawls and helped me drastically. My quit dayis July 18 2009. and i feel great.. I can breath so much better and my skin looks alot healthier. Best Of Luck and I know you can do it.

Personally, I think it may be a little bit too soon. Has your doctor let you start eating solid foods yet? I'm 1 month post op today and I'm just now being graduated to mushy foods. The reason I ask is that I was told that your tolerance to alcohol on the band will be a lot lower. So, if you do decide to have one small drink, expect it to affect you a lot more than it would have before and PLEASE call a cab or have a designated driver.

From: Chapter 5 - How It Works (Higher Power Version) "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest. ******************************************************* No part of the Big Book is more beloved or oft quoted "in the rooms" than "How It Works." I am now applying these concepts to my personal experience with Food. I am thinking about the difference with Alcohol, if there is one. OA bases its program on the same Steps and the Big Book with an adapted form as well. One can live without drinking, but not without food. The portions I am trying to resolve are: "People who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program" refers to the 12 Step program process. How does it apply to the Weight Loss Surgery process? Certainly one "gives themselves" to it. "they seem to have been born that way" Many find it impossible to overcome their genetics for obesity. Some are able to overcome them through dieting, and/ or medication, some through WLS and the remainder are, unfortunately unable to do so. It is Higher Power intervention that acts to bring these folks through, but failure does not mean they are wrong or that the Higher Power is incapable. What is the answer for these people? I am still unsure about this, as I am about children who die in Africa etc. it is one of those great unanswered questions. "They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty." We know that the success of WLS is dependent on 100% effort, when it comes to managing food and exercise properly. A lifestyle change = a "manner of living," I believe. "...grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest." Honesty must be a very powerful factor indeed, if it trumps the incapacity of mental illness. As a person who has survived alcohol and drug dependency by taking appropriate medications, i must believe that "honesty" also means getting the help you need, no matter what it takes. Medication also falls under "manner of living." to be continued

I agree that it works for some people. I happen to one of the few that attending these type of meetings only upset me more than help. I seriously loathed WW meetings, and I attend alanon meetings when I was younger due to my father's alcoholism. I am not sure if I can pinpoint why this type of setting doesn't work for me, but I've been hesitant to even attend our monthly support group because of my past experience. I promise I wasn't trying to say that it doesn't work for some, but for me and my personal demons, I have to work on them through different venues.

I notice that this thread has been out of commish, but I know that's not because there aren't plenty of recovering people getting WLS. Think food addiction is going to go away more quietly than alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling or smoking? Don't kid yourself. Addicts of the eating variety, who don't work a program for overcoming food as a medication, shouldn't count on a little nip/tuck to quiet the rage of issues hiding behind that midnight binge. My name is Ricky and I am a food addict.

Well today's weight is...335.4 I'm up by 1.4 pounds. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm weighing in daily to see the which foods affect me differently, and to keep myself honest. Again, I ate white flour products in the form of macaroni and cheese that I made from scratch. I need to avoid those because they make me feel heavy and I have low energy. I would have to equate it to when an alcoholic falls off the wagon. The next they feel like total shit - well that's where I'm at. I feel sort of sluggish, so I threw all the leftovers away. By the way, I'm back on the wagon so to speak. Until tomorrow...I'll be feeling good

Well today's weight is...335.4 I'm up by 1.4 pounds. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm weighing in daily to see the which foods affect me differently, and to keep myself honest. Again, I ate white flour products in the form of macaroni and cheese that I made from scratch. I need to avoid those because they make me feel heavy and I have low energy. I would have to equate it to when an alcoholic falls off the wagon. The next they feel like total shit - well that's where I'm at. I feel sort of sluggish, so I threw all the leftovers away. By the way, I'm back on the wagon so to speak. Until tomorrow...I'll be feeling good

It's a get drunk quick, stumble around, and then sober up pretty quickly thing. At least that was my experience when I first attempted alcohol. Also, alcohol is just wasted calories so it's typically discouraged during the rapid weight loss phase. The liver is working extra hard during that time. Why add more to it by drinking alcohol? Hope that makes sense.

Before I was banded, my surgeon gave me a book to read called The Lap-Band Solution, a Partnership for Weight Loss, authored by Dr Paul O'Brien. He was one of the pioneers of lap band surgery. In this book he tells how originally lap-banders were advised to have no alcohol, due to empty calories. However, many continued to drink and still lost weight. Because of this, they did a study, expecting to prove that people who didn't drink alcohol lost more weight. Surprisingly, they found that people who had one glass of wine a day, lost more weight than those who didn't. Their new recommendation is that up to seven standard drinks a week is OK. Like all studies, I bet there is another one from somewhere else saying the exact opposite. I was only banded 2 weeks ago, have just started mushies, and haven't yet had any alcohol. But when I start real food, am going to start having a glass of wine at night if I feel like it.

I'll be really honest with you, for me it's interesting. . . in the beginning i hated this stupid sleeve. . . i really did, then when i went for my 1 1/2 week doctor appt after the surgery and saw i lost 32 lbs i thought "huh, interesting". . . then after 7 weeks i lost 53 lbs all together, now at 11 weeks, i've lost 63 lbs. . .i don't like that when i want to go out to eat i have to request a carry out box right away cause i know i'll only eat about 5 bites of the food. . .i know that i can't go to a buffet anymore, that it would be a major waste of money. . .who after all wants to spend $10 for a buffet and all you can really have is 1/2 piece of meat loaf or a bowl of Soup???? I really hate that i have hunger pangs and eat something too fast and it gets stuck that you have "i need an ambulance" pain for about 20 - 30 minutes and have slimming for that same about of time. . . I don't like that i can't drink alcohol as i used to and that my taste for cokes, and coffee have changed and i really hate those beverages now. . . but all in all, would i do it again? yes i would, my hatred for my obesity is stronger than my dislike for this sleeve. . . the weight loss makes me happy, i feel healthier, i no longer snore, that means my apnea is gone, my heart rate is 45 - 48 bpm that means that my heart doesn't have to work so hard anymore . . cardiologist took away the nitroglycerin pills. . . my knees don't hurt so much anymore, i have more energy and can bend and pick up things . . i'll be able to see my daughter graduate from university, i'll see her get married, and have kids, i'll be able to see those kids grow up and maybe even attend their graduations too. . .so you see that weight loss is so much better. . . no i will never be able to eat normal again. . .so i have to get used to that idea, i have to be careful about what i eat cause i could eat "around" my surgery and gain weight, now that would be humiliating! I would love to eat some chocolate, or some chinese food, or fried chicken, but that would forfeit the purpose right? So i stick with my Protein foods, and the healthier stuff and sugar free stuff. . . god knows maybe i'll eventually get used to all this . . . after all old habits die hard, 48 years of over eating and stuff and being fat, fat, fat, and so sloppy looking, and literally rolling about, not being able to fit into plane seats, asking for extensions for the seatbelt, how sicking. . . so now it's time to change old ways, will take a while, but one day i'll overcome and then I'll be thin one day!!! good luck with your decisions.

I drink socially and have since month one. Tiffy is right, for me, it did burn at first, which limited my intake to a few sips of wine (my favorite) and it WILL hit u hard and fast. I notice that the effects wear off fast too, at least for me. If I indulge, I usually have something easy for me to handle, a daquiri, coconut rum with juice, or a vodka & cranberry juice...I normally just nurse the drink, no more guzzling for me...lol If you are controlling the making of your drink, then you can put a tiny bit of alcohol with a mixer, or better yet, just juice or the mixer, who will know but you? Good Luck!

Every surgeon is different, but my program doesn't allow any alcohol consumption for the first 3 months. I drink wine on occasion now with zero issue. I would not drink in public initially. The only reason I say that is because the first time I drank at home. It hit me hard, and quick. That type of situation can prove embarrassing if in a public setting. I know some people say that alcohol burns when they tried it early out, and others have zero issues. Can you shoot someone with Dr. Aceves' staff an email to find out if alcohol that early is okay? If you feel you have to have something, maybe ask if you can have a couple of sips of an alcoholic beverage. It takes me almost 40 minutes to drink a glass of wine so it doesn't hit my system and give me that heavy buzzed feeling.

I just had a drink this past weekend. (Sleeved 1/25/10) I sipped very small sips and I did not finish but probably 1/3 of it. I ordered a lemonade type drink with vodka. I told them to keep it light on the alcohol and they did. I couldn't stop thinking about the lemonade having so much sugar, so I just didn't finish it. I never even felt buzzed. Vacation is next week and I will probably do it again but under the same limitations.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long you need to wait after surgery to partake in an alcoholic beverage? I am also looking for any advice on what would be the beverage to have. My family is having a surprise party for my mom the first Saturday in April and I know that there will be some alcohol. I don't really want to drink alot but I know it would look funny if I didn't have at least on drink. By this time I will almost be one month post op, so I am thinking it will be ok but thought I had better check. I am also making sure that my Aunt is having something on the menu that is considered the mushy phase since I can't have solids for at least one month after surgery

hi all...i got banded one year ago now on 17th march.2009..i have lost a total of 33 pounds..im very pleased at this ..i know i could have lost a lot more if id given up the pints of bud..but those 33 pounds are really noticeable and i feel like a new woman..in this next year i will step things up with exercise and no alcohol during the week ..a treat at weekends... the food is manageable as restriction is great with 3 fills... roll on next year . good luck to you all

Can I just make the point, before I comment, that I am NOT a medical doctor, and anything I say should be checked out with your physician. Having said that, I was given literature prior to banding which specified that the reason for the liver shrinking diet immediately prior to surgery was to ensure that the band could be fitted laporoscopically (via keyhole surgery) and the warning ws very clear - if you don't stick to this diet and your liver stays large you might not be able to have laporoscopic surgery cos the liver might get in the way. Bigger skin cuts and more/larger muscle cuts= more chance of infection and possibly slower rehab. Having said that, the liver is a major storage organ for glycogen which is a major source of our energy. Many, indeed some researchers say MOST obese people have enlarged livers - they have become enlarged due to the amount of glycogen stored there in response to regular large caloric intake. Sometimes, this can led to a form of disease commonly referred to as non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, which has similar consequences to alcoholism but completely different behavioural origins. When you have less glycogen stored in your liver it will necessarily shrink down. Indeed, I would see this condition as an indication ofthe extant need for bariatric modification rather than a contra-indication. Chin up, try not to worry. I had a humungous liver myself and now it is completely normal and a lovely pinky colour, according to the photographs my surgeon showed me. I'm sure yours will soon be just as "attractive" (heh, heh!). All the best

Lee - good thought on the dress - Imma roll with that one (wishful thinking LOL) Riley - Careful of that sometimers - it's a Bio-tch! Pammie - that class seems interesting - I'm gonna go to the website and see what I can find out about it. Happy friday to us, Happy friday to us.... Ali - One of my girls that had RNY 6 years ago has gained a ton of weight back - she started out a size 26 (5'2" tall) got down to a 5/7 and is now back in a 16. She drinks brandy nightly but she drank alcoholic before the surgery - Just drinks alot more now. If I had known then what I know now about WLS & transferrence of addiction I would have had a long talk with her about it. She needs serious help! She actually use to keep a water bottle full of vodka on her desk at work till her boss finally said something to her about it. Scary stuff. Today is day two carbless. Rambo is kickin my butt! So funny how he lets me eat all the chocolate & junk food I want without so much as a hickup but now that I'm back on my game he's back in action. I PB'd on chicken salad yesterday - just canned costco chicken with a tad but of mayo, S&P! Got two bites in and wham! it was a no go. I was able to finish the rest of my 1/2 later in the day - had a slice of peperjack cheese for din-din. Need to quit fartin around and get the rest of this weight off!

Because use of tobacco and alcohol is a CHOICE and I am not going to shed a tear over those who willingly and knowingly take part in an activity that is known to cause death or disease. My priorities are perfect where they are and I am right in their order. And I think the anti-tobacco forces have done a great job against the tobacco industry. And with education. Fewer people smoke. Non-smokers rightfully demand not to be exposed to second hand smoke. Smokers are now piranhas. Not welcome where they used to be (restaurants, workplaces, etc). Thankfully. And lawsuits against the tobacco industry have been successful in many cases. Now it's time to take on the big health insurance industry. And we will win in the end. It's going to happen.