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it will all be worth it in the long run!! :frown: I am allergic to caffiene (19 years now)...and I haven't had alcohol in 3 years or so (I had a stroke and the meds I take messes with carbonation in all liqiuds...so even before being banded all carbonation was flat..flat beer..yuk!) Milk you will get in a little while...no sugar..think of the weight you have lost!! As I said it will all be worth it in the long run. My diet was the same...only I had already been on it due to other reasons!! You might want to ask your dr if you can have B12 vitamins (over the counter)..they melt in your mouth...they will give you an energy boost.

NO MILK NO SUGAR NO ALCOHOL NO CAFFINE NO CARBONATION EVER Two weeks prior to surgery I was on a liquid diet, I lost 10 % of my weight 24 lbs. I was excited for the loss, but I am still on a liquid diet for 1 week post op, no protein shakes. At least pre-op I had the protein to fill me up, but I am so hungry now 3 days post-op. I am weak, grumpy and not happy at all. This is my Dr.s menu, I wonder if he has ever tried to survive on this little. I know I am complaining, but I am so frustrated!:tongue_smilie:

NO MILK NO SUGAR NO ALCOHOL NO CAFFINE NO CARBONATION EVER Two weeks prior to surgery I was on a liquid diet, I lost 10 % of my weight 24 lbs. I was excited for the loss, but I am still on a liquid diet for 1 week post op, no protein shakes. At least pre-op I had the protein to fill me up, but I am so hungry now 3 days post-op. I am weak, grumpy and not happy at all. This is my Dr.s menu, I wonder if he has ever tried to survive on this little. I know I am complaining, but I am so frustrated!:frown:

I am drinking crystal light through a straw as I type this. I haven't had a problem w/ using straws. I tend to drink more w/ a straw which is a good thing when I am trying to make sure I drink enough water. (it may be a bad things w/ alcohol...just depends if you have a driver and the calories to spare :thumbup:

I have never been told that I can't use a straw.I would suggest that you try drinking with a straw prior to the event and if it doesn't make you uncomfortable go ahead and drink your cocktail through a straw. The only downside is that for some reason drinking alcohol through a straw seems to make you intoxicated quicker - so just be careful!

Yep I noticed - everything social seems to revolve around food and alcohol.

Just thought I'd post an update as I've been seeing lots of posts about alcohol and carbonation, so I addressed both of these in today's (2/11/10) blog: THE SWEET SPOT

Today's blog; No, not my BUM...alcohol and carbonation...join me for a drink here: http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/

Addiction is addiction no matter what form it comes in...sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling, food and lack of food...it's all the same only a different source. I wish I had gotten help with my addiction before it landed me to 237 pounds at my highest...but before that alcohol was my addiction...and I have hurt many people as a result of both addictions, but mainly myself. I would hope before anyone decides to judge others we think about our own addictons...after all we are all the same! God bless!

Honestly, you have to ask your team. And, is it worth to get drunk one night, to delay your surgery? That's all your birthday is, 1 night. I think I have been on the cruise you are going to take, and believe me, you could have bought an entire new wardrobe for your new body on the money you will end up spending on alcohol. But, that's just my opinion.

I think you will be the only one who can answer this question. I bet as you go through the classes/process it will become more clear to you what is best for your life. Like Coopersmama, there is no way I could have waited that long, once I decided on surgery, I wanted it like yesterday. As to being able to do all the physical activities (hiking, snorkeling, dancing, etc.), I had so much more energy at 5 months post-op than pre-surgery and would have enjoyed them more post-op. BUT that was just my experience. I'd suggest talking with your surgeon and/or nutritionist about the alcohol thing. I would think by that time you could have a couple/few drinks on your special day, but again you'd have to decide if that was enough. Good luck on your journey!

If I may approach this from a different direction.... If you are being screened for, say, Diabetes, and you don't have the disease, then the screening may be a waste of your time and money. If it is done incompetently it doesn't harm you because you don't have the disease. BUT if you have it...IF you have it... you would expect the screening to be performed properly, you'd want the information interpreted correctly, and you (probably, unless you're in denial) would want medical intervention to prevent worsening of the disease, future loss of a limb, an eye, kidneys, your life.... In much the same way, the psych consult is a screening tool. Not everyone will test "positive" and unfortunately, some who do the screening are lackadaisical or flat out incompetent or apathetic. But the facts are that some people get the band and freak out. Some sane, happy, "normal" people who pine, yearn, DREAM of the band come to and thank "Oh my dear GOD get this OUT of me". Some "normal" people, when they find their food intake is restricted, turn to alcohol, drugs, sex. It's funny unless it happens to you. SO...our best bet is to get the consult, HOPE it is performed properly, and HOPE it catches those who need it. We aren't all alike, you know. We may all be fat, but that's a minor similarity. Each person is, of course, entitled to think it's a waste, and some of the consults described here ARE wasteful. That's too darned bad. Bottom line, though. Spartan, however flamboyant, is correct. No WLS should be undertaken lightly and without research, thought, and every medical and psych test we can get. If you are one of the many who have no issues with the band, the surgery (or bypass, whatever) then good. If you are one of the few for whom the band would be a dreadful disaster, let's hope it catches you.

My opinion. I got my surgery Jan 14th. if I had to wait another 7 months, I WOULD DIE- LOL! I think you will enjoy your 21st birthday even more being skinny. And - what are your surgeons instructions on alcohol? I was told 6 months by mine, but every surgeon is different.

Hi everyone. Just to keep those of you who already know me updated: I have gone to orientation and have a schedule date to begin my options classes through Kaiser. My graduation will be in May and Was told my surgery is possibly in June... The only problem and/or controversy I have is that I'm planning to go on a vacation in November (that would be aprox 5 months post op) and was wondering if anyone knows If it would be okay for me to go on my cruise to the caribbean for my 21 birthday.. I would be swimming, snorkeling, hiking, dancing, etc. would this be risky or should I be fine by then? Also, another thing that has me thinking alot is that I know after surgery I can't drink alcohol, and it's not too bad for me since I dont drink alot, but I have always wanted to party it up for my 21st bday! I've been waiting 21 years for this day! But I want to get the surgery and better my health and future: Maybe I can have just a drink or 2? ahh I can always date my surgery till after the trip... So the question is: Do I want to go on my trip: party it up: and enjoy my onl 21st bday ill ever have and have been waiting for or should I get my surgery...be healthier.. thinner.. and go on my trip..and also save money by not having to buy alcohol.. ive gotten different opinions from many people and it usually comes out 50/50! They tell me well you might as well get the alcohol and party hard for your 21st bday then have your surgery, whats the rush, the different of 7 months differnce going to do? then they also tell me... you should just get your surgery and get it over with, start your change because you will run into other vacations in the future... (but this is my only 21st! ha for all you older folks (which I indeed respect) this is big for me!) so... opinions?!?!? also.. i was thinking of risks... god forbid something begins to hurt or something happens over there... how would i get help being stuck on a ship? many possibilities.. please feed back!

My alcohol habits really havent changed, with the exception of not drinking them with my meals now. I will have 1-2 glasses of wine, or martinis, or mojitos, or whatever about once a week, maybe twice a week. I understand it is high calorie, but right now I can afford the extra calories. I can afford the extra calories because I am making really good food choice right now. If my weight loss starts to stall or plateau, I will reevaluate. Until then, bottoms up! :rolleyes2:

I do not mind at all when the government helps those who 'need' the help. The problem is waste. There is so much waste of federal funds going on. Eliminating waste cannot balance the budget. But here’s a start: 1. The federal government made at least $72 billion in improper payments in 2008. 2. Washington spends $92 billion on corporate welfare (excluding TARP) versus $71 billion on homeland security. 3. Washington spends $25 billion annually maintaining unused or vacant federal properties. 4. Government auditors spent the past five years examining all federal programs and found that 22 percent of them–costing taxpayers a total of $123 billion annually–fail to show any positive impact on the populations they serve. 5. The Congressional Budget Office published a “Budget Options” series identifying more than $100 billion in potential spending cuts. 6. Examples from multiple Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports of wasteful duplication include 342 economic development programs; 130 programs serving the disabled; 130 programs serving at-risk youth; 90 early childhood development programs; 75 programs funding international education, cultural, and training exchange activities; and 72 safe water programs. 7. Washington will spend $2.6 million training Chinese prostitutes to drink more responsibly on the job. 8. A GAO audit classified nearly half of all purchases on government credit cards as improper, fraudulent, or embezzled. Examples of taxpayer-funded purchases include gambling, mortgage payments, liquor, lingerie, iPods, Xboxes, jewelry, Internet dating services, and Hawaiian vacations. In one extraordinary example, the Postal Service spent $13,500 on one dinner at a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, including “over 200 appetizers and over $3,000 of alcohol, including more than 40 bottles of wine costing more than $50 each and brand-name liquor such as Courvoisier, Belvedere and Johnny Walker Gold.” The 81 guests consumed an average of $167 worth of food and drink apiece. 9. Federal agencies are delinquent on nearly 20 percent of employee travel charge cards, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. 10. The Securities and Exchange Commission spent $3.9 million rearranging desks and offices at its Washington, D.C., headquarters. 11. The Pentagon recently spent $998,798 shipping two 19-cent washers from South Carolina to Texas and $293,451 sending an 89-cent washer from South Carolina to Florida. 12. Over half of all farm subsidies go to commercial farms, which report average household incomes of $200,000. 13. Health care fraud is estimated to cost taxpayers more than $60 billion annually. 14. A GAO audit found that 95 Pentagon weapons systems suffered from a combined $295 billion in cost overruns. 15. The refusal of many federal employees to fly coach costs taxpayers $146 million annually in flight upgrades. 16. Washington will spend $126 million in 2009 to enhance the Kennedy family legacy in Massachusetts. Additionally, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) diverted $20 million from the 2010 defense budget to subsidize a new Edward M. Kennedy Institute. 17. Federal investigators have launched more than 20 criminal fraud investigations related to the TARP financial bailout. 18. Despite trillion-dollar deficits, last year’s 10,160 earmarks included $200,000 for a tattoo removal program in Mission Hills, California; $190,000 for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming; and $75,000 for the Totally Teen Zone in Albany, Georgia. 19. The federal government owns more than 50,000 vacant homes. 20. The Federal Communications Commission spent $350,000 to sponsor NASCAR driver David Gilliland. 21. Members of Congress have spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars supplying their offices with popcorn machines, plasma televisions, DVD equipment, ionic air fresheners, camcorders, and signature machines–plus $24,730 leasing a Lexus, $1,434 on a digital camera, and $84,000 on personalized calendars. 22. More than $13 billion in Iraq aid has been classified as wasted or stolen. Another $7.8 billion cannot be accounted for. 23. Fraud related to Hurricane Katrina spending is estimated to top $2 billion. In addition, debit cards provided to hurricane victims were used to pay for Caribbean vacations, NFL tickets, Dom Perignon champagne, “Girls Gone Wild” videos, and at least one sex change operation. 24. Auditors discovered that 900,000 of the 2.5 million recipients of emergency Katrina assistance provided false names, addresses, or Social Security numbers or submitted multiple applications. 25. Congress recently gave Alaska Airlines $500,000 to paint a Chinook salmon on a Boeing 737. 26. The Transportation Department will subsidize up to $2,000 per flight for direct flights between Washington, D.C., and the small hometown of Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY)–but only on Monday mornings and Friday evenings, when lawmakers, staff, and lobbyists usually fly. Rogers is a member of the Appropriations Committee, which writes the Transportation Department’s budget. 27. Washington has spent $3 billion re-sanding beaches–even as this new sand washes back into the ocean. 28. A Department of Agriculture report concedes that much of the $2.5 billion in “stimulus” funding for broadband Internet will be wasted. 29. The Defense Department wasted $100 million on unused flight tickets and never bothered to collect refunds even though the tickets were refundable. 30. Washington spends $60,000 per hour shooting Air Force One photo-ops in front of national landmarks. 31. Over one recent 18-month period, Air Force and Navy personnel used government-funded credit cards to charge at least $102,400 on admission to entertainment events, $48,250 on gambling, $69,300 on cruises, and $73,950 on exotic dance clubs and prostitutes. 32. Members of Congress are set to pay themselves $90 million to increase their franked mailings for the 2010 election year. 33. Congress has ignored efficiency recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services that would save $9 billion annually. 34. Taxpayers are funding paintings of high-ranking government officials at a cost of up to $50,000 apiece. 35. The state of Washington sent $1 food stamp checks to 250,000 households in order to raise state caseload figures and trigger $43 million in additional federal funds. 36. Suburban families are receiving large farm subsidies for the grass in their backyards–subsidies that many of these families never requested and do not want. 37. Congress appropriated $20 million for “commemoration of success” celebrations related to Iraq and Afghanistan. 38. Homeland Security employee purchases include 63-inch plasma TVs, iPods, and $230 for a beer brewing kit. 39. Two drafting errors in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act resulted in a $2 billion taxpayer cost. 40. North Ridgeville, Ohio, received $800,000 in “stimulus” funds for a project that its mayor described as “a long way from the top priority.” 41. The National Institutes of Health spends $1.3 million per month to rent a lab that it cannot use. 42. Congress recently spent $2.4 billion on 10 new jets that the Pentagon insists it does not need and will not use. 43. Lawmakers diverted $13 million from Hurricane Katrina relief spending to build a museum celebrating the Army Corps of Engineers–the agency partially responsible for the failed levees that flooded New Orleans. 44. Medicare officials recently mailed $50 million in erroneous refunds to 230,000 Medicare recipients. 45. Audits showed $34 billion worth of Department of Homeland Security contracts contained significant waste, fraud, and abuse. 46. Washington recently spent $1.8 million to help build a private golf course in Atlanta, Georgia. 47. The Advanced Technology Program spends $150 million annually subsidizing private businesses; 40 percent of this funding goes to Fortune 500 companies. 48. Congressional investigators were able to receive $55,000 in federal student loan funding for a fictional college they created to test the Department of Education. 49. The Conservation Reserve program pays farmers $2 billion annually not to farm their land. 50. The Commerce Department has lost 1,137 computers since 2001, many containing Americans’ personal data.

Well, I am sure it is frowned upon, but I had an alcoholic drink less than a week post op. No harm. I am not losing as fast as I could, but I still get to go out w/ my friends and enjoy life. I do an extra workout on Friday and a really long workout on Saturdays to try and make up for the extra calories I consume in alcohol on the weekends, but it is crazy how fast it adds up. I track it on Lose It and it is almost makes it not worth it when you realize how long you have to work out to have a couple drinks! (not to encourage beer, but my sister had lap-band 4 years ago and drinks beer several times a week and hasn't had a problem...but everyone is different)

Emily you are being too hard on yourself. Yes, you have a problem with food addiction - so do I, so do most overweight/obese people. I would be right back to my pre-banded weight if I did not have this tool - the band. I was banded 3 yrs. ago and it has changed the way I eat and what I eat. Food is a very complicated addiction to have - it is not something that you do not need everyday, like alcohol or drugs. Accept the fact that you have an addiction, keep going for help and if possible, consider rebanding, or some other form of interventional (surgical)treatment. I am twice your age - have fought the food devils for my adult life and now because of the band, I am happy. I will never be a size 8 or small in the clothing world - but I am so much happier, self-confident and forgiving of my "humanness" and all the trips, falls, failures, successes, wins, triumphs and challenges that the band makes easier for me to handle. Please do not give up on your health - you are still so young and have so far to go, I hope you keep on trying but also be gentle with yourself. My hopes and thoughts are with you.

I would like to be the first to tell you this is going to be an awsome ride for you. There will be rough days. Food is not like other addictions. When you are an alcoholic or addicted to drugs the first thing you do is to stay away from those areas of influence, you know, bars the people you used to "party" with etc. you surround yourself in a safer enviroment so there is no temptation. Food is every where. We have to eat, we have to eat to live. I was scared to death I would fail at this like I had hundreds of diets before. I am a little over 8 months banded and am 73 pounds down. It is the smartest thing (other than accepting Christ in my life) I have ever done. Some times I get down and I really miss my old friend (food) but I try to always remember my favorite quote that I have repeated over and over since my start "NOTHING I MEAN NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY WILL FEEL" I was borderline diabetic, my bloodpressure was sky high, I was 5"3 and 258 pounds. I was killing myself I am so thankful for this band and this new lease on life I just cant tell you how blessed I feel. I can promise you it wont always be easy but it WILL be worth it. YOU are worth it, your family is worth it. You (like myself) will finally get to meet that skinny person inside of you that is dying to get out. Yes the way you look and feel is so important but more than anything, it is about your health, that is so important. I dont have to tell you you are absolutely breathtaking. Remember to enjoy the journey and God bless you as you go. Mechelle

My doc said alcohol was ok after I was back on solid foods. I don't drink alcohol but I would guess that if you're eating only 1/2-1 cup of food at a meal, the alcohol could hit you faster.

I am curious as to what's everyone's thoughts on Alcohol with band. Obviously I know that alcohol has many empty calories and sugar and beer has carbonation that isn't well either. But I am curious as to when you first started to introduce alcoholic beverages into your life again. What have your Doctors told you regarding alcohol? Does anyone have a healthier drink of choice?

wow to quote a poster "Of course!!! you were just banded..fast surgery or not its a prety big deal. It takes a week or more for the seditives/drugs to come out of your body plus I assume you are not drinking caffine, and reduced sugar intake and might be taking painkillers..etc. There are lots of reasons to still be tired..the number 1 for YOU is you just had surgery. :)" I wish I had read that..I am 8 weeks this week and am finally getting back to normal. I asked everyone. My dr.s office, on here, friends, family. Fact is, you just had surgery, you have taken major calories from your body, sugar, alcohol who knows what and probably added gas! and exercise ..your body is in shock.. I'm sorry I didn't read your age but for anyone age is a factor in this. The experts don't realize how long it takes. Heck we don't realize how long it takes. Thankfully I am feeling so much better but it took me 2 months! Im moving and loosing now though, good luck!

This is kind of mind blowing so I'm hoping that someone here has some knowledge or insight on the subject. I've been for a very long while a bit of a "health nut" though obese, still very interested in eating foods that are as organic as possible, no chemical sweeteners, etc. I have had (pre-op) a fantastic all purpose seasoning from soy Protein that is non-GMO, gluten-free and preservative free. It's sort of tastes like a soy sauce and can be added to Soups, any meat, fish, chicken, lentils, just even put into a salad dressing, or mixed into a glass of tomato or vegetable juice. When I was raising my grandson, he loved to use it for his California rolls and sushi. It's really great. I just pulled it out to season some pre cooked lentils I bought at Trader Joe's and for the first time took a look at the protein content per serving 1/2 tsp. there are 189 servings per 16 fl. oz. container but under the list of "per serving it says protein is 310mg!!! That would mean per 1/2 tsp. Is that possible? It is listed under "Amount Per Serving". Ingredients are Vegetable protein from Soybeans and Purified Water. The aminos are Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Theonine, Tyrosine, and Valine. Is this a find or what? The stuff is so good to season food that you can easily put away half tsp. Does soy protein count? Reading off the bottle it says BRAGG liquid is a Vegetable Protein Seasoning from healthy certified non-GMO soybeans from the original formula by health pioneer and originator of Health Stores, Paul C. Bragg. A Gormet Alternative to Tamari,& Soy sauce. NO PRESERVATIVES, NO ALCOHOL, NOT FERMENTED, GLUTEN-FREE... Anyway if this counts as protein intake then WOW!!! Or is whey the only way to get additional protein into our diets? Any feedback on this anyone?

I am wondering what I should be living on in the 2 weeks before my operation, Frederik mentioned low fat etc etc. Any suggestions as to what falls into this catagory with variation so boredom doesn't creep in ?? All suggestions welcome. PS I don't need advice on alcohol, as I rarely touch it, last time I was sozzled was 6 years ago on my 40th---Good excuse then ha ha.

I know what you mean. My sites were irritated and red with the tape, worse on the last to heal drain site. I took my shower, put alcohol on them then covered with dermatape that was especially for sensitive skin. I was told not to put anything else on them and especially caution putting any creams/antibiotic on the sites. Air dry if possible, I used the hair dryer, and then recover them. I have really sensitive skin and was able to finally heal. Last cover I used was a small spot bandaid and the tape left a little ring for awhile. Please let your doctor know if it looks infected. Good luck. Linda