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I would keep carbs to under 10% of total calories, and the way that is done is by aiming for nearly entirely protein, and just accepting the little bits of carbs that slip in (you probably need them anyway just to keep your brain running). Nobody completely avoids carbs even if they think they are. Alcohol is a similar bad idea, and for the same reason...your body can burn that first for quick energy and thus hold onto more stored fat. Have you been cleared for exercise yet? If so, by all means go for it! It felt really great to be able to get back on the trails again.

I would love to hear from others who struggle with eating too much sugar and how you manage that. For now, I'm sticking with abstaining from eating desserts, but I continue to hope for achieving the ability to eat sweets in moderation. I'm wondering if anyone has found it possible to do so, but in light of having been a person who has a long history of sweets being a slippery slope- have some, want more and more and more. It has every feature of alcoholism, but the substance is desserts, not alcohol.

I drink a bit once in a while. Besides the calories, they advise us not to drink because of stomach irritation and the idea that alcohol MIGHT lead to band erosion. I think quite a few people drink sometimes, tho, without any problems. I'm not a wine drinker but have had beers and drinks at times. I'd probably wait more than 30 mins after eating, tho...right?

I am 2 months out, and had alcohol for the first time this weekend. I turned 40, and wanted to be able to have a glass of wine....so I did. No problems fortunately.

I'll be a month out of surgery on Tuesday. And I was wondering is it possible to drink a little alcohol? I turned 21 about 6 months ago, and HONESTLY, I'm not a big drinker to begin with, truly. I would just like to sip on a frozen drink throughout the night of the 4th. What do you think?

I want some. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Chocolate martini - I will have maybe a couple a month. It's like a dessert with a kick. Like one of you said, I chose to have nothing alcoholic until I reached goal.

Thank you for the verde chicken recipe. I made it last night and it was great! My wife wants me to make it again tonight. As far as alcohol goes I used to really enjoy bourbon. My taste for it is just now coming back. I do like a good tequila with fresh juice when I do drink. Fiddleman- you might want to try a jungle juice at Piccola's pizza in Snohomish. My wife ordered one and I had a drink of hers and then I had to order one for me. It was one of the best drinks I have had in a long time. It's made with all fresh squeezed juice with rum, vodka and tequila. Very good! Sent from my iPhone using VST

@@coco86 - In general, it is more that the fat surrounding the liver(and all your organs for that matter), which causes fatty liver, is what your body will use first. A diet which causes your body to break down fats into the sugars your body needs will generally shrink the liver due to that fat being used first. So, your liver shrinks because you are putting less sugar into your body. You can read up on NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) When I had my testing done my ultrasound showed that I had "fatty liver". If it is to fat then the surgeon cannot get in and see the stomach very well in order to do the surgery. So, my putting you on a high Protein, no sugar, low carb diet it can help shrink the liver. For my own decision, I would rather do and help put my mind into play about starting this new life change, and also I don't want the surgeon to go in and then can't perform the surgery because they can't see my stomach. I have heard stories of that happening, where surgeons have gone in and the liver was so large they had to come out and do the surgery another time.

Okay my fellow pre and post Sleevers! I have a date. May 17, 2012 I get reborned into this world. Right now my head is spinning and unfortunately I have so much stress in my life right now I can't actually sit down and wrap my arms totally around what is about to happen. I do know that I have been pushing along. Getting my tests performed and visiting doctors. I had my transnasal endoscopy yesterday. Whew! I didn't have any anesthesia and it wasn't like anything I have ever experienced before in my life. The tube they inserted through my nose and down my throat was no fun. I'm trying to remove the memory from my mind. LOL I survived it so it's behind me now. I still need to get my antibiotic to take at least 10 days before the surgery becasue of bacteria in my stomach. It isn't covered by my insurace so the drug is $56.00 dollars. I can't get it until next week. (Sigh!) I want to start getting my supplies for the first couple of weeks but of course financially I can't do that yet. So it's like I'm happy and sad at the same time. *I keep praying and telling myself, "And This Too Shall Pass"! I don't have to do a Pre-Op diet so I guess I'm lucky. However I have been changing my habits to prepare for my journey. I have to do clear liquids the day before and then NPO after midnight. I did lose 5lbs. At my consultation I was 448.3. Yesterday I was 445.3. This is just from me changing how I eat and drink. I do not eat and drink at the same time. I chew my food until it is mush in my mouth I eat my protein first and then veggies I stop eating when I fill satisfied. (Not full just satisfied.) No grazing. Sip, Sip, Sip wait. I take little sips instead of big gulps. I'm trying hard not to use straws. I haven't had any alcoholic beverages. (I might this weekend.) I will keep you folks posted. Hugs

L.A. You do need to get back on that antidepressant asap. Do you have a family Dr or someone you know well. See him/her and get a new prescription. I was a psychiatric nurse for many years and have seen the havoc depression can cause in people, relationships and families. If you need it, there is no reason you can't take it with the band. I bet 75% of overweight people are also depressed. Same with other addictions. People try to self medicate with food, alcohol, drugs etc. Please take care of yourself.

Jachut hit the nail on the head in the first paragraph. Nothing has changed being banded for me other than I eat A LOT less than I used to. I can eat bread, in small quantities, I can drink alcohol, although it doesn't take much to get me drunk anymore, I can go out and do exactly what I used to, i am just more careful. Maybe I am one of the more fortunate ones and am not so limited as others. I lose slower than some on this site, but I still LOSE! I had a BMI of 34 when banded with no other complications. I paid for it on my own. I didn't want to wait until problems came about for my weight. If you are not ready for what might come, you may want to wait and do more research. Good luck in whatever you do.

My Dr. and I agreed that drinking was not a good idea period. For me it is a trigger for other bad behavior. I personally made the commitment that if I had to haul my ass up on an OR table and let a bunch of strangers cut out a perfectly good organ, I could put down the bottle. It isn't going to hurt me physically or socially if I don't take another drink. I don't need a drink to have a good time and I don't need to go back to where I have come from, and alcohol was one of the reasons that I was they way I was. Good luck with your choice.

Without this surgery, I would have gotten even bigger. My blood pressure would be higher and I would have probably developed diabetes. My sleep apnea would have compounded everything. I have osteoarthritis in both knees and hips, so my ability to exercise was minimal. I am also an emotional eater. I could see myself sitting my couch watching TV with a big bowl of popcorn and a magnum full of wine, eating and drinking myself to oblivion, something I did every night. I would have become an alcoholic. I was, and still am a food addict. I would have lost my relationship with my boyfriend and isolated myself even more than I already was.

What about alcohol?

It's things with no nutritional value but high in calories. Things like alcohol, Cookies, pies, cakes, chips and crap like that. When I think of all the soda's that are sold each day and all that money spent on them and the calories and absolutely no nutritional value at all, none.

I just had my first glass of wine about a month ago. I am 23 months post op. Seriously, I am shocked at how quickly and completely it effects me. Half a glass, I am buzzed. A whole glass and I would definately not be able to drive. I could have had alcohol 1 year post op but I was on medications and couldn't. The thing is, it doesn't last very long though. It seems to go through my system fairly quickly. I have yet to have more than one drink.

Am really sorry it turned that way with you, actually nausea is no jock but try smelling some alcohol swab might help you, it helped me A LOT, and to me it didn't last for more than 3 days, waking is so good for the gas, try to open up your appetite with teeny tiny super small sips, increase gradually, all the best in your journey [emoji123] Sent from my SM-N950F using BariatricPal mobile app

.Eating around your sleeve can be caused by high calorie liquids/sliders, alcohol, grazing and not eating your dence protien first according to my doc.

I was told to steer clear of alcohol because it can cause ulcers. Also, your tolerance to alcohol can change. It tends to make you intoxicated faster with the consumption of less. I was also told, if you want to try it, wait at least a year because it dehydrates you. You should avoid carbonation and drinking through straws. They both can introduce too much air into your pouch and it can be painful.

PS. I reread my answer and realized I forgot to post the obvious answer....eating a healthy, bariatric friendly diet. 80+ grams Protein, lots of low glycemic veggies, some fruits and whole grains. Minimizing (but not completely eliminating) high cal/low nutritive stuff like Pasta and bread and simple carbs like Desserts, candy and alcohol. Those last three are for my mental health, not my physical health In the end, how you eat to lose your weight is more or less how you need to eat in order to maintain. This commitment is forever, folks!

Have you ever really sat down and wondered how you got to this point in your life? You know how did you end up on a blog pouring our your inner most feelings to strangers. Well I know how I got here, how about YOU? I got here by lying to myself, telling myself that if no one saw me eat it, it did not count. I got here, by snacking on unhealthy foods, potato chips, candy bars, ice cream, soda, alcohol, bread, snack food, snack food, snack food. I got here by always making excuses as to why I ate something, why my diet failed. It was a dinner, a party at work, an outing with friends, I could cheat just once because, I COULD CONTROL THE BINGE! Well guess what I LIED, How about you? Have any of you ever lied to your self that you were in control? I did then and I do now and you know what I probably always will unless I learn to call myself on every morsal I put in my mouth that does not belong there. Have you ever wondered why the people who are successful are successful with lap band and weight loss surgery or diets? Why, because the follow the rules 99.9% of the time. I am not there yet, I still back slide, and I still beat myself up and promise I won't do it again. Why I am where I am today? I had to have surgery on my knee and this was just all the sympathy I needed for myself to start lying to myself. No I have not gained any weight but I have eaten things I know I cannot control. So I have spent countless hours trying to figure out how to make up for what I ate, so I'm hungry most evenings, not satisfied with my choices and feel like crap. Oh but it's OK. right, I had surgery, it is OK to allow myself a few days off for good behavior? WRONG, that is the thinking of an addict, an addict who has slipped and is lying to themselves again. Believe me I know what I eat, I log every morsal I place in my mouth, I am not eating enough protein, and I consistently eat too much fat. I have been trying to eat 40-30-30 and it ends up more like 40-20-40. (Carbs-Protein-Fat)So why am I bloging this today, because everyday I read about how one of us is doing good, one of us has back slide and one of us is searching for the right answer. We can not help each other or support one another if we do not hold ourselves and each other accountable. I need someone to call me on my bad behavior, I may not like it but, what good does it do me if I am allowed to continue back down a path of destruction. What good does it do any of us? We all made a decision or are making a decision to have surgery to help us control what we were not able to. So why sabotage our selves? Why go through all the physiological evaluations, jump through all the insurance hoops if we are going to continue to lie to our selves. I am nearing my one year anniversary this month, maybe that is what prompted this blog. I have lost 74 lbs and still have 34 lbs to go by the height and weight charts. I have been stalled for months; most days I eat right on target, I have restriction or "I am at my sweet spot" I have thought about a fill just so I eat less but know that is not the answer. So what is the answer? I guess that is a personal answer for all of us. To me the answer is learning to live a healthy life, make healthy decisions every waking minute of my day. To me it is hard wiring or rewiring my thinking so it becomes natural and not a daily chore. To me it is not allowing unhealthy foods into my shopping cart or on to my dinner table. I may not be able to control what my family eats but I can control what is brought into my house and I have a Rights. I have the right not to subject myself to unhealthy atmospheres, friends or family who do not support my choice to make a healthy life for myself. This may sound harsh but I have to be committed to this because every corner I turn there is someone or something there that if I allow it, it will help me to sabotage myself. So friends, take inventory of your life and YOUR cupboards because no one but US is going to help US make it. So my question when I started this rant,"Why do we sabotage ourselves?" So why do "YOU" sabotage yourself, do you know?

1. Sometimes I can - sometimes not! Depends on how tight I am. 2. Mind didn't fade Everyone is different though! 3. I tell everyone that asks. I haven't had any negative feedback. (to my face anyway ) 4. YES! Follow what your doctor says and exercise! You will do great! 5. I've read there is a low profile port - don't know too much about it though 6. I'm sorry to say that I can't do chicken breast. Again, everyone is different though. I eat a lot of seafood now. 7. I think so...my band limits the amount of food I can eat so I think it won't let me overeat and put the weight back. But you have keep up with your after care (fills, diet, exercise) 8. The alcohol will slow your weight loss. I count calories, so you could save your calories for it. I say whatever works for you 9. I started with centrum chewables and now take a regular multi vitamin. I have no problem swallowing any pills now. 10. I started out a 46 DDD and now am a 42 D. Unfortunately they are kind of saggy! YUCK! Oh well, I'll eventually have to get a boob job! I have had a very positive experience. The exercise has helped me the most. Good for the mind, body and spirit! Good Luck to you!

Hello all im 5 weeks post op doing well! Today is a huge birthday bash for my father, anyway wondering about alcohol consumption? Has anyone drank alcohol this 5 weeks out? Just curious? And maybe dabbing around with it? HOW MUCH? wHAT KIND? THANKS!! YOU GUYS ARE MY SUPPORT!!!

It is very hard to believe that five months have FLOWN by since my surgery. I have had many changes in my life, health and overall self-confidence since then. First, I don't know how much weight I've lost. I don't weigh myself anymore and I haven't been to the surgeon in 2 months. I did have to go see my PCP for cataract surgery clearance, and I lost 50+ lbs since I saw her. I really measure myself against my clothes fitting, or my energy, or my ability to do something I haven't done in a long time. Many many changes: where I shop for clothes. How many things I participate in that I never had the courage for before. My energy level. I don't really get hungry or tempted to eat more or something I shouldn't. I looked back at the diet plan, and after 3 months post-surgery I don't really have any restrictions. I can't eat more than 3/4 - 1c of food 3 times a day but I try to have a protein bar if I'm working out. I drink a lot more water, very little soda or coffee, and very very little alcohol. I focus on lean protein and veggies. People I haven't seen since Christmas last year are shocked. I guess I enjoy that. I can't wait to see my mom at Thanksgiving -- I haven't seen her since before the surgery in May. Its so different than five months ago. I'm so glad I did this surgery and am so appreciative of all the support! I'm a little more than halfway there -- and enjoying every day...........