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OMG How did I miss this thread till now? You can't ever drink from a straw again You can't have port again (I love Port and it's the first alcoholic drink I had post-op.) Everyone who follows a 800 calorie or less diet during the first 6 months trashes their metabolism for the rest of their life. You can't eat <fill in the blank>. You can't drink <fill in the blank>. You won't lose unless you exercise. Lynda

Yep, next thing you know, BBK, you will be featured in one of those "can't hold their alcohol" emails!!!! Has anyone mentioned seeing you snoozing? My former BIL passed out one year at Christmas, and we decorated him.....hung ornaments on him, icicles, put his MIL's curly toed elf slippers on him.....and then we just waited.....and oh yeah---took LOTS of pictures!!!! Kat

I am addicted to one thing only food. I could care less about drugs, alcohol, gambling, just food and I believe it is all in the brain.

What are "pokies"? I think my personality is more obsessive than addictive. I abused alcohol in college, but never was "addicted". As soon as I 'fessed up to myself that I didn't like the taste of alcohol and only drank so that I wouldn't have to be "responsible" for my amorous advances to others, I quit. Plus I much preferred spending what precious little extra I had on food. And whichever person was the object of my desire at the time. That's my other bad addiction... The current object of my affections, reciprocated or not. Luckily the current object reciprocates... :eek:

I've certainly changed my m.o. Before banding, I lost some weight and one of the ways I did it was by eliminating alcohol. It was painful when I was out with friends. Now, I do have a couple of driinks when I go out. One of my new favorites is a bloody mary (not too many calories and for me impossible to drink too fast). I LOVE whisky sours but I can drink them like lemonade and after being banded I DO get tipsy so easy. You'll have a great time! I would watch the beer ...I took a sip of one...YIKES... the burning, the golf ball feeling...no more for me for awhile. Your friends are all going to be envious of you since you've lost weight!!

Josie: Thanks for asking. I went last month and had a check-up. She's pleased with the results and the scar looks light pink and fading more and more. I do have a small dog-ear on one side. She wants me to give it three more months to see if it corrects itself or not and if not she'll fix with a minor procedure in the office. Now I'm focused on trying to find a new job. I got laid off in April and it's a b**&h trying to find a new job. If I get a job at the level I was before I'll be saving up to get the girls done. It's not likely, but I can dream. Unfortunately with the boredom and stress of trying to find a new job I've been grazing. I have now gained 20 pounds since my plastic surgery. I talked to my band surgeon about it this week and I asked if I can come in for weekly weigh-ins until I get a job and get my eating back under control. He's so nice. He gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him any time if I was struggling. When I went in to weigh in yesterday with his office staff I got the same feeling that an alcoholic must get when they go to AA meetings with a hangover. Embarassed, but facing my demons. I'm not changing my ticker because I am going to kick it back down very soon! I cannot wait to see your pics. Take care. Sue

The sugar alcohol in this is erythritol which per Wikipedia has less of a laxative side effect than some of the other sugar alcohols. Sugar alcohols like mannitol and lactitol are actually used as laxatives.

I was sleeved 12/14/17. Everything went well, I recovered nicely and I have lost 99 lbs and my BMI is currently 23; weight 144lbs. However, I know for certain I’m not getting nearly enough calories / day. There are so many foods I can’t tolerate (mostly all meats) and I only eat 1/4 of what I put on my little kid plates that I’m still using since surgery. There is only one meal that I eat everyday that doesn’t bother me; it’s breakfast. Everyday, I eat 1 egg, 2 pieces of bacon, and 1 slice of toast and I feel fine. But anything else, I feel terrible after I eat. I get hungry but I feel so nauseous and bad after I eat, that I wished I hadn’t eaten. Am I eating too fast? I’m considering checking in with my surgeon to see if this is common or if I need to be checked out. Oh, I also have the worst problem with IBS. I notice that certain foods (Fried foods, Carbonation, anything breaded, and alcohol) sends me to the bathroom that there are times, I don’t feel I can hold it long enough to get to the restroom. Also, admittedly, I do have an issue that I’ve never been able to conquer waiting 30 mins before I drink anything. So I wonder if my stomach issues with eating could be caused by me trying to drink while I eat. If anyone has seen this before or knows what I could possibly be doing wrong, I would appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks! Diahanna

You’re doing so well. Congratulations. But I do understand that lethargy that comes when you’ve been so vigilant. Our will power & focus starts to waver & it all just seems to be too hard. I think most of us experience it at some time. As @GummyBearQueen suggested reflecting on your non scale victories can help regain your focus. Are you moving about more easily? Has your health started to improve? Have you dropped clothing sizes? Is it easier to bathe or do your hair? I loved looking at the graph of my weight loss. Watching that line going in a downwards direction was often more motivating than looking at a number on the scales every day. Also reminding yourself why you made your decision to have the surgery helps. Set yourself some staged goals (every time you lose another 20lbs, walk 3 kms, ...) & reward yourself with a new haircut or colour, a spa day, a new accessory or jewellery, etc. when you achieve them. How we feel when we’re full or hungry is different after surgery. One of my learnings was the difference between feeling full & having eaten enough. You don’t necessarily need to be full to have had bough to eat. I still ask myself do I need this bite or just want it. It was a bit of a come to Jesus moment for me. Seems like you’re meeting your water goals, increasing your activity & if you’re meeting your protein goals, you’re already ahead of the game. To begin you are really focussed on your food intake. You’re learning to eat in new ways & it does take a lot of effort to ensure you’re doing the right thing for your plan & for you. I’d like to say in time you won’t be consumed by what you eat (bad pun) but it does get easier. I know what foods I can eat & what ones my tummy doesn’t like all that much (like oily fish or char grilled meats). I’ve worked out what foods I don’t want to eat anymore (processed carbs) & what foods/drinks I’m happy to have less frequently (alcohol) or those I’ll have only on very rare occasions (desserts, cakes, etc.) I used to worry about how much I thought about food but then I realised I used to think a lot about food before surgery. Before surgery I was always thinking about what I could eat & when I could eat again. Now I think about good food choices, the nutritional benefits of a food & if I really need to eat. But it is so worth it.

I find it troubling that you're already banded but are just hearing this important piece of information - that carbonated drinks like beer are not recommended for Bandsters, especially new post-ops. (Likewise many RnY Bypass patients can't tolerate the carbonation or the alcohol of beer, so it's fairly well known that it happens after Weight Loss Surgery.) I don't drink the stuffv :beer:, but some Banded folk just can't tolerate the carbonation, especially when they get more restricted. The burping & hiccuping & tight feeling in the chest just don't make a cold brew attractive to me at all. (Luckily, I do fine with wine, but I didn't drink until months and months after being banded, honestly. ) (*shakes head*) Hopefully you'll find lots of information about the band process here, and at other places online. There is a lot to learn, especially when you're given incomplete information. Good luck on your Banding - welcome aboard.

I know how difficult it is to come to this type of decision since I have been through it myself. I don't claim to have any real words of wisdom, but I just wanted to share my story with you and hope it helps. I'm going to try to abreviate it, but I come from a highly disfunctional family so there is a lot to my story. The basic foundation is my father was an alcoholic, he was just down right mean. He was so mean, that when I was a little girl I thought he was the devil. My mother is one of these people who is very mean and cold, but presents herself to people like "poor me". She and my father used to fight, very violent fights. To the point where when I was little several times in the middle of the night I had to run to the neighbors so they could call the police, and the next day we would pick up my dad from jail .It became pretty routine. My brother was 10 years older than me, and my sister 5 yrs older. My dad and my brother used to fight constantly as well. Needless to say growing up I had much resentment pain and anger. Both my parents were mentally abusive. I don't know how many times I was told by my mother "If I had it to do over again I wouldn't have kids." My dad was always very insulting and he had an annoying way of saying something mean with a smirk on his face then when I'd get mad he'd be like "oh I'm just kidding don't be so sensitive." That was always my mom's favorite saying too " don't be so sensitive" Well that gives you an idea of what I endured growing up. It really didn't get any better when I became an adult either. To top it off, after I got married they started to treat my husband badly too. My mom really didn't like him, mostly because he wasn't a rich man, but also because he isn't the type to put up with much. I tried moving to another state for awhile, it still wasn't good enough for me. They still haunted me. Even thier messages on my anwering machine would get me upset. They aren't the type you can talk to, they do not listen at all. When my mom would call me it was all about her, she didn't want to hear anything about me, she always depended on me emotionally, but was never there for me. I wrote them a very long letter telling them all that bothered me. Broke it off for two years, then broke down and contacted them. It was slightly better for awhile, but they quickly went back to their old ways. I couldn't take it any longer, I wrote them another letter saying good bye, and why. It's been a little over a year now. I don't have anything to do with my sister, she became very involved with drugs, I tried to help her but couldn't. My brother commited suicide almost a year ago now. It's not easy, I always think of things like how weird it will be if I don't even know whether or not they've passed away. But they are just too harmful to me. I too as someone mentioned consider people toxic if their bad for me. In fact there is a book called Toxic Parents. It helped me quite a bit. Of course therapy has helped. I wish you the best, I know how painful this is. But even if you don't cut it off with your mom, at least cut off form her finacially ASAP. It sounds difficult since you live so close to her. I'm here if you want to discuss this. I'm open to any quetions as well. Take care

Hi Maggiec, yes I saw that Oprah show. It was on addiction transferance. I really felt for those women, they had to deal with many different addictions in their lives not only food. I also wondered if these women would have struggled with these addictions at some point in their lives without having gastric bypass surgery. Just a thought that crossed my mind as I was watching it. As someone else had mentioned in another post, if you have an addictive personality you are more susceptable to abusing substances or other activities that are addictive. It could be drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling, exercise (I wish) or anything that gives you the high. What kind of bothered me about the show was that it was presented as if these women's lives got much worse after WLS and it was the surgery that made them get addicted to the other stuff. They didn't deal with the whole issue of addiction in their lives separate from the WLS but -- I guess that was the point of the show. I wonder if they'll do a show about people who low fat diet and get addicted to other things - I doubt it. Just a thought.

I’m 62 pounds lighter since my May 28th LAP-BAND® surgery. In eighteen weeks, there has been such significant weight loss and, more relevantly, so much positive change in my health that I can hardly remember the time when I was medically obese and “lost.” First, let’s dispense with the formalities. Need to know exactly what LAP-BAND® surgery involves? Click on The LAP-BAND® I : "Entering the zone" | Babyboomers.tv. Want to know how civilians react to news that I’ve elected to have surgery? Click on http://babyboomers.tv/content/LAP-BAND®-zone-ii-dealing-civilian-response. Interested in hearing about my status and what happens next? Read on. In addition to monthly post-op visits with Dr. Gellman, my bariatric surgeon, -- click on www.northshoresurgical.net -- I’ve lived through 4 months now as a post-operative LAP-BAND® patient. It doesn’t feel that much different than following Weight Watchers, Atkins, and other weight loss programs. Except … I’ve had laparoscopic surgery to help cure my lifelong addiction to food; There is this device inside of me banding the upper portion of my stomach; The LAP-BAND® is a “tool” to help me cut down on food consumption; While my 62-pound weight loss has been sensational, the doctor reminded me this week that the band was inserted for a reason and it’s time to tighten it now. So, this is a different reality for me. The band will be tightened in a few days by injecting saline solution into a port which has been surgically inserted on the inside of my stomach epidermis. The net result is that the band will be tightened and my little stomach pouch (the “stoma”) will feel full with less food. I’ll have to go back on a liquid diet for a few days to allow the stoma to adjust to its new tighter reality. Aside from my regular visits with Dr. Gellman, I also attend a monthly support group with other post-op patients. These groups are enormously helpful for both the camaraderie of those who have been through my same experience as well as for the practical advice I get from participants. At the last group, the topic was “How have you changed for the better or worse following surgery?” I believe life is drastically different (and better) since surgery. However, I’m still a LAP-BAND® rookie so I asked the group “do you all tell people that you’ve had LAP-BAND® surgery?” Interesting responses: “it’s none of anybody’s business”; “nobody has to know”; “they don’t understand”; and, “I only tell my closest friends and relatives”. I understand. Even though I’ve gone public on this website for the entire world to know my story, there are specific people in my life who don’t know about my decision to go through with LAP-BAND® surgery --- most importantly, my mother and father-in-law. They are in their 80’s and they just wouldn’t understand the surgical procedure (or the need for it). Mind you, they are each thrilled to hear about and see my weight loss progress. The best advice to come from the support group, however, has been “If anyone asks how you lost the weight, tell them you’re on Weight Watchers.” This echoes a similar sentiment from Dr Gellman, who reports: “so many of the patients in our practice simply default to “Weight Watchers” when asked how they lost the weight. There is logic here … the final phase of post-operative eating adjustment encompasses a diet that is very much like the Weight Watchers protocol: Eat fruits and vegetables liberally; Follow portion control: 1 ounce of meat = size of a matchbox; 3 ounces of meat = size of a deck of cards; 3 ounces of fish = size of a checkbook; Medium apple = size of a tennis ball. [*]Use little, if any, sugar; [*]Choose lower fat foods; [*]Avoid fried foods; [*]Eat 3 meals a day; [*]Exercise regularly, preferably 3 or 5 or 7 times per week (I walk 4 miles every day;) Who, among us, has not seen this movie before? And yet it really is unlike the thousands of diets I’ve previously been on. I think it has a lot to do with my commitment to a new way of life once I agreed to the surgery. And, I strongly believe in my ability to do this. Also, there is the reality that the little stomach pouch won’t hold the huge quantities of food I had become accustomed to eating. But, if we’re honest, I believe it’s that I don’t want to betray the promise I made to myself: this time, it’s for good and will be different than before. At our tender age when death and illnesses are dodging us, who is gonna argue? I’ve learned from my support group that the post-op fellowship strongly resembles Alcoholics Anonymous: it’s critical to keep sharing your feelings and to report any incident(s) of falling off the wagon. Fine with me, so far. But then, I’ve never really had a problem losing weight --- it’s maintaining my goal weight that has always done me in. For now, I take it one day at a time. The weight loss has been thrilling and I’m extremely grateful for my newfound health and mobility. I’m off blood pressure medicine, I don’t need the sleep apnea machine and my knees have magically stopped hurting during my 3-4 mile daily walks. As for the outside world and how to respond to the queries about “how did you do it?” … I smile like a Cheshire cat and reply that my answer lies in a renewed commitment to exercise and a diet of fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins. I guess my real shorthand answer can be “I’m going to Weight Watchers.”

I haven't had a carbonated drink (and I was a 2l a day diet coke addict), nor any alcohol since 1 week pre-op....in Feb. I've considered having a glass of wine at different times, but then just said, hell for the same calories I could have XYZ. I prefer to eat than drink, so wine has lost every time! Not to say that won't change sometime, but so far, no alcohol.

If you’re still considering the lap-band after learning about it in detail, it’s time to think even more deeply about whether the lap-band is right for you. Before you decide, it’s best to consider the amount of weight you can reasonably expect to lose with the lap-band, and balance that with the potential medical risks, or complications, of getting the band. You’ll also need to find out whether you’re eligible for the surgery. Risks with the Lap-Band First, let’s take a look at some of the possible risks or complications that can happen with the band. Nearly all patients get some sort of complications or side effects, but not necessarily severe ones. Excessive bleeding and blood clots are risks that you take with any surgery. Of course you’ll have abdominal pain as you recover from lap-band surgery; after all, your surgeon had to make cuts in your stomach to put the lap-band in place. These are some of the other risks with the lap-band: band slippage leakage band erosion esophageal dilation nausea vomiting trouble swallowing (dysphagia) obstruction constipation Many of the complications are more common in patients whose starting weight (or BMI) is higher. That’s obviously a potential drawback for higher-BMI patients, but it’s also important to look at the alternatives. If your BMI is higher, you’re at higher risk for obesity-related health problems if you don’t lose weight. Also, many of the complications are preventable if you carefully follow your surgeon’s post-operation instructions, especially regarding your diet. Weight Loss to Expect We know; here’s what you’re really interested in! How much weight will the lap-band help you lose? The numbers vary, but within a year of getting the lap-band and following the lap-band diet, you might expect to lose a significant amount of your excess weight. Your excess weight is the number of pounds over your goal weight, and you might be able to lose 40 percent – or more – in a year. Many patients have been able to maintain their weight loss for five or more years. That’s great news if you’re sick of watching your weight cycle as you try diet after diet! The amount of weight you lose and whether you keep it off depends on you. To control your weight, you need to stick to your lap-band diet. These are the basic requirements of the lap-band diet: Choose nutritious foods Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient foods Avoid beverages with calories Eat small portions Limit snacking Exercise helps burn calories and speeds up weight loss, too! Are You a Candidate for the Lap-Band? Not everyone is eligible to get the lap-band. You have to meet certain criteria before you can get the lap-band. These are some of the normal requirements. Some of them are set by the FDA; others might be required by your insurance company or surgeon: Being at least 30 pounds overweight, with a BMI of at least 40 or a BMI of 30 to 40 along with an obesity-related health condition. Having struggled with your weight for at least five years, and having a history of unsuccessful dieting attempts. Being willing to attend educational seminars about the lap-band to learn about the procedure. Following a special diet program before your surgery to demonstrate that you’re able to do it. Promising to follow your surgeon’s aftercare program, which may include follow-up appointments, dietitian visits and group support meetings with other lap-band patients. A contraindication is a condition that makes you ineligible or a poor candidate for getting the lap-band. These are some of the common contraindications: Heart or lung problems that can make your surgery dangerous Drug or alcohol addiction Low pain tolerance (you will feel pain after getting banded) Unwillingness to commit to the lifestyle changes and lap-band diet necessary for losing weight and preventing complications Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant within a year Since the lap-band has such a long history, there’s been a lot of research done on the risks and benefits of the procedure. Chapter 4, “Is the Lap-Band the Right Choice for You?,” in The BIG Book on the LAP-BAND, goes through this research in more detail than this short summary. You’ll get to see some of the particular numbers, such as average pounds lost or percentages of patients who have specific complications. This information, together with seeing the eligibility criteria, can help you make an informed decision about whether the lap-band is right for you.

Many people enjoy a drink after being banded. I've had one or two recently, however when I do, I am sure to count them in my daily calories. Alcoholic drinks are nothing but empty calories so just be careful not to over do it.

@ - I do catch your drift! Your story helps me to stick with the decision to not tell people. You are so right about how they will be watching everything that goes into my mouth too. I hate that. And you're right - that does NOT help an emotional eater to succeed. My husband and I were just saying the other day how it seems like people often try to get you to fail because they feel threatened and insecure. We were talking about it in regards to alcohol as some drinkers at his workplace got a recovered alcoholic to start drinking again, on purpose! Idiots! And my 18 year old son chimed in that he feels it too. He decided to give up sugar recently. He doesn't have a weight problem, but realized it doesn't make him feel good. People are on his case about it. Why?! I think because it makes them feel bad. It is sad. Why can't we all support each other in this crazy game of life!

Thanks @indieflickers. I'm still learning my way, but closely monitoring weight, food and (occasional) alcohol is part of the process. I'm 63, retired, 36 years married, and virtually all our social life involves some alcohol consumption. Prior to WLS, I'd drive my wife crazy by "just saying no" to invitations to socialize where food and alcohol would be preeminent. I think my forced abstinence built an inner anger. You know, "it's not fair that I can't go out on a Tuesday night, when my skinny friends have a beer at lunch." Now, with my tiny stomach, I can socialize more while eating/drinking far less (understand, I'm talking about once a week, rather that once a month.) I've been on this site for almost a year and have come to the conclusion that there are many troubled souls here. Well meaning "newbies" report observations, ask veterans if they've had similar experiences, or just make light hearted comments and people jump all over them like they're stupid, lying, or just born losers! Kinda sad, but after suffering though the way society treats obesity, it is totally understandable.

@@Cape Crooner hey bud when i read you first sentence - i thought to myself, cool you are tracking, eating ,drinking (water LOL) protein - exercising you are doing great many people don't weigh everyday (I do) if you don't weigh weigh during the week, you don't know if you have stalled (an OFFICIAL stall refers to not loosing weight for at least three weeks) NOT if you haven't lost in 3 days or so LOL after NOT weighing yourself all week you step on the scale it might show a weight loss it's time to show that loss! happened to coincide with after you had drank a "little" alcohol personally i don't think the loss had anything to do with a few drinks as far as burning 3,000 calories a day for fear of death (or worse!!) i wouldn't touch that statement with a 10 ft pole LOL truth is, i don't know the right answer I don't think any OP were cruel about the tracker situation they gave their opinion an "opinion" is just that, an opinion no one can be right or wrong about an opinion like others, i think this thread has gotten out of hand The Horse Died!!!! enough said? that's great that you have lost 82 lbs sooooo close to GOAL keep up the good work congrats on weight loss kathy

Not having the emotional crutch of food and alcohol. Learning how to deal with life's stresses without my old standby's. Having to feel the full effects of my emotions without being able to dull the pain. I eventually had to find a good therapist and start taking antidepressants after my best friend committed suicide. As for drinking with meals, I do it all the time and have since about 6 months out.

I am being discharged today and asked about driving. I was told to think of the narcotic pain meds as alcohol. If I take those meds, no driving until the effects have worn off. If I'm not taking those meds, I'm clear to drive.

Oh ok! How much have you lost so far?! I think everyone hits that same stall! I stalled for like 15 days and havent drank anything yet. I set a goal of 60 days for myself lol I was sleeved on 12/20. And theres no way I plan on giving up alcohol forever, beer maybe. Have you gotten drunk? Or just had a drink or two here and there?

I was told no alcohol for at least one year, and should be only on special occasions. Also, no more than 2 drinks within a 24 hour period.

I haven't had any form of alcohol in several years. It doesn't fit with my lifestyle or choices anymore. I'm 5 years post VSG and had to really overhaul my entire lifestyle. even after surgery and I lost my weight, I got some sobering health news that made me have to tighten up my eating even more. I stick to sugar free iced coffee when I'm out and about, and have some Zevia-flat- for a treat.

No carbonation and no alcohol...it's way to early! Please be safe, the last thing you want to do is vomit, get dizzy, or even faint at this party. How about some apple juice or grape juice. It will look like white or red whine! Dilute it though! Happy Holidays K ♡ HW 394 • RNY 361 11/28/16 CW 355 • GW 190 ♡