Almost 4 weeks since surgery...Can I have a freakin drink??

[BetsyB 9]

I'm with you on the coffee--decaf is no substitute! Blarf. And I don't understand the rationale for allowing it if fully-leaded coffee is forbidden. According to my doctor, it's the acids in coffee, more than the caffeine, that contribute to stomach issues. Why Decaf is considered better, I have no idea.

Some say that caffeine increases appetite, but it has the exact opposite effect on me. In my misspent youth, I lived on Tab and cigarettes--nicotine + caffeine seemed the perfect appetite-squelching combo. (Terribly health-promoting, too, of course!)

That said, I decaffed myself preop and haven't yet returned to it. I only drank 1 cup of coffee a day--but needed to get off the massive amount of diet soda I was drinking daily; too tough on a new little pouch. Giving up that lifelong addiction was tough. (But my wallet is way happier.)

I'm sort of testing myself to see how long I can last before I return to the coffee, though. That one little cup....

[jms462001 9]

I just happened upon this somewhat testy thread a month late. I have not had a soda since surgery, but do drink coffee every day usually in the form of a latte with a scoop of Protein added. I was told it was not recommended early on because as the previous poster said it increases appetite in some (not so with me either), it can cause us to retain Fluid and also we may not drink all the Water we should. I don't think it is thought to cause damage to the band in any way. It has not had any ill effects on my weightloss and I have been drinking it from the beginning.

I did not know we should not drink beer or maybe I did and forgot. I am not a drinker of alcohol normally anyway, but did have a few bottles while on vacation a couple weeks ago. I assume it is due to the similar to soda type carbonation issue? If it could cause band issues I will probably not indulge in the future!

I must say that I eat most anything I want and never gain weight anymore. I was just thinking about it today..how wonderful it is and how I once envied people who seemed to be able to eat anything and never gain weight. I now realize in most cases it was because overall they did not eat a lot and they ate smaller portions. I do naturally eat healthy, but do not hesitate to have a dessert, slice of pizza, candy, or anything else one might consider off limits, on occasion.

[chrisdirects 0]

Morning, everyone,

I remember when I first met with my surgeon, we talked about our shared love of good wine...grief, I think we have about 3 cases of the stuff in our basement! My husband and I have had wonderful times going to wineries in various parts of the country and seeing what they have to offer. We've even taken wine tasting classes, so we can at least APPEAR intelligent when we're at the tasting bars, lol! Met some nice people, too.

Anyway, my surgeon said, "It's a good thing, then, that you're choosing the Band- eventually, you'll be able to have small amounts of wine from time to time. It will affect you more quickly in much smaller amounts than you're used to, though, so you'll have to be prepared for that."

Everything is a choice, as others have said. Although I enjoy wine, if I had been told that I could never drink again in exchange for prolonging my life and regaining good health, it would definitely not be a difficult decision for me not to drink. I'm not going to sit in judgement, though, for those who make other choices.

Just a small suggestion, for what it's worth...you might want to think about trying alcohol at home the first time round, so that you'll experience whatever new effects you may have in a private environment. Then, if you decide to go forward and drink in public, you'll at least know what to expect.

I hope it works out for you!

Best, Chris

[phil1336 0]

There are very few Perfect Lap Band Patients that comply with 100% of the Surgeon and Nutritionalists recommendations. We all will cheat and test new limits from time to time. Look at John Daly the PGA Golfer. Got banded in Feb 09`, 2 pack a day cigarette smoker, (still smokes/ actually, never stopped) and former beer guzzler, (now sips slowly on a pint occasionally) and slugs down Carbonated Diet Coke like a Junkie and still has lost over 110 lbs in just a year. I know thats pushing the pouch to the limit but a sip of soda or beer now and then should not put anyones efforts into a death spiral.

[Bell1138 1]

I had 2 glasses of wine 9 days post-op. I did not feel any different than I did drinking 2 glasses of wine before the band. I am only 17 days post-op now, and what I have found is that I can't drink like I use to or I don't know if maybe it is that I am scared to overdrink so I stop at 1 or 2 glasses or wine. I do have to say, I will not have beer again, I did not spend all this money and go through this surgery, to risk streching my pouch.

[phil1336 0]

Giving up drinking soda, I sip some after letting it go flat overnight once in a while, is not a problem with me either. I DO miss my Seltzer Water terribly though. But, that said, never being able to to enjoy sipping another hand crafted ale or beer again, (I`m not talking about Bud Light or Miller Light or Coors Light) would have been probably a Deal Breaker. Its like saying, never taste another slice of pizza again....forgetaboutit!

[ccboob531 0]

It is, indeed, that kind of thinking that brings many people to the point of needing Weight Loss Surgery. Again....it's the accumulation of small, poor choices in eating that help to contribute to the predicament that we are all in.

There are certain things you need to eat to live....alchohol is one of those things you do NOT need. And it can hurt you in a number of ways.

Also, consider the very real idea that after you have had one or two drinks, your will-power does tend to diminish, if not vanish entirely. This could lead to more drinks, and then the snacking that can often accompany a buzz.

This is all about making changes. And giving up the ingestion of totally hollow calories is a small price to pay for robust health. As far as leading "normal lives", just consider what state of "normal" you are in now, having to have an artificial device implanted inside of you to keep you from eating too much. Really....how "normal" is that?

It is that version of "normal" that put us all in the position that we are in today. I think you need to re-think your concept of what "normal" is.

:biggrin:

You need to lighten up!

[Liftingchic 0]

oh no not this thread again hehehe!

[phil1336 0]

Its true, all Alcoholic beverages are simply (empty calories) that are not needed, that said, some of us obese or formally obese folks enjoyed a beer, glass of wine or cocktail once in a while. If alcoholism is not a problem, I don`t see the need for a life style to totally eliminate (all) of one`s past eating and drinking pleasures! Never a slice of pizza, a chicken Wing, a bite or two of Chinese food, a spoon or two of Ice Cream, a nibble of Dark chocolate? Anyone have Dr. Kevorkian`s ph#?

[Chele6378 0]

Phil, your post cracks me up and is oh so true!

I'm on a bowling league (I know it's very Rosanne). our first game was when I was 4 weeks post op. I asked my surgeon about bowling and he said just to take it easy and pay attention to my body but did mention no beer. And I asked if cranberry and vodka was okay and he said JUST ONE drink would be fine but don't go crazy. I sipped the drink and 2 glasses of Water during our 3 games. I didn't feel deprived and fit right in with my friends.

I think I miss using a straw more than anything. I don't feel deprived with out soda or beer but to have some iced tea without a straw? That's been my biggest miss.

[tarajim 20]

Phil, your post cracks me up and is oh so true!

I'm on a bowling league (I know it's very Rosanne). our first game was when I was 4 weeks post op. I asked my surgeon about bowling and he said just to take it easy and pay attention to my body but did mention no beer. And I asked if cranberry and vodka was okay and he said JUST ONE drink would be fine but don't go crazy. I sipped the drink and 2 glasses of Water during our 3 games. I didn't feel deprived and fit right in with my friends.

I think I miss using a straw more than anything. I don't feel deprived with out soda or beer but to have some iced tea without a straw? That's been my biggest miss.

I asked my doc about the straw and he said "if it was no problem, go ahead and use it" I drink at least one, if now two venti iced coffees a day thru a straw and have no problem. Ask your doc next time you see him.

BTW, Vodka and sugar free red bull is great too!!!

TJ