I can't believe I had to sign that.

[AMayo1 2]

OMG I had to sign a piece of paper today at my pre-op procedures stating that I agree to never have any alcohol for the rest of my life. The weird part is at the support group meeting this week. The Coordinator talked about not having to give up alcohol for ever, just know that it is empty calories Also to make better alcohol choices like Wine vs a margarita. Did anyone else have to sign a paper like that.

[Rachel412 116]

What! Wow. I wouldn't sign that.

[SmoovSailing 0]

*side eye* Uhhhh....no!!! I gave up smoking, that should be plenty!!! My nutritionist just told me that alcohol will effect me differently....oh and I should try 'drinking' at home first to test the waters!!! LOL! I guess folks go out and go CA-WAZY (ya have to say it like its spelled) and drink like they did pre-band.

[YngGram 73]

ROFLMAO! I must say that my first drink had me stopping in the middle. I was so lite it won't even funny. Well it was funny to everyone around mel

[MelindaH 3]

ROFLMAO! I must say that my first drink had me stopping in the middle. I was so lite it won't even funny. Well it was funny to everyone around mel

Drinking alcohol has been strongly discouraged in my nutrition counseling sessions but I haven't been asked to sign anything. Since I can take it or leave it, I would not resent being asked to commit to such llifestyle.

What I have been asked to sign is that I will never smoke again. Since I never did, that is cool also. Giving up caffiene is the hard one for me. But I am doing much better than I was and plan to be down to zero come surgery time. All of these restrictions are for our safety and ultimate good. Every doctor has their own treatment expectations. If this is an issue, maybe you need to find a surgeon you can work with in agreement on the alcohol restrictions. All the best to you. You may find that you hate the taste of it after surgery.

Melinda

[AMayo1 2]

I think what dives me the most nuts is the contradictions. On Monday night the bariatric group is telling me it is OK to drink alcohol that is lower in calories in moderation once you meet your goal weight, but then 2 days later I am signing a piece of paper saying that I will never drink alcohol again. It i similar that they tell you not to drink crystal light or other sugar free drinks, but it is OK to eat sugar free Jello and popsicles. Are the sugar free ingredients in those magically different then the sugar free ingredients in crystal light?

[Lilium 2]

I rarely drink alcohol, but I wouldn't want to sign a document agreeing never to have alcohol again. One reason I've hardly ever had any alcohol is because of the empty claroies and so that hasn't changed with the band. I don't have more than one drink when I do drink and so I will just try a small amount at those specail occasions now that I am banded. I just think your doctor went too far with that request. It seems as if these doctors sometimes go too far into our personal lives, especially because they often aren't our primary care physicians.I was troubled by my lap band surgeon demanding that I get a pap smear and a mammogram on top of everything else he requested because my primary care physician and I already have that covered and I didn't think it was any of his business or had anything to do with the banding surgery. They know that they can ask us to do almost anything because we really want the surgery and so these types of abuse of power happen. Enough is enough.

[hittpants11 18]

Do you HAVE to quit smoking once you get a LapBand?

[aliciab 8]

You have to quit before you get the surgery. Many surgeons require people to quit smoking before many surgeries not just lap band. Smoking prevents proper healing as well as a whole bunch of other problems.

[NJGirl32 43]

That is the craziest thing I've heard of! Why on earth would they want you to sign that?! They might as well had you sign a paper saying you'll never over eat again-I mean seriously!

[AMayo1 2]

To me it seems like a way to be able to say you were the one that is in wrong if you fail.

[honk 780]

I don't drink so it would not bother me. One thing I did think of however is would that also include communion? My church offers grape juice if you prefer but many don't.

[hittpants11 18]

From what I understand, drinking wine every now and again is okay. It the carbonated drinks (beer, mixers, ect) they want you to stay away from.

[Msz Alie 0]

That is just crazy! Hey, for anyone who has drank with the band... how long after surgery did you drink? I'm getting banded on Monday... just wondering?

[cwm812 11]

I can't believe anyone would think of asking you to sign that.

You are getting a lap band, not moving to Mars! Of course, we all recognize that alcohol is just empty calories, but really, as adults can't we decide what we choose to consume? Alcohol will not hurt your band. It will merely impede your weight loss, as do lots of other poor choices. Maybe I should sign something to indicate that I won't eat pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.

As for drinking with the band, I'm not a big drinker, but I do have a glass of wine every now and then. I've tried beer, but the carbonation makes me sick. Since, I lost half my body size, alcohol does effect me much quicker. You do need to be cautious, but you don't need to avoid it for the rest of your life.

I really think that the secret to success with the band is to live as normally as possible. Crazy rules like this, just make it harder to think for yourself and make good choices. Information is useful, arbitrary rules are not.

Cindy