ducker2010

The reasoning behind it, or at least this is what I've been told by my doctor, is that the gas build up of the carbonation in the stomach can cause the band to slip. They say it's not something that happens on a regular basis but is something that happens. I am a soda addict and gave them up. I just don't want to be that "one" person it happens to.

Mine says no carbonation too. Period. But I know a lot of people who drink it...

You should ask your doctor...

Yeah, I've been told not to take a drink. But sometimes when it's stuck like there's no tomorrow I'll take a drink anyway because that sucker is coming up if I do. At least then I get relief.

Your first post op week you'll probably be on liquids. My doc told me to stick to SF popsicles (these saved my life!), yogurt, SF pudding, my protein shakes, cream of wheat, oatmeal, skim milk, broth, jello, Crystal Light drinks, and things like this.

I tried the papaya enzymes but they didn't work for me. When I get stuck it just has to come up. End of story. Wish I knew something better to tell you. Whatever you do DO NOT drink anything if you're stuck. And after you get unstuck you might want to try liquids for awhile.

I got liquid Tylenol at Wal-Mart. I also know that I've seen it at every grocery store around here. However, I bought a whole bottle and never used it. I either took my prescribed pain pills or just learned that the pain wasn't that bad and dealt with it. Also, I didn't get liquid pain medicine. They just gave me pills which would have been the same size as Tylenol pills.

They are delicious! And like highland said I take mine after my evening meal and it's like a treat! Yum. I have to take four gummies and there are four flavors so sometimes I eat one of each and feel like I'm eating a smidge of candy. Yes, I know it's silly. But whatever. It makes my mind happy!

I take gummies. No problem. In fact, I've had MORE success getting them down than the chewables.

One thing people on this site have told me, which I've found to be really true, is that a lot of other fat people are really jealous inside. Even though they come off angry and judgmental at YOU it's really about THEM. I've become comfortable with my band and I don't mind telling people. If they have questions then I am more than glad to answer them. If they appear to be judging me then I just tell them simply, "Well, the band is not for everyone. I did what was right for ME." And then I leave it at that. Some people are haters and are just going to be that way. Those same people are going to say bad things about you when you get thin too. They'll talk about how you are a binger or anorexic or whatever. They won't congratulate you but instead talk about how you look so sick. I think a huge part of this process is learning yourself and becoming comfortable with who you are no matter what stage of the process you are at. Love yourself. No one else will do it as well as you do!

At first my husband and I didn't tell anyone I had it done. We didn't want people to lecture us on why I shouldn't have the surgery done. But after the surgery, when I got healed, I began to tell people. I have no problem telling people now. I had only one "friend" say mean things. They were so incredibly hateful I ended the friendship. Other than that we've told pretty much everyone now. No one has been out and out rude. Some just "don't get it". My sister in law has weighed like 98 pounds soaking wet her entire life. She has no concept of being overweight and what it involves. She always tells me I should just "eat less". If only it were that easy. But she's not mean. She's just an ignorant skinny person. As long as people aren't mean I can deal

I'm having the same issue. I have to go all the way to the top and use the "Reply to this Topic" button. I can't quote. Weird.

Actually Sasha, for every world famous doctor that says drinking is good there is one that says drinking is bad. So, don't put everything you believe in on one doctor.

Um actually you'd be surprised. There was another poster three days post op that went out drinking and eating chicken wings. I truly don't know why some people even bother having this surgery.

Loneil, my apologies to you. I had you confused with another post about alcohol where the poster was three days post op.

Do you honestly think it's a good idea to tell a brand new bander (This person was three days post op when she posted.) how to sneak in as many alcohol calories into her diet as possible? At three days post op you should be concentrating on healing and setting up good habits for the future. You act like I'm so anti alcohol. I'm not. But no, I don't think a person three days post op should be drinking. I'm an RN, alcohol that soon after surgery IS NOT good for you. But if you can't give it up long enough to heal it's not my problem. The truth is alcohol should not be a majority of your diet. Period. And giving new banders ideas at how to sneak in MORE alcohol is not good. Justify it anyway you want but it's not.

First, I'm not a dude. Second, I'm not, and never have been, an alcoholic. Although some here sure seem to be. I've only ever been a very casual social drinker. Alcohol is NOT the center of my life. Nor will it ever be.

I definitely DON'T think it has to be an all or nothing thing. BUT, alcohol should not be a major player in your diet. One, it's empty calories. Two, it dehydrates you. If you're newly banded alcohol is a blood thinner and can put you at jeopardy in the healing process. And there are many reasons more not to drink in excess. Sure, ONE drink or two a week isn't going to kill you but really, we should be focusing on how to get our REAL nutrition in and not what we can leave out so we can have those four shots today. Truly, do you REALLY need to drink alcohol on a daily basis? Supposedly we all did this to have a healthier life. So what if you eat a salad and then drink a bunch of alcohol. That doesn't make your life all that healthier. Common sense. If you're leaving out food to drink a bunch of alcohol, REGARDLESS OF THE HEALTHY FOOD YOU EAT, you are not really healthy. I've heard many experienced lap band patients say that the day after drinking leaves them very restricted, tight, and sore. Is it worth it? I guess to some who absolutely can't live without it. I find it very disappointing to read people responding with "Drink clear liquor and have shots. You can drink more liquor that way." Is that the advice we're giving to other band people? How to "cheat" the system? Honestly this disgusts me. I drink on occasion. I have no problem with drinking. But you know what? Reaching my goal weight is so much more important that looking cool with my friends or partying or anything else. I'll be thin and happy. Even without booze.

Consuming all your daily calories in alcohol is NOT healthy. Keep talking but I'll never believe otherwise.

You're not going to change your life because of the band? Why did you get it? The band requires change. It's good that you've lost weight but the fact that you don't want to make lifestyle changes is going to set you up for failure in the future.

There is no reason why you can't go out once you feel up to it. Just take what you need along.

I didn't mean for this to come off as so gripy or bitchy if you will. I guess I get frustrated sometimes because I was like B-52. It was a do or die situation for me. So I really value my band. Not that others don't but I know I have this ONE shot to make it right so to speak. That means a lot to me so I know I'll try even harder to make it work. And yes, I do come here for encouragement and it can be discouraging when you're reading a thread and it's just filled with "Oh that's no big deal. Go ahead and do it!" Anyway, this was probably more a vent for me than anything else. Thank you for listening.

This is what I am talking about. I am relatively new and I was given the exact same instructions. At first I didn't have issues because I had no restriction. But a my restriction increases I'm learning just how important this is. I have a friend who wanted to do bypass. She lied about her heart condition. (Among other things.) I told her not to do it. She got a surgery date all scheduled. Then they did the EKG and they found it and canceled her surgery. She doesn't know if she'll be able to have it. Last night in a chat room I was talking to someone in the same position. They planned on lying to the doctor. I guess I just don't get this. And I really really really do understand bad days. But saying you're not going to follow the rules is a whole different ball game.

B-52. I have read several of your posts. They are encouraging and clear. They are NOT confusing. You give good advice.

I totally understand a bad day and slipping. We all have them. We all have to get up and start new. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about twice, in the last three days, I've seen posts from people PLANNING to do things that were not good. And, as an RN, I cautioned them about it. They just laughed it off and said I'm going to do whatever I want anyway. I guess I don't get that attitude.