Cocoabean

Check with your surgeon as to his/her rules on alcohol. As to a contraindication for it, no there is not. It is not carbonated, so there would be no discomfort. It is a clear liquid, you should be able to drink it at a normal rate. As in, I could "shoot" Water, I have done shots of tequila. I can freely drink water, milk, beer (even with carbonation). I can chug water and non carbonated liquids. Beer I don't chug. I don't sip it, either. Just remember, if you are told to wait 6 months to a year before imbibing, your tolerance will be lower. However, we still metabolize liquor the same as we always have, so you won't be a true "cheap date."

Sorry for delayed response. When they did my fill by taking out all the Fluid and putting it back in, I was on Clear liquids for 3 days, then full liquids for 2, mushies for 1. But every doctor has different post-fill instructions. I am very happy you are feeling better! Chances are in a few weeks you'll be able to go back in and get refilled. Many of us have to go slower with fills than our doc's normal protocol. Let things calm down, and then you can probably get 0.25cc put in. Or maybe even that 0.5cc back. On one of my fills I had 1.0cc put in. It was too much, so I had 0.5cc taken out. A month later I went in and had 1.0cc put in, it was fine. As you lose weight you also lose fat around your stomach, and your band gets looser. Never be afraid of an unfill. Being too tight can lead to esophageal dilation which is very dangerous and can lead to losing your band. My band was recently too tight for months. Due to an insurance problem and an unrelated illness I was unable to get in to see my surgeon. I was told I was VERY lucky to not have any dilation going on. Being too tight does not lead to greater weight loss. Generally it just leaves you miserable, in pain, and eating slider foods. You cannot eat nutritious foods, because you just cannot get them down. Too tight does not equal a good thing.

Many people have converted successfully. You might post on bypass and sleeve boards as well. See what the folk over there have to say.

My surgeon doesn't have the no carbonation rule. He says our digestive tract is not a closed system, the gas will escape. So, I enjoy beer from time to time. I am maintaining, so I am not trying to create a calorie deficit like I was when losing. Early on in my banded career, it might cause hiccups sometimes. Not so much now. I am breaking his no liquids with calories rule, though...oh well. I love my beer! As others have said, just be mindful of the calories.

Can you get liquids down? Did he give you a post-fill liquid diet to follow? I have found that I feel tighter after a fill where they draw all the liquid out rather than just putting a bit in. So when they do that I am on liquids for a few days rather than just one. But sometimes, a quarter of a cc can make a huge difference.

Keep up the good work! The pre-op isn't easy, but keep your eye on the prize. Your surgeon wants you to have the safest surgery possible. You can do it!

That's got to be frightening! I don't have any answers, but wish you all the best.

Thank you for all of the info!! I appreciate it.

Thanks for that! I was under the impression that you can get a stricture along the length of the sleeve. Is that incorrect? A leak is a big concern, but only in the healing phase, right? So that worry goes away after the immediate post-op period? What about worrying about incorrect boughie choice? I see with my luck that my sleeve would be either too big or too small, can they fix that? Or is there more science to it than the surgeon saying "eenie meenie, it's a teenie"?? Truly, thanks for the info! I like to be better informed for when folks come here in the pre-op stake seeking info about all different procedures.

That is so AWESOME! Congrats! The idea of staying involved in bariatrics is great. That will help you maintain your focus. Did the idea of strictures not scare you? Nor the removal of so much of your stomach? Those are the parts that freak me about the sleeve. Please don't take it as a bash, but as seeking information about your procedure, as you did about ours. Stricture is my biggest fear. Can it happen at any time? Or is it an early on complication? How is it managed medically? Thanks for any info you can share! I know certain parts per million are allowed in chocolate. But I figure we eat lost of stuff went don't intend to every day. My brother used to tear down and super-clean the rotisserie chicken cookers in grocery stores, also the dairy and meat racks. He owned a pressure washing business. He said the meat and dairy was gross, but to NEVER EVER eat the cooked chicken! Thanks Bro, that chicken was one of my favorites!! He had a contract with a few of the major chain stores. He'd wash them every-other-year. They'd not be cleaned in between the full tear down when the shut down for a few days. UGH!

Let me live in my uneducated bliss! :-) How is the sleeve working for you?

Yes, that would do it! Don't blame you a bit! I did something similar with doughnuts. Had to leave a high level meeting 2 times. Doughnuts just don't have the same allure.

Everyone is different. When I was actively losing, I lost an average of 0.75 lbs per week. it was slow, but I did not put great effort into it. I let the band work and, listened to it, did not journal or measure my food, and was happy with that rate. I knew I could live with my new habits for life.

20 lbs in 10 weeks is 2 lbs per week, that is AWESOME!!! You are NOT a flunkey! Keep up the good work. In a year that is about 100 lbs average. WOW! I could not do that on my own.