First, congrads on your decision and good luck with your surgery. But would you mind asking your surgeon some questions? We need some fresh opinions (in my stale opinion!) These things have been discussed many times here at LBT, but all the surgeons have different opinions, so what's the latest opinion on:

1. Carbonation: Does it cause erosion? Does it stretch the pouch? Or do we avoid it simply because it causes gas pains?

2. Alcohol: Does it cause erosion, or do we avoid it because it's empty calories?

3. Drinking before and after meals: How long to wait after eating? What are their reasons for these rules?

4. NSAIDs - is there any new information regarding them causing erosion?

Any new info out there? Anything you can share would be greatly appreciated. I've had my band one year but I still get tons of different information, so I'm curious what today's docs are saying. THANKS!

Oh, anyone can add to these questions.

printing up the questions now.. To take them with me tomorrow. I will give him the paper Thursday so he can answer them and give them back to me on Monday.. Well if its okay with him of course hehehe

I'm going to the doctor on Thursday and will try to remember to ask him this stuff. Some of it we have went over lately.

1. Carbonation: Does it cause erosion? Does it stretch the pouch? Or do we avoid it simply because it causes gas pains? I was going to ask this one Thursday

2. Alcohol: Does it cause erosion, or do we avoid it because it's empty calories? He told me they are empty calories, but that I could have a glass of wine if I wanted to.

3. Drinking before and after meals: How long to wait after eating? What are their reasons for these rules? My doctor actually believes in two hours, but I agreed on one hour. It is just for keeping the pouch full longer. I can drink right up till I eat.

4. NSAIDs - is there any new information regarding them causing erosion? I need to ask this one too

I will be glad to ask any other questions anyone might have also.

Thanks, I know this stuff has been discussed a lot, but with the Band being so new, it's nice to get current info.

One I forgot about - slippage: Any information on what causes slippage. I know we are supposed to avoid vomitting, but what if we get a stomach bug? What are the signs/symptoms, etc.

Ok, I'll add that one on my list too! The answers I gave were some of the stuff that we just talked about in the last 6 weeks, so I think that is pretty updated. I will ask if any changes have been made though!

I will be going to see a surgeon tomorrow....I will ask for answers to your questions. I have one question: what is NSAIDs?

Margo

I despritly want the answers to these questions too..

2. Alcohol: Does it cause erosion, or do we avoid it because it's empty calories?

3. Drinking before and after meals: How long to wait after eating? What are their reasons for these rules?

One of my friends that works in healthcare told me that Alcohol--Wine anyway has a tendency to mess up metabolisms. I don't know if this is true, but, she said it may be why most weight loss programs want you to shy away from it.

Hey everyone....I am about to be banded on 5-5-05.....and I have discussed this with my surgeon all ready and this is what I have been told

1. Carbonation will streach the pouch

2. Avoid alcohol with fiz because it will streach the pouch. All other types of mixed drinks are empty calories, AND one drink is equal to three!! after surg.

3. Do not drink before meals cause it will fill you up and you wont get all the protein

you need....and don't drink during because it will push the food thru the pouch

quicker possibly leading to eatting more, and not feeling full...And wait at least

4. Use nothing but Tylenol because other pain meds Advil,Aleve...etc..will cause errosion.

I hope this answers some questions....Anyone else hear otherwise???

Have a great day!!!

Australian doctors ( well, at least the ones at the clinic where I had my surgery) have no problem with carbonation. I have and continue to drink diet coke whenever I feel like it, except when I have too much restriction and cant even drink water fast enought, but thats another story. I was told when leaving jospital after surgery to start by drinking it flat, then mixing it with fizzy, then just fizzy. Hey I am against drinking the stuff anyway, and would reccomend to everyone that you should give it up, as should I, but I still drink it because sometimes, I just have to, and sometimes I must add scotch to it too. Alcohol is a nono, empty calories, but occasionally, in moderation, is like everything else.

I am bad with the drinking, although was told NOt to drink 2 hrs after a meal. Before meals they encourage drinking ( here, as long as non caloric).

Porcindoll,

Has your doctor had cases where he actually had to replace a band because carbonation stretched a pouch? or had an ultrasound proving this?

Sometimes I wonder if we call doctors on their findings if they can back them up with evidence. I know with my band I drink up until I eat and have no problem getting food down. Now, I drink Water at room temp, I have heard sometimes people have problems when the water is real cold.

I needed this Delarla, thanks.....

OK guys this is my experience with the following and what I have learned from my doctors. Some is my personal experience and some is factual about how the body works. If it rings true for you use it. If it doesn't then ignore it.

1. Carbonation: Does it cause erosion? Does it stretch the pouch? Or do we avoid it simply because it causes gas pains? Carbonation can stretch the pouch but it is a temporary situation. The carbonation stretches the pouch causing discomfort much like you would feel just before a PB episode. It also takes up space that would be filled with food. If you are one to drink carbonated beverages DO NOT drink them and try to eat. You could end up with a horrible PB event. BEEN there! I try to avoid carbonation not only for the reason stated above but for the empty calories that go along with them. One can of Dr. Pepper is really two servings. IT has, if I remember right, 250 calories per serving. WOW!!! If you drank the whole can it would be 500 calories just in the Dr. Pepper. Plus the sugar that goes along with the carbonation and calories. Bad stuffs!!!!

2. Alcohol: Does it cause erosion, or do we avoid it because it's empty calories? Alcohol can mess up your metabolism. I will post something more on this in a separate thread. (Learned some cool things in this conference I just attended). Alcohol and it's effects on judgement could possibly cause erosion and or slippage. When we drink we aren't as alert and aware of what we are doing, eating, or saying. LOL!!! So, alcohol can get us in trouble. The empty calories are a factor as well. Being banded we can't drink as much anyway. I know I can have one maybe two drinks now and I am affected. SO be careful guys.

3. Drinking before and after meals: How long to wait after eating? What are their reasons for these rules? Drinking right before a meal even right at the beginning of the meal is not a good idea. The liquid no matter what it is will dilute the digestive enzymes and slow the digestive process. This causes excess gas and bloating (more on that in a separate thread as well). I would wait at least an hour after a meal to drink.

4. NSAIDs - is there any new information regarding them causing erosion? NSAIDS or any medication, not necessarily NSAIDS, that can cause irritation of the stomach lining can put you at risk for ulcers forming which might lead to an erosion.

Penni,

Thanks for your explanations, and yes my doctor agrees with the question on NSAIDS. He has done many bands and said they are afaird that the small pouch/lining will get an ulcer and that can cause many many problems with the band.

Corgi

I always knew booze screws up your metabolism, and I also realize that barfing your guts up after a drunken suarez can cause slippage. But can the alcohol itself pickle your stomach and cause erosion?

Thanks for all your answers. I like the comment about asking your doctor to back up with proof. I say this cuz I asked Lopez if fizzy carbonation causes pouch stretching, and he laughed and said "there's no proof." He said carbonated liquids pass right through to the bottom part of the stomach as do any liquids, and the only problem is when the gasses try to come back up, it causes discomfort. This is why I like to hear all the opinions, especially ones from different countries. Thanks all!

Well I dont drink pop but I do drink alcohal (like once a month maybe) and its ALOT (alot alot of hard stuff) but I never puke, sooooooooooooo I assume its ok.

I dont PB or get any funny feeling (but i am not that tight yet either)

But is there something in alcohal (like an ingrediant) thats bad for the band.

we deserve real answers about this.. not treated like babies or morans..