a_new_me_43

Personally I find that I regain weight after stopping weight loss drugs (tried redux, alli, and phentermine in the past). I did take phentermine prior to my surgery though. I only did so because it was offered to me by my PCP and it was before WLS. I wouldn't have taken it if I wasn't going to have the surgery though. --Tina. :-)

I agree that not all carbs are evil. I think it all depends on the person too. I am sensitive to carbs (unless they are veggies) and tend to not lose weight or I will gain weight if I eat them. I was successful on a low carb diet prior to surgery but it was very hard to stick to. Once I started eating my "bad" carbs again I couldn't stop. My preop diet was low carb, low fat, and low calorie though. --Tina :-)

If you can, find a doctor who will agree that you can't work and help you get on Disability. I have Bipolar disorder and PTSD. I can't work because of these disorders and am on SSDI. Good luck!

<p class='citation'>crazyweight, on August 5, 2014 - 4:26 PM, said:</p><div class='blockquote'><div class='quote'><p>&lt;p&gt;I just want to say that some of you are REALLY judgemental. Everyone has a different journey, everyone has different experiences.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;<br> &lt;p&gt;Here is what happened to me: I did surgery at a private hospital in Israel. All my instructions were given out in google-translated English and we did not need 6 months prior counseling, nor did we need a liquid diet, nor did I need to meet with a psychiatrist. I had exactly one meeting with a NUT who barely spoke English. None of these were really a downfall however, and thankfully I have managed to lose a significant amount of weight.&lt;/p&gt;<br> &lt;p&gt;What I did struggle with, however, was that about 4-5 days after coming home (I have three kids) everyone was stuffing their face and having a party. And I ate exactly one tiny pretzel that I chewed into pieces. And you know what? It didn't hurt, it tasted good and I was fine.. What happened next was not OK though- I really was panicked that my sleeve wasn't working, or I had ruined it. I NEEDED support desperately from people who had BTDT, and I made the mistake of posting on here. I got exactly one piece of support and the rest ridiculed/ derided/mocked or basically told me how stupid I was for doing so. Ummmm people f**k up- didn't many of us screw up somewhere to be in need of surgery to begin with? I think this board is great for questions, but you know what? Sometimes people make mistakes. And need support for those mistakes, not to be ridiculed or made fun of or be called out for being stupid.&lt;/p&gt;<br> &lt;p&gt;Had someone said to me back then- "you know, you shouldn't have eaten it, but you haven't ruined your sleeve- PM me if you need to talk in future" that would have done a lot more for my self-esteem and support through the process than all the people who told me I was dumb and I shouldn't have done surgery to begin with etc.. etc..&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;<br> &lt;p&gt;It is HARD to have little kids who wander round with food and not feel inclined to touch any of it despite having basically been on a fast for at least a week prior. It is HARD to make dinner and smell something yummy and not touch it. Yes, you should realise all thise before you do surgery, but realising something and living it are two very different things. And, quite frankly, if you cannot be in a place to give constructive support to someone who is likely going through a really low point in their lives, look away and move on. Don't mock or deride- keep it in your head or write it on a private chat or FB status. Those of us who feel like we failed at some point need help, not more mocking thrown their way.&lt;/p&gt;<br> &lt;p&gt;To be clear- I am in no way advocating someone to stuff their faces right after surgery - or any point ever after surgery (I am one of the very few who suffers/ed from dumping syndrome after the sleeve) or eat stuff they shouldn't. I am just askign that people on this board be gentle and kind to people who have made a mistake. If you want to be supportive- help them get back on the right track in a kind way.&lt;/p&gt;</p></div></div> <br> I know this feeling. It's so hard to live with someone who can eat anything and everything and does. I have tried to get my husband to hide his "treats" but he doesn't. Sometimes I fail to control myself. I'm not perfect, as no one else is. <br><br> In my experience I have found that different clinics have different rules. I am not to have protein shakes, caffeine, or alcohol ever again. I found that I needed protein shakes early on and used them anyway. I saw others use Click (has caffeine) and wondered how? I have even seen some who are allowed to have soda but I was told no more carbonated drinks. Even some who drink coffee, another thing that is off-limits for me. To me, that is technically "cheating" but that is just for me. Not saying I haven't had any of these things in the past just that it's considered cheating by my nutritionist. I was also told that eating processed foods would be better than eating out at a restaurant. I don't agree with that (most processed foods are high in sodium) and make healthy choices if I do go out. I do need to limit my carbs. I have found that there are foods low in sugar but high in carbs. Oh, my sugar and fat shouldn't be over 10 grams per serving either. I can tolerate around 13 grams of each before dumping. Yes. About 18 months out and I still dump. I was one of the "lucky" ones to get dumping syndrome after having the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I was told on various other forums that it was impossible to dump after the sleeve. I was warned prior though by my surgical team. Basically their VSG patients are to follow the same plan as RNY patients and are told they can pretty much have the same issues. <br><br> Anyway, thought I would chime in. I am not trying to down anyone for their choices or mistakes. Basically I think some people, like me, ask some things because of the different rules. I do drink an occasional iced coffee, alcoholic beverage, soda, and have even eaten pizza, before. *gasp* Before surgery I could eat a whole large pizza...now only two small slices at the most. <br><br> Whatever works for you, is what I say (in moderation and if you're not gaining, that is).<br><br> -- Tina. :-)