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This! The 100 lb weight loss has much more of an effect than the sleeve surgery. I drank 3 weeks post op, daily for a week. I found I had no taste for it, and therefore drank slowly and didn't finish my drinks. I never even felt buzzed. But I have a high tolerance, and I'm sure my weight is a big part of that. What it did do is sabotage my wight loss for that week. With the alcohol I averaged 700 cals, but managed to gain 2 lbs that week. So the weight gain has made me swear off drinking until I get near my goal!

No real issues for me. I believe 90% of alcohol is metabolized in the intestine, not the stomach. I think you will find you will not physically be able to drink as much, which limits how easily you can get drunk. I have had beer, wine, mixed drinks and shots all with no issues or perceivable difference (although with an 'empty' stomach I do think I feel the effects a bit sooner). Enjoy.

I waited 5 months to have a drink and when i did I had vodka! I drank shots and followed it with crystal light I may have gone over board a tad.... but it was my birthday I had fun HOWEVER... the next three days I felt hung over and I felt guilty for drinking because all I could think about was carbs carbs sugar and hurting my liver and my spouse said I was trying to shove food in my mouth... I never want to be fat again so I decided alcohol is not for me I use to drink a lot in college and I am just worried about waking up that LiL monster and ruining all that I have worked hard for!

I’ve been alcohol free for a year now. I’m planning on meeting up with some friends after work tomorrow and I plan on having a drink. I’ve read other posts about drinking after surgery but don’t remember seeing where anyone said how fast or hard the alcohol will hit you. I don’t plan on driving at all but I also don’t want to look like a blathering idiot after half a glass of wine. Any info someone can pass on from their experiences I would greatly appreciate. [emoji16]

So sorry you feel like that and a little puzzled. I've read a lot of vets stories too and am working on adding high protein stuff and factoring in treats. I watch the scales carefully, had baked fish n veg for supper and am very aware of my food issues. Also aware that they are beginning to make themselves felt again and sharing because it helps and it's all very new. Flaunting and kerosene... As a recovering alcoholic those are hard things to hear... Maybe I'm floating in that African river again. I'm going to email my dietician again who disappeared at around two months post op - I've only had one meeting with her so I'm not sure what I should be doing. I work with someone who's two years post sleeve. She drinks wine, doesn't get her protein in and regularly eats cake but is doing ok. I worry watching her so I know what you're getting at. I've got the flu just now. Feeling v emotional and struggling to hear the critism. I'm doing my best. It's been a long hard journey, there's other life stuff happening and I'm looking to do this the best I can. And not sure what's so terrible at looking for high protein low carb stuff I can eat safely in small portions... My sundae thing had 150 cals and 6.5g protein. Sugars may be a bit high but it seems to me it was an effort at combining nutrition and taste... So I'm hearing your response and some anger there and feel a little hurt. This forum had felt like a safe place and now I'm feeling that I ought not share my experience. Would be pleased to hear advice from others at a similar place to me... Dec 16 bypass, 230 hw 210 SW 118 CW. 5'4". We're all here because we want to win it and nothings scares me more than regain.

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Web MD isn't a Dr and if you're using it for something other than what it's intended for, that's addict behavior. Most of us didn't get here by not being an addict of some kind. Nowhere does it say it's used for trouble sleeping. It says it helps by you falling asleep. Your brain is transmitted wrong signals. It's not healthy to take medication for something is not intended for. Any drug and alcohol counselor will tell recovering addicts and alcoholics to stay away from it. Not being able to sleep isn't an allergic reaction. The melatonin in your body has been changed somehow, more than likely from a big change such as surgery. Sent from my Z983 using BariatricPal mobile app

I get ya. Addiction has many faces. I probably have lots of addictions. I think if I squinted real hard, I could become an alcoholic. But thankfully God stopped me up short of that one. LOL, I would like to become addicted to yoga or something...like, um, eating sprouted microgreens perhaps? Yeah. Sigh, sometimes it gets old. Sometimes we slip. Sometimes there's a bus. But I do think that for me at least, when I'm my most defensive is when the subject is the MOST IMPORTANT for me. And warning bells go off in my head that hey, here's a very painful opportunity to change my thoughts/behaviors/feelings/emotions. I'm a big believer in "I think therefore I feel."

Oh and as a recovering alcoholic for 90% of my adult life 28/ 32 years. One four year relapse six years ago, I know all bout the denial and justification. And in I’m ready to hear people say listen to yourself. I just much prefer when the do it with some kindness as you have done. Enough people in life who’ll tell me what a hames I’ve made of it and how defective I am as a human being. It’s never made me anything but angry and more self self destructive.. and tough love generally requires a preexisting relationship and trust. But anyway, thank you, you’ve got me thinking about it in a positive way [emoji41]

In my case, just a select few. Such surgery here (in Australia) is still widely regarded as some form of cheating ... AND I can well do without the 5h1t of pointless debates/arguments with opinionated ignoramuses who have not lived my last quarter of a century of yo-yo dieting and weight-loss fails. My wife knows. My siblings know. My daughter and son-in-law know. In fact, my son-in-law is my inspiration and catalyst for gastric sleeving. He was done in 2015 ... a man of 185cm (6feet, 2inches) who "fell" from 208kg to 99kg after his own gastric-sleeve. (460 pounds to 219 pounds). Yes ... I have had the opportunity to eat better SMALLER quantities and make purposeful progress. I was in a union job that required a lot of "socialising" ... I averaged about 35 alcoholic drinks per week in summer and about 26-28 per week in winter for 18 years. I now confine myself to one beer and three wines per week. Even today, I went for my usual St Patrick's day lunch and ordered a half-pint of Guinness (as opposed to nearly thirty years of one or two pints with lunch). I made it just past half-way down my half-pint before I just put the glass down and walked away ... I had no room after my grilled fish piece and salad to fit any more Guinness.

That's my thoughts too. My unhealthy relationship with food. I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict and apparently I suck at moderation. It's all our nothing. I have a huge network of support and the closer I get to my day, the more excited I am. We got this!! Sent from my Z983 using BariatricPal mobile app

I eat out once a week. I will usually order the soup. I Especially like potato soups and will bring some real bacon bits to add in extra protein. You can also order off the side menu or order eggs. I always check out the menu online before I go to see if there is something I can eat. Eating out 3 times a week is likely why you need the surgery. Restaurant food is fattening. I would try to cut back on eating out and instead find something else to do that you enjoy with your wife. Live music (careful not to replace food with alcohol though), people watching. walks downtown or in a nice park, golfing, etc.

Hi, I have recently asked my doctor about weight loss surgery after having struggled with my weight for around 10 years. I have tried seeing several dieticians, Weight Watchers, calorie counting, medication etc and nothing seems to have really worked (I either lose only a couple of pounds or I lose quite a bit in a short space of time and then gain that back and more). According to the specialist I see in London, my non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, borderline glucose intolerance and insulin resistance makes it harder for me to lose weight, it isn't an excuse but it means I have to work twice as hard to burn off whatever I eat. However, my liver would get better if I lost weight, so weight loss surgery seems like the only option now. I have a BMI of 43 and, from what I have told my doctor, she agrees and will refer me once she has checked over my notes (she has only become my GP recently). However, I am worried I won't be approved. As I'm in the UK, my only real choice is the NHS, and they say a BMI of 35 with comorbidities or just a BMI of 40 means you fit the criteria. Unfortunately, the NHS has been getting stricter recently due to lack of funding and I have heard many horror stories about it, so I'm really worried I won't be approved. I am also young, I will be 21 in August, and I just get a feeling that people will think I'm not old enough to make this decision. Does liver disease count as a comorbidity? Has anyone else had any experience with the NHS?

My program requires 60-90 grams of protein per day. 64 ounces of water (or non caloric liquid). It can be very difficult to get your liquid in, so keep in mind that you can always add some type of flavor to make it easier to drink. It is common for WLS patients to develop nausea to plain water after surgery. I recommend crystal light, caffeine free tea, Stur drops, or even fruit infused water. Stay away from the following foods: white breads, pasta, fried food, caloric beverages, carbonation, alcohol (for min. 6 months), and foods with processed and refined sugar. Getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise 5-7 days per week. Vitamins- I attached a guide that lists what the ASMBS recommends for a daily intake. I achieve this by taking a bariatric vitamin and I also supplement extra Vitamin D/Calcium and biotin. Also, my program is BIG about only eating 3 meals a day, with 1 snack if needed. So it is important to eat your protein first, then your non-starchy vegetable, and if you have room... a fruit OR starch can be incorporated 1 time daily. I eat approximately a 1/2 cup per meal, sometimes a up to a cup if it is soup. BariLifeVitaminGuidesm.pdf

I don’t get out much but I still enjoy the company of the people and the tastes of the few bites I eat. I understand from the restaurant’s Point of view that they need to charge what they charge, and a good restaurant doesn’t make $ on their food but the alcohol, which I don’t drink, so I owe them. Plus, we went to a wonderful expensive steakhouse recently and I took my half steak home and had a wonderful meal the next day. at a frequented cheaper place, they will work with you. Tell them (if you aren’t with people who don’t know) about your WLS. I have made buddies with waitresses this way. One Mexican place we go to will just make me a salsa sized dish of beans with melted cheese served with jalapeños, charge me a pittance, and I’m so happy.

Yes, I am eating fewer than about 20g net per day from diet alone--mostly in the low teens. My vitamins which are surgeon approved, gives about 12g of carbs with 10g of those being sugar alcohols/fiber. Celebrate Bariatric Vits.

Happy fourth birthday to my LapBand! It’s changed my life. Am I at my goal weight? No. But I am 107 pounds less than I was before surgery, and absolutely everything has changed. My blood pressure is under control. My knees don’t hurt as much. I’m off of all NSAIDs and painkillers. No more s leep apnea. Cholesterol normal. Blood sugar normal. I can walk for miles. I can take the stairs. I can wear normal shoes. My closet has a much narrower range of sizes, and I wear nearly everything in it. I own a pretty bathing suit and I swim in public. When I stopped overeating I began to feel my previously numbed feelings. I divorced my emotionally abusive husband. I put down all alcohol and p ills. I had 2-1/2 years of therapy. I joined self help groups, and still go. I bought a new house and started over. Last summer I got brave and started online dating. (Meeting a new fella tonight.) Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. Does the LapBand fix my brain? Heck no. This is still hard work and it always will be. But it does help me physically. I’m not hungry all the time. With that hunger gone, I can more effectively work on the mental and emotional issues that drive me to f ood. To all newbies, I just want to say I’m a happy bander. Good luck to all of you.

Day 21 - Week 3 Post Op - 212lbs (-10.4lbs from SW of 222.4lbs) Good morning. So today is one of the milestones: Week 3 Post Op. Just wanted to make a couple of key observations and I will probably post my food log for a tiny bit. It appears that the 3 week "stall" is alive and well perhaps? For the last 2 days, there really has been little scale love. It's been bouncing around between the same half pound--up and down. Yesterday I was up to 212.2lbs and today I'm back down to 212lbs. LOL. I realize that can be simple scale fluctuation. No scale is that accurate--even Tanita. I do have a slight feeling that all the sugar alcohols from my vitamins along with the 60cals/day that they provide is crazy making. And they may also contribute to the scale stuff. But I'm just gonna document and wait it out. It's not as if I have much option. LOL. I see the surgeon next week, and then see the RD right behind that appt. So I will def ask. The other thing that bothers me is the lack of consensus about volume. I continue to fear that eating too much volume, too early will stretch out my anastamoses. Fact or crap? No idea. But from 5 different references, each gives a different volume amount for 3 weeks. My RD (verbally at 3 weeks): 1/4c working up to 1/2c food + binder with diet--1-2oz protein, 1/4c soft veg or soft fruit, 1/4c starch; 3 meals per day; 2-3 snacks optional--1/4c-1/2c food depending on slider nature--1oz prot + soft fruit **This equals: 1/4-1/2c protein + 1/4c veg + 1/4c starch or fruit = 3/4-1c of food! . My Hospital RD (written diet) still alternates protein supplements with 6oz yogurt with a meal. Meal consists of 1oz protein + 1/4c soft veg on an alternating schedule. **This equals: 1/4 protein + 1/4c veg = 1/2c of food! . My Surgeon (verbally at beginning at 2 weeks) may advance to soft, fork tender foods stage, eating to tolerance 1-2oz protein + a couple bites of veg + a bite or 2 of soft fruits or starch. **So that's about 1/2c of food at 3 meals. (Plus I can have a snack.) . Obesity Coverage Website (thanks @Apple203)-Soft mechanical diet that actually per them begins week 4-5: (click to enlarge it) **This fluctuates between 1/4-1c of food per meal. . Big Ward: The doctor made a comment on I think Episode 7 that said up until about 3 months, you will be eating 1/4c of food at a time. . Dilemma: I don't really feel any restriction at 1/4cup. I can gulp (about 2-4 gulps before feeling a little discomfort and stimulation to slow down liquids). I can easily eat 1 large egg in less than 5 minutes! I do feel about 3 hours of satiety from 1/2-1c of food. But I'm only 3 weeks out!!!! I can eat this meal easily in 20 minutes: 2oz pan sauteed chicken tender=1/2 cup of food! 1oz brown gravy=1/8cup of food 1/4c smashed roasted cauliflower=1/4cup of food 1/2oz green beans=1/8cup of food This totals nearly 1 cup of food by volume!!!! . I can eat this meal easily in 15 minutes: 3oz Greek yogurt 3oz 2% cottage cheese 4g peanut butter slim powder 1/8c applesauce or 30g lite canned peaches . I just don't know if I need to MAKE myself limit to 1oz=1/4c of protein as per the example in Obesity Coverage image. Or do I go ahead and advance THIS SOON to 2oz per meal? I limited food to 1oz protein per meal yesterday and felt hungry all day. My meals only lasted me about an hour or two. Is it too early for me to feel satiety? Or do I have one of those cases where the surgery didn't help my hunger level? Do I have one of those stomachs that can handle eating more? I'm so scared of this! Yes, I'm having the crazies this morning. LOL. I just flat out don't know what to do. And it looks like the 3 weeks stall is here.

My surgeon has a very strong aversion to drinking alcohol. He spoke at one of our support group meetings about how it has been proven that weight loss surgery patients have a significantly increased risk of developing other addictions. If you've "medicated" yourself with food and can no longer do that, it's natural for some people to look for new "medication", be it alcohol, drugs, shopping, etc. It has kind of made me hyper-aware. You are so incredibly strong to share your story and it's inspirational that you chose to do this in an effort to help other people who may be facing the same struggle. THIS is what a support group page should be. Thank you and very best wishes for full recovery!

I tried alcohol for the first time since surgery last week. One normal-sized vodka and lemonade, mostly vodka, and it got me FUCKED. UP. Saturday night I had some wine with dinner and that went much better. I am tolerating most things. Yesterday I had sausage, egg, and cheese on a garlic bagel and that came right up. I though that would be better than cream cheese on a bagel; guess not!

Hi December Kids! I started this journey at 268, sleeved at 255 and am now 226. My loss has been very slow but steady as I approach the 3 month mark. I am feeling meh about it. I had one of those iron stomachs that tolerated anything and other than the amount of food I can ingest, I have had no issues with anything... Not sure if that is a good thing? The only thing I have to look out for is the amount of food bc I do feel it if I eat too much. I try to do 3-5 small meals a day ... protein protein protein. I’ve given up most carbs but every now and then I “indulge” when it can’t be helped. My work keeps me traveling so I eat out a lot. I had my first alcoholic beverage two weeks ago... ate dinner prior to the drink and sipped slowly. I had two more drinks on different days in the following week. I ate a few bites of desert and a nibble of chocolate. I also get scared that I’m eating too normal as aimee jones said. I eat protein first and sometimes am still not full. So 30 mins later I try to fill up a on water. Eventually we are supposed to be able to eat more than a few ounces though I didn’t expect to be able to so soon and that worries me. I actually don’t have an end goal weight so I’m just going one day at a time. Sorry.. no point to this post ... just talking. Would love to continue chatting up December kids though!

Another thing I've found is that I really and truly have to separate drinking wine from eating. It can be a little uncomfortable to drink liquid too close to eating a meal. But if that liquid is alcohol, holy toledo that hurts.

It's really helped me posting here and thank you for your words xxx An update is that I have detoxed for nearly three weeks now (at home) and other than the shakes and a little anxiety I have daily, I am feeling good. They messed up my appointment at the drug and alcohol detox place because they changed the initial appointment and forgot to tell me or my GP that it had changed, so I won't be seeing them until next Monday. Every day has had its struggles but I am getting there. Kate It made me laugh when I looked at my old profile pic. I am holding a massive birthday cake and a glass of champagne, neither of which I had!! I ate the blueberries off the top of the cake and the family ate and drank the rest. lol.

I'm ten days post op and feel hungry. I see food on billboards in commercials and just about everywhere. I'm still in my liquid diet phase but if I'm having this much trouble already, how am I gonna be successful. The food industry has perfected that subliminal advertising that calls to me and instantly makes me want food. What they do should be illigal when obesity related illnesses kills more people annually than drugs, alcohol, and smoking combined. Hoping it gets easier.. Sent from my XT1710-02 using BariatricPal mobile app

Somewhere along the timeline of our lives we discovered that food elicits a certain amount of pleasurable feeling and, in some theories, the pleasurable feeling is made more intense as it counters the pain of daily life. At least this has been true for me and I've discovered this through therapy. Food to some of us can be like alcohol to an alcoholic. Consider yourself lucky to begin to break free from this cycle but please remain aware that the propensity to turn to food as a solace may still be there but just in a dormant state. The outcome of your surgery is an absolute blessing and it bodes well for long term success. Create a new voice inside your head to remind you that food is only for living not for medicine. :-D