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I wish all of you the best in seeking help. Go to AA. The addictive gene that is in our family skipped me, but not my brother and it led to an early death. I was also married to an alcoholic for 18 years and could not take it and divorced him 23 yrs ago - he and his wife are now vicodin addicts and look like walking death. Please get help, don't wait.

My doc recommends at least 3 months, the fact is if you don't want to tell people, you can hold anything in your hand and not drink it. So if they do a toast raise a glass Cheers them on and don't drink it. The other standbys are you have been feeling a bit under the weather or that you are on meds you cannot mix with alcohol. For me, my family and friends all know but that doesn't mean I want to announce it on a billboard. I would probably just stick to water, mostly cause I think water downed Gatorade would really seem odd ha ha!! Have a great night!

<div> <div>This is the general guideline I was given by my NUT.</div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Phase I Clear Liquids</strong> (Weeks 1 and 2)</div> <div>IsoPure</div> <div>Broth</div> <div>SF popsicles</div> <div>water, decaf tea</div> <div> </div> <div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; border-collapse: separate; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><b><font color="#8600a4">Phase II Full Liquids</font></b><span> </span>(Week 3 -- 500-600 calories)</span></div> <div>runny Protein shakes<br /> Low-fat soups (strained / pureed)<br /> runny cream of wheat<br /> Non-fat milk<br /> Sugar free/fat free ice cream</div> <div> </div> <div><font color="#328712"><b>Phase III Puree</b></font><span> </span>(Week 4 and possibly 5 -- 600 - 700 calories)</div> <div>Baby food<br /> sugar free/fat free pudding<br /> pureed cooked meats with broth<br /> pureed cooked beans<br /> low fat cottage cheese<br /> nonfat yogurt<br /> low fat mashed potatoes *<br /> pureed cooked veggies *<br /> unsweetened pureed fruit *</div> <div>* add protein powder</div> <div> </div> <div><font color="#fa7a00"><b>Phase IV Soft foods </b></font>things that can be mashed with a fork<span> </span> (Week 5, possibly 6 -- (700-800 calories)</div> <div>scrambled eggs<br /> steamed or poached fish<br /> low fat cheese / string cheese<br /> skinless chopped or ground meat<br /> soft canned fruit<br /> well cooked veggies</div> <div> </div> <div><font color="#3665ee"><b>Phase V Regular Diet</b></font><span> </span>(Begin week 6, 7 or when ready -- 800-900 calories)</div> 3 meals, 1-2 Snacks or 5 small meals the first few months<br /> each meal 4-6 oz (always start meal with eating protein)<br /> High Protein, Low Fat, Low Carb and avoiding simple carbs (concentrated sugar), alcohol<br /> Add one new food and record intolerance</div> <p> </p>

Okay…..so I am officially 3 weeks post op today, May 20, 2008 and am seriously ready to eat a cow . I have been this way since last week and the doc, oh I love him but hell, told me that as long as I am losing weight he is not too concerned about anything. My issues, I am not eating the 4oz that is suggested, but more like 10-12oz, and he said that is fine because I am losing weight so long as I am not eating crap. :sleep: I must confess, I did have 3 Cookies last week although totally drowned in milk, I did eat them and I told him this:thumbdown:. He asked if that was it and I honestly told him yes. I had not even eaten the recommended oatmeal, mushy Cereal, in fact no breads, rice, Pasta, etc. Right now, I want to dive my big ol but into a plate of nothing by carbohydrates or a greasy cheeseburger with some chips and queso, but I have refrained. :eek: Quitting sugar and, well hell the “good foods” (aka: fattening foods) the way I did was like telling a drug addict, alcoholic or smoker to stop cold turkey. I was told my insurance approved me on April 18 and I needed to start my liquid diets because they were scheduling my surgery for April 25, which ended up getting pushed back to April 29, 2008. Now, I am not ungrateful because I appreciate the opportunity to have this surgery, I am sure as much as any of you, but someone please tell me what I can have because right now I want to cave in and eat something that I know I do not need, should not eat and is totally against what this procedure is for. BTW……I have eaten the sugar free jellos and puddings, the sugar free popsicles and the yogurts, but I think it is the bread my body is craving as I have had ZERO of that (except those three cookies). I feel tired, worn out, not really wanting to do anything, which I am thinking is the lack of carbs as my intake is very minimal right now. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!!!!

I think most people swap one addiction for another, wether it be healthy like gym, drawing, tap dancing or bad like sex, drugs and alcohol. I'm getting addicted to life and my relationships are changing around me. Other people might think that i'm changing for the worse but i'm getting a back bone and not putting up with other people walking all over me. Hope this helps.

Thank you all so much got on scales today and again havent lost so just busted out on the running machine vibro plate and weights !!! i am determined for it to come of !!! your right i prob need more Protein but not sure how to get it at the min im on puree stage up until weds i lost a stone pre op and a stone and a half (21lb) since the 25th january ... i feel really down with stepping on the scales and not losing weight i guess i shouldnt weigh every day like im doing at the min ?? do you guys weigh once a week or step on the scaled quite frequently ?? I think when your told that you will lose between 5-8 lb a week there is a great expectation from people i dont live with my mum but she is on my back and thinks im doing some thing wrong ??? must admit i do find it hard when my partner is eating all the food i used to love in the house but thats the price i pay i guess - also i ahve had a few glasses of wine with friends on 2 occasions and im sure this is contributing to the lack of weight loss (lesson learnt need to cut out alcohol for a while) You are all doing so great so a big well done from me and thanks so much for the response !! it is very much appreciated xxxx

an elevated level of ketone in the blood. Ketone is formed by ketogenesis when the liver glycogen stores are depleted and a process called lipolysis starts. Non medical terms = your body begins to use fat for energy and ketones are formed. Look up ketosis in google for some great in depth article. One way your body gets rid of ketones is through your lungs. It's like the alcohol smell, you can't get rid of it you just have to cover it up. Anyone who is loosing wt is making some and one way to test for them is the urin strips discussed above. Don't be worried its a good sign. It will go away when your wt stabilizes. My wife does not like the smell so I end up chewing a lot of gum.

You looked great!!!! That looks sooo fun! How did the alcohol do on your tummy???? I'm frightened of it, but I would love to have a drink again soon lol.

Hello Everyone. I have been researching the LapBand for well over a year now and I am finally going through the process. All I am waiting on now is my Psych Eval and Im good to go! Now my problem is............... My mother has heard that alot of women/men have gone to become real bad sex/drug/alcohol addicts after the surgery, because they are so used to having food as their comfort and no longer have that, so they rely on other unhealthy things to comfort them and now she is afraid that may happen to me. So she is now trying to talk me out of havin the surgery. :) Have you or someone you know experienced this?? I can understand her point too, but I truly don't think that would happen to me. Thanks in advance for all of your comments.

I agree it is a personal decision. A coworker had her surgery last August and just told everyone she was on a protein diet under her doctors care. There was a lot of rumors. When she found out I was going through the program she talked with me. She said she hadn't wanted to hear the negative comments and also what if it didn't work for her? Well it certainly did and she's now lost over 100#. She is a great source of information for me. She is now telling people that ask how she lost the weight. I am a very open person but I did only tell family and close friends I was in the program. My boss new and was very supportive. I work in the healthcare field so you'd think it would be more acceptable but I find the green eyed monster can rear its ugly head in some coworkers. I opted to let my office staff know when my surgery date was scheduled and was surprised how many people supported my decision and said if anyone deserved it I did as they had seen me struggle and they have seen me continue to exercise and eat healthy. Of course there was the green eyed monster staff member that was oh poor me I wish it was me ..don't get crazy about it blah blah blah. I told her she could have it done also buy no alcohol for awhile which shut her right up lol. I have decided that I am only going to welcome positive people into my circle and if they are negative about the surgery I am going to let them know I will not tolerate that and to please not discuss it with me. I was also surprised how many people asked for information and one person has already signed up for the program! The more the better !

:help: I KNOW! Ya'll are probably tired of reading my downer posts.....but I feel so weird lately. I feel like something is missing, and it hurts inside. I guess I miss my ex-boyfriend since its almost Prom season, Idunno......... I know its silly teenager stuff, but Ive been so emotional lately, like actually caring and its hurting me so deep inside because its like finding the right puzzle pieces in a million piece puzzle to complete me, and I just cant find it. I dont mind being single really, maybe I just mind being alone a lot. Not having a guy to call, maybe its knowing that I see the whore that he ran with almost every day and it makes me want to throw up when I look at her ugly face. Maybe its seeing his pic splattered on MySpace with another girl who is MUCH thinner than me, maybe its reading the horrible comments the whore put all over the web.................I dont know, it hurts so bad, I should lose 10lbs of Water weight the way Ive been crying. I DONT WANT HIM BACK! But just thinking of the memories weve had breaks my heart again and to recap the lies he told me makes me want to tear him to shreds! I CANT WAIT TILL IM SKINNY! Im going to flaunt around his job in a freaking mini-skirt and tube top and maybe a new guy with me, but until then I avoid him like the plague, like some rare deadly disease! I dont want him to move on! I WANT HIM TO FEEL PAIN LIKE I GO THROUGH! I WANT TO SEE HIM SUFFER BUT CANT STAND TO LOOK AT HIM! I Guess my emptiness is my own distrust in people now, maybe its my hormones (most likely), maybe Im just crazy, but I want to be happy, truly happy. I dont know what TRUE HAPPINESS is because I thought I was happy for so many years with him! AND now its all over, I havent spoken or seen him in like 2 months! I wish I could, I wish it could be cool, but it cant, hell throw his relationships with other girls in my face just like he always had done.............I FEEL CONFUSED AND EMPTY! I feel alone. Its hard to be single after six years. All the lies keep floating above my head, I need to do something but I dont know what! I want to go write on his car! I want to egg his house! BUT! That is immature, and Im trying to remain cooooooooool and calm throughout every aspect of this. I have conducted myself well around him and the whore (I call her that because of her extensive sexual history with guys, she hasnt slept with my ex!) I dont get what Im feeling! I want it to go away! I want to wake up tomorrow and be a size 5!! I want to look like a Goddess in a bikini and I want to have a FINE MAN! I want my life to be so perfect (although I know its unachievable) and I want him working at McDonalds trying to feed his addiction to drugs and alcohol (I just want him to suffer)! I want him to have to pay child support to like 4 kids and never have a dime to spend expensively! I want him to be FAT! YES YES! THAT IS THE ULTIMATE PUNISHMENT! I WANT HIM TO BE FAT SO HE CAN FEEL MY PAIN! Im sorry the thread is so long,,,,,,,I just have a lot on my mind...................................Thanks for listening...................

Sunday, July 19, 2009 Relatives--Help or Hindrance My husband threw out all his night-time treats. Just because he loves me. Pretty cool. I let him know I was struggling with the treats he kept in the house and frequently ate in the evenings while we watched TV and played on our computers. In fact, I was just thinking about the ice cream in the freezer and, oops!, remembered Ken threw it out. Thank God. Thank you, Ken. This disease is not fair to him. It's not fair that his choices impact me way beyond what they should. He can eat ice cream and then let it sit untouched for weeks. He had a taste for yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting and decided to make them himself, ate a couple, and let the rest sit. For him, no big deal. For me, unbearable temptation. I know they're there. Knowing makes them pop into my mind over and over. I have to reject eating them over and over and over. Taking care of myself by being honest with my husband was important for me to do. It's part of working on being less people-pleasing when its to my detriment. It is entirely to his credit that he chose to get rid of the snacks and not to eat snacks at night in front of me. He wants to be with me. It was his main reason for giving up smoking when he married me. He couldn't smoke around me and he wanted to be with me. He'll probably still keep some treats hidden and eat them when I'm not around. That's fine. Out of sight, out of mind. If I don't know its there it won't be on my mind, either. Chances are Ken'll lose some weight, too, which wouldn't be a bad thing. Night-time has always been my most difficult time. Food has always helped me wind down. Some people drink alcohol. I eat food--it puts me into a kind of carbohydrate coma. Those carbs generally come with fat attached. Perfect recipe for slowly but surely putting on the weight. So many factors in eating disorders. It's such a complex disease. Relatives can help or they can hinder. Ideally, we shouldn't need the cooperation of our relatives. We're asking them to be codependent. But we also need to take care of ourselves. There are people who would deliberately sabotage those they profess to love. There are those relatives with the same addiction who have a vested interest in keeping you the same and not letting you change. There are those who don't know addiction at all and urge you to eat--they made it special just for you, it doesn't hurt to have a little once in a while, etc. There are also those who would never humble themselves and give up their right to eat what they want when they want it and might actually insist that buy those things yourself and keep them in the house for them. With these people you need to have heavy-duty boundaries and perhaps actually keep them at a safe distance or even totally out of your life. I'm blessed that my husband is supportive. I'm blessed that he reads my blog because he wants to know me better and understand what I'm going through. He's a little angry at having to change his lifestyle to accommodate my disease and he's entitled to be. But we talk about it. We're no longer ignoring the elephant (my eating disorder not me) in the room. I may get to the point where he can go back to eating snacks in front of me and keeping my favorites in the house, but not right now. Not with the reduced restriction I'm experiencing while waiting for my first fill. Once again, weight loss surgery is a tool, not a solution. If I don't take care of myself in my relationships, it won't be as helpful.

At first, i thought the same thing, I didn't want anyone to know. I felt so ashamed that I couldn't do this on my own. But eventually I worked thru it. I am quite surprised at how many are not saying anything? I can understand, but for me I have lived my entire life with shame and failure of diets and at first this was no different. My negative self talk included "i can't believe I couldnt do this on my own!" But I finally processed it and am now at a point as a food addict, that I refuse to allow food rule my life anymore. I refuse to allow myself to feel ashamed because I am doing something that has a prognosis of making my life better. Before becoming a truck driver and currently a Dispatcher, I came from the Medical field. Which has a different outlook on health, medication and surgeries. So that could be the reason I see this as an an opportunity to teach others how to stop themselves before they end up as a class 3 to 4 obese aka super obese person. I want to rub it into my employers face, whom I love and respect, but who specifically excludes weight loss surgery, but feel I need to make a point, that they will pay for rehab for a person who is a drug or alcohol addict, but not for a person who has dealt with an addiction to food even though they will pay for back surgery, the surgeries related to diabetes, the care and treatment for diabetic ulcers, kidney dialysis etc. I will not be ashamed to take advantage of something that has a more proven track record than medication. I didn't have much, but I had just enough in my retirement accounts to self pay for this DS surgery. But I looked at it this way, better to perform this act of self care with it, than to die before I can actually retire. I can't do it on my own. I have to have help. And that is ok. Because at some point in our life we will have to admit we need help, and at 44, I finally admitted it to myself. And I will gladly admit that to whoever is curious enough to ask. Sent from my SM-N930T using the BariatricPal App

Hi Speck, I have mixed feelings about it. I think the lapband is more difficult to lose weight. I've lost 30 lbs since June but compared to some who have lost 30+ lbs it makes me upset. Keep in mind that the doctor only wants 1-2 lbs a week which would put me right on target at 1 lb a week. Some of the time I think gastric bypass may have been better for me. The main reason is because if I'm going to have the band for life why not go all the way. I think the reason I didn't go that was was fear and lack of knowledge. I don't know too much about what you can eat. I heard that you can no longer have alcohol or sugar as it will hurt you. Don't know if that is true. In the long run I'm sure I will be happy with my band but like I said I can't imagine being 70 years old and never have had to replace it, therefore gastric bypass might be better. Good luck in your decision.

wait we cant have liquor until 1 YEAR post op??????? Im about to be 1 month post op and I plan on drinking on my man's bday this week...I really hope I'll be allowed 2 atleast drink a glass of something cuz dats all I want..im not a heavy drinker so im not dieing. I only drink when I go 2 parties and clubs but if I have 2 wait 1 year then partyin is gonna really blow...I gave up alcohol on the 4th of july (first day of pre-op) and that was HARD cuz there was nothing but liquor and fireworks.. I can live without drinkin beer but no liquor for 1 year sucks...guess turnin 21 this year meant nothing :biggrin:

So my BMI is 36/100 pounds over weight. I have no known comorbidities. My labs did come back with borderline high cholestrol and non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Both of which doesn't seem to be a major comorbidity to qualify under my Blue Shield policy. I should be scheduled for a sleepy study in the next few weeks. I have my psyc evaluation on Tuesday and have my upper endoscopy schedule for Sept 13. Secretly hoping for a comorbidity is a weird state of mind to be in. Has anyone else been through similar circumstances?

I'm in the same boat (lol no pun intended). I'm being sleeved hopefully late May, I'm traveling to DR June 19th. Surgeon said I will be fine to travel! I did some research and many people have traveled right after surgery. I think the 2 months will be more than enough to travel. I'm not going to over eat, get plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Maybe a sip of champagne (it's a family wedding lol). But I should be healed enough for the pool and have energy Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Off hand do you know which bars don't have the sugar alcohol in them?

As a generality, the sleeve gastrectomy diet plans are high in protein while low in calories, fats and carbohydrates. • The average calorie allowance for the sleeve gastrectomy ranges from 800 to 1200 calories per day. Foods that will need to be decreased in your diet include high sugar foods, high carbohydrate foods (including bread and pasta), fats (such as butter), fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk products, ice cream, high calorie beverages (including regular soda and alcoholic beverages).

If you were to heat them in the microwave for a few seconds, they would be soft enough to cut with a fork. I wouldn't go for the ones with dark chocolate or brownie flavors.... those bars were much much thicker and chewier. Of the 12 flavors I've tried, the fruit flavors were the softest. In particular, berry Bliss, strawberry Cheesecake, and Apple Pie. But be careful of the sugar alcohols. The Erythritol sugar alcohol used to sweeten SOME of the bars, it's not used in all of them, caused Frankensleeve a bit of stomach upset... but he's 2 years old now and is a bit more tolerant of new foods. I would wait till I was allowed full foods before eating any Protein bars. Or call your Doc or NUT and see what they advise, they are in the best position to advise you. But if you are going to try them, use my tried and true Frankensleeve new foods taste test: Take a small bite... about the size of a teaspoon. Wait 5 minutes Take another teaspoon sized bite Wait 5 minutes If Frankensleeve hadn't grumbled by then, I knew the food was safe for me to eat. If you would care to hear my review of the 12 bars I tried, here is the link to my Youtube Quest Bar playlist http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYoG14FX5FCXliAUJ1C9EZbn_Ls95ZrUr

Only carbonated water is good work is alcohol lol. I'm wasn't a big sofa drinker before surgery. Maybe once a week if at all but I really miss my southern sweet tea!!!!

I stick to high Protein for the most part: eggs, tuna, salmon, Greek yogurt, and some veggies. On a not so good say I might add some rice or Pasta. I also have a drink from time to time. How bad do u think that affects weight loss? Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App I'd say that the "drink from time to time" is as wide ranging in impact to your weight loss as rice and pasta. Rice and pasta have zero value to you now and will certainly keep you from achieving ketosis (if that's a state you hope to get in). drinks, on the other hand, may not keep you out of ketosis for long. Depends on the type of liquor and the macro content of the mixer. I've got out for an evening and had vodka or tequila with a low calorie mixer in a 2-4 drinks......and used ketone strips the very next morning and found that I was still in ketosis and chugging along. You have to find what works for you and you have to establish priorities. For me.....my overall priority is to lose the weight that has been a burden to me. I am doing this to be healthy and enjoy my life. I can go out and have fun without losing sight of those priorities. I've learned that if I have the skinny margaritas or vodka and diet mixer.....then that is done in absence of any type of eating. Since the alcohol is empty calories....then I have to ensure I've chosen carefully earlier in the day and met my protein goals and also made some room in my calorie budget by burning some off in the gym. No longer do I go out....pound down beer and then order something horrible to eat later. My actions have to align with my priorities and have some fun times within reason. You have to find what works for you and figure out what you value. For me....it's to let pasta and rice go. I haven't missed them at all. I found spaghetti squash makes a great substitute. Great advice! Thanks Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

Get Dr. Jason Fung's book, "The Obesity Code." He does a very good job of explaining that insulin is what really makes us fat. Every time you increase your blood sugar with simple carbs, sugar, alcohol, your insulin shoots up to drive the sugar down, and send the calories to fat storage. When your blood sugar crashes, you get hungry and crave more sugar. This yo-yo stuff can go on indefinitely. The only way to break it is to stop the simple carbs and sugar. The fact that you have cravings after you drink alcohol indicates the same thing is happening. It takes about 3 days for the cravings to go away, and just a tiny taste can bring them raving back. The same pleasure receptors in the brain that are activated by sugar, are the same ones that activate for cocaine. Sugar is highly addictive - that's why it is in so much processed food that doesn't even need to taste sweet. An extra bonus: when I gave up wheat and sugar, ALL my joint pain went away! My brother experienced the same thing. These are such inflammatory foods. Once you see how good you can feel without them, and how bad (tired, achy, cravings, depressed) you feel when you eat them, it is much easier to "just say no." "It's just not worth it."

No but I don't really eat off plan often. I'm almost 2 years out also. Honestly my digestive system and body function exactly the same, the only difference is my stomach is small. No changes to tastes, no food allergies, same alcohol tolerance, etc.

For me so far, the hardest part of this journey is not being able to drink. I did a 2 week pre op diet where alcohol was not allowed and am 3 weeks out now. So it's been almost 2 months since I last drank. I never considered myself a big drinker but could always handle a lot ( probably due to my weight). I'm 25 and have a lot of friends who still go to bars on weekends. I am starting to feel I'm losing touch with my social life because I'm not able to do those things yet. How long did everyone wait before trying a drink? Did you get sick? Sent from my SM-G530T using the BariatricPal App