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19 Days Post Op - 211.8lbs (-10.6lbs from SW-222.4lbs) Ok, so I have things to discuss. ROFLMAO. Let's talk Celebrate Vitamins. I chose to go this route because my RD and doc highly recommended them as giving good labs down the road. So that means, they are easily and well absorbed. To me, that's like a life insurance policy geared toward success. I also chose them cuz I got samples from several companies and these had (IMHO), the best tastes overall, and the most choices for types of vitamins (i.e. capsules, chewables, chewy bites, drink mixes, sublingual tablets, etc). So now I want to report on what I got and how I love them/tolerate them. I got 2 different kind of Multi-Vitamins because I was afraid that I would get to hate the drink mix if I had to have it 2 times a day. Here are my 2 multi-vitamins to take care of my daily bariatric needs: Essential 3-in-1 Multi Drink Mix in Citrus Splash and it's the 60 serving tub. So I use 1 scoop a day in water with ice. And what I get for that is: 1/2 of my multi-vitamin needs + 500mg of calcium citrate + about 3g of benefiber stuff. And it tastes like Tang! I'm a Tang kid. I loved the stuff growing up, just as I loved the instant Lipton Lemon Iced Tea. LOL. So I look forward to having my big glass of this stuff, 30 minutes after breakfast or morning snack time. YUM!!! I thoroughly recommend it. I love that I don't have any gross burps or nausea after it and it tastes yum. And I don't have to swallow a bullet sized multi-vitamin. The tub will lat me 60 days cuz I'm having it one time a day. The other multi is a chewable orange tablet that I take with dinner. Chewable Tablet Multi-Vitamin in Citrus. I like this vitamin. I let it kinda dissolve like a huge sweettart. It does have a mild vitaminy taste, kinda like the old chewable vitamins or baby asprins we took as kids. I like it, tolerate it and best of all don't get burps or nausea behind it. If only taking this vitamin, you need 2per day. But I take 1 at the evening meal and the drink mix for the other half of my vitamin. The drawback with this chewable is that it does not contain the 500mg of calcium citrate like the drink mix contains. So that means I require 1000mg of calcium citrate from another source which means more cost. But it gives me the greatest flexibility. . Calcium Citrate Chewy Bites - 1000mg/day (1500mg actual, but I get 500mg from my drink mix multi above--so I only need 2-500mg chewy bites) I love these chewy bites. I have to take 2 that are separated from my any other big vitamin source of calcium or iron by 2 hours. I take 1 at noon and the other right after dinner. Watermelon Chewy Bite - 500mg calcium citrate + D (love to take this in the afternoon) Chocolate Chewy Bite - 500mg calcium citrate + D (love to take this after dinner kinda like a sweet touch finish to the meal) . Thiamine 100mg Capsule. Nothin' amazing to report here other than that it is small and easily swallowed and digested! I take it in the morning since B1 thiamine is an energy vitamin! . Vitamin D3. I don't have to take an extra supplement because between my 2 multis and the calcium citrate chewy bites, I meet my 2000mg D3 requirements each day. Score! And a money saver! . B12 500mg/daily or 1000mg/every other day Sublingual Soft Melts in Wild Cherry. This is so easy to take. I dissolve it under the tongue. It dissolves quickly is faintly wild cherry. And I take it every other day with my Thiamine and Multi Drink Mix. YUM! And pretty cheap! . Iron 18mg (from iron fumerate) + C (for better absorption) Chewable Tablet-Tangerine Flavor (every other day at bedtime cuz I'm post-meno and only need about 10mg/day). This is another big chewable tablet that I let dissolve. It's not bad. Doesn't have an aweful taste and is the best choice so far for flavor and lack of after taste. It doesn't make me sick to my tummy either. Big score! I tried others that sent me praying to hurl! I only take it every other day at night. I separate from any other vitamin or tummy pill by 2-4 hours so that it will absorb. . Notes: And that is it. That's my vitamin regimen. I think the cost over time was about $35/mo? Or something cray like that? Bariatric Pal has these in their store at the same price as direct from Celebrate. I do love the customer service at Celebrate and work with someone there personally. So I do use Celebrate. But they are the same price and I'm sure you could get great service from Alex's crew. I don't know if I will continue doing the chewables and drink mixes over time. What I don't like is that rather than pills or capsules, I have 55-60 calories from VITAMINS!!!! and have about 10-12g of sugar alcohols (I subtract about 8-9 grams of fiber/sugar alcohols as a guestimate). So they could potentially impact your weight loss. I don't like to thing that right now, they represent about 10% of my daily caloric intake! Whoooooooaaaaaa Nelly! But I'm willing to suspend disbelief and continue to take them in the hopes that they will be well-absorbed and will keep my labs beautimous and also because I don't have to swallow huge ass pills right after surgery! OK, so there you go! Vitamin Central. LOL. More later...

Yes, it feels great to be able to go down in sizes! From a size 28 to an 8/10 and 5 pounds to go. But, sadly, for me, I have become somewhat of a shopaholic (online). It is really ridiculous, especially since I am currently really only able to get to doctor's appointments and out for some quick grocery trips on Saturday. I mean, with my now extensive wardrobe, how often am I really going to wear all of these clothes? I really came to grips with my clothes buying problem a few weeks ago. Yes, it is true, food addiction can be replaced with shopping addiction, gambling, alcohol, etc, etc. Along another line, I am really pissed that I bought so many of these tops that billow out and make me look pregnant! Why did I buy them? Those are the style of clothes that I used to buy when I wanted to hide because I was so overweight. Is anyone else tired of all the billowy styles?

@Kate thank you for having the courage to share your story, experience and wisdom with us. Your story touched me in more ways than you will ever know. I pray that the good Lord remove the alcohol taste from your mouth and that you heal properly. We are all here to up lift one another. Take care!!!! Ta

I'm also in recovery (7 years in May) from drugs and alcohol, so that helps keep my serenity where it needs to be. Sent from my Z983 using BariatricPal mobile app

After 6 weeks in my program you are free to eat mostly anything. With the exception of fried foods, sweets (processed sugar), white bread, alcohol, caloric beverages, and pasta. I eat fruit in moderation. My nutritionist said that you can have either a starch or fruit per day. I usually choose fruit. I love fruit.

I'm on soft foods, but honestly I've been eating all types of protein, even steak. I can only eat 1-2 oz at a time, so there is still no way I can get up to 1000 cals, if I'm making healthy choices. I also am choosing not to snack (mostly) and have 3 meals a day, plus a protein shakes, so that restricts the calories I can consume. I totally understand about empty calories. I don't consume alcohol when I'm on my own. But at events like I'm at this week, it would be very conspicuous if I only had a glass of water in my hand. I'm trying to hide the fact I've had this surgery. My calorie consumption from food is so low, honestly a few hundred calories from a cocktail isn't going to hurt. I'm also confident that I can handle an ounce or two of liquor with no consequences. I'm not taking a shot, but sipping on a single cocktail over 4 hrs.

I wasn't able to get higher calories in until I reached my soft food phase. I'm not sure where you are in the food progression. Its actually a lot easier than you think it would be. Solid food=more calories. You will find that it means more restriction too. On liquids and soft foods, I could eat a full cup. Now, solid foods I'm lucky to get a 1/2 cup in. I'm not sure what your program allows, but I'd stay away from cocktails. Actually, I'd stay away from all drinks that include calories. My surgeon warned that caloric liquids is one of the sure fast ways of regaining weight. No surgery can prevent you from drinking your calories. In my program, I can't have alcohol until 6 months out. Honestly, its not safe at 3 weeks. You can significantly slow your recovery.

Well good news is, I've felt much better the last two days, almost normal. I'm out in the real world for an out of state work event this week. I was super anxious about going, I wasn't sure how I would hold up. I'm LOVING my sleeve. These past two days I've had all this amazing food available to me. I'm not hungry, so that has helped making smart choices easier (egg white omelette vs. hash browns at the breakfast buffet). Last night I was at a set dinner, 8 course meal. I had a couple of bites out of about 1/2 of the courses, and I was FULL. I've also apparently lost my taste for alcohol, at least for now. I've let a beer and 2 cocktails go warm and half finished after nursing them. And nothing seems to bother my sleeve. I've had lots of different proteins the last couple of days, and everything has gone fine. I've stayed away from any straight carbs or veggies/salad. Fibrous or raw veggies are the only thing that scare me. The only bad thing is my small portions and lack of alcohol consumption are super obvious to my boss, whom I'm with all week, I've had to invent a story about digestive issues. He's mostly just upset he's lost his drinking buddy.

It's the liver thing is why some docs are real strict on alcohol consumption during the post-op losing phase - the liver doesn't need the added stress (I think that drinking alcohol was the biggest Cardinal sin in our program, above most any other cheat that one could do).

Thanx everyone. Still taking benadryl but the alcohol seems to be working. Sent from my SM-G930P using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi. WLS is a big deal so kudos to you for thinking everything through again before surgery. Food changes after surgery...that’s why we do it...at the same time, as long as your surgeon is ok w it - eating some things here or there like two bites of birthday cake isn’t unheard of. My surgeon said no sweets and no alcohol. How determined are you to stick w it? You will be the best predictor of the outcome. By following your surgeon’s guidelines, you’ll give yourself the very best opportunity for success. Will two bites of cake cause you to want more sweets more often? If it will, are you able to stop yourself from eating more? The same about wine - will you want to drink more alcohol more often? It really becomes a mental game as much as a physical one. If you don’t want to be part of the 30% that regains, you’ll need to eat only what your stomach allows in terms of portion sizes. In general, I think you may eventually be able to eat a little more than two spoonfuls but it will still be a lot less than it once was. I had surgery just over 2 months ago. I was nervous too, especially the night before. Everything went really well for me. I’m super happy I had sleeve surgery. I wish you all the best. [emoji272]

I was told six months. It's supposed to hit you more quickly and stay in your system longer, along with slow down weight loss. Interestingly, the literature shows that having gastric bypass is more likely to increase your risk of being an alcoholic.

My advice is to ask your surgeon. In my case, I abstained from alcohol for the entirety of my six month pre-op diet program and the first three months post-op. I brought it back with the okay from my surgeon (whose only advice was to "try" anything at home before I went public with it). I pretty much only have red wine, and only when I am traveling or having dinner out. And I monitor those calories very carefully. I haven't had one issue from it. I met my goal at 1 year and 4 days post-op, and have been maintaining at 10 pounds below goal for 5 months now. Do keep in mind that I am insanely particular about what I eat, so that factors into the situation. Wine is my one indulgence (if you can call it that)...

To be honest, the mental battle of this journey is a lot more difficult than the physical battle. You have to change your relationship with food to make it positive and healthy. You don't need to worry about what you CAN eat after the surgery (specifically after the diet progression after the surgery), but instead you should worry about what you SHOULD eat after the surgery. I have a horrible carb addiction; therefore, I have minimized them (less than 25g per day) since six months BEFORE my surgery. I am 17 months post-op now, so I haven't had more than 20-25g of carbs on any one day in almost 2 years. Do I love bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugar, etc.? Of course, I do. But I am choosing not to eat those things because weighing 170ish pounds at 6'0", and wearing small shirts and 31 waist pants is more important to me than any food and drink. And notice that I said that I HAVE a carb addiction, not that I HAD a carb addiction. I feel it is the same situation as an alcoholic has with booze. I will never be "cured" of it; I can just manage it. I say all of this to you to encourage you to get your head in the right place before the surgery as you still have a little bit of time. Immediately post-op, your body is trying to heal, and that is a full-time job in itself. If you don't prepare yourself for the mental battle and work on changing your relationship with food, you likely won't be successful long term. Wishing you the best!

Q: Can I drink alcohol after surgery? A: Alcohol is not recommended after bariatric surgery. Alcohol contains calories but minimal nutrition and will work against your weight loss goal. For example, wine contains twice the calories per ounce that regular soda does. The absorption of alcohol changes with gastric bypass and gastric sleeve because an enzyme in the stomach which usually begins to digest alcohol is absent or greatly reduced. Alcohol may also be absorbed more quickly into the body after gastric bypass or gastric sleeve. The absorbed alcohol will be more potent, and studies have demonstrated that obesity surgery patients reach a higher alcohol level and maintain the higher levels for a longer period than others. In some patients, alcohol use can increase and lead to alcohol dependence. For all of these reasons, it is recommended to avoid alcohol after bariatric surgery. (American College of Surgeons, 2011) Think of alcohol as being in the same catagory as soda. It does you no good and it has the potential to cause problems. If you think having soda every so often is ok..... having alcohol every so often is ok, too. It's the same thing. If you wouldn't do one...don't do the other.

Hi there.. Nervous is normal! I was too. I am 4 weeks post today and have lost 25lbs exactly. It's exciting because although I am a "secret sleever" (only my husband knows), people are really starting to notice the weight loss now. My clothes are looser and I am going down in size. That's all the positive stuff. On the downside? It's been hard work. The first 2 weeks postop of just fluids was rough, and to get fluid and protein in was difficult, because you kind of aren't hungry. Don't plan on social eating during this time. Then I went on to puree meals.. I hated this stage. Felt like I was eating baby food all the time. I actually went back to the liquid diet (soups, both and shakes) because it was the lesser of 2 evils. I was still struggling to get enough calories or protein in. Sometimes it would take me an hour to get one shake down. Now I'm on soft food.. Or as my dietician says "anything you can poke a fork through". I thought I would be eating much larger amounts by now. Yes, by two spoonfuls I am done. Had lunch with friends yesterday. Chicken, salad and roast potatoes. I managed one small chicken wing and 2 quarters of a tomato, and I was done. In fact, I felt overdone! Thought I was going to throw it all back up again. I didn't have any alcohol, and haven't had for 6 weeks. The issue for me with alcohol is that it is usually drunk with a meal, and you can't drink within 30 minutes of eating! So I haven't even tried to figure it out yet. If you eat cake or bread, you might find it feels like it's stuck or very heavy. I have tried a bite of each, and that's how it felt to me. So I am not game to try that again. Your nutritionist will probably tell you, that because your stomach can only hold a tiny amount of food, you HAVE to get your protein in first! So meat, then vegetables, then potatoes for example. If you don't get your protein in, then you will break down muscle instead of fat. You will end up feeling weak, looking flabby and your hair is more likely to fall out. Sad but true. Good luck! Sent from my SM-G955F using BariatricPal mobile app

When can I have alcohol? I’m 5 weeks out and scared to ask my dr. I’m by no means an alcoholic just wondering when I could have a small drink?

Not all, many just have artificial sweetener, which doesn't usually cause gas or other digestive issues. Sugar alcohol is usually listed on the nutrition label directly with an amount. For me 1 or 2g is ok, not great and more than that is a nightmare.... I'd rather have norovirus than 10g of sugar alcohol. in the ingredients it is also listed, anything with "itol" at the end is usually sugar alchol xylitol and sorbitol are the most common

Don’t all sugar free products contain sugar alcohol?

I used rubbing alcohol when that happened. Then followed by benedryl HW 242, SW 236- Bypass 12/20/17 GW#1- 199 [emoji736]. GW#2- 175 CW 192 5’6”

Cool compresses. I would say wipe them off with 90% rubbing alcohol if they are not too tender. And the next time you have a wound- even in the Emergency Department- inform them you have a sensitivity to SuperGlue type suturing. I would almost prefer old-fashioned silk or similar stitching to being so miserably sore and itchy.P.S. Have you told your surgeon's office or even your PCP about this? They may have advice I haven't thought of. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Biotene like others have recommended immediately after surgery. Wouldn't know why it wouldn't work for you also. Worse case scenario, rinse out your mouth with non-alcoholic mouthwash. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Coffee and alcohol , well duh on those 2 but my other without fail, coconut oil. I usually can tell if it is in something even if it's not prominently labeled. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Question; can I document an entire six months as it happens? The only way I can tell the journey is as it happens. How I got here; Hi! My name is Johnnie, and I am morbidly obese, and I am also a food addict. 27-years ago, I was a dope smokin, cigarette puffin. soon to be alcoholic. This is when god sent me one of his purist angels, we will call her Elizabeth. This angel accepted me for who I was, but loved me for who I am. When my destructive lifestyle began to corrupt her, she gave me an ultimatum; lose the pot, or lose me... I cannot have both. 27-years ago I quit the destructive habit of smoking dope. Elizabeth and I were also married. Retaining the other two bad habits of smoking and drinking, I had also started to pack on the pounds. My married weight some 27-years ago fluctuated between 195 to 200 lbs. Over thsee years I tried the Atkins diet, which worked initially, but not before the steadily gaining back the weight. Fast forward to 2002, my weight blew up to 260 pounds. This was also the time my doctor started me on my first of many high blood pressure meds. At this time I also wanted to quit smoking, so my doctor prescribed Welbutrin, and within a month I became a non smoker. This about the time that my drinking got worse, and my weight started to soar again. A brief try at Atkins again proved futile, as my metabolism was not as young as it used to be. At 300 +/- pounds in 2008, I quit drinking and started dieting again; this time it was the 1600 calorie diet with a daily dose of Phentermine. I managed a measly 50lb loss, before reversing direction. I tried Phentermine a couple more times, and even tossed in the 1200 calorie diet. Nevertheless, my weight was now getting out of hand. I have been plagued with plantar faciitus, sore knees, accompanied by a (un-)healthy dose of low self esteem, it became clear, I need help. 2017 arrived, and I decided to change occupations. In April I started a new career as a professional truck driver. I do not need to describe a truckers lifestyle, accept to say, 2017 was not my best year for decision making. July I came off the truck with a kidney stone. It took 2-attempts to get the stone out, but that little bugger came out. Three days after the last kidney stone procedure, was rushed to the emergency room and diagnosed with multiple pulmonary emboli (blood clots). It was deduced that I got deep vein thrombosis from the truck driver life style, producing the clots that nested in my lungs. Weight in July and August was 298. I should note here, that through all of the years I also suffered from acid reflux, which I treated with baking soda and water. But the acid reflux became severe about 5-years ago, before I managed to get a grip on it. I have been reflux free for the last 4-years. This was about the time I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and put on the CPAP machine. If you skipped ahead in this story, just know that I suffer like so many here, with many of the issues surrounding those two nasty words; Morbid Obesity. Elizabeth, has never left my side, she has been my rock, my angel, my best friend for life, even now more than ever! With my background story out of the way, I can begin my journey now...

Unfortunately, the Smucker's are too steep for my budget. 2TBSP of either of those is 90 calories compared to the 5 calories and once you subtract sugar alcohols, they still have 9 and 10g of carbs. They use cornstarch. So I would not use them when I'm purposely trying to be a miser while I'm in active weight loss. But they're sure better than full sugar once we hit maintenance.