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Wow. Good riddance I say. My husband lost 70 lbs taking a weekly injectible for diabetes before I had my surgery. I know he wanted me to lose weight too. I had the sleeve in Dec 2019, and lost 104 lbs in 12 months and am maintaining that weight eating and drinking what I want but in tiny portions. I eat healthier than I used to, but I definitely still eat things on occasion that I did not eat in the first year at all, and I had no alcohol for the first 12 months. I am lucky like that, he was very supportive and even did the shake diet with me in the beginning. He's a great cook and it was my love of his good cooking and my liking to eat that got me to 304 lbs in the first place. I ate it all willingly, but he cooks healthier for me now. After 30 years I can't imagine my life with out him. That guy wasn't the right one for you, be glad he helped you see that before he broke your heart or it cost you money.

Best answer Living to Eat: Do You Have a Food Addiction? By Meghan Vivo Jane sneaks out of the house at midnight and drives six miles to the local 7-Eleven to get a chocolate bar. This has become a nightly ritual. She's gaining weight and feels profoundly ashamed of her lack of self-control. Though she vows to stop this behavior, she can't seem to shake the craving night after night. Jane is a food addict. In many ways, food can closely resemble a drug - caffeine and sugar offer a quick pick-me-up while carbohydrates and comfort foods can help soothe and relax the mind. Some people use food, like drugs, to feel at ease in social situations or to unwind after a long day. If you think about food constantly throughout the day, have compulsive cravings for certain types of foods, or waste more than half of your daily calories binging on unhealthy Snacks, you may be one of the 18 million Americans who suffer from food addiction. What Is Food Addiction? Food addiction, like any other addiction, is a loss of control. Food addicts are preoccupied with thoughts of food, body weight, and body image, and compulsively consume abnormally large amounts of food. Even though they understand the harm caused by their behavior, they just can't stop. Food addicts tend to crave and eat foods that are harmful to their bodies. For example, people with food allergies may crave the foods they are allergic to, while diabetics may crave and overindulge in sugar, despite the adverse effects. Food-aholics generally gorge on fat, salt, and sugar in the form of junk food and sweets. If they are feeling depressed, lonely, or disappointed, they consume large amounts of chips, chocolate, or other comfort foods for a "high." As with most addictions, the high wears off, leaving the person feeling sick, guilty, and even more depressed. Because the addict is out of control, she will repeat the same eating patterns over and over again in an effort to feel better. Compulsive overeaters often eat much more rapidly than normal and hide their shame by eating in secret. Most overeaters are moderately to severely obese, with an average binge eater being 60% overweight. Individuals with binge eating disorders often find that their eating or weight interferes with their relationships, their work, and their self-esteem. Although compulsive overeaters or binge dieters often struggle with food addiction, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia are also considered types of food addictions. Addiction or Bad Habit? Unlike drug and alcohol addiction, which have been recognized by the medical profession for years, addiction specialists still question whether food can be genuinely addictive. Is the obsession with eating a true addiction, or just a bad habit? Some experts are quite skeptical of putting food in the same category as drugs or alcohol. They argue that people like junk food because it tastes good, not because they are physically incapable of controlling their behavior. Others contend that individuals who abuse substances in excess of need, despite the harm it can cause, are addicts, whether the substance is alcohol, drugs, or food. In some cases, food addicts trying to break the habit claim to experience both physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, mood changes, tremors, cramps, and depression. In an animal study at Princeton University, researchers found that after rats binged on sugar, they showed classic signs of withdrawal when the sweets were removed from their diet, which suggests foods like sugar can be addictive. Brain imaging studies conducted by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have found that food affects the brain's dopamine systems in much the same way as drugs and alcohol. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. When psychiatrist Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and her colleagues compared brain images of methamphetamine users with obese people, they found both groups had significantly fewer dopamine receptors than healthy people. Moreover, the higher the body mass index, the fewer the dopamine receptors, which may explain why it is so difficult for some people to lose weight and keep it off. Are You a Food Addict? Whether the obsession with food is a true addiction or simply a bad habit, one thing is clear: Your health is on the line. Obesity, psychological disorders, and diabetes are just a few of the health risks associated with compulsive eating. If you're worried that you may have a food addiction, FoodAddicts.org recommends that you answer the following questions: Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn't? Do you think about food or your weight constantly? Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success? Do you binge and then "get rid of the binge" through vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or other forms of purging? Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people? Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight? Do you eat large quantities of food at one time? Is your weight problem due to your "nibbling" all day long? Do you eat to escape from your feelings? Do you eat when you're not hungry? Have you ever discarded food, only to retrieve it and eat it later? Do you eat in secret? Do you fast or severely restrict your food intake? Have you ever stolen other people's food? Have you ever hidden food to make sure you have "enough?" Do you feel driven to exercise excessively to control your weight? Do you obsessively calculate the calories you've burned against the calories you've eaten? Do you frequently feel guilty or ashamed about what you've eaten? Are you waiting for your life to begin "when you lose the weight?" Do you feel hopeless about your relationship with food? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have, or be in danger of developing, a food addiction or eating disorder. Although food addiction is not nearly as intense as alcohol and drug addictions, you may need help regaining control of your life. Treating Food Addiction Change is never easy, and overcoming food addiction is no exception. It will require a combination of discipline, healthy eating habits, and exercise. In many ways, treatment of food addiction is similar to drug and alcohol addiction. The first step to recovery is recognizing and accepting the problem, and identifying which foods cause allergic symptoms and cravings. However, unlike drug and alcohol addiction, food addicts can't quit cold turkey. Everyone has to eat. Instead of taking drastic measures, make the following changes gradually, one small step at a time. Reprogram your taste buds. If you eat tons of sugar-laden foods, your taste buds get used to the flavor and you will start craving sweeter and sweeter foods. When buying foods that aren't supposed to be sweet, like Pasta sauce, bread, and crackers, make sure they don't have added sweeteners like fructose, dextrose, and corn syrup. Slowly try to limit sweet or salty foods in favor of fruits and vegetables to restore the sensitivity in your taste buds. Plan your meals. Food addicts often hide food or binge when they are alone. One way around this is to avoid hiding a stash of food in your car, desk, or nightstand. Also, plan out healthy meals in advance, portion out single servings on smaller plates, and eat scheduled meals at the dinner table. If you eat in front of the TV or while talking on the phone, you're more likely to eat large amounts of food without realizing it. Though it may take a few weeks to change your eating patterns, your brain will eventually get used to smaller portions of healthy foods and generate fewer snack-food cravings. Moderate your hunger. People with food addiction tend to take an all-or-nothing approach to dieting, bouncing from ravenous to overstuffed. A useful tool to moderate food consumption is to rate your hunger on a scale of zero to ten, zero being starving and ten being overstuffed, then try to stay between three and five. If you wait until you hit zero, you may not stop eating until you reach ten. Know your weaknesses. Everyone has a list of foods that are hard to turn down. If you can't resist a fine loaf of bread at a restaurant, ask the waiter not to bring the bread basket to your table. If you can't walk past an ice cream parlor without stopping for a scoop or two, take a different route. If you have a habit of eating Cookies or popcorn while watching TV at night, read a book or walk the dog instead. If these tricks don't work, stop buying unhealthy foods at the grocery store. If it's in your kitchen, you're probably going to eat it. Deal with the real issues. Typically a food addict will numb unpleasant feelings with food. If you stop relying on food, you can learn to tackle problems head-on and let yourself feel the sadness, anger, or boredom without using food as a crutch. Find healthy ways to cope. For food addicts, the next salt or sugar fix becomes the dominating force in their life. The best treatment is to find other ways to fill the void, like working out, hiking, going out with friends, or talking to a therapist. Exercise sparks the same pleasure centers of the brain as food, and offers a similar high without the guilt. If you're not physically hungry but you're struggling to resist a craving, brush your teeth, drink Water, leave the house for a few minutes, or choose a healthy substitute like yogurt instead of ice cream or baked chips instead of potato chips. Give yourself a break. The guilt people feel after overeating perpetuates the addiction. They're sad because they ate too much, so they turn to food for solace. Learn to forgive yourself and don't get discouraged by minor setbacks. Food addiction can be a serious problem. Just ask the people who habitually visit the drive-thru at midnight or load up on candy bars on a daily basis. To beat the addiction, sometimes all you need is motivation to change and a few lifestyle modifications. In more severe cases, you may need to seek help from a food addiction group like Overeaters Anonymous, a mental health professional, or an addiction treatment center. In either case, a shift in outlook must occur: Eat to live, don't live to eat. Other resources and articles:

Without giving you an official or text book definition I'm inclined to think of food addiction as an emotional obsession with food, and eating. I grew up with alcoholism and a very volatile relationship between my parents. I have obsessed over food ever since I can remember. Always wanting more and if I couldn't get enough to satisfy my craving I would figure out ways, places, and times, that I could. As a child for example, if at breakfast there were only so many pancakes shared between family, I'd imagine myself surrounded by pancakes dripping with butter and maple syrup. I'd seek out other foods to gorge myself with...salty, sweet, whatever! I'd find ways to compensate, usually while alone or with a friend that also liked to over-indulge in eating. The food never really satisfied me so I would keep foraging through food as if my life depended upon it. This behavior caused self loathing, shame, guilt...and diets, doctors, pills, bouts with bulimia, (I did alot of sneak eating, binging and purging...) This is not normal behavior and best resembles addiction. I always felt out of control. I hated myself for the urges, binging and nagging desire for more. I substituted food for emotional needs which went unmet. It felt like a self perpetuating trap for which I don't fully comprehend. Since the VSG, I am no longer able to "treat" myself, (as before), with food. I would not assume that everyone who is overweight to obese is that way due to a food addiction per se, but I do believe that I am and have been since childhood.

Yes! I think its the alcohol itself that causing the burning sensation. I have felt it with other types of liquor, too. Sometimes, I feel nothing and sometimes it stops me cold. I don't drink much as a rule, but have experienced this. I also get this sometimes with salsa or other spicy foods and it never happened before the band. I can feel it hit the band because it burns and is irritable.

This is exactly why the lifetime commitment to changinging behaviors is so important for success. Patients need to be better informed about the long term realities of any WLS. Our lifestyle changes and eating habits are far more important than the physical changes of the surgery. Without the mental commitment the surgery itself is pointless. No one regains by staying on plan, excercising and making healthy food choices. I know if I regain any weight it is entirely my fault and a result of my behavior, not a "failed" sleeve. The OP is living proof of how this works. Once "back on track" again, she is losing weight, stretched sleeve and all. Congrats, BTW! Having WLS and grazing, overeating, or basically just consuming too many calories, is like a heart bypass patient continuing to eat poorly, smoke cigarettes and not excercise. Or a liver transplant recipient becoming an alcoholic. Their surgeries saved their lives but they are back killing themselves with their behaviors.

Jon, thanks for that post. That's exactly my problem - addiction, in many different forms. I've been to hundreds (literally) of Overeaters Anonymous meetings which used to be part of my regular life till I moved to Vegas. OA meetings in California are great places for support and help with food addictions. I was able to attend a different amazing meeting every night, but then I moved to Vegas. Vegas meetings are few and far between, and they never really got off the ground like in California; probably because Vegas has so many GA, AA, NA, CA, DA (Gamblers, Narcotics, Alcoholics, Cocaine, Debtors, etc.) So OA meetings are small and completely different here. In California, the meetings are actually focused on food addictions, but the meetings here are just sessions where people vent about their day without ever correlating the issues to food. It's a shame, I'd love a good OA meeting here. So thanks for making me NOT give up. I'm gonna keep on keeping on. Sue, you aren't the first person who I've heard about "oops, nicked ya." Not funny at all. One girl had her stomach accidentally cut during band surgery, then her surgeon fixed the cut and put the band OVER the cut! She ended up in really bad shape and had her band removed by a US surgeon. She even knew something went wrong in surgery, but the doc said everything went fine; the "oops nick" didn't even reflect in the Operating Report.

I stopped mine somwhere around 4 months. I haven't had any issues with acid or heart burn. However, if I know I'm going to be drinking alcohol in a few days, I start taking some.

WHEN ARE YOU ALLOWED TO START DRINKING ALCOHOL

Good to hear from all the May sleevers. Weight loss has slowed "a lot!" Im sure it's my fault as I have ebb having alcohol regularly. I still work out at least 3x a week, avoid carbs, and NO soda. But, I know that my weight loss would be better if I would just stay on track. Unfortunately, I am still a regular Watson with a life that involves not being on a diet 24/7. Still working at it though, SW 205, CW 153....

I understand where the OP is coming from. But here's my take on it. My parents had seven children. We all had the same general childhood food options (my father's hunting and vegetable garden and my mother's cooking) and the same access to general child-rearing, medical and philosophical ideological applications. Yet we didn't turn out identically. One was a childhood diabetic. Four became heavy smokers. Two became alcoholics. Six didn't go to college, the seventh got a Ph.D. Two were blonde, one was a redhead, and four were brunettes. Two were tall, two were short, and the rest were of average height. One has a slight / petite build, and the other six are fairly muscular -- two were quite athletic. I was the only one who was overweight during childhood. By the fourth grade I weighed 100 pounds. I was the heaviest girl or boy that year in my class. In high school I weighed 165-170. In college I got up to 185. In my 20s and 30s I finally became "slim," but my weight fluctuated dramatically -- from 120 to 185. By my 40s my highest weight was 205. By my 50s my highest weight was 225. In my 60s my highest weight (just before WLS) was 235. During all those years I dieted "successfully," losing and gaining weight over and over again. And until my siblings hit their late 50s or early 60s I was still the only one of us with any kind of weight problem at all. I don't know all the medical / physiological / psychological reasons that combined to produce the obesity that my sibs didn't suffer from. But very clearly I had challenges they didn't have. I tried my hardest to overcome my overweight. But, in the OP's words, I "failed" to do so. For over 60 years, dramatic diets didn't work. Weight watchers didn't work. Exercise didn't work. Diet pills didn't work. Self-shaming didn't work. Trying harder and harder and over and over again didn't work. Honestly, the only thing, at age 68, that finally worked was becoming so unhealthy that I became more immobilized than I'd ever been. It was crystal clear to me that without some kind of dramatic intervention -- and doing something very different than I'd ever done before -- I would turn into an agoraphobic, chair-bound, miserable person and turn my husband into my caregiver. That was not a future I was willing to accept. That possible future was dire enough to motivate me to have WLS. Thus far, it has turned out to be exactly what I needed. It has been a wonderful success. My knee replacement surgery has been deemed no longer necessary. I can walk 3-4 miles without rest at 3+ miles an hour. I can stand for hours without sitting down. I am no longer agoraphobic. I am satisfied by how much I eat and physically nourished by it. And I am definitely not a failure. I just had not found "the right medicine" to treat and resolve my condition. That's how I'm looking at it -- at least for now.

Since we are eight months out I eat everything. Popcorn and nuts. I eat beans, pasta and bread sparingly. It fills me up too quickly. I've posted before and I've received negative comments about my eating habits. But it works for me. I started at 200 and I now weigh 133...and I don't fluctuate much. I eat many times a day, but 4 or 5 bites. I don't log my food or count anything. Maybe I'm being naive or getting cocky...but I've done that my whole life and I feel free now. I can definitely eat more now. I don't think I've stretched out my stomach. I can eat very little in the morning, but as the day goes on I can eat more. I never drink alcohol, carbonated drinks, or juice. I eat chips, tacos, English muffins and peanut butter. Turkey jerky, nuts, cheese, pizza, Sweets aren't my thing, and if I do eat them, it's a few bites. Don't eat ice cream. I love cheeseburgers (half with one bun). A taquito. Half a piece of chicken and four bites of salad with ranch. A few fries. Sweet potato. No fruit really. I eat what I want when I want...just four or five bites. I would really have to work at it all day and make myself uncomfortable to gain weight. I don't know if this is bad advice, but it works for me. I did lose 50% of my hair in Oct, Nov and Dec. It's growing back nicely now. That was scary!

Me too! Goodluck! Me also, how are you feeling? A day before me, wow , So close, how are you feeling? Day before me The pre op diet is interesting, I was on the low carb under 800 cal pre op but I swapped to the milk diet , which my dietician said was fine , 3 pints of milk, two diet yogurts, allowed low cal drinks, unlimited coffee and tea, one salt drink. I prefer this than measuring food, and I drank abit of alcohol before the pre op diet, and feel I need a boost to shrink my liver! . Goodluck Goodluck Day before me, I am not excited, I am just worried lol just want to get it over with Lucky you have no pre op diet ! I am one day before you Happy birthday and goodluc The day after me Lucky you have n pre op!!

So one thing I’ve learned is that the dont’s vary WIDELY between each Bariatric doctor/clinic. The do’s are pretty much the same; mainly, focus on protein and water consumption. The dont’s and other instructions after surgery for me (per my doctor) includes NO ALCOHOL; no drinking from straws; no chewing gum; no carbonated drinks; no caffeine; no beef/red meat for the first year; deconstruct every meal; every meal to be low cal; no drinking liquids for 15 mins before and 30 mins after a meal; chew your food for 30 seconds before swallowing; eat your meal within 30 minutes; exercise/weights at least 3x a week. TAKE THE PRESCRIBED VITAMINS EVERY DAY WITHOUT FAIL - especially thiamin. Soooo - I’ve lost 140lbs - sleeved December 2019. ONE OF THE TOP BEST DECISIONS OF MY LIFE. Wish I did it sooner. I struggle now with the type of foods I put into my body - I have a hankering for chocolate and cookies. 😩 BUT! 99% of the time it’s because I’m bored and will mindless eat. I have to reel it back in. It will always be a recurring process for me.

Oh lord AGAIN? I'm trying to be nice here. I've never had an issue with ANYONE on here but this guy! There would never be a problem if he didn't try to make everyone believe he knows all. We're all damned if we don't do exactly what he thinks is right. Being a "dick" is telling people they are all going to be complete failures if they dare have a drink of alcohol. "Go eat cake" blah blah blah. That's not the attitude to have either. That's not kissing anyone's ass that's allowing people to live their lives without fear of failure every time they live a little. I consider myself a success and I've had a drink more than a few times. I had one at 3 months post op. Do I drink everyday ummm no! Do I feel like I'm going to be a "failure" when I do have a drink? Nope! If he had told me that crap in the beginning and threw a big tantrum and told me I should just go eat cake ect... I would have been insulted and felt like I was a failure. That's not the way to make someone feel. I CANT STAND it when someone says they can "Never have this/that again" because it's simply NOT true. Unless you've become deathly allergic to a food you can and will be able to consume it again. Just because you have lost weight doesn't make you a weight loss expert and you are most defiantly not qualified to tell someone else what's right or wrong. Give advice when asked, sure but you have no right to push your views and nonsense onto anyone else. Unless you have a MD behind your name and you don't. Here's the thing, there's a block button that I know people are well aware of sooooo if you choose to get your panties all up in a wade (over and over again) instead of using it then I have no choice but to believe you like the drama. That's the only conclusion I can come up with. "Leaving" every couple of month only to return and "leave" again (always making it a public "leaving" post) is just ridiculous. You do get the more "likes" and responses to these "leaving" post than any of your others post though so good for you!!!! Toodles!

Jenns did you try one of the drinks yet? Positive - I'm glad that I could help regarding the alcohol...I'm trying to steer clear for the most part for a little while. I take 3000 mcg of B12 daily, the sublingual tablet and my energy is typically ok...it may be linked to you not eating enough calories and Protein (especially since you are working out 3 days a week) ....I would start with the b12 and upping your calories and protein, u may have to force yourself to eat something every few hours...I really try not to eat things that don't offer me some protein just to ensure I'm getting in as much as possible....if that doesn't work, you may need to follow up with the Doctor

Hi @LibrarianErin I work for an American company and have some US based family and friends so I am well aware of the 4th July. I told my boos (American) that I was having my own freedom day on the 4th I had my pre-op consultation yesterday at the hospital with the anesthetist and floor nurse. Lots of questions for me, an EGC and blood test. I asked if there was anything to do in advance food and drink wise and they said no, just fasting from the night before when I arrive to the hospital. When I said I had given up alcohol three weeks ago they said that was a "good idea" and when I then said that as of the start of this week I had switched to decaf they asked me why I would do that, there was no need!! I explained I had read online a lot where it said not to have caffeine before or after surgery, the nurse laughed and said one of the things they give as a liquid after the op is a coffee. I didn't even tell them that I had started my own version of a liquid diet for the two weeks lead up. Protein shake for breakfast and one for lunch or dinner and then a meal for the other. I am trying to reduce my portion sizes and eat slower but it is really hard. I think that is what I worry about most, being able to slow down and be more mindful. I also love to drink - water, coffee, alcohol etc. - and not sure how I will cope with tiny sips. It is very hot here, in mid to high 80s which is too much for me and I am gulping back the water non-stop. What I didn't like to hear was that I have to shave from under my breasts to top of my things including pubic area. I am not sure I have seen there in years or can easily reach down there The pain of surgery might be one thing but the pain of regrowth elsewhere could be worse for longer, not looking forward to that.

I'm back on track and really feel the only thing I had that was questionable was alcohol and a couple of fries. Everything else was on my plan. I brought a ton of Protein mix, bars and stuff with me but only used the bars, with out nuts, seeds or lumps and they are on my plan. No regrets about what I did and not making a habit out of any of it, was just scared to go, but glad i did and thought I'd share that it was a survivable experience. m

I'm gonna be honest.... It's not the "I've had 6/7 cocktail nights..." that makes you sounds like an alcoholic. It's the PLANNING for them and feeling anxious that you might not be able to have more of them that does. We've all had those nights. But it being so important that you make sure you can keep having them that worries me. Also know that the amount of Alcohil in a jack and coke is way higher than in a glass of wine. Some people get sleepy or flushed or other weird thugs with wine but it's the tannins not the alcohol. Now that said, I will warn you the coke may be an issue. Carbonation is tolerated differently by many people after the surgery. I still get stomach aches from it four years out. Some people do fine though.

I guess some people are less botherd by it than others! I just love my nights out with my partner, we've been to a few weddings this year also and have enjoyed having a few and dancing and coming home late feeling like we've really let our hair down. Alcohol isn't everything, but this past year I've had a different outlook on it, and instead of drinking when I'm unhappy, I'm drinking when I'm in a good mood and am actually liking how it makes me feel! [emoji28] Sent from my F5121 using BariatricPal mobile app

More than 3 would be pretty dangerous after the surgery and I guess I will have to get used to that, but yes I hold my hand up and will honestly say I can have upto 7 drinks (not wine, too strong!) and still get home without stumbling through the door and just feeling happy/buzzed. My drink is jd and Coke, it just affects me completely differently to wine, I try to avoid wine if I can. You make a good point though, I can always have none alcoholic drinks in between so I can keep up with everyone else and not end up getting rushed to hospital with alcohol poisoning lol. I hope this post doesn't make me sounds like an alcoholic [emoji28] it's very rare I have that much but nights out that last about 6/7 hours do pop up every now and then and I'd like to be prepared for it! Sent from my F5121 using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh yeah Flat Whites are perfection. I haven't had one since surgery. I might splurge on one today There are lots of good options at Starbucks. I used to be addicted to white mochas, a triple venti white mocha was my drink of choice for years. It has like 900 calories though, a 1/2 day of calories, and I would get a coffee cake with it. I broke myself of that habit years ago. If you can carry your own sweetener and learn to love black coffee of very little cream, you really don't have to give up your coffee forever. You just have to be smart about it. I have given up basically everything with surgery, no alcohol and a laundry list of other things. I'm not giving up coffee. Plus after surgery your mind can be foggy and your concentration not what it used to be and coffee helps.

Agree. Vodka or Tequila soda. Go slow. It hits you fast. Avoid drinking liquor by itself. I've made cocktails with less mixers and more soda water so I can still have a cocktail but less Alcohol and sugar. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

i stopped drinking in the first day of my 2 week pre-op diet. And no, i didn't have to take a blood-alcohol test at any time. Had my first drink (2-3 sips of red wine) at around 3 weeks post op. Had my 2nd (partial) drink around 2-3 months post which gave me one of the worst dumping experiences i have had to date (it was a sugary soju-sake cocktail). I had maybe 4-5 (partial) drinks during weight loss phase: vodka sodas or very dry red wine. Now im just a normal regular drinker for the most part (but i still try to stay away from overly sugary drinks). Im 4 years post op.

I loved the Thai flavors of Kettle & Fire, though they are costly. Not as costly as a dinner out though! LOL I also love the fuzzy navel version of Syntrax Nectars. You can get samples of them pretty easily. I like these more than pre-made waters because there are no sugar alcohols in them. MyProtein makes clear whey isolate powders in Mike and Ike flavors, I like the watermelon the best, the cherry was weird. I had to drink the Premier Protein ready made shakes for my pre-op diet according to my doctor so I tried all sorts of those, I like Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Roll, Vanilla, and Cafe Latte the most. But they are not my favorite protein. My favorite one is R Kane Nutritionals Pro-Cal powders. They taste like melted milkshakes when you make them with milk. I have no clue what sorcery they used to manage that, but they do. BariatricPal also makes these little protein shots in fruit flavors that are sweet sour and pretty tasty when you need something fast. The tartness makes them easier for me to drink. I will caution one thing, don't buy a ton of things, get samples when you can. Because post surgery your tastes may change dramatically. Mine did, I can't taste sweet spices anymore and I can taste the whey in ANYTHING. I ordered a ton from Unjury and I can't stand any of it... I'm so annoyed. But my biggest issue is that whey sits heavy in my stomach and I couldn't get any protein drinks down for at least two weeks. I'm just starting to ease them back into rotation, but it is still hard to get a whole one down. So have a variety of samples for post op, but be careful what you buy full sized unless you have someone else that will consume what you don't.

Hi, @FifiLux! Thanks for sharing with us! I was going to say something about July 4th being an easy date to remember, but then I saw your location is Europe, so you don't have the Independence Day association we Americans do. 🙂 Kudos on taking the initiative to give up alcohol before surgery! I know that can be such a big change because it's not just to your diet but to how you spend your down time or hang out with friends. But you got this! You'll be thankful you made that change now when there are so many other changes to make after surgery. Knee surgery is a huge why to keep at the forefront on this journey. Losing weight can unlock so many other health improvements. I'm surprised you have no pre-op guidelines from your provider. As some others have mentioned here, a big reason for a liquid diet is to shrink your liver to make it easier for the surgeon to access your stomach. I just heard a story from one of the co-hosts of the Our Sleeved Life podcast who said her surgeon took her liver out temporarily and that caused her more pain during recovery than her friend whose surgeon worked around her liver. So you might want to ask your surgeon if s/he will take your liver out and if it's possible to prevent that