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Avoiding problems with strippers, alcohol, and the like.... Thanks for clarifying that you use this as a blog....a one way conversation....instead of for change. I'll just sit back and read about your life and be part of your audience. Entertain us, girl!

Rubbing alcohol took it right off.

Actually, just last night i had a professor comment on one of the girls in my classes weight. She had taken him in a previous semester. She walked in late and the worst thing in the world happened, he said "Hello Ms. Ramos, glad to see your holidays went well, I see you drank a lot of alcohol and ate plenty of holiday food." OMG I could have died because I weigh a good 60 lbs more than she does, so I automatically began to think, "What is he gonna say about me?" I need this class, there is no dropping it. Also, my college doesnt have too many big girls, and if they do, they are just that, big girls, not obese or MO or anything. A little overweight or just plain overweight, mostly all under 200lbs. You dont see many that are obese or MO, I think I have seen like 3 or 4 MO, and a little more than that obese all year. ITS very discriminatory in my classes, the way you look. I am blond hair green eyed, "fat" girl. you know God wasted his time on my looks because he put me in a horrible body! Im not ugly by far, I know that, not to sound cocky, but I wanted you guys to know that I dont think that. Ive always been told how it was a waste for me to be so pretty and be so big. I sit in my classes, I am the ONLY blond! PERIOD! The only one out of 30-50 people, ONE BLOND. That is this semester, there were a few more last semester. I get it for that. However if I was Blonde and Thin, think of all the attention I would get in that field. No I dont have to be the center of attention, mainly because I dont know what that feels like, so I guess not. Im not loud and overbearing whatsoever, remember, they apparently dont hear me speaking. I was asked to leave conversation A, because it did not have anything to do with me, a friend of mine was trying to talk to a boy she liked and vise versa, I had no place in that conversation, it was definately a 2 person relationship. The other one I had no business in because it was the guy's best friend and my friend, and they were discussing something private between those two....it was none of my business whatsoever.....just felt weird, although i had no place in either conversation. I miss all the attention i got from going to the club....I dont go any more because of some drama, and school started back. Im probably going tomorro night tho. I love the way the gay guys compliment me and pay attention to me! Give me stuff and be so nice to me. The girls there dont even hit on me, they know I am straight, and they arent all judgemental on my weight NeWay. I feel comfortable there, hell i practically work there lol! I just want to find that one special guy that can soften my heart. Put up with my crazy antics. Listen to what I say. But put me in my place when I am wrong. A real man will stand up to me, but not be mean or rude, just stand up for themselves. I dunno??? I cant afford counseling by the way, my psychiatrist lives about 8-9 hours away and shes the only one I could ever trust with my head....Not to mention we cant afford it anymore anyways. Guys Im not depressed, i have a good time, i am happy with life, i just wish i was happier with life.....

Loleata- I think all of us go thru these same questions or similar ones when trying to decide if this is right for you. I can't tell you how to feel but I can share my thoughts for me. Obesity is a disease just like alcoholism, diabetes, or anything else. If I didn't treat this disease the best way I can then wouldn't it be abusive to what god gave me? He wants me to live a full life and if this treatment plan is going to do it then so be it. As for if I am ready to do this, and have I really tried everything. Well I've been overweight for 20 years and been on about a zillion diets. And yeah I've lost but I've also gained it all back too many times to count. This is going to help me KEEP it off. I think your sister is going to see someone that is strong enough to take action to change! This is not easy. There are going to be rough patches and you r still going to have to do the work to make it successful. So I think she will b proud of you! Goodluck!!

Fair warning – This was a lot longer than I thought it would be. You might want to have your Water bottle with you before starting! Today (plus one day that I've confessed to above) makes one year out for me. WOW! What an incredible year. In some ways it seems like forever and in other ways, just like it was yesterday. As my signature states, I’ve gone from an 18W to size 4/6. My BMI changed from 32.8 to drum roll please .... 20.1. Hard to believe!!! My surgeon was Dr. Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas, NV. I found him through Medical Tourism and am very thankful that together we’ve made sure I have a nice long, healthy life. The typical question – would you do it again? YES, YES, YES! I was known as a “lightweight” since my BMI was “only” 32.8. Was I fat? Definitely! Did I have risk factors? Definitely! I’ve often said that I was the smallest obese person in my family, but I had to personally realize that I was still obese. I really considered this surgery due to my father. I lost him in March 2009 due to complications from his obesity – congestive heart failure and uncontrolled diabetes. He was only 64 years old. It broke my heart to lose my dad at such a young age. I want to be around for my kids (currently 20, 17, and 9) and their kids! Not only do I look better, I feel better. I can run up and down our stairs all day! No more having to sit down because I’m tired after one trip up. I can go to costco, shop, put the food away & still have energy for more chores/tasks. INCREDIBLE!!! With that being said, I still have not been good about regular, planned exercise. My stomach may look better if I had (but part of me thinks not – skin just isn’t going to bounce back but so much). I am thinking breast augmentation, but I probably won’t. Just invest in more push up/padded bras. Do I want to punch out people that say I took the “easy way”? Yep! Is it hard? Yes. Do people who say I’ll gain it all back annoy me? Yep! Does my new tummy give me a tool that can make me successful? Heck yeah! Am I already successful? YES I AM! Am I concerned about maintenance and gaining again? Yes, but with continued dedication & support groups like this one, I can make it! The next question – how much can you eat now? Slider foods – more than I thought I could/should. I can pack down close to pre-surgery amounts of Cookies, ice cream, popcorn, etc. I have been testing a bit with “normal” foods … the other day, I was able to eat almost all of a McDonald’s hamburger with just the top bun & all but 3 slices of the Apple Dippers (no caramel sauce). I had one or two more bites left of the top bun, but knew I was done. I can eat about 3 ounces of steak with a bite or two of salad & maybe 1/4 of a baked potato. My biggest battles right now are (1) head hunger at night and (2) not counting foods as “bad” or “good”. I am trying to change my thinking to “good for me” or “tastes good, but not very nutritious”. I met with a nutritionist last week to talk about my eating plan for life. While she questioned if I still needed to track every bite I eat, I told her that it helped me be accountable. I am now tracking to 60g Protein, 64+ ounces of water, 100+ grams carbohydrates, and somewhere between 1500-2000 calories a day. I will add a confession here – I track Monday to Friday, but rarely on Saturday & Sunday. I just kind of eye ball/mentally track on the weekends. OK – enough rambling … Just want to leave with 2 more things. (1) If you are on the fence about this surgery, I want to strongly encourage you to investigate further. This surgery has truly saved my life & given me a new future and (2) At one year out, I thought it would be fun to go back and read some of my old posts – my worries, fears, doubts and successes. I don’t know if it will help anyone or not, but I’ve listed a few here: Surgery & Post-Op: · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3255-on-my-way-to-the-airport/page__p__29783__fromsearch__1#entry29783 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3363-weird/page__p__30519__fromsearch__1#entry30519 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3403-surgery-recovery-sucks/page__p__30905__fromsearch__1#entry30905 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3471-im-gagging-over-here/page__p__31374__fromsearch__1#entry31374 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3538-concerned-should-i-be/page__p__32047__fromsearch__1#entry32047 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3602-finding-the-time-to-stop/page__p__32545__fromsearch__1#entry32545 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3687-advice-for-road-trip/page__p__33232__fromsearch__1#entry33232 Losing: · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3884-took-measurements-today/page__p__35215__fromsearch__1#entry35215 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3944-time-to-increase-the-portions/page__p__35826__fromsearch__1#entry35826 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/4565-need-some-support/page__p__40607__fromsearch__1#entry40607 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/4263-wanting-to-eat-more/page__p__38113__fromsearch__1#entry38113 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/4778-size-12s-and-medium-tops/page__p__42293__fromsearch__1#entry42293 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/4827-gotta-get-serious-about-exercise/page__p__42772__fromsearch__1#entry42772 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/3769-am-i-the-only-one-wanting-sweet-liquids/page__p__34103__fromsearch__1#entry34103 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/5217-its-a-fat-day/page__p__46024__fromsearch__1#entry46024 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/5065-post-op-when-did-you-have-your-first-carbonated-drink/page__p__44749__fromsearch__1#entry44749 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/6305-my-funny-nsv/page__p__55830__fromsearch__1#entry55830 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/5869-normal/page__p__51835__fromsearch__1#entry51835 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/7060-why-cant-they-just-say-congratulations/page__p__62386__fromsearch__1#entry62386 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/7964-irritated-with-people/page__p__69470__fromsearch__1#entry69470 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/7376-i-cried-tonight/page__p__64804__fromsearch__1#entry64804 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/8064-need-to-be-accountable/page__p__70372__fromsearch__1#entry70372 Moving to Maintenance · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/8602-calling-those-on-maintenance/page__p__75039__fromsearch__1#entry75039 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/6171-weight-regain-with-vsg/page__p__54548__fromsearch__1#entry54548 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/8392-today-7-months-out-and-642-pounds-gone/page__p__73224__fromsearch__1#entry73224 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/9506-goal/page__p__83431__fromsearch__1#entry83431 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/9995-almost-9-months-out/page__p__87012__fromsearch__1#entry87012 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10260-i-am-not-controlling-my-sweet-tooth/page__p__89285__fromsearch__1#entry89285 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10135-holiday-strategies/page__p__88283__fromsearch__1#entry88283 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/10981-nsv-nsv-nsv-for-me/page__p__95104__fromsearch__1#entry95104 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11548-so-discouraged/page__p__99499__fromsearch__1#entry99499 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/12379-this-is-why-journaling-food-is-so-important/page__p__106369__fromsearch__1#entry106369 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/12406-fruits-and-veggies/page__p__106553__fromsearch__1#entry106553 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/12769-not-quite-a-year-out/page__p__109462__fromsearch__1#entry109462 · http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11607-i-have-a-question-about-alcohol/page__p__99986__hl__alcohol__fromsearch__1#entry99986 For newbies … this is a great place to start: http://www.obesityhe...or-New-Members/ (yes, I know this is another website, but many of us frequent there as well as VST.J)

Not concerned about replacement addictions. I don't like alcohol, tastes like crap. I enjoy wine but won't try that until a year out maybe. I would love to get addicted to exercise again. I used to spend 2 and a half hours in the gym 5-6 days a week, cycle there and back. That's a fabulous addiction as it combated some mild situational depression and kept my energy high. I find the study interesting, it's the same for people who have food addictions. I would hear often of people in OA at the meetings I attended, say they were now abstinent of their food addiction, but now battling alcoholism. I always shake my head when people are defensive regarding food addiction in these forums, obviously many people are addicted to food or a kind of food, or element in food, such as carbs. Half the battle is recognizing it, owning it, and abstaining.

I had originally gone to my surgeon to repair a symptomatic ventral hernia. I had not even considered surgery for weight loss before I spoke to him. I just did not realize it was an option for me. Over the last year I had a number of things go wrong, aside from losing my job due to covid, my husband died of alcoholism. He was a cruel drunk and I spent the last two years with him wearing a headset to block out his raging and hiding in video games from his cruelty. I gained a lot of weight quickly. My labs were growing increasingly bad, my liver enzymes elevated, and then I was diagnosed with parathyroid disorder and prediabetic. Finally it dawned on me after I was given the option for weight loss surgery, it was time to reclaim my life and move forward and find my happiness. I was told the surgery would likely correct the things that had been popping up as long as I follow the program and lose the weight. That is what I am doing and my life is slowly being reshaped as I take each step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Avocado. The taste & texture of it seems gross now. I don’t really enjoy alcohol like I did. I have a glass about once a month but often don’t finish the glass.

My surgeon has NO requirements for a pre-op diet. None. All I have to do is not eat solids after midnight the night prior to the procedure. Don't beat yourself up, Kelly--after all, listening to the judging/angry/"you're-not-worthy" voices in our heads is WHY some of us are in the predicament we're in. I don't know about anyone else, but a lot of my eating is self-medication against negativity. Cheering myself up with yummy Snacks. Eating to avoid dealing with my emotions, then feeling rotten about what I ate, giving up on myself--since it MUST be all-or-nothing to succeed, right?--and starting the vicious cycle all over again. Eat poorly, hate what I did to my body by eating poorly, punish myself with a mental lecture about being worthless, do a 180 and say "SCREW THIS IMMA EAT WHAT I WANT", eat poorly again. Lather, rinse, repeat. (Of course, the whole process above doesn't WORK and it doesn't make logical sense to stay in that cycle, but that never stopped an alcoholic from looking for answers at the bottom of a bottle of whisky. I preferred to search my way to both ends of a brownie pan or a bag of peanut M&M's.) So, yeah. Don't add your voice or anyone else's to the negative chorus of "this will not work for you if you can't stick to liquids". Right now, it's optional. For a lot of obese people with food addictions, all the good intentions in the world just won't get the job done when it's optional. We make excuses, we sabotage ourselves, we make bad food choices. It's what we DO. It's why we're choosing to be sleeved--to take the choice out of our hands (and stomachs). You're gonna be okay. You CAN do this. Your sleeve is going to make it possible, and you're going to be a success. Hang tough, girlie.

At work, I used a cover story of an illness, non life threatening or especially serious, to explain how little I eat, and not drinking alcohol. Despite my "explanation", I'm convinced some people believed I am seriously or even terminally ill. The last meeting I was at with my president in attendance, he avoided me like the plague! My company is non US based, and in that culture serious illnesses are taboo. So I make a definite effort when I'm around my non US colleagues to look my absolute best, be upbeat and energetic, etc. But it's clearly not entirely working

My date is March 30th which is 10 days away. I started this journey on Feb 1st but I am self pay. I had to do an upper GI and talk with a dietician over the phone. I am struggling with no alcohol, no cigs and mostly liquids. My doc said to have 2-3 Protein shakes and one light meal per day. The hardest part for me is the mental part. I get mad at myself for allowing myself to get this big and have to resort to removing most of my stomach. I have been grouchy some too. food funerals before my pre-op diet started last Wednesday. I keep going back and forth in my mind but when I see a photo of me or catch myself in the mirror, there is no question about doing the surgery. Again, the psychological part is the hardest and I don't find that much online about it. Anyone else having these feelings?

You have to make a permanent change to your mindset or you will regain. I am focused on my health period. Everything I think and do supports that. I changed my mind, the sleeve was a tool. I am 2.5 years out and down 118 lbs. permanently. My hobbies are cooking healthy foods and being active in dozens of ways. I don't have any unhealthy habits as I have determined to eliminate each one step by step. I got honest with myself about what made me fat to begin with and fierce about changing mindset. I do not self indulge on food, alcohol or negativity. I am a different person. Tackling the mental/emotional is the real key to success but without the sleeve as my tool I would have lost hope and incentive. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am wondering something, and I'll ask the doctor also, but, the drinking and eating situation. Is that an on going thing, or later will that change? I think about that every time I eat now, when I take a drink, I tell myself that I'm not going to be able to do that after surgery. Like you, not drinking alcohol will not be an issue, I rarely drink now. I have given up all carbonated drinks already. Yes, I will probably just grab a few bites off my hubby's plate. Thanks

The day after Halloween...and I feel like I have a hang over! It's very odd because I have not touched any candy, I did not drink any alcohol, but today I'm feeling like I was up all night drinking and partying. Today I did allow myself one almond cookie, this lovely lady in our education department brought in from the bakery on her lunch hour. (I know everyone wants to beat her over the head!) I have to tell you though I could only eat about 3/4 of it and the smell of the rest of them was actually making me feel sick. I had to move them all into the kitchen away from my desk. I'm the "festive" gal around these parts, so everyone brings things and brings them to me, because I am the self appointed party planner on top of my actual "work" title I'm glad to see people bond together though, so I'm happy to be the office cheer leader, it makes for a nice mix of people working together and getting so much more done then working against each other. There is a method to my madness but don't let them know. I can't wait to go home today and just get into my PJ's and crawl under my covers and turn on the idiot box as my Mother used to call it, and do NOTHING. I took a couple of Advil and might need a couple more to get rid of this brewing migraine...been drinking lots of water, and just trying not to get into full blown black out the world migraine. I love how the band really helps us to avoid these testing times like Halloween. I LOVE the spirit of the holiday, and this year I really have no desire for candy or cake and if I want to have something I can and do and it's very small just a taste and I'm satisfied. Maybe next year I'll have to have a real bitchin party so if I have to feel hung over it will be well worth it after a rocking party!!! At least my body could ache from dancing all night instead of just the miserable weather Hope you all had a good one...I'm off to PJ land and beddybye. Have an awesome weekend all!!!

Sorry just now getting back to you. He was 27 when I kicked him out. He had to sign a 10 page contract when he moved in, so there was no guessing as to what was allowed/not allowed in our house. (I'm in law school) We have kids here. I was raised around an alcoholic/crackhead, and my tolerance for the same is nonexistent. He is still a loser, and I suppose he is still doing the same stuff....just not in my house. I have NO functional drug addicts in my family. Everybody else had given my brother a chance to straighten out, he didn't want to be straight. It's very easy for a drug addict to manipulate others. They have a tendency to make others feel guilty about creating opposition for their lifestyle. They are pros at it. And as far as offering rehab...they have to want rehab. That is one thing that you cannot do for him. I agree that there a lots of people that are functional that smoke pot. I just don't know any of them. Like I said, all of the ones I know are either unemployed or steal stuff to get money to support their habit.

Careful with the Werther's. Lots of us are very sensitive to the sugar alcohols in them, and this can become more of a problem postop. I discovered the mini Werther's preop and was SO excited---until I discovered that 1/3 of the "serving" had more sugar alcohol than my poor gut could tolerate. Horrible cramps and diarrhea ensued---which is likely something you don't want to experience. So, take it slow with them until you determine whether your body has difficulty with sugar alcohols. Some people have no problem at all with them---but for others, they are misery.

Wow Eli! I finally found some one who's my age and did the sleeve while being in college! I would really love to contact with you because I really have a lot of questions to make you since we are basically in the same page going through the same things! I am in my 5th month post-up. I was 215 the day of my surgery and now I am 158/160. I feel i could be less though, but alcohol on weekend has been a huge challenge for me! Also being in college is very hard to follow a specific meal plan but i always try to eat as healthier as possible. I started drinking alcohol my third month post-op since I read i could start drinking after the 3rd month but i know i shouldnt do it and every one here keeps telling me not to do it but its very hard (you understand me because you are in college as well) i have a verg active social life, always had always did and always will.. I know alcohol is not needed to be social and have fun.. But lets not bullshit here but a party with out having alcohol is just not the same fun! Anyway .. I am scared about every thing that awaits because i dont know if i'll keep loosing weight or im staying stuck in this weight like the past month. Hope we can really get in contact! Here are pictures of me before and now so you have an idea of my change!

So much easier to not tell everyone. I don't want to really talk about it all the time and have people watching my weight loss etc. I'm telling people that I've stopped drinking alcohol for a while and that I'm following a Paleo diet, high protein etc. I'm feeling much like my old self again now at the 5 weeks post-op. Playing netball again, and trying to fit in a few walks etc. I will really need to focus on fluid intake though as this warmer weather is a bit taxing if you feel dehydrated. Best of luck for a great day everyone.

I am glad that you are planning on stopping. I have nothing against it for occasional recreational use, I don't think it is much different than alcohol in that sense. But I was curious when you posted this, so I just did a little searching, and, like tobacco, it can slow the healing process which can result in complications. Good Luck with your surgery.

Reminder that i am 3 + years out . . . . . B = 1 small bean and cheese taco L = 3/4 c dahl (split peas and curry) with 1 small flour roti (like tortilla) D = probably lean cusine Snacks = small apple, fruit roll up Will probably have a alcoholic drink after dinner as well.

You know Corliss something you said, really jumped out at me, and it was nothing direct. But you said you wished you had stayed on the wt. loss and cosmetic surgery side of the board, then went on to mention MJ's plastic surgery, and the fact that he did not get the help he needed even with all his resources. It made me realize that this board or something of the sort for him could have been an anonymous (generally speaking) form of help. All of us here that vent and disagree with one another on whatever subject, are still allowing those feelings, thoughts and emotions OUT! They are not being bottled up, and released in other possibly harmful to ourselves or others, ways. I have a niece who has issues with low blood sugar, and she just told me last night (no idea of truth or not) that Brittney Spears has the same problem, and she hid it. It is sad that it is ok to show you have alcohol and drug issues, and to be photographed doing all sorts of things, yet it is not ok to be open concerning a TRUE medical issue, over which you have no control of having or not? Would MJ have been different if he COULD have opened up the can of worms that was his past, and raged over it, and argued with people and wished his abusers ill? If he could have done so in a way such as a forum like this where he was unknown but able to let that out.......Who knows, but it has been proven that keeping all the emotion inside, and not letting yourself deal with causes emotional AND physical problems....obesity among them. I agree that all signs point me to believing he was a pedophile. I also truly believe he suffered from body dysmorphia (SP?)---he was not much different from people with severe life threatening anorexia, who do really SEE themselves as others do. Apples, thanks, the steroids about did me in, but slowly I am losing the damn weight.....again!!! I am so ready to simply maintain again it is unreal!

Don't worry about the slip up. Some doctors don't even have patients on a pre op diet. Now, post op- you HAVE to follow the rules, even 2 weeks out when you feel pretty good. No chicken fingers! Those are my skinny son's favorite! food addiction, which I believe most of us here probably have, is much like other addictions- gambling, alcohol, drugs. Your brain is flooded with dopamine in the same ways. It takes time to retrain your brain not to want to head for the pantry when you are bored, stressed out, about to watch your favorite TV show. I was not always a food addict but became one in my 30's. I'm struggling and I know it will take time. The good thing is that I know I can't eat a pint of ice cream like before or I will end up very sick and in the toilet and I don't want to do that. Take care and good luck!

I think there is a healthy, reasonable medium between eating hostess cupcakes as a meal (no judgment from me on that one man, been there done that!) and never even looking at a carb again LOL. I think everyone in this thread is right that you would do well to see your dietician and your psych, too. you don't have to go this alone. this is for life and you need to find something you can live with, and pinballing between extremes won't serve you in the long run. I'm all for having some dark chocolate after dinner or sweet crepes for Breakfast once a month, but it sounds like the concept of moderation is giving you a hard time here. that's okay. it's not a moral failing, it just... is. you've gone through a major life change and you're trying to find your new equilibrium. you know you have a history of abusing alcohol, and it sounds like after depriving yourself, some part of you wants to move on to abusing food instead. even if you don't gain back all the weight you've lost, it doesn't mean that's healthy for you physically or mentally. real talk? you may have lost some weight after overdoing it on the empty carbs... so far. but that doesn't mean empty carbs are the key to weight loss or health. don't take this as a sign that you have miraculously become one of those people who eats junk all day and still gets to maintain a normal BMI. the surgery does a lot of things, but I don't think it's quite THAT powerful LOL. although I imagine a lot of us wish it was. and even then... the scale is not the only measure of health. plenty of people with normal BMIs can be unhealthy if they're not adequately nourishing themselves. you know being extreme low carb doesn't work for you. that's fine, it doesn't work for a LOT of people. this is where some sensible guidance from a professional dietician becomes of use, because they can help you re-introduce carbs into your diet in a reasonable way that satisfies and nourishes you, but doesn't go overboard in the complete opposite direction. you know?

It sounds to me from your brief description is that you need to get to the core of WHY you are putting slippery, high calorie foods in your pouch. We all have to come out of sleepwalking through life and denial tand accept that we are food addicts. Seek a good therapist to help fix your head before you go and have another surgery. He/she will help you discover why you are sabbotaging your band and weight loss in general, if you are brave enough to go down this path. Were you truly ready for this surgery at this point in your life? Did you do it for the right reasons? Hell, we all can be drinking milkshakes, eating cheesecake, and creme brule and blame the band for not restricting our minds from making bad choices. Your reliance upon the band to fix your head is a fallacy. Our heads made us fat, it is our head that needs healing. I found a wonderful therapist in 2010 and I still seek sessions every few months. We are food addicts/ food abusers and will always be one. Have you ever thought of Overeaters Anonymous or something similar? Drinking alcohol is another easy way to keep weight on. What are you trying to stuff in your pouch to fill your soul? You gotta take the effort and figure it out. Best of luck and keep on trying. The food part will easily come once you resolve your psychological issues.

Hell No! I have zero cravings for any food, which has to do with 95% of hormone telling your brain to eat is removed with bottom of stomach, there is no dumping, pouch will not stretch, but your esophagus will lose the feeling for having food in it if you overeat. And if you overeat too much you will have to throw up. But you won't get the sitting on the toilet. Alcohol won't make you drunk on 1 drink, and absorption is so much better. No way, sleeve was only choice I would ever make