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yes and no When I was in high school and thrown off the football team for chewing out the coach I went through a huge weight gain -- coincided with drinking tons of soda and such Normal weight was 180, but shot up to 240, but easily lost it within a few months doing tons of situps, pushups, and eating nothing but a couple Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches a day. Weight was fine for years until a post-relationship depression went on (when you work hard for years to keep a relationship going then decide fuck it), in my mid-late 20s, a bunch of health issues arised and shot up again but instead of from 180 to 240 in a matter of a year or so, went up to 360 in 5 years. So I'm here in my early-mid 30s with newly diagnosed stage 3 fibrosis and type 2 diabetes. I'm not accustomed to weighing a lot so the changes I went through were all debilitating to me. Apparently after MRI's and such I had fractured my spine as a kid but never knew it until I had this weight gain, then moving to another house caused me serious injury to where I need facet injections in my lower lumbar (soon to be some sort of ablation) as simply taking out the trash caused extreme amounts of pain to my back. In the US, we're not educated enough how utterly useless carbs and especially sugar are in the diet, and how easily we can get into dangerous territory without thinking about it. Given how it's turned into a serious societal issue where kids in their 20s are having fibrotic/cirrhotic livers without even being alcoholics or drug addicts, it really points to an education being necessary. Since being in Canada, I've noticed the education is a little better, but still needs improvement. It's definitely a western problem, where we're taught to be good little excess consumers with little regard for our health. It's up to us to change that. My surgeon decided on a 12 week pre-op liquid diet that I started Feb 1st, far longer than I see anyone else with, already I went from 350 pounds to 314. I'm thinking if I really have to go all 12 weeks (OR date already confirmed April 20) I'm likely gonna be in the 200s before surgery. Some have said why not be on this miserable diet for so and such amount of time to get back down to normal weight, but sometimes for us mechanisms of hunger (satiety) we can't control are required to be corrected. In my case, the surgery should accomplish this. Also, a very important point, that for many of us who "become" this way, it's up to us to recognize where we screwed up and work to change it. Personal responsibility is a must.

I had to lose 10% before I was approved for surgery. I cut back to 1200 cals and "ate like I had surgery." Meaning I ate protein first, chew a lot, started working out, cut back on carbs, completely cut out soda caffine junk food alcohol, etc. My cravings are gone and I am used to eating this way so I feel like transitioning after surgery will be so much easier. I have lost 40lbs and I'm still 2-3months out before I get surgery and still losing. Going to be well below the weight needed for surgery but I feel super prepared.

I deduct the fiber and use net carbs. I don't subtract anything else (sugar alcohol), just fiber.

I'm planning on going to an all-inclusive resort in May. I told myself I'll look for protein options & skip alcohol (I'll miss the alcohol). If they can cater to diet restrictions, I would let them now. Height 5'0" Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs. Surgery date: 2/13/17 Goal: - 71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs). Current weight: 194.4 lbs My profile picture is not me. It's my "FitSpiration" body.

Hello fellow bariatric patients, I'm in Canada, my surgeon wanted a 12 week liquid diet pre-op. Before I get into the details here's my story in highlights: - 34 Male, 5ft11in (180cm) - Severe weight gain over a few years (from 180 to 360 peak in 5 yrs) - Caused a number of sudden issues (stage 3 liver fibrosis, pre-diabetes/diabetes, increased GERD, L5/S1 compression fracture, high bp/pulse, depression, etc.) - S3 Liver fibrosis: initially diagnosed cirrhosis w/fibrotic scan but after biopsy (which they did after I told them I'm not an alcoholic) revealed stage 3 fibrosis&no cirrhosis - prior ultrasound suggested 19cm or larger, not sure - Diabetes (5.4 1 year ago to peak 7.9, down to 6.1-6.4 now and likely will drop again w/March 1st A1C workup) - Everything is currently contained w/meds (10mg forxiga, 2x metformin tabs 2 times a day, hydrochlorathiazide (1 small tablet a day), cipralex (1x tablet a day), metoprolol 75mg 2x day, 1 capsule of prevacid generic, 2 Vitamin D tablets because Canada) - resting hr 50-80 (previously 80-110), bp 110-130/60-80 (previously 150-175/100-115) - Initially suggested bypass but because of age (34) had my surgeon and two second opinions all suggest sleeve so I wasn't gonna argue, they said if I didn't like results of sleeve could get bypass after 1 yr - 12 week Liquid pre-op diet started Feb 1, OR date April 20 - Dietitian was pissed off at 12 week diet saying she will talk to surgeon, obviously didn't convince him - Weight changes: (ignore the column to the left, I haven't figured out how to change it) ∙ Feb 1: 350 ∙ Feb 4: 336 ∙ Feb 15: 322 ∙ Feb 17: 319 ∙ Feb 22: 314 Daily Pre-op diet plan (1400 cals): - 6 bottles of Glucerna (<- yech) - 1 serving of sugar free Jello (4x per container) - 4-9 cups clear fluids (i.e. broth) w/extremely low cal/carb - 2 scoops Beneprotein - 3.7L water I have to say, this has been the hardest thing in my life. Not so much the sticking to diet part, but keeping down this Glucerna stuff. It's so disgusting! I couldn't help but regurgitating the stuff in the first few days. I had 1-2 Glucerna for the first few days, resulting in being extremely calorie deficient. Even with my wife helping trying to flavor w/spices (i.e. cinnamon) for berry/vanilla I just couldn't take a few flavors, wound up settling on chocolate, making sure the stuff never touches the front of my tongue, otherwise I'll upchuck. Stomach was going nuts w/hunger the first few days, since then haven't been able to stomach more than 1-3 Glucerna a day, eventually it stopped bothering me so much - but has resulted in first couple occurrences of "lows" (low blood sugar). Have been eating more broth though closer to the 9 cups, and taking multivitamins, and having daily amt of Jello. Body seems to do fine. Haven't had a normal stool the entire time, all liquid.. (I assume thats normal?) The concern of mine is my paranoid dietitian freaking out and nearly wanting to call off the surgery because I wasn't having the amount of Glucerna she wanted. To the point where I had to lie to her about how much I was having a day, as I've waited 1.5 years to get to this point. Can't see how going nuts on me is productive. Already have my wife nagging at me. Has anyone had an issue w/not having sufficient calories not causing liver to shrink going into surgery? Or light malnutrition affecting whether or not surgery was done? Pretty much everyone I read has like 2-6 weeks and I'm stuck with 12. This is absolute misery, but I'm perfectly ok doing what I'm doing as long as the end goal is met and nothing causes my surgery to be cancelled (i.e. liver not shrunk enough). Steven

I can tell you that when I eat too much it hurts. I have never had to run to a restroom or been sick, but you do get really full fast. I have still not had any alcohol and I am now at 9 weeks post sleeve. My nutritionist said wait 6 mos to a year, I am sure you will do great

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm very very nervous about all of this. When my surgeon removes my band, depending on the scarring in my stomach, will then decide if Sleeve or Gastric Bypass will be best suited to me moving forward. By the time I am set to travel, I would be 5.5 weeks post op, so think I am on normal foods at that stage. What I am most concerned about is the effect that having too much food has on your new stomach. With my band - I get a funny feeling and just know I need to find a bathroom. NOt sure of what the experience is like if you have a little too much with a sleeve or GBP? We will be sitting on a beach in Thailand, so also hoping I am allowed to have an alcoholic beverage by that stage too?

I know they make alcohol drinks I didn't know they started making protein drinks Sent from my LG-H901 using the BariatricPal App

I am looking for anyone experiencing post lap band removal problems. I am hoping someone who has had similar issues and found some kind of help somewhere. A lofty hope, I think, since I am not having any luck getting help. Not for lack of trying. If you are experiencing pain, nausea, and other issues POST lap band removal and have had success in improving your situation, please contact me. I have tried SO many things, with no improvement. I have terrible pain across my back, as well. I don't drink alcohol and my lipase has come back high more than once, but still no help with that yet either. So, primarily, I am looking for any solutions anyone has found, and trying to find people with similar symptoms. I am not sure I want to stop there however, so if anyone has any ideas or information in that regard, I would be interested in that information as well. It is my understanding that you can't sue for lap band problems due to a 2008 Supreme Court ruling. It would be have to be a medical malpractice suit. Much more difficult. Thanks in advance.

I am looking for anyone experiencing post lap band removal problems. I am hoping someone who has had similar issues and found some kind of help somewhere. A lofty hope, I think, since I am not having any luck getting help. Not for lack of trying. If you are experiencing pain, nausea, and other issues POST lap band removal and have had success in improving your situation, please contact me. I have tried SO many things, with no improvement. I have terrible pain across my back, as well. I don't drink alcohol and my lipase has come back high more than once, but still no help with that yet either. So, primarily, I am looking for any solutions anyone has found, and trying to find people with a similar symptoms. I am not sure I want to stop there however. Apparently, thanks to a Supreme Court ruling in 2008 you can't sue for lap band problems. I still think I want to contact the FDA. Anyone with anything to add, it would be appreciated. Thanks!

I have done the atkins diet. I have done the fasting programs. Warrior program. Went 25 hours without food & then eat one time & fast again. So I have some understanding of low carbs or no carbs. I used the keto strips to see if I got into the fat burning process. So I did different programs. Ultimately, I didnt get a consistent weight loss from these programs. Maybe 18 lbs then couldnt sustain the weight loss and or lose any more. I noticed that while on a low carb program or no carb that I kept a dry mouth. Also with the dry mouth was the bad breath because of the dry mouth. It was unpleasant. So, I started to chew gum more change mouthwash to non alcohol. It helped somewhat but more or so to cover up the dry mouth & bad breath. Basically, I found out that dry mouth and bad breath may be what some may deal with when carbs are low. So with the pre & post op program this may become an issue for some. I heard that we cant chew gum. I think that's what I read. I will confirm with the nutritionist. If so, I got to find a replacement because I know this will be a problem for me. Maybe sugarfree mints? IDK. Still wont be the same like chewing in gum. I wonder is this just for 6 months post surgery not to chew gum ? Got to ask my doctor to make sure. If someone knows Im sure I will read it. But will ultimately confirm yes or no when I see my doctor this week. Anyone dealing with dry mouth and or bad breath while on pre or post op program.

There are several issues with alcohol and WLS that will apply to varying degrees to different people. Healing time for the stomach is the first, which may not apply to those with the band which doesn't cut directly on the stomach, but will vary from a few weeks to several months or a year or more depending upon individual surgeons' perspectives. Transfer addiction, which BigUtahMan discussed, wherein an addiction to foods, to the degree one is afflicted, is transferred to another medium - alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, etc. This can affect anyone who is severely limiting their ability to indulge in an addictive behavior (i.e. any WLS patient irrespective procedure.) From this perspective, some will take a "never again" stand on it. The other alcohol biggie is liver condition; going into any WLS our livers aren't in the best of condition due to our obesity (witness the "liver shrinking" pre-op diets that many surgeons impose on their patients} and is further taxed by its role in metabolizing the fat that we are rapidly losing. The last thing that the liver needs is to be further stressed by metabolizing a known liver toxin - alcohol (that's not a moral judgement, just a physiological fact.) On this basis, some surgeons will suggest no alcohol during your weight loss phase. With my surgeon, this is part of the contract that we sign with him - that we will not drink as long as we are losing; it comes from his alter-ego as a biliopancreatic (liver/pancreas) transplant surgeon who doesn't want to see any of his bariatric patients coming back onto his transplant table.

Here's a question for some long time sleevers and people who've achieved their goal. How did you deal with refocusing the energy that you used to put into food and eating into something else ? I'm keenly aware that some surgical weight loss patients become addicted to other things, like alcohol or sex, once the compulsion to overeat has been taken away from them. I worry about transferring my food addiction into something else that's unproductive. I like to say that I'll put it into exercise or hiking or something good for me, but I'm dubious long-term. How did you readjust that energy into something else?

I loved wine especially red but read several articles on how easy it could be to become an alcoholic after gastric surgery because it hits you blood stream really fast. Also the dopamine crave.I am just a few days post op and really want to try not to until probably 1 year But I do think however soon you choose be careful it's a slippery slope.

I decided I didn't want to drink alcoholic beverages when I was 22yrs old.. (Wish I had given up sugar as easily) I told everyone since there was nothing I would do drunk, that I wouldn't do sober... Let's cut out the middle man and save the hangover! I was ALWAYS the life of the party! (And designated driver) ... So show your friends you still know how to have a good time.. Or forget em! Find new friends! ?

Thanks everyone! Yeah I'm hoping I can get pass this complication and that it doesn't get work, but as for the alcohol i don't mind not drinking, but it seems like the friends I hung out with do mind, so I'm not invited to go certain places or to go out which I still enjoy doing, but just not drinking. Idk, it just sucks that they don't feel the need to hang out with me, when we could do other stuff too you know? Doesn't have to be going out.

Hi. I feel for your struggle. I'm only 4 weeks out and have mixed feelings. I tried advancing to soft food but kept getting sick. Put myself back on puréed for another week. We'll see.. so looking forward to chewing. About the alcohol. I quit drinking alcohol 6 years ago.. for a bit it bothered me but now I have found substitute liquids to order and I don't think my old friends ever notice. And I still have fun going out. You can order "virgin" versions of many drinks. I just tell any one who looks my that I don't like alcohol or prefer not to drink it.

How long before you can have a drink? I forgot o ask!!! Any feedback!?!

Every habit you need to adopt after surgery, adopt now. Eat the right amount of protein, chew your food thoroughly, don't drink before, during or after meals, make your meals last 30 minutes, exercise at least 5 times a week, figure out if there are foods you should completely avoid, stop drinking alcohol. These are habits, and habits need to be developed.

I use to be a wine consultant, so wine is my favorite! I also drank it in moderation. And actually before I decided on surgery my NUT told me I could have 4 oz a day. But when I decided on surgery I stopped drinking. And it was refreshing. I save so much $ too. Because I would open a bottle and then drink a glass and that be it. Red wine is only good for two days once opened. But now I am six weeks out and still no craving for alcohol. I set a goal though. Going on vacation end of March to New Orleans so planning to have a drink or two. Wine has sugar so I'll make sure to have no sugar foods that time. I also know that it's all temporary. I'm still in healing phase. The key is Moderation!

I'm a recovering alcoholic and have also been sober nearly 9 years. I've heard other recovering alcoholics talk about transferring addictions in the rooms, but I haven't heard a whole lot of people speak specifically about struggling with food addiction issues. I abuse food too. I find I get the same kind of mental obsession with it as I did with alcohol. I see a lot of similarities with overeating as I do my alcoholism.

Congrats on your soberity. I don't drink for religious reasons. But I wonder if I would have been addicted to alcohol in the same way as food. It's all an addiction. Destructive in their own ways.

I am a recovering alcoholic and go to AA meetings. I have struggled with other addictions. I am almost 9 years sober, but I abuse food.

Hi All !!!!!! Long but hope it helps someone You are not alone BUT it will all work out 3 DAYS TO SURGERY! - STUMBLING BLOCKS ; PRO-OP DIET; & HOME PREP ... Questions about Vit Patches This time went slow at first but now it seems there is no time left! I was approved right before the New Year... pulmonary cleared me with moderate but then the surgeon said NO... had to do a fast track scheduling for the CPAP titration. Then the requirement was 30 days compliance?? I wasn't fighting it because I am the one who will benefit but time was winding down fast and it was Jan 20th and no CPAP machine Surgery is February 21st. Had to call a few times to the medical supply company and WHEW they got me in on that Friday and I started that night. Talk about playing it close. THEN the insurance did the wrong expiration date for March 2016..how when they approved me December 2016???? They also approve it for out patient. My patient advocate (Maria) said the insurance company had to submit it back in for approval. I will tell ya... I didn't even let the idea of "Well can they deny me now???" go through my head. They were giving her the run around... she said during that week well its Wednesday I will give them til Monday and call back. I said look I asked for an approval before Jan and I got it on Dec 30th so they will call by Friday. Next day...insurance called...approved a 2nd time and did it correctly for in-patient! Down to the wire Pulmonary said they will approve me for compliance 3 weeks BUT medical company has to send the report. Of course left msg no call back...few days later the ONLY person who handles this said she will call back because she was in a meeting (she never returned my first 2 msgs)...guess what she didn't call back and now its the weekend. Tuesday again I call FINALLY she took my call and sent report that same day which was the deadline! WHEW! Cardiologist - well lets just say took them 2 months to send the clearance letter after myself and the patient advocate called. Pre-Op diet uggg my tummy doesn't handle milk products so well especially these! Constipated BUT taking in lots of fluids and the dietician is letting me supplement with fat free cream of chicken soup and she said if I just had to I could consume non starch veg and lean protein at dinner but keep it in my calorie count. WHEW...I had lost 10 lbs since the New Year and lost 2 more this week!. Monday is all clear liquids. Home Prep - If any of you have children you know we have to not only shop for ourselves but shop for easy things they can cook themselves or make meals to freeze that they can heat later. Cleaning....checking the list and checking it twice make sure the next 2 weeks diet is stocked up real nice! Did I say cleaning? I also got my alcohol wipes for when I give myself the blood thinner injections and other items for the hospital and first 2 weeks after. Other things I will get later because I know at our 2 wk check-up they will evaluate and go from there. Last but not least QUESTIONS: Has anyone tried the Vitamin patches, Biotin etc. that I saw on this site? If so, how do you like them? Do they work the same as the regular pills? Blood thinners & menstrual cycle: Can this increase the blood flow? That's all for now...I haven't been able to post for a few so I put it all in one lol.. If I can give you all only one thing I would say to stay positive! Positive energy gives your dreams & desires life and when that happens, everything around it has to get with the program. Keep speaking life to your situation and it will obey. Just because it didn't happen quite the way we thought or as smoothly as we thought it should, doesn't mean it's denied from you...it just means you are in a part of the process. HUGSSS!

I found the book The End Of Overeating really useful. Dr. K. points out that it's not 100% willpower, and those who try to depend on willpower alone likely fail at getting control of their eating. Sugar salt, and fats affect us neurologically, and are as addictive as tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. I write a bit about it on my blog but this is the link to Amazon. I did search and find it at my library, as an ebook, as well. We can't do it alone and asking for help is the intelligent thing to do! Hang in there!!