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Pat, funny you should mention alcoholism. I've been sober for 19 years. Addicted to food and shopping, but not using alcohol anymore. I have been comparing this in my mind to alcoholism and recovery. The lapband is my antibuse. Right now I am in detox. After my banding I will be in rehab. Once I can eat solids, I will be out of rehab and into the scary real world. Thank God for my antibuse, because if I use my "drug" I'll get really sick! If I start eating around my band it means I stopped taking my antibuse so that I could fall off the wagon intentionally. This board is my meeting. You guys are my support group. Jaime, I'm glad you shared what you did. I wasn't thinking it would be so hard right away. I'm still on the pre-op. It's not being hungry that bothers me. That passes. It's the emptiness. I feel empty. When I feel stuffed then I am a little numbed. I remember telling a co-worker a long time ago, "I don't care what happens during the day. As long as I can go home, sit in my chair and eat my Oreos and Diet Coke, I'll be happy." I had a very stressful job, but I got through the day by thinking of the moment that I would sit in my comfy chair, all alone, with my stack of cookies and my huge Diet Coke. That would make everything all right. Is there a section on this board that deals specifically with sharing these kinds of issues?

I was in shape until I graduated HS. I ran almost daily and lifted weights. I was a size six. I felt great. Then I went through a very difficult 7 years with my family. It completely fell apart. My dad left my mom, she tried to commit suicide, my dad went to treatment for alcoholism 3 x and some other ugly stuff. It was right at the same time that I began to live on my own and in college. I ate too much, ate out too often, used food and alcohol to cope with the stress of my family. I did not even notice how fast it was coming on. I recall buying bigger stuff but not really knowing how big I was. I was in denial. I quickly gained 100 lbs. I have then hovered at the same weight (give or take 20) for 7 years. However, I cannot make the needed changes long enough to have successful weight loss. So I guess I am fat because I turned food into a coping mechanism many years ago. I hope to change that on 5/22/12......

reif78: heck yeah that makes sense. I can't tell you how many times I wished I preferred alcohol or coke instead of food. At least with those things your dysfunction isn't so readily apparent. I'm actually not kidding which tells you a lot about why I'm fat. JSOTO: congratulations! You sound great and like you really have your head on right! It helps people like me read things like that from people like you!

Ok ladies. .... So ... I just spent the am in the bathroom. I have not had fibersure in 3 days, it was not working, but.... here is a question... does anyone know if crystal light has sugar alcohol? The only thing I have done different 2 times, the 1st being when i started fibersure, and the 2nd being yesterday afternoon because I ust got more was drinking tons of crystal light rasp green tea to go packs. And when I say tons, I am talking about 80oz a day. I couldn't even eat more than a few bites of my eggs this am because i felt like i was going to die, and had a green tea on my way out this am. I know... TMI.... but I don't understand why i'm not working right! off to lie in the sun, mower is dead as a doornail!

Jenn--there are just a few issues with banding and alcohol that you need to keep in mind (not on your vacation--not trying to rain on that parade!!!). #1. alcohol is empty calories, and flows through quickly---with no nutrients. #2. We have to be very careful not to swap one addiction for another...food for alcohol. We used food to celebrate, to mourn, it was always there for us, and when it suddenly isn't able to be anymore, it is pretty common for us to substitute something in its place, be it exercise, or booze. and #3. Once you reach good restriction, if you have anything else in your pouch, alcohol can be sitting in the small space for some time, and it is not kind to delicate tissues, so has been linked to ulcers. This is not to say you cannot go out and have a drink, or several! I have a margarita quite often at a little mexican restaurant we go to--it may be affecting my weight loss when I do it, but we have a nice evening, and it isn't a daily thing. I wanted the band to live as normal of a life as possible---and that for me includes occasionally having a drink, or a glass of wine. I may go months between them---but I don't want to be told I can't!!! Bottoms Up!! Kat

Hi everyone! I lost my last dang post! I don’t know what happens. I hit something with this laptop and the post just goes away! Anyway a lot has happened with you all since I have been gone. About a month since my last post! Too long, I know. We were camping and spending all free moments out in the sun, now we are in Canada. It is wonderful here. My DH and I have been here about 9 days now and are leaving in two. He is here for work and I am here for a vacation from work!! I have been lying around the pool, and shopping… it has been nice except for all the eating out! I am doing well on eating but have really been indulging in alcohol! Which is so bad, I know….. all the liquid calories! I have been swimming and went to the gym a couple times. I have gotten 3 fills this far and have a total of 4.1cc’s in my band. I am probably overfull since I can only eat a little more then an ounce of food at one time and have been sharing all my dh’s food with him. I can not eat meat unless it is baby size bites, bread is the same thing, but I am ok with salads and soups. I don’t want any taken out because for the first time I can feel my cloths getting bigger. TracyinKS – congrats on the wedding!! I had no idea! Wedding planning help and lovin all at the same time what a lucky girl!! Laura, That is awful about your honeymoon!! I would be so dang angry! I miss chatting with you all!! I am heading to the gym now thanks to your encouragement! Angie

I'm not going to completely admit to what I ate yesterday, as my period arrived today. Suffice to say it consisted mainly of sugar, combined with a little fat. And for variety last night, I added alcohol to the mix :shades_smile: Once a month doesnt hurt, right? Anyway, back on track today. Breakfast: Barbecued pineapple and peaches (they were going soft, had to use them up) brushed with maple syrup, served with Greek yogurt. Yummmmmmmmmmm. Worth the effort to fire up the barbie on a school morning. Snack: a banana smoothie made with skim milk and vanilla and a banana . Followed a 10km run. Lunch: A sushi/sashimi pack - I mostly ate the fish and left the rice. Small bottle of orange juice No afternoon snack, that was quite a bit of food this morning and I'm really not hungry. Dinner tonight is going to be roast lamb, roast potatoes and pumpkin, steamed broccoli and carrots.

Yesterday: I was super bad yesterday and somehow someway still lost 1 lb. Here goes: Breakfast:1/2 cup egg beaters and 3 slices of turkey bacon Snack-Ham and cheese kolache Lunch-1/2 cup of chicken salad and 6 crackers Snack-strawberry donut Dinner-4 shrimp tempura 2/3 cup of edamame Had several coronas because I went out for girls night. I lost count so felt extremely bloated last night. Total-1434 Calories (food) Alcohol (not too sure just know that it was alot) Protein 89g Protein

I'm curious for those who went from the band to the sleeve - with the smaller stomach - have you noticed a difference when drinking alcohol? I'm not a big drinker - I can't stomach much alcohol as it is but I'm wondering if the sleeve changes the effect that alcohol has on the body.

@@Ssze1109 you must get 64 oz liquid in a day non alcoholic LOL not necessarily water most NUTS count Protein shake in your liquid daily amount warm, cool, room temperature are also good to try try crystal light it has some flavor, and might work for you good luck kathy

Yea I know... I thought the hard candy would help when I'm craving sweets and before surgery I always had peppermints or butterscotch in my mouth. I figure the sugar alcohol was better then sugar but I guess I need to break the habit if always having hard candy in my mouth. This is not the easy way out.. My mom had this divert in 2005 and she was bedrest for 6 months and never had food temptations... Sometimes. Wish that was me because I'm tempted all day everyday and chicken soup and potato broth an getting so old.

Hi kathy I know yours was nothing to do with alcohol and I really hope more than anything I havent upset you. It was just before you posted I was going through all the things that could go wrong and that was one of my fears. Hope you are able to breath more easily and are feeling better. J x

Well, I had surgery on the 12th but when the dr cut into me, he seen my liver didn't look right, so he took a biopsy of it and my gall bladder and my spleen and my intestines. Long story short...they found that I have non alcoholic fatty liver sirrosis.. stage 3. The dr said doing a bypass would have killed me... but I can get the sleeve done. the only thing that will help my liver is to lose weight or I will have to have a transplant. So, I go back to my surgeon on the 20th and I am hoping we can get right on to the sleeve, and not let any more time pass.

OKay one day into my liquid diet. I did it. I hate it, but I did it. I had the worst day at work today and now I understand just how much food comforts me. I cried and cried and cried the whole way home because I knew all I could eat was my garden tomato optifast soup. I am doing better now but wow was that hard. I got my optifast from my doctor. I am not allowed the bars only liquid and I can have 1 sugar free jello per day if I want it. I was given the chicken soup, tomato soup, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry shakes. They are not bad tasting but they certainly taste like diet food. I have to eat 5 per day so I am just having one of each daily to change it up. Also if you are allowed to have diet soda try mixing the vanilla with diet root beer or diet orange soda. It made a pretty tasty drink today once the foam settled down. It would probably be better to use flat soda. I also walked for 30 minutes today on my break. I found a coworker to keep my company and hold me accountable daily so we are going to walk every day. I just can't wait until it is warmer outside so we can walk around the hospital and not through it. Let's see, oh my weekend was fun. I got to hang out with my girlfriends and do a few things that will be off limits after surgery. (Mostly involving alcohol lol) and I had my last "last dinner". Yeah who puts on 10 pounds in a month from overeating...yup me. I was definitly getting out of control. Well hope everyone is having a good day TTYL.

Hello! I am new to this site, I just have to say first off.. I love your attitude and outlook on this all "the professor" I will be having my surgery for my lap band on April 7th!!! I am equally terrified and excited! I have struggled for so long and am ready to take the plunge. What is a realistic goal for weight loss?? I am 5'6 24 y/o and 234 lbs and at my heaviest. My lightest adult weight has been 149 and I miss being that size terribly. Just years of bad habits and depression helped pack the weight on. Also what do you choose to drink when you do have an alcoholic beverage? How long after surgery were u able to have a drink? I would just hate to give up my social life completely.

I had my gastric bypass on 4/16 as well. My roughest obstacle has been the muscle stitch and trying to get out of bed or a deep chair. Coughing was agony! But today, 4/21 is much much better. I walked and walked and walked and I think that it helped me progress. I did not take any prescribed pain medication either. I am a recovering alcoholic (3yrs[emoji5]) and in rehab they caution against any addictive substances so I declined. I did take adult liquid Tylenol when I got home Wednesday night and Thursday through the day. Yesterday I walked through the pain and feel so great today I have not had any issues with getting liquids down, it just takes forever[emoji13]. I have had lots of (TMI ALERT) watery dark bowel movements. The Dr. office said to call if they look like tar. They don’t so I’m not worried about it. One last comment, I have experienced a huge change in my energy. I was always so tired every morning before I had surgery, and was expecting to be very tired while recovering. The opposite is true. I find that I have lots of energy! This is good and bad....... we are getting possession of another home we purchased tomorrow and there are sooooo many things that need to be done, and I cannot do any of it. I want to, and feel like I can, but I know I am asking for a surgery if I start lifting or moving. We had our procedures done on the same day and I will look for your posts to see how you are coming along and cheer on your successes. Good luck! My weight day before surgery was 245. I am 5’7. I am not going to weigh myself until Monday. 1 week out. I know I could get crazy watching the scale and a don’t want to get fixated on numbers.

<CENTER>I got this off another thread. It is similar to the Cabbage diet. Someone else said you could use it in your mushies stage and add shredded chicken. I think soup is a good way to get your Protein and veggies, maybe add a little brown rice to it. If anything, it can by used as a plateau buster. Sacred Heart Medical Diet </CENTER>This 7-day eating plan can be used as often as you like. If correctly followed, it will clean out your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. After only 7 days of this process, you will begin to feel lighter by at least 10 pounds and possibly 17 pounds, and experience an abundance of energy. <DL><DT>SOUP: <DD> 1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes 3 plus large green onions 1 large can of beef broth (no fat) 1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle) 1 bunch of celery 2 cans green Beans 2 lbs. Carrots 2 Green Peppers <DT>Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with Water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until veggies are tender. <DT>This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry during the week. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you eat, the more you will lose. You may want to fill a thermos in the morning if you will be away during the day. <DT>DRINKS: <DD> Unsweetened juices Tea (also herbal) coffee Cranberry juice Skim milk Water, water, water <DT>DAY ONE <DD>Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today. <DT>DAY TWO <DD>All vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn. Eat veggies along with the soup. At dinnertime tonight reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter. Don't eat any fruits through today. <DT>DAY THREE <DD>Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato. If you have eaten as above for three days and not cheated, you should find that you have lost 5-7 pounds. <DT>DAY FOUR <DD>Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, as is the milk but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and carbs. Proteins and Calcium to lessen the cravings for sweets. <DT>DAY FIVE <DD>Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today. <DT>DAY SIX <DD>Beef and veggies, eat to your heart's content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today. <DT>DAY SEVEN <DD>Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, again, be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup. You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish. <DT>By the end of the 7th day, if you have not cheated on this diet, you should have lost 10 to 17 pounds. If you have lost more than 17 pounds, stay off the diet for two days before resuming the diet again. <DT>This diet is fast. The secret lies within the principle that you will burn more calories than you take in. It will flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. This diet does not lend itself to drinking any alcoholic beverages at any time. Because of the fat build-up in your system. Go off the diet at least 14 hours before any intake of alcohol. <DT>Due to the variety of digestive systems in individuals, this diet will affect everyone differently. After day three, you will have more energy than when you began, if you do not cheat. After being on the diet for several days, you will find that your bowel movements have changed. Eat a cup of bran or Fiber. Although you can have black coffee with this diet, you may find that you don't need caffeine after the third day. <DT>The basic fat burning soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry during the seven days. Eat as much as you wish. Remember the more you eat, the more you will lose. You can eat broiled, boiled or baked chicken instead of the beef. Absolutely no skin on the chicken. If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef on only one of the beef days. You need the high protein in the beef for the other days. <DT>Continue on the diet as long as you wish and feel the difference both mentally and physically. <DT>DO NOT - DO NOT <DD>No bread, alcohol, carbonated drinks (including diet drinks). Remember, absolutely no fried foods. <DT>DO - DO - DO - DO <DD>Drink plenty - at least 6 to 8 glasses - of water a day, as well as any combination of the following beverages: black coffee, unsweetened Fruit Drinks, cranberry juice and skim milk. <DT>This diet comes from the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital that is used for overweight heart patients in order to lose weight rapidly</DT></DL>

Taken from Wiki - Ketosis (IPA pronunciation: [ki'tosɪs]) is a stage in metabolism occurring when the liver has been depleted of stored glycogen and switches to a chronic fasting mode during long periods of starvation. During the chronic stage of starvation (after glycogen has run out), fat (triglycerol) is cleaved to give 3 fatty acid chains and 1 glycerol molecule in a process called lipolysis. Most of the body is able to utilize fatty acids as an alternative source of energy in a process where fatty acid chains are cleaved to form acetyl-CoA, which can then be fed into the Krebs Cycle. During this process a high concentration of glucagon is present in the serum and this inactivates glucose kinase switching the primary energy source of most cells from using glucose to fatty acids. At the same time, new glucose is synthesized in the liver from lactic acid, glucogenic amino acids, and glycerol, in a process called gluconeogenesis. This glucose is used exclusively by cells such as neurons and red blood cells. Ketone bodies, from the breakdown of fatty acids to acetyl groups, are also produced during this fasting state, and are burned throughout the body. During the initial stages of starvation the adult brain does not burn ketones, however the newborn brain makes immediate use of this important substrate for lipid synthesis in the brain. After about 48 hours of starvation, the adult brain starts burning ketones in order to more directly utilize the energy from the fat stores that are being depended upon, and to reserve the glucose only for its absolute needs, thus slowing the depletion of the body's Protein store in the muscles. The brain retains a residual need for glucose, because ketones can only provide energy when used during aerobic respiration in mitochondria. In the long thin neurons, much of the metabolically active cellular membrane must derive its energy from glucose via anaerobic respiration without the assistance of mitochondria. Ketosis, which is a physiological condition in response to chronic starvation, should not be confused with ketoacidosis, which is severe ketosis causing the pH of the blood to drop below 7.2. Ketoacidosis is a medical condition usually caused by diabetes and accompanied by dehydration, hyperglycemia, ketonuria and increased levels of glucagon. The high glucagon, low insulin serum levels signals the body to produce more glucose via gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and ketogenesis. High levels of glucose causes the failure of tubular reabsorption in the kidneys, causing Water to leak into the tubules in a process called osmotic diuresis, causing dehydration and further exacerbating the acidosis. The breath of people in a ketotic state commonly contains acetone, detectable as a sweet smell that may be mistaken for ethyl alcohol. Whether ketosis takes place can be checked by using special urine test strips such as Ketostix. Deliberately induced ketosis through a low-carbohydrate diet has been used to treat medical conditions. The ketogenic diet is an approach to treating epilepsy, and the Atkins Nutritional Approach is marketed for treating obesity. The very low calorie, medically supervised Lighter Life diet also uses ketosis for weight loss.

Alanon is for family of alcoholics and alateen is for children of alcoholics. They teach family to apply the 12 steps in their own lives so they may be less affected by the alcoholic and his/ her actions. It's something you could do just for you. There are meetings everywhere and can be found in local yellow pages online. I urge you to try it. I hats to see you suffer, babe.

Yea most people think you're alcoholic or a pill popper when the enzymes are high. HW 358 SW 344 CW 273 RNY 4/11/2013

But that's 5 grams sugar plus 7 grams sugar alcohol don't you add both so that would be 12 grams wright ???

Mmm sounds yummy! For me, my surgeon and nut said no more than 6g of sugar or sugar alcohol but 7 is close enough. You also have to watch the fat as high fat foods can also give you dumping. Let me know how it goes! HW 283. SW265. SD 3/22/13! CW 244.

Blue bunny no sugar added ice cream. 1/2 cup 140 cal 5g sugar 7g sugar alcohol. .... My mom bought it for me and its been sitting in the freezer for a week. Is it ok to have??

In my life skills class they mentioned that sugar alcohols will give you dumping just like regular sugars. They would be processed the same in our old old stomach and cannot be broken down in the new. Going into the small intestine largely undigested and causing dumping. Be careful! HW 283. SW265. SD 3/22/13! CW 249

Has anyone tried the Supreme Protein bars I saw them in Sports Authority there made with Whey protein isolate 15 grams protein 200 calories this is 2 oz bar it shows 5 Graham's sugar but then it shows 14 Graham's sugar alcohol. This is Cael nut Chocolate & a Cookies & Cream the sugars sound to much