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Hi! I'm enjoying reading where everyone is so I will check in too -- I had surgery on 5/20 so I'm about 7.5 weeks out. The worst part about this for me has been no caffeine. I'm really looking forward to being cleared for step 4 which includes caffeine allowed at my appointment in about a week. I'm also really missing wine but I think I need to stay away from alcohol for as long as possible. I'm 50 lbs down overall (355 to 305ish -- I lost a LOT during the 3 week liver-shrink) and about 25 of that is post-surgery. I'm definitely noticing that it's easier to move around and my clothes are looking different on me, which has been great. In terms of taste, shredded cheese tastes a little weird to me, milk is disgusting, and butter tastes a little... off. I'm really interested to know if I'll dump/if I can ever have sugar again, but I'm not going to mess with trying something until I hit the step 4 diet. I'm REALLY stressed out about the hair loss that people say starts at around 4 months. But the only way out is through..... and it'll be worth it. I'm just worried I'll have bald spots!!!!! 😧

We're almost twins! I was 245 at surgery and am at 178 today. No exercise. I am discouraged and mad at myself for not taking full advantage of the honeymoon phase, which I fear is over. I've let some bad habits creep back in - sugar, alcohol, carbs. Still losing but only 1-2 lbs per month. I'm recommitting this week...getting rid of the bad stuff and trying to get to goal once and for all!

HW 243 SW 228 12/3/13 CW 186 Total loss 57 pounds Lost 3 pounds last week even though I was on vacation at an all-inclusive resort! That is more than I usually lose per week at this stage. I ate what I wanted, but no rice, pasta or fried foods - I did have a tiny bit of bread 2 or 3 times. I completely skipped all the free alcohol, but I had 1-2 bites of desert with dinner. I took protein powder packets with me and the staff was willing to blend them for me with a little juice or milk. I had them add a little fruit and ice. I was also very careful to stay hydrated since it was about 85 degrees each day. One big change was the amount of exercise. My work is sedentary and it is a good day if my Fitbit records 3,500-4,000 steps. However, this resort is so large that they run a golf cart shuttle to help you get around. I walked everywhere instead, so I was over 10,000 steps every day and went as high as 13,000! I have not exercised hardly at all since my surgery and now I see why others weight loss is much faster than mine. I know what I need to do...

My surgeon doesnt want me to have alcohol of any kind for at least 1Year, and advises to never have anything carbonated ever again. Sent from my SCH-R960 using the BariatricPal App

I always knew that if I could have been just a little taller, that I would have been the perfect weight. I kept asking for 4 inches every year, but Santa got confused and gave them to me in width instead of height! Well I have been on my Atkins phase for 24 hours now, and I remember how much I actually like it. I had to cut out my protein bar for the next 2 weeks until I get my fill, but that is fine because I just replace it with low cal string cheese. Cheese is my FAVORITE food in the entire world, so it doesn't bug me much. The only HUGE difference between Atkins before and Atkins now is that I am eating low fat and low cal and not doing the Taliban version of it. For those of you who need explanation, the Taliban version of Atkins consists of less than 10 grams of carbs per day, including sugar alcohols so I pretty much eat meat. Now I have relaxed that a little and allow 20 grams of carbs. Still not much, but it allows me to get in some vegetables. I also talked to our nutrition teacher at the high school and she suggested that I go to 1200 calories and eat like this BREAKFAST, SNACK, LUNCH, SNACK, DINNER, SNACK. Well I know me and if I eat a snack after dinner, the flood gates will open so I am not going to follow her advice on that one. Well I have to get back to working on school stuff. the new trimester started today, so LOTS O' PAPERWORK!

I am not going to be running on my foot at all this week. I am going to work on leg endurance using the eliptical (no foot pounding) and the bike. Today I am going to do the bike...that is if I don't go home and drowned myself in about 3 bottles of strong alcohol. Okay...so i wouldn't actually do that because I don't like alcohol, too many liquid calories, I don't like alcohol, I would have a raging headache after 3 sips, and did I mention that I don't like alcohol. So here is the story... When my students don't turn in their work on time they have a three day grace period...once that time is up they have to come in during lunch and work on that project/assignment until it is finished. Today I had 78 FREAKING KIDS IN MY ROOM!. That is right...78 out of my 140 students hadn't turned work in. How ridiculous is that?!?! I am here EVERYDAY before school by 6AM at the latest, at lunch, and afterschool for at least 30 minutes. Also I give them class time to work on it. These are the days when I would rather dig ditches. At least then I would get a workout in as well. I told another teacher that this frustrates the CRAP out of me...who needs laxatives when I have my job! As for postponing the half-marathon...I can't. 4 days after the 1/2 I have surgery so it is this one or nothing. I haven't signed up for it yet and I will see how my foot is feeling after Sunday's run. If it still hurts I will go to the doctor and see what it feels like. I think it is just sprained. I promise I will not do anything that will hurt it permanently. As soon as I realized I couldn't run I came up with another plan. This is where I am so different from before. In the past I would have just said..."well I can't run so I might as well just give up." Then I would follow that up by binging. Now I just find alternatives. That is what life has to be about. You have to find alternatives to food and make modifications to exercise when necessary. Well I have a CRAP ton of work to grade so I had best get it done. This is the first time since 6AM that I have not had students in my classroom. I have been at school since 4:30AM...for the second time this week. And yes if you are keeping track...it is only Tuesday.

Good Morning Everyone, Naaa, I'm joking, I've been up since 12:30. I am very sore today, guess I over did it yesterday. I drove myself to the mall, went to Dillards, got a pair of shoes, a purse, and a bathing suit. I just couldn't stay home one more day. Also went to dance lessons last night. I missed last week. Couple danced for about 30 minutes. I'm paying for this today. Not bad, but sore. DH had to change my tape last night. The PS puts this sticky brown tape on all my insisions and says change it every 2 days. Why, why, why do I have to put tape on cuts and then pull it off, why. I cried just a little, and felt very nauseous and light headed. Nauseouse is a work, I CAN'T SPEElee O.K., about pain meds. They have been the worse part of this whole ordeal. I hate them. How do people get addicted to that horrid shit. Anyway, I have learned that most of the pain meds we have all taken are already mixed with acetometaphin. So, do not take Tylenol with pain meds. Taking even a smigeon too much of acetometaphin is dangerous, DANGEROUS. Vicodin, Loritab, Percocet all have aceto..... in them. O.K. that's another word I can't spellllele. You know if alcohol worked as pain meds. it would be better to take, the side effects are much less. This medical advice is 4 dollars, please send cash or money order to me. Thank you, you may also send qvc money

Thanks for working through it with me. I've just checked the calendar and Aunt Flo is due next week, so that'll probably count for the cookie craving. I may have an attack for the next few days until she arrives, so I need to keep myself busy. I've got a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle here somewhere, that should keep me out of the cupboards for a little bit. And there's always my books. I have plenty of SF gum in the cupboard, so maybe I should just chew on some of that to get me through when the cravings are really bad. I'm just thankful I didn't have any Cookies in the cupboard. The sensible me is the only one that's allowed to go shopping these days and won't buy them. I've gotten those 100 calorie packs a few times, but noticed I tended to reach for an extra pack or two when the demons pay a visit. So I stopped buying those. Sometimes I feel like a junkie. Not that I've ever had a problem with alcohol or drugs, but it's like I have this need and it SHOUTS at me to be satisfied. At least when you give up those addictions you stay completely away from them. Our addiction is food and we still have to eat. :huh2:

So, I had a friend's wedding last night, and let me just say I had a blast. I did have a glass of wine with dinner, but then I had 3 drinks at the bar afterwards. I have not been out that late in a long time. It was also great because I'm here in Omaha without my hubby and saw some friends from high school. One of them was a guy friend who told me that he had never looked at my a$$ so much. It was a great compliment. Now I just need to work the 3 white russians off that I had. I can tell you though that I haven't had any alcohol for about 8 months, so needless to say, it hit me pretty hard!! But, I had a GREAT TIME. On Friday, the bride-to-be and I went shopping because I needed a new pair of dress pants for the wedding as mine were so big that they looked horrible. We went to Dress Barn and they had their holiday dresses out. I decided to try on a couple and picked up an 18 & 20 to try on. The 20 was way too big, and the 18 fit well, but a little big in a couple areas. My friend told me to hold on and she went to the rack and grabbed a 16 and it fit. I was so surprised, and almost bought it, but I couldn't justify spending that kind of money on a dress I wouldn't be able to wear at home. I was super excited though because it's been over 11 years (since the start of my senior year) that I was able to fit into a 16. Jeans are still another story, but that will come with time, I just couldn't believe it. So, talking about mini goals, I think I'm doing well on the Thanksgiving challenge. Before I left, I was down to 230 (5 pounds for the challenge), which I might add is the same weight as my hubby, so sometime in the next two weeks I should weigh less than him for the first time ever. My other mini goal (since I can see it now) is to get to onderland. I'd love to be there by my b-day on Jan 25th, and now I really do think I'll be able to hit that goal. So, put me down for another 10 pounds between Thanksgiving & Christmas. I'm so glad I have you guys as you truly do understand what I'm feeling and how excited I am with the little things!! I hope you all had great weekends, and I'll check back soon. ~Nichole

I get my fill on Dec 21. It is good and bad to get it at that time. I WANT to be restricted, but I never get to see my family and that will be the only time that we can Celebrate Christmas and I will be on liquids. Oh well, I have the rest of the year to eat food, and I desperately need a fill. So I emailed my dad and said that we could go out to dinner at this Mexican restaurant in my hometown (my doc is close to there and it is ~6 hours from me AND across a mountain pass) and I would just have a non-alcoholic Margarita. I don't drink alcohol because it gives me a headache so I will substitute it with sugar, my drug of choice.

Good Morning Gang Thought I would post EARLY but see Karla has beat me :0) Ruby as to your struggles - hugs -- You need to get back to the basic - Go back to the beginning - I know it's hard after you have lost your motivation - but I think doing that - Logging calories (you were good at that) and following a healthy eating plan and not allowing so many treats - that's what gets us all the time .... Remember food is our drug of choice - plan and simple - I was talking to a lady last night from back east she's getting banded 6/17 - and I told her clean out your kitchen - get all your trigger foods out of the house - you would not leave a bottle of booze on the kitchen counter if you were an alcoholic so why would you leave a bag of cookies (or whatever) in the pantry. You explain this to your family and they should understand.. We have no control when it comes to food. I know that you get plenty of exercise cuz you walk and don't drive - but are you still doing your gym and karate (or what ever it was like that) Oh ya - Ruby met Karla (cremark) Karla meet Ruby - She is one of our Original #7 - maybe cuz we were talking about how many pple have left she came back - Ruby, Karla is a friend of Steph and was just banded and cuz Steph loves us so much asked her to join us.. Karla - My doc is tough after a fill its 7 days liquids - 7 days mushies - 7 days soft then back to regular food - I pretty much did that the 1st fill but the 2nd fill I didn't - I did like 2 days liquids then mushies then soft then regular.. 1st fill felt right away remember eating yogurt and almost pbing - but that fill seemed to dissappear within 2 weeks so I called and made another appointment - then my 2nd fill took about 2 weeks to finally settle in. Kari - My friend who's getting banded next month has knee issues - I told her that you just biked - she asked what kind of bike do you have regular or recumbent?? I didn't remember.. I think I am going to invite her to join our thread Karri - Did you get some sleep - I saw on FB that you realized that you aren't super human and needed some rest - did you get it?? Denise - How goes the battle.... Phyl - How's the knee doing - how long with DD be gone on vacation - is this the one with the little kids (thomas) so far I remember Tracy has the 2 older ones (Adam & Alisha) Steph - How's the back doing... Candice - When to you leave for France !!! Ok gang it's 5:30 - I can't beleive how fast time goes when you are on the computer !!! Gotta jump in the shower... Talk to you all when I get to work...

So my PCP called me this morning because she has a c-section that she needs to do tomorrow and wanted to know if we could push out my appt. She wanted to know what was going on with the medication and I told her that I was having UNBELIEVABLE food cravings. All I want is simple sugar. I couldn't sleep last night because I was starving and all I wanted was sugar. I tried something with splenda in it because I thought I just wanted something sweet...but that didn't cut it. Well we don't have anything in the house that has sugar in it so I ate 2 tablespoons of pure sugar. Yep...right out of the box. When I told her that she said...you are coming in and we are getting you off that medication. "The next step will probably be alcohol." Those were her exact words. Turns out that these are not just food cravings. It is a severe reaction to the medication but it usualy manifests itself in alcoholism. But since I don't drink alcohol EVER my body craves the simple sugars that alcohol breaks down into. She told me that whatever I do NOT to have any alcohol (including sugar alcohols or cooking alcohol) until we get me off this medication. I cannot explain to you how debilitating these cravings have been. I have been incredibly quiet around here because the food issues have been devastating and I was trying to wrap my head around them. In the last week I have had 3 candy bars and 2 pieces of cake. This is the first time that I am admitting to them. It is the only thing that will make the hunger go away. Imagine going for about 12 hours without eating and think of the hunger that you would feel. That is the hunger that I am feeling constantly. How do I know that it was actual hunger and not head hunger...well...I went for 8 hours without eating yesterday just so that I knew that whatever I felt in my stomach was actual hunger pangs. Then I ate. I was so full that there was a lot of pressure in my pouch and my nose was running like a faucet (sure sign I ate too much). Lo and behold...the feeling in my stomach was EXACTLY the same. When I told the doctor this she just kept apologizing that she put me on it. She said it was a rare side effect but one that is VERY real. I said that when I was put on this medication the last time I had very similiar reactions. I was eating 3-4 candy bars a day and doughnuts by the dozens. I told her that I never said anything to the doctors because I figured I was just a fat slob that didn't know how to control her eating. But now...this is WAY off. I am usually very content with the food that I eat. I love my veggies and proteins and right now I can't hardly stand to eat them because all I want is sugar. So thank you for all of your advice, but it turns out that I have not lost total control over myself like I feel I have. I felt like my world was spiraling out of control and that there was nothing that I could do about it. I now know how a drug addict feels. I am sneaking food again and doing whatever I can to get my next fix. She did say the cravings usually went away pretty quickly after we get off the meds but that it will take about 2 weeks to wean me off. I am not sure what we are going to do but I honestly believe I would rather be uptight, anal, obsessive and throwing chicken sausages across the kitchen then going through what I am right now. Sorry to ramble, but I had to get this out there. Love you all and thanks for the encouragement.

Whats the difference between sugar and sugar alcohol? I dont think I've ever saw that on a label before. Im going to have to check that out. That is a good rule of thumb: 1 gram of protein per every 10 calories.

Need some moral support and feedback from some of the older slivers:-). I'm 18 months out and have put on five lbs (coming out of the holidays). Trying to get my head back in the game; however this is bribing up old junk!!! How many calories a day are folks eating and what is the Quality of food? Alcohol? Just need some reality checks so I can refocus...Thanks

HI all. DAy 6 and felling almost human today. A little hard with a get together and I cant eat or drink alcohol. But I got through it and am happy. Energy returning finally only a short nap today. How is everyone else feeling?

I don't know if this will help but I was also really sick with nausea, not as long as your daughter but still sick. At one point they gave me everything they could so the nurse had me smell an alcohol wipe and it really helped. Once at home I kept a bottle of rubbing alcohol right by me the first few weeks and would smell it when a wave of nausea hit. It really helped me. I hope your daughter feels better soon

There is a lot of vulnerability and insecurity around here. That's fine, this is a weight loss forum with a lot of strangers telling other strangers how they must cut out most of their stomach in order to keep their eating habits from killing them. Given how being fat is stigmatized in a way many other addictions/behaviors aren't (there is a heck of a lot of support/compassion for people addicted to other things, especially in the medical community), bristling at bluntness isn't an unusual reaction. It's not that I think we need to be a hug box, echo chamber, or hippy drum circle in which everyone vomits sunshine and rainbows and walks on eggshells for fear of offending the too-easily-offended. But I do think the emotional rawness and fragility is something important to keep in mind. ...Although, if I read one more "I'M SIX DAYS POST OP AND JUST ATE A PLATE OF Pasta, DRANK ALCOHOL AND SMOKED WEED, IS THAT OKAY," I'm gonna punch myself in the throat.

I am a food addict. My trigger is anything sugar or bread. I love most things carb related and will eat them even when I do not like the taste of them (because there is nothing else in the house to tame the craving at the time) Also some artificial sweeteners trigger me. I am slowly realizing that it is not just because I am hormonal that I react this way. For example, tonight we bought sweet rolls. I ate one. It didn't really trip my trigger. I wasn't hungry when I ate it, I just wanted sugar. An hour later, still not hungry I ate another and felt some acid reflux a bit from over eating, then about 20 mins later I picked up about 10 crackers and ate them trying to make the acid reflux go away when I was the one who caused it in the first place and I didn't even really "enjoy" any of that food and now I just had to take tums to help the extremely full indigestion I have going on. Before now I would not have picked up on this. It was my normal, as sad as it is. I will not eat anymore sweet rolls tonight BUT there is a good possibility that I may finish them tomorrow, even though I didn't really like them. At least now I am aware of what I done after the fact. Now I need to stop it before it happens. Sugar/carbs + mindless eating is one of the reasons I am morbidly obese. At times when I was thinner I had issues with how much alcohol I drank. I grew up in an alcoholic home. It was better to stuff our feelings with food than to be verbal and deal with the wrath of my dad on a non happy drunk day so I know there is an emotional connection as well.

I was told we were not allowed caffiene and alcohol and some of these shakes include them. i guess it could always be substituted. i know they make coffee flavored protein powder

@@Anna Nim I've got no good reason why WLS allows some people to keep the weight off. It's obvious why it doesn't work for a lot of people.....they don't follow the rules, they go back to old eating habits, they basically don't make the necessary lifestyle changes. But why can some people do these things? How are previously fat folks who were never successful losing (and keeping off) weight through traditional diets "magically" able to succeed with WLS? Why couldn't they log their food and eat more Protein and make better choices and not use food as an emotional crutch before surgery? I seriously don't know. For me, I think it was because surgery allowed me a second chance at finally doing things right. The strict diet and sleeve restriction in the beginning allowed me to lose more weight than any diet ever has. I became a thin person for the first time in my life. I was given a "get out of jail free" card and it was up to me whether I wanted to put in the work to stay out of jail or did I want to make the same mistakes that landed me there in the first place. I chose the former. And let me tell you, the psychological aspect far outweighs the physical aspect of surgery when it comes to long term success. But I knew that going into this so I was prepared. When life started slamming me with stress, I sought the help of a therapist rather than turning back to my old comfort buddies, food and alcohol. The statistics of how many people lost how much weight or regained X number of pounds has absolutely nothing to do with me.....or you. You can do whatever you want with your sleeve. The choices that determine success or failure are yours. But you have to commit to serious change....including giving up the carbs..... and if you aren't ready or mentally prepared to do that then no, surgery is not the answer for your weight problems.

My doctor was crystal clear that drinking alcohol before 6 months post op can have very serious consequences (he would prefer 12 months). He said alcohol acts as an abrasive in the stomach and can wreak havoc on the skin around the staples. I wouldn't risk it. My anniversary is October 11th and I plan on going out, having something simple to eat (soup), but definitely NOT having any drinks.

TracyK - 'above the rules' has nothing to do with it. The woman is irresponsible and should have her license to practice medicine taken away from her!!! How can you be a CDC physician and not practice proper disease control protocol??? She is directly responsible for spreading the disease she is in charge of controlling!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! Kat - I do hope you reported her to the hospital administrators. Kat - I hear the desperation in your 'voice'... and I am so sorry. I know how worked up you get and I'm here to tell you that it does no good. Take it one hour at a time, one day at a time. Breathe. You are doing an awesome job with Kinsey, as usual. Just close your eyes and visualize enveloping Manda and Kinsey in a healing white light. Hold them there as long as you can. I'm a believer in this method of prayer for healing. I have a cousin living in Florida who I've been very close to for my whole life. She was going thru a divorce that she didn't want and was having an extremely hard time coping. She chose alcohol to get thru her days. Problem was she was a mother of two young children who she drove to school each day. She'd mix herself a white russian or two for breakfast and drive her girls to school in that condition!! She was a SAHM and drank most of the day. I was on my way to work one morning and as I was driving she was heavy on my mind although I hadn't talked to her in 2-3 weeks. I had this overwhelming urge to pray for her and 'send' that healing energy to her. When I got to work, I found a quiet empty office, settled myself and spent 10-15 mins in that meditation. I swear to you this is true.... 30 minutes later she called to tell me she was checking herself in to rehab. She stayed 30 days and has been sober for the last 10 years. (((Hugs))) and healing energy to you and your family, Kat. We love you.

My husband and I researched WLS 10 years. We knew what to expect, what the risks were, and what our risks were if we had not had the surgery. I hope anyone who has not had surgery yet makes sure they can handle this. It is not for everyone. We both had hernias. We both were prepared not to eat pizza and french fries the rest of our lives. We gave up cola and alcohol. We are smiling at each other today, over 4 months later, because the sleeve surgery has exceeded our expectations. I am so sorry for anyone who has had these extreme problems, but I have also seen threads where someone is very sick and in two days they post how much better they are feeling or had an issue resolved by their surgeon. I would do everything in my power to follow strict eating and drinking guidelines, even if it meant eating yogurt 3 times a day because nothing is worse than being ill. WLS is not for everyone. You will still want pizza. If you are depressed you will still be depressed. If you drink and party, you will still want to drink and party. I wish better days for everyone who is feeling sick. Linda

I'm five months out and my surgeon said I could have a cocktail on my birthday, at the end of the month. He gave me the caution of alcohol hitting harder than before, but I've always been a 'one and done' girl anyway. So one cocktail, sipped slowly, it will be. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. What I meant was that your new stomach is so small now that you will feel sick quick, that's why I gave you the baby example. I gave you that example from my own experiences. I had my surgery two years ago, and when I drink one glass of alcohol, I feel very drunk as if I drank six glassss of alcohol. My comment was not sarcastic, it simply was an example. You asked, and I tried to answer it as simple as possible. BariatricMatters