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Before I even signed up for an orientation, I checked out forums like this to make sure VSG was right for me. I have always been an Atkins oriented eater, so the whole protein first thing wasn't a problem. I am a social drinker (weekends only -- no high calorie drinks) and observed that most VSG veterans who were drinkers before the surgery seem to do so without problems after. I also listened closely to my surgeon during orientation who clearly stated that one of the big differences between the VSG and RNY was that that the recommended no one ever drink alcohol after RNY; okay in moderation with VSG. I also found that most threads on the topic of alcohol are full of people who didn't drink castigating people who did, which tended to distort the true information exchange, so before I get tp the questions, I humbly request that people who never drank, or gave it up since their surgery feel free to troll, but please don't comment -- I'm only interested in first hand factual responses! QUESTIONS: 1. How long did you go before having your first drink? 2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol? 3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol? 4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before? As I said, I have read all the guidelines and see questions 2, 3, and 4 listed as "risks of drinking alcohol". At the same time, I see lots of comments from people who have returned to drinking post-opt with no complications, weight gain, or sudden addiction. By the way, I have also read all the "doctor's orders" and have found total inconsistency (ranging from never drink again to a month or two). My own program doesn't even have a consistent answer, which is why I'm asking for real stories... Thanks!

If you are going down bands but your cup size is the same (44DD to 42DD to 40DD, for example), then your *volume* is going down. Because the cup size is the difference between the band and your fullest measurement, if your assets are staying the same size, then every time you size down a band, your cup would go up. So, for example, I went down two band sizes (44 to 40), but only lost a size in cup -- going from 44DDD to 40F. If my assets had been just as big, I would be in a 40G now. But yes, I know what you mean about wearing the good bras. I have so many fancy special ones from Lane Bryant, and It breaks my heart to see them go -- pink and black plunge lacy numbers with matching garter belt skirts and stuff. So sad! :-) I am going to go some place and get measured when these are all too big. What I meant by band size was all my 44DD were tight and uncomfortable, not they are all comfortable. I have a lot of bras so I can rotate. Before I was using bra extenders because Cacique gets really frumpy after the 44 band size but I don't have to use those anymore and I can wear all my bras on the last hook, even the newer ones that aren't stretched out. I have a lot of back fat, but the front never really changes even with 150+ lb weight gain. Yeah yesterday I was desperately looking for clothes that fit so I could go shopping and I opened my sexy lingerie drawer and it hit me that all of that was going to be toast. It is a nice decade plus collection. Hopefully one day soon I can fit into Agent Provocateur and the sacrifice will be worth it.

I will not deprive myself of anything in moderation. That being said, I didn't get to almost 300 pounds because I did anything in moderation, including food. I truly believe depriving yourself is a catalyst to failure. You will fill punished, you will feel regret, you will feel isolated, you will left-out and eventually those feelings will lead you to not just one slice of cake but several pieces, then those pieces give you permission to eat something else equally bad and before you know it you have started the journey of the slippery slope to weight gain. I understand that it takes great dedication to your health to decide on WLS and with that dedication came sacrifices. Many of those sacrifices include "tempting food" but for many people a slice of pie is just a slice of pie or a few french fries it just a few french fries. Being a WLS patient doesn't mean you give up the joy of tempting food. It simply means you know when and how to make the splurge.

Hi I took a 10 day course after an asthma attack. I knew it was going to have an impact. I just decided I had to roll with it. Let it do its job to get you well then focus on removing any weight gain. You know it will come off. It may just slow you down a week or so. Good luck!

Let me tell you what's fun. Walking into ANY store and buying an outfit because you love it, not just because it fits, is fun. Pulling warm jeans out of the dryer, sliding them on and buttoning them easily is fun. Wearing bright colors and patterns is fun. Pushing away a plate of food and enjoying conversation is fun. Hiking, biking, playing frisbee, dancing without getting sweaty and out of breath right away is fun. Fitting in a roller coaster, an airplane seat, a movie theater chair, down a bus aisle, etc. is fun. Wearing heels without foot pain is fun. Getting up without knee pain, back pain or weight gain is fun. Not feeling guilty about cheating on your diet is fun. Food controlling your life is not fun. Living your life is fun.

Was wondering if anyone's started taking Lyrica after bypass? Did you have a problem with weight gain? I'm looking forward to the relief of pain but not looking forward to weight gain.

Am I anorexic. No I am not. Am I on the way there? I don't think so but it's something I do think about. First off I am in therapy with a counselor who is both a dietician and a specialist in eating disorders. I've been seeing her weekly since before I had surgery, over a year now. This is because I have a long history of an eating disorder. I've struggled with binge eating most of my adult life and also had a stint with bulimia. I've been through intensive inpatient therapy for it and am very aware of my issue and tendencies. I knew going into wls it could become a problem for me, hence therapy. To be diagnosed as anorexic one has to be 15% below a healthy BMI. I'm not even close. I'm still in a healthy BMI for my height. I'm aware of how thin I am and that there is a point at which I will become too thin. I personally feel like a few more pounds could come off but I don't intend to drop to an underweight BMI. I do know that I am very thin whereas anorexic people usually don't recognize their thinness. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with food and calories to a harmful degree. I am aware of them just like any wls patient and want to make sure I continue to follow a healthy eating plan. I don't have food rituals and I don't use laxatives or make myself throw up on purpose. I am eating around 1200-1700 calories a day. That is not what anorexics do! I am trying to eat to maintain my weight within a few pounds. I'd like to be between 115-120 for my weight which puts me a low normal BMI. So. Am I anorexic? No I don't think so. Am I aware that this possibility exists if I get to 115 and still don't find it acceptable? Yes I am. One thing that concerns me is how losing weight relieves my stress and makes me feel "safe." Like @@Babbs said, eating disorders are about control and stress management. Yup!!! That's how it does feel for me at least in part. That's an indicator that I may have trouble stopping. I don't think I'll aggressively continue to lose weight but over time it could sneak up on me because I'll be tempted to get the validation of weight loss continually past healthy weight. It is something that makes me feel so good and my rational mind struggles with the urge to see that number getting smaller because yes, it relieves fear and stress. There is a disconnect happening between me recognizing the size I currently am and the number on the scale. The issue lies in the fear of regaining and the activity that relieves that fear being weight loss. Everyone who posted has valid points and as you can see I'm not in denial. I realize this is a possibility for myself. That's why I keep posting about it. I'm looking for support from those who have achieved maintenance and dealt on some level with the fears I have. When I first got on this forum I was surprised how few people seemed to have past diagnosed eating disorders. I would have thought it more common. Especially because bulimia can often result in binge eating and huge weight gains over time. I do feel rather alone with my issues and a little embarrassed. I'm just trying to get support. It will be as difficult for me to end up looking like a skeleton as it was for me to be obese.

@@VSGAnn2014 Great article. @@Tssiemer1 You said you're not sure she's anorexic, then went on to ask her about obsession and losing as an outlet for something missing in her life. That IS anorexia. Anorexia isn't about vanity. It's about control. The person feels their life is out of control, and this is the ONE thing they have control over, and it makes the feel safe. At the very least Bellabloom, you have a pattern of posting about fears of weight gain and remaining very slender to a point where it seems to consume you. And anytime someone is consumed by negative thoughts, no matter what they are about, it's time for some intensive therapy to help you overcome them. The fear you're going through seems normal to a certain extent, because I see it all the time on these forums. But like I said, it seems to be all consuming to you. And that's never healthy.

Awesome !!!!! You done did it !!!!! Well done. The sipping has become easier for me every day. Now I have to make sure I keep the glass filled with ice and topped off with Water or else I tend to gulp it down (old habits). It's become second nature to have the glass beside me. I hope you progress well. You probably already know this, but stay away from the scale for a while. It seems there is a predictable weight gain during our surgeries and hospital stay (IV fluids doing their thing, inflammation Fluid gain, etc). Just stay strict on the diet and know that it'll all flush out in due time. Great job. You've taken a big step towards becoming healthy. Doing so at a young age is outstanding. Your life will be fun and exiting and HEALTHY. Awesome !!!!

There are SO MANY things that can cause weight fluctuation. Try not to panic! If you are indeed stepping up your workouts, you should read this fantastic article that explains weight gain when starting a new exercise plan: http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=why_the_scale_goes_up_when_you_start_a_new_workout_plan Lots of other things can lead to temporary Water retention as well. Like a super high sodium meal, hormonal changes, constipation, even dehydration. I can promise you that you haven't eaten 17,500 excess calories in the last week, so it is not actual fat that you are gaining!

I am in no way complaining here nor do I worry about something being wrong. I'd been warned about this happening. I just find the phenomenon to be interesting. I weighed this morning, my 3rd day after surgery. The scales read 6 pounds higher than on the morning of my surgery. I've been getting 2-3 Protein shakes plus 60-120 ounces of Water down each day. I'm trying to get my water intake elevated today (40 ounces already at 7:00am) as well have more mobility than yesterday. I'm sure once my body adjusts and the abdominal swelling goes down so will my weight. Do you remember how much, if any, that you picked up from the surgery? How long before you body flushed the fluids out ? I'm guessing that at some point during his coming weekend I'll have that breakthrough and see a big drop on the scale.

Thank you all so much for your responses I agree I need to actively try and get my highs from a new productive habit. I'll have a good think about it. It's so weird how similar the over eating and over spend cycling is.... the delicious anticipation and planning or the pure joy of a suprise temptation... the shutting out of the thoughts that tell you you will regret this.. the raised heart rate and excitement of the purchase or eating... the warm glow that follows and the brief high.... then the guilt sets in.....after a few cycles of that you face major weight gain or debt issues which add to the stress and of course you need to feel good again.... I guess I should be grateful I hate cigarettes and alcohol!

5 weeks after surgery, initially had been down 21 lbs and last 2 weeks I gained 4. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Feeling down for fear this didn't work for me.

What about the weight gain pre op? Since I've quit smoking I put on 6 pounds in just a week! How that even happened I have no clue will it set me back??

@ - I kinds hit one monthly. I am 52 and entering the big "M" and have started skipping but I still have symptoms and some mild weight gain every month - to me as a long time dieter - it is the norm:)

My husband has always been 100 % supportive of my WLS, (he never said anything negative but I know he wasn't happy with my weight gain ) and while he's always making positive comments about my slimmer ,healthy body, he also makes nice comments to others about my good exercise habits, and jokingly "complains " about them. Now, if I could just get him to build that work out area in our basement, we'd be set !!

@@Margie122 Pounds Lost - Pounds to go vases. My best investment from the dollar store You get the satisfaction of sound when you move a stone over to the pounds lost jar..(hate it when I have to move one back for a weight gain. After reaching goal they look pretty and are a great reminder of how far you have come. 2 glass vases 3 Bags of glass stones (any color) 1 pack of peal and stick letters

The more I dieted the more I put on. The constant struggle of deprivation and disappointment as my scales kept rising. Numerous visits to Dr's who would shrug their shoulders suggesting I "eat healthy, do more exercise". I've been on and off a diet since I was 9 and climb mountains but the scales had a mind of their own. Chronic back pain started, skin issues, unable to sleep comfortably, buying clothes every 2 weeks, pressure from people I do business with asking me all the time about the weight gain, not wearing high heels, feeling tired. Final straw watching myself walk in my underwear on a video for an Ostepath and not recognising that person on the screen carrying all that extra weight.

Yes my thyroid has been checked and is fine. As to watching what I eat...I don't eat bread. And rarely ever eat rice or pasta. I snack on fresh fruit and veggies and eat my protein first at meals which normally fills me up. ( but I am lucky if it is even 4 oz). I know that muscle weighs more then fat. And my clothes are not getting tighter which is a good thing! Just freaking over the weight gain when I have not even met my goal!

Just the place I was looking for! I just quit smoking after being a pack a day smoker for 6 years. It isn't and wasn't easy but in order to better my life with WLS I had too show myself i could Do it and I'm surprised I actually did it, I never would have imagined me to stop. My problem now is the 5 lb weight gain! I really didn't think I was eating to substitute the smoking

@@JamieLogical I believe none of us are exempt from weight gain. I have talked to my nurse from my surgeons office. Her opinion was patients that have gained weight may feel guilt or shame and don't report back on Dr's appointments or continue support. Being isolated most will have a substantial weight gain. I know my behaviors can slip back. Sometimes I need a reality check by the senior members. I also get inspiration from people that are currently dropping weight.

@@Doggirl79 I was actually denied because of weight gain also. I was also told if I lost the weight they would approve me but i still got denied again. Hopefully this doesn't happen to you and you get a quick approval. In the end I did get approved but had to go through an external review. Keep us updated. Good Luck!!

I have Aetna. I was denied due to a 3 pound weight gain. My problem is, I'm right at 35.1 BMI. I am not allowed to lose OR gain. I basically had to maintain. My denial is being reviewed. The Aetna medical director told my dr if I can lose ANYTHING within 4-6 weeks I would be reconsidered. That was 4 weeks ago. I lost the weight. I am on pins and needles waiting to hear back from them! My dr submitted the paperwork Thursday. I called Aetna Friday and I should know something Monday. I will be calling Aetna today (Monday) if I haven't heard from them. I'm so nervous I can't sleep!! ????????

I had gastric bypass in 2003 and kept weight off for about 7 years. Due to medications etc unexpected weight gain resulted. After working with doctor and nutritionist for about 2 years -- having revision surgery next week.