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Hi All! Its been a while since I posted anything or been active. I found out in November that I was pregnant. I was 8 months out of surgery when I got pregnant. My fiance and I had just gotten engaged a few months before and were planning our wedding. So it was definitely a surprise! I was really nervous about proceeding with the pregnancy. I just knew I would be ready in just one more year (I've been saying that for the last 5 years!) BUT I was pregnant now, 33, in a great relationship, with a stable income, healthier then Ive been in a while and all out of excuses not to start my family. So my journey began... I am currently 23 weeks pregnant! This is my first pregnancy so I have nothing to compare it with but this has been my experience in case any of you find yourself in my situation. Its hard to find doctors who understand how VSG affects my pregnancy. They understand that I need to be monitored more but don't really get the nuances. One example; I was given this HUGE jug to collect my urine over 24 hours. When I returned it, I was told that they need AT LEAST 4X more urine than I had collected. They were convinced I didn't collect all my urine. I told them that was everything I had to give! They told me to drink more water. Now this community knows how hard that task is. I still can not eat and drink at the same time. I also cant just drink a gallon of water in one go. It feels like a herculean task. I have tried 3 times and have still not filled this jug! I've learned that drinking tea increases my urine output so I have hope for my next attempt. I was really sick throughout my first and second trimester. I already had bad acid reflux before and after surgery and was taking omeprazole to relieve it. Turns out you can't take anything stronger than Tums while pregnant. So on top of the normal nausea, I felt the need to throw up to relieve my indigestion and heartburn. I started really hating food when everyone else kept trying to feed me more! I've been feeling better now though. I was allowed to take pepcid and it actually helps. Now, I have the desire to eat more but still cant eat more than a few bites of anything in one sitting. My food also takes forever to digest so I have to be really picky about what I eat. Fruits are my best friend! I kept my surgery a secret. My fiance and sister are the only ones I told about my VSG. So no one really gets why Im having a hard time eating more. They also keep wanting to see my belly but Im not sure how to explain my incisions. It feels too late to say anything now... so its awkward and more isolating than it could have been. But my family can be SUPER judgy so I think they would just find a way to make me feel bad about it and I don't need the added stress. I get to do more sonograms than your average mom to be. Because of my VSG and previous hypertension, I'm monitored more and have more doctor visits. I really don't mind! I love getting to see whats going on in there! So far so good... mostly. I keep expecting the docs to say my baby isn't growing or Im malnourished but that doesn't seem to be the case. Everything is progressing normally and baby looks good. They did mention that one of babys kidneys is not eliminating waste as it should. The other kidney is fine but they want to keep an eye on it. Of course we are worried but its actually pretty common and generally resolves itself. If it doesn't, there is a small procedure to fix it after birth (if necessary) so we are trying not to sweat it. I got Covid. I'm a teacher and as soon as the mask mandate was removed, I got COVID. Never mind that Ive been vaccinated, boosted and was still wearing my mask! Im actually recovering now. (SIDE NOTE: We seem to be having a second surge at my school. I wonder if any other teachers (or parents) have noticed that?) I was EXTREMELY sick the first week. I was lightheaded, coughing, full of mucus, achy and just couldn't get out of bed. I also couldn't take any medicines because of the pregnancy. My mom kept sending me home remedies but when I looked them up, there was always a warning for pregnant people. I just had to ride it out. Baby seems ok but I'll know more at my appointment next week. As far as my VSG goals... I was 195-200 lbs when I found out I was pregnant (SW:267) and had been stalled there for almost 2 months. I was getting a bit discouraged because my whole weight loss process had been so slow and felt harder for me than it seemed like it was for some people here. I also had a friend who had her VSG after me and had lost almost twice as much weight as I had so I knew it wasn't in my head. I started drinking again and sneaking in more cheat snacks. When I found out I was pregnant, I cut out all alcohol and was really strict about making sure the little food I ate was good for baby. I dropped 20-25 more pounds. Im currently 175 lbs. I havent really gained any weight. Part of me is happy about that and still trying to get to my goal of 155 while pregnant. But I know I have to put on weight for baby. It's really a mind f**k. Doctors say the baby is growing normally so there isn't much to worry about... yet. Technically I'm still overweight and they don't recommend as much weight gain for overweight moms. Im entering my third trimester now and am supposed to put on 1-2 lbs a week. We'll see how that goes. Im still trending downwards... If you made it to the end, thanks for reading through this entire post. I hope it helps. I hope to update you with only good news in the weeks to come! Last note, I'm having a girl! So exciting!!! My VSG has definitely complicated things but I think we made the right decision and I am really excited about entering this next chapter of my life healthier than I have been in years!

I had my Lap-Band surgery the day before Thanksgiving in 2009. I was extremely dedicated and followed the band rules to the letter--no soda, no gum, no alcohol (very rarely), no sugar, etc. I started training for a marathon around 250 pounds and 2 months after surgery. I lost about 75 pounds in my first year and went from over 280 pounds and into "Onderland" in my second year out. In 2011 I started having difficulty. I've had to get my band unfilled and refilled several times since then due to reflux, and the inability to swallow. Last October I had surgery for a hiatal hernia repair. Two upper GIs showed nothing wrong, but my doctor had the foresight to know that I probably had a hernia. At that time he also suggested that I consider converting to the gastric sleeve. I was against it and wanted to give my band another try after the hernia repair. At my appointment last week my doctor talked to me about the sleeve surgery one last time, and I walked out with the realization that it was something that I should consider. Since then I have met with the psychologist, researched the surgery, scheduled my appointment with the nutritionist, and tentatively scheduled the surgery. I work fast once my mind is made up. This is my second chance and I am jumping right in. I am realistic about the changes that I will have to make and the commitment I need to make to myself. I am ready. I feel the same excitement and optimism that I felt before I was banded. I don't regret getting the Lap-Band. It saved my life. I am happier than I have ever been even though I've gained back 50 pounds of what I lost. I have also gained a husband, confidence, and self-love. Now I just have to move on from the band and get sleeved so that I have a tool that will help me reach my goal. I'm ready. I just hope my insurance provider is on board. Thank you in advance for all of your support. Reading through posts over the past week has been immensely helpful. I can't wait to share my journey with everyone as I have enjoyed reading about all of yours.

And I remember complaining in June about my ins requiring a 6-month supervised weight loss plan.. I have to honestly say that without these last few months of consults and dr visits, I would probably be nuts and still totally oblivious to several things. Basically, this is my manifesto of sorts.... I've learned not everyone who has been supportive in your addiction, delusion, destructive behavior (in my case overeating) will support any decision that will encroach on the benefits they are receiving I don't have to depend on another person's validation, support or acknowledgement of my decisions about my life, yes, nice to have, but It's MY LIFE and I want a better one!! This is my right and no one can stop, change or deny this (I can of course, but I won't!!) everything I thought about myself, my motives, passion and intentions have come into question, but the victory is this.... I still love myself for who I am and I love myself too much to stay the way I am physically I am a perfectionist is a way that can be detrimental to my success in life if I dwell on the past and what I can't control... I don't like making mistakes and I felt horrible that I know ALL about the human physiology, nutrition and exercise, thus, I have allowed myself to become morbidly obese... BUT... this same perfectionism will be my catalyst to making great strides with my tools, including the sleeve, an awesome therapist and my new mindset. I have nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to asking for help with my weight problem.. Alcoholics and drug addicts are scorned or called lazy because they go to AA or NA or rehab. I refuse to be ridiculed into submitting to a life of obesity-related illnesses because some people have nothing better to do than to try and analyze why I'm STILL obese after all these years and what I should try... people are afraid of change... and so, perhaps I won't be the same "whatever you need, I got it, whatever I have that you need, it's yours" friend, daughter, sister, aunt, associate...Or maybe I will, just a lot smaller physically.... Perhaps having "LESS FAT" will allow me to see clearly what some of these people actually think of me and their true motives behind our relationships and associations.. My weight issues have fueled issues in every other aspect of my life.. food had become the only trustworthy friend and also my worst enemy... I could rely on my Snacks to be there, but they also stood as a reminder that I was not in control!! Finally, I've learned to release myself from all guilt, condemnation, anger, resentment and bitterness that I've been harboring against ME!! I no longer look in the mirror and shake my head in disappointment because I feel stuck and unable to get out of this rut... I am no longer fearful of trying again.. at anything!! Though, I've tried and not succeeded in successfully losing weight, that will not stop me from giving my ALL this time and every time... I will not be overcome by disappointment any longer.. I am strong, I am beautiful, I am COURAGEOUS enough to believe that my life will change for the better. I am not the same person I was in June or in October even. It has little to do with actual physical weight loss (I've lost less than 10 pounds).. it's more so that weight of the mental and emotional torment I've subjected myself too for years and years... These months, this board and many of my new friends have all worked together in what I would like to call Divine Orchestration to help me pen the new song of my life, one the represents each step, heart beat and all the love I have inside.... I will sing my new song, I will BE my new song!!!

Alcohol & sugary drinks cant stretch your sleeve, but they are empty calories. The stomach after sleeve cannot regrow to th esize it was before, but people who regain find ways to eat the junk that slides through easily and adds up the calories. People who stick to the Protein First rule continue to feel the restriction of the sleeve. It does relax abit after surgery and can hold more, but that is why changing habits of what is eaten is important. It may be cliche, but the sleeve is not a magic cure, it is a tool that when used properly can mean maintaining healthy weight loss. Ultimately each of us is responsible for the outcome.

Ok trying again to respond but sent you a PM with what I found VASELINE TOTAL MOISTURE CONDITIONING LOTION. With the following ingredients Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Glycol Stearate, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil or Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Protein, Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Carbomer, Lecithin, Keratin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Potassium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Collagen Amino Acids, Mineral Water, Fragrance, Triethanolamine, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Urea, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). Looks to have both ingredients you want. Good luck

Thanks guys least I know im not alone haha Every time I asked the doc he said it would go eventually but It will be 2 years next week and still happening actually more regularly they went away for awhile but thinks thats because i got it emptied out abit And xiolablue I think you'll find lots of different things trigger pain Sometimes I get it for no reason at all or when i drink alcohol Some days I eat whatever I want with no pain Otherdays I take a 2 bites of something and it gets stuck straight away and I get sick but as far as I know this happens to most people could be from stress thou

Hi there! I'm 9 1/2 months post-op, and my husband is almost four months post-op, so I can answer your questions from our experiences...I understand your fear of death, but neither my husband nor I had any complications, if that helps. Six weeks seems like a long time, but do whatever your dr. tells you to do...it will, like you said, make the surgery go easier on you. My husband lost 25lbs. before surgery and he recovered much better than I did (I only lost 11lbs.). The more you can do to prepare before surgery, the better! I can't really answer about the ins and outs of the liquid diet - I only had to do that one day before my surgery, and it was Protein drinks and water only. I've heard the liquid diet is hard. My one day was pretty hard! Someone posted some advice on this site I held onto and found to be true - "The first month sucks." The first month was really hard because you're recovering from surgery! You won't feel good for about a week or two, then have less energy for another week or two, then you'll be fine (please remember that I'm just basing this on my experience - everyone's experience seems to be so different! But my hubby's experience was very similar, although he did bounce back quicker and easier than I did). I did feel regret the first few days, but I really think that's because my whole world had changed - food was such a big part of my world, and it was gone! The "head" part of surgery was a bit of a struggle for me, and after a couple of days, that feeling of regret was gone. My hubby never regretted it. I waited three months, but now I drink coffee and alcohol (alcohol only occasionally). I haven't tried beer or soda because of the fizz - I hear the fizz does not feel good. My hubby drank a beer about a week ago, and he had to drink it really slowly, and couldn't finish it. So you can drink those things, but you may not want to. We eat tiny portions...we like fish, so we'll pan fry some salmon and I can eat about 2.5 oz and he can eat 2.8ish...it's fun and amazing how little you can eat and feel full! I just hit 100lb weight loss, and after almost four months, my husband has lost 50lbs. It will be the best thing for your family that you're doing this! Good luck, and if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to share!

wow to quote a poster "Of course!!! you were just banded..fast surgery or not its a prety big deal. It takes a week or more for the seditives/drugs to come out of your body plus I assume you are not drinking caffine, and reduced sugar intake and might be taking painkillers..etc. There are lots of reasons to still be tired..the number 1 for YOU is you just had surgery. :)" I wish I had read that..I am 8 weeks this week and am finally getting back to normal. I asked everyone. My dr.s office, on here, friends, family. Fact is, you just had surgery, you have taken major calories from your body, sugar, alcohol who knows what and probably added gas! and exercise ..your body is in shock.. I'm sorry I didn't read your age but for anyone age is a factor in this. The experts don't realize how long it takes. Heck we don't realize how long it takes. Thankfully I am feeling so much better but it took me 2 months! Im moving and loosing now though, good luck!

Hi, I have been reading every single post on this site. I am 50 yrs old, 270 pounds, 33 BMI, 6'4". I have been overweight my entire life - with the usual yoyo in weight. I am scheduled for a sleeve in July with Dr. Aceves, but I am very scared. I am not worried about the surgery itself, as I think I will be in good hands. I am worried about the aftermath. 1) The pain of liquid diet in the first month 2) How soon after surgery can i go to work. 3) but most importantly - does it mean that my social life will be over. We love going out to restaurants- does it mean that it's game over? will I ever be able to eat more than a spoon of yogurt? I would love to hear from other sleevers about their life after the surgery - months after the surgery, not the first few weeks. Can you go out, can you drink alcohol (one glass of wine is enough), what do you do in family BBQ events, etc? Thanks

I heard and read both, forums and group,Thing is most are told its all no for a start I guess. Those who drink coffe seems usual they waited a month post surgery only but more longer even over a year feeling right with it, also heard a few didn't wait so much. coffee alone has no calories though. They can be comforatble with one cup,some more is that they drink it 1/4 cup at a time and so on. Some have other sources to replace like green tea might be maybe.Some still just do not. Soda is a no no because it aids in what expands the stomach and makes it stretch faster and more. Most soda's have no nutritional and Vitamin content and the ones with sugar are no good to more doctors these days. Some one banded said that alcohol can not be drank in any normal quantity and will get you real drunk very fast, I am unsure that it efects stretch of stomach or what I might imagine to use for another example at all. It may be that alcohol will be absorbed to quickly to just have a couple rounds and and personaly did I do it I wouldn't ever think to just use straight liquoer unmixed again. Couple rounds seems filling to me from listening to others too. One thing on that you must know already I'd bet is that alcohol is a heavy calorie drink on its own too, beer more so than others with no say cream additives ect.. My thing is smoking, cigs that is, I may if fully quit last the longer year or what have you added to anything I do after quit for time.

Had my bypass done in dec 16. I have done awesome! I quit everything I was supposed to. I take my vitamins and drink my protein. 130 is my ideal weight and I had stayed there for several months. I had an ulcer and didn't know it so I spent a week in the hospital in Feb. I left the hospital at 127. Took me March and April to get back to 130 (I wasn't trying to gain I was just ok with it). I have struggled a bit with alcohol so I cut it out completely. And gain 3 lbs in a week!!! I'm sad, what am I going to do now that I'm really healthy, no ulcer, no alcohol, I gain??!!! I know that foods gave snuck back in and my brain knows what I need to do but why does it have to be so damn hard??!? Sent from my SM-J700T using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey Everyone! I'm Lauren, 22 and am scheduled to get my band on March 10th!! I'm a self-paying patient and am scurd outta my mind! I only know one friend who's had the surgery and she loves it, but I have soo many concerns about how to tell people and what about my beer drinkin?? I know I can drink other alcoholic beverages, but NO BEER?? sheez- reguardless though, I'm ready to make the commitment! If anyone around my age has before after photos or any advise or wants to be a lap band buddy let me know!!!

Just as an alcoholic or gambler or shopping addict uses their addiction to comfort their fears and insecurities. :w00t: In the past it was believed that you could 'cure' an addict by getting to the root cause. Now we know that just isn't true. .

True, but that is not what qualifies it as an addiction. Some people have an addiction to sex, gambling, shopping, etc...none of which will cause death if the addiction were withdrawn. Even with alcoholism, life-threatening physiological responses aren't always a fact. It depends on how long that person has been an alcoholic and how much they've been drinking. My brother, 4 uncles and several cousins are all alcoholics. At some point in their lives, they all just went cold turkey without life-threatening complications. At this stage of their addiction, it would definitely be life threatening. I think that is a very good point even for those with an addiction. Addicts don't just quit their particular demon. They get group and individual support. They have a mentor who looks out for them and who's there during their moments of crisis. They get therapy to learn behavior modification. Changing our behavior is just the beginning. Unless we figure out what sets us off, we'll continue to go round and round with our weight. It's great aversion therapy. I made a cherry kuchen to take to a homebound acquaintance's home when I visit this afternoon and I timed it so that it would be out of the oven after I'd eaten lunch because if I try to eat a piece of that now, after I'm full from lunch, Hilda (my band) is going to slap me hard. I'd make a lousy spy because I'd do just about anything to avoid pain. :w00t:

It isn't different and that is why the medical community now recognizes there is such a thing as food addiction. You're also comparing from two different angles. A food addict is addicted to food and there is a physical dependence as I explained in my previous post. You said, "if you don't overeat you don't experience physical and neurological changes that threaten your life." Guess what. Neither does an alcoholic. It is only when the alcoholic is in the throes of his addiction, or withdrawing from it, that he does...as does the food addict in the throes of their addiction and/or their withdrawal from it. *You* may not be a food addict. As I said in my previous post, there are many reasons for being overweight and not all of them are necessarily a result of an addiction. As part of my doctoral degree, I was required to go through therapy myself and I know that my relationship with food absolutely meets all the criteria of an addiction. That 'revelation' is actually what led me to WLS. I agree that not everyone's will be an 'addiction', but in the meantime we should not be making judgments about someone else's relationship with food. First because most here are not trained in behavioral modification therapy or any other type of therapy and even those of us who are only see a fraction of a person's true thoughts and feelings in these posts. .

I'm with Betsy on this one. I have a problem with alcohol, gambling and food. None of these are addictions for me. They are compulsions. I hide behind them or use them to fill in voids in my life. Finding a non-destructive hobby will definitely curb all of the above. Calling it an addiction is just a way of justifying your actions to yourself and others. Deb, You did great for a couple of weeks but were you depriving yourself of the things you now crave? If so, that is where the problem lays. There are no bad foods when eaten in moderation. It sounds like you may have been trying a little too hard. Meet in the middle and eat at a rate where you will lose half as much as you were over the last couple of months. You'll still lose weight, yet you won't be depriving yourself as much.

It's tough for so many people to deal with this. Let's face it, most of us were emotional eaters. I have been very fortunate to have not aquired any cross addictions. It is very sad. I know a girl now who is struggling with alcohol addiction that started after WLS. I also know of a girl who died from liver failure for the same reason. We really have to work hard to find other ways to deal with our emotions. So far, when I feel the need to emotionally eat, I make myself get up and do something. Go for a walk, give myself a pedicure, or w/e. I just know that I have to distract myself for a while. So far it's working. phew

#1 you can't listen to anyone one here about fills - cuz for each of us it's totally diff - my doc won't tell me how much I have in my band cuz I can have 3 cc's in my band and be too tight and another person can have 5 and still not have restriction - it doesn't mattter the # of cc's in your band all that matters is that you have restriction and if you can't eat or drink without throwing up - That's telling you - that you do have restriction After my 2nd fill I lost 17 in 2 months - I told him I wanted fill cuz I could eat 1 whole enchillada - he said no... You lost the weight - its up to you to make good food choices - I went back a month later begging for one - he gave it to me - within the week I was back and all of that fill but .01 was taken out - I was so freaking tight I could barely drink - I lived that week on sliders - I will never again be that tight.. #2 what would you tell a friend of yours turned to alcohol or drugs during a personal crisis - would you co-sign their use of drugs or alcohol?? I seriously doubt that - so why are you co-signing your reason for eating.. That's your drug of choice... Deal with the issues - we all have them - I lost my baby bro who's 3 yrs younger than me 2 years ago.. Did I turn to food - Nope - would I have in the past - Yes - When both my parents died within 1 month of each other I gained 30 lbs. But I now understand that drowning your sorrow in food isn't the answer - just like if you were drowning them in drugs or alcohol.. We all make excuses as to why we can't do it - but that's all they are is excuses - If you were truly hungry - an apple would satisfy that hunger instead of a bowl of ice cream w/half a jar of choc on it.. Here's a suggestion - write down everything you eat - there are tons of sites on the internet - livestrong - daily plate - hell I kept a little 3 x 3 note book with me - I wrote down everything I ate & the pt grms and the calories - I did this for my till I got to goal (11 months 1 week) Losing weight is simple math - calories in vs calories burned Go back to the basic - eat off small plates/bowls - always eat pt 1st - tiny bites - eat slowly - chew chew chew - no drinking with meals - Losing weight with the band is still work - we have tons and tons of mental issues to deal with - we can't turn to food to mask our feelings of frustration - loneliness, anger & boredom.. When you have these feelings - get up do something to distract yourself - deal w/your emotions don't bury them with food - and when you are tempted to - say to yourself - would I smoke some crack right now so that I don't have to deal with these feelings - I bet the answer is no - equate food to your crack and maybe you will look at it differently - maybe you will see that it's killing you - it might be legal - but it's going to kill you if you don't get control of it.. Hope your doc can give you some help... The majority of our issues w/food are in our head - it takes a lot of work - you gotta look at the reasons that you over ate in the 1st place - you gotta learn new coping skills. It's so do-able - I was 52 when banded - had a life time of being obese - but the light bulb finally went off - I controlled all that junk I was eat - I chose to eat high fat - high sugar and sit on my butt 24/7 - that's why I got fat - It's what I did for me - after I took care of everyone else - Well I turned that around - I love me enough to want to live - I took that control and reverse it - I choose to eat healthy - I choose to go to the gym - I choose to have a life where I am not limited as to what I can or can't do cuz of my weight..' This Grandma now can zipline - scuba dive - parasail - take the stairs - play with her grandkids - the quality of my life has improved 1,000,000 % and girl friend I am no different than you - I have walked in your shoes the majority of my life - You just have to exercise your gray matter to make the changes needed to get healthy and you can do it...

Hey sleevers I just took a dose of Musinex's new Multi symptom cold relief(no ibuprofen) and the second it went down and burnt and made me have hot flashes! I am now slightly shaky and unnerved by the incident! It's the day time formula and the night one went down ok the last two nights so I figured I'd try this. Do you think it was the alcohol in it? I won't be taking it again this I know! This is a two part post question and warning to proceed with caution, it's a horrible feeling!

Ok so is it ok to have a drink 6 weeks after surgery?

I waited six months. I was cleared for alcohol at my six month appt. It just wasn't worth it to me to try it before my dr. OK'd it for me. Six months is a blink in the big picture. Lynda

Most people dont recommend alcohol because your tolerance is low after the surgery. Three glasses is a lot of an average person. I think the main issue is that 3 glasses is going to be between 350 and 900 calories, which is most if not all of your calories for the day 10 weeks out. It also takes away from your ability to get in enough protein and water. Alchol also dehydrates you.

I have food addictions but what I do is faithfully log everything I eat. I try to keep my carbs in line and my calorie intake between 1200 and 1600. ONCE IN A WHILE I will treat myself (usually by splitting a cookie or candy bar with my 3 year old) but those are treats (as I keep reminding him). No junk food in the house. I have absolutely no will power over them. Like the old Lays commercial said "bet you can't eat just one." I also have to be vigilant after dinner. I like to munch in front of the computer so instead I bring a bottle of water (not too much since I hate being up all night running to the bathroom). Am I successful? Mostly. I still have problems but I know it's going to take time to correct my problems. I compare my addiction to an alcoholic except that I'm a recovering food addict.

Oh yay the alcohol topic again lmmfao. Seriously if this goes its usual way I will need several shots kidding!!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was told no alcohol for 6 months. Couldn't even have on on my birthday.