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Okay, the marshmallow mud pie are bars and they're great -- got them at WalMart. The Protein drinks do not have sugar alcohol in them -- 1 g of sugar, no sugar alcohol listed. Got them at Target

That's great! I think I can handle 1 on the sugar alcohol. I wish they would just get rid of that stuff. More things are supposed to come out with stevia.

I'd say you are a likely candidate for another revision to RNY bypass. To have uncontrolled GERD is concerning, because it can lead to increased risk of esophageal cancer. You'd be looking at going to Mexico again, most likely, if you did choose to have a revision. (Many times RNY fixes acid issues.. it isn't guaranteed, however). A concern is your lack of aftercare in where you live. RNY requires more maintenance than the sleeve, and of course, what would you do if you had complications? Man, you are in a tough spot. While you are trying to figure things out, maybe list which medicines you've tried.. maybe there is something else... Food and drinks that commonly trigger heartburn include: Alcohol, particularly red wine. Black pepper, garlic, raw onions and other spicy foods. Chocolate. Citrus fruits and products, such as oranges and orange juice. Coffee and caffeinated drinks including tea and cola. Peppermint. Tomatoes. Also, if you really don't want a bypass, you could see if you just need a hiatial hernia repair. That might help without the long term issues of a bypass.

Personally, I wouldn't. Cocktails are empty calories to begin with but also the alcohol is going to hit you very hard. I'm not sure what the recommendation is for wait time for alcohol but that doesn't seem long enough.

I didn't have a stricture or any of the symptoms. In my case they did the endoscopy to identify the cause of the tiniest amount of blood in a stool test. Turned out to be an ulcer at the anastomosis. No pain, no other symptoms, I feel great. I'll get more information after the first of the year but I don't think it's real serious. But it's there and it means no alcohol, chocolate or spicy food for a while. I miss my glass of wine before dinner but the rest is no big deal. If I can lose 130 pounds I can beat an ulcer!! Lol!

K so not to sound like I'm feigning for it but I know eventually we are allowed to partake in alcohol agian but when. Of corse I have no desire for it now but post op down the line when? Does anyone know?

My program allowed it only after 1 year. I even had to sign a contract. Yes, you do have to worry about the carb and calorie counts. I have been on meds that don't allow it so I still have not tried alcohol but I understand it won't take much for us to get drunk. Also it can become very addictive for us.

i was told 1 year for alcohol soda and straws

I was told 6 months post op alcohol was allowed. However, that came with a disclaimer. The alcohol will effect you more after surgery. A small amount may make you intoxicated. I never drank alcohol so it wasn't a big loss. I took some NyQuil the other night and I felt drugged so I will continue to stay away from alcohol. Anyway, discuss this with your surgeon.

The band doesn't change the alcohol's potency, and we aren't steeply affected like people with malabsorptive procedures are. Just thinking in terms of logic here, maybe there's some difference because you're probably going to have less food in your stomach with the band than without... most people find alcohol is the same for the pre-op as post-op.

Welcome Paige - congratulations on your surgery and your decision to take control of your life. I'm a firm believer that a lot of success stories are more about your overall outlook on life and your attitude. I am and always have been a very positive person and that's what I contribute my success to. Every morning when I look in the mirror I congratulate myself for doing the right thing yesterday, I tell myself it wasn't so awful and remind myself I can do it again today. Yesterday morning I had a little head conversation with myself, it was my sons high school graduation and I knew it was going to be an emotional day for me filled with family, friends, food and alcohol. The family and food wasn't the problem, it was going to be the last two items which were my go to things when my emotions were running high. I told myself that if I wanted to see him graduate college I needed to keep to the plan and not give in. I reminded myself that if the emotions got to me I needed to talk with family and friends instead of reaching for a chip, cocktail or sweet. I made sure that I had my water/crystal light cup in my hand at all times so I remembered to get my fluids in. And you know what? Because of all the activity and my "pre-game" talk with myself, I actually woke up today, stepped on the scale and discovered I LOST 2 lbs. So my talk this morning with myself was a big "congrats" and a pat on the back. I'm going to relax today, no exercise (except some yard work) and give myself a break as a reward for my success. If you keep your head straight you'll do fine. Keep busy, talk to your support group/friends/family if you need to and follow your plan you'll do great. Don't ever allow for exceptions because if you do it once, your brain will tell you it's okay to do it again. Before you know it you'll be doing so good you won't want to fail or mess up. Best wishes for a great success and if you need more advise, check in.

I was a BIG momma before my surgery journey. My surgeon does his sleeves outpatient for the most part (inpatient would have cost me another $5K and I did self pay) so he wanted me to lose quite a bit of weight before surgery. I cut out starch (no potatoes, no bread, no Pasta, no rice, no corn) , no dairy, no sugar, no alcohol or soda and no fast food. I ate mostly lean meat and green veggies. Hard boiled egg whites saved me when I was really hungry and just needed something to eat. One large egg white only has about 17 calories and 3g of Protein. I also would make a cabbage based Soup that had about 40 calories a cup that I'd eat. You can do it! Eat slow and and chew a lot because you'll need to get used to that for after surgery anyway.

This thread has been really helpful. Last week I was given the green light to have surgery on 4th January. It was my first visit to the surgeon! I have one week of the liquid and steamed veg right over the Christmas and New Year period which doesn't really bother me. Last December I gave up alcohol, if I can do that I can do anything! Last night at my husbands Christmas party I met a lady who had the gastrectomy in May this year. She gave me some good advice on the liquid pre op period. The Optifast puddings keep you satisfied longer and it was recommended by her bariatric dietician. That and Powerade Zero (we are in Australia so not sure what the US equivalent is).

What has helped me a little to transistion my mind is to and ease the grieving process, because yes, our obesity is just a symptom of something bigger. I made a list of what I could still do, and of things that I enjoyed doing (minus eating/outside of eating)....you're right about the clothes, I've been just going to higher ended GoodWill's, I wish we had a clothing exchange that we could contribute to as we slim down. Made a list of people I could count on, although just really two, that I could count on at any time of day or nite, that I could reach out to talk with, becuase you're right, food was our number 1 friend and I also did a lot of Happy Hours..... I'm a huge emotional eater and food alcoholic, I would eat until I was stuffed and sick just t o numb what I was feeling. I succomb honestly and willingly, so I made a list of people ( very small list lol) that I trusted would be there that I could pick up the phone and chat with to just listen to ME, to just give me a hug, hold my hand, etc. not necessarily give me advice, yet just to listen to me and I was honest with them about this process and why and how I got this obese. I also began a diary/blog. Not an online one, yet one where I would make it a point to get my fingers busy and write down what it was that I was feeling, how my day went, how my food intake is going, etc. Potential planning I would have to do for banquets and graduation parties, etc. I find if I keep my hands/fingers busy, my mind wont shift to food. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I enjoy drinking teas, so I invested in a Tea club, Teavana and they send out a different tea of the month, started doing special things for myself. Instead of reaching out to food, I'm going to start attending to myself for a little while, my five sense. Made myself a behavior calendar where I "awarded" myself a sticker for each day when I did a little bit of movement. For now, it's just a walk around the block. For every 10 stickers, I promised myself to do something special for myself, like a massage, manicure, movie, etc. I started to take care of me through other avenues than just turning to food. Started turning down Happy Hours. I can't be tempted with alcohol, not yet anyways, later yes, yet not now. I want to make my nutrient choices count, as what I choose to eat makes me feel better psychologically. Enrolled myself in Yoga. Ha ha, well it's a start to getting out and moving. Doesn't burn a lot of calories, yet it's going to help ME to teach ME how to relax. I also started to read books written by Geenen Roth, Women, Food, and God. It has NOthing really to do about God, or Religion, yet she speaks about overeating, or the aspects of emotional eating. She does a lot of conferences in California, and I would like to attend one day to hear her speak. It is a retraining process. And it's true, we are still the same person, just smaller yet it reminds me very clearly how cruel the real world can be. One of my best friends, ended up telling me, "I used to feel you were one of us (obese), now you are one of them (skinny people, I guess)." Yet I have to remember, that I'm doing this for my health, to keep up with my kids, that it is worth it in the end. Take care.

It's been one week that I've been home from my surgery experience with Dr. Kelly. Mine was August 19th and to be honest - you have nothing to be worried about. Going alone was freaking me out. I barely remember the 4 hr plane ride to San Diego but now I see I was wearing myself out all for nothing. Your driver will confirm your time you will get to airport and he will be out front waiting for you. You get driven across the border (no issues there - guess they don't care much about who goes INTO Mexico) and on a short ride to the hospital. The roads in mexico are TERRIBLE. Bumpy and dirty but people are whizzing around like ants on an ant hill and I didn't see ONE accident (don't know HOW cuz it would've been like bumper cars here in the states. You are never in any danger. You spend the first 2 nights after surgery there in the hospital and even the first night if you come the day before. The nurses are very nice and come in a flash when you need something or your IV is beeping (that happened to me a lot). Even Dr. Kelly comes in to check in on you. I came in for same day surgery so I was in the hospital and on to the initial tests as soon as I got there. After your hospital stay and drain removal (which I didn't feel being removed at all), it's on to the leak test at another hospital (you're driven again) and if all is well, off for 2 nights stay at the fence surrounded hotel. Very nice place and a room/balcony with a view. I was facing the noisy traffic side of the hotel which didn't bother me at all. It was fun looking off the balcony at all the hustle and bustle going on down on the streets. There are american television stations and you should be very comfortable - I was. The weather is so comfortable I walked around out by the pool and even around the whole hotel just to make sure that gas threat didn't sneak up on me. I rested a lot and was even on line since I brought my laptop. I used my cell phone (Verizon and probably all the others charge "data" fees and 99 cents per minute on calls) but I had to call and let my family know I was fine. There are no phones in your hospital room. Trish was my patient coordinator and since I felt GREAT and didn't want to sit around, she was either coming to get me to go shopping or checking in on me. She supplied me with gauze and tape to change your bandages after your showers and even some Gatorade and Jello (which you probably won't even want but she insists you eat something and keep hydrated). I'm telling you - I was terrified of going at all and going alone - I thought I was gonna lose it but I'm glad I did. I concentrated on ME and was never afraid or felt abandoned. The driver contacted me again to confirm my flight time and set up the pick up time for the next day. The border crossing takes more time going back into the states (long slow lines) but I made it back to the airport in PLENTY of time. Pack light. There's no reason for more than 2 changes of clothes. You can wear the ones you came in as the "Going back home" set if you wear something loose and comfortable. No jeans. Other than that, you should keep it simple. I brought about $100 cash, my driver's lic, and my passport card. I tipped the driver and the hotel concierge who brought my suitcase up and showed me around my room. I did some shopping but not much - all places LOVE & accept dollar so don't worry about converting money. You'll be in gowns or pj's while in the hospital. Bring flip flip flops for your many trips to the bathroom and shower. I forgot to bring but wish I had brought some antibiotic cream to apply to my incisions before applying the bandages. Alcohol pads, something. I just had to wait to get back home to really start "tending my wounds". Sorry I wrote so much but I was in the same shoes you are in and wish someone had broken it all down for me - it makes it all so much more real and I could process the whole experience better. I read so many posts and was a sponge filling up with so much information I thought my head was gonna pop. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Other than that - you've got Trish who takes care of you and really cares! Then Dr. Kelly - he's a really good doctor and is so down to earth, he makes you feel safe in his hands. You will be fine.

I am 6 weeks out and I haven't drank anything yet. My doctor said no alcohol for 6 weeks...but I am continuing because of the empty calories!

You might want to check out this thread: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11607-i-have-a-question-about-alcohol/page__pid__101020#entry101020

Hi, I was just banded on June 28th. I have a baby, almost one year old who I still breast feed. I spoke with one of the anestesiologists. He said that the anesthesia is not in your milk once you no longer feel the effects of it. The same is with alchohol. If you have a drink and feel tipsy you should not breastfeed because the alcohol is in your milk at that time, but once you feel normal, then your milk is ok. He said to be really safe, wait for 24 hrs to feed your baby. That is what I did. I had Csections with both my babies and breastfed them immediately after I came out of the OR and while on pain meds in the hospital with no problems, and that was when they were newborns, so I would think if it was not safe, they would not have encouraged it. Because I paid cash for the Lap Band, I was able to go first at 0730, and home by 1400. So I fed my little guy before I left for the hospital and then I started again the next morning. He is older than your little one, so only feeds in the morning and before bed, but I had some frozen milk just in case he seemed to need it. He was fine about it all though. In regards to supply, I think everyone is different and you won't know until you have the surgery yourself. I would recommend you talk to your surgeon and research for yourself and then decide on what makes you comfortable. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Took a sip of wine and my wife's drink with dinner. Felt it burning all the way down. I am not sure when I will try again. Anyone else experience this after tying alcohol?

Drinking contributes to depression so you are making a bad situation much worse. It is called transfer addiction, trading one addiction (food) for another (alcohol) and adding ulcers to the mix. This has to stop! Please, get professional help now before you cause serious injury to your body! Be kind to yourself--you deserve much better than this.

Title of YouTube video: Bariatric Surgery and Alcoholism This video shows the story of Lori, a 43 year old woman that had gastric bypass in 2003. She was never a heavy drinker and stayed away from alcohol for the first year after surgery. She noticed something different about her body's reaction to the alcohol after surgery. Her tolerance level had changed dramatically and it led her drinking to spin out of control. I think all pre and post op patients should watch this short interveiw to better understand why alcohol is dangerous after surgery. Please give your viewpoint after watching because the message is slightly against weight loss surgery. You may have to cut and paste the URL, otherwise type the title in the search bar at YouTube.com

Mine was pretty lengthy... Random questions about behaviors, coping, dealing with stress... Relationship with food... Drug use, alcohol consumption.....that sort of thing. Just answer them honestly. I don't think there are any wrong answers.... Maybe just red flags the therapist can discuss with you

Hi Momma Barb -- I don't know about surgeons in Ohio, but I can tell you what it's like having the sleeve. I weighed 303 lbs. when I got the sleeve almost 8 weeks ago. I have been obese most of my adult life -- I had gotten to a point where I was accepting the fact that I would be morbidly obese all of my life -- and that pushed me to the point that I considered weight loss surgery. I can tell you right now, I have very little hunger. I occasionally get hungry when I haven't eaten for hours, but even then I don't have an overwhelming urge to eat. It's like that part of my brain was switched off somehow -- and I love it!! Now, I was never a big alcohol drinker to begin with (chocoholic is my problem) -- but I do know that he won't be able to drink for quite a while and then after that, when/if he does drink, it will affect him much faster than it used to. Frankly, if I'm not missing chocolate, he might not miss his beer! Many people do the sleeve on an outpatient basis - many people have very little to no pain following the surgery. I was not one of them, but then again I am 46 years old and I think that contributed to it. I can tell you this -- and I think it's true pretty universally for most sleeve patients -- I have NEVER regretted getting the sleeve -- I truly believe it is saving my life, making my family's lives that much better, making me a happier, more healthy person. I hope I have answered most of your questions - others will probably want to chime in as well -- I think it's wonderful that you are being so supportive of your son -- a lot of people on this board do not get their parents' support and it really hurts them. Take care!

Ok, I admit it... I’ve been slack. For the past six weeks, I’ve not been concentrating on ANYTHING related to my post-sleeving care. I’ve not been making sure I’m having enough protein… I’ve not been getting all my Water in… I’ve not been thinking about what I eat.. Yes, I’ve still been going to the gym… Yes, I’ve still been losing weight… But what if I’d stuck to my plan all along and kept up the water/protein/good food thing? How much further along would I have been? Relatively speaking, six weeks is a long time. It’s 17(ish)% of my sleeved life. 17%. It doesn’t sound like much. It’s not even a fifth of something. But think about this… What if I was 17% ahead of where I am with my weight loss… What if, instead of being thrilled that I’ve lost 150lb, I was celebrating losing 175.5 lb. That’s nearly 80kg in my terms. And it’s 17% more… But fear not… I know what the reality is… The reality is that I’ve nobody to blame but myself. I chose to not get my Protein in… I chose to not keep check on my water… I chose to not watch my calories… (And I also chose to drink alcohol a few times in there too… Shhhhhh) Well you know what… I’m choosing again. Actually, I chose it last week. That’s when I started a countdown in my profile feed. To those who noticed it, it would have been random and quite possibly, nonsensical. But to me, it was making a choice. Re-making a choice. Call it a do-over.. A re-launch.. Call it whatever you like As of 0445 this morning (when I woke up), I’ve taken responsibility for myself again. No more coasting thru this sleeved life.. No more taking losing weight for granted.. No more forgetting where I came from.. What I came from… How far I’ve come… This sleeve shit is NOT easy!! This sleeve shit is NOT cheating!! I have lost this weight… Me.. Nobody else… And you know what? I’m about to lose a whole lot fu***ng more!!!

Congratulations. You are a bit further than I am. I have got to make my psyche appointment. I will try to get to that next week. What should I expect? I feel funny having to go for a psyche evaluation. I'm not crazy...I'm just fat. I love to cook, I love to eat and I self medicate with food rather than drugs or alcohol. Do they ever find people psychologically unfit to have weight loss surgery? I have stressed more over this part than the surgery itself. LOL I have BCBS as well but mine is the Federal plan. I am currently on my 3 month medically supervised diet. I have been told that BCBS generally sends the approval back within 2 weeks if all of the requirements have been met but since I have not gotten that far, I can't say it with any authority.