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@@okiegirl1980 - I was actually leaning toward the lapband initially. It seemed like a good "starter" way of seeing if this worked for me. I ended up rejecting it because of need for follow up with the surgeon (who was in Mexico) and revisions and slippage. I was not interested in getting my bowls worked on (the idea of dumping just scared me, since I teach so much). But I warmed up to the idea of the Sleeve when I read about the Cleveland Clinic research where they were following patients for four years. The need for follow up care was low compared to the other procedures. So, it seemed like the most bang for the buck, and cheaper on the back end. All of the procedures are tools. You still must do the work. If you do, it will change your life. Much tougher as a woman than a man. You are 36, which means you will start getting new attention from guys, which will alter your relationships. If you have not dealt with your food issues, you will be at risk of switching from food to alcohol (or something else). But if you work this on the nutritional/spiritual/emotional levels in a couple of years you will eventually find a new normal, if you are serious. I hope you really appreciate the many thoughtful responses here. I was scanning through the comments, and they were first rate and very fair descriptions of the ups and downs of the procedures. My last bit of unsolicited advice is to Google "WLS fails." There are many videos and blogs of those who didn't do well on this (statistically 20% or so). Look at them carefully. I found most of them failed because they thought this was a magic wand. WRONG. It's still work. But it can change your life in very good and profound ways if you are committed. I have done things I have not done in decades and I am still enjoying the ride. I wish you and my fellow Oklahoman's the best of luck on this. Always feel free to reach out if you have a question.

When you decide to get weight loss surgery, you join a unique community. Bariatric patients have a lot in common. We’ve struggled with weight for years. We’ve been unable to keep the weight off with regular diets and exercise. And now, we’re bound to each other by a special bond: the weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery is for life. The journey isn’t easy, but I believe that the best way to make it work is to take the best of both worlds. Recognize that we are bound to each other through our weight loss surgery, but don’t let that special tie isolate you from everyone who has not had weight loss surgery. Instead, recognizing the similarities in all of our lives can make our own challenges easier to overcome. These are some of the things we all share, weight loss surgery or not. For each, there are some unique aspects for bariatric patients, but also parallels with everyone else. We all have a daily struggle. If you’re overweight, there’s a good chance you’ve looked enviously at people who are at a “normal” weight. You see them walking down the street, maybe wearing a cute outfit that you can only dream of wearing, and wish you had it as easy as they did. You’re jealous because your own weight problem is visible to the world. But we all have our own struggles, and you don’t know what is going on in that person’s life. They may face abuse, struggle to pay the bills, suffer from a chronic disease, care for a sick child at home, or work at a job they hate. Just as you struggle every day to eat right and exercise, they may struggle every day to wake up and face their own challenges. Rather than envy them, think of other people as inspiration to get through your day. We are all in this together, doing the best we can with what we have. We all keep certain things from our bosses. Many bariatric patients are hesitant to tell our bosses about our surgery. We may fear judgment or retribution. We may just want to keep our personal lives private. It’s not always that easy to keep quiet about Weight Loss Surgery, since we need to eat differently and our appearances change as the weight comes off. There may even be times when we need to leave work because we feel sick or have doctor’s appointments. But guess what – nobody tells their boss everything about their personal lives. I am certain that all of your coworkers have their own secrets from your boss. Looking just at alcohol abuse, an estimated 15% of the workforce has come to work after drinking or with a hangover! Add to that secrets such as playing hooky to see a sports match, searching for a new job, or living out of a camper to save money, and you can bet that every employee has their own personal issues that they don’t want to publicize to the boss. We all want to be there for our families (or worry about our futures). One of the most compelling reasons to get weight loss surgery is to be there. We want to be alive and be healthy for as many years as possible to support our families and get to enjoy them. With obesity, the pressure to improve health is real and personal, since we may already have our own health problems or have seen family members struggle with or die from conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. But everyone worries about the future. They may worry about their job security, about having enough money for rent and to put the kids through college, and – yes, it’s true – about their health and weight. We’re all short on time. Weight loss surgery success is time-consuming, from meal planning and grocery shopping to food prep and measurement, not to mention working out. It takes some sacrifice to get in all those healthy behaviors, especially before they become habits. But everyone is short on time. We’re all busy with work, school, and family obligations. And that includes diet and exercise commitments, even for people who don’t look like they need to be careful. In fact, the people who are most dedicated to their health are the ones who are best at prioritizing their lives, and making the necessary sacrifices to clear the time to work out and eat right. We can all use a helping hand. Hopefully, this article has shown that we’re all in this together. We can all use a helping hand. Within the bariatric community, resources like BariatricPal can give us the chance to ask questions and give advice. Outside, try to remember that giving someone a smile or encouraging word can mean a lot, and possibly make someone’s day a lot easier.

Weight loss surgery is for life. The journey isn’t easy, but I believe that the best way to make it work is to take the best of both worlds. Recognize that we are bound to each other through our weight loss surgery, but don’t let that special tie isolate you from everyone who has not had weight loss surgery. Instead, recognizing the similarities in all of our lives can make our own challenges easier to overcome. These are some of the things we all share, weight loss surgery or not. For each, there are some unique aspects for bariatric patients, but also parallels with everyone else. We all have a daily struggle. If you’re overweight, there’s a good chance you’ve looked enviously at people who are at a “normal” weight. You see them walking down the street, maybe wearing a cute outfit that you can only dream of wearing, and wish you had it as easy as they did. You’re jealous because your own weight problem is visible to the world. But we all have our own struggles, and you don’t know what is going on in that person’s life. They may face abuse, struggle to pay the bills, suffer from a chronic disease, care for a sick child at home, or work at a job they hate. Just as you struggle every day to eat right and exercise, they may struggle every day to wake up and face their own challenges. Rather than envy them, think of other people as inspiration to get through your day. We are all in this together, doing the best we can with what we have. We all keep certain things from our bosses. Many bariatric patients are hesitant to tell our bosses about our surgery. We may fear judgment or retribution. We may just want to keep our personal lives private. It’s not always that easy to keep quiet about Weight Loss Surgery, since we need to eat differently and our appearances change as the weight comes off. There may even be times when we need to leave work because we feel sick or have doctor’s appointments. But guess what – nobody tells their boss everything about their personal lives. I am certain that all of your coworkers have their own secrets from your boss. Looking just at alcohol abuse, an estimated 15% of the workforce has come to work after drinking or with a hangover! Add to that secrets such as playing hooky to see a sports match, searching for a new job, or living out of a camper to save money, and you can bet that every employee has their own personal issues that they don’t want to publicize to the boss. We all want to be there for our families (or worry about our futures). One of the most compelling reasons to get weight loss surgery is to be there. We want to be alive and be healthy for as many years as possible to support our families and get to enjoy them. With obesity, the pressure to improve health is real and personal, since we may already have our own health problems or have seen family members struggle with or die from conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. But everyone worries about the future. They may worry about their job security, about having enough money for rent and to put the kids through college, and – yes, it’s true – about their health and weight. We’re all short on time. Weight loss surgery success is time-consuming, from meal planning and grocery shopping to food prep and measurement, not to mention working out. It takes some sacrifice to get in all those healthy behaviors, especially before they become habits. But everyone is short on time. We’re all busy with work, school, and family obligations. And that includes diet and exercise commitments, even for people who don’t look like they need to be careful. In fact, the people who are most dedicated to their health are the ones who are best at prioritizing their lives, and making the necessary sacrifices to clear the time to work out and eat right. We can all use a helping hand. Hopefully, this article has shown that we’re all in this together. We can all use a helping hand. Within the bariatric community, resources like BariatricPal can give us the chance to ask questions and give advice. Outside, try to remember that giving someone a smile or encouraging word can mean a lot, and possibly make someone’s day a lot easier.

@@Monet08 I too am worried about that. I haven't gained since my original assessment but I'm not down to the goal he originally set. Last Monday I cut out all carbs, alcohol, and really upped my Water intake. I'm having a small Protein rich Breakfast, half a Protein Drink as a morning snack, a really light lunch (sometimes just more protein drink), raw veggies for an afternoon snack (and for the fiber) and a super light dinner. Protein and cooked veggie only. I lost 2 pounds. That's something but this is really difficult. I just want to get to my last appointment before the surgery and weigh in. By the way, I'm also scheduled for September 14th.

I have bipolar disorder and addictive behaviors (using alcohol as a coping mechanism). My psych evaluation started by answering questions on two different types of tests, followed by the Pyschiatrist talking to me about the tests. At the end of the session, the pysch. would only give me clearance if I completed three "contingencies": proof from my own Pyschiatrist that he is aware of my upcoming surgery (so that he can monitor my prescribed medications), proof that I was attending an addictions group (a note from AA stating I was attending meetings), and proof that I started and will continue working with an individual therapist. After supplyinv all that documentation, I then received pysch. clearance, and I have been scheduled for surgery September 13th! Completing her requirements was tedious, but understandable. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yup....sugar alcohol is not fun for me, either. My system doesn't handle it well at all. Stick to staying hydrated and stick with your plan. It's going to work out perfectly for you.

Sugar alcohols are very common in "sugar free" sweets and they are extremely hard on the digestive system for anyone, let alone someone with a tiny, traumatized stomach. You learned a good lesson -- sweet food, even fake sweet food, should not be what you are trying to justify to yourself right now! Just put it off the menu of possibilities entirely for right now. To make yourself maybe feel a little better, read the critical reviews on Amazon for sugar free gummy bears (which contain sugar alcohols, like most sugar free yogurt). You are not alone in your suffering! https://www.amazon.com/Haribo-Sugar-Free-Gummy-Bears/product-reviews/B008JELLCA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt_rgt?filterByStar=critical&pageNumber=1

I have a pretty bad intolerance for sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, etc.). Can't handle aspartame either. Also lactose intolerant. It's possible you reacted to all those things as some people (from what i've read in here) can't after the surgery if not before (I haven't had surgery yet). You know the surgeon well - maybe he knows? :-) Is there a dietician on your team you can speak with?

Thanks for chiming in, Valentina! I appreciate it. Congratulations on your weight loss and for maintaining it! Might I ask you how hard it's been to stay on the straight and narrow for five years? At five years in, do you feel you've pretty much conquered your food cravings and old eating habits, or is it akin to alcoholism, where you pretty much have to literally take it one day at a time for the rest of your life? Also, might I ask how much skin you had removed and if your insurance paid for it? I understand the skin surgery is *far* more uncomfortable than the sleeve surgery, so my sympathy is with you, and I hope you recover soon, and that you might continue to report in on how that is doing, as I believe my wife will be looking into that after a year or so (as per the requirements of her insurance) ((we're going to go through the sleeve process together - we're at the stage where the surgeon has received our documentation and we hope to have our info sent to the insurance company for evaluation soon). Again, thank you *so* much for answering - it means a lot to talk with someone who's been dealing with the effects of this drastic procedure in the long term! -Lyle Tucker

Hello Everyone! I figured it was time to join a forum because I'm sure I'm driving my friends crazy with all the VSG talk! Anywho, my name is Erin and I am 32. After many years of struggling with my weight decided to look into the VSG on July 28th. On that day I quit smoking (cold turkey), quit drinking alcohol, and coffee! I attended my first seminar on Aug 8th and it made me feel like this is definitely the right decision for me. Thankfully my family and friends are all very supportive so it helps. I have my first appointment with my surgeon on August 26 to go over the insurance and surgery requirements. I don't think I have any cormobidies but my BMI is 45. Today I went to get a check up with my PCP and am scheduled for an ultrasound due to some stomach pain I have been having. He is worried it may be my spleen. I'm hoping it is nothing that will hinder me getting my surgery. I asked my PCP how he felt about wls and he is absolutely against it. He said he would rather me try medication to curb my appitite, because in his experience wls patients gain the weight back. I think I need a new PCP. Luckily my surgery program said they will write the letter of medical necessity for the insurance approval if I am a good candidate. I am very excited to meet with the surgeon and finally get the ball rolling. My plan is to get that checklist completed ASAP so I can be one step closer to a healthier version of myself! Thanks for reading my story!

No alcohol for me. Why not try a Virgin Mary. I love tomato juice.

So my BMI is 36/100 pounds over weight. I have no known comorbidities. My labs did come back with borderline high cholestrol and non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Both of which doesn't seem to be a major comorbidity to qualify under my Blue Shield policy. I should be scheduled for a sleepy study in the next few weeks. I have my psyc evaluation on Tuesday and have my upper endoscopy schedule for Sept 13. Secretly hoping for a comorbidity is a weird state of mind to be in. Has anyone else been through similar circumstances?

Use Mio or Crystal Light with your alcohol of choice.

Hi I'm 5 months post op and going to a festival tomorrow. Any suggestions on what alcohol or mixers I can drink that aren't fizzy? Wine and fruit juices will be no good as will be camping for 3 days so no fridge. Thank you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am able to drink right up until I eat, really can't during, although sometimes I just sip to wet my mouth to help swallowing, But it usually takes me an hour after I eat before I can drink again. I just can't get any fluids down. This is a good thing since I have seriously cut back on my alcohol consumption, and I don't miss it!

Yes, the food choices are so important, as grazing or eating the wrong foods, and drinking lot of alcohol make people re-gain weight. I am still in weight-loss stage, once I reach my goal weight then go into maintenance, I now know that I will need to be mindful, always. Before I knew much about WLS, I thought that once the stomach size is reduced, or by-passed, the hunger will be permanently removed, and the weight will be easily maintained. I now know differently, bummer! Basically it is a life-long process ..... eating healthy foods, with good Protein

My thoughts on it..... Absolutes like "always" and "never" are ominous and frankly pretty unrealistic when we are talking the rest of our lives. I personally feel alcohol should be at best minimal during the weight loss phase, and you should at least allow your cut and stapled stomach to heal before imbibing. I think once a person hits their maintenence phase, it can be incorporated occasionally in an otherwise healthy, well balanced diet of lean Proteins, fruits and veggies. If you're doing what you're supposed to be doing 95% of the time, the occasional drink, chocolate, or piece of cake shouldn't be an issue, unless you make it one

A couple of more thoughts to consider: 1. Why do some plans allow and others ban for life? I think there are a couple of reasons. Most high quality programs measure the results of their patients and they want good results! No doubt, you are more likely to lose and stay thin if you avoid alcohol. It's empty calories and can lead to bad choices. 2. When to drink, when not to drink, and what to eat while drinking is very complicated. In addition excessive alcohol consumption can easily lead to more excessive alcohol consumption. This makes it very difficult for NUTs and Pyschs to give us effective guidelines, so they "just say no". 3. Many obese people got there because they had an addiction disorder with food. It has been shown that people who have one addiction disorder (food, cigarettes, drugs, Etc) can easily become addicted to alcohol post wls. I know that I never had an addition to food and thus felt that I could safely manage my alcohol consumption. So far so good!

it has alcohol, no alcohol on my plan for 1 year

Mine was no rice, bread or Pasta for 6 months and no alcohol for 1 year. Low carbs forever, never heard of anyone being allowed pasta, let alone that soon, that's really unusual. Even now 1 year out, I try y best to do no carbs, well low carbs. Yours does sound pretty good, good luck

I had such a slow weight loss in the beginning, I was sure I was going to be my docs first failure. I found a cheap trainer, and that gets you on track as you have that appointment and it makes you go, that's a start. I just kept following the program, 100 gms of Protein, no rice, Pasta, bread or alcohol, and no sugar, well as best you can. At about 3 1/2-4 months the weight just started falling off, I am now 1 year out and down 103lbs. It can be done. I just came off a 7 week stall, stopped the carbs I had gone back to and lost 7 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks. I do also have a therapist once a week that I see. You need to use that tool you opted for and give it your all and it will work for you, good luck

So, I was reading another thread this morning on alcohol - a charming topic that has since delightfully devolved into communion wine in dixie cups - when someone brought up drinking coke with pop rocks and I nearly spit my Protein shake all over my computer screen. This is literally the conversation I had with my husband last night: Hubby: Hey, I found the pop rocks you gave me for Christmas. Can I still cash them in? (22 years of marriage and always looking for new romantic . . . adventures. Look it up.) Me: No. You know I don’t eat sugar anymore. I’m pretty sure I warned you that you had to use them before I had my surgery in January. Hubby: Dang. It was a three pack too. Are you sure I can’t cash them in anyway? Just without the pop rocks? Me: It’s not as much fun without the pop rocks. Hubby: sad puppy face Me: Fine. If you can find sugar free pop rocks, we’ll talk. Hubby: (not even FIVE MINUTES later) Good news! Amazon sells sugar-free pop rocks . . . in a 24 pack! Don’t worry. I would never subject my delicate pouch to pop rocks, even sugar-free. Poor Hubby got his hopes up for nothing. Stupid Amazon. Stupid pop rocks. Now I want a coke. Or communion wine in a dixie cup. Instead, I’ll drink my old lady juice: Water with added Fiber and Miralax. 125#s down today! I love my pouch!

This thread is causing me to rubberneck. Just when I am ready to look away, something new catches me. On my doctor's plan alcohol after a month is permitted if it isn't carbonated and if the patient wasn't a heavy drinker before. The plan says nothing about Cheezits or Catholicism, however. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am 57 and working on improving health, so didn't really drink much before surgery either. First alcoholic drink was a wine glass of (still/non-bubbly) hard cider - very similar to white wine, at about 4 months. Maybe 8oz at the most. It was good tho, and I had no ill effects :-)

Why would it have been rude not to drink champagne? You could have put water in your glass. Or, just lifted your glass. Or, any number of things. No one, not a pregnant woman, recovering alcoholic, someone recovering from surgery, teatotaler, Baptist, etc., etc., should EVER be forced to drink alcohol or anything else because of politeness or for any other reason. It is possible to politely and tactfully set boundaries for ourselves. Learning to do so is an invaluable skill and seems like it would be a great topic for a pre-op workshop or bariatric support group meeting.