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When your husband tells you "Why can't you just not eat too much and exercise?" you should ask him if he'd say the same thing to an alcoholic! It's an addiction, just like alcohol, but it's even more insidious because we NEED to eat food to survive! You can't just NOT eat! Re being selfish, maybe we are being a little selfish. But we NEED to be! If you're anything like me, you always put your husband/boyfriend and kids first! This time, for this little while, we need to put OURSELVES first!

I am not sure if this counts, but I had 10% alcohol NyQuil for 4 nights last week when dealing with a cold. It helped me sleep, but I was wondering if I should have had the non-alcohol version instead. It did help me sleep.

Psych just asks about your home situation as it relates to accomplishing the sleeve objectives, your childhood, your work, relationship with food, alcohol, etc as it relates to the sleeve. As long as you answer that you are on medication and go to counseling and are not suicidal, not being abused, not an active alcoholic, do not have eating disorders it should be fine.... If you do have issues that need addressing - they will schedule sessions to work through them.

Pitiful isn't it Miss Mac, when a grown man with a perfectly healthy wife takes his own mothers social security check and collects money from the government each month. He does have some health issues but mostly because of life choices (alcohol) that he claims he can't work. I gave up a long time ago trying to convince my husband and mother in law that they are not "helping" him by making excuses for him. As long as it has not directly impacted my immediate family I decided it was not my business. As far as being home with my kids who are 13 and 15 I think they need me more now than when they were babies. I like being the house that there friends hang out at and being the driver for there excursions. I know there friends and hopefully know most of what is going on in there lives. An update, my husband apologized to me and said he was going to fix things. There is more to the story in that 10 years ago he and said brother inherited a 2 family house from a relative. The house had a large mortgage and has been a money pit for years. About 8 years ago I let my husband talk me into taking out a mortgage on the house we live in to pay back taxes and legal fees incurred with the house. He said his brother would know that when they sold the house both mortgages would be paid before splitting any profit. I have been begging my husband for years now to sell the house and pay back our mortgage so our home is secure and I am not left with a problem if something happens to him or his brother. This I guess is the root of why I am so upset with the tv situation although it appears unrelated. I want my and my childrens future secure (without using my inheritance) and to not be financially tied to this irresponsible brother and his wife. Maybe this last fight will be the issue that finally pushes him to resolve this house issue. Thank you all so much for listening to me. All of your comments have been valuable to me as someone to talk to.

December 18th here! I don't text or facebook tho, so I'll just post here. The time is FLYING now - seems like just last week I started thinking about doing this whole thing! Been researching my pre op diet today and making meal plans. My husband is joining me on it to be supportive and also to lose some weight too. So we start it next Friday (doc only wants a 7 day pre op diet) and I think it isn't going to be as bad as I thought since I get to have some "real" food in there. I can have three Protein (powder in water) drinks a day, and two meals consisting of 5 oz. of a meat or eggs, and 1 cup cooked (or 2 cups raw) of a list of approved veggies. No dairy, no breads, no fruit, no Pasta or carbs of any kind. And no alcohol either! Oh, and I'm allowed either a sugar free popsicles or Jello cups as Snacks. So I'm using the last of the thanksgiving turkey to make a broth to use for post op diet, I have a few ideas for my pre op diet and heading out to the story tomorrow to do the shopping. I have to track down some threads on things to take with to the hospital, but I'm only there one day (hopefully). So is everyone more excited than scared at this point? The more I read, the better I'm feeling about this decision and I'm really looking forward to getting control of food for the first time in like EVER instead of it controlling me!

Carbonation and alcohol is a no-no for one year post-op. It will increase the size of your pouch. Over indulgence in food is essentially and addiction. We are addicted to food. When you can no longer eat the food, your addiction to turn to something else. Hence the no alcohol! I don't know your personal stage of post surgery, but if you're finding you're having cravings for soda and mimosas, etc, call your doc! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

I do not have cravings for sugar. I don't eat sugar laced items on a normal bases, and my doctor okay Alcohol after 3 months. Carbonation as long as zero calories is also approved (sparkling Water ect). The reason why most doctors say no carbonation is due to drinking cokes and other sugar laced drinks. And carbonation does effect everyone the same. From looking at my stats we can all tell I am taking this life change seriously. In 3 1/2 months I have lost a total of 44lbs and counting. For me a mimosa/ wine here and there does not send me of the wagon. Each person's weight loss story and transformation is uniquely their own. I thought of the diet Dr pepper as it is zero calories, zero carbs, and I felt like I needed a little pick me up from the caffeine. If I could stomach the carbonation this would be a better choice than a cup of coffee with 3 sugars. Well all need to keep everything in perspective and remember that not everyone has the same Dr. after surgery instructions, and there are many outlooks on what is okay verse not okay after surgery. Making blanket states of " that is not allowed" is just not correct and not giving out the best advice to the newbies. I think it would be so much more helpful if we say " per my Dr.'s instructions" and advise that there are many outlooks on after care.

No bread, pasta, rice, alcohol, caffeine, root vegetables or carbonated drinks. Reduce fats, carbs & sugar as much as possible. I slowly tried different foods over time to work out what my tummy could tolerate. The only vege I could eat for months was microwaved cabbage & cauliflower but didn’t have issues with any meats. Best advice is follow your surgeon’s plan & slowly introduce new foods when your ready. I can eat most things now. I follow what I call an avoid, reduce or limit eating plan. I still avoid bread, pasta & rice. I reduced my alcohol to maybe once a month & limit the sugar I ingest (only naturally occurring sugars like in fruit where possible & no sweets, cakes, etc.). The only carbonation I have is the odd tonic or soda water & only caffeine comes from green tea (which I’ve drunk for years). Limit carbs to small serves of multi or whole grains. I keep my protein up & eat vegetables, salads & a piece of fruit each day. Good luck with your surgery. I love my sleeve.

No pasta, bread, rice, raw veggies, alcohol or anything with sugar. I can eat all of the meat and fish that I can handle. I love cooked veggies, but I am trying to limit my intake of the starchy veggies.

I'm now almost 4 months out from having a LapBand to VG conversion and I would like to summarize my experience. Positives 1. "Caught food", Sliming, etc is almost a non issue. I have had it happen ONCE off of overcooked eggs, and one other time off of chicken was not chewed up well enough, both times I tried to drink Water afterword. This is in contrast to the same issue that would happen several times per week, sometimes several times per day with the band. I can now eat chicken (even white meat!) , pork, beef, bread, raw vegetables, citrus, etc, (All of these would get caught with my band during proper restriction) without worying where the nearest bathroom is. I do stay away from overcooked eggs (mostly scrambled) though. 2. Back pain is completely gone! My surgeon concurs with my belief that either the port or band was setting off a few nerves which would cause referral pain to my back. 3. Very little hunger. What hunger does exist is taken care of nearly IMMEDIATELY after eating. 4. Alcohol makes me DRUNK very fast and with very little of it, but I hardly drink anyway. 5. NO food RESTRICTIONS (after a while). The first 10 weeks I had some pretty undesirable dumping effects from fats and sugars, even from basic Protein shakes. Most of these effects have disappeared. I still dump from very high sugar content foods (maybe more than 25grams of sugar), but this can vary. For instance, I have eaten a Drumstick brand sundae cone and haven't dumped, even though it contains quite a bit of sugar. I can also eat approximately 4 oreos without dumping, yet if I were to immediately "chase" it with liquid, thus "washing it through", I would most likely dump, at least if it were early in the day. For some reason, dumping is worse in the morning. Dumping seems to occur in about 10% of VG patients, and is assumed to go away. I suspect it will disappear completely within a year. On a related note, I get tired of many artificially processed type foods such as oreos, snack foods, etc. For some reason, my senses of taste have changed and have become extremely turned off by artificial flavorings. Many such products will make me queesy, but they will not make me dump. Also, if I eat and then "Wash through" the food, I am not hungry again like I was with the LapBand. As far as I can tell, it is next to impossible to "Wash through" any solid protein source or fruit/vegetable... I have yet to do it, the water simply goes through around the food. 6. I CAN BURP!!! No more "stuck air" that has to take the long way out. I have virtually no gas now, unless of course, I eat a gassy food like bell peppers. Negatives: 1. Acid reflux. I ABSOLUTELY MUST take a proton pump inhibitor daily, otherwise I will have moderate heartburn. This effect is supposed to fade over 6-12 months as the pouch stretches, but I have had little to no stretching as of yet, and am becoming annoyed with this side effect. 2. Initial dumping. As I stated earlier, this effect is mostly gone, but it can sneak up if I eat junky/processed/fast food. Or items with alot of sugar and then "chase them down" with water or such. Dumping seems to occur in about 10% of VG patients, and is assumed to go away. I suspect it will disappear completely within a year. 3. It can be difficult to drink fluids. One must CONSTANTLY remember to drink enough Fluid, BEFORE eating, otherwise you may subject yourself to dumping induced by washthrough, or worse, the water may come back up. 4. You may be fatigued for up to the first year after surgery, this comes from the severe caloric restriction and weight loss. My first 10 weeks were hellishly draining. I no longer have energy problems as long as I get my 150grams of whey protein per day and FORCE myself to eat enough each day. OVERALL I am totally satisfied. I am currently at 223, the slimmest I've ever been and am still losing weight. Mind you, the lowest weight I ever attained via LapBand was 238, and that was with a constant "I'm starving" sensation. That physical sensation is now gone. While it was VERY easy to "out eat" the band, it is fairly difficult to outeat my VG, sure it may be possible with carb laden foods that compress down to nothing when chewed, but overall, the physical desire eat, AKA hunger pangs, have simply been removed. Related to this last point, I should reiterate the fact that I must FORCE MYSELF to eat enough protein to keep up with my active lifestyle (surgeon is recommending 150g-250g per day total). When I say FORCE myself to eat, I don't really know how to explainit, other than the fact that once I consume a certain amount of calories, I no longer have the desire to eat. I could fill up my calories with relatively empty carbohydrates which will leave me tired the next day, or I can eat all of my protein first and then consume carbohydrates if I feel like it. In other words, I could physically eat more at the end of the day, but after a certain quantity of calories, I simply cannot mentally stomach another bite of food. For lack of a better explanantion, it's almost as if the "eat food" circuit in my brain shuts off at this point.

One last suggestion-get yourself some baby wipes non-alcohol. It may not be so bad because you've been on liquids but it is good decision not to do that late shift. Keep us posted and Good Luck!!!

You will get there! This is legit the first time I ever seriously quit (& hopefully the last, too!) I’m 34 and I smoked for nearly 20 years. 😳😳. What was crazy is I dreaded quitting for years... and then I did it and after 3 days it got much easier. Beware of the terrible threes. The hardest times for me were 3 days, the third week, and the third month! Also, stay clear of alcohol. Alcohol makes you want to smoke and impairs your decision making to weaken your resolve. I used a mix of Wellbutrin and the Juul e-cig to quit. However, having to then quit nicotine in the electronic cigarette was another addiction I had to break- so it may be worth your while to vape nicotine free juice if you go that route. Good luck and you got this! I tell myself I’m not going to let cigarettes or nicotine be the reason why this doesn’t happen, because that would be a lame reason. If I legit do not want to go through with it that’s one thing, but letting cigarettes control my life? No way! Best wishes to you!

My husband encouraged my negative eating and then once it was set it stone I was getting surgery, he finally confessed he was/is nervous I'll leave him once I get healthier and feeling more secure. That I'll want someone on my level. I have heard that a lot of relationships struggle after surgery. First, speaking from my experience, I am an emotional roller coaster because I've lost another crutch. Also, I get angry as if my family should do this with me. Technically that's not fair to them. I am recovering from drugs/alcohol and the same goes with people that drink. I don't consume it, but it's not up to me to tell someone else they can't. I'm the one with food/drug/alcohol problems no my kids or my husband. I have to look at my husband and what I fell in love with. This is my fight and he wants the best, but he's scared too.

I had my RNY Gastric bypass on January 7th of this year and it felt I had finally found the solution I was always searching for. I began preparing to have the surgery the September prior and it felt like every moment that went by I was just waiting for the day to start my life over; like I was only half present during holidays, dates, or work and half counting down the hours. I got down to about 100 lbs this past June, just in time for my birthday; but, ill admit I hadn't been consistently playing by the rules, I started smoking again, drinking alcohol, picking at foods when I'm cooking, not taking vitamins, not exercising and loading up on the carbs. My weight loss had stopped and it seemed like I had lost all motivation to get it up and running again. It wasn't until last Monday that I was re awoken. A week ago I watched my boyfriend have the same surgery, with the same surgeon and later recover in the same room. I remembered how hard starting out was for me and I knew that I needed to be strong for both of us. I feel alive again, and I won't dare lose focus again. I bought new vitamins that I have been taking vigilantly, drinking my water and making better food choices. I'm still working on the exercise but ill get there. I'm grateful I got the opportunity to change my life and I'm even more grateful that I get to experience this journey with the person I care for most.

I eat protein bars for lunch at work every day. My favorite is Quest. I don't get hungry later. Since I teach 4-5 year olds I can't just go to the " staff room" and eat something. I was however upset when I read they have sugar alcohols. My family's been discussing about how bad they are for you. We are also trying to figure out the "correct " way to count carbs/net carbs, etc. any one know?

I've never tried this, but my daughter swears that sniffing Rubbing Alcohol will knock nausea completely out. Just a quick whiff during her 2nd delivery stopped her from vomiting. It's worth a try! Hope you feel better soon!!! Sent from my SM-G928T using the BariatricPal App

@NikkiDoc - I feel the same way about the alcohol, but I haven't done the follow-up to ask, if I do. same scenario though - hot tub, hubby...glass of wine @@bikrchk - I thought I would miss pizza. I ordered one and picked it up otw home from work a couple of Fridays ago. Not my preferred pizza (pre-surgery) it was thin crust all meat. I got the narrowest slice and took a bite from the end away from the crust and chewed it, and then spit it out. I "ate" about 2 more bites and it went in the trash. Havent even thought about another piece since

No regrets. You should know that MOST of us can eat any type of food once we are a few months out. Some people imagine the sleeve will stop them from eating "bad" or unhealthy foods and for most of us we must choose to avoid those foods, the sleeve doesn't decide it for us. I do think it is normal to "miss" overeating/over indulging and the truth is you will find long term success (ie maintenance) once you have kind of mentally moved on from that desire. I do not mean to say any of us are perfect, but it is a pretty fundamental shift in priorities. Example, I used to have a daily ice cream habit. At some point, I had to ask myself how important that pleasure is vs the misery of obesity. I don't need alot of calories to maintain, so even years down the road i have to be quite mindful and regain if I start letting little things become habits. On the topic of cocktails - it is my opinion that you should generally avoid alcohol during the weight loss phase. I say it for a couple of reasons - but mostly because it is just plain emtpy calories and a lot of carbs. I also found it burned my tummy first time i had wine was about 3-4 months post op at a celebration party. Many of us have excess acid/tender tummies for the first few months and alcohol does NOT improve that situation. In maintenance, I do have alcohol but it is one of the items that can lead to regain. It is pretty easy to drink a few extra hundred calories here and there ... and it doesn't take much for the scale to start moving up. So, I think you will find over the long haul that having a cocktail occasionally is no problem - but you might want to avoid it until you are well established as a WLS veteran so to speak and then monitor how it works for you in maintenance. Good luck!

Superbowl Sunday breakfast- protein drink lunch- low carb tortilla with ham and skim mozerella rolled up Will be taking a crockpot of teriaki meatballs to the party later. I figure 3-4 meatballs and something off the veggie tray should do me for supper. The alcohol is a different story. Taking a bottle of Merlot with me, empty calories but oh-so-good. Yeah right~~~I ate so much crap today. chips and dip, brisket, beans, tortilla chips and guacamole, etc... Gotta getta grip tomorrow.

Actually I don't drink beer. I don't drink any alcohol, it gives me migraines. I have never had a cigarette in my mouth, I'm just a sguare, but it's hip to be square! I did not start putting on weight until I was in my late 20's, that was 20 years ago. When I really get motivated I'm successful at losing weight. Once after a successful diet I weighed 105 and they wouldn't let me donate blood! I was so skinny I was ill, anything under 130 and I get sick. I think it's true that if you've been obese all your life it's much harder to lose the weight. However I weighed 250 the last time I went to the doctor and probably have gained since then. I'm older now so it's a lot harder to lose, that's why I'm looking into wls. I'm babbling again, so sorry.

I would like to be the first to tell you this is going to be an awsome ride for you. There will be rough days. Food is not like other addictions. When you are an alcoholic or addicted to drugs the first thing you do is to stay away from those areas of influence, you know, bars the people you used to "party" with etc. you surround yourself in a safer enviroment so there is no temptation. Food is every where. We have to eat, we have to eat to live. I was scared to death I would fail at this like I had hundreds of diets before. I am a little over 8 months banded and am 73 pounds down. It is the smartest thing (other than accepting Christ in my life) I have ever done. Some times I get down and I really miss my old friend (food) but I try to always remember my favorite quote that I have repeated over and over since my start "NOTHING I MEAN NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY WILL FEEL" I was borderline diabetic, my bloodpressure was sky high, I was 5"3 and 258 pounds. I was killing myself I am so thankful for this band and this new lease on life I just cant tell you how blessed I feel. I can promise you it wont always be easy but it WILL be worth it. YOU are worth it, your family is worth it. You (like myself) will finally get to meet that skinny person inside of you that is dying to get out. Yes the way you look and feel is so important but more than anything, it is about your health, that is so important. I dont have to tell you you are absolutely breathtaking. Remember to enjoy the journey and God bless you as you go. Mechelle

Here's my story, I'm looking for some guidance on how you got back on track because I am feeling lost and hopeless. Wondering whether Lap Band is a total fail.... 10/08 - Banded by an out of state surgeon who is not retired (Dr. Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Rockies in Aurora, CO) 08-13 - Fills done by Dr. Ricciardi in Las Vegas, NV (doctor just went out of practice) Lost 110 lbs in first year at a rate of about 2 lbs a week - followed rules very easily initially but several life experiences got me back into drinking and ignoring band rules. 07/10 - Divorce - drinking started (weight 173) 01/11 - Miscrarriage at 4 months along - drinking escalated (weight 185) 03/11 - Job Loss - more drinking (weight 190) 6/11-7/13 - Horrible Stressful Job, height of drinking (weight at time of leaving job 205) - In the midst of this job I was overeating and throwing up a lot, had to be completely unfilled at one point because I feared it had slipped. Had to start taking antacids all the time because of endless burning. Eventually got filled back to 5 ccs in a 8cc band. 07/13 - Moved from NV to CA, excellent job, engaged now - trying to quit the drinking cycle and get back on band rules. 03/14 - Did an IVF cycle in March - gained from meds (weight 215) May 2014 Changes 1.) Seeing a trainer 2-3X week 2.) Recommitting myself daily but struggling with motivation 3.) More sitting at this job, less activity 4.) Trying to remember band rules but I'm having a hard time with following 5.) Daily struggle to not drink alcohol - I know this is my biggest issue How do I get back on track? Any suggestions welcome!!

Ok here was my experience today. I ordered a Bahama Mama. I drank about 1/4 of it before our food arrived and during the meal. I drank the rest after I ate my correct portion. No effect from the alcohol and still feel full 3 hours later. Which is how it should be so it was fine. Next time I may try 2 drinks...:thumbup:

Hi. I just wanted to comment on how you feel, because what you are feeling is actually an addiction. Now many people do not believe that food is an addiction such as insurance companies, co workers, and even family members, but it is. Society is okay with calling cocaine an addiction, or alcohol, and even sniffing glue. These things are all viewed as "addictions," but my insurance company will NOT pay for my surgery, because it is not considered "medically necessary." They do offer some helpful suggestions on how to "eat healthy." Now let's get honest here. If I were able to take those suggestions, would I weigh 300 lbs? I even thought to myself as I was looking through my benefits booklet, "Let's see here, oh, they pay for people to stay in the hospital to get off drugs. Oh, okay most crack heads I know are pretty skinny. Maybe I'll start doing crack, lose the weight, and then let my insurance pay for me to get off the crack!!!" I mean no one told a crack addict, "Okay, we'll give you some helpful suggestions on how to do a healthy amount of crack." This is discrimination at its best, and I hope someday my insurance company has to shell out millions of dollars in law suits to people who they refused to pay for surgery. I am paying for it myself, but it is WRONG. I feel the same as you about sweets, but my suggestion is to go to a therapist or support group and talk about it. It's not as simple as just suddently "eating 4 to 6 ounces" per meal. You have to understand what triggers you to eat those things, keep a journal, and talk, talk, talk to people who care. This site is FULL of them. Hope that helps. Don't give up. You can beat this.

I had sleeve on 4/25/2018. Sw: 215 cw: 192 gw: 145. I’ve been struggling with depression and binging on the soft foods for about a week. Here’s what I’ve come up with: walking is my meditation. Bariatric is my hobby for the foreseeable future. Like an alcoholic I NEED support. Having low energy and being inside too much really brought me down. Also my hormones are whacked right now. Estrogen is off. Sex is off. So I’m sure our hormones and serotonin are off so walk. If you want to connect directly I’m kgbhalloween@gmail.com