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Why can't you have alcohol. I am only 12 weeks banded but I have had alcohol twice (a friend's birthday party and New Years Eve) with no problems. You just have to be accountable for the calories and make choices about what you are willing to do (either accept the weight gain or work it off). No whining if you don't lose weight the week you chose to drink alcohol.

I'm 3 months post op & I've tried a few sips of Diet Dr Pepper slowly. It didn't cause any pain or discomfort. I've also drank a child's size frozen coke. It was so good! No pain with that either. My pouch is fine no stretching going on. No weight gain either. But I don't drink it daily.

Hi all, I'm approaching five weeks out and I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced yoyo numbers on the scale so early out. I've been the same weight given 2-4 lbs for about two weeks. I'm taking in about 48g of Protein on good days and generally eat between 700 to 1000 cals a day. I'm planning to call my NUT tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Thanks!

My highest weight is on my profile, 207. That was after I had decided to get surgery and before pre-op diet, and I had kind of gone on a, I'm going to eat whatever I like and not worry about weight gain, rampage, and gained probably 8-10 lbs. I lost that weight and then some on my pre-op diet. I did have my surgery in the US, I'm from alabama and I had my surgery with dr schmitt in birmingham. I did have issues with adjusting to the right portion sizes and learning what I could tolerate. Before surgery, I don't think I had massive issues with overeating, or eating unhealthy foods. I probably ate more than I should have, but I have a very slow metabolism and thyroid issues, so the sleeve has helped me be satisfied with much smaller portions and control my cravings. Before surgery I didn't really eat many processed foods, I cooked my own meals and didn't snack a lot, but I did have rice pretty much every day with my dinner, and some sort of carb for lunch. After surgery, I barely eat carbs. I can hardly fit them in with all the Protein and Water requirements! I have tried to eat a little rice, and protein Pasta but they didn't settle right with me. I'll probably try again closer to my goal weight. I live by myself, and my family is states away, so for me the hardest part of life after surgery was feeling alone and without support. I told one friend who lives states away that I was having surgery, and my parents. No one else, not even my siblings, know I've had surgery. Adjusting to the restriction was hard, but I quickly figured out that I could have yogurt for lunch, add protein to my coffee in the mornings, eat chicken for dinner, and beans/cheese/salsa as a snack. I follow the same routine pretty much every day, and I'm really comfortable with it. I track all my food, I bought a kitchen scale (HIGHLY recommend, helped me with portions a LOT). So I might have "given up" rice, and carby lunches on a daily basis, but if I am out socially then I don't feel too bad about indulging in a few fries or bread. I can still eat anything I want. I just don't feel the need to, and some things settle better than others. I no longer feel the need to finish the whole plate of fries (I physically can't), I'm good after having 2 or 3. Not feeling hunger is great. I do get "head hungry" at times but usually it passes. I no longer feel like the whale in the room. I might still be the biggest in the room at times, but I don't feel unhealthy, and I know that in time I'll be out of the overweight BMI category.

low carb, yes - good and sustainable. keto? NO. do not start with that. unsustainable, unnecessary, and damaging in the long run. i know you are in ketosis now, largely bc of the sharp calorie decline and your body utilizing so much stored fat for energy. but seriously do not start with the eating 80% fat thing. not because fat is bad for you, it’s not, but because you should not begin ANY eating plan that you can’t sustain for the rest of your life. because guess what happens when you get off of it. yep, weight gain regain. i follow a generally low-carb (under 50g carbs per day), whole foods diet. kinda paleo, kinda Mediterranean, but always REAL FOOD. makes it all quite simple.

Hey there I'm doing well! Went to my group nutrition class which was about lifestyle and diet before and after surgery. Was very informational appointment. I have to do a FULL liquid diet no 1 meal a day for me even though others have been allowed to by their surgeon but each surgeon can be different. On the sleeve vs bypass this is strictly my opinion whichever WLS u choose is a personal decision between u and ur surgeon based on ur unique situation. Bypass may be a better option for some but not everyone and this goes for the sleeve, bypass, band, switch, and any other WLS. In regards to weigh loss and the ability to gain it back if we don't work our tool weight gain is a great possibility. Now for me I'm not putting my body through holy hell to have this major surgery if I'm not willing to make the lifestyle changes. None of these interventions or surgeries are a magical fix they r tool that we have to actually use and work at to help us not only lose the weight but to also become healthier beings. Weight loss is a huge plus but we also have to focus on the wealth of other benefits we are getting not just the weight loss. I don't knock anyone choice of WLS I just suggest u do the research, know urself, be open with ur surgeon and pick the best surgical procedure for u. We r all in this together and here to support one another regardless of which procedure we decide to have.

Hello Terry, Why do you need to forgive? Through my own life experiences I had to forgive people because unforgiveness has caused headaches, migrines, weight gain, or loss of appetite, sleepless nights, loss of attention to detail (almost loss my job over it), constainly thinking about them and how I can get them back and they don't even care what they say or did to me. I made a decision to forgive them for what they have done and all the after affects it caused me whether I was right or wrong. Whether they said sorry or not - it is a choice and my made the right one. I prayed for me first then the person, and a few years later the person came back to me and asked for forgiveness. You can't change people, but you can truly change yourself. If it comes up in your mind just don't think about it it's in the pass and over. It took a total of seven years for me. I hope you get over it faster than me, but all things are possible. I wish you the best!

I am not so sure about this word called "forgiveness" I have made peace inside myself over certain things that have happened in my life but I cannot say that I have totally forgiven anyone (or want to). I have taken certain steps to confront the people who ripped my world apart and felt so very much peace after confronting them, having my say and then leaving the ball in their court. I was continually raped by my brother from the time I was seven until I was seventeen. (He was much older than I). I confronted my mother about this 13 years ago and I was no longer allowed in her life. She went to her death bed two years ago still living the lie. Three years ago I wrote a letter to my bastard brother confronting him with everything he had done to me. I felt a certain peace come over me. Most of the horrid anger I had pent up eased it's way out of me. I have had no family contact since 1996. It's the way it has to be in order to save myself and keep my children away from demented family members. I attribute a lot of my weight gain to the stress of living without my family of origin. But, I am now truly happy. I have brought people into my life that have filled the void and I am blessed. Total forgiveness? I don't think so!!!!!!!!

Currently: I am a 43 yr old woman. Mother of 1. Married for almost 10 years. I am 5' 5" & 242 pounds. From southern TN area. Past: Extremely thin all my life until around 19. Before that, I was the girl in H.S. that everyone said they were jealous of because I was soooo thin. 100-105 lbs. in H.S. Reason(s) for weight gain: All sorts of things. Bad things in my life, not exercising anymore, got a car so I didn't have to walk everywhere, got married/divorced, parents died...etc.,etc.,etc. But --- the REAL reason was because I ate. Period. MY FAULT. I own it. Surgery of choice: The Sleeve. I have a few friends who have had The Band with little results. The friends I have that have had the Bypass - well, they have all been sick since. So, I chose The Sleeve due to those reasons, along with the fact that it's the 'best' choice for me and it's the 'medium' surgery on the scale of WLS's. I've done loads and loads of research. Timeline: Time from calling for 1st weight loss seminar to the date of surgery - 34 days. Yes, very quick. Why? ....'cause I'm Self-Pay. Insurance doesn't cover ANY WLS's. Surgery is the 19th of this month. Just a few days away. I've been thinking about this for a long time though. Finances: I'm self-pay. I've read that many people ask how they have come up with the $. Well, my house is paid off...so I just went and got a Home Equity Loan and will pay it off in a few years (or sooner if my timeshare at Disney will sell!!!) My family: Supportive, but nervous. Husband is glad I'll be happy, but loves me the way I am. Son (9) is worried I'll look a lot different. Both are somewhat nervous that I'll stop cooking the 'good food'. My brother (and the only sibling I've told...and basically, the only sibling I'm close with) doesn't want me to get it. He says he loves me the way I am and wants me to feel better about myself. I told him it had nothing to do with that. He'd never understand though. He's 40 and has a 29 inch waist with a six-pack. Yes,....a six-pack and he NEVER works out. I know...it's crazy. So, overall.....support is there. All 3 men in my life will be there for surgery. Friends: The ones I've told are very supportive. Pre-Op plan: Magnesium Citrate 1 day prior. liquid Diet 1 day prior. Health Issues I have: none My reasons for wanting surgery: Other than the obvious reasons, ....I'm sure all of you can relate to my reasons. I want to feel good. I've been overweight for 20 years. It's time. I may be healthy now, but I will not be healthy for much longer if I stay this size. My fears: I'm not scared of the surgery. I'm not scared of the pain. I'm scared that I will hate eating since I've heard so much about the hard-to-swallow issue. For some reason -- that is my biggest fear. The fact that I will hate to eat. Also, I don't want to stop cooking for my family. I'll cook healthier...but I don't want MY plans to affect them too much. My schedule for surgery: Show up at 6am, surgery at 8am. In on Monday....and out on Wednesday. Preparation: I've bought EVERYTHING needed. Got all my RX's. food. I know the hospital I go through individualizes the plans and I told them that I would not do the Protein shakes. I KNOW I wouldn't keep them down. It would be of no use. So, we will be doing the bullets, and Isopure for the liquid phase. Isopure/bullets/non-flavored protein to put on mushy food for the other phases. Then, when I can eat...the protein will be taken care of. But I know me....and I'll eat loads of protein. So....that is me. I'm excited. I'm scared. I am prepared to run through every emotion possible (anger at myself, regret, guilt, happiness, relief, etc etc). My finances are in order. I have an Advanced Directive (already had one). House is spotless so I don't have to worry about it. Yard will be mowed 2 days before surgery.he he. Prepared my family. Told some friends. Researched and researched more. I'm new to this forum. Only been on about a week. So far, I've learned so much. I know I will rely on you guys a lot during my journey. Then, I hope to 'pass it on' to other newbies. Thank you for reading this. And I hope this helps you understand me a little better. I am soooooooooooooooo excited. I've been smiling the entire time I was reading this!!!!!:biggrin0::thumbup::thumbup1:

I have had lower abdominal pain, extreme fatigue, mucus in my stool, dizziness, and constipated. The doctor thinks I have a type of colitis and have a colonoscopy next week. For those of you who have colitis, can you take medication that is approved for the sleeve? I dont want to take steroids that will cause weight gain and I cant take anti-inflammatories. I dont know how I can go back to work with this fatigue and cramping. Does it ever let up?

Your attitude will help you lose the weight faster. Why? Stress slows weight loss. Stressing over stalls helps them hang on longer. Dump the stress, dump the stall. Your wisdom serves you well. http://www.caloriesecrets.net/can-stress-cause-weight-gain-or-weight-loss/

5 day pouch reset may be a good restart for some. Good advice. Some other things to think about. It doesn't adress the the mental side of staying on plan. It also may be too restrictive if you are years out, have extra sleeve space and are trying to trouble shoot hunger, you may want to try other options. some do keto. Intermittent fasting, vegan. It may be trial and error to find what works for each of us. Trouble shooting extra sleeve space. I eat dense Protein and other foods on my plan. I eat as much veggies as I want until full. I log to make sure I stay within my weight loss calorie and macros Years out weightloss calories may have to be dialed in specifically to the individual. 600 to 800 calories is not realistic for me years out. Maintenance phase is a different animal. Getting back into weight loss mode after a weight gain is not a one size fits all. Sent from my SM-G930T using BariatricPal mobile app

switched from orals to Mirena about 18 months after my sleeve (due to age and extended length of time being on estrogen) and LOVE it. no weight gain that i can pinpoint directly (i have had about 18-20 lb regain but more related to stress eating and falling off my plan). also no more periods at all, which is expected with Mirena. No issues, i would recommend to anybody.

The doctor's secretary stated that I would need to see a cardiologist, pulmonologist and a psychiatrist for medical clearance and I was fortunate enough to have all my appointments completed this week. If anyone is looking for a psychiatrist, cardiologist or pulmonoligist in the Northern NJ Bergen/Passaic County area, let me know. More than happy to reccomend. Each of them were great and all accept United Healthcare/Americhoice. The cardiologist had me undergo a stress test and echocardiogram. They also did blood work and checked my thyroid levels. The pulmonologist is sending me for a sleep test which wasn't a requirement but I am going to do it in 2 weeks. It will help address my snoring which has increased since my weight gain. As of today I am 268lbs. I also met with a psychiatrist whose main goal was to really determine if I have given real thought to the process of the lapband and if I FULLY understand the changes I need to make in my lifestyle and eating habits. He was very kind and after going over my history and making sure that I knew what I was signing on for with this surgery he did go ahead and aprove me. My recommendation to anyone would be that it should not matter if your insurance requires these steps or not. You should undergo them for your own safety and peace of mind not just for you but your loved ones as well. I think a whole lot about my family especially my kids and how they would be affected if somrthing unforeseen were to happen to me so for that reason alone I am taking all the precautions and making sure that I am clear on all angles. Dr. Vasquez is one of the few that requested these tests not just for his protection but mines as well. I have spoken with some people who had the procedure who said that they had the surgery without even having clearance on their heart, breathing or otherwise. Not good, not good I say. But I am glad things worked out for them. At any rate ...take the extra steps! the life you save may be your own.

@@Skywalker, some people just have a harder time waking from anesthesia, I don't know what causes it. As for the weight gain, my blood pressure got so low they had to double up on the IV bags to get more Fluid into me, thus the weight gain. The last two days have been hell for me. I slept an awful lot and have had quite a bit of pain in my guts. Just feeling very out of sorts. The good news is, I lost that pesky 9 pounds plus one so I am moving in the right direction! Looking forward to feeling a little better every day. Just keep walking and sipping....that is what I have been told to do. Wishing you all well!

I had a mirena IUD inserted in preparation for surgery. I've had it about three months now, and I'm very happy. My periods are lighter (I've always had heavy periods when not on the pill). I do have some spotting mid-cycle, and for a couple days before and after my period, but I had that before, and it was heavier and longer in duration then. Definitely no weight gain from it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A typical person can eat ONE brownie or baby cone of ice cream (take the cone and fill it to the top without going over the top). I think where most of us got into trouble was eating 4 brownies (or the whole pan), and always ordering a large ice cream. After hitting maintenance, try a normal amount. If it sets up the cravings or weight gain, then that won't work for you. While still losing, sweets should be either a spoonful or off limits. "Healthy" sweets are a problem for me because they tend to taste more like food, and I eat more of it... so much so it would have been better to have had a small real sweet. Play around with it to see what works for you!

Still in the process myself but I think it's safe to say that both my husband and I were scared and skeptical for years when it came to talking about me possibly having it. And we both only really thought about it because my family doc kept suggesting it after years of seeing me trying everything under the sun and nothing working. When we first got together in our teens (he was 19 I was 16 and now......I'm 48 now and he's 53) he was under weight and I was at a nice normal weight but I always thought I was heavy. Despite being able to wear sexy clothes and fitting in a size 4, I still thought I was heavy. I guess mostly because I WAS heavy growing up but sorta slimmed down between the ages of 12 and 16. How and why, I have no clue. It just happened. But come age 19, that's when the weight gain started for me along with the other health and hormonal problems (i.e., PCOS, Endometriosis, Insulin Resistance). Anyway, over the years the weight just kept creeping up on me despite trying many diets, exercise programs, etc. He gained too but did not become overweight. His weight gain actually resulted in him finally being at a normal weight. LOL But either way, he NEVER EVER said a harsh word to me about my weight and as for sex, even despite having gained all this weight over the years, you wouldn't know it. The dang man STILL wants it ALL THE TIME. At least like once a day!!! LOL Me on the other hand my drive is non existent. And I blame the weight on that. Despite him telling me every day that I'm beautiful, he loves me, and that I "turn him on", I just don't feel that way about myself. I am so damn self conscious that I NEVER let him see me totally naked. Well, at least not standing up and walking around. LOL I don't want to say those words he says mean nothing, cause they do, they actually mean the world to me, it's just that they still don't change my own mind about myself no matter how reassuring they are. Ya know? I still feel like I look a mess regardless of what he says. Not in the face but in the body. IMO Anyway, he is totally up for me doing whatever it is I need or want to do to make myself feel better about myself and more importantly, to keep me healthy and around for a long, long time for him. So, that's pretty much where we are. As for the sex part, I surely do hope this sex drive of mine comes back once the surgery is done. I think and feel the world of him too, and find him highly attractive as well and I hate that I keep turning down his advances a lot of the time when this sh*t sex drive of mine has NOTHING to do with him. It gets tiring constantly trying to convince him it's truly NOT HIM and that it's totally all me/my body/hormones (and sadly my last blood work showed that I'm not near menopause yet so can't blame that either....lol). I seriously feel bad that he feels at times that I don't find him attractive cause that's really not the case. I LOVE that man!!

@@Pi Sano for me, at a little over 3 'months post op i can tell you bloated feeling will go away and get better stick to your plan Water sip sip sip. You will feel it fill up and small sips make it more comfortable. You will likely find as i did that it takes quite a long time to finish especially at first. This show rationale for post op liquid diet as it would be hard to abide by 30/30 rule with constant sips! food you loved well I guess that is a philosophical discussion for many on this board. I believe it is about a new way of eating and living as we have changed our body to help change the outcome of eating in long run. That means a long run of eating differently and recognizing what that means to you personally. Will you indulge? Can you one day? Should you and how do you balance quality of that indulgence and monitoring any weight gain? For me that seems way off in future. But many foods can be changed to high Protein and diet friendly --- bunless cheeseburgers, "pizza" interpreted as sauce and cheese on parmasean crisp (or other variations). Your body has changed, now is time for mind and actions to support!

Hello my name is jeanell and back in March of 2005 I had RNY surgery in Denver, CO. My doctor was Michael A. Snyder. I lost a total of 110lbs but gradually started gaining 5yrs post op. I started noticing that food was causing digestive issues no matter if it was healthy or not and I was getting no Satiety with food. The symptoms got worse and exercise and diet was not stopping my weight gain. I finally decided to go back to my surgeon 10yrs pot-op and after gaining 60lbs. I found out that I definitely had issues with my stoma being enlarged and that a revision would be necessary. It has been 5 days since my revision surgery and I hope and pray I get back on track. I will definitely make sure that I follow all the rules of the tool and pay attention to my body. I actually had a hernia that required repairing during the revision surgery. My plan is to get as much support as I can because this procedure and journey is very exhausting mentally,emotionally and physically. I am excited that they have apps and forums like this to assist with this journey. I look forward to discussing my journey. Regards, Jeanell

I'm so sorry to hear about all of this happening! I ended up with a hysterectomy at age 40 from endometriosis and wacko periods, etc. so I have total sympathy for you. I always heard Depo was bad for weight gain - so yea that is gone! Hang in there - it will get better. I, too, have found I get excellent support from female gynes - just been the case - so glad you seem to have found a good one! Hope you get back on track soon!

Damn that Ninja Turtle theme song........I'm terrible about if someone mentions a song or sings one around me it gets all in my head for the rest of the day.........thanks alot kimaliciosu!!!!! Now here's one for you....PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON.....LIVED BY THE SEA......... I honestly can't say if my slow losing is because of adequate restriction - maybe I don't know what adequate restriction is??? I eat waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy less than pre-banding - which has me confused why I haven't lost more weight. I now eat 1/3 of what I did pre-band yet still only small weight loss. I think I've come to the conclusion that it isn't what I eat, but how I don't move much anymore. I need to get me a pedometer to motivate me just to move more. I look back and notice when I had a significant amount of weight gain was shortly after high school - that's because I was constantly on the move in high school and once I graduated I got a desk job - hellllloooooooooo fat assssss!!!!!! I'm only 6 years out of high school and weighed 230 and muscular/athletic in high school - before surgery I weighed 293 - so I gained 63lbs in six years........wow just had an epiphany here with you all.......damn I've gained 63lbs since high school only 6 short years ago and was gaining steadily and have no doubt I'd be in the 300lb club if it weren't for Bambi (my band). Somebody buy me a pedometer for Christmas!!!!!!! I can't find any around this area in stores. Waaaahhhh - actually I think I'm going to go ebay it.........do they make a pedometer in a wrist thing? I don't like wearing things on my waist. Mainly because when I sit my fat roll folds over my waist......gross....I'm so grossss..........LOL - BUT NOT FOREVER!!!!!

Im also 2 mos post op. Been on stage 4 over 2 weeks. No weight gain, still losing just a bit slower. Your body is already becoming conditioned to eating less. This is the trial n error stage. Atleast 3 incidents of getting sick and projectile vomiting. Thats a swift kick in the butt to let u know stage 4 or not, pace urself, cant eat that yet, maybe next month. LOL. Just have to keep up the protein n water intake. Good luck. CW 203 VSG 1/6/2017 SW 242 GW 140 Woohoo ...summer 2017 here we come :-)

So I already got the appr9val from my insurance company for the surgery but since I have had my depo shit and gained like 10 pounds this month so very nervous to go for my final weight in. Any one experience this. I haven't changed my diet I don't know what's going on Sent from my VS880PP using the BariatricPal App

People in our society notice weight gain and weight loss. While some of us may find it offensive that we personally get noticed for either gaining or losing, social interaction is likely to be the result of weight loss even if we resent people who never sought us out before the lap band or other assistance in weight loss. The process is going to be slow but people will first notice your face getting thinner because you are consuming(hopefully) less sugar--no soda, juices, etc.--more water and sugar free Crystal Light lemonade. You will be having broth which is high in sodium and Boost which is just high in calories to get you your protein intake--I guarantee you that you will be wondering in six weeks if the band is working because you are able to eat so much--this means it is time to ask the doctor for a fill(2cc) each month for the next five or six and then, the weight will start to drop along with exercise. Since we are nearly in spring, this is a great time to get out and walk and keep walking all spring and summer. After six months of good behaviour , I would be shocked to hear you are not a happier person with more attention than you have dreamed about since you were a kid. Good luck