Search the Community

Thanks for the replies. AlienBandit, it's encouraging to hear that people with BMI <35 can still achieve great success with the surgery. I'd be very happy if I could maintain a weight of 160 lbs! Unfortunately, in the past it's involved hours of exercise a day, not having any alcohol, any Desserts, and not having any sort of dinner, all with a daily caloric intake of about 1000...NOT sustainable! LauraLane, Mexico is not at the top of my list right now, but if the Russia thing fails, I am willing to look into it. I called the Russian clinic today, but the receptionists were quite rude and refused to offer any sort of information over the phone, so I'll have to send my mom over there and pretend to be a patient, so that she can actually meet with the surgeon him/herself. I sent her an e-mail, so hopefully she can do this sometime next week.

I agree! I will miss bagels and pizza more than anything, but they're part of the reason I'm obese. I can't eat them in moderation, and I don't want to. I think the reason for banding is to get healthy and thin. I've accepted the fact that there are just certain foods I won't be eating anymore, kind of like an alcoholic accepts the fact that (s)he can't drink anymore.

Hi all, this is my 2nd time here. I had my sleeve i think in august 2014. I have put it all back on due to stress and my daughter developed an eating disorder. I had to eat what she was eating,so she would eat it. Not to mention the amount of alcohol it took to numb me from the pain, watching my daughter slowly disappear in front of me. I remember when i was on here last, seeing people put back on the weight they had lost. I wonder how the hell could that happen. Well i’m now one of those people. Started Weight Watchers, cheaper then going back to a dietitian. My husband is away for a few months so i’m Going to get myself into a routine before he gets back. Can’t wait to get back to a healthy weight.

@@Sinta "My question is I wonder if it would be completely crazy to have a single vodka tonic?" YES. You are still healing. You don't want anything to irritate healing tissues. Learn to enjoy without alcohol. If you find you don't like it and you are feeling pouty, just remember you made a huge investment in yourself, and you will be better later. My ex wife gave up drinking for preganacies, and I abstained in solidarity.

Learn about cross addiction & discuss it during psychological. You have already identified that you had one addiction alcohol & transferred it for food. There is no harm or fowl in working with a counselor that specializes in Bariatric patients along with the programs, your program should be able to suggest someone for you. Also start tracking your food now, get an app & buy a food scale. Because once you are in a program, typically you can't gain any more weight then your starting weight & they require you to track food so they can see where you could improve. Figure out some exercises you think you could stick with forever & start doing some now. Cleveland Clinic has a lot of non opinion fact based information on their Bariatric site read up. Watch a surgery online so you can have an idea what to expect. Deciding to make a healthier choice like this should be considered long term, a lot of people think it's magic forever & they mess it up I have personally known 4 who gained all of their weight back. Best of luck going thru the process I started April 15th of this year & got surgery September 8th so don't get discouraged if it takes awhile. Also talk to your insurance company & see what your coverage is exactly so you aren't surprised along the way.

No...Alcohol very bad for your sleeve what did your DR. tell you when it's ok to drink...

Hello fellow sleevers or potential sleevers, I am new here, and this is my story ....sort of.... The decission to have Weight Loss Surgery was not a easy one, but it was a logical decission. I am a 33 yo Male, 5ft11in 302 pounds. I have been battling with weight loss for many years, I have tried all diets and spent thousands and thousands of dollars on them, Nutrisystem x3 times, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Herbal Life, Nutripia Fresh food Delivery, GNC Total Lean. I have lost weight on all those diets, but nothing significant. I suffer from bulging disks in my back and have had 2 arthoscopic right knee surgeries which prevent me from excercising. My family has a history of Obesity, Cardiac, Hight Blood Pressure, Diabetes, High Cholestorol. I see myself gaining weight, and slowing down, I am tired, and my whole body is in pain, all the time. I wasnt able to do things I wanted to do, because my body just wouldnt do it, The attempt at just normal walks, i would be in pain. So I was discussing the options with my boyfriend, he mentioned to me that a radio DJ from local radio station Z100 had weight loss surgery, and I looked him up, at this point, I never heard of the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, I only knew of the Lap Band, and the Bypass, which both, I was not happy about, I heard about huge failures from the Lap Band, and I didnt like the idea of re routing my intestines, let alone did I ever think i was a candidate for weight loss surgery either. So I decided to google the radio DJ, and looked up where he had the surgery, I landed on the website of New York Bariatric Group, after browsing their website, and learning about different types of surgeries, I filled out the quick contact form to make an appointment for a consulation, they promptly called me back the next day and I made an appointment for March 14, 2012. March 14, 2012, I had an appointment with Dr. Spencer Holover, From NY Bariatric Group, for initial consultation, he explained every surgery in detail and told me, I didnt have to make a decission on the actual procedure I wanted, until my last appointment, when it is time to make the surgery date. Which i was relieved about, because I had my own research to do (which I highly recommend). I left the office, feeling very informed, and not pressured into making a rapid huge decission, The office staff was extremely welcoming, and pleasant to deal with, they handed me a folder with information in it, and told me, all I had to do, was fill out the information in the folder, and they would handle everything on my behalf, and they did. During the 6 months required by my insurance, I did my own research, which consisted of a lot of self made videos from people who actually had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Bypass, and Lap Band, and I started leaning towards the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, it seemd the most successful, with minimal complications, and I liked the fact of still keeping my anatomy, just less of it. Up until the 5 month, I stll have never made the decission, I tossed the idea around with the psychologist, until I sat down and said, it was the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy I was going to have. My Surgeon required the following: Cardiac Clearance Pulmonary Clearance Mental Health Dietary Evaluation Endoscop Endocrine Consult PCP Surgical Clearance Stress Test Gastric Emptying Study My insurance (GHI) required the following: 6 Month Weight Loss Program In the time during the 6 Month Weight Loss Program, I made all the appointments for the Surgeon requirments. It is very important, that you DO NOT miss a weigh in with the surgeon, the insurance company will make you start all over again. My surgery date was 9/18/2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Center, NY. Since all doctors and nutritionists are different, and therefore so are there guidelines. These are the guidelines that I followed according to my doctors' advice. Two Weeks Before Surgery - liquid Diet with 3-4 Protein shakes a day. The reason for the pre-op diet is simple - obese people tend to have a condition called fatty infiltration of the liver. The liver sits right in the way of your surgeon and they have to be able to lift it and get it out of the way while they work. Caffeine, carbonated drinks of any kind and alcohol are now off the menu at this point. Carbonated drinks are gone forever. 24 hours before surgery - Clear liquid diet. Water, chicken broth, sugar-free Jello, sugar free popsicles. Nothing after midnight on the day before surgery. Surgery - In the hospital on tue morning and surgery around 8am. Next day - They came with Ice Water and looked like mini shot glasses, then they came with a tray of chicken broth, tea, diet cranberry juice, they said if I can tolerate this, then they would come with a tray of pureed food.( I drank the cranberry juice and chicken broth)They came with the following:Pureed Food - they came with a tray of tuna fish, creamy tomato Soup, diet cranbery juice, tea, low fat milk, Pro-Stat Proetin drink/mixI ate some tuna, drank some cranberry juice and mixed the protein mix in with it. I ate enough, and it stood down. ( took the rest home with me) Basic Post-Op Rules ( For my surgeon ) Eat slowly. Each meal should take 15-30 minutes. Drink fluids between meals, either 30 minutes before or 30-45 minutes after. 4-6 week Post-Op - Stage 2 - Soft, Mushy and or pureed ( First month adter surgery solid food are all prohibited ) Examples: Pureed meats, fish, chicken Baby food containing protein Low fat yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, humus Sugar free puddings or jellos Hot Cereal (oatmeal, cream of wheat, farina, grits Ground meats such as turkey, chicken, veal or pork Turkey burgers or chicken balls White Flaky fish (Tilapia, cod, flounder) Eggs/Whites (Scrambled, poached, omelets) fruits and vegetables are limited Preparation: Foods can be baked, broiled, grilled, steamed, or poached. Do Not Use Bread Crumbs Use chicken, vegetable, or beef broth to make moist. Do Not Reheat in microwave, it can change the consistency of the the food. Portion Size: Palm of hand (3-4 ounces) Remember: You are concentrating on protein. The food does not have to be "meal specific". Try omlets for dinner or leftover fish for Breakfast. I had minimal pain during the hospital stay although I was on a morphine PAC pump, I used it before they walked me every 2 hrs, because it was uncomfortable to get in and out of bed, yes they walked me, every two hours on the DOT around the clock, they are very strict with their procedures, but it minimalized infections, blood clots, and any aother issues that can arrise. I have to say, I am very happy with the whole process, I am happy with my sleeve, and I am down from 302lb to 273ib. (obvioulsy I lost a decent ammount with the 2 week liquid diet) but I am still making some progress.

Welcome - LBT is a great site for info & support. I am going to give you my tough band love explanation (love being the operative word) Reasons some don't lose or lose very slowly and this is my personal opinion #1 THE BAND IS ONLY A TOOL!!! It in itself is not going to cause you to lose weight... You have to realize this going in - and that little part of your mind that say ya this is the answer it's the magic cure - that's the devil talking to you - cuz it's not the magic cure answer to our obesity. The band requires alot of work on your part. #2 There are pple who say I didn't do this to go on another diet - they continue to eat the same food that they did prior to banding - which usually is high fat foods and foods loaded with refined carbs (oh btw I am not an atkins advocate) and foods that have sugar. With the band once you get proper restriction (which can take awhile for some) it will limit the amount of food you eat at one sitting - but you can eat around the band ie candy cookies milkshake alcohol gravy all slip right thru the band (these soft foods are slider food) plus we still absorb all our calories (not like bypass patients who don't). These pple are going to lose some weight just do to the fact that they can't eat large quantities - but they are not going to lose a significant amount in my opinion. #3 Some pple have a slow metabolism (for reals - they have been medically tested not just another fat chick excuse) or another medical reason #4 To actually loose 100% or very close to your excess weight you are the one who has to make major changes in the way you look at food - You have to make healthy food choices (low fat - limited sugar and limited carbs) and you have to add exercise into your life. The band is only a tool to help with your portion control it doesn't make your food choices or it doesn't do the exercise. Losing weight is all about calories in vs calories burn - plan and simple as that. When you read the stories of pple who have been successful with the band - most will tell you that they counted calories - weighed and measured their foods (as fat chick we don't know what 4 oz looks like - to use a serving of ice cream is either 1 pint or a whole half gallon not 1/2 of a cup) and they also keep some kind of food diary/log and they exercise their butts off. They changed their food choices - there are alot here who do atkins or no refined carbs - I still have my starches (but limited to dinner only) I follow a basic WW type eating plan and IMHO I think it's the healthiest.. I am 14 months out and I am still learning how to control my head hunger issues ... I can be physically full from my dinner and still want to eat Our head hunger issues are our real problems - As fat chicks the minute we thought we were hungry we would eat - then eat again - we would eat past full - All of us have diff issues with food some more complicated and some as simple as boredom. We use food to soothe us when we are upset, angry or sad - we use food to comfort us - we use food to celebrate and as reward for something or cuz someone told us we shouldn't - we use our fat as a barrier against the world. All these things are the mental issue that must be dealt with if we want to lose the weight and keep it off for good (neither the band nor any WLS is guarantee that we keep they weight off forever) To this (keep the weight off forever) you must make this your lifetime life style change in eating and exercise Diets don't work cuz the minute you go off them and go back to eating normal you gain all your weight back - eating normal for us is what got us fat in the 1st place. Now Exercise - as fat chick we don't want to exercise cuz it's too damn hard - it takes too much energy. Well you must exercise - our bodies were made to exercise. You just make the commitment to yourself - you start slow and steady and each week increase it a tad - I could barely walk 1 mile 11 months ago on the treadmill doing a 25 minute mile on a zero incline - but every couple of weeks I would increase the speed and inclines - I now do 3 miles in 50 minutes on vary of inclines from 3 to 12- I work out with weights 2 x a wks (muscle burns more calories) Ok I wrote a fricking book here - but I just want you to know that even with the band it's work - it's still hard -- it takes will power to make good food choices and discipline to go to the gym or workout where ever you choose but with the band (once you have proper restriction) as a tool it does make the job of losing weight easier. As you said not easy but a little easier.. IMHO I that that I have done 75% of the work (making good food choices and exercising) and the band have done 25% of the work by providing portion control and making me feel fuller physically on 1 cup of food. I take credit for my weight loss - ya the band helped - but it's just a piece of plastic - it doesn't have a brain to make the choices and changes that I have made in the last 14 months.

Are you asking us if it's ok to drink alcohol 15 days after you had major stomach surgery??!?

Hi T_Hay81 I had the surgery 9 weeks ago and I'm doing great now ! I already lost 30 kilos and still going ! It's a bit hard in the beginning but by time you will get used to it . The most important stay away from sugar and alcohol and I'm sure you will be doing great Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App

Its interesting that you had this happen to you and posted today because just this morning I was having a conversation with two Physician Assistats and one Medical doctor about it, I am a med student (PA to be exact)..... So it went like this, we were doing blood pressure, height, weight and BMI checks (as well as other stuff) at a health fair. Someone mentioned a patient that she recetly had who was 33 and had a BMI of 54, so one of my profesors said something to the effect that for those patients she really thought they just had to have surgery. Later another profesor came and she is bigger than me, and I asked her what she thought of the gastric sleeve, her answer was that she did not believe in those things because she saw too many patients with too many problems after having it (keep in mind that after more questions she admitted she knew little about the sleeve and she also has served mostly underrepresented populations who actually already lack health care), so I realized she would not be someone even willing to honestly talk about it so I left it at that. I later talked to the other PA and doctor (the one that had mentioned surgery earlier), they admited that they knew very little about the sleeve, but that there comes a time when people really needed surgery to succed at weight loss. After talking to them I realized what their apprehancion with it being done to someone with no immediate health problems, that they may not learn to eat (and or threat other underlying problems and take on alcohol or drugs when they cannot eat to deal with them) and might not be ready for a life change that it entails. Many doctors, PAs, NPs and other health care providers just don't kow the science behind it but see the patients who came to them because of gaining weight and other complications after the surgeries, not realizing that the majority of that was caused by the patient him/herself not the procedure (yes bypass has a lot of malnutrition but even that one is very successful with limited risk for patients who follow all directions). Has patients we need to keep in mind that this is a last resort surgery, I like many of you have a lower BMI (I actually lost a little weight recently I just found out and my current BMI is 35) but I have tried every diet in the book and those not in a book too! and nothing has done it! I confided in one of my teachers today and told her that I was having it done and why and after my explanation based on scientific evidence (I told her I have done a great deal of research and shared some with her before telling her I was doing it) she said she understood. Perhaps the best thing you can do is educate your doctor, and let him/her know that you have done your research (but back it up with information you have found) and let him/her know that you know it will take a great deal of effort from you to stay healthy (eat the Protein, Water, Vitamins, exercise and the like for the rest of our lives!) but that you just need help getting there. I believe if more clinitians knew more about it they would be more supportive. There are those (like I found out today) that don't believe in the surgery at all and will not listen even when research is presented to them, but your doctor does not appear to be one of them; just genuinely concerned. Make sure you are really ready for this change and if your answer is yes then you will know what to do! Good luck!

I can only tell you from my own personal experience. The band has been working very well for me and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I wish I would have done it sooner. I am very happy with my weightloss results so far. The band does prevent me from overeating. I do not count calories, but I also do not live on candy bars, icecream, Cookies or alcohol. To tell you the truth, I put very little effort in. It has not been a hardship and does not control every minute of my life. The only negative for me has been thinning hair. I think I am more at risk for this than some others may be because my hair is naturally baby fine, thin and straight. At almost my 7 month mark, I think the thinning is slowing down. Good luck to you with the surgery, the weightloss, and a better future! :biggrin:

B-52 I strive and pray every day to get to where you are. Bandista, yes, it really is freeing. And Karen, YES! I absolutely agree we are like alcoholics. I do come from a family of dependent of something people. It is a struggle most days. Thank you so much for the encouragement! People like you and others on this site are a true God send. Thank you.

I had surgery in January and still party with no problems. I've done mixed drinks, shots, wine - no issues at all. I normally indulge in alcohol on the weekends, so 3-4 times a month. And I went on a cruise at the beginning of the month and drank like a fish! LOL! You'll just have to determine what your tolerances are once you're cleared for alcohol.

You’ve had a pretty major abdominal surgery so it isn’t unusual to still feel bloated or swollen for a good week or so. Your shoulder pain indicates you haven’t breathed out all your surgical gas yet. Even though liquids pass through your tummy more quickly, they could be making you feel bloated especially if you’re not used to drinking large amounts of fluids. Check your shake for sugar alcohols (end in ‘itol’) as they can make you feel bloated. Lactose can also cause bloating. As for the abdominal pain, it may be the sex you had last night. It may have been too much at the moment. Remember all the sutures & staples holding your tummy together & all the muscles & other organs that were pushed & prodded during the surgery. We usually told just to go for short gentle walks in the beginning. I added a list of the symptoms of a leak below. If you are experiencing some of these head to your nearest medical centre. Check in with your surgeon if you are still concerned. All the best. Rapid heart rate Fever Stomach pain Drainage from a surgical wound Nausea and vomiting Pain in the left shoulder area Low blood pressure Decreased urine output

i was told 30 days. it is not recommended to combine alcohol with pain meds. i have mixed pain meds with alcohol nothing happened. but its bad on the liver

No one said anything about it other than when I take a shower don't wash them just let the Water run over them etc. I'm wondering how often the bandages should be replaced and if I should use any alcohol to wipe them off? They said to put new bandages after I shower but I do that every other day at the moment. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using the BariatricPal App

Many people have to fill out a rather lengthy questionnaire. I did not have to fill one out, I just spoke with the therapist at the bariatric center for about an hour. They want to establish that you have rational expectations for the surgery and that you understand what the surgery will and will not impact your life. Some of the indicators they're looking for: What are the main reasons you're doing this surgery? Are you doing this surgery for yourself or someone else (like a spouse)? Do you understand that the surgery is just a tool and that you will have to change your lifestyle for long-term success? Do you have a support system? What do you plan to do for exercise? What will you do with your free time in which you used to eat? Do you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse? Have you ever been diagnosed as anorexic or bulemic? History of physical or sexual abuse? What are your eating triggers and how do you plan to deal with them? These were some of the discussion points and they were all excellent points. Don't try to guess "right" or "wrong" answers, just be honest. The therapist is there to help you succeed, not hinder your success.

Six months is the recommendation at my group, but the overwhelming advice it to avoid it permanently. I know some people do continue to drink after six months, but alcohol will feel different...both in absorption rate and the way it's digested. It might cause you problems, so approach reintroduction very cautiously.

Ah - Another day has passed... I have tracked my exercise at 11 days for the month-to-date. I will check in with my total in the AM. I am planning on going again tonight. 12 days out of 28 is still pretty wimpy - so I am going to have to do a whole lot better than that in March. Unofficial weight for today (per my scale + 4 lbs variance) would be 292. That's still only 39 pounds since my surgery date - and 55 pounds all together. I need to move that along just a smidge. I need to have this a little bit more under control by the time the next set of food holidays roll around. I think I will be able to pass up Easter Candy - so then I am clear until at least the fourth of July - and probably until Thanksgiving. Today, I have successfully avoided eating any of the evil carb laden treats lying around the office. With the exception of some veggie-dip which had some sugar in it, I was pure. I purposely avoided the dessert section of the office... I resisted the chips that were staring at me all afternoon - and I didn't even smack my idiot co-worker when she repeatedly blathered on about how delicious the Desserts were - AFTER I asked her not to mention it. GOLD STARS for me. (and lucky for her that I didn't snap) So, going into March - it isn't all that bad. I have lost a few pounds, I am hitting the gym, and I am not doing too badly on the whole food concept. Now all I have to do is improve on my ability to stop eating when I am full. Since this has always been the hardest thing for me to do, I forsee some fluctuation in my success rate... I will try not to bore you too much with the blow by blow daily report. I am determined to lose a minimum of 5 lbs in March. That is my goal. I would like to see at least 10 - but 5 is an attainable number, considering a week of travel food & no exercise might occur. That trip is a double edged sword. It's so fun - but so bad for me! Mary - sorry your computer is such a punk. Hugs to you and the boys. Cindy - I will totally call you when I get back from Tuscon. I could really use some veteran assistance. And I am so there with you on the body changes being the flip side of no weightloss. I only lost a couple of pounds in the whole month of February - but I am wearing a shirt today that I wouldn't wear three weeks ago cause it was too tight in the belly. How cool is that?!? Mandy - I hope you actually got some rest today. How nice that your DH isn't Kitchen-Phobic. Kat - I worry about you with that nut-ball around. Geez - the mediator thought she needed an escort to her car! All I can say is I hope the judge doesn't spank him so hard that the Nut-Ball feels the need for revenge. He sounds almost as scary as Crispy's neighbor. I hope he isn't someone that you will have to see on a regular basis in the future. Sherry - hope you get a break from the late hours soon. xo Eileenie - Hugs!! I can't wait for tomorrow! Now, how can we arrange for Boss Man to be away... permanently.... :heh: LOL! Darcy - Huge Hugs! I hope FIL is ok and the surgery was a great success - but there isn't anything you can do if people won't take care of themselves. I am thinking good thoughts for you & your DH. It's hard when your Daddy is sick - even when Daddy is an alcoholic. Well, I am off toward home, now. DH is flaking on the gym - but I am going without him. So there, NYAAAAA. Love you guys! (Where ARE those stinking flying Monkeys, anyway?? We are still short of a few of our peeps...)

To clarify - Right now if I try and drink a glass of tea or lemonade or Water while I'm eating it's really uncomfortable. It feels like a big bubble in my stomach and throat. Just wondered if that will ever subside and I can have a few sips if I choose.... not even interested in the alcohol aspect of the whole thing.

Thanks everyone. The omeprazole seems to be working and I havnt been eating any spicy food and eating very slowly. I think I had a way too spicy curry one night, also been drinking alcohol which I rarely do. Just got a bit of a fright because I'm so far from home. Merry Christmas to you all!

I've used goo be gone to get labels off of glasses and the like. I never thought of using it on my skin. I wear hormone patches and it leaves an adhesive residue every week. I've tried baby oil and it doesn't work. I've tried alcohol too. I guess I'll have to try goo be gone.

Rocky80, you should stop drinking alcohol for at least 2 weeks before surgery. Leading up to surgery day you need to be shrinking your liver, alcohol doesn't help with that.

So do they test you for alcohol? Or just nicotine Sent from my N9560 using BariatricPal mobile app