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I eat totally normally, just less. I dont count Protein, I dont focus on protein, I eat carbs, usually Cereal and bread daily, I drink alcohol in moderation and enjoy what I want in moderation when I go out to eat. I basically eat 3 meals a day, no Snacks, that works best for me. I've never drunk a Protein shake and I've never been advised not to drink with meals. Every so often I have a really bad day or week where I eat badly - too much chocolate or Cookies in particular. I write it off and get back on the wagon, I dont wallow in it and go right off the rails. I dont fuss over what there will be to eat wherever I'm going, and I dont obsess over takeing home doggy bags of food I've not finished in a restaurant. So what if I dont eat it all? I just make a decision from what's available wherever I happen to be and yes, sometimes that's even McDonalds! I hate ice cream and sweet drinks so never had to deal with that particular issue. I run for about 45 minutes 4 or 5 times a week and do three fairly tough circuit training sessions a week as well. I've lost 85lb in 18 months which is more than 100% of my excess weight. I'd say its been easy, I really would. It's just been gradual and natural and I've lost my terrible obsession with food and dieting.

I am 3 months post op and for the past couple of weeks would have a glass of wine a few times. I did not notice that I was more or less buzzed than I would get before surgery. But that is me and my metabolizm... someone else could be totally different. You are only a week out and no way would I have alochol of any kind, you should talk to your doctor and also remember that alcohol is high in calories and no nuritional value what so ever.

I like the idea of the frozen vodka. I'm OK with saying, "it's not allowed on my diet that is working so well". We can buy frozen margaritas in a bucket (without the alcohol). Who would know the difference but you? The habit that is hard for me to break is leaving food on my plate. My parents always preached "clean your plate" "think of all those children starving in China." Now, although I put much less on my plate I still tend to want to clean it. Even a bite or two is enough to cause discomfort. But I'm learning to stop.

Okay I am a fat person. I like to eat. I have been overeating for most of my life, If I was not overeating I was probably on a diet. I have been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle for a time but I have always returned to my bad habits. I am wondering if i will be miserable without the option of eating unless I can find something that can replace whatever I am getting from the food. After this proceedure I will not be able to eat. I have heard stories about people who have WLS and become alcoholics or drug addicts. I was curious about what some of you who are post-op have done to replace the food?

Just to throw in my two cents.........I'm 4 months post op and recently did a test on myself, I was stalling for two weeks and was starting to get frustrated. I went out with the girlfriends one night, had a couple vodka diets and low and behold, I dropped 3lbs. lol I was so focused on staying away from alcohol, that wasteful space in my stomach, but I just relaxed, had a couple drinks and now the scale is moving again. does it mean I'm going to have an after work margarita everyday or go kill a plate of Pasta? eff no (I wish lol)! but WLS works differently for everyone. If you're sticking to your diet and start getting frustrated like I was, just relax! indulge in something you've been keeping from yourself, and then LAUGH because you didn't die from having one relaxing meal. as I'm typing this I'm throwing granola on the food scale to have with my Breakfast, this new life is stressful sometimes, but as long as you keep the big picture in mind, you'll do great!! xoxo Katie

Oh lord AGAIN? I'm trying to be nice here. I've never had an issue with ANYONE on here but this guy! There would never be a problem if he didn't try to make everyone believe he knows all. We're all damned if we don't do exactly what he thinks is right. Being a "dick" is telling people they are all going to be complete failures if they dare have a drink of alcohol. "Go eat cake" blah blah blah. That's not the attitude to have either. That's not kissing anyone's ass that's allowing people to live their lives without fear of failure every time they live a little. I consider myself a success and I've had a drink more than a few times. I had one at 3 months post op. Do I drink everyday ummm no! Do I feel like I'm going to be a "failure" when I do have a drink? Nope! If he had told me that crap in the beginning and threw a big tantrum and told me I should just go eat cake ect... I would have been insulted and felt like I was a failure. That's not the way to make someone feel. I CANT STAND it when someone says they can "Never have this/that again" because it's simply NOT true. Unless you've become deathly allergic to a food you can and will be able to consume it again. Just because you have lost weight doesn't make you a weight loss expert and you are most defiantly not qualified to tell someone else what's right or wrong. Give advice when asked, sure but you have no right to push your views and nonsense onto anyone else. Unless you have a MD behind your name and you don't. Here's the thing, there's a block button that I know people are well aware of sooooo if you choose to get your panties all up in a wade (over and over again) instead of using it then I have no choice but to believe you like the drama. That's the only conclusion I can come up with. "Leaving" every couple of month only to return and "leave" again (always making it a public "leaving" post) is just ridiculous. You do get the more "likes" and responses to these "leaving" post than any of your others post though so good for you!!!! Toodles!

I apparently missed something. It is a loss when someone feels they can't share their perspectives...but something to consider -there are lots of us that are experts on "one persons WLS". I drink and am maintaining and have been for some years. Would it be better if I gave up alcohol coffee and British comedies? Probably. Anyway consider if the intolerance isn't a bit 2-way.

The crystal light mock alcohol drinks are so good, you could easily pour it into whatever glass and blend in at a party or whatever. The margarita one even has a tequila-ish after taste

I've heard of it but have never tried it (I never had a gas issue). I know some people find cutting way back on carbs and/or sugar alcohols can help with gas, too.

Alcoholism is not uncommon after WLS. Because of the surgery alcohol gets absorbed a lot quicker and gets into you blood stream at high concentrations. Most surgeons suggest skipping it all together after surgery some say small amounts after the first year.

Sorry everyone, I haven't checked this forum as often as I should have. Since coming back I have been swamped by people on facebook asking questions lol here are the answers to your questions you asked Robbdtn... I have not heard of anyone have a bad or negative experience at anytime down there in Juarez and I have talked to A LOT of people. I even talked to a lady that went their the week after I cam home and talked her through every experience she had. She had lots of pain (more than I had) but we never could figure out why. The pre-op diet I was on lasted for 2 weeks. I started 3 days early just to give myself a chance to get used to it in case I slipped up. I thought I would totally blow it, but I never did. Come to find out, even if you do mess up on the diet, the Dr. Rod will still go ahead with the surgery. I was told by my facilitator that they have never turned anyone away, pre-op diet or not. The diet is just to help shrink your liver so there is less bleeding, but they are experienced enough to deal with a fatty bleeding liver though. Try to stick to the diet as best as possible though, the pre-op diet is easy peasy anyway, just gotta set your mind to do it. Lots of Water, lots of meat. That's about it lol if you love steak, it's the best diet ever! After surgery, I got nauseous twice in the hospital but as long as you keep a cottonball soaked in rubbing alcohol nearby to sniff when your mouth waters, you'll be fine. As far as pain goes. It was absolutely manageable with pain medicine. Even if you don't feel pain, if the nurses offer it...take it. Better safe than sorry lol as soon as you can stand up and walk, WALK. They want you to walk twice and hour, but I walked once ever few hours because I liked sleeping more. The breathing treatments hurt at first, but you have to keep blowing that damn tiny tuba until your diaphragm resets itself. But honestly, for me....at no point in time was the pain unbearable. Towards the end, the only pain I really complained about was my headache from sleeping too much. I am a full time student and don't work, but I returned to class exactly 5 days after surgery (3 days home) and just took it easy and wore loose fitting clothes and kept a small pillow with me for my back. Today marks 3 weeks after my surgery and I have lost 22 pounds since then. It's not a whole lot, but in the past 3 weeks my double chin is now gone. I have not been doing any exercising other than a few minutes of walking a day. My clothes are more loose and I can see considerable shrinkage all over. Remember, with all the Protein we take in, we are building muscle right now so weight loss might be slow, but we are still losing inches! The only thing I would do differently is packed lighter and not taken a bus across Texas LOL. All you really need to pack is pajamas, toiletries, cell phone/charger. You can go home in the clothes you came in as long as you don't sweat profusely! If you need anything else, feel free to message me directly Lastly, Mattr2...cute profile pic

I've had reactive hypoglycemia for the last 4-5 years. Definitely talk to an endocrinologist. I got a prescription for the Libre 2 wearable device that allows me to monitor my sugar levels in real-time. The Libre will notify you when your blood sugar is dropping or spiking. You'll learn which foods trigger low blood sugar soon enough. For me, it's sushi and alcohol or any high-carb food.

Hey, if you can handle it power to you! There is nothing wrong with having fun. I really enjoy drinking wine and champagne and I admit I love a good party! Everyone is different in this regard as to how they handle alcohol. My point was just that at first I didn't notice a difference in how alcohol affected me. It took awhile and suddenly my body just can't handle it any more. I think being aware of the possibility of cross addictions is really wise. Most of us over ate as a coping mechanism and when that is taken away something wants to fill that void. I'm super aware that this is a possibility for me having a pretty bad eating disorder and my history of coping with self destructive behaviors. That's why I'm shutting down drinking right away rather than playing with fire. My body obviously can't handle it. It's enough already that I'm fighting to maintain my weight.

Since I don't enjoy alcohol now I can only hope it stays that way, but I would surely try to avoid it for 6months or more just so my stomach would heal.

Just be aware, as it has been mentioned several times, due to the decrease in area of the stomach the absorption rates in the gut from alcohol are about 7 times faster for sleevers. as such alcohol hits you about 7 times harder. No disrespect to the gentleman above, but i find it hard to beleive, since 8 to 10 drinks would make an absolute lush, drunk. And id have to say why on earth would you have 8 to 10 drinks? are you trying to fail? that's like 5 thousand calories and all from sugars, give yourself a chance. Your not even at goal. why would you do that? To give some perspective one of my best friends is a bartender and as such, he has repeatedly told me about customers that have ben brought to his attention to not serve a lot to, and to serve very slowly to as they are sleeves and the establishments management makes sure those patrons don't have problems, since they once had a sleeve drink 3 shots in like 15 minutes and had to be taken to the ER. So please be very careful.

Wow Eli! I finally found some one who's my age and did the sleeve while being in college! I would really love to contact with you because I really have a lot of questions to make you since we are basically in the same page going through the same things! I am in my 5th month post-up. I was 215 the day of my surgery and now I am 158/160. I feel i could be less though, but alcohol on weekend has been a huge challenge for me! Also being in college is very hard to follow a specific meal plan but i always try to eat as healthier as possible. I started drinking alcohol my third month post-op since I read i could start drinking after the 3rd month but i know i shouldnt do it and every one here keeps telling me not to do it but its very hard (you understand me because you are in college as well) i have a verg active social life, always had always did and always will.. I know alcohol is not needed to be social and have fun.. But lets not bullshit here but a party with out having alcohol is just not the same fun! Anyway .. I am scared about every thing that awaits because i dont know if i'll keep loosing weight or im staying stuck in this weight like the past month. Hope we can really get in contact! Here are pictures of me before and now so you have an idea of my change!

@@LBS15 Wait, let me clarify that, you won't be "allowed" to drink alcohol for some time (your dr will give you a time frame) depending on your restriction you may only be able to eat a few bits of different things. You can still go out it will just be more about socializing than eating.

I continue to practice. Back to that in a minute. I got my approval to go to the Seminar. It's this Saturday and my surgeon is Dr. Oliak in Orange, CA. After that, they submit my paperwork to be approved for the surgery. That should take about two weeks. From that date it should be about one month till I'm banded. I continue to lose weight on a 1200 cal diet with very healthy choices. Some things that I'm having trouble with are: chewing...I try to chew everything 40 times but it's so darn hard!...I use a timer that sits in front of me and I MAKE my meal last 30 min. Of course, no liquids with meals and none for 1 hour after. That is hard too! I know I'm whining but isn't that what these forums are for? And I'm hungry. Exercise is difficult and slow. I tire sooo easily. I need knee replacement surgery so I am limited. Any ideas? I've been biking, rowing and working a few machines at the gym that are low impact on the knees. I've only been at it for around 7 days. I did pick up a protien shake at Costco. They also have these berry/yogart packets made by Yoplat. I highly recommend them. They're in the frozen foods dept. Well I'm off now. Thanks to all you great people out there I'm doing what I'm supposed to before I see the surgeon. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Oh...and I quit drinking alcohol and diet soda!

I'm in the same boat (lol no pun intended). I'm being sleeved hopefully late May, I'm traveling to DR June 19th. Surgeon said I will be fine to travel! I did some research and many people have traveled right after surgery. I think the 2 months will be more than enough to travel. I'm not going to over eat, get plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Maybe a sip of champagne (it's a family wedding lol). But I should be healed enough for the pool and have energy Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I don't know if you watched the Oprah show on GB and addiction a couple of weeks ago, it may have explained some of your sisters issues. I feel the lap band reduces the odds, but does not eliminate them. The problem as I understood it is that one of the reasons we are as overweight as we are is a food addiction. Now if you have an addictive personality, then when you canno longer use food to soothe the demons that led to the addiction, then many turn to alcohol, or whatever and simply change the addiction. I have no idea concerning the divorce, except losing weight finally after many tries, as most of us have gone through, is very free-ing. It empowers you to make changes you had only thought about before. Not knowing why she is doing these things, I would hate to judge any of it. Lap band is less drastic, and not such a sudden loss. It does require more work. But in my opinion it works for me because there is not anything I cannot have at least a little bit of. I was told with bypass sweets were not something I could eat, and I don't do well being told I can't have something, it just makes me want it more!!! Now I can eat some without going overboard. Are you close enough to your sister to discuss these things with her? Go to the seminar, and research all you can!!! This has been a blessing to me, I hope you find the answers you are looking for!!! Kat

All of the above posters are right! Nixi, I'm thrilled that you "got" it! This is a lifestyle change, not a diet. We're going to eat and drink things that aren't "diet friendly" on occasion, because this is REAL LIFE. The key is to not do that constantly. Normal people indulge in sweets sometimes; they drink alcohol in moderation. We ARE normal people...we're just bigger and working our ways down to a normal size. Enjoy a little treat here and there...and 1/4 of an apple fritter is a little treat. Just remember that you had that treat and try to eat less treats for a few days. You're doing great!!

It's the food addiction many of us suffer. If you changed the above references from food items to alcohol, you would have a recovering alcoholic that is starting to fall off the wagon again, right? Tell dear husband he needs help. Be that in the form of going to a local bariatric surgery group monthly, or seeing a psychologist, or self help in the form of a book. Coincidentally, there is a good book on amazon called Never Binge Again which happens to be free in kindle version for a limited time. I would pick it up and see if it can help him with his situation.

Hello, I am desperately in need of some help. My husband had the sleeve gastrectomy in October. He's lost 115 pounds and looks amazing! In the beginning he was very strict and followed his diet. Now in the past month I've noticed him cheating more. He will take 1 bite of everything he's not supposed to eat, and sometimes more. I mentioned it to the nutritionist and she said it's okay as long as it's only 1 bite to satisfy his craving. It's starting to be more than one bite, and if I say something or give him a look it starts a huge fight! The other night I came home and saw a dirty ice cream bowl in the sink. I told him how worried I am bc my old boss regained ALL her weight from alcohol and ice cream. He fixed his body but not his brain. I'm 100% sure he's going to regain the weight if he's already cheating 5 months out. We have a baby now and I want him to be alive to see it grow up! He refuses to go to counseling. Please give me some advice on how to be supportive!

I was told that we couldn't have any for three months. Since then I've had some wine and some beer, but I'm not much of a drinker. Most likely yes, you will never have a pint of beer again, only because it won't fit in you. You would probably be able to have a few sips before feeling full. nothing against the poster but I find it interesting how much people worry about alcohol. don't drink much so it's not a big deal for me but I find it interesting to see people worrying about not being able to have a beer again. I would think that loosing weight and becoming healthy is more important than some alcohol. I felt similar about not being able to binge at a buffet, but I keep telling myself that it's a small price to pay for loosing all the weight