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I choose the sleeve for three reasons: 1. My surgeon okayed drinking alcohol (down the road) with the sleeve and recommend lifelong abstinence with bypass. 2. My surgeon said the same about NSAID'S. I have quite a bit of arthritis and even down 80 lbs, I still need my ibuprofen. 3. I like the idea of just cutting off some of my stomach as opposed to all the plumbing rerouting and the whole dead stomach thing. I'm not sure about the whole hunger thing. If I avoid simple carbs, I'm not hungry, but if I eat them, I still want more (I'm in month 4).

My hold up was my college (well post college) party lifestyle. I remember researching gastric bypass procedures and reading that alcohol was no longer going to be an option, or at the very least, a very limited option and this was not appealing to me. I know how this sounds... So ultimately, I think my major hold up was my immaturity. I am 32 now and feel like I have a much more mature handle on priorities. My health is now important to me.

I believe you guys but I can't chime in since I'm against against anything that alters your mind, although that would make me a hypocrite since I've been on a type of runner's euphoria since my surgery, and I'm addicted to this weight training I'm doing so I guess things that are mind altering can also cause addiction........ And I've had alcohol a couple of times since surgery, mostly wine, so who am I to judge....... Hope you know I posted this to make people smile, and realize that we are all different for a reason, how can we even judge others after what some of us have been through???? Food for thought

Hmm, my case was quite different. I attended my orientation on August 10, first meeting with surgeon, psych, and NUT on September 2, got approved for surgery on October 1, surgery on October 6 - entire process under 2 months. I live in California in the winter and Boston in the summer. My flight to California was booked for 11/7, so 10/6 was pretty much my go/no-go date. There were multiple reasons why I was able to pull this off: 1. I have a very good Anthem CA policy (PPO) that was grandfathered from Obamacare. Before the ass-clown destroyed the US Healthcare system, I was paying $450/mo with an $6,000 deductible. Now I pay $1300/mo with an $8,000 deductible, but they approved my surgery in 5 days without question. 2. I went to Newton Wellesley and handpicked Dr. Partridge - the head of surgery. I told her that I had to be in California for Thanksgiving in the first meeting and she said she'd do what she could to make it happen if I did everything they told me to do. I did. 3. I'm in my 60's and I've been dieting for almost 50 years. I always kept weight and diet records. I attended the first meeting with a 2 page write-up of my diet/weight history along with a 2008 diagnosis from my PCP of obesity. 4. I think I impressed the psychologist with my conviction and my logical case for why I wanted a VSG. By the time I met with the surgeon, she said "everyone on my team is very impressed with you". 5. Given my relatively low BMI (38), I ate like a pig the day of my orientation and then convinced one of the assistants do an official weigh-in after the August 10 orientation. I came in at 281 (BMI 40.2). This cleared me through insurance for comorbitities. 6. Before my first meeting, I met with my PCP (mid August) and got a strong letter of recommendation. 7. From the day after the orientation on, I dieted like crazy. I was down to 266 by 9/2 and 256 by my final session before approval, and 251 on the day of surgery. I think the fact that I lost 30 lbs in less than 2 months helped my surgical team do a very minimally invasive operation. I went to every support meeting I could and actively participated - further impressing the staff. 8. I continued being a model patient for 7 weeks after surgery. Eating exactly what they told me to eat and walking/riding my bike at least and hour/day. By Thanksgiving I was down 65 lbs and resumed a new normal but healthy lifestyle. Today I weigh 204 - down 77 pounds and 14 pounds from my goal - 5 months after my orientation and 4 months after my first meeting. I'm eating what I want, drinking alcohol in moderation, enjoying a social life, and still losing 2-3 lbs a week. The first 3 1/2 months was hell - a self imposed "biggest loser" contest (no social life, alcohol, coffee, or soda), but now I'm thoroughly delighted with the results. You can do this if you totally focus on the endgame!

Power Crunch bars are great. They have 13 grams of Protein and 10 carbs. 10 carbs is a lot if you're really trying to go low carb. They are made with Stevia so there is no sugar alcohol which gives me terrible gas. I get mine at vitacost.com because it comes out way cheaper. I also buy them at walmart. Vitacost carries so many things, for anyone who has not heard of it.I get my Protein powder there, and many supplements. If you order over $49 the shipping is free. I can get you a coupon for $10 off your first order if you send me a pm. They carry so much stuff, it's unreal. Their prices are also very good.

Have any of you tried KIND BARS? If I really want to crunch and chew these bars can hit the spot. They have some fantastic flavors and even though they are not sugar free they are very low in sugar without using sugar alcohols. I am posting a picture of one of my favorites. In my area they can be purchased at HEB Grocery and at Walmart. I should add these wouldn't be good for new sleevers but maybe for a few months out and maintenance.

@@UK Cathy I have cut way back on my drinking to prepare for surgery, but I realize how many calories I have been consuming that way! I have the opposite problem, I will forget to eat if I drink alcohol and that aint good either! I think the best answer is to combine alcohol with a real meal (or at least an appetizer) so you don't wind up eating munchy type foods. I tried to see Kinky Boots when I was in New York city 2 years ago, but couldn't get tickets. Can't wait to hear what you think of it! So, I have been doing some casual dating, but this guy Steve I have been seeing since October. No future in it, but super nice guy and fun to do stuff with. anyway, he has gone off the rails. Like depressed. There are some things that have happened that suck, but I think he has a depressive type personality as he has given me hints of it before. I think the reason he is attracted to me is that while I have my ups and downs, I am basically bubbly and outgoing. Anyway, he is hiding from me, like he texts alot but won't even talk on the phone. It doesn't really matter as we aren't in deep or anything, but it is just part of that whole... wtf??? Are there any men on the planet who are fit, middle aged, SINGLE, fun without being irresponsible and not suffering from major emotional issues? Ha

I'm 2 wks postop (gastric bypass) and am wondering if the constant painful bloating and burping will ever end? It doesn't feel like the gas from the surgery- it seems to be inside my digestive tract. I'm careful to avoid all dairy products so it can't be lactose intolerance. And I'm careful to avoid Splenda and sugar alcohols. I haven't been able to tolerate Protein drinks so am just trying to eat high protein foods (about 2 tbsp split pea Soup & 1 egg a day) plus drinking lots of Water. I am up and down all day (due to contracting pneumonia, I don't have the energy yet to "exercise" per se). I'm eating gas-X strips like they were Christmas candy. But both seems to alleviate the gas!

My surgery was almost exactly one year ago (1/15/15), and I was already down 40 pounds before I had the surgery, and have gone on to lose another 40. I am within 15 pounds of my goal. I thought I'd share some of my highs and lows over the last year - some things I've done well, and things I want to and am working to improve upon for my long-term success. 2015: Had the surgery; lost 80 pounds; bought a new house and moved (first house in California); trained for and ran in my first 5K; lost my mother in November. LOTS of big changes and emotions and stress to navigate through. I managed to do very well and had slow and steady weight loss and/or maintenance up until my mother went into the hospital in mid-November...thus began a 6 week shift in my diet. Not a tremendous amount of crap, but ate things I had stayed away from completely for almost a full year - i.e. sugar. What happened? I gained about 8 pounds and I felt pretty crappy by the end of December. Bloated and lethargic. What I've been doing since the first of January is a re-boot to my eating. No sugar or white flour at all. And in just 4 days I feel like myself again. No bloat, no discomfort around my middle, and I'm slowly detoxing off the sugar - you know it feels worse before you feel better getting that out of your system! Lots and lots of Water too. I'm committed to getting to my goal and maintaining a healthier lifestyle with both diet and exercise. I went from a size 20 to a size 4 - I gave away ALL of my clothes from a size 8 up, and have a lovely new wardrobe that I've built. I have no intention of sizing out of my current wardrobe! The freedom from everything that made me feel so uncomfortable and unhealthy last year has been achieved in so many ways. I can take the stairs any time I want and not pant and sweat. I get an hour of walking or some type of exericise every day and my body as a result has responded in kind. I can shop for clothes any where I want. I can comfortably sit in booths in restaurants, and can sit in a chair and cross my legs comfortably. I have so much more energy and confidence. Do I have the skin sag of a 51 year old woman? I do! But it's not anything I can't live with. You won't see me walking in a bikini on the beach - but I will wear a bathing suit that makes me feel good, and shorts and sun dresses in the summer, with no discomfort whatsoever. I used to get very red faced and sweat ALL the time. I just ran hot constantly because I was so overweight and out of shape. It's just not an issue anymore. If anything, I actually get chilly and need to stay warm where I used to have a fan on full time under my desk. I don't take any of the medications I used to for high blood pressure. It's consistently normal. I am in a normal and healthy range with blood sugars and cholesterol, so there is no longer a threat of treating those conditions. I'm continuing to learn to cook smaller amounts for my husband and I. It's not easy to retrain yourself to cook a smaller amount! But I'm working on it. We purchased "snack or lunch" sized plates and ramikins and we use them to eat our meals. Smaller portions look normal on smaller plates. When we eat out, we share one meal (I should mention he had the surgery in November 2014 and has lost 150 pounds), and we eat half of the shared meal, and bring the other half home and re-heat the next day and share for dinner. It's mind boggling how little we eat today. But I definitely got nervous over the holidays when week after week was going by as I was grieving the loss of my mom, feeling a little out of sorts and reaching for more and more of those foods that just don't make me feel good...a cookie here, a muffin there, it wasn't binge-worthy, but it wasn't helping me feel good either. Live and learn. Just thought I'd put out there in the universe, on the anniversary of the best decision I've ever made (other than getting sober 23 years ago and marrying my husband 5 years ago), to heal my body and my life from the inside out and lose the weight and do things I never thought I'd ever do...let alone at 50 years old! Everyone tells me they can't believe my age - that the weight loss has taken years off my looks. Which is a lovely thing to hear. So there you have it. I'm grateful. I'm still a compulsive eater in recovery EVERY DAY. I say with alcohol, I put the plug in the jug and never picked it up again...but with food, it's like taking a tiger out of a cage 3 times a day and then getting it to go back in after meals! It ain't easy! But it's worth it. I welcome any feedback on anything you are doing post-surgery, post-holidays to re-boot your body and mind back on track to keep moving forward. Happy New Year!

Lol How far out are u and when did u start trying alcohol

PCOS Health Review Hi, Two articles today: new research on berberine, and importance of vigorous exercise. 1) More Good News about Berberine There's a never-ending flow favorable research about berberine extract. For example, just this week a paper was released that said: "Our study found that administration of berberine alone may improve the menstrual pattern and ovulation rate" in women with PCOS who were not ovulating. They also reported: "Berberine can also decrease sex hormone binding globulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein ["bad"] cholesterol in normal weight polycystic ovary syndrome women." That's quite a mouthful but essentially they are saying that berberine extract can help you to reduce some of the factors that are contributing to your PCOS. This was a study of 98 Chinese women with PCOS who were not ovulating and who took berberine extract for 4 months. You can see below that their ovulation rates improved over time. Berberine and ovulation Other studies have shown that berberine extract can reduce obesity, improve insulin function, protect the liver and kidneys, and help to prevent diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and possibly Alzheimer's. It also has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Berberine has also been shown to relieve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a problem for up to one-half of PCOS women. It appears that when you take berberine, a lot of it ends up in the liver, where it helps to clear out fat and help the liver to normalize itself. Once again, it appears that a berberine extract supplement may be helpful to you. Get automatic 10% off at checkout + free shipping for recommended berberine extract and all other supplements if your order is over $85 (expires midnight Tuesday). 2) How Vigorously Did You Exercise Today? So what's best…walking, bicycling, weight training or "high-intensity interval training"? Well, it's all good! Anything you can do to keep moving will reduce insulin resistance in your muscles, help you control weight, and cause you to feel better about yourself. However, emerging research is showing that the intensity of your exercise is a crucial factor. The University of California at San Francisco recently studied 326 women with PCOS. They compared women who exercised vigorously, exercised moderately, or were sedentary. The women who exercised had better metabolic and hormone control over their bodies. But those who exercised vigorously had the best metabolic control of all, and their weight was less that the other groups. The researchers said: "every hour of vigorous exercise reduced a patient's odds of metabolic syndrome by 22%". That's a huge drop! (Note: metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome have many overlapping characteristics). The next time you go to exercise, put some oomph into it. If walking is all you can do, step up the pace. If you go to the gym, review what you're doing and see if there is some way you can increase the vigor of your exercise without hurting yourself. And above all, have fun! There's no doubt that exercise is an essential and central component of PCOS control. Best of health! Bill Slater, Editor PCOS Health Review co-author of "The Natural Diet Solution for PCOS and Infertility" "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." -- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama PCOS Health Review is a newsletter providing natural health information for women with PCOS or ovarian cysts. PCOS Nutritional Supplements Store: www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/store You can get in touch with us here: newsletter@ovarian-cysts-pcos.com Sources: Li L et al. A Single Arm Pilot Study of Effects of Berberine on the Menstrual Pattern, Ovulation Rate, Hormonal and Metabolic Profiles in Anovulatory Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. PLoS One. 2015 Dec 8;10(12):e0144072. Yan HM et al. Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. PLoS One. 2015 Aug 7;10(8):e0134172. Greenwood EA et al. Vigorous exercise is associated with superior metabolic profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome independent of total exercise expenditure. Fertil Steril. 2015 Nov 6. pii: S0015-0282(15)02031-2. Unsubscribe from this newsletter or update your email 110 NW 51st St. Seattle, Washington 98107 United States

Try different kinds of protein until you find what you like. At that stage is normal to feel nauseated, premier protein chocolate what I used. I tried the protein waters and was terrible to me. Keep trying just make sure on sugar content. And sugar alcohol. Make lentil soup and drink the soup of it or blend it. Split peas soup, they are pretty easy to make

I totally agree, we live in a world that sickly revolves around food and alcohol. That's my point. It's talked about, it's on tv, radio, tv, billboards, etc.... It's sick. I also dvr and fast forward or Netflix as well. I never drank before surgery so that was never a focus for me in the first place. Well I stopped drinking in my 20's anyway. But now I like you said eat for fuel, period. Ughhhh I am so glad I can come here and be understood. It's a very lonely feeling.

@@Lexuskela The deprivation diets made me focus way to much on food. I talked and complained exactly like your example.It was my focus before surgery. Now food is just a way to fuel my body ..I move on. What bothers me more is when I see the food commercials, pharmaceutical commercials that have a cure for anything, crazy diets commercials. Alcohol commercials that tell people that in order to have a good time you have to drink their brand. Drive down a street and count how many fast food restaurants do you see. Food cooking shows, Travel shows that highlight the best restaurants. Marketing to women to wear a certain style and size. I now watch netflix..NO COMMERCIALS~

Since my surgery I have noticed I don't think about food very much, hardly ever. I do of course to eat and when I am eating I am thinking about my food then, but that is it! Then I MOVE ON! My life thank God does not revolve around food anymore. I have noticed since surgery that this whole damn world is so sick....... All these people who did not have the surgery ever talk about is friggin food and alcohol!!!! Good God what is wrong with them!! Did I really sound like that before/???? I want to bang my head when I sit around a bunch of people who have not had the surgery and there is no food or alcohol around in sight, because you can GUARANTEE that the damn conversations will turn to food & alcohol! I just sit there in shock of how obsessed the world is seriously. Am I the only one who thinks this?

Hey guys, Tomorrow I will be 8 weeks post-op. But first a little bit about me. I've been fat since always, it never had really bothered me (or at least i thought so), but about a year ago i've had an overdosis of hallucinogens and my healt started to got really fucked up. I've went of no medication to 15 pills a day (pain, heart insufiency, blood presure, mood controlers, appetite reducers, etc.). My cardiologist said that if i didn`t change my habits I would probabily die in one or two years. That made me open my eyes to my self-destructive behavior. I`ve been clean of hard drugs now for about 13 months. No alcohol for the last 8 months. Now, I only smoke some weed (both my cardiologist and my surgeon knows about it. They say if it is done in moderation and if help me not to do other drugs, and as weed can help with my heart condition, I could smoke it). But it`s really important to say that is ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED to smoke till 30 days after surgery. I`ve always loved food. But at my 21st birthday (march 2015) I had a wake up call. I've baked two birthday cakes, and ate 2/3 of then by myself. After that I couldn`t fit in my giant clothes (i`m not from US, so I dont know what's the measure of then in there, but the internet says that my t-shirts were XLLLL and my pant were size 50). I couldn`t even walk to the supermarket (200 feet from my house) without having leg pain and lack of breath). Then, I've decided to have surgery. Now i'm 8 weeks post-op and my life has changed a lot since. I'm out of all medications (except the post-op). I'm doing really great (i'll make a post later to tell you guys my post-op recovery). But, because i've got really sick in all this year (2015) I have been home for all this last year. Have not seen the majority of my friends for the past 8 months. But the ones that i`ve seen, even my family, noticeable, have been treating me different. The jokes and the fake smiles had stopped. Girls that would'n even talk to me "sudenlly" just love to hang out with me. This is just driving me crazy. How am I supposed to deal with that? They say that it`s me that have changed. But honestly, I`m the same person. I don`t know how to deal with that. In the next couple weeks I`ll get back to college, so I guess that it will happen a lot more. Did any of you guys have felt this? If so, how did you dealt with that? This is just driving me crazy! Thank you all! P.S: English it's not my first language, so I'm sorry about my grammar. Hope that you guys can make any sense of what i have written.

Are you out there? Recovery Alcoholic is so very optional (added this mainly because i found I am actually quite compulsive with food) but really looking to make a friend here who can meet up and hang on occasion:) You don't even have to have a low bmi'er at all...just don't want to be judged for doing it at what some deem a lower weight. I live in Hollywood area:D

Be sure to check your surgeon's guidelines. I had to sign a "contract" agreeing that I wouldn't drink any alcoholic beverages for one full year.

I was told no alcohol for 6 months... Then only low sugar, low carb drinks. I know they sell "skinny" drinks...

I was on track through the holidays, meaning, I always did Protein forward, no alcohol and maintained my exercise routine. I did indulge in sweets that I baked, which I never do. Since the holidays are over, no more baking, so that won't be an issue. I also added back in a 4th meal for. the day. I had cut back to three thinking I didn't need the fourth (my hunger hasn't returned). Then I noticed I was filling that space with candy, so I went back to my protein friendly Snacks, better it be that them sugar calories.

Hi All, I'm pre-op, but this question is for everybody. Is anyone here practicing a way of eating, like Paleo or Wheat Belly, that eliminates grains, gluten & sugars, and focuses on high-quality Proteins (no hormones, no antibiotics, no steroids, grass fed and free range) + organic veggies and fruits? I'd love to get to know people who want to eat this way. I have a lot of inflammatory and gastric issues that I want to heal from (all of which help me qualify for the surgery). Health is my #1 concern and my main reason for wanting to lose the weight. I know from experience that grains (even whole grains), sugar, and junk make all my conditions worse, especially the arthritis, inflammation, gastro issues. I'm already feeling better. I believe that for my best health for life, I'm going to want to stick with Paleo style eating, even after my surgery. I've already spent a lifetime failing at dieting. I believe that everything I put into my body has an impact, good or bad. I'm done with just counting calories. Most diet foods are full of junk, too. Bariatric Protein drinks & products: I see a lot of ingredients that I don't want, including sugar alcohols, other artificial ingredients, and whey. Do bariatric patients have to use these pre-packaged Protein Drinks that the doctor's office is promoting? Does anyone know of healthier options? The issue for me with WHEY as the primary ingredient in a Protein Drink is that whey is dairy from milk -- and the dairy industry is pumping their cows full of hormones, antibiotics, steroids, and feeding them with genetically modified grains. However, it seems that most NUTs say that whey protein is better than plant-based protein for bariatric patients. I've found and have started using an organic whey Protein Powder that's made from the milk of grass-fed cows (organic pasture) and given no steroids/antibiotics/hormones. This product contains just the organic whey protein and nothing else (no added sugars, etc). It's got 100 cals, 1g sugar, 2g carb, and 21g protien. It's the best organic brand I've found. I've been using it in green smoothies. It has no taste at all, so I can add it to anything. The stuff my NUT recommends, Premier Protein, not only has protein but a lot of other Vitamins. Is this what we are required to drink especially during the fasting pre-op and post-op? Or, can we take pure organic protein like the one that I like, and just take supplements for the other vitamins? I'm going to ask all these questions at my next appointment in a few days, but I'd love to get info and thoughts from you. thank you!

I was sleeved 9/23, my daughter's wedding was 10/18. I went for my first post-op check-up and we discussed the transition to whole foods, etc. She warned me about alcohol and that from now on I would be a very cheap date. I started a sentence with... "My daughter is getting married in two weeks..." and the doc cut me off, smiling while she said "Of course you can have the champagne toast." She went on to warn me not to drink a whole glass, as I would be uncomfortable, but a few sips of champagne would do no harm. It turned out that a few sips were all I wanted.

Has anyone tried it? I would assume shots vodka would be best other than completely avoiding it.

No, he said eat bananas paper work say don't eat fruit in syrup. He also said don't eat and drink at the same time but then tells me to eat Cereal. He also told me alcohol was fine in small amounts no time limits. I want to try it I just think I might dump.

November was my 3 year anniversary. I managed to maintain the weight fairly well, only gaining back 10 pounds. The problem is the alcohol consumption. I eat Breakfast and lunch, usually healthy. But dinner consists of beer, wine or vodka. Sucks!