Search the Community

I'm sorry you are struggling with an alcohol problem sweetie but you shouldn't have to hide who you are for fear of judgement. If "we" judge you than you shouldn't take advice from us anyways. I understand being embarrassed or feeling like you failed but YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE. Consuming that much alcohol that often is very dangerous. Part of the reason we all get surgery is because we want to be healthy. It's not worth it love to get surgery and lose all that weight if you are just going to pick up something else that's just as dangerous. I think if you went to therapy it would really help you, quite frankly I think the whole world needs therapy lol. But the reason I say therapy is because maybe there is an underlying issue that you aren't even aware of. I'm going to school to be a drug and alcohol counselor so I'm actually learning about all this. If you ever need to talk you can private message me and I WILL NOT judge you. Sometimes people don't even know what's bothering them or drawing them to have an addiction until they start talking to someone they can trust and then it all spills out.

Hmmm ... are you a success or failure ... I can't speak for you, but I know I am neither ... I am human. An imperfect one, at that. I am an alcoholic who has found others who have found a solution to their issues with alcohol abuse. It is a 12 step program you may have heard of. If not, Google 12 step alcohol. There are many meetings in cities around the world every hour of the day. I found shame in admitting it at first, but after some time, similar to being sleeved, I have found that I can be of service to those in need, trying to reach out to others. I would love to discuss this further with you, if you are so inclined, but I cannot do this for you. No one here can tell you why you abuse alcohol just like no one here can tell you why you were obese. But I, and many others in your own city, can tell you what my issues were and how I found a solution which may work for you, if you are willing. You may or may not be an alcoholic. Only you get to decide. I've known more than one person who could suck down a bottle of vodka, but wasn't an alcoholic. But I do know, for myself, I stepped over the line when I lost my power of choice in the matter. Feel free to PM me, though, I think you may have already before ... right? The only shame is not doing anything about it.

I noticed as I lost weight I had wild shifting hormones! When I have a hormonal upset going on my deoderant quits working. I have to start washing with antibacterial soap, then before my I apply deoderant I apply rubbing alcohol to my underarms and let it dry. Then I apply clinical strenght deoderant. It seems these boughts lasted about 2 weeks and settled down. Now that most of my weight is gone my hormones are settling into a regular routine.

Cody, your post is like a new member of AA confessing to the support group that he/she's an alcoholic. You're preaching to the choir here. Nearly every one of us have some sort of eating disorder or food related conditon. All of us have tried various diets and failed numerous times. Many of us were nervous to have WLS. Many of us have co-morbidities and other ailments. If you feel like you've reached the end of your rope and no diet will ever work, if you feel like WLS could be the answer, then you're probably making the right decision. Just be prepared that you will have to make some life changing decisions by changing a lifetime of bad eating habits. The band is a tool and don't go into this thinking the band is going to monitor or regulate the amount of food you can eat. Only you can do that, but the band can make it so much easier and more comfortable. This site is dedicated to supporting patients of all sizes, ages, no matter how far along your journey you are. tmf

Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Body Cream List Price: 100.00$Sale Price : Click to see the sale price Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Body CreamNatura Bisse's C+C Vitamin Body Cream is formulated with a Vitamin C base, this luxuriously rich and firming emulsion provides a complete beauty treatment for the body, Its toning and hydrating properties provide extraordinary firmness and elasticity and help prevent the appearance of flaccidity, Skin feels smooth and firm, Benefits : Anti-free radicals, Repairs skin damaged by the sun and environmental aggressors, Stimulates the synthesis of Collagen, Ideal for repairing and protecting the skin before and after the summer, Ideal for : Dry & Dehydrated Skin, Smokers, Binding:Misc. Brand:Natura Bisse EAN:8436002991411 Feature:250ml/8.8oz Ingredients:Water (Aqua), Decyl Oleate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C 12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Sterate, Rosa Cannina Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, BHT, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Methylparaben, Ethyl Paraben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral... IngredientsSetElement:Water (Aqua), Decyl Oleate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C 12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Sterate, Rosa Cannina Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, BHT, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Methylparaben, Ethyl Paraben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral... Label:Natura Bisse ListPrice: Manufacturer:Natura Bisse MPN:32A301 ProductGroup:Beauty ProductTypeName:BEAUTY Publisher:Natura Bisse Size:8.8 oz. Studio:Natura Bisse Title:Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Body Cream Click Here for More Details ! Do not Miss It!! Source

To be honest, the mental battle of this journey is a lot more difficult than the physical battle. You have to change your relationship with food to make it positive and healthy. You don't need to worry about what you CAN eat after the surgery (specifically after the diet progression after the surgery), but instead you should worry about what you SHOULD eat after the surgery. I have a horrible carb addiction; therefore, I have minimized them (less than 25g per day) since six months BEFORE my surgery. I am 17 months post-op now, so I haven't had more than 20-25g of carbs on any one day in almost 2 years. Do I love bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugar, etc.? Of course, I do. But I am choosing not to eat those things because weighing 170ish pounds at 6'0", and wearing small shirts and 31 waist pants is more important to me than any food and drink. And notice that I said that I HAVE a carb addiction, not that I HAD a carb addiction. I feel it is the same situation as an alcoholic has with booze. I will never be "cured" of it; I can just manage it. I say all of this to you to encourage you to get your head in the right place before the surgery as you still have a little bit of time. Immediately post-op, your body is trying to heal, and that is a full-time job in itself. If you don't prepare yourself for the mental battle and work on changing your relationship with food, you likely won't be successful long term. Wishing you the best!

I really screwed up on pre-op diet tonight. i was doing ok--until this evening, when party food made its debut at my place. disaster. no alcohol tho. tomorrow--back on strict pre-op diet. hope i'm not doomed. what does anyone else think????? :cry :cry :cry

Sure did. And nobody is more surprised or pleased than I am. I owe it to a consistent eating plan (I follow a modified South Beach Diet kind of thing), an hour or so in the gym four or five days a week, a good night's sleep, lots of Water, and trying to stay as active as possible. That's it. I don't binge eat, I don't graze or snack, and I rarely drink alcohol. (Half a glass of beer a time or two a month in a restaurant doesn't count as much alcohol.) If I decide to have a sweet treat, I'll have a bite or two, and stop. I don't have room to eat a whole dessert after a meal, and I don't really have the desire to eat one. And if I do eat something like that, I don't do it often - certainly not like I did pre-surgery. I feel great, I have a ton of energy, and I look ten years younger. I'm able to do my work much better than before (I'm an IT guy for a large hospital), and I intend to take this as far as is reasonable. The biggest thing my band has given me is my life back again. I was a spectator on the road to an early grave. Now I feel energized, and ready to face the rest of my life head-on. I'm 57, but haven't felt like this since I was in my 30's. By the numbers, I've reached 66% of my ultimate goal, which is another 49 pounds down from where I am now. I don't expect to get that low. I may stop at 25-30 pounds more, depending on how I look and feel. Hope this helps, Dave

1- I have only been able to get down a couple of bites of non-mushy food, is this how its is now or is this just because its a new fill. With my second fill I went for about a week, maybe 10 days where my limit was 3 bites...but it did relax. It did not go away, I am still working with that second fill 18 months later! 2- Whats a typical day like for you with good restriction, what do you eat? Drink? Exercise? I know there are similar threads, but I don't think with a combination of all things.. I have what I consider WONDERFUL restriction, it is not really like a shock collar for me---when I get to the point of hurting, it is toooooo late! The reason I feel so good about my restriction is that is seems to be working more on my hunger than on being tight. I am not starving all the time, so, I don't care to eat much. When I do eat, my portion size is still extremely reduced compared to what I used to eat. It is also a lot more than what many on the site eat. But I feel like what I can do now is get proper nutrition. I can eat enough to feel like my Vitamins and mineral needs are being met---my blood work up and overall health is great, and soooo much improved! I eat pretty much everything. I eat much less of it. And I eat it in different ways than I used to. I concentrate on nutrition in my meals a big majority of the time--I mean I still have things that are not always good for me---but not as often anymore. Where before a large part of my big plate would hold starchy foods, now they are only a bite or 2 max---it mainly consists of Protein, and veggies. But since I DO pay attention most of the time, then when I go out, or have something I really want---I eat it. I do not have problems with food, because as I say I am NOT tightly restricted. I can eat bread, just very little, and very slow....same with Pasta or rice---it is not a food that makes me comfy eating it anymore. Where it used to be THE comfort food---now it causes discomfort enough, I just don't care for it often. Drinks---I drink mostly iced tea---decaf, because my DH cannot have caffeine. But juices, Water, chocolate milk, occasional shake--protein or not. Since banding I have had the occasional Diet Dr. Pepper....but I could probably count them on my fingers. I have had alcoholic drinks---no beer, just have not been brave enough to try---it isn't a biggie to me! I have not found anything I cannot drink. If I do not drink enough water/tea---my weight loss stalls. It is something I push--to keep above 64 ounces a day. Exercise---not as much as I should---or will when summer gets here again! I joined Curves---when I was about 6 months out. I also lift light free weights with DH---and when the weather is nice I walk---and play with my grandkids....I mean play---run, swing, go down the slide....fun stuff! This winter I had to have thyroid surgery, and have slacked in my exercise--but Spring is comin' and I have Spring fever to be outside doing something!!! As for being overfilled. My SIL who is banded, stayed so overfilled she could not get in even enough water and ended up with permanent kidney damage caused by continued dehydration, and she was drinking, but not enough, and not eating. Overfilling can be very dangerous....I would not suggest it for anyone, for any length of time at all. I would prefer it to take a little longer and my band last me....it is my understanding that being too tight is linked to slippage, as well as erosion. Leather---I personally would not worry too much with a first fill, if the Dr. is not super aggressive with fills. If it was not the first I would highly suggest waiting til after the trip---it might still be something to consider. Have you ever been air sick? If so---do NOT get the fill. If it will be close to your TOM, do NOT get the fill. It is not unusual for fills to kick in several days after receiving them---and to be so remote with no pre selected medical help available---I would be very cautious. Fluoro shows how the fill is reacting at that time, it does not help with swelling caused by the fill which is usually the few days following the fill. How long will you be gone? And can you get in to get your fill soon after returning? Are you dealing with serious Bandster Hell? I am of the mind----better safe than sorry...... Kat

My nutritionist wants me to stay away from alcohol for 1 year, but I was on vacation and I made that exception. I was also told to stay away from soda, so I didn't have any cocktails that have soda in them. I'm almost 5 months post-op and stuck to Blue Hawaiians. I did have a mimosa before breakfast one morning and the bubbles felt weird/uncomfortable in my stomach, so I stopped drinking them.

To all the newly post op, please see Super Bowl Sunday for what it is...one afternoon. One afternoon that you tell yourself, no to booze and junk food. Your sleeve is for the Rest of Your Life (assuming you don't eff it up). Stop acting as though one afternoon is unbearable. Pre op, you most likely had a two week liquid diet; that was 14 days and you did it! Now you are 3, 4, or 5 weeks out and you can't handle one afternoon? The wants you are listing- alcohol, tortilla chips, and fried chicken- are what put us on the operating table to begin with. Why let one afternoon get you twisted? Stay the course now so you can be a success story later.

Alcohol.... Nope. Nada. Not a sip. Take your own food or eat before and say you're not hungry or your tummy is upset so you don't want to eat and be sick. That's as near to the truth as you can get. Enjoy

I would never drink alcohol 3 weeks after surgery!!! I'm 3 months post-op and I still haven't. You need to check with your surgeon before doing anything so drastic.

Hi everyone, my surgery date is coming up May 2,2019!! I'm so excited to start losing weight and being more energetic!! I want to loose about 115 pounds!! Even though I want and need the Gastric sleeve surgery did anyone experience regrets or miss eating their favorite foods or drinking alcohol?? Thanks!!

I get full on a very small amount of dense Protein, but there are some things that won't fill you up (aka slider foods ).....you can eat ice cream, chips, donuts, chocolate, etc all day long. The surgery simply makes your stomach smaller, but what you put in it and how often is up to you. Surgery doesn't "Fix" cravings and head hunger. For example, you won't be able to eat a whole pizza for one meal, but you could munch all day and end up eating a whole pizza over several hours. After surgery it's up to you to choose what to eat and to not graze all day long. Personally I am hungry and eat every 3 hours or so. But I eat protein, veggies, some fruit and whole grains. Carbs, sweets and alcohol are rare indulgences, but could totally sabotage my weight loss if I ate them regularly. Of course I still like these things, but I have to CHOOSE to not to eat them. If these things are not what you expected, maybe you should step back and take another look at what exactly this surgery can do for you. It really is 10% physical and 90% mental.

Alcohol and NSAIDS are big no-no's. The acid in coffee can cause problems, as well.

Let me elaborate on what I mean by "metabolic support" (as described by my surgeon). I was referring to the concept that only with VSG do they remove the section of the stomach that sends hormones to the brain that make us hungry. Nothing is removed in band surgery and in gastric bypass, the stomach is left behind and continues to produce the hunger hormone. That said, bypass patients do great in weight loss because they also have their digestive system "shortened". My issue with bypass was that I was uncomfortable with all that organ rerouting. Also, my surgeon said no alcohol or NSAID'S for life after bypass. Here's one link that touches on some of the differences: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/gastric-sleeve-surgery.html#The_Difference I do know that lots of people have done great with the band, but I also know a lot if people have failed and then gotten conversion surgery to VSG or one of the others.

Everything Dress and Byebye writes is exactly the same things I have been going through since I got this band. I'd post some of the issues here and get some responses but it seemed like lots of folks are having issues so I thought it was "normal" and to just get used to the pain, pbing, etc. I went to the ER last week because I was vomiting everything I ate or drank for 4 days. They ran a CT and Barrium swallow and even had a lapband doc look at it and they said everything is fine. No slippage, erosion etc, but that 1 in every 500 bodies reject the lapband and I am probably that 1. So I need to decide if I can continue to live like this (never eating healthy, clean food instead of sugar and soup) or if I want the band removed. I'm waiting for a referral to a GI for an Endosopy to make sure all looks good and then make my mind up. I fantasize about eating a real meal and being able to cook again but on the other hand I'm terrified of gaining weight. Im also curious if smoking and alcohol has a negative affect on anyone? I was drinking the night before I had to go to the ER and started smoking after I was bandd. I've quit smoking to see if that was a problem and did have a few glasses of wine last night and have not been able to keep ANYThing down today. Glad that I found this post and that there are others like me! ps - Because I had my surgery in Mexico, I could not get the GI doc or General Surgeon to see me when I was in the hospital. They kept me there for 3 days trying to figure out what to do....... Bariatric and Mexico = doctorless patient in the ER :thumbup: I was finally transferred to a hospital that performs lapband surgery and as a favor the Doc came down to see me and tell me he would remove the band if I wanted...

Personally I would send a meeting request and reserve a conference room so this meeting will be private. I would tell him that you are very uncomfortable with him policing your eating habits. That you do your very best to eat healthy and if you end up having to eat a unhealthy meal on RARE occation; it is not his place to comment. Also that he does not know how you will eat when you get home to make up for a higher calorie lunch. If after you have this meeting he continues to comment on your eating habits go to HR. What he is doing is bullying you. Tell them you've spoken to him privately and he is continuing to harrass you. It is their job to deal with work place bullying. Trust me an HR generalist/manager does not want you going to their boss (HR Director/or VP) because they've failed to deal with work place bullying. I had a boss that would comment about everyones lunch. She was a vegetarian and no matter how healthy your lunch was she would say gross/disgusting there's meat in there! She would have vegan soup for lunch that had 35 calories and make sure EVERYONE knew about it. She also however would talk endlessly about her alcohol fueled orgies on the weekend! NOT kidding. I had several thin coworkers comment to me how annoyed they were about the way she commented about everyones food habits, yet she was a high functioning alcoholic. Oh and by the way she would go to the company store at the other end of the building and buy cookies and eat them when she thought no one could see her. Priceless. This is why I don't tell coworkers that I've had WLS. You can be guarenteed that every though I have skinless chicken breast and raw veggies (no dips/dressings) everyday for lunch; the day I have a 1 inch square piece of birthday cake someone will comment about it. For other readers esp. if you work in an enviroment with HR you boss does not need to know what surgery you are having. That is the beauty of HIPPA. A manager does not have the right to determine what medical proceders, ordered by a doctor are neccesary. The notes my doctor gives just say the gastro/intestinal dept; says nothing about WLS. I had a coworker have breast reduction surgery and was out on disability for 6 weeks. Some might argue the company should not have paid her to be off 6 weeks after breast reduction. Clearly WLS is more health oriented that that.

I also drink before eating, then try to stop 5 minutes before. I do not drink during the meal, although on occassion I've had a teeny sip if needed. I definitely wait at least 1/2 hour to drink after a meal - usually an hour... Also - it's never carbonated.:smile2: So the lap-band is a built in way to keep you from having more than 1 drink when you go out (alcohol or regular), AND I never get coffee or dessert at the end of a meal either. There is just NO room. Once in a while - if meeting people for drinks/appetizers - I need to choose which I would like to do:Banane34: - and stick with it! Brenda

I've never been much of a drinker because alcoholism also runs in MY family, so the most I drink now is a glass of wine (and this only once or twice a month). I just know I get "buzzed" much more quickly now -- but I stop after one so I can't really comment on the rest of your experiences. And yes - transfer addiction is real. I unfortunately know of some WLS patients who are now dealing with alcohol addiction. I never feel social pressure to drink, fortunately. Even before WLS, I'd usually just order soft drinks after my one and only drink - and sometimes I wouldn't drink alcohol at all - just soft drinks. Even at bars. I never felt particularly weird about doing that, thankfully...

I don't drink often. May be once every 3 to 4 months. I don't dump much. If I have a bit too much of sugar or carbs, may feel little dump-ish but nothing intolerable. So I can drink fine without worrying about dumping. But after bypass, I do get buzzed easily with a glass of any kinda alcohol. And the effect for me persists a good time and doesn't fade away quickly. It's a good thing since a glass is all I need and I am good to go for the evening 😂

Once you finish your meds and problem is resolved, try eating 10 to 12 radishes or 1 package each week. My husband has not had an attack since he started that. Once you get the "crystals" in your joint or toes, they stay there and just seem to flair up and get aggravated. Let me know if it works for you, too! P.S. in the old days, Gout was considered a "rich" man disease, as it seemed to be related to alcohol, red meat and a rich diet.

I am sitting here waiting on the insurance company to approve the surgery so I can start my new life! I am so excited about this procedure. I have had weight issues since I was abused by a family member when I was approx. 10 years old. I guess I decided to hide behind the weight and it would protect me. :thumbdown: But it started coming on when I was in the 5th grade. Up until then I was thin. In fact, my mom told me that when I was a baby they had to take me to the doctor because I would not eat... WELL not having that problem now!:eek: Anyway, I was active in Jr. High and High school, being a cheerleader all through those years. I was still larger than all the other girls, but had/have a great personality and pretty enough face, that I didn't let my weight become an issue in my life until I was married and having babies. Not being able to blame the pregnancies on my weight gains. Only gained 12 lbs. with first pregnancy and 20 with the second! It really started when ex husband started having affairs that the weight came on and it came on fast, I am one of those ladies that keeps everything inside until she decides to explode! Well it took me 18 years to finally explode and when I did, I lost 120 lbs of my own and his 180 lbs as we divorced. Then I did the rebound thing... I KNOW I KNOW,, stupid and he turned out to be an alcoholic and all the weight I had lost came back on as I saw my life going south again.... Then we divorced and I lost some of the weight after that. No my thyroid is pretty much shot, I am on medication but the doctor told me that with my thyroid issues I would have a lot harder time loosing weight and that is when I decided to try the route of the lap band. I have done alot of research and think this will work for me as it will help me to keep it off. My support system isn't very good with family, my mom is always telling me about these shows she watches on tv about the lapband and all the bad stuff that happens. :mad:(Yes, I told her to stop watching so much tv.!) So I am looking for a different support system and that is where I came across this site. I am hoping to connect with a few people on here to help keep my spirits up and my head up at the same time. Anyone out there interested in supporting one another in this adventure I am game!:bored::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I am sitting here waiting on the insurance company to approve the surgery so I can start my new life! I am so excited about this procedure. I have had weight issues since I was abused by a family member when I was approx. 10 years old. I guess I decided to hide behind the weight and it would protect me. :rolleyes2: But it started coming on when I was in the 5th grade. Up until then I was thin. In fact, my mom told me that when I was a baby they had to take me to the doctor because I would not eat... WELL not having that problem now!:eek: Anyway, I was active in Jr. High and High school, being a cheerleader all through those years. I was still larger than all the other girls, but had/have a great personality and pretty enough face, that I didn't let my weight become an issue in my life until I was married and having babies. Not being able to blame the pregnancies on my weight gains. Only gained 12 lbs. with first pregnancy and 20 with the second! It really started when ex husband started having affairs that the weight came on and it came on fast, I am one of those ladies that keeps everything inside until she decides to explode! Well it took me 18 years to finally explode and when I did, I lost 120 lbs of my own and his 180 lbs as we divorced. Then I did the rebound thing... I KNOW I KNOW,, stupid and he turned out to be an alcoholic and all the weight I had lost came back on as I saw my life going south again.... Then we divorced and I lost some of the weight after that. No my thyroid is pretty much shot, I am on medication but the doctor told me that with my thyroid issues I would have a lot harder time loosing weight and that is when I decided to try the route of the lap band. I have done alot of research and think this will work for me as it will help me to keep it off. My support system isn't very good with family, my mom is always telling me about these shows she watches on tv about the lapband and all the bad stuff that happens. :mad:(Yes, I told her to stop watching so much tv.!) So I am looking for a different support system and that is where I came across this site. I am hoping to connect with a few people on here to help keep my spirits up and my head up at the same time. Anyone out there interested in supporting one another in this adventure I am game!:blushing::thumbup::biggrin::thumbup::thumbup::tt2: