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Goodbye Taco Tuesday.... Hello tighter tummy! (Hopefully!) hello all, my name is Cassandra... I'm 9 days from my gastric sleeve surgery and getting very excited! I have always been the girl with the "pretty face" and always have been big! I think the last time I remember not being the biggest girl in class or the biggest girl on my softball team was probably when I was 8-10 years old! People always referred to me as "curvy" or "thick" growing up but in my head I always knew they were just being nice! I played college softball and have always been very athletic... But as I get older I just have continued to get bigger. I have tried all the yo-yo diets and that's exactly what they were! After having my son 3.5 years ago, I never lost all my pregnancy weight (80 pounds) and just have always been ashamed and embarrassed! I have thought about WLS for years but have known 2 people who had gastric bypass, got thin, and became alcoholics..... I didn't want anything like that to happen to me, so I decided WLS was not for me. Not that I'm a huge drinker, but I do drink socially. However, my son was diagnosed with autism and is VERY energetic... I am a single mom and keeping up with him is hard. He is diagnosed as severely autistic & the reality of the situation is that he may always need care, even as an adult. This was kind of the straw that broke the camel's back for me, I needed to get healthy to make sure my son was never alone ! Of course there are plenty of other reasons, in fact I wrote out a list of 32 reasons tonight so if I have bad days after surgery I have something to remind me why I started this journey! The various forums have helped me immensely and all of you seem like such great inspirational people! I'm looking forward to the journey and to talking with you all about my experiences in the future! For now, I'm doing the countdown as if I were going to Disneyland (and could Fit on all the rides!)

I am four months and one week out.....I haven't found anything I can't eat. There are foods I choose NOT to eat, changes I made months before, some, years before I had surgery. I was not a "coke" girl before. I liked a fountain coke maybe five or six times a year...hardly worth mentioning, so it isn't a problem. Doc says it's a no no forever. I won't say I'll never take another sip, but it's not something that I'm itching to try. They're not good for you, and if I were someone who had a problem with them, I'd never drink another one again, kind of like being an alcoholic....at least that is what it seems like when I read some of the posts!! I have had a few bites of angel food cake and a 'sample' bite of coffee cake at Star Bucks, which was plenty to satisfy me, but I didn't have anything sweet until I was within ten lbs of my doctor's goal. I've been very rigid and very aware of everything I put into my mouth!! My team at my surgeon's office stressed that this is not a diet, it is a way of life. We use this honeymoon period to develop good habits, make changes for life, but it is not a diet. This is all real psychological.....we have to remind ourselves of this. It is not weight watchers or any of those other programs!

And I mean water not alcohol lol

Hi Sugarplum, Sorry for the late reply. Just came back from Dom Rep holiday and just saw your picture. OMG you look Fantastic !!! Well done infact. Good luck to your upcoming TT (or A) R u having it done here in UK or oversea? How much will it cost? With weight lost, my boobs gone south too. and I know in a year or 2 I too will need to think of having that done and my lower tummy, no amount of exercise will flatten it, so I might hv to consider having that done too in the near future. I put on 10lbs in Dom Rep, but have lose it all by today (Thank God) Its the alcohol and sweets desert. Very hard when going on All Inclusive. Hopefully my weight will start going down again now Im back. SaggiJ

I feel most of you on alllll these things! Man, the life we used to have! Mine: Seeing my belly button (my daughter mentioned this to me the other day) and my neck (best friend lol).. Not spending $10k on food and alcohol! Looking forward to hiking in Hawaii! Not asking for a dang belt extender in the airplane and not worrying about being in the middle seat (although I still don’t want that seat) Just a few..

I think compulsive eating is EXACTLY like alcoholism. My step father (who is an alcoholic) tells me, "why don't you just quit eating". I say to him, why don't you quit drinking?! When I finally admitted that I can't control myself, I began to understand him a little better, and now I no longer judge him as much. He criticized me for wanting to go through with surgery, and I told him that at least I could admit I have a problem and need help. There are so many other parallels. I will eat very little for days at a time, and then I will go on an eating binge for days- he does the same thing, except with alcohol. The longest he has been sober is 2 months. I can stay on a diet for a few months and then, I too, fall off the proverbial wagon. He can't have just one drink. I can't have just one bite. They are both addictions, but in two different forms.

Very brave of you to post this. I'm actually dealing with an alcohol issue as well now. I've lost 180 lbs and all my life have been almost debilitatingly shy in social situations. Now I'm in this new body and getting attention from friends, co-workers and interested men. I started drinking to help with my inhibitions, but I like it way too much and have come to rely on it. I'm thin, but this is not good for my health. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery, and thank you again for posting .

Don't use the alcohol as your crutch. Find ways to remove yourself from any stressors. Get a hobby! Yes, the 12 Step Program can also help you address your issues with foods and addictions to them. Congrats on your loss and that you did not regain what you have lost--make this a good starting point to regain your nutritional program habits again. I am not one to rely on pills to heal feelings--exercise, activity and support systems are vital to your health and wellbeing.

I started trying salad after a few months, I had some gurgles initially, but no ill effects after that. I don't really have that many, but I've never had an issue. Same with alcohol. I'll have a glass of wine on a rare occasion - and I did wait until about month 8 or so. I limit partly because it does effect me much quicker than before and I most times I just want to get the most out of my weight loss efforts until I reach goal. But it is a personal choice

I'm five months out. I'm sorry you have to do a pre-op liquid diet. I didn't, instead I did a 6 month monitored diet where I practiced the not eating and drinking thing, which made me know I could do it and eased some of those fears. I'll share my current results and hopefully that will ease your mind, a little. First, fears are normal. Major changes are about to happen! But you know it's a good thing, and you'll do great! I don't drink 15 minutes before and 1 hr after I eat. When I go out to eat, and I do, because I love food and hate to cook (it's just me, and I'm social, so it's easier to go out with friends sometimes), I order Water - no alcohol for six months per my surgeon, plus we'll get tipsy faster with the smaller stomach - and have that while we wait for the food. Then I push it away when it gets closer to food and don't get a refill. When I was new, I didn't order water, or if I did I didn't drink any. Your stomach can't holdwater and food. It's a forever thing. The volume you can hold is much smaller. When I overfill it, it hurts, and I can tell right away. So I'd rather get my Protein in there than useless water at mealtime. I get my water in the rest of the day (64 oz. really is doable, but it takes practice). I've even been to a buffet with friends. I had one plate. I have to eat slower, and they kept getting up and ended up hurting themselves by the time they were done (guys, of course), but I was happy and satisfied. We're not limited in what we can eat, just how much. And the drinking thing gets easier with time. I've learned the hard way, kind of like eating too fast, that mixing them hurts. Better to not learn that way, but whatever "sticks" with you. I travel for work. My surgeon's plan has us on 1 Protein shake a day for the first year. I bring the whey isolate powder when I travel because it mixes without a blender. I bring my Blender Bottle (with the little metal ball in the bottom) and buy soy milk or skim milk when I get where I'm going. I mix the shake in the morning and it's like home. I travel with my Protein Bars, and now with some nuts (can't do them right away, though). That way I have portable protein. (There are a lot of websites with advice on portable protein and travel post-op). If I'm driving, I can bring a ready to drink protein shake with me, and sometimes I do. When I stop I grab string cheese. Depends on my mood. I've never been a big wine person, but wine is to be savored (my perception). So, you eat, you wait the hour for everyone else to finish their stuff, feeding your kids, whatever, and you have some later. Or you wine and then cheese fifteen minutes later and are done. WLS is a commitment to a different lifestyle, but not to giving up your life. It's a commitment to wanting a BETTER life. You can do it! Everyone is different and you make the journey work for you. You'll quickly learn what rules are "for real" and what rules are more "for best results in weight loss". You're going to want to follow all of them, though, or else why go through the surgery (Says the person who knows which ones to bend already...but look at my stats below...but I'm not claiming to be perfect, and I want to admit that to you) Good luck! and take a deep breath. It will be ok.

Hey cmbtexas! Good to hear from someone from the "good old days" with the chat room. It made me sad to hear about your struggle with the bottle and depression. I must say- I've had similar experiences. Wish we could chat more about it. I've managed to keep off all the weight I lost (100#). I've also managed to lose another 180# (LOL- got rid of the husband). But I picked up the bottle (again). Self-medicating? So, I went back to Alcoholics Anonymous. They have been the answer for me. I enjoy the meetings, the structure, and especially the people. A place to belong. Well wishes my friend!!

I think it is a very real danger (just read some of the threads on here about alcohol). There is a reason that OA is patterned after AA. For many of us, we have used food as our substance or drug of choice along with or instead of other substances and activities. If we don't learn to substitute healthy substances and behaviors we can definitely be in danger of transferring addictions.

I've read that it happens with some people, drugs, alcohol, sex, cigarettes. I think it is called "addiction transfer", since you can't over eat any more you switch to something else.

First of all.. welcome.. I'm per op as well.. I went on vacation and you know how vacations do you.. Yummy food, different places, alcohol.. I did it all. And when I went to the nutritionalist the week after it showed! I gained 4.5 pounds in the week at I was gone.. When they told me my actions could prolong the process that I will have to come back the following week and weigh in again.. I knew I had to straighten up.. I came back did a food journal everyday.. Got all my water and protein in.. And the following week I had lost the 4.5 pounds I gained on vacation.. I was so happy with myself I have kept it up.. And lost 10 pounds total since my bad weigh in.. Keep your head up and know that it's ok to fall of the rocker sometimes.. Just gotta climb back on it.. You got this!,

I definitely raise the scale if I eat things that are high carb or drink alcohol etc. The only way I lose is to strictly adhere to the protein, protein, protein rule..

@@needtorecover I have a friend with sleep apnea. They don't wake up, but they sound like they are dying over and over during the night. It is terrible to hear, and every time we go on vacation it keeps me up because they refuse to wear their cpap thing. So you can have it and it won't wake you up. Sleep is one of those things I fixed before surgery. Because of my work and the fact I have a pretty open schedule, I can pretty much work whenever I want as long as I meet my deadlines, I used to nap in the afternoons often. Once I stopped napping in the afternoons, went to bed at a decent hour, in a completely dark room, with no electronics in it, my sleep greatly improved. I sleep around 8 hours a night and it is a deep sleep, my eyes close and then they open. It is actually freakishly deep for someone that has never slept well at night before. I wake up and hit the floor ready to go. I am so relaxed and refreshed. Make sure you have the nicest most comfortable bed you afford, a dark quiet room, and don't drink before bed. My Dr told me years ago that drink to sleep, actually interrupted your sleep and I didn't believe him but since I gave up alcohol a few years ago, my sleep started improving. If you drink before bed, you never get into deep REM sleep.

Congrads for your surgery!!!! I was sleeved two weeks ago. It was not bad at all. If you get nauseated have the nurse to bring you some alcohol wipes and fan them in front of your nose. Crunch and suck on ice chips. This will help you get through the first 24 hours. The third day you will be tired. Just rest. Remember to sip, sip and walk around. Each day you will get to feeling better. I had some ups and downs with my energy....just listen to your body and go lay down and take a 15 minute power nap. It is amazing how you brain and stomach will not be on the same page! I just love the new me. I am down 18 pounds in 18 days. It was the best thing that I could have done for myself and I trust it will be the best thing you could do for your self. I still have a long way to go, but I am optomistic about my near future! - Addison

Very sorry for your loss. I would take the advice of the others and seek some counseling/therapy. Be very careful not to start drinking alcohol especially at this stage.

I too been doing a lot of research on Lapbanding. I never heard anything like this before. My Phsy person told me that I could not drink any Alcohol. I would not worry about this at all.

Hey sleevers I just took a dose of Musinex's new Multi symptom cold relief(no ibuprofen) and the second it went down and burnt and made me have hot flashes! I am now slightly shaky and unnerved by the incident! It's the day time formula and the night one went down ok the last two nights so I figured I'd try this. Do you think it was the alcohol in it? I won't be taking it again this I know! This is a two part post question and warning to proceed with caution, it's a horrible feeling!

I finally had the information meeting with my prospective surgeon last Friday. I had really been looking forward to it - but left feeling deflated. I told him I was worried about not being able to walk with my rheumatoid arthritis if I can't take ibuprofen. He never answered me regarding that issue - just said the need for other RA meds would decrease. I also think I will need a lot of support after the surgery because I think it will be very difficult psychologically. He never mentioned a support group so I asked if they had one "yes, we do," was the only response - no additional information whatsoever. In general, I felt like he didn't really address my concerns, I got the feeling there would not be much after care. I have decided to get a consultation with another surgeon. I know that the one I went to is very talented surgically, but after the surgery I don't think he'll really be there. There was another patient there who wanted to schedule a band to sleeve revision and the Dr. told him he looked familiar - the patient said "you did my lap band and I saw you referred me for an EGD last month." Kind of felt like we were just warm bodies sitting there. Maybe I'm wrong- maybe that's how all surgeons are and I am just making excuses for my fear and second thoughts. My mom went with me and kept saying she was afraid I would become an alcoholic if I wasn't able to eat junk food, and that I would be even more unhappy being thin with sagging skin than being fat. I appreciate your thoughts

I think is it safe to say that most everyone here has certain foods that are addictive for them. Some people have soda or sweets. For me it was chips. I'm pretty proud when I can have a handful and then just walk away. I suppose not everyone can do this with addiction. Alcohol and drugs .... you can't have just one drink or one hit of cocaine. It's a life long journey we are on and it is very individual.

Hi Carole, I say this without judgement: it sounds like you could really use some counseling, to help with the grief and the self-medicating use of alcohol. And I hear a lot of self-blame, when I think it's amazing you lost 130 lbs! We're not perfect but we do need to be accountable to ourselves. Counseling or therapy can help with that. I don't know quite what a behaviorist does, but changing behavior is easier when you address the underlying feelings that drive the behavior. Be well, Chris

my doc basically said... I am a carb addict... stay off the carbs (bread; rice; pasta) while I am in the weight loss phase. Once I have achieved my desired weight loss, then I can add those back in, in limited quantities. You wouldn't give alcohol to a recovering alcoholic, why tempt our bodies with those triggers? That doesn't mean I can't have veggies and fruit, though... so keeping a good low GI balanced "diet" is, IMO, a good thing. food for thought...

Your story sounds so much like mine. Was even born a big baby, and overweight as a child, but not obese until I got into college (which also happens to be when they finally tested me for hypothyroidism and reluctantly started to treat me for it). I was really active in high school - lettered in two sports - and as much as I walked in college, the cafeteria food did me no favors! Bad eating, a decrease in intense physical activity, the alcohol that frequently accompanies college days, and hypothyroidism led to a 50 lbs weight gain in less than two years. I just had my endoscopy today, no abnormalities found, so I'm excited for my sleeve date of May 12. I, too, had some initial good results with the Band, but slowly gained back a bit over time and then it just seemed to be rejected by my body.