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Just got back from an all inclusive vacation to Punta Cana, DR. And, it started off with lots of bad habits - example - alcohol and then the need for nachos. After 2 days, the Bariatric Gods intervened and I got sick.... Let's just say I met a guy named "John".... I spent two days in the bathroom.... After that, no more alcohol. I did have more bread than normal just to settle stomach. (I'm not really a bread person so you know it was necessary). Anyway, I ended up loosing 6 pounds on vacation!!!! Lol. Now that I'm home, I'm back on track! A few NSV - no extender for the airplane seatbelt, size 16-18 clothing including " sexy" dresses. And, a rather attractive Dominican telling me I had gorgeous legs!

EWom75, so far I've lost around a stone but that's including my pre op diet, it has been a big learning curve for me and I think I went into it quite naively, I thought that I would be banded, follow the post op diet and be on my merry way to seeing the lb's drop off, but that didn't really happen, 3-4 days after I was banded my appetite was definitely back 100% almost like there was no restriction at all, and since you don't get your first fill for 5-6 weeks you do literally have to be on a diet and it's always the bad foods and the alcohol that go down the easiest lol, after my first fill I still didn't feel like there was much restriction, I had my second fill yesterday and I definitely think I might be on my way to the much talked about 'green zone' lol, I don't feel hungry and I'm looking forward to the next few weeks to see if I starting shifting these pounds ???? Xxx

My surgeon requires a 2-week pre-op diet of essentially Stage 1 of the Atkins diet, with the big stresser being keeping carbs below 20g/day. Then, 1 day before the surgery, clear liquids only. Then nothing 8 hours before surgery. Also, the day before surgery, at around noon, drink a full bottle of liquid Magnesium Citrate, followed immediately by 8oz Water, to help clean the system out. If it doesn't work by 6pm, then drink a second bottle (and water). 1 week before surgery hold all NSAIDs, hold Fish Oil, hold alcohol, prioritize sleep.

Actually, I'd like to validate your WTF?! feelings. Some people really do blurt out the most hideous crap at the worst times. 35 years ago when I called my parents to let them know I was getting divorced (my soon-to-be ex husband had fallen in love with another woman and had left me) -- my mother, upon hearing my extremely brief and highly sanitized version of why we were getting divorced, said, "Oh, no! You're not going to become one of THOSE DIVORCEES!" I just gulped and said ... I honestly forget what I said. Bottom line, people are always interpreting your adventures through the lens of their own experiences, as little as their experiences line up with ours. Frankly, I think it's a miracle we EVER make intimate contact with another human being. Frankly, I think your friend's an idiot. But that doesn't mean she might not still be a worthwhile friend down the line. Still ... this is going to be a big, big deal for you -- the WLS, the weight loss, the new lifestyle you need to build to become successful long-term. And it's very possible all the changes you go through (including some you instigate about what you will and won't put up with and how you let others control or influence you) are going to be hard of her version of your old relationship. Finally, I knew very early on pre-op that my best friends (yes, really, my best friends) who are all brilliant, charming, attractive and SKINNY were completely unequipped to understand my WLS journey at all. So I've not told a single one of them about having had WLS. And now they just think I've finally figured out how to "eat healthy." Actually, they're right, but the sleeve is the tool that has made it possible to eat healthy long-term. It's so hard to understand how people who are otherwise bright folks can be absolutely stupid about something that obsesses us so much and that is destroying our own lives. I suppose it's like the non-alcoholic dingbat friend who says to an alcoholic, "Oh, come on -- it's just one glass of champagne." That's not a very good analogy, but it's pretty stupid. As the second rule of life says: "I promise you: Nobody is thinking about you. They are thinking about themselves--just like you."

Over the past several days I have come to a startling realization that I am "battling the wrong fight". Actually, it started from something that happened this last weekend. I haven't seen Steven since forever and we talked for awhile on Saturday. He asked me about my life - horses, my social outings with the meetup, my happy hours with Mary etc etc. and when he realized I don't do most of my "stuff" anymore he asked me "what the hell are you doing? what did you replace this with?" My sullen answer was "nothing really" except trying to learn to dance. I suddenly saw things from an outsiders point of view - I have been lame. In a separate conversation, I was lamenting to my son that i wish i didn't deal with these emotional ups and downs. He told me that I probably enjoy many things in life more than others because I am very tuned into emotions. I do love life and have an enthusiasm for it - unfortunately I pay the price on the flip side. His suggestion was to think of it as a good thing to have so much capacity for "feeling". I had to sort of agree on that point too. I have been trying to fix things in my life, for example, my horse life has not been going well - due to my physical problems and lack of interest. So, I have been focused on finding another home (at least temporarily) for my younger horse etc. This last weekend I realized I am fixing what isn't broken. What the real issue is that i have some kind of low grade depression going on. That is why I don't enjoy horses anymore, why I am sometimes just feeling purposeless, why i don't do alot of the things I normally do and enjoy. The thing is I don't look depressed and most of the time dont feel depressed so it is often hard to pin down and none of my friends would say "you seem depressed". The counselor I saw told me that I may be prone to very short cycle depression but it is a problem, nonetheless. It doesn't really matter what it looks like externally, that loss of interest in pleasureable things in life/feeling purposeless is classic depression. So, a few days ago I started taking a natural remedy for anxiety. I feel better already Last night, I took HTP5 with melatonin (which I lost the habit of doing) and I slept like a baby, no middle of the night insomnia. I ordered a higher grade HTP5 for ongoing use. I forced myself to go out to 2 step Tuesday last night. I was dreading it, almost left even as I was parking my car. You know what, I had the best time! I met a guy my age who was my dance partner, he has no horses, but 3 saddles and was very interested in meeting a horsey-girl as he wants to ride again. He lives right near some of my dearest friends. I doubt anything will come of it, but the whole experience made me feel more like myself somehow. Actually, it didn't even have anything to do with him, it was just going out, feeling good, feeling confident and having a good time and being home by 9:30 and no alcohol required. Monday, I started tackling my eating. I wasn't doing terrible food wise, but lots of room for improvement. Monday morning was an eye opener as I saw 170s on the scale. I have been bouncing around 5-8 over goal (in the 160s) but sheesh... I feel myself heading the wrong way! This week, I am back to eating light, and my appetite is going down to match it. Again, I just feel a bit more normal/myself and it was good to see 169.7 on the scale this morning. I want to be under 150 again (lose around 20#), but i will take just getting back to goal (lose around 11#). I have made some decisions to force myself back into living a full life including a plan for the horses (I am on restricted activity right now, but i am planning for returning to normal). If I still don't want to do horses after my plan, well, that is another story, but right now I need to get to feeling motivated about life again! I am not declaring victory yet, but in just a few days I am feeling the difference and without prescriptions. I have nothing against scrips except I can't handle the side effects... I hope this keeps working because these emotional things kick my butt.

Do the sugar-free products you are trying have sugar alcohols in them? A lot of people experience a laxative effect from those. I'd say, start reading ingredient lists and paying close attention to how you feel after eating specific types of artificial sweeteners to try to figure out if it's all sugar substitutes or only specific types that are causing the problem.

I stopped losing weight at 7 months post-op and I went from a "Weight Loss" phase to a "Maintenance" phase. I am now 27 months post-op RNY. Since that time I have dropped another 15 pounds without really trying and I am currently near the bottom end of the scale. I attribute this added weight loss to the following: 1) A couple times I developed a stomach flu that was going around. I would lose my appetite for a few days and drop weight quickly. After I recovered, I would decide this was my new goal weight and not try and gain it back. 2) I have found that softer foods such as chili and Soups go down easier so I primarily rely on these for my meals. Whenever I eat out, I find that I cannot consume very much harder foods and as a result I lose weight. 3) I believe the meal plan for those in the Maintenance phase should be very different than in the Weight Loss phase. After surgery, the stomach that normally absorbs fats and sugars has been cut away. That is why your diet needs to restrict fats and sugars; otherwise it leads to dumping. But after about a year, you intestines change and the intestines begin to convert fats and sugars. So in the Maintenance phase the objective is to "not be hungry". Fats take away hunger. So I reintroduced fats back into my diet. And for the most part, 27 months post-op, I am never hungry. On the other hand, I almost religiously restrict myself from processed sugars. I read food labels; I really read them. If they contain more than a couple grams of sugar, I look at the ingredients to determine if they contain high amounts of processed sugars. For my sweet tooth, I consume artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda, sugar alcohol), natural low or no calorie sweeteners (such as Stevia), and natural sugars found in fruits and milk. So in general, I consume a cup or two of hot coffee each day with a very large scoop of whip cream. The whip cream I make myself using heavy whipping cream and Splenda in place of sugar. This adds fat into my diet. I also consume 2 or 3 Adkin's treats per day. I also use whole milk, real butter and real meats. I restrict my meals to one meal per day with complex carbs (such as Pasta, bread). In the maintenance phase, the meal plan should include a balance of Protein, fats and carbs. Fats are an important ingredient.

Those with the alcohol, sex and shoplifting proclivities aren't speaking up.. Unfortunately I know people who had the alcohol and sex addictions that developed after WLS. I've heard of the shoplifting just recently. But this is real, right?

I think it comes down to most people feeling or thinking that surgery for weight loss isn't needed you just have to eat less and exercise well no kidding if it were that simple no one would be overweight right? It's an addiction a habit a comfort much like alcohol and drug use to which some become addicted well geez if only they would stop drinking or drugging right so simple that's why rehab exists right? Addiction changes your chemistry like alcohol and drugs food is always there a temptation I think of this as a sort of rehab for us a chance to reset and move forward after all this will help us lose weight but if u eat bad food all the time u will be right back where u started

I know I am only 20 post op but I was wondering if I will ever be able to have alcohol. Preferably red wine.

Awesome, I get so tired of people doing #4, 7, & how soon can I have alcohol. I am like what? I never plan to let any of those things cross my lips again.

My surgeon said surgery will not remove hunger. It will allow you to physically eat less, in one sitting, if you follow the rules. Before surgery, I am always hungry. I am hungry all day. However, I only eat 3 times a day. It takes a lot for me to feel that full feeling. Surgery is supposed to help you reach that full feeling. If you give in to the hunger all the time, you won't be successful. bypass won't take that struggle away. The first 6-7 months, your body is in control. You lose the weight. After that, you have to maintain it. You have to eat to the point of near full, slowly, to give your body time to feel that you are done. Then you have to stop. You have to tell yourself, this small portion will fill my tiny teeny stomach, and I will be fine. I have lived my whole life being hungry. I know I will still have hunger. But in 2 days, I will be given a tool to help me control how much I put into my body. And after that, it's up to me. Surgery is not a for sure fix. Or a quick fix. Or a miracle. It still takes work. But it will help you if you follow the plan. Protein first. No liquids with meals. STAY AWAY FROM EMPTY CARBS. No alcohol, and don't drink your calories. hydrate hydrate hydrate. My NUT has preached this to me over and over and over. If I fail. It is going to be because I just flat out didn't follow rules. And I am not about to let that happen.

We can all beat ourselves up with the if only we hadn't allowed this to happen story but it's not changing a damn thing I think of this as our "rehab" there's drug abuse alcohol abuse etc everybody goes to rehab it's expected well this is our rehab let's use it wisely and stop living in the past and move forward what's that saying u can't change what u don't acknowledge? Well we know we have a problem and we are trying to fix it let that be our new story and a new start

//I wish I got dumping sometimes. The good news is a bite or two and I am good and then realize it isn't as good as I once remembered. // I consider dumping a gift for sure. I am such an addict with sugar. It's like my anabuse. (a drug alcoholics can take that makes them severely sick if they drink alcohol). Re-reading my post about cravings I can't express in words how different things are after bypass though. I can eat pizza and I do eat pizza. But now 2 small squares fill me up for the whole night. But then, pizza wasn't my pig out food ever. I can eat too much sometimes, but am being very careful not to stretch my pouch. If I ever feel like I ate too much I will eat less and go back to regular Protein shakes.

Actually Protein and carbohydrates each contain 4 calories per gram. You might be thinking of alcohol, which contains 7 calories per gram.

I have a friend she was sleeved a year ago and she is gaining weight already she is always eating out and drinking alcohol I truly think she is depressed had a divorce right after surgery and many life changes. I did mention to her that she didnt go through all those hoops and almost a year of prep to gain it all back and hopefully she will do something about it.

Not alcohol kind of drinker. I have Water, crystal light or tea with me 24/7. My 1 medication gives me horrible cotton mouth.

Thank you and well said Harley.. I know that a lot of the critical comments in response to this are coming from a place of caring about the OP. BUT. I never took it as a desire to have tons of alcohol. I think the OP is worried her friendships will suffer based on the changes. That doesn't mean those changes aren't good or that she won't stick to them... OR that she wasn't ready to get sleeved. All of us have our own unique concerns for life after sleeve. Coming from someone that was horribly bullied all the way K-12 and didn't have friends until college.. if I felt making the right decision for my body or myself might interfere with my friendships.. I wouldn't hesitate to make that decision but I -would- be nervous about if I might feel... left out.. from my friends and my place in the social circle.. I -don't- think this is about an amount of alcohol.. it's about not wanting to lose the place she's identified as hers in her social circle just because she can't partake the way they do... Hang in there! and BTW I definitely think it's okay for you to have a drink to Celebrate your graduation. Check with your NUT but that's a long way from now and I suspect you will have healed by now that one small drink of your choice won't be a big deal Just remember : Moderation and keep it in check and you'll do fine! Good luck at school this year!

Hang in there. Once you are maintaining and people get used to seeing you at your lower weight, they'll stop. I had folks at work who seriously did not recognize me. I don't mean they said they didn't recognize me as a way to say I looked different/better...they literally had no idea who I was till I spoke. Imagine what that feels like. Unfortunately, our 'issue' is completely external. If you are an alcoholic, it isn't immediately noticible when you stop drinking. Same for any other destructive behavior. But weight issues are right out there and you can't hide whether you are losing or gaining. Try not to show your annoyance...most people are not being nosy..they are being (or think they are being) thoughtful. I couldn't wait till no one noticed my new body at work and I'm just about there after a year with no discernable weight loss.

All I have to say is Girl thank you!!! You hit me right in my face. I'm two years out and still haven't hit my goal and noticed I had gained 10 pounds ( that's a no no) The alcohol is a big thing for me and I so know that this was so meant for me to see. I thank you and know this I believe you can do it. We are struggle at some point but having read this from you has really helped me. Thank you for being brave enough to share your story.

Hi guys, I had my 2nd dietitian appointment yesterday and I left feeling a little down in the dumps. They were a bit disappointed with me that I hadn't started dieting and exercising yet. I was under the impression that they were giving me education on how I was to eat after the surgery, and how my lifestyle would change. I didn't fully understand that they wanted me to start "dieting" now. I had started incorporating some changes from my first appointment, like cutting out alcohol, cutting way down on my soda, no liquid with meals, and chewing my food very very well. I understand starting those things, so it is easier once I have surgery. Does anyone have tips on what I should be doing now food wise to change? Am I supposed to go on a strict low carb/low sugar/high Protein diet now? Honestly I am here now going through surgery because I obviously can't stick to a "diet" and I'm in a bit of panic mode right now. Any suggestions would help

So I'm on vacation with the family. Overall I've been doing really good, still aiming for for Protein first, and with all the walking I'm getting well over 10k steps a day. The problem? Drinking!! (not alcohol..) So every meal we eat out, but of course I can't drink at the meal. I do ask for Water to go where I can, but it's also 100+ degrees here daily, so I drink it fairly fast before it gets warm. (I was dumb and left my hyroflask home, never again!) So I'm well below what I need in water, and buying a bottle each time is too costly $3 for 16oz adds up fast! Never mind my hubby is always walking 10 steps ahead of me and never hears me when I say I need to stop to get a drink. And not having a drink available has me way off for Vitamin consumption this week. I really tried to cope on my own, it's not his fault I can't drink when they do at meals and this was my choice to do surgery, but I so wish he'd be a slight bit more conscious of how it's different for me. I tried talking to him, and of course he was like how is this his fault. Bring hot and thirsty doesn't make for level headed discussions. So a valuable lesson learned for me this trip, eating wasn't nearly the issue I thought it would be... Drinking is!! I will forever bring my hydroflask and some crystal light packets to make sure I have some portable hydration options.

I understand about the exercise. It gets tougher when you are working out a lot and consuming a lot of calories. If you do have a carb max you are shooting for it does become easier to hit it, so from that perspective, assuming you are eating a lot of bars plus other things... then sure I could see wanting to watch them closer. I do still think however that it's not that big of a deal if you are avoiding sugars and taking high Protein bars you are likely ok. Note that 50g of carbs is higher than the pre-surgery diet. The pre-surgery diet is 30 carbs max, 70g protein min, as a general guideline. So you really aren't on the same diet as pre-surgery. My point is you don't need to worry so much about whether or not these bars have as close to zero carbs as possible, even on a 50g carb diet. You referred to the bars people mentioned here with concerns about high carbs. That is why I commented. Most of these bars are not that high in carbs for a post surgery diet, even the "higher carb high protein ones. A bar with 26g of carbs (12g fiber, 2 sugar alcohol and 5 sugars) is effectively 12g. Pretty low for a Meal Replacement with 20-30g of protein. And that bar is on the higher carb end of those discussed. It's easy to get so caught up in this stuff that you laser focus on one thing, like trying to keep carbs to a minimum. Personally I'm primarily focused on high protein, high nutrition and watching calories. The rest follows.

@@Livincrimson it may be the sugar alcohol that makes you feel sick. They don't always sit well with everyone.

A year after WLS and 100 lbs. down, I started seeing a therapist because I didn't know who the woman staring back at me in the mirror was. It's now a year and a half that I've been seeing the therapist and we've done lots of digging to find the root causes of the body dismorphia and why I turn to food for comfort. I'm starting to understand some of what drives me but I'm still a work in progress. I do know that the therapist has helped me to figure out other ways of coping with stress or difficult situations without turning to food. I'm learning things about myself and I can literally feel when we've hit a bad spot and stuff comes out of me like pus from an infection. Sorry for the visual you all just got but it really is like lancing a boil sometimes. I'm not doing therapy in order to point finger or blame anyone..I'm doing it to understand myself and what triggers me towards bad behaviors when it comes to food, and pretty much anything else. We're currently working on why I feel like a phony..like a liar now that I'm thin. Sometimes I want to wear a sign around my neck that says 'former fatty'. I feel guilty when someone notices me. These are all behaviors that can result in self sabotage if I don't find a way to deal with them. I think we all should be in therapy. Not just us on this site, but truly everyone. Our issues and self destruction are just more noticeable than the gambler, or cheater, or thief, or alcoholic but no less impactful on quality of life. OK...off my soapbox for now.