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Thanks everyone. It's a weird thing. Intellectually I feel no shame for WLS. It was an excellent decision and I should have done it a long time ago. I would never judge anyone else for doing it. Yet, part of me does feel embarrassed that I couldn't do it without intervention. Food is an addiction for me and I don't want to discuss something that private with others. Would an alcoholic or drug addict be expected to casually discuss their issues with others?

Hi Sue, Thanks for your post I have been out of the loop lately and noticed I have been going back to my old habits. I have started tracking what I am eating starting today. I found out that for me I can not let to much caffeine and alcohol back into my diet. It changes a lot for me and I even gained 4 lbs last month. I am sure this has been asked before but can everyone share what they eat on a daily basis or some of the foods that really work for you. My restriction varys... on what I have no idea.. So I am either hungry or in discomfort trying to eat what I think is right.. Thanks, Brandi

when the girls get together, there is alcohol involved. At four weeks post-op, I met with friends and had one glass of wine. I sipped slowly and it took me the whole evening to finish it off. (I also drank a large glass of Water with the wine) Refills kept coming but no one seemed to notice I had the same glass all night. I like the idea of saying you are eliminating alcohol as part of you weight loss program. (I haven't told my friends of my surgery but have told them of my added exercise and food changes as the reason for my weight loss.) Good luck to you!

Possibly a similar situation may arise for others.... My wife & I had cocktail hour @ home or used to visit a local watering hole for a few pre-diner drinks. I used to make beer & have the equivalent of about 6 beers a day. Now I don't even like the taste of beer & never liked wine, so it was easy to stop drinking it & other beverages altogether. This started a downhill situation that could have easily ended in divorce. Some may want this outcome & consider it a positive. I certainly didn't, so had to adjust my habits to adapt to the other half's needs after GS surgery to having @ least one drink each day. This took the steam out of a very sticky situation. There are social occasions when one is invited to drink, such as dinners with friends @ their place. I always take my own preference including suitable glass for lots of ice & limited quantity of my drink. Non sweet, low carbonated apple cider poured over ice [reduces carbonation further & markedly] & is a drink that I now like & can easily sit on about 500ml/1 pint over an hour. Other participants don't really notice or care, plus may have 2 or even 3 drinks while I just sip away. I can drink slowly right up until food is served, then have normal small size well chewed food portions. Taking about the same time as others with portions 4 or 5 times what I can handle. But I can't drink for up to an hour after eating. Then I can be sociable again if required or I feel like continuing drinking, which is generally not the case. I have also found that I have re-acquired a taste for bourbon [i stopped drinking that 20 years ago] & can handle a couple of those with a non caffeine cola poured from a distance over ice, in a long glass. Seems one can start this drink sooner after eating. Maybe it is the higher alcohol content [using less fizzy even flat cola] that relaxes things more quickly? DON'T DRIVE AFTER DRINKING if you have had gastric sleeve surgery....you will have a higher blood alcohol reading if pulled over & be a danger to yourself & others, plus more likely to have a wreck. Stating you are driving & have finished drinking makes it very easy to explain to friends why you don't drink after eating, if pressured. My friends are unaware I have had GS surgery [just think I have good will power] & think my eating/drinking habits have changed, due to gall bladder removal, which I had a couple of months prior to GS surgery. Actually it was the surgeon who did the gall bladder surgery who suggested I should consider weight loss & GS surgery was a good vehicle to do this. He did not do the GS procedure. Hope this helps someone else who likes a couple of drinks now & again & is not hooked on or abuses alcohol.

Ah, I see. Well, I'd guess there are a few options: 1) tell the other couple about your surgery and drink water; 2) don't tell them about the surgery but tell them you're dieting and drink water; 3) tell them in some fuzzy way you're on medication and can't mix it with alcohol, and drink water; 4) accept a drink when everyone else has one and then not drink it . . . with water on the side. I know people have widely varying positions on telling other people--I'm one of the folks who tells everybody about it, basically because I know what I'm doing and why I'm doing it and don't give a crap about someone else's probably ill-informed opinion about it. Actually, though, I've mostly gotten supportive comments.

I'd say you are a likely candidate for another revision to RNY bypass. To have uncontrolled GERD is concerning, because it can lead to increased risk of esophageal cancer. You'd be looking at going to Mexico again, most likely, if you did choose to have a revision. (Many times RNY fixes acid issues.. it isn't guaranteed, however). A concern is your lack of aftercare in where you live. RNY requires more maintenance than the sleeve, and of course, what would you do if you had complications? Man, you are in a tough spot. While you are trying to figure things out, maybe list which medicines you've tried.. maybe there is something else... Food and drinks that commonly trigger heartburn include: Alcohol, particularly red wine. Black pepper, garlic, raw onions and other spicy foods. Chocolate. Citrus fruits and products, such as oranges and orange juice. Coffee and caffeinated drinks including tea and cola. Peppermint. Tomatoes. Also, if you really don't want a bypass, you could see if you just need a hiatial hernia repair. That might help without the long term issues of a bypass.

Obese people store fat in their liver, enlarging them (and causing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). The pre-op diet shrinks the liver to give the surgeon more room to work and make it less likely they'll accidentally damage the liver, which could be life threatening.

I find that alcohol now makes me monstrously hungry - not physically, but head hunger. I still drink sometimes though, just not as much as I used to pre-op.

Not that I drink that often, but I am an "afternoon cocktail" kind of girl when out to lunch with my girlfriends. I also socially drink a couple to a few times a month. With all that said, my alcohol tolerance is back to pre-op standards. I can drink several rum/cokes, or 2-3 glasses of wine over the course of 5-8 hours, and catch and maintain a good buzz. If I throw some shots in there, yeah, I get a bit more buzzed/drunk, but I rarely drink shots. I pretty much quit drinking at home because it was so boring. If I'm out with the girls, or out at a party, I enjoy having a few drinks, and it hasn't negatively affected my loss, or maintenance. I just make sure I tank up on Water before I head to bed. I don't get hangovers anymore either which is a welcomed change:thumbup:

Glad to hear I am not the only weirdo-magnet out there. I'm a little older than you and I believe in the 50-something age range, its even worse. The "I love you" on the second date guys...the alcoholics... etc. I also believe if a guy has never been married by this time, there is a reason.

It could be dehydration...But you also need to consider that it maybe Hypoglycemia. Both act similar and alcohol has a lot of sucrose in it! If you do have dehydration. G2 or coconut Water will help.

Whey Isolate should be as lactose free as Fairlife. Milk based proteins (whey) come in 2 forms, Concentrate and Isolate. Concentrate is just as it sounds, concentrated milk protein. Isolate is a super filtered form of whey and removes most if not all lactose. It's possible the cause isn't the protein but some other ingredient like sugar alcohols which are known to cause issues in some folks. Try another brand of Whey Isolate before you write off Whey proteins as the cause. You can get samples typically at most supplement places.

Honestly it's hit home over this past year as to what it must be like being a recovering alcoholic. I've heard that many people don't look at ever beating it completely. It's a constant battle where you have good days/weeks/months/years and others are a struggle. I effing loved to smoke and I never thought I'd be able to quit smoking. Was a really tough first year but got through it. Going on something like 7 years now since I quit and there are times where I'd love to have a smoke. I don't dwell on it for long an it passes, but every now and then those urges come up. Food is going to be a tougher battle for me.

BariActiv vitamins have some sugar alcohols in them (though not a large amount). I have read that post bariatric surgery sometimes people are sensitive to those. Taking it with food would slow the absorption so it makes sense that it would help.

That's interesting perspective. I'm not totally sure I agree with you. I cook a lot and 20 minutes is not really realistic. And then there is the shopping and the planning. Yes it is better to cook a huge batch and freeze it and I will do that when I can, but that's not always realistically going to happen, especially when I go back to school (I am a teacher). I didn't get fat primarily from fast food, I got fat because I'm a great cook and could never figure out how to cook for one. That's not going to get any easier with the micro portions I can have now. I think a certain amount of practicality is important. Yes I admit I am an addict. But what makes food addiction the most difficult addiction (IMO) is the fact that you can't just stop eating like you can with drug or alcohol addiction. I feel like I need to have "safe foods" I can get on the go and not just tie myself to my kitchen.

It’s Sod’s Law that the one person that I expected to support me in this procedure has been the only one person that hasn’t. Damn that Sod and his bloody law making! Without wanting to sound like an angry young (ahem!) man and post my second negative post, I thought I would try and do it in a defensive way rather than go in with guns a-blazing. The gloves were originally taken off as I pressed the “new post” button - but they have duly been put back on. In fact, I have retired to the changing room, away from the ring to write a considered response with the help of a bit of Rufus Wainwright serenading me and a hot cup of jasmine tea. Actually, forget that - I am going to have to snipe a bit, so decaf coffee it is. Firstly, I won’t bother going through my reasons for undertaking this surgery. If you want those, you can easily read through the swathes of words I have on the subject. Secondly, I will start my defence a bit absurdly. I will start with a list of mistakes that I made leading up to the surgery and a few of my most outstanding weaknesses. This way, I can be judged in full for the actions I took. Thirdly, I intend to iterate why this blog was set up and why I continue to push people here instead of talking about it face to face. Fourthly, I will try and defend the accusations that have flown recently and put them in their place once and for all. I won’t be going over it again - so listen carefully! Lastly, I intend to lose some weight with dignity and pride and hopefully a bit of happiness - so if you don’t like it - back off and let me get on. Please. So, as detailed above, I launch my defence with point 1. Go read. The biggest mistake I made before undertaking this step was not to make the decision with my partner. Instead I chose to research and make the decision entirely alone. I chose to not discuss my fears with anyone and let the decision be made before I told a soul. When I did tell, it was already well decided in my mind that I would do it. In hindsight, I would probably have realised that this was to be a shared experience and needed buy-in and approval from everyone affected. I do admit that the way I did it was perhaps selfish. I won’t defend it, as I believe now it should have been done another way. My second mistake - but one that I am not so sure was entirely wrong, was not to inform my friends until it was all done. This was again because the procedure was so huge to me that I wanted to be in and out of it before anyone could grill me and make my life too stressful before I undertook the seemingly controversial operation. I think that they now feel slightly distant from me as I was unable to share this with them - which perhaps I should have done. My excuse for that is hopefully well understood and forgivable. My weaknesses can be pretty much listed out verbatim. I am well aware of them and pretty much everyone who knows me is also very well read on the subject. Again, I won’t excuse the failings - just lay them out on the table. I am absolutely CRAP with money. I don’t quite understand its value and I can’t hold onto it as long as I should. It has gotten me into some dire situations and I am aware that it has caused some distress to those around me. Never ever lend me money. Ever! I am a frightful coward. Everything that has any kind of danger attached fills me with dread. I hate roller coasters, flying and high speed. I cower at spiders and tremble at heights. If you are looking for courage in a burly man - look elsewhere. I am pretty stubborn. Once I have decided upon something - that will always be the right thing in my mind. It takes a lot of persuasion to talk me around to another point of view. Some people may well recognise this as arrogance! I was (no more) a big drinker. I binged and usually got very “bombastic” in the process. Imposing one’s personality on friends and stranger can be quite daunting for them. Using booze as a crutch to overcome my utter shyness and inability to have a conversation with people was probably not the best therapy. I have many other weaknesses, but are probably irrelevant for this post - so I will stop self-flagellating. [*]This blog was set up for two reasons. I needed an outlet where I could do a bit of cathartic self-therapy. Writing everything down in this way seems to be a brilliant tool for exploring one’s mind and really coming to terms with issues that bother you. I recommend it for anyone undertaking a journey like this that they have concerns about. Even if you don’t publish it - write it down. The honesty you can deliver to a uncaring, uninterested computer screen is immense. The second reason was to enable my friends to read my reasons behind my decsion and see more into the process. It gives them the full picture without taking up my entire life talking about it. If people want to know, they go to my blog. Also, I figured it would help people contemplating the operation in the future see the thought processes I went through stage by stage and help them to come to terms with the options available. I’m not entirely sure my readership is that enormous nor whether people actually take in what they read in between the rambling sentences. But, from the few comments I have received, it is ringing a similar chord with other people who have had the surgery. Time will tell if this helps anyone else. [*]Now, the accusations! This blog is simply self-indulgent crap. Well, it has been an important part in my decision and coming to terms with opting for the surgery. It has also helped others close to me to fully understand what I did. Whereas with talking and conversation - they would only have had the full story. I just wouldn’t have the time to quote the articles in teh blog to all my friends. I can’t really defend the “crap” bit. I didn’t cater for the feelings of my partner when I made the decision on my own Yes I did. I shouldn’t have made the decision on my own, but her feelings were very much considered and put into the equation. The trouble is - I didn’t accurately predict what her feelings would actually be. Hence the discussions should have been made. Half of a defence there. I wasted money on the operation when I could have invested in the family unit and dieted instead like most people. Sorry - but there is no basis to that one. Firstly - here is a fact. Of all diets - only 3-5% are successful in the long term (reference Dr Jessie H. Ahroni Ph.D., A.R.N.P.). A whopping 95 to 97% of people who diet are wasting their time! I have tried dieting and my mental and physical make-up is such that I was one of the 95-97% of people who failed. I tried for 15 years. This was a last resort as you will probably know by now from my self-proclaimed cowardice. Secondly, me paying for a surgery to keep me alive for many more years than previously expected IS an investment into the family unit. Imagine my salary over, let’s say, 20 years. Lastly, the money spent on the operation is approximately how much I overspent on food and alcohol over two years. So, in conclusion - this has not only cost nothing - it has actually put money BACK IN to the family unit (remembering my fiscal weakness - you may wish to check these facts!). Along with that, it is giving me the opportunity to live a bit longer. So, there you have it. Now I intend to get on with my new life, in a slightly different way than I had originally planned - but get on with it I shall. Originally posted at: Lap Band Blog

I have suffered from anxiety and clinical depression for many years. They are treated with medication. I am also an alcoholic in recovery. I was really worried about the psych evaluation. My psychiatrist was against me having the surgery for whatever reason, so my therapist completed it. He knows me very well and I was worried for nothing.

This forum is like an alcoholic going to AA. You get the understanding, compassion and support from people who share the disease; fight the same fight, and know exactly what you're going through......because they're living it.

I'm sitting in the waiting room of my local occupational health. I'm short 2 employees of my 5 man (Including me) crew. I'm waiting here because I have reasonable suspension of the employee mentioned above being under the influence of alcohol. I'm strongly believing that I will be a 2 man crew shortly...

I'm reading everyone's food enjoyment, even the Jimmy John's unwich that sounds amazing, but I am the 1% who can't eat anything. I'm 5 months post-op and to date I'm down 97lbs. I don't exercise because I'm a full time working corporate mom who is also in college full time. I don't know if this is the right place to post, but I had a break down 2 nights ago. I've been faking that I'm happy to hubby, and became a girly girl with new clothes and makeup to try and make me happy. I only threw up once early post-op. I literally cannot eat any real food. My stomach doesn't tolerate anything. I have to eat mild and bland food if I want solids. Liquid has become my life, and I swore I would never have to live off of protein shakes, but it's all I can tolerate. There's a handful of real food, but it has to be fresh. No sauce from a store bottle/restaurant like BBQ, spaghetti sauce, and anything Asian. I get really ill. I tolerate Hershey's chocolate tho, to a degree. But a *bite* of my kids pizza has me sick. And when I get really hungry it physically hurts in my stomach and back. I'm so miserable and regret the bypass. I can't see my bariatric doctor because they are only open when I work. If this is my life now...... I can't. I'm so tired of the "but Sis, it was worth it, right?" F that. I crave everything even more probably because I can't have it. I keep trying. It fails. Hubby is very frustrated and hates every night when discussing dinner plans I tell him to pretend I'm not here. He feels guilty, like he's not being considerate. Oh and alcohol... Any more than 6oz of wine causes me to black out and not remember anything just as if I was plastered. It wasn't supposed to be this way. I'm not sure of the purpose of this post. I just need someone to talk to that is relatable. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Look, food can't replace real freinds and lovers, you just want it that much and that's an addiction. Just like an alcoholic or drug user the addiction drives you and controls you and all you know is you need it. Fear of failing or succeeding? Probably more likely afraid to take the first step on the journey you know you need to make, and that you can't come back once you make that decision. I had a lot of the same fears, but now I'm about 5 months out and I couldn't be happier. Now I control my relationship with food and not the other way around. I still enjoy many of the foods I love, but I can't abuse them, my sleeve won't let me. I'm still in the early part of my journey, what I didn't realize until I got here, is that the path behind me is darker than the path ahead. Good Luck to you.

I haven't blacked out but sugar alcohol ( something in sugar free sweeteners) makes me dizzy and I sways and I get the sweats- I have felt like I was going to pass out though . I hope you don't get it again! Mich W Hw 223, SW 217 CW 185 GW 135

I didn't have a stricture or any of the symptoms. In my case they did the endoscopy to identify the cause of the tiniest amount of blood in a stool test. Turned out to be an ulcer at the anastomosis. No pain, no other symptoms, I feel great. I'll get more information after the first of the year but I don't think it's real serious. But it's there and it means no alcohol, chocolate or spicy food for a while. I miss my glass of wine before dinner but the rest is no big deal. If I can lose 130 pounds I can beat an ulcer!! Lol!

Ahhhh sipping a nice freshly made White russian...and I'm wondering why the scale isn't movin? heh heh...No I'm not wondering...like you Diane I know why but, that's just going to have to wait until after the party. My friend just told me about a watermelon martini so I had to run out and get the stuff to make it. She's going to make it while she's here at the party tomorrow. Watermelon Vodka, Watermelon Smirnoff Ice and Watermelon Pucker. Whew......I'm relaxed already hahaha. My pork is pulled just waiting for the sauce to thicking up a bit then I'll mix it together and refridge it overnight. Then back in the crockpot tomorrow for the party. Chrispy already pulled the BBQ chicken too and she's making Beans :thumbup: I got most of the house cleaned, the yard cleaned, volleyball/batminton net is up, canopy is up and lawn furniture all set to go. Pool is looking inviting and exceptionally full after all the rain we've had. Its suppose to be around 87 here tomorrow PERFECT weather for a party. Yeap. Oh got my Sangria Slushes in the freezer too. Anyone ever have those? OMG they are sooooo good and since it's slush it's refreshing too. You can get them from Tastefully Simple....just had a house party so I could pick them up hee hee. (Oh my this White russian is hitting me already whew...good thing I'm not a bartender...the bar wouldn't make enough money WAY too much alcohol lol) DH just left at 9:10pm to go on a ride to Providence RI with is buddy (and my chiropractor lol). Some motorcycle meet that happens every friday from 10pm to 12 am. Eh have fun guys :cheers2: Having my own party here right now lol whew. Betty - I think it's awesome that you're ready for this. Do you think your PCP will really give you a hard time? Just tell him/her you can't breath at night cause they are choking ya lol. man.....I can't wait to have perky boobies again :cornut: Pat - that's cool that you'll be able to access your computer anywhere. You'd be amazed actually at how many people have unprotected internet connections and if you have wireless you can use theirs lol. DH and I were mapping out a motorcycle ride for us and his friends so he has a GPS on his laptop. I drove and he had the laptop and he kept saying geesh I can connect anywhere out there lol. He was actually able to tell me the names of the peoples connections too. Then we got to our house and my name popped up but it said SECURED so no one could use it :Banane53: Good thing he set it up lol. He feels bad that people are out there with no protection for their computers but, we can't really knock on doors and tell folks because he's worried then they'll think we were in their computers even though we would never do that. So be careful :hurray: Get a good computer guy...gal :party: Eileen - I know you post on weekends but, I wanted to say HELLO my friend. How's it going? Kat - I hope you're doing well. Good to know you're out there in LBT posting some things so at least we know your'e ok. I miss ya :woot: Hmmm everyone else on vacation? Advanced only does so much lol. Hidey Ho everyone! Hope you're enjoying your summer so far. Well...time to go mix the sauce in with my pulled pork. Tomorrow I'm going to have to get up early to clean the bathrooms YUCKO I just HATE that job! and the livingroom. DH said he'd wash the kitchen floor for me so I"m holding him to it. Then I have to prepare the rest of the food and bingo I'm done. Hopefully it will all be done and ready well before 1 so I can relax and enjoy my company. Unfortunately if it's hot....I won't wear a bathing suit in front of all these people. Not that confident in my body that's for sure. Don't mind in front of immediate family and bestest friends but, hubbys friends...ummmm...VP of my company......My clients...no that's ok :clap: Love you gals...hope you have a wonderful weekend and I hope to be in here again on Sunday at least :w00t::Banane20::tt2::wub: love these things :w00t::thumbup:

I ended up getting the subscription shortly after surgery. I was all about macros during weight loss phase and the Premium version shows macro breakdown goals in grams while the free does not. There are a bunch of other features, but this was the main reason I got it (and to a lesser extent, I also appreciated the timestamp functionality in the paid version). I'm in maintenance now and can probably go back to the free version as I don't watch my macros as diligently anymore. When my subscription year is up, I will likely cancel. Aside: The one thing that I don't like about My Fitness Pal is that it doesn't immediately show NET carbs (i.e., Total Carbs minus Fibre and Sugar Alcohols), though simple math on my part can figure this out. But Still. Would've be nice to have it displayed automatically.