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Hello Everyone, So much to say, where to begin? Hmmmmm. Ok, so I had RNY Gastric Bypass surgery back in 2013 when I was topping the scales at 289 at my heaviest. Having been on every diet under the sun by age 16, being approved for WLS was the greatest thing to ever happen to me. At the ripe age of 23, I had the idea that if my weight was under control then my life would be great, my life would have meaning, I would be happy. Growing up hating yourself because of what you look like is so lonely, it's so painful, and a prison that nobody can set you free from. As I have grown and matured over the years since my surgery I have gained a greater understanding of the why behind the what. What was the issue? I was obese, but why was I obese? The why is not addressed when someone signs on the dotted line after being approved for WLS. I am 7 years out of surgery and I had to learn the why through grueling life experiences that ran me face first into, well...ME. I will forever be grateful for the tool that was given to me through my surgery but I have come to realize that if the why isn't dealt with then my tool will be of no use to me. After my surgery I lost 132 pounds from my heaviest weight going from 289 to 157 and I loved it! I was on top of the world fitting into my size 8 jeans and able to wear whatever I desired but soon my life started to spiral downwards. Since I was no longer able to overeat, I substituted that for an unhealthy relationship, drugs and alcohol. To the naked eye my life seemed great because from the outside everything looked wonderful. The reality is that I sold myself a lie when I convinced myself that when I lost weight my life would automatically be great. Don't get me wrong, losing weight is wonderful but in my case it was much deeper then the extra pounds I was carrying. I needed healing from a life long battle of rejection, abandonment and emotional wounds that shedding 132 pounds didn't cure. I maintained my lowest weight of 157 until 2015 along with my out of control pain pill and adderal addiction and emotionally abusive relationship but it all came to a head when I found God (don't tune out if you don't believe as this is my truth and my experience) in January 2015. In surrendering my life to God and with His power, I was given the strength to leave that relationship and leave the drugs behind and thats when the real work began. In the last 2 years I have gained about 50 pounds and have come to realize that I never dealt with the real issues that caused me to almost be 300 pounds in the first place. I am in a really good place in my life right now as God is helping me tackle the root issues of my brokenness that manifests itself in self destructive behaviors like compulsive overeating or substance abuse. Emotionally I am at a place now that I wish I would have been when I had my surgery, in a place that I can appreciate the tool that has been given to me but more importantly having an awareness of what is going on within. I believe that I had to gain this weight to really appreciate not only what I have but knowing that my weight can't make me or break me. I no longer live in fear that I am not good enough like I did for my whole life leading up to WLS. I allow myself to feel and not numb my emotions with outside things which has been a constant in my life. So unlike most stories of feeling like a failure after regaining weight, this is a success story and one that is still being written! I want to document my journey to losing the regain and hope to encourage, inspire and open the dialogue to similar stories like mine. This is life peeps, if we aren't growing, we are dying. I started on Tuesday going on walks and getting back to the basics and am down 5 pounds and my goal is to get to 150. I know I can do this and would love the support from my fellow WLS community. My first time around, I did it alone but i know that there is power in unity and community. Be Blessed family. I have attached a progression picture of me at my heaviest, my lowest and now. -Mari

Day of surgery 5/3/18, a biopsy was done of my liver and it was perfectly normal. No problems. Last year, 6 months post op, I had an abdominal ultrasound and was told I had gallbladder sludge, no mention of fatty liver. 18 months out, another abdominal ultrasound and I got a copy of the results. It shows a fatty liver, unchanged from 1 year ago and GB sludge. The doctor didn't even mention the liver damage to me and when I asked about it was told not to worry, it happens with WLS. I've researched and I've seen it can happen to people who lose a lot of pounds fast. I lost 55 pounds first 7 months (10 of it pre op). since then another 12, for a total of 67 pounds. This just isn't making sense to me. How could I have a normal liver on surgery day, after enjoying whatever foods I liked for years, and now that I'm eating MUCH better, have liver disease??? It's not that I never have fat or sugar (had some yesterday, but not a lot), but if I eat even 1/10th of what I used to, that would shock me. Like a have a bite of something, maybe two bites. Even that's once or twice a month. Does anyone have any ideas about how this happened and what I can do about it? I'd really appreciate hearing from the community on this as my doctor doesn't want to address this. I don't drink ANY alcohol. Thank You, Lisa

Emotions???? I don't know if I can put into words how I feel, but here goes. Surgery tomorrow. Woke up feeling very sad, and tierd. This confused me. I should be excited. Now whats wrong me. Maybe I am crazy. Well I guess I can try to explore these feelings since I can no longer turn to my best friend (FOOD). Well I am a little nervous about the pain after surgery. I have Fibromyalgia, so Doctor said pain is worse for us, and recovery usually twice as long. I have given birth to 5 children, 4 no drugs, heck the Dr. didn't even make it in time for birth of my son. Not good, very painful. Baby was 10 pounds 1 oz. Survived that, getting banded will be fine. Next emotion- Feeling sad? I am going to miss my friend. We have been through so much together. Drug and alcohol addiction,(been sober 16 years) Divorce, quit smoking(defiantly ate my way through that one) Losing my mom, and 5 kids moving out and starting their own lives, and so much more. We won't even get into all the good times. Why does popcorn with extra butter make every movie just a little bit better? Is food really my best friend? NO!! I have gained 147 pounds eating my way through life, which of course has caused numerous health problems. Next emotion? Trying not to get to excited so I won't feel let down if surgery doesn't happen tomorrow. Well that one is just dumb get over it! I then decide to come here so I can write down how I feel. That in itself is weird. I don't blog, heck I don't even journal. But oddly enough it seems to help allot. I log on and I am so surprised people not only read my blog but they left comments!!! While I am reading them I get tears in my eyes. Tears of joy :confused: People care about me and my feelings. Now that's a new feeling. Their support and words of encouragement are truly amazing. One person was even spot on about me taking care of everyone else but me. I have said these very words. I have been a wife since I was 18, and a mom at 19. It has never been about me, and I think its about time!! This has left my kids wondering what about them. They want to know if we will have still have family dinner every sat. and many more questions about them. Whatever. It is time they see me as more than a short- order cook. Hey I like that feeling:lol: So I have explored each emotion instead of eating. Outcome? I feel nothing but excitement. I am having life changing surgery in exactly 24 hours and 3 min from right now!!! :thumbup:How blessed am I!!!

It's probably not about the alcohol so much as the calories. You say you are burning 3,000 a day (which translates into hours and hours of exercise) and consuming 1,000, so your body is probably entering preservation mode. Even if you meant 300 calories burned per day, that's still a lot of exercise. You might want to up your cals to 1200 or something just to see what happens.

I think it is a good idea to differentiate between foods you "can't" eat post VGS, and foods that don't agree with you or you choose not to eat. As for the "Can't" list (from my doctor and nutritionist) 1) Anything with carbonation (soda, beer, champagne) 2) Alcohol for the first year post surgery 3) Chewing gum (concerned that if you swallow the gum it will block the stomach). That was it on the "must not ever eat again list". I am 3 months post surgery and have only had one food "disagree" with me. That was a chicken and apple sausage. I felt yucky, and my stomach was upset, but it wasn't a horrible experience, I just wouldn't choose to eat it again. Then there are the foods that I don't eat anymore - this is purely my choice! I try to avoid most simple carbs - white rice, bread, Pasta. I am ok with the whole grain versions, but getting all that Protein in my meals doesn't leave a lot of room for simple carbs, veggies and fruits. I'm eating about 1100 calories a day and losing 2 pounds per week. If I truely crave a food, I will have a mouthful, and then the craving is done and over with. As for a prohibition on grapes, maybe in the first 2 months, but after that if you chew it well, it should be fine. I hope this helps.

My thoughts on it..... Absolutes like "always" and "never" are ominous and frankly pretty unrealistic when we are talking the rest of our lives. I personally feel alcohol should be at best minimal during the weight loss phase, and you should at least allow your cut and stapled stomach to heal before imbibing. I think once a person hits their maintenence phase, it can be incorporated occasionally in an otherwise healthy, well balanced diet of lean Proteins, fruits and veggies. If you're doing what you're supposed to be doing 95% of the time, the occasional drink, chocolate, or piece of cake shouldn't be an issue, unless you make it one

@@charley27, I can’t speak to whether it’s a good idea for you to drink or not at the wedding, but I will say this: be really, really careful! Whatever you think you can handle – you can’t! After surgery, your tolerance for alcohol goes way down. You’ll get drunk faster, and on less alcohol. Your blood sugar will get wackier. From a dieting perspective, stay alert! Since it’s not safe to drink on an empty stomach, you’ll have to break your WLS rules by eating while you drink. Careful not to overeat! Also, inhibition goes down when you’re under the influence of alcohol, so it’s easier to eat too much and choose the high-calorie foods. Whatever you choose to do, just be careful about it because your body isn’t the same as it was.

Haha I know. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Very smart. My surgeon has no alcohol forever on his paper... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

When can I have alcohol? I’m 5 weeks out and scared to ask my dr. I’m by no means an alcoholic just wondering when I could have a small drink?

Any one have some good suggestions for a non-alcoholic cocktail? I’m going on cruise in September with girl friends. I’d like to feel that I’m part of the party at the bar but don’t want to have alcohol.

When did you have your first drink? I know they say no alcohol. But I'm looking for personal stories, not opinions please I'm going to a wedding this weekend - I know, no beer. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My doc said 6 weeks and to take it easy because the alcohol may affect you faster then before surgery. He doesnt forbid anything and says you have to have a life. I have followed his plan and it is working well. Had a glass of wine the other night and it took me a very long time to drink it because I didn't want to get drunk. Well, it didn't really have an impact. And it didn't burn. I know what my triggers are and I am avoiding them, but enjoying a glass of wine is something I will do on occasion.

I was told six months. It's supposed to hit you more quickly and stay in your system longer, along with slow down weight loss. Interestingly, the literature shows that having gastric bypass is more likely to increase your risk of being an alcoholic.

I am so sorry that you've had so many problems. I agree with previous poster that you should see a therapist who handles eating disorders. My doctor required preop meetings with a therapist and I think it was soooo helpful to me. Half of the battle is knowing you see foods as fix for your emotional problems. My brother is a recovering alcoholic. When he gets stressed he wants to drink. I want to eat a browie. As to losing 10 pounds a month. Who came up with that? You or your doctor? Most doctors say 1-2 pounds a week which would be 4-8 pounds a month. I am a slow loser and can be at less than 1 pound a week. Being too tight can and will lead to band complications and it won't help you loose weight. You will rely on high calorie liquids to eat and those liquids won't make you feel full. Which causes you to eat more.

Thanks guys, this is definitely a change for me considering how I handled my brother's death. I spent over a year in a drunken stupor and gained 50 pounds. I figured I need a plan B this time around since none of the food or alcohol made me feel better anyways. I guess I've just resigned myself to the fact that I am going to feel this way no matter what. it takes all my willpower to just get up, go to work, and try to function when all I want to do is curl up and cry. (Actually had an anxiety attack, couldn't breathe and nearly passed out in the shower this morning). Continuing to visit and post on BP is one of my many attempts to try and be "normal". His wife has arranged for counseling for their son and both of us are looking at grief counseling for ourselves. I thought losing my brother was hard, but a suicide takes all this shit to a whole other level. For the first time in my life I've encountered a state of mental anguish that I just don't know how to begin to deal with. (Other than to keep cleaning....it's my new obsession!) Sorry for the hijack but Thanks for letting me rant.

I was due to have the gastric sleeve operation on 30th April.. I cancelled..I am now scheduled on 31st September..I'm having a hard time coming to grips with the surgery fees...Whilst I can afford it, I feel guilty that I'm spending that money on. ME....IM ANGRY with MYSELF...angry that I have to resort to surgery to lose the 40kg I had put on the previous 2 years...ANGRY because I don't recognise my reflection in the mirror...I don't want to look like this anymore...ive become a functioning alcoholic...ive become sad and lost over the loss of two people who have tragedy checked out of this life....Ive just let myself go...So I've come to the conclusion...that if I don't do this surgery I will die.... So I'm resetting my Life Clock...I am worth more than the price of a surgery...I just didn't think I had the energy or strength to do anything about changing my life's path...I'm an optimist...I'm a Libran..I can see light at the end of this tunnel...I can see me...and I can see the person in that reflection..Its ME.. I look forward to my journey... Bless to everyone on their Tasmania Australia Sent from my SM-N980F using BariatricPal mobile app

Hope they didnt spend a fortune on this study. People with major depression use all kinds of substances to numb out...food, drugs, alcohol, sex, ...food releases endorphins (ergo comfort food) it affects the hypothalmus the pleasure center. You can feel, numb. sleepy, coma like, comforted for the moment. All addictive substances work the same way. However a person with a MDD will not overeat lettuce and an alcholic will not overdrink milk. Each chooses chemically altering , brain altering things Psych med hugely affect weight gain and metabolism. I added a med that I totally forgot about and then gaimed ike 60lbs. But I wasnt eating more. I went to all kinds of doctors, who either ruled out hypothyroidism or frankly didnt beleive me that I was not overeating. "Calories in Calories out" PAHLEEZE. They I remembered this drug that was added, research it, caused weight gain, removed it and weight came off. It affect sex drive too...so save that study money. Depression can make people eat..then eating wheat flour and sugar for an addict will set up a chemical dependency and then the depression/wt gain vicious cycle is in motion. Then your in chicken or egg territory. Basically its addiction and when you a depressed you want to alter your feelings fast and often. And if you are a sugar addict, the quicket way to get the sugar craving going is drinking alcohol. Its like injecting sugar right into your veins. If you are not an alcoholic, you will then be off on a food binge from a drink. . HOW DO YOU GET PAID TO DO THESE STUDIES???? HIRE ME PLEASE

Don't panic. The PCP sounds like he needs to do some continuing education on WLS. That study primarily focuses on people who had RNY, since the sleeve didn't become popular until later.Those of us who had RNY can be at higher risk for bone loss because we have had several feet of the top part of our digestive tract removed. That's the malabsorption thing people talk about. VSG folks are still essentially intact but with just a smaller stomach (one of the highlights of VSG). Of course, keep taking your Calcium unless instructed otherwise by your surgery center, but as long as there are not other non-WLS factors that could cause bone loss (ongoing untreated low Vitamin D, heavy smoking or alcohol use, etc), the chances are low. This is based on findings from several studies by the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) - the managing organization for everything WLS. See screenshots. No more risk than with a lab band, and those have NO digestive tract change/removed. Hope that helps! ~SW: 278 CW: 165~ RNY 1/5/2005 "What got you here won't get you there."

My alcoholic brother called me "a fat f#cking b#tch !!" ...story gets better though...... A year later and 5 mths after my surgery the alcoholic said "you f#ckin b#tch" I was ready and prepared. I said, "that's right you can call me a f#cking b#tch but you can't call me a fat f#cking b#th no more, can you?!?! His mouth just dropped and he walked away and now I weigh less than him ........ I may have been fat but I'm not an alcoholic hurting everyone in their path Sent from my LGL84VL using BariatricPal mobile app

I did make sure to get all my protein in, and I ate NO junk, no processed food. I tried to make every single bite as nutritionally dense as possible. I made soups, green berry smoothies, ate a lot of yogurt and cottage cheese, home grown pumpkin and garden veggies, some fish, a little fruit (like 1/2 apple or a mandarin orange.) I was also using lentils and other legumes, as well as still using some protein powder. No grain based carbs, no nut butters, very limited fruit. I reached goal very quickly and have maintained now for a year. I am now plant based and do not even try to count calories any more. I still get about 60 gm of protein a day, but I eat whatever I want now and as much as I want. I am never hungry. Mind you, I get in about 10 servings of fruits/veggies a day, eat a moderate amount of whole grains, plenty of legumes, nuts and seeds, but no sugar, simple carbs, processed or junk food, No soda, no alcohol, no caffeine. Never felt better, have tons of energy, no pain, no sleep apnea. Blood pressure is normal now, and my fatty liver is now normal. Cholesterol plummeted to 152, as did my LDL and triglycerides. Losing over 100 pounds made a world of difference - a whole new life. But going whole food plant based (WFPB) took it to a whole new level of health and wellness. My other fat life seems like a distant dream now - and I'm never going back there! Bottom line - success at lifelong weight loss means making lifelong changes in food choices, habits, exercise patterns, and lifestyle. We must let go of the things that made us fat in the first place, and embrace the new things that will bring us success for the long term. It can be a scary journey, but worth every step!

Yes!! And I truly believe this is yet another reason to try to avoid alcohol (at least for me); I tend to pay no heed to the signals of fullness if I have had a cocktail or wine.

Don't beat yourself up, look at it as a lesson learned and move forward. Most of us have found that while we can still drink alcohol, it only takes one or two drinks to get a buzz and anymore than that can be dangerous. Sent from my iPad using VST

Hi Everyone, I'm Michele T addict, alcoholic, cancer survivor, and friend of Bill's celebrating 7 years sober today. What a gift! I'm getting sleeved on Aug 16 and really aware that my disease can manifest is many other places. Today a cute guy on a motorcycle smiled at me and I was high for an hour (oh and for that hour I almost forgot I was married) Everything is a drug to me so I've stepped up my meetings and when I read the BB I am always reading it and putting food, shopping, men, ect in place of alcohol. I'm in the midst of a deep 4th step right now to try to clean out the cobwebs and be ready for this next phase of my amazing journey. Nice to know there are others here. Hugs, Michele

As WLS gets more and more democratized, a certain type of patient will have access to it. Prior to its large-scale availability, the type of patient who would undergo the procedure was willing to do whatever it took to succeed. He/she was knew his/her life was at stake. Now, with WLS criteria being lowered, and more insurance companies covering it, or loans being made available to cover it, the patient base is much much larger. And with that, you get some people who slip through the pre-op psych evaluations...or don't even have to get a pre-op psych eval. So you get people like you report here...people who really don't have the mindset that is necessary and fundamental to success with the lapband (or sleeve, or bypass). People who will game the tool. (This is analogous to people who lose weight with something like Weight Watchers, but take all their points in chocolate, alcohol or other not-healthy foods. They may make it to goal, but they won't stay there long.) These are the people who skew the success rate statistics due to their non-compliance with post-op rules. It's a shame but it will become more prevalent as the procedures become democratized and normalized and available to a wider market. I would definitely speak up because misinformation is being diffused by this person, and that misinformation is harmful not only for the person hearing it (who won't question it, as you did), but also for the success rate of the band in general. The person delivering that information needs to be trained correctly, so the practice who is employing her should know about this. Ultimately it does no good for the practice if their patients don't succeed with the band, so they will want to hear your feedback.

I personally used to love beer , i drank a few the night the night before i started my per op diet lol . And that was my good bye forever , i am really sad about it lol But i know its for the best . I had my surgery nov 20 i am about 8 weeks out . I keep telling myself i Will be able to Drink alcohol one day Except beer . My nut and doctor said it was one thing i would give up forever .