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@@Sinta "My question is I wonder if it would be completely crazy to have a single vodka tonic?" YES. You are still healing. You don't want anything to irritate healing tissues. Learn to enjoy without alcohol. If you find you don't like it and you are feeling pouty, just remember you made a huge investment in yourself, and you will be better later. My ex wife gave up drinking for preganacies, and I abstained in solidarity.

Okay, I have 56 hours until my surgery. Not that I am counting the minutes or anything. :smile: So, I have this wonderful family. My folks live very close by, in the house I grew up in. My sister & her family live 3 blocks from them. I am married to an incredibly sweet man and have two sensational children! I know, it's sickening. :wink2: I also have a crazy, abusive, alcoholic Aunt, so it ain't all butterflies and rainbows! Anyhoodles, my daughter is my buddy. She just turned eighteen and I couldn't be more proud of her. However, the last few weeks I have noticed she hasn't said a word about my upcoming surgery. Hasn't asked any questions. I was begining to interpret her lack of interest as her not loving me. Even when I would bring up the subject of my surgery, she wouldn't comment. Finally, after school as I sat listening to her tell me all about her day, I decided to get to the bottom of the issue. I started off by asking her if she was worried about the actual surgery. To my surprise she broke down in tears and told me she was scared to death for me! Holy cow! This whole time the child has been so scared, she refused to acknowledge the subject! What I realized is that yes, I am begining a journey. However, I made the choice to take it. The rest of my family did not. They just kind of got dragged into it. I really need to remember that while I will most definitely need support during this process, so will each very special member of my family!!!

I don't think ads for any thing should be band, smoking or alcohol or any thing else for that matter. people need to have will power and if they don't, then thats part of life. I for one can say that food advertisement rarely makes me want to go buy something or eat something, I come up with that feeling all on my own. This reminds me of a story my friend told me...he's a heavy smoker and he said he would be sitting at home watching tv not even thinking about smoking, but then one of those adds against smoking would come on (I can't remember what the group is called but they make lots of tv ads with the bad statistics against smoking) and he said as soon as he saw the ad AGAINST smoking, it would make him want to smoke.... McDonald's is a business and their looking to make money. Their primary concern is NOT our health. And who can blame them, business is what makes the world go round. The make tasty food because thats what people buy and because thats what makes them money, and I don't think we should deny them that by cutting of their primary source of advertisement. Its just not fair business practice. (speaking as someone with an MBA in my pocket) Business have a right too, just as well as consumers. The women who won that coffee burn lawsuit was ridiculous (stupid... use cup holders don't put a hot drink in between ur legs), as were the people who sued the tobacco companies. (who cares if smoking use to be thought of as harmless, every day things we think are harmless are being shown to be harmful...are we going to go sue all those companies as well?) WE decide what to do with our bodies and we can't throw the blame on any one else.

i do worry about that last one. addiction issues run in my family. alcohol, gambling, food seems if you got my blood in you you get to fight one or all of these. hell some days i think i am addicted to being worried about addiction haven't drank in 20 years cause i promised myself i would never be my father love poker so much i won't allow myself to play more than once or twice a year cause i see nothing but a dark road down that path Now food is gone so i spend my time worried about what i'll have to worry about next. some days the whole bigger brain thing just seems more trouble than its worth.

I had gastritis, Barrett's esophagitis, a Barrett's polyp, and a hiatal hernia. The polyp was removed. The hiatal hernia was repaired during my gastric bypass surgery. I was put on omeprazole after surgery and follow up scope showed total resolution of the Barretts! However, there were signs of eosinophilic esophagitis which resolved once I stopped whey protein. THEN....... I developed a bleeding ulcer 9 months post op. Fortunately, it also resolved with omeprazole and remains resolved now 19 months post op, with no medication. With the weight loss and elimination of whey protein, and time to completely heal (doc says maybe a rogue suture caused the ulcer), it seems that all issues are now resolved. I continue to avoid all caffeine, soda, and alcohol. PS: Chronic gastritis (inflammation) and irregular Z-line are very common findings in the general population. Once you lose weight and reduce the acid reflux, this may well resolve. It is nothing that will prevent surgery, and surgery will most likely help.

Oh I'm so glad I didn't watch the biggest loser. I would have been fuming based on what you all are saying about the put down once again of folks who've had WLS. There needs to be a concerted effort to show that those with WLS are able to keep the weight off better than those who have not had WLS. Then maybe it won't be seen as the easy way out but the more permanent solution. I bet if there was a surgery to help alcoholics stay away from the booze, there would be lots of those surgeries and it would be called a medical miracle. Why oh why are we put down for being fat, and then put down for being successful in losing/maintaining a healthy weight. You can't win for losing I guess. F**K 'em all.

Protein h2o is my favorite coconut one tastes just like piña colada without alcohol & has 20g protein

I drinked about 10 weeks out but it was only wine and sangria. I was only able to tolerate 1/2 glass and i felt really drunk! Be careful because after our bypass if you drink it increases your alcohol level way more than a regular person. Do not drink and drive ever after bypass! even if its a half of glass. But, other than the woosiness i tolerated and didnot get sick. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

I used rubbing alcohol when that happened. Then followed by benedryl HW 242, SW 236- Bypass 12/20/17 GW#1- 199 [emoji736]. GW#2- 175 CW 192 5’6”

Last night I attended the bariatric support group meeting of my local medical group. There were 35 people in the room including a staff nutritionist and the Procedure Scheduling Coordinator. The attendees fell mostly into three groups. The first group were people going through the process of being approved for surgery. The second group had received surgery recently and were in the first few months of reducing. The third group were people who had surgery about a year ago and had lost a substantial amount of weight. And then there was me. I was the only one there who'd had WLS more than a year ago (2003 is certainly more than a year ago!). As I listened to the discussion, what struck me was that the main voices in the room were those in the honeymoon period. Most speakers were less than a year out from their surgery, had lost a tremendous amount of weight and were very euphoric. The theme that dominated the session was that it is smart for the prospective patient and those in the first few months post-surgery to surround themselves with people who have only positive things to say about their WLS, only read positive message boards and blogs, and keep away from any 'negative' perspectives. I make a point of spending time on message boards where people are struggling with their weight-loss surgery. I need to be able to understand their challenges in addition to those I have personally faced. As a Life Coach I need to see why and how people struggle and how they get beyond it. In addition to benefiting me professionally, this helps me on my own journey to maintain my goal weight when my old thoughts and behavior patterns re-appear. I spoke up to the group last night because I think it's important for all of us to focus not only on the positive, but also to acknowledge the land-mines that anyone can experience after weight-loss surgery. Otherwise, the opportunity is lost to learn from the struggles of others and avoid avoidable pit-falls. Weight loss surgery is an amazing tool for change, but it isn't good for everyone. Attention to some peoples' bad post-surgical experiences is an opportunity to balance the information given (or not given) by the those with an economic incentive to sell surgery. For example, at last night's meeting there was a woman (who has been approved for surgery in November) talking about how she looked forward to the end surgery would bring to her desire to eat in stressful situations. The professionals in the room were silent. I said to this woman, "Many weight-loss surgery patients still battle the tendency to eat when stressed." I told her that she shouldn't expect the surgery to eliminate the desire to eat when stressed and that it would be wise to begin to create strategies now for dealing with her stress after surgery. I told her that in my experience and in the experience of many of my clients, the stressful situations that triggered the desire to eat in the past are still very present after weight-loss surgery. With the loss of food as an ally and a slimming body that can feel vulnerable and unprotected in the world many turn to drugs or alcohol or force unhealthy foods down their throats looking for a de-stressor or comfort. Last night's discussion leads me to ask you, the BariatricPal veteran, the following questions: What were you told prior to surgery about life after surgery that was not entirely true or was not the entire story? What do you wish you had fully understood prior to surgery that you did not and what do you believe would have put you in the best possible position to succeed after surgery? What information, if any, was missing in the lead-up to your surgery that gave you unreasonable expectations or that led to disappointment in the months or years since surgery? I don't pose these questions to be negative, I want as many people as possible to succeed with their surgeries! I want to clear the air and "add to the record" about what weight-loss surgery does and what it will NEVER do. So, those of you who have had surgery, what do you want those considering surgery to know?

I found this information and I thought it was good to post for "New Post-OP Sleevers" and/or if some "Veteran Sleevers" out there would like to review or restart their Post-OP phase because maybe the hit a stall: Dietary Guidelines After Bariatric Surgery General Guidelines Eat balanced meals with smaill portions.Keep a daily record of your food portions and of your calorie and protein intake.Eat slowly and chew small bites of food thoroughly.Avoid rice, bread, raw vegetables and fresh fruits, as well as meats that are not easily chewed, such as pork and steak. Ground meats are usually better tolerated.Do not use straws, drink carbonated beverages or chew ice. They can introduce air into your pouch and cause discomfort.Avoid sugar, sugar-containing foods and beverages, concentrated sweets and fruit juices.For the first two months following surgery, your calorie intake should be between 300 and 600 calories a day, with a focus on thin and thicker liquids.Daily caloric intake should not exceed 1,000 calories. Fluids Drink extra water and low-calorie or calorie-free fluids between meals to avoid dehydration. All liquids should be caffeine-free. Sip about 1 cup of fluid between each small meal, six to eight times a day. We recommend drinking at least 2 liters (64 ounces or 8 cups) of fluids a day. You will gradually be able to meet this target. We strongly warn against drinking any alcoholic beverages. After surgery, alcohol is absorbed into your system much more quickly than before, making its sedative and mood-altering effects more difficult to predict and control. Protein Preserve muscle tissue by eating foods rich in protein. High-protein foods include eggs, meats, fish, seafood, tuna, poultry, soy milk, tofu, cottage cheese, yogurt and other milk products. Your goal should be a minimum of 65 to 75 grams of protein a day. Don't worry if you can't reach this goal in the first few months after surgery. Supplements You must take the following supplements on a daily basis to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Please remember that all pills must be crushed or cut into six to eight small pieces. You are not able to absorb whole pills as well as before surgery, and it can be difficult for the pills to pass through your new anatomy. Multivitamins Take a high-potency daily chewable multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains a minimum of 18 mg of iron, 400 mcg of folic acid, selenium, copper and zinc. Brands that contain this formula include Trader Joe’s and Centrum Adult chewable multivitamins. Take two tablets daily for at least three months after your surgery, and then one tablet daily for life. Calcium Supplement Take 1,200 to 2,000 mg of calcium daily to prevent calcium deficiency and bone disease. To enhance absorption, take the calcium in two to three divided doses throughout the day - for example, a 500 to 600 mg supplement taken three times a day. Calcium citrate is the preferred form of calcium. Vitamin D Supplement Take a total of 800 to 1,000 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D each day. This total amount should be taken in divided doses of 400 to 500 IUs twice a day. Vitamin D should be taken with your calcium supplement. If you prefer, you can take a combination calcium-vitamin D supplement to avoid taking multiple pills, so long as it contains the proper dosages. Vitamin B12 Supplement Take 500 mcg of vitamin B daily. It can be taken as a tablet, or in sublingual forms placed under the tongue. Other Supplements Some patients need additional folic acid or iron supplements, particularly women who are still menstruating. Your dietitian will discuss this with you. Diet Progression After Bariatric Surgery Immediately following surgery, you will begin with a clear liquid diet. You may gradually start adding thicker liquids to your diet after you are discharged from the hospital. Two weeks following surgery, you may progress to blended and puréed foods. You may use high-protein (more than 20 grams protein), low-calorie (less than 200 calories) liquid supplement drinks or powders to meet your protein requirements during this period. It is important to know that following surgery, your stomach size is very small - less than 1/4 cup, or about the size of an egg. The opening that allows food to pass out of your stomach is also very narrow. For this reason, it is important to take only two to three sips or bites at a time of any new food and then wait 10 minutes before taking more. This will help you learn your limits and tolerance. Liquids will empty faster from your stomach than soft solids. If you overeat or eat too quickly, you may experience nausea or pain. You should avoid rich, creamy liquids such as gravies, sauces and ice creams. Diet for the First Two Weeks Post-Surgery You will begin adding thicker liquids that are high in protein and low in fat and sugar. (For examples, see the list below.) You may use high-protein, low-calorie liquid supplement drinks or powders to meet your protein requirements during this period. The goal is to consume small portions that will empty easily from your pouch. Begin with 1 tablespoon portion sizes and increase to 2 tablespoons as tolerated. Begin drinking 1/4 cup of liquid at a time and increase to a 1/2 cup as tolerated. Your daily caloric intake should not exceed 400 calories. It is also very important to stay well hydrated. Drink 1 to 1.5 liters of water or other non-caloric liquids per day. Recommended thicker liquids: Nonfat or 1% milk, if you can tolerate milk Lactose-free or soy-based low-calorie drinks Sugar-free pudding Sugar-free, nonfat yogurt Low-fat cottage cheese Blended broth-based soup or other low-fat soups Refined hot cereals that are low in fiber, such as cream of rice or cream of wheat. Make them with extra liquid to create a soup-like consistency. Do not eat oatmeal. Optional high-protein, low-calorie liquid supplement drinks (drinks containing less than 200 calories and more than 20 grams of protein in an 8- to 11-ounce serving). To increase your protein intake, add 2 tablespoons non-fat dry milk powder, egg substitute or powered egg, or other protein powder to each 1/2 cup of nonfat or low-fat milk. You can also add these to soups, hot cereal and other thick liquids. Remember to drink 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluids between meals. Take a multivitamin supplement every day. Diet for Weeks Two to Four Post-Surgery Begin adding very small portions of puréed and soft foods as tolerated. Take very small bites and chew everything very well. Do not take more than two bites every 20 minutes when adding a new food. Recommended puréed and soft foods: Applesauce Yogurt Cottage cheese Well-cooked, puréed vegetables Hot cereals Mashed potatoes Noodles Scrambled egg whites or egg substitute Canned fruits Canned tuna fish Lean fish Tofu Lean ground meats or poultry Avoid all bread and meats that are not easily chewed. Recommended Meal Plan For Weeks Two to Eight Until Two Months Post-Surgery At this time, your caloric intake will probably be no more than 500 calories a day, divided into six to eight small meals. Recommended portion sizes are 1/4 cup for solids and 1/2 cup for liquids. Sample Menu This sample menu includes different foods that are safe for you to eat. You may adjust the menu to fit your tastes and tolerance. Breakfast 1/4 cup hot cereal made with non-fat milk Mid-Morning 1/2 cup nonfat milk* Late Morning Two scrambled egg whites Lunch 1/2 cup low-fat chicken noodle soup Mid-Afternoon 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese Late Afternoon 1/4 cup sugar-free, nonfat yogurt Dinner 2 ounces lean ground meat 1/4 cup puréed or well-cooked vegetables Bedtime Snack 1/4 cup non-fat milk * Add 1 tablespoon non-fat dry milk powder to each 1/4 cup nonfat milk for additional protein. Remember to drink 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluids between meals. It is important to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement every day, plus additional iron if required, and calcium and vitamin D supplements two to three times per day. Recommended Meal Plan for Two to Six Months Post-Surgery Consume 900 to 1,000 calories and at least 65 to 75 grams of protein a day. For balanced nutrient intake, your daily servings should include: 3 servings milk and dairy products (nonfat and low-fat) 3 servings meat or meat alternative (lean and low-fat) 3 servings starch (limit bread and rice) 1 serving fruit (avoid dried fruits and fruits with skin) 2 servings vegetable (well-cooked only) Recommended portion sizes are 1/4 cup for solids and 1/2 cup for liquids. Discontinue taking high-protein liquid supplement drinks or powders if possible. We recommend meeting your protein needs with food. Sample Menu This sample menu includes different foods that are safe for you to eat. You may adjust the menu to fit your tastes and tolerance. Breakfast 1 egg or 1/4 cup egg substitute 1/2 cup hot cereal Mid-Morning 1/2 cup nonfat milk Late Morning 1/2 cup chopped melon Lunch 1/2 cup low-fat chicken noodle soup Two Saltine crackers Mid-Afternoon 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese 1/4 cup canned fruit packed in water or juice Late Afternoon 1/2 cup sugar-free, nonfat yogurt Dinner 2 ounces lean meat or fish 1/4 cup mashed potatoes 1/4 cup pureed or well-cooked vegetables Bedtime Snack 1/2 cup nonfat milk The sample menu offers eight small meals per day. You may wish to eat more or less often, but be sure to eat at least six times each day. Remember to drink 1 cup of water or other non-caloric fluid between meals. It is important to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement daily, plus additional iron if required. In addition, you must take calcium and vitamin D supplements two to three times per day. Recommended Meal Plan for Six Months Post-Surgery and Beyond Continue consuming 900 to 1,000 calories per day Decrease to three meals and only one to two snacks per day Discontinue taking high-protein liquid supplement drinks Increase the variety of low-fat, low-sugar and low-calorie foods, as tolerated Avoid raw vegetables, fresh fruits with skins, dried fruits, breads, popcorn, nuts and red meats only if poorly tolerated Long-term Dietary Guidelines Over time, you will be able to increase the variety and consistency of foods in your diet. Some foods may continue to be poorly tolerated, including red meats, chicken, breads, and high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Focus on low-fat, low-sugar and low-calorie foods and continue to count your calories every day. Try to meet your serving goals for all food groups based on the 900 to 1,000 calories diet plan described above. To stay well hydrated, drink at least 2 liters of water or non-caloric fluids daily, unless this is contraindicated due to a medical condition.

Children of alcoholic parents often get stuck in a care giving role of responsibility for the parent. They end up being thrust into a parental like role, which is enabling and unhealthy. You are NOT responsible for your mom, for her decisions, for her lies to the doctor, for her weight loss or lack there of, or for her long term success or failure. You are only responsible for YOU. For heavens sake, go to your OWN follow up appointments and let her go to hers. You are each on your own journeys in this. She is not going to stop drinking or smoking because of this surgery, and she may well develop complications because of that. You are not responsible for that - SHE is. She has you wrapped around her little finger. You can love your mom and wish the best for her, but you cannot live her life for her. You have one big job right now and that is to take care of YOU! Get yourself out of the house and back to college. You are putting your own success at risk by trying so hard to ensure your mom's success - but that is HER journey, not yours. I strongly suggest you get to some Alanon meetings and learn how to be supportive without enabling, and how to take care of yourself. Please do this, or get some kind of counselling. Alcoholism is not a benign disorder. It deeply affects all members of a family in profound and damaging ways, You are on a whole new path now - a path to a healthy, long, happy life. You will be making many dietary and lifestyle changes, and I can tell you are determined to do this well and be successful. I truly believe you will achieve your goals in this. Be warned that your mom is probably going to try to undermine you, as her own progress slows down because of her compromises. You need to be as far away as possible so you can disconnect yourself from her issues. Your own life is complicated enough, and a responsible young lady like you does not need to be looking out for Mom. She is a grown up and can look out for herself and make her own choices. Please use this time to get healthy in every way - including mentally and psychologically. Some counselling regarding the alcoholic influence will be very helpful. Very best wishes to you.

It always sends off warning bells in my head when I hear things like this. It means that alcohol is pretty important to you, and you may have trouble with it when you can no longer "use" food. Please be aware!! You might blow off this post, and think, "alcohol is not a problem for me." If that is the case, it should not be a problem to give it up.

My last beer was a sip of beer at Fenway park the night before surgery. Since then I'm am enjoying a whisky when I imbibe. No carbonation.... Fewer ounces. We all know it is the same calorie count either way. About 100 cals 3500 cals = one pound. The big thing to rebember is alcohol is a dis- inhibitor. We sometimes make poor choices, and decisions after drinking.

Eh. Nothing has hurt my sleeve but diet coke. (A sip at that). Alcohol has not affected me any stronger.

I think i'm just having one of those pitty party days. . . i'm just feeling sorry for myself today. . . i don't want to discourage anyone from getting their surgery, it's a good surgery and will help anyone who needs it. . . but i didn't realize that food is used for so many things. .as a comfort tool and that i snacked so much before. . i always thought i had it under control . . . now that i can't even get as much as 4 oz in, and only of 1 thing, well i'm feeling sorry for myself. . . i'll get over it, probably just "withdrawal" sorta like an alcoholic i guess. . . have to go to a support class which falls on the 21st. . . the eye opened yesterday when daughter and i came home from getting her stitches out from her surgery. . . usually we would go to our favorite restaurant and have have a nice Mexican dinner. . .El Saboritos . . . this time all i could do is take her to sonic and watch. . . . but i did good, i hung in there with my stupid cottage cheese and Jello . . . yummmy . . . then of course i still have to cook for my family, well today is pot roast, mashed potatoes and corn. . . me, well yogurt and Protein powder, yummmmy. . . . i know this will pass one day but in the mean time i'm just feeling under the weather i guess. . . . thanks for listening!

Yes, absolutely. There are many reasons you fall off the wagon, usually falling off the wagon isnt introducing a bit more lean meat, vegetables and legumes in to your diet to ward off hunger, its going off the rails and eating high calorie and nutritionally void foods too frequently. Nobody gets obese eating comforting portions of lean meats, vegetables and legumes most of the time and treating themselves occassionaly. If you dont feel good eating filling portions of nutritionally dense food then you have a phycological issue, you arent suffering physically from this. Its difficult to gain weight by over indulging in lean protein and vegetables, but you can by over indulging in potatoes or high calorie processed foods. So I dismiss the idea that people stop eating nutritionally dense low calorie foods because? What? they're starving? What is the pressure that makes them not able to do it anymore? How is it not sustainable? Are they low on energy? If you are saying they dont feel good because they crave high calorie foods too often and want to give in to temptations often enough that it causes weight gain then that is phycological and can be changed with persistance its like an addiction. You wouldnt be saying this to an alcoholic. I felt like I wasnt getting anywhere on wholefoods after a while, but in hindsight if I kept going I would have broke the plateu eventually, even if I didnt it would be a better place than I am at now. I take full responsibility for mucking things up for me.

I like sweet drinks like pina coladas, where you can't taste the alcohol. One of the major reasons I don't drink is that I hate the way I feel afterwards. I get major hot flashes if I drink any alcohol, and I do mean any. I start sweating, my face turns red, and I honestly feel like I'm about to either puke or faint.

Thank you for all the kind words. This is such a great place for connecting with the people who "understand" what we are going through. I told my wife the other day, even though I am not physically hungry, mentally is a different story. I told her that it is like being a recovering alcoholic. That we battle with this mentally all the time. We may not show it, but every commercial with food and innocent casual conversation about what's for dinner is a struggle. But we have a prize at the end of the tunnel and know in a few months we can taste that food again and that keeps you going. My wife, I think, understands the best she can, but until your body is going through this you never ever will. Now, I am not a sweets person, so I am in search of recipies for the full liquid diet that is not on the sweet side. I found a great one for potatoe cheese soup.

Penni, read post "Lisa is in the funny farm." I'm not sure I can meet the challenge since I'll need food, drugs, and alcohol to feed my emotional breakdown. Oh, but now that I have a new (go read the post) I need my Total Gym pronto... maybe in 2 weeks we'll meet cuz I need buff arms if I'm gonna be a "HC" (again, read post.)

Nooooooooooooooo.......no alcohol. It is wayyyyyyy too soon. Sorry to hear about your stall. Have you contacted your doctor?

Hey I did that! This was the weekend I crossed over the line between overly cautious and eating what I'd really like. So here's what happened - Friday night was at El Fenix with the family. I ate a taco and drank 1/3 of a peach margarita. And a few chips. I was quite full and I discovered that it's true what they say about sleeves and alcohol. I didn't need very much at all. Saturday night - we went to a local sports bar. I ate 1 stuffed jalapeno pepper. Man was it good! Had 1/2 of a buffalo chicken wing and about 7 chili cheese fries. I was full and couldn't eat another bite. Had less than half of a frozen margarita and lost interest in it. i wasn't sick and felt fine other than being full. So now I know. I can eat some of this stuff from time to time and not become ill. It was an awesome discovery.

Phatty, I am so sorry for your and your partner's loss. Losing a baby, no matter if you are in the first month, or the ninth month is very difficult. It is not the fault of the band. He is grieving as are you, and one of the stages in that grief is anger. You are both going through a tough time and need a chance to heal. The honest answer is that in most cases we do NOT know why women miscarry. It just happens, and I have to trust that it happens for a reason. I work in Neonatology (we take care of extremely sick and premature babies) and I can tell you from many years of experience, you can do EVERYTHING by the book, eat right, exercise right, avoid smoking, avoid alcohol, take no medications, and still have problems. You did not cause this intentionally. I do hope things get better for you, there are many loss groups out there, when you feel up to it you might want to look into them. Here's a link to one that has been around for a very long time, I hope that this helps in some way: http://www.nationalshareoffice.com/

Hey signgirl, I'm going to be banded by Dr., Clark on the 25th. I am doing the pre op diet now, though not as well as I should be. I have company this weekend and its hard to make for everyone and not eat anything..or drink anything alcoholic. I go for my pre op testing day. How is WLSC about fills? Are they conservative? Do they put anything in during your surgery?? You've done so well so far! You must be so proud of yourself. Keep up the good work!

coffee. My husband is having his coffee but he doesn't know it is 1/2 decaf. Dr. Callery Bariatric Surgeon Administrators Posted 13 October 2012 - 02:12 PM You’ve asked a great question. What is the effect of caffeine on sleeve gastrectomy? To answer your question, I did a search of the medical literature on PubMed, the index for the National Medical Library. I couldn’t find any articles that address your question directly. Incidentally, there were no articles that addressed the effect of caffeine on gastric bypass either. Next I searched for both sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass and coffee. Again the medical library search engine did not return any articles. Thus, so far there have been no studies performed on sleeve gastrectomy patients or gastric bypass patients that would permit or discourage caffeine or coffee use. Most surgeons recommend that gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy patients avoid caffeine or coffee. These recommendations stem from research work that has been done on non-weight loss surgery patients. Before looking into this further let’s distinguish between caffeine and coffee. Caffeine is an alkaloid chemical that has stimulant effects on the central nervous system as well as other parts of the body. Caffeine is a moderate stimulant of gastric acid production. In some studies it has been shown to decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure and thus potentially promote reflux. In other studies, the effect on sphincter pressure is not so clear. Coffee is brewed from the coffea plant. Coffee contains numerous biologically active chemicals including caffeine. The degree to which these compounds are present in a given cup of coffee depends on the specific species of coffee plant as well as the roasting and processing methods used to bring the coffee to market (see article by Van Deventer below). Even the type of filter used in a coffee maker will change the types of plant oils that remain in the brew. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD or GORD) is reflux of stomach juices into the esophagus. GERD can cause heartburn. There are several full medical articles attached at the bottom of this reply. Please download these for further information. Coffee/caffeine and gastric acid stimulation There is general agreement that caffeine and coffee are two factors that stimulate stomach acid production. According to Cohen and Booth (1975) “Decaffeinated coffee gave a maximal acid response of 16.5 per hour (mean)which was similar to that of regular coffee, 20.9 mEq per hour, both values being higher than that of caffeine, 8.4, on a cup-equivalent basis.” Thus there are chemicals in coffee aside from caffeine that have potent acid stimulatory effects. In this study, decaffeination did not reduce acid stimulation. Further information about decaffeinated coffee was put forth by Feldmen et. Al (1981): “At equal concentrations, decaffeinated coffee was a more potent stimulant of acid secretion and of gastrin [an acid stimulating gut hormone] release than peptone [a Protein meal acid stimulus]. The ingredient(s) of decaffeinated coffee that accounts for its high potency in stimulating acid secretion and gastrin release has not been identified.” Coffee, caffeine, and esophageal reflux There is considerable controversy in the medical literature as to the effects of coffee and caffeine on esophageal reflux. Here are the conclusions to three articles on the subject. The full article summaries are added below. Wendl (1994) writes, “Coffee, in contrast to tea, increases gastro-oesophageal reflux, an effect that is less pronounced after decaffeination. Caffeine does not seem to be responsible for gastro-oesophageal reflux which must be attributed to other components of coffee.” Boekema (1999) and associates came to an opposite conclusion: “Coffee has no important effect on gastro-oesophageal acid reflux in GORD [GERD] patients, and no effect at all in healthy subjects.” Zheng (2007) conludes, “In conclusion, this large monozygotic co-twin study provides evidence that BMI, tobacco smoking and physical activity at work facilitate the development of GER, while physical activity at leisure time appears to be a protective factor. The association between BMI and frequent GER symptoms among men may be attenuated by genetic factors. In addition, heavy coffee intake may be a protective factor of GER in men and lower education may be a potential risk factor in women.” CONCLUSIONS Caffeine, and more so, coffee and decaf coffee stimulate gastric acid production. Caffeine and coffee may promote gastroesophageal reflux. Caffeine and coffee are just two of many factors that promote gastric acid production and gastroesophageal reflux. Clinical Implications: For sleeve patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, it is best to avoid caffeine and coffee. For sleeve patients who do not have reflux, I do not see any reason not to enjoy coffee or use caffeine products in moderation. For gastric bypass patients, most surgeons recommend against caffeine and coffee because the acid stimulation that occurs may contribute to the development of anastomotic ulcers. Since there are many other factors involved in the development of these ulcers (alcohol, cigarette smoking and nicotine, and NSAID drugs), it is impossible to know how important the role of coffee and caffeine is. Most surgeons are thus saying avoid coffee and be “better safe than sorry.”