Search the Community

It does sound like you've tried other things and have been overweight a long time, so this may indeed be the right time for surgery. The only other thing I can recommend is to start seeing a therapist who specializes in eating disorders, to find out why you overeat. IMO if you don't do this, your chances of longterm recovery are lower. I always thought that I just liked the taste of food, esp sweets, more than other people, even as a child. I was always wanting more, even before I became overweight. It wasn't until my marriage started falling apart that I went looking for answers on the eating, b/c by then I knew there were emotional reasons that I ate. And I found, surprisingly to me, that those reasons went back to childhood. I've had to work hard on letting go of some of those emotions I buried deep inside, and find ways to express anger and disappointment without using food. Two years ago, surgery would not have been successful for me, I know, b/c I would have found another crutch, possibly alcohol. I've heard others become shopping addicts, using the excuse of needing new clothes at first, but later it's a new addiction. Geneen Roth has some books on Emotional Overeating that I found very helpful, too. Best of luck!

That depends on your overall history. How long have you been overweight, by how much, and what have you tried so far? If you've only been this heavy a few years, I would strongly encourage you to try other things first, or if your BMI is less than 40. OTOH, if you've been on multiple diets, have been significantly overweight since childhood, then this might be an excellent opportunity for you. No healthy eating plan, with or without WLS, is going to say going out drinking frequently is a good thing. Most healthy plans allow things like that once you reach goal, occasionally, but that's not what my college days were like LOL! You do say you're tired of wasting your life being unhealthy, but I believe you have no co-morbidities yet, right? So who says you are unhealthy? You may be very different from me, but when I was that age, it was all about looking good, not health. And while I'm not judging you at all for that, it's understandable, but it can definitely affect your commitment to something this huge. I really don't think I was emotionally mature enough then to really take on something lifelong. Maybe you could commit to trying 3-6 months of low carb, high Protein meals, without the very low calorie counts and portion sizes required by WLS, to see how committed you could be with this. If you do something like Atkins, you can also eat high fat and it keeps you full, while still losing weight due to the extremely low carbs. I was successful at that several years ago, but could not sustain it longer than 8 months in the end. So even I am worried about how I will do post-op, just counting on the hope of not wanting sweets and possible dumping. I've been overweight my entire life, and was getting close to 200's about three years ago (making me still 60-70 lbs overweight for my height/bone structure) with a BMI of 32-34 at that time. Im now 267 lbs putting my BMI at 40-41. I don't take offense easily so no worries there and I appreciate your advice. I tried montignac for a year about 5 years ago, atkins for about 6-8 months about 4 years ago, nutrisystem for 2-3 months 2 years ago (only a short time because 1 i couldn't afford 300 dollars a month for it, and 2 I gained 15 lbs the first month and another 10 lbs the second month despite following the plan to a T) Plus other methods that I had heard about from one source or another. But i've never been able to keep the weight off, and I thankfully don't lack conviction. But I want to be healthy. I don't care what others think of me, I care what I think of myself. I don't want to be skinny, I want to be able to walk around with my friends and not feel dizzy and winded like im going to pass out. I want to dance without feeling disgusting like I don't have a right to do so and without any of the above mentioned things. I have contemplated surgery for the last 2 years and finally decided to go for it when it occurred to me that I couldn't breathe when i bent down to tie my shoes, and when I realized that I weigh less than 100lbs less than my 47 y/o mom who is morbidly obese with sleep apnea and a slew of other things. It was a slap in the face that said if i didnt do something soon then i would be looking at my not so distant future. Like she was my reflection only id get it 20 years earlier, because her and I have very similar stats. Needless to say I cracked amd cried like a baby. She is 5'7" and weighs 360, i'm 5'6" and weigh 267. That is entirely too close for comfort, and I want to be better. P.S TO ALL: I'm not really in to alcohol, and didn't realize that a lot of people turn to alcohol to replace food after surgery. So if that could be cleared up that would be cool haha thank you

Anyone with information, please advise. I have two questions. 1.) For the most part, I can open gel caps and dump the powder in with Protein powder, but what about pills you can't dump out or find in a liquid? Like what if you are in an accident and you get sent home with pain meds? will a pill fill us up so we can't eat? 2.) Does medication effect us differently after surgery the way they say alcohol will? I take medication to sleep and now I wonder, am I allowed to swallow it and also will the dose I am used to seem crazy high?

My Dr requires a 14 day pre op.It calls for 2 meals of high quality, high protein,low carb,shakes mixed with water,not milk. 1 meal per day of 4oz broiled,baked or grilled chicken, turkey or fish with green Vegetables......lettuce,green beans,asparagus,cabbage ,cucumbers,zucchini,spinach and broccoli.No butter or sauces on vegetables, low carb salad dressing or salad sprinter for flavor. Allowed in limited amount diet soda, crystal lite,water, coffee no cream, tea,sugar free gelatin,fat free broths, and sugar free popsicles Avoid foods high in calories and carbohydrates,bread,beans,potatoes,corn,pasta,rice,desserts,reg soda and alcohol. Also begin taking a multivitamin once a day. This is what my Dr requires of me. To help shrink liver and got rid of fat around the area . Good luck hope this helped .

When I read the title of this thread I thought of myself and wondered if I was doing it wrong as I don't follow any "program." After reading all the posts I realize that I do! Protein/calories/fat/etc: I don't track any of it and think I would go nuts if I did. I had to do it pre-op and hated it. Made me feel like a "patient." However, I am aware of what I am eating. To me that is a real breakthrough. When I think about what I am eating I make much better choices. Protein first: Always No liquids with meals: Not a problem Exercise: Keep waiting to like it but don't yet... However, I do go to the gym at least twice a week and see a big difference! 64 oz water: I try but most days don't make it. Alcohol: I had my annual wine cooler during the Super Bowl and did fine!

I can't see why it would have made you feel any tighter. It is worth taking care though for several reasons. Empty calories Low food intake means it is like drinking on an empty stomach so it often has more effect Lowers inhibitions so we may eat more or carelessly Very high quantity of alcohol may cause vomiting which is to be avoided. I did have the occasional drink from about three or four months post-op and I am relaxed about it now. But at so far post-op, I really know how things work for me.

I didn't drink any alcohol for the first year. and than I allowed myself to drink my Christmas drink of bailey's and coffee. I would have been hesitate to drink to much with the fear of the nausea and perhaps vomiting that could have occurred. vomiting is a no no. we try hard not to do it. you can still go out with friends but do sip on one drink. you are only a few months from your surgery date.

Alcohol empty calories. I also was a major wino until about a month before surgery. Not worth starting again

@@bacon, I added an extra mile to my walking today. One down and five more to go for the week! My food was pretty good but I got yelled at by both of my daughters. After church we had lunch in a restaurant and I had a bowl of Soup and ate the chicken and hard boiled eggs out of a salad. Then I took the rest home because I'd had enough. So far, so good. Then my daughter and I shopped for her laptop and a few other items and then I came home with the overwhelming desire to fry up a dessert for everybody. I did, and had three or four of these tasty little things myself. Not a great choice but not the end of the world. Probably about 400 calories at the most. Then I had a kale salad. A few hours later I was hungry again and had another kale salad. Then I walked my extra mile for the day and here I am now. The yelling came long distance from my daughter in Madrid after I bragged about the delicious dessert I fried up. "Mom, why would you cook something like that after all the work and progress you've made? Nobody needs that stuff in the house." Then my older daughter chimed in (love group texting, don't you?) saying "Yeah, you shouldn't have made them. I didn't ask for them." So anyway, they are both right. I'm done eating the treats. They came out wonderful but I don't need them. I was proud of how they turned out and I had a few, but that kind of food will derail my weight loss. So I'm done. My younger daughter suggested that I research healthy recipes and make those kinds of foods when I get the urge to cook or bake. True. Anyway, my weight was up this morning when I woke up. It was very discouraging, especially since I had no alcohol this week and haven't gone to the movies to eat. However, the old body here is hanging on to the fat, and it's not going to let go until I up my exercise. So @@bacon's challenge came just in time. I'm going to push that extra mile each day. It's not that hard because I was a sedentary slug, so every extra bit helps. As for the 5k, I'm starting to believe it is doable. My knee pain was gone today like a miracle when the steroid shots kicked in finally. I walked the dog around the neighborhood and felt really good. My mini goal this week is to get back down to 195 by next Sunday. I'm going to walk an extra mile each day and stay away from alcohol and sweets and movie crapcorn. My daughter is in town until next weekend, and I'm taking her and her cousins out to Olive Garden Monday for dinner. I will have soup and salad and a meatball and NO breadsticks. I'm very happy to have this thread for daily check in. Thank you all. How did everyone do?

Hi all, I have a question about lapband and alcohol. I had a few too many drinks on Saturday night with some girlfriends. Since then I've had some stuck issues and vomited a bit. I am hoping this is all part of my learning curve and learning my new limits. Maybe big nights need to be a thing of the past? Has anyone else experienced this??

I drink soda every single day...diet cherry pepsi...mmmm, YUM. It doesn't bother my stomach at all. My doctor told me to lay off the soda and caffeine for the first two months and then if I could drink it if it didn't cause gas pain. There was no sleeve-related medical reason that I couldn't have it and while soda is bad for you, so are a lot of other things, most of which are not made any worse just because we only have 20% of a stomach. I figure I don't smoke, don't do drugs, rarely eat junk food, and rarely drink alcohol....if diet soda is my weakness, I'm pretty happy that's the one I have!

I've had a few cocktails here and there starting the second month after surgery. I know this is not recommended but I checked with my doctor and was told just to not over do it, and I didn't. The alcohol does affect me differently. One or two cocktails over the course of an entire evening is all I drink. My go to drink is vodka and Water (tap) then I add a flavor enhancer to it. There are tons on the market now and you can make yourself a great cocktail.. I also order it tall (twice the water same amount of vodka). This way I can track the calories and carbs without worrying about anything else in the drink. I don't drink often, maybe once a month or so, but I like to go out and have the occasional drink. I stopped drinking wine. I tried it several months ago and just couldn't take it. That makes me sad because I have wine racks in the basement with about 100 bottles of wine! Oh well, they will make excellent gifts!

Crown and Water is my first choice Riesling Chardonnay or white zin if they don't have Riesling Twisted Tea I've had hard cider and Mike's, but had to pour it over ice and let it set awhile. I had a rum and coke the other day, but the coke was VERY flat. Carbonation is the only thing I can't do. Alcohol doesn't affect me any differently postop. I barely get buzzed, so I usually don't drink that much anyways....the calories aren't worth the lack of effect. And I always feel a little dehydrated the next day.

Doesn't sound good! Drink Nesquick "No Sugar Added" Cocoa. It makes a hot cup of cocoa. Also try the Adkin's equivalent of M&M's. It uses sugar alcohol in place of refined sugar. Refined sugar is one of the reasons why I gained so much weight over the years and developed diabetes.

I think the goal of getting drunk with friends is probably problematic, but just in case you're wondering, you probably will not be able to drink as much if you have a RNY. One, alcohol irritates the heck out of your stomach. Two, you may end up throwing up - also not great for your stomach, throat and teeth. Three, alcohol makes you more likely to make bad food choices. All that said, you will also likely get a buzz or drunk off much less alcohol. Even a "girly" drink like a margarita may prove too much. - Ask me how I know Try to focus on what you have to GAIN. The things you have to lose may seem big right now, but write a list and do a comparison. What do you have to GAIN if you are successful? What do you have to lose if you DON'T have the surgery? And like others have said, this is a great conversation to have with a counselor or therapist.

Amanda, I've had a similar experience & can completely understand and empathize. I was banded in August 2010, I was desperate, had been battling my weight for 15 years. I didn't really prepare myself mentally for it & thought it would be a quick fix. For the first year I did ok but then I didn't listen to my body & started eating bigger portions & all the wrong foods, I was constantly being sick because of binging, got to the point I couldn't even keep liquid down but I thought this was good because it would mean I would lose weight!! Finally after not being able to cope with the discomfort I got it emptied, blaming everything on the band! I then tried every fad going......lived on shakes for months until I got to the stage normal food made me wretch & I didn't want to eat. I was so depressed I then went to the other end of the spectrum & starting binging in secret.....even taking food to the bathroom to have in secret......disgusting!! I realized in October 2013 I had issues & went to my GP he referred me to a eating disorder specialist......this was the turning point......I saw her every week together with a psychologist and managed to get to the bottom of my food issues which weren't actually food.......it could have been any addiction, drugs, alcohol anything I could use as a crutch. I have now been discharged from their care and have taken the first steps to lose the weight (I'm now 50lbs heavier than when I was banded).......I got my first fill 2 weeks ago & have been patient and sensible & now realize it's simply a helpful tool but you need to work with it and change your eating habits & mental attitude to succeed. Good luck Amanda I wish you well xx

I had a sweet tooth before i had WLS, i am 4 months post op and have no desires for unhealthy food. I enjoy watching others eat it more than i would actually eat it. After you work for something as hard as you do before and after WLS, you really become a new person and have different perspectives about many things.. Ask far as drinking goes, you should stay away from liquid calories.. So the best option might be vodka and a no calorie mixer.. You also are affected much differently by alcohol after weight loss surgery. Hope this helped!!!

I like all of them except not drinking alcohol for a year ????

I was a little nervous for my psych appointments too! I was required to have two appointments by my surgeon. My first appt. he asked about my past - was there any physical abuse as a child, or did I ever abuse drugs or alcohol? He also wanted to make sure that I have good support at home. It wasn't bad at all! My second appt. went very well! He told me that I'm right on track with everything I'm supposed to be doing for surgery, and told me that he was going to write his letter giving me clearance for surgery! Hope this eases your mind! And good luck!

You're right, the surgery won't do that AT ALL. The mental preparation and your commitment plays more of a role in your success (or failure) than the physical surgery. Have you ever watched my 600 pound life? It's actually quite easy to fail. But it's also easy to succeed. Sure, you will have daily struggles with food choices, emotional battles and cravings, but it's easier to win these battles with a tiny tummy to help. Knowing what your weaknesses are and learning how to move past them is something you have to do. It's easier for some than others....most WLS patients get professional counseling and therapy to help with the mental part. I never thought I wouldn't want to drink to deal with life's stresses, but it happened. I now find satisfaction and happiness from things other than food and alcohol. I know it's a corny motto, but the "eating to live, not living to eat" really can become a new reality.

I followed the good ol "Protein first, then veggies, get all my fluids and take my vitamins" rule until I reached goal. I then added in more fruit and whole grains and still lost another 10 pounds. My weight has stabilized and I've maintained for 7 months. And Like Michiganchic, I basically just eat like a normal thin person. Nothing bothers my sleeve so I pretty much eat whatever I want, making good, healthy balanced choices 80-90% of the time, and Desserts, sweets, bread, Pasta, and alcohol the other 10-20%. I can't tell you what I typically eat, because it's different every day. I do drink a large 24-32 oz smoothie everyday with 30-40g protein. This helps me get a big chunk of my protein, fluids and Fiber all in one so I'm free to eat a variety of other stuff throughout the day. I eat when I'm hungry, usually 5-6 times/day and never overeat. I don't track or measure my food, I don't count calories and I don't obsess over the scale. I nibble on most everything at parties. I ate a shit ton of sweets and all my moms great home cooking over Christmas. Yes, I gained weight because of it, but just went back to protein/veggies basics afterwards and lost it again...pretty much what my thin friends do after the holidays or a vacation. I go out with friends and order whatever looks yummy. It's just now I always have leftovers to take home. I have an occasional glass of wine or cocktail. Alcohol doesn't affect me any different than preop, and unfortunately I am NOT a lightweight...it takes a LOT for me to get tipsy, so I really don't bother drinking much anymore. I was pretty much a functional alcoholic before surgery, so this is probably the biggest change. This has actually been a very easy transition and a lifestyle I can easily maintain. Sure, lots of changes from a nutritional standpoint, but I don't feel deprived in any way. I look back now at all the crap I ate and think Yuck...no wonder I felt so lousy for so long!

I too am brutally honest, so thank you for not sugar coating. But i didnt realize last night that a lot of post op ppl have a problem with alcoholism so i wish now that id used better examples. No ive had drinks in the past and never been a "drinker". I was worrying about limitations that WLS would give me, simply so that i would know about them. I already have limitations from being fat! Haha so naturally this isnt really a problem for me, but if id have to be vegan bcuz of WLS id want to know. Ya know? I don't watch TV, so i'm not sure what a dear me is?

Thank you all for replying! I just wana say that im not an alcoholic lol i didnt realize last night that ppl had probs with alcoholism post op. I probably couldve used better examples, but what i meant was that i was worried about irreversible effects that WLS will have because to me, despite the fact that this weight issue is so important to me, long term effects are something to think about. They should be considered, especially since im a natural worry wart But one thing ppl could not say is that im rushing into it or not considering the rest of my life and potential limitations.

I'm 27 and pre-op. I'm having gastric bypass on 4/6/15. I have all the same concerns you are, but I'm beginning to weigh the potential positives over the potential negatives. Your first year will be difficult. You're going to have to relearn how to eat and drink and maintain your new lifestyle of Protein, Vitamins, exercise etc. My doctor's post op instructions ban alcohol for a year. Others have had alcohol within their first year. Every body is different, but my doctor boasts a low number of patients with post op complications and problems if they adhere to her instructions. The things I worry most about are being isolated from my friends. They love to eat, and they're not against an all day Mimosa Sunday Funday. Then I think about what I was doing that caused me to gain so much weight. The bulk of my weight was gained after I turned 20. I had a boyfriend who worked in fast food/nightlife industry. Then I turned 21. I went out to drink a lot. After drinking, we ate greasy food to end the night. The next day you eat shitty food to nurse your hangover. It was cyclical. I attribute a lot of my problems with food to the social aspect of it. We eat to Celebrate, we eat to catch up, we drink to destress from the work week etc. I won't be able to do that anymore. Food for me has to be nutrition only; not to celebrate, not to cope, not for boredom. You'll have to learn to eat to live, not live to eat. And it's going to be really hard. And if your friends are your age and not dealing with the same struggles you are, it's going to be harder because they aren't going to be able to offer the type of support you'll need. I agree with @@Djmohr, you need to express all of your concerns to a therapist or psychologist. And you should find a support group for WLS patients and see if you can't find a WLS buddy or mentor, especially to get you through the first year. Good luck with whatever you decide <3

I am one week post op gastric sleeve and am doing really well. I am 66 years old and on the opposite end of the lifecycle. My reasons for wls were improving health and mobility in order to enjoy the rest of my life. I was wondering what methods you have already tried and also if you already have medical issues.? Your fears are normal for sure. The alcohol issue is a moot one for me as I do not drink but if you have problems with alcohol would address that ASAP. Wish you well on this journey.