Search the Community

The Core plan is different from the Flex plan in that you aren't alotted a certain amount of points per day. There is a core foods list, and you can eat any of the foods until you are satisfied. The list includes these (quoted) food groups: Lean meat and fish Fruits, Veggies and leafy greens Whole Grains Milk and dairy You still get like 35 points to use during the course of a week. On things like White bread, sweets, alcohol (any foods not on the core list) For me, since being banded I find this easier to follow and easy to get my protien. I feel that it pretty much mimics the food plan the doctors have perscribed for me anyway: Avoid refined sugar and flour, eat whole grains, limit empty carbohydrates, alcohol and sweets. So it's easy for me to get my Protein from the meat and dairy and Beans, then I fill up on veggies and fruit and use a little healthy oil in the mean time. And like others have said, have a glass of wine on special occasions or one peice (not a whole bar) of chocolate. For me, it provides the structure on a weekly basis for what has been advised by my doctors a few times on paper before surgery.

Don't you feel the world is attacking obese people this week? It seems each day a new article comes out with another poke at obesity. Now, they are saying that being obese is linked to mental illness and that the fat aren't jolly? True, I am an emotional eater, who added two hundred pounds following the deaths of my mother and my boyfriend --- BUT I have always been FAT AND JOLLY!! I never denied myself anything that gave pleasure, and food gave pleasure. Also, I am a people person, so sharing good company and good food -- with a lot of laughter -- was common in my life. Though I am learning smarter ways to manage my weight, I certainly don't want to lose the laughter and friends. Joyce Here's the AP article... Study says obesity, depression linked By LINDSEY TANNER The Associated Press CHICAGO — Obesity is strongly linked with depression and other mood disorders, according to a new study by Group Health Cooperative. Whether obesity might cause these problems or is the result of them is not certain, but there are theories to support both arguments. Depression often causes people to abandon activities, and some medications used to treat mental illness can cause weight gain. On the other hand, obesity is often seen as a stigma, and overweight people often are subject to teasing and other hurtful behavior. The study of more than 9,000 adults found that mood and anxiety disorders, including depression, were about 25 percent more common in the obese people studied than in the nonobese. Substance abuse was an exception; obese people were about 25 percent less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol than slimmer participants. The results appear in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, released Monday. The lead author was Dr. Gregory Simon, a researcher with Group Health in Seattle. The results "suggest that the cultural stereotype of the jolly fat person is more a figment of our imagination than a reality," said Dr. Wayne Fenton of the National Institute of Mental Health, which funded the study. "The take-home message for doctors is to be on the lookout for depression among their patients who are overweight," Fenton said. Both conditions are quite common. About one-third of U.S. adults are obese, and depression affects about 10 percent of the population, or nearly 21 million U.S. adults in a given year. Previous studies produced conflicting results on whether obesity is linked with mental illness, although a growing body of research suggests there is an association. The latest study helps resolve the question, said Dr. Susan McElroy, editor of a textbook on obesity and mental disorders. "This is a state-of-the-art psychiatric epidemiology study that really confirms that there is, in fact, a relationship," she said. The study was based on an analysis of a national survey of 9,125 adults who were interviewed to assess mental state. Obesity status was determined using participants' self-reported weight and height. About one-fourth of all participants were obese. Twenty-two percent of obese participants had experienced a mood disorder, compared with 18 percent of the nonobese.

I am glad that you said it before me. I am 6 months post op in a few weeks. I started out going crazy over protein goals and my doctor, at my second visit when I was healed and on solids, told me to stop. His view on the protein is that it is a number that was developed with no real solid reasoning behind it. Before anyone gets crazy about my doctor HE IS EXCELLENT. He is one of the top teaching surgeons in Houston and I can't say enough about him. I started out at 215 and am now 148.5 as of this morning and I feel terrific. My eating plan is clean eating. End of story. I also eat my protein first and then move on to vegetables and last carbs. I can tell you right now I barely eat carbs. I don't eat red meat because I just can't handle it and I don't drink alcohol. If I can "pick it, pluck it or kill it" I can eat it. I will start back in he gym this week. I was ahead of the curve this last 6 months and I have been able to walk but my doc didn't want me in the gym until around 6 months because I needed to be ready and feeling strong enough to get in there. Side note- I have lost very very little hair. I have always been a shedder and it just increased a little starting last month. Just thought i would share because I know the feeling of feeling like a failure immediately post op because you can't keep up with the goals and you are already incredibly emotional and I felt a loss lift when I was given simple instructions that's i could live th for the rest of my life.

I know this is a big no-no, and I'm not a big drinker anyway, but why is alcohol so bad post-op? Is it because it takes up room in the pouch where the good stuff with Vitamins and nutrients should go? Is it because the pouch is sensitive to alcohol and the healing process is impeded? Is it because the sugar content will more than likely cause dumping? Maybe it's all of these things, I just wanted some feedback so we could help each other make educated choices instead of just following the rest of the herd. Or even worse drink alcohol without knowing what can happen! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Been banded over 4 years, lost all my weight a while back...so I don't get NSV';s that often anymore.... But Saturday Night was a big one! First, I graduated HS in 1970....I weighed 165, played football, ran track, etc. There is a class mate, who has become a very popular comedian, tours all over the world, TV, Movies...etc. (I'm not going to mention his name) Well the word went out through face book, that he would be the headline act at "Catch a Rising Star" here in New Jersey....and people from the Class of 70 were being contacted to attend...sort of a mini reunion....which a good number of us did. To get to the point, people I have not seen in over 40 years were there....of course everyone was thrilled to see each other. Lots of Love going around!.....and everyone could not get over how I have not changed one bit...I am still the same weight, and I am still in tip-top shape as I was in High School! People said I have obviously done pretty good for myself. The joke was, where everyone is getting older...I am gong in the opposite direction! IF THEY ONLY KNEW!!!! It's been over 40 years and they do not know I was once morbidly obese, was once a diabetic, have cardiac issues, along with a long list of other things. And as a last resort, I had to undergo Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery...and only then did I turn my life around....but they don't know, and that's just fine with me....just let it ride. I was walking on air all night, and it was not just the alcohol we were consuming! (of course we partied!) Stuff like his makes it all worth it....best decision I ever made!

JFGI. Sorry, I couldn't resist saying that . The internet makes a wealth of information available to us with a click of a button. You will find arguments on both sides and each of us has to decide how much calculated risk we want to take. My bariatric program is ultra conservative. No coffee. No alcohol. Ever. For the rest of my life. Well guess what? I made a decision that I still wanted to enjoy a morning cup of coffee. Coffee didn't even appeal to me the first few months post surgery. I still find myself pouring a cup most mornings and only drinking half of it now 14 months post-op. I agree that the acidity is probably not good for me, so I don't entertain the idea of drinking more than one cup a day. What it does to my bowels is havoc alone, but that's a whole different topic of conversation ????. I think we all have to find a balance with what works for us - weighing the pros and the cons.

I was doing the same thing in reverse just days ago. i.e. What would I (a morbidly obese 61 year old male Australian) say to my 15 year old (or 18 year old) self given temporary use of a time machine? My four top answers would be: 1. Don't eat factory-generated breakfast cereals or any added sugars or sweeteners. 2. Moderate portion sizes are best and "seconds" should be a rare thing NOT your normal thing. 3. Soft drinks or carbonated drinks are unnecessary ... including all diet varieties. 4. Alcohol, especially beer, does not have to be central to social life or "winding down". - - - While I cannot guarantee that these four pillars will stop my adult overweight, I'm sure that I would not have reached 191.8kg (423 pounds OR 30.25 stones). Five of my grandchildren had a dad that was 208kg (458 pounds) in January 2015 and is now 99kg (218 pounds) today following diet shakes for six months then Gastric Sleeving in late July 2015. In fact, it's his success that finally prompted me to go for Gastric Sleeve surgery myself. He and my daughter do not want any of their five kids to repeat his life or mine. They operate under my first three advice points for their kids. My daughter and the youngest grandchild in that family are Coeliac as well. So food and eating and drinking sensibly are at the core of their daily life.

I had my band placed in 2006 and there were no Protein shakes & eat this & eat that. I was told to cut my meals in 1/2 & chew, chew, chew. I did not eat bread for a year (my own choice.) and no pealings (apple, baked potato, tomato, hot dog skin, etc.) Small sips of Water & up, up, up the quantity. Eat protein 1st, vegetables 2nd and fruit 3rd. I was told to "listen" to my band, not to drink a beverage with my meal & forget soda pop & alcohol. I never had Bander Hell, but then I was off sugar products because of my borderline diabetes, so I didn't have to come down from a sugar high. I love my lap band. It has saved my life!

I had a glass of wine 3 weeks after surgery but didn't try anything harder until I was almost 2 months out. Thing to remember alcohol can pack a lot of calories on. If it is is moderation it's ok to occasionally treat yourself but try not to go overboard. Start slowly and see where your tolerances are limited as well. Alcohol will affect you differently once you are banded although not as much as if you had the bypass or sleeve.

My surgeon requires a waiting period of 6 months before drinking alcohol. I will probably follow his direction. It's not something that I will really miss.

How well does everyone post op do with the drinking of alcohol? I know you can't drink it all the time because it inhibits weight loss but is once in a while okay? How does everyone feel when they do drink? Does it burn?

I drink soft drinks, but not alot because they make me uncomfortable. I have found with alcohol a little gets me silly very quickly but I also sober up very quickly too!

My daughter is one year out of gastric sleeve surgery. She has done very well but in the last couple weeks she has been experiencing very high liver enzyme’s and Billiruben in her urine. She is in the hospital right now and they have ruled out Hepatitis. They do not seem to be paying much attention to the fact that she has had gastric sleeve. She only drinks alcohol socially. And she is only 24.Has anyone heard of this complication a year after surgery or more?

So today is 3 weeks post op date. I am very glad that I am feeling better every week. The pain from the incision in the right side muscle was almost unbearable the first week and now it only bothers me when sitting too long. I am totally used to burping in-between bites..lol.... not something I ever thought I would be comfrtable with, but it has to be done or food gets stuck. I had a bad weekend of trying new foods, and all feeling stuck. As for the weight loss.... well I feel that I am a slow loser? I can see that lots of people have twice the success as me. I lost 9lbs the first week and 4 since then, nothign since last friday tho. I know that 12lbs is still something to be happy about. I could not even button my pants after surgery because of the iv fluids and gas inside me so at least I feel that I am fitting into my pants with ease. I know that 12lbs in 3 weeks is something I would not have done on my own. I also know that not drinking alcohol or eating late night Snacks would still be happening if I did not have this surgery. It is a shame I could not have adopted this mind set before, as I am still always hungry, so I have been cranky. The worst for me right now is the moods! I am hungry... my dr says it is gas, and ummmmm noooooo it is hunger!! so I am depressed not to be able to fullfill that emtiona need sometimes, and then angry cause I am hungry and feel pain when I eat most of the time, so then angry for putting myself in the position of being so over weight that I had to have surgery and then I feel sad that I have so many restrictions which make it hard to enjoy being out with friends and family as we used to. I am glad I made the choice to do something for me that will help change my life because I know that a year from now i will see this was all worth it. good luck to all on your journey.

I dont drink a lot but Im young so I still enjoy going out from time to time on the weekends. I know its empty calories! But is anyone drinking? Have you been able to drink beer?

I'm not an alcoholic, but several of my OA friends that are also in AA have told me that they thought they could do OA using their AA meetings and sponsor, but found they really needed an OA sponsor and meetings to handle their food addiction. Good luck to you getting the support you need! Tricia

I'm most proud of overcoming fear. I'm still afraid but I walk through it every day. I filed for divorce from an emotionally abusive husband. I moved my daughters and me out of that house. My WLS got me started on a healthier life. I'm proud to face life on life's terms without self medicating with food or alcohol or pills. This has all happened since my surgery. A part of me knew it would. I am proud to be on an honest path of self discovery and reclaiming my soul. JustWatchMe

Hi Lap Band People, I am just trying to get into this site because I believe I will need some support and information on my journey. This seems to be a huge and active discussion group. I am also hoping to find a local support group in Milwaukee. I got my band on Thursday, May 12, 2011, from Dr. Thomas Chua, Wisconsin Bariatric Clinic, on Loomis, in Milwaukee. My insurance excluded coverage so I bit the bullet and paid for it myself. It certainly cut the paperwork and got me on the fast track. Now I'm healing. Still sipping vicodin, but starting to get free of it. I changed my dressings. I got a food processor and little 4 oz cups to freeze stuff in. I have a kitchen scale (for foods). A couple of weeks ago I was 313 lovable pounds. Now I am 297, sore, disoriented, but no less lovable, I hope. I was crabby this morning with a person who works for me, who is also obese. I told her I didn't appreciate her assumption that every new idea would be a bad thing. My goal is 200 pounds, but maybe it should be 175, as I am 6', 61 years old. I am divorced since a couple of years ago. I have 6 children, 3 of which are in their 20's. One is 9. I wanted to stick around awhile to see how they do. I have a good primary physician in Milwaukee. He has watched my weight increase despite stringent efforts to overcome the problem. He watches over my asthma, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, heart risks, etc. He mentioned the lap band surgery. I resisted by trying one last-ditch effort with a psychiatrist, who gave me prozac for 6 months. At first it helped. I stopped drinking alcohol too. But eventually the appetite reduction effect subsided, and I quit prozac and psychiatric visits and started drinking again, which certainly doesn't help anything. I don't think of myself as an alcoholic, but there is no question that alcohol lowers my resistance to sensible eating. I eat too much. It's a vicious circle. But I hope I am done with all that. I am doing well with the lap band. I have no desire to start drinking again. I am looking forward to feeling well enough to exercise. So that's me. I introduced myself. I will appreciate any support and try to be supportive in turn.

Next time you go to the doctor, be sure you are not rushing around shopping or doing things before your appointment, go early, and do some meditating/relaxation exercises while in the waiting room. Have your appointment in the early morning because your pressure should be lowest then. Ask the nurse to let you sit quietly and rest for 5 minutes in the blood pressure area before they take your pressure. Close your eyes and take slow breaths like stoongal said, and relax during those 5 minutes. Be sure you are not drinking any alcohol at all in your diet, because that raises BP. As already pointed out, so does salt. I hope things get better for you.

Im not a sleever but On a few videos i watched on youtube they recommended alcohol sugar free chloraseptic for after surgery because their throat was in severe pain so I plan on taking a bottle just in case CONGRATS on your journey

I was very skinny through college. Started picking up weight due to stress at work... pretty awful. The only fun part of the day was going out to lunch. That + sitting at work, sitting in night class and sitting in the car going and coming back from school and the weight steadily piled on. I had gestational diabetes that was very well controlled; I lost 25lbs. with each pregnancy (I was ready to eat the table!). Gained weight back again and have struggled to keep my weight in check. I'm retired now, so I don't have work stress anymore, but find it hard to be motivated and able to move around a lot. Since finding out about the Protein shakes, I got my hopes up that I could do this without having a large portion of my stomach removed. Reality check--- I know the statistics on being able to lose t all the weight and KEEP IT OFF for good are very low. So I'm going to go through with this and hopefully can get rid of diabetes, sleep apnea and non-alcoholic fatty liver.

makes you fat! Empty calories!! Alex has posted on here several times about how high alcoholism becomes in RNY patients. Im sure there are more but that seems to be enough for me!

I have a question, the doc said no alcohol for 1 yr and others say 6 mo and sooner. What does it do to you (besides get you drunk).

Wow, yesterday was tough. I have known for a while that I have a problem with food. But when they take it away from you and tell you to drink only liquids you begin to realize just how bad that problem was. I really feel like I have lost my best friend. Food could comfort me and satisfy me. I am really embarrassed and shameful that I let myself get to this point where I rely on food to fill my emptiness. People say things like "it is just for 2 weeks, you can do anything for 2 weeks", well I know that, but it does not make it any easier. Most people do not understand people like me who have such terrible issues with food. They can understand an alcoholic or drug addict, but food. Just stop eating they say. And quite honestly that really is what needs to happen, I just need to stop eating. But it is so hard. I really wish I could go to sleep and wake up when the 2 weeks is over. I am really questioning whether or not to even have the surgery. If I cannot learn to deal with all of these emotions and stuff in my head then I fear the surgery is really a waste. I wish I were feeling starving on this liquid diet, then at least I could say I am just hungry. But that is not the case, I have not really been that hungry, it is just all in my head. Dang it is hard! But I am going to keep forging on and checking off each day and learning to deal with the emptiness until I conquer this demon.

So I'm just over a year from my surgery day. And just under 2 years from when I made the decision to make a life change. In October of 2014 I attended my first class about bariatric surgery. This class is the initial class that helps you decide if it is for you or not.(or to at least go on to the next step) That first day my weight was 422, and I decided to go forward with the bypass. I had to then wait to be assigned to a class, a class that lasts 12 weeks. It tought me everything about the surgery and new life I would be expecting. This class began in January of 2015. Well after completion in March I had lost about 10lbs to 412. Then came the long waiting period. One that they made clear. "Don't call us we will call you!" So I waited, and waited and waited some more. Then got the call the 2nd week of August, 2015. And the wheels got going and fast! Less then two weeks later I was at the hospital on August 24th having surgery. On the day of my surgery I weighed in at 409lbs. The surgery went great. Afterwards I had little to no pain and was up walking immediately. The year has been a great journey. Today I weigh in at 208lbs and feel great. It has been a fantastic journey. I have no regrets and qould do it again without a doubt. I have been around temptation plenty. Several trips to Vegas including a stay for 9 days. I've been to winery's. All the time not touching alcohol and steering cleer of the food that ruined my life.I'm thankful for the tool I was given and plan on using it to the fullest. Best of luck to anyone thinking of having the surgery, and continued success to those who have had this life changing experience. As for me last year I changed my health, this year I change my job. Think positive???? Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App