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Hellloooo all skinny people! Haven't been on here in forever! I'm jealous of everyone that's doing so well, so you've all inspired me to get moving again. I've definitely just let the weight fall off but now I've got to take it up a notch. Started at 242, lost 68 lbs, need to loose 30 more. But I'm so flabby, yuck! But it's okay because I can wear awesome skinny clothes and no one sees the flab. Problems- drinking alcohol Not exercising Eating crap, even though small bites. What keeps you going?

You did great. You don't have that far to go to get rid of it. I keep procrastinating about joining a gym because its so cold at home right now and I think this post finally made me do it. I'll know by 6pm tonight lol. Eating out is fun but try to stick to salads and try to avoid alcohol. Maybe once a week is fine but if your doing it each weekend, your going to pay for it. Also try to avoid sugar and starches. We all know what those do to us. grr And btw @@Faith41 you look amazing.

I'm one year out and I visited family over the holidays and gained 4 pounds in 1 week. Not surprised considering my 4 food groups were sugar, fat, alcohol and more sugar. But I got right back on plan when I returned home. Spent 3 days detoxing by eating only Protein and veggies. Even cut out the fruit and whole grains to try and get all the sugar/carbs out of my system. Then back to my regular balanced diet that worked so well before the holidays. I lost the 4 pounds by the end of the second week. Just get back on plan and throw out the junk. You got this!

It always amazes me, and I'm sure all of you, how variable the instructions are for before and after surgery, and even the method of surgery for the gastric sleeve. Here is a little bit about my instructions and surgery so far: Before Surgery: 1) Was immediately told to follow low carb diet on my first visit and to bring back a diary in two weeks. 2) Had all the appointments on my first visit (psychologist, NUT, DOC, and the Nurse Practitioner, oh and the PA too) 3) Easy approval through insurance 4) Lots of blood work and had an endoscopy. Results low on Vitamin D, and some mild gastritis. 5) Vitamins: Told to take B12, Vitamin D (10,000 IU), Calcium, a good Multivitamin, Prilosec (20 mg a day), Fish Oil, and a pro-biotic. 6) Told to start exercising. 7) Told to drink 64+ oz of Water a day. 8) Didn't have to do any more logging of food after the first couple of weeks 9) If constipation was a problem, use MOM. (and it has been). Pre-Op (2-3 weeks prior to surgery) 1) Limit carbs to 20 a day. Can still eat meats, eggs, some cheese, but must have no sugar, excess fat, starch etc, you know the drill.) 2) Start pushing fluids 1 week ahead to be adequately hydrated. 3) Make sure to get enough sleep. 4) Take Emend for nausea 1 hour before surgery. 5) No alcohol 6) Stop taking fish oil 1 week prior to surgery (it thins the blood somewhat) 7) Do the Hibicleans wash night before and morning of surgery. 8) Bring CPAP to hospital Surgery: 1) Surgeon utilizes no drains. Says not necessary with the sleeve. 2) No catheter. 3) Sends home with oxycodone for pain. (forgot to ask what they use in the hospital immediately after) 4) 1 night hospital stay 5) Four ports for surgery 6) No separate leak test done with barium 6) First follow up visit is 3 weeks after. After Surgery: 1) 3 weeks of full liquid diet (goal 32oz of Protein shakes a day, and approx. 700+ calories a day and 100+ grams of protein a day). Supplement liquids with non-sweetened other stuff (crystal light etc.) 2) 3 weeks of pureed foods 3) 3 weeks of soft foods 4) No gum ever (well, I think they mean forever) 5) Caffeine is ok to have. 6) No soda pop ever 7) No NSAIDS 8) Two weeks off work is the general rule 9) No heavy lifting for 6 weeks 10) No baths, ointments or creams. Showers ok. 11) Must take Iron supplement, Vitamin D 10,0000, Multivitamin, calcium 1500 mg, B12 100mg, PPI 40 mg, probiotic, Omega 3 fish oil as supplements for a long time All should be liquid afterwards, but small pills may be tolerated. 12) MOM only for constipation. Doc says constipation should NOT be ignored. If 2 days go by and no bowel movement, call the office. 13) Utilize the on call surgeon whenever you feel you need to. Don't wait to call. 14) No straws Whew!

I am curious about sugar free products such as jellies jams and desserts for diabetics, and what it means when It lists sugar alcohol levels does that raise your sugar? for a lapband patient would those things be okay as a treat in small amounts?

Always remember doors close for a reason...............Another door will open!! This is such a true statement! Reflect from inside yourself and you will find the answer! You have already started a new life maybe this is just a part of it. I truly wish you the very best. This is just one of many test in life we have to conqueror. food, cigarettes, alcohol have always been a the go to relief. This is the part that you have to figure out how to handle without using one of these vises. I know you will figure it out!

Great to read all the happiness! I had my 3 month on Monday. 30 pounds total and my slow loss and plateau that lasted 4 weeks is over. BMI is just out of obese realm but hovers dangerously close. I can, unfortunately, eat just about anything I halve tried. Have not done much bread, fried, or pastas and hope not to...can drink alcohol but must be vigilant. Exercise is so much easier but not yet habit. Hoping to knock off 10 these next 6 weeks and then deal with it maintaining before taking on the next 10 pounds.

I had RNY surgery 20 months ago. I was in a weight loss mode for 7 months and then very naturally transitioned into a maintenance mode. In the maintenance mode, it is very important to be happy. I try to find a balance with my meal, Protein, liquid, and Vitamin requirements while at the same time find an approach that I can live with in the long term without regaining the weight back again. I asked my nutritionist "Why are people successful with weight loss after surgery, only to regain much of the weight back after surgery?" She said it is probably due to snacking between meals. I took the approach of eating high protein homemade chili and Soups as my meals. As a result when I worked my way up to 1 cup per meal, I was consuming around 65 grams of protein solely from my meals. I hate Protein shakes. As I obtained more and more protein from my meals, I could phase out my use of protein shakes. I still supplement protein. But in my case it is either a cup of hot cocoa (no sugar added) or a blueberry smoothie each day. They make me happy. For me the other part of the equation is what to snack on. Protein is a good snack. But for me, the best snack is items that contain fats. This is because fats take away hunger. I make homemade whip cream. I substitute Splenda in place of sugar. (I do avoid sugar almost completely.) I have one cup of coffee each day with a very large scoop of whip cream. Another item that I use is Adkins treats. They contain fat and substitute sugar alcohol in place of sugar. I generally limit my calorie intake to 1300-1500 calories per day. But I also monitor my weight each day. So long as my weight is stable I am happy. Everyone is different, what works for me may not work for you. The important thing is to find your happy state. Something that you can live with for the rest of your life, while still maintaining your weight loss. For me experimentation was the answer.

I chose the sleeve because it seemed like a less evasive surgery. I didn't want my innards re routed. I also didn't like some of the side effects of the bypass. I had to do a 6 month supervised diet for insurance approval and in that time I researched and learned what I would have to do to be productive after the sleeve. I knew I could do it and I am doing it. My recovery was wonderful and nothing like I expected. I kept saying this is weird everytime I didn't have an issue or problem with something I tried. I have not had any dumping or throwing up issues, but I also have followed my surgeons orders pretty much to the letter. I really believe that has made the most difference in where I am today. A friend at work had the bypass around 9 years ago, she said she still throws up all the time. YUCK, But it is because she eats things she shouldn't and she does drink alcohol here and there. So I think with any of the surgeries if you do what you are suppose to 90% of the time you can avoid things like this. Just my two cents!! Good Luck with whatever you decide, make sure to let us know!!

I'm pretty close to your stats... 12 1/2 months out and 102 pounds down. I went home for the holidays and ate like crap...sweets, bread, potatoes, rice, more sweets, fried food, alcohol and more sweets. I made a lame ass attempt to get in all my Protein by drinking a protein smoothie everyday, but seriously, it was a bad week. The thing is I totally planned for it. I knew I couldn't resist my mom's yummy cooking so I didn't even try. I ate guilt free, knowing it would only last a week. When I got back I stepped on the scale and had gained 4 pounds. Since I was still jonesin for sweets I immediately detoxed the sugar out of my system by doing protein and veggies ONLY for a week. Then went back to "normal" eating, which was easier since that first week flushed out my sugar cravings. I lost the 4 pounds by the end of the second week. I think this is what you may have to do. Draw on whatever mental strength that got you through the preop and postop diets. Get rid of the Cookies and anything else you shouldn't be eating. If it's not in the house you can't graze on it. Stick STRICKLY to protein, healthy fat and veggies. Keep a Water bottle with you at all times. Drink everytime you want to eat. Drown yourself in fluids. Do you have any "before" pictures? Hang them on the fridge. Put your gym bag in your car. Go straight there either before or after work. Look for different protein options at the grocery store or deli. Explore new recipes. Transfer your desire to graze to preparing and tasting new high protein healthy foods. You can do this!

I saw my dr today and he told me that my 25 pound loss in 6 weeks is perfect. I had a Lapband before and he said that x-lapbander tend to loose a little slower but that's okay. I'm 2 pounds away from my lowest on the band. Woo hoo. He also reminded me that 25 in 6 weeks is significant and keep doing what I'm doing. Protein and water are the key he said. We also talked about alcohol. He said anything carbonated is out. A little wine is fine but to never drive even if I have one because absorption is so much quicker and higher that I may feel sober but would blow way over the limit and would probably be more impaired then I realized. And it's empty extra calories. As far as vitamins. Chewables or gummies. I have Chewables at work in case I forget my gummies in the mornings. I feel like they've really helped with feeling tired. I had some overcooked chicken nye and ended up vomiting it all plus up. It was hard to eat anything the next 2 days. Dr said when that happens revert to softer foods for a day or too. Baby my tummy basically. I feel like sometimes on forcing myself to eat. Need to stop that. Other than that all is well.

fellow Bandsters: hesitate to comment here for concern of being misunderstood for my intent I for one always prefer to seek the underlying cause of any such dark aspect of my own life and times.... I don't really understand 'depression' in any real way. In the various life roles I've played over the decades, my preference for attempting to understand 'depression' is to define it as perception of being unable to positively affect one's circumstance. In a bumper sticker observation, 'depression is anger turned inward'. Boredom & avoidance of conflict & fear of change all have a role, so I'm told. The now antique notions of applying behavioral modification has always provided better results in my own life. Rather than pondering 'why' etc, action applied with intent to solve the problem, has always resulted in improved circumstance. Presented with the reality of 'having become diabetic' 25 years ago, I was given the choice of continuing my drinking preferences OR saving my eyes and kidney function. Through what I can only attribute to 'divine intervention' after intense personal crises, overnight all desire for alcohol was somehow gone....after 30+ years of nursing such a habit. We can become more of what we believe we *think* we should be, by following the example of the pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Leaving their old life and attempting to carry away the entire household, new demands on the trail meant dumping the old cast Iron cook stove along the way. Crossing the new rivers & streams meant leaving the dressers & fancy furniture sitting along the trail. Scaling the high passes on the way to "Oregon Territory" meant leaving the Memorial Anvil Collection of irrelevant unneeded baubles of the Old Life behind. We can ALL move ourselves in ANY direction we choose. Trying to carry/drag/tug the albatross of Old Life along soaks up energy we need for the journey. The butterfly becomes what it is by leaving the old worm casing behind. Destructive drinking and depression are symptoms that CHANGES are due, IMHO.

When I called my insurance company to ask about requirements for WLS, they said "no alcohol or substance abuse for 18 months" and "no smoking for last six months." Ask your surgeon what his/her requirements are. It could be anywhere from 30 days to 180 days or more. I tried to give you some links to data regarding smoking and surgery, but those sites were not allowed to be posted here.

Hang in there! I am 6 weeks out and I can have both alcohol (a sip or two) and pizza (about 1/2 a slice). It's enough that I feel like part of the group and not enough to be harmful to my daily regimen. Also, pizza is not a bad food in small amounts.

Yes I have been drinking alcohol after one month. The doctor said it's fine but it will slow down the weight loss. Usually 2 drinks but I have been at many social events the past 6 weeks and do see a slow weight loss and increase in drinking ability, so I have given up now for at least the next 4-8 weeks.

I can only tell you about my experience. And I went through the same nervous/excited feelings and thoughts. As far as food and drinks and alcohol go, I was able to eat anything and drink anything I wanted at 1 year. Up until then, I could eat and drink anything I wanted, but Frankensleeve was still adjusting and would grumble and complain sometimes. My hunger feelings went away, starting the week after surgery. I only feel real hunger now - meaning I can feel my stomach complaining it's empty. But daily head hunger and food cravings are a thing of the past. I'm now in control of my food and for the most part, really don't care what I'm eating. The hardest part was getting out of old habits, eating when I'm bored or eating because I think it will taste good. I've had a few moments where I'll pass the donut tray at work and just have to have 1, but it's only 1, I don't have to eat 4 or 6 to be satisfied. Or during the holidays, I'll allow myself to over eat a bit on all the goodies. The difference is, now I know I'm in control and can easily go back to my regular eating and drop the weight. I'm in control now. The hunger no longer controls me.

@@Dreamingofhealth Carbs are tricky because there are "good" carbs and "bad" carbs. If you don't know about them it's best to google because it's a lot to learn. Also when counting carbs you subtract certain things from the total number Like fiber, any sugar alcohol, ect...you have to know how to calculate it. Some people just eat whatever and do fine. I only keep my carbs in check because I know the effect they have on my body and weight.

Why are you worried? Just listen to your sleeve, take tiny bites and chew, chew, chew. No need to worry over it. Eat protein first, lay off the carbs and alcohol. You'll probably not be released for all foods by ten weeks, but you'll find that it's not hard to eat normal things. I'm only 17 days out and I don't have a lot of trouble with anything in the stage I'm in now. The only difference is that you'll eat much less.

@@LBS15 Wait, let me clarify that, you won't be "allowed" to drink alcohol for some time (your dr will give you a time frame) depending on your restriction you may only be able to eat a few bits of different things. You can still go out it will just be more about socializing than eating.

I gained 4 pounds in one week while out of town over Christmas. I had no intentions of eating healthy so I knew it would happen. My diet basically consisted of sugar, fat and alcohol. I Came back home and got back on my normal eating plan (nothing drastic, just protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains/avoid white carbs). I've already lost 1 pound. Just keep plugging away with what worked before the holidays. Pretty much like everyone else (WLS or not) does after pigging out.

@@Annie77 all the reasons/comments from "above" are good having so many doctors give different rules to patients IMO is ridiculous (unless there are medical, physical reason that are necessary for different rules) there should be ONE book for all docs to follow just a few examples why should people be at different time periods for liquids/purees', soft food etc. why should one person be allowed to have coffee from the get go - others wait different time periods alcohol in 3 weeks, 6 months, or 1 year!! why is sex allowed within a couple weeks for some when you feel ok? my doc has me still waiting 3+ years PO GOTCHA it would be great if all docs/NUTS could be on the same page kathy

Good to hear from all the May sleevers. Weight loss has slowed "a lot!" Im sure it's my fault as I have ebb having alcohol regularly. I still work out at least 3x a week, avoid carbs, and NO soda. But, I know that my weight loss would be better if I would just stay on track. Unfortunately, I am still a regular Watson with a life that involves not being on a diet 24/7. Still working at it though, SW 205, CW 153....

If it can go in a blender (and not alcohol lol) then I don't see why not!@@yaya77nc

The same thing happens with any lifestyle change, I think. I was married at twenty to a man who was thirty, first marriage for me, second one for him. My husband resented me for having a child (that we both agreed to have) and no longer participating in the weekend party animal life. Eventually he quit too, and things were better for about twelve years, although we didn't have anything in common, really, except our child and the fact that we shared a house. Then we let his (alcoholic) brother live with us. BIG mistake. It started slowly, him drinking only on holidays. Then it progressed into monthly visits. His brother lived with us for three years despite me asking my husband to ask him to leave, which he insisted he couldn't do, even though any time my family lived with us they had to abide by the agreed-upon time limit. It finally became weekly bar hops. My husband was not a nice person when he drank, but in a way he was happy because he replaced me, or what he wanted me to be for him. My wake-up came from a simple anonymous question online: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" When I gave that some serious thought I realized there was no way anything would change unless I left, and unless I wanted to die without having lived a better life I had better do something. So I did. After eighteen years of marriage I took my daughter and left. That was in April of 2004. My daughter is now grown, and I am still married, but we have been separated for ten years. One day we will divorce, but really, it's not even an issue. He still lives in Florida, and I live in Ohio. In some ways I am still on the same path, attempting to right things that should have never been, and finding and embracing the things that should have been. @@scstxrn - You are one lucky woman! Is that not what everyone wants? Sometimes I think the best we can do is find someone we can tolerate that can also tolerate us, but your story is proof that more can exist.

I was told there are 2 ways to defeat WLS either drinking too many calories or to graze on high calorie foods. don't undo the work you have done. that is a lot of alcohol and you may want to do some research on consuming that much on a regular basis