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The only exception to the sugar alcohol rule is erythritol. 90% is absorbed in the small intestine and excreted, unchanged in the urine. It has no affect on blood sugar levels and therefore none of the sugar addiction affects. It may be hard to find things sweetened only with erythritol, but it is available in powder form, so something to consider using in baked goods or if you want to make your own sweet treats. Personally I've just stuck with real sugar from the get go. I don't seem to have a carb addiction. Oddly, my ultimate postop craving is for nuts.

Thanks for sharing about the sugar alcohol. I did not know this. There goes my sugar free candies.

Since being diagnosed w diabetes 2 I drink about 62-84 oz of water a day n about 2-4 cups of herbal tea. Will I have trouble drinking after surgery? I gave up coffee years ago n don't drink alcohol cuz gives me hot flashes. Also does everyone get cold cuz I have window open wear tea shirts all year round. Guess losing fluff n lowering blood pressure will change things. Maybe next winter?? Surgery target Feb. Oh so ready!!

the Russell stover stuff was expressly forbidden to me by the surgeon and nutritionist because the are full of sugar alcohols which is sugar , your body turns them into sugar more slowly so they don't cause a high glucose surge in your blood but the sugar is the same once it does hit the blood. So might as well just have the real one.

I thought the Tylenol with codeine would be a problem for me too. The reality is I would only take one and they really did not bother me. I only ended up taking it twice before I switched to luquid Tylenol. The reality is you should be doing some resting anyway. I hated taking the liquid medicines because the alcohol in them and high sugar content made my pouch burn and made me jittery. I per safely better not taking anything and using a heating pad and gas x to deal with any gas pains. By day 2 home from the hospital I felt pretty good and was just dealing with managing all the fluids. Good luck!

Well ok then! Gastric sleeve 11/03/2014...and I'm not an alcoholic (I don't know it just goes together : ) welcome!

I think before surgery eating was in part due to control. You may not be able to control the world around you but you sure can control what you eat even if it seems that's out of control. Even if we think we can't control our eating the truth is we do. And let's just be honest we liked eating. We liked it so much it became our drug of choice to the point our bio feedback mechanism was to set eat more. It was killing us but we couldn't stop. The live to eat syndrome. How different is that from anorexia, drugs or alcohol. I would argue there is very little difference. But I do think some of us are more predisposed to overeating and some of us are more predisposed to alcoholism. All part of the human condition. For me, and this is a journey by no means over, it has been about relinquishing control. Coming to an understanding that I don't have control. Throwing up because I was eating too much after surgery, in a way, was the best thing that happened to me. Mind you eating too much is eating 1/2 cup instead of 1/4 cup and two tablespoons. Not a binge but I certainly was looking for that full feeling that relaxes you. Guess what, it's not there anymore. It's, I am eating and then I fall of the cliff. A all is well goes to I have to throw up in a second flat. I have no choice regarding that. I am bound by the physical reality. My surgery is calling the shots, not me. I have very little control. Then, it became all about I don't know how to do this. I have to follow this plan very closely because I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to eat. Imagine how devastating and enlightening this can be at the same time. Once I realized this I was much happier because my choices are more sensible and I don't fight the reality. I back of from this need to eat what I want. Does this mean I won't try to push the envelop? Probably not, but I have to start somewhere. I am relearning how to eat. With 42 pounds lost I feel 100% better and this alone keeps me going. I am over the moon!

When you're first starting out, you're going to feel pretty crummy for a few weeks. I never drank the full 64oz of Water, but I had tea (the diet Lipton citrus is pretty good), the low calorie gatorage, Propel water, and after six weeks diet soda. For the most part liquid is liquid, so drink what makes you happy (skip the soda and caffeine though until you're a bit further out). It is completely normal to have a hard time getting Protein down at the point you are at and Vitamin difficulty is also normal. If using a straw does not give you gas pain (which is why doctors tell you not to use a straw), drink with a straw. That completely solved all of the problems related to my inability to drink enough. To give you some perspective, I am 15 months out and yesterday I puked up the few bites I had of a Subway turkey salad- my stomach did not feel like eating protein in the version of meat yesterday. I also had a part of a cookie the day before which was SO good since I almost never eat sweets and I got massively sick. I am completely ok with all of this because it has forced me to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It's a little like how some alcoholics benefit from a drug that makes them miserably sick if they drink. Eventually you associate the behavior you don't want with being sick and you stop doing it. Our stomach classically conditions us to not be a pig and to try to stick to our diet. My stomach is particularly picky- she doesn't like sweets or anything melty (cheese, chocolate, melty is bad). She does not like milk fat at all, half the time hates meat, refuses to tolerate protein shakes, and is completely happy to let me eat low fat wheat crackers all day, which is the only slider I can get away with so I tend to avoid crackers. My stomach is kind of a B, but she is totally fine with vegetables, some fruit, healthy wheats (like oatmeal with protein and those slider crackers), and some of the time decent meat protein. All of the things I should be eating, I can eat in very small portions, which was the entire point of the surgery. Also, Vitamins make me massively sick, so I take twice the amount in gummy vitamins and all of my blood levels are fine. My post is kind of long, but short version- yes you're totally normal right now and you will eventually come to appreciate and work around all of it.

There is also evidence of higher incidence of alcoholism post surgery. Some of that may be due addiction transfer (food to alcohol) but some is also due to different methablising alcohol . QUOTE: "Among RYGB patients, there was a significant decrease in alcohol consumption in the first year after surgery, compared to the year before surgery, but not in the second year. Thus, the increase in alcohol use disorder symptoms following RYGB surgery was likely a result of an increase in alcohol sensitivity following surgery combined with resumption of higher levels of alcohol consumption in the second post-operative year ... This is concerning, given the negative impact heavy drinking may have on Vitamin and mineral status, liver function and weight loss." See, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246775.php

Yes it is. I wouldn't even consider the thought of drinking for many months out. I don't drink and of course haven't drank since surgery (even drinking Water is a challenge) but I know that my narcotic painkillers used to take an hour to work, and now work in ten to fifteen minutes. Alcohol will go through you like a truck. I would not have this surgery if you can't accept that you may never be able to drink much again.

What's the deal with alcohol? When can you have it post op? I am no way a big drinker, but i do like an occasional night out. Does it affect you differently? What can you NOT drink? Can you have a lot, or only a small amount? My date is scheduled for 1/21, I'm guessing celebrating st. Paddy's day is out of the question??! Lol

I went to NYC about 1 month after surgery and my surgeon said it was fine to have a cocktail or two, just don't over do it. I tried a glass of wine and I'm not sure if I didn't appreciate the vintage (I'm a bit of a wine snob, sorry) or the wine itself so I just don't drink wine anymore for the time being. I usually get a vodka and Water and put a flavor enhancer in it. I don't drink much anymore but during the holidays I will have a cocktail or two. I will say the alcohol gets to me really fast, one drink! That is a good thing!

I waited probably 4 months to try alcohol again. I was primarily a red wine drinker pre-op, but tend to prefer whites or mixed drinks (with grapefruit juice) since I don't do diet soda anymore. It's harder to work in alcohol around meals these days since I tend to comply with the no drinking while eating rule, then once I've eaten I'm too full for hours to drink anyway.

It was just an alcohol pad. Never had a reaction before.

OK Lipstick Lady... here's one.. I did not tell my husband's family. They live 1000 miles away. However my husband told his mother. Now this lady has never had a weight problem in her life.. she is simply too self disciplined and full of nervous engergy to become over weight, and I am sure, thinks anyone else should be able to control their own weight also. She is also very OPINIONATED and has on more that one occasion told me what she thinks... Once told me I was an alcoholic.( I am not). I wont see her until next Summer, a full YEAR after my surgery. And I avoid talking to her on the phone. However my husband calls her a couple times a month and I know they talk about me. He will even holler at me " HEY, how much have you lost?" to tell her. And Yes I have told him not to discuss me with her. I am a pretty private person, and I don't discuss my health with my mother in law. But it will come up when we go there. She won't leave it alone, I know her. She LIVES to Gossip about people. What can I say to this 80 year old woman? I can't be rude, but I do not want to be the topic of conversation while we are there. HELP!

Gastric Bypass is a physical tool to help you lose physical weight. Assuming you follow your surgeon's suggestions regarding diet and exercise, you'll physically lose weight. However, gastric bypass isn't a "cure all" for the emotional weight many folks carry- i.e. food addiction and/or transfer addictions, (a weight loss patient becoming an alcoholic after surgery, for example). This is one of the reasons why the psychiatric evaluation is so important to have and to answer honestly before the procedure. It could be very eye opening as to why the weight issues are there in the first place. Your surgeon can re-route your insides and force them to comply, but if people aren't willing to re-route their mindset, the old eating habits & dependencies won't change. I think it's also important to have a thorough understanding and vested interest in your overall health throughout this process. Try to learn as much about your body & the chemical balances (or imbalances) you might have. It would be terrible to have such a major surgery and find yourself set up for failure because of a metabolic (or other) disorder you didn't even know you had that will impeded weight loss.

I'm 11 months out and I simply eat healthy, balanced meals.....Protein, veggies, fruit, fiber and grains. I do avoid white carbs like bread, pasta, rice, and alcohol, but have any and all of them on occasion...probably 3-4 times/month (a lot more when on vacation). I don't measure my portions or count calories, carbs or fat. I have a 30-40g protein smoothie everyday so I don't have to worry about hitting my protein goals and I keep a running tally in my head so I know I'm hitting my fluid requirements. Been maintaining 10-12 pounds under goal for over 3 months, so gotta say this is the easiest "diet" I've ever been on.

I want to thank you all for sharing your experiences, because I never heard about transferring additions and the chances of being an alcoholic. Its an eye opener and now that I'm aware of this possibly I can work on it!

Well, to say the least, I've been "absent." So much going on in my life, good and bad, that I haven't had time to really get on and enjoy my 5:2 friends. First, welcome Lynda! I've long been a fan of yours from your level headed approach and kindness. With that said, I'm also just a "wee bit" glad that you are here with us because now maybe I'll get my mojo back on and kick the pounds to the curb! Sarah, you look soooo thin! (which you obviously are at 128!!!) And I'd kill to go to Cabo about right now! Denise, so glad to hear that you are doing better after the horrors of your surgery aftermath. FYE, MODELING! Wowzers! You go, Girl! Cathy, so sorry to hear about your house which you just got finished with!! And thanks for checking in on me. My other buds, CGJ, Coops, Swizzly, Wanda, M2G, Florinda (if I missed any I apologize) I've tried to read all your entries and keep up with everything. Yep, I'm about 12 pounds over goal - all in the last 4-5 months or so. And lately, it's just gone from bad to worse! Junk, junk, junk! I'm surprised it's not more so THANK GOD for my sleeve because as I analyze my eating not eating too much FOOD just piling on the "comfort" foods (as usual when I hit a low or get stressed!) On the good side, I am going to have not one but TWO new "grands" in the next few months. Both my daughter ( ) and my Daughter in love ( ) are preggers! Within about 4 weeks of each other. The daughter and hubby were kinda surprised even though happy (after initial shock) and I found out the very next day that my DIL was also expecting (been trying unbeknownst to me) and it really made my day!! So Mid-May to Mid-June should be a very hopping time around the Smith/Crochet homes! Another good note - my son, who will soon hit 3 years sobriety from drugs and alcohol (as well as a severe chain smoker), was chosen Employee of the Year at his Company this past Saturday. Made this Mom very proud! God is so good! The not so good and very stressful part right now has been, as you know my daughter has been endeavoring to finish nursing school for the past three plus years. Got LPN, worked a year, went back last Jan into the accelerated program to finish RN. It has been a real struggle for ALL of us! At 37 (now 38) with two girls and a single Mom at the time, we were ALL in the throws of it! Then she met Jeremy, quickly wed and wound up finding out she was prego in October (IUD fell out!) and has been experiencing SEVERE all day "morning" sickness. Even with all that, still managed to struggle through to the last two finals. Well, last Tuesday she failed (by one point!) the first final and is now out of RN program. At consultation, she was told that because they are "short staffed" she also could not go right back into program in January and will have to wait til July to "redo" last semester (with a one month old baby!) I would like to say I'm "rolling with it" all, but I'd be lying. Very heartbreaking for her and us. I tell myself to, in the words of the infamous song, "Let it go..." but somehow I eat myself up and worry, worry, worry which then leads to bad eating which I know I should stop but am so physically and mentally tired, I don't even care. Yep, I know this is a big 'ole pity party. It is what it is right now. LOL Oh, and I forgot! On the way home from Branson, MO Thanksgiving trip with hubbie we hit a deer that came out of nowhere - front end of brand new Prius a mess plus the deer With all that said, I intend to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and want to wish all of you the same! My stuff seems small when I stop and look around. As my friend says, "Blessed and Highly favored!"

Sorry if I wasn't clear... I'm not really worried that the customers will have a problem with it. I am worried about my sense of self-worth and my identity. I'm the "food guy," both personally and professionally. It's what I do for a living AND what I have done socially and as a hobby for about 30 years. I know that there are people out there who do things other than eat food, sell food, talk about food, and research food, but I'm not that person. My biggest fear is "losing myself." I know that this is addict talk. I've heard alcoholics and drug addicts wonder aloud what they would do with their time if they couldn't drink, but I know this is the right decision for my health. So has anyone had issues with identity struggles after surgery?

I know this sounds weird but witch hazel wipes really help. After you wipe clean, use a witch hazel wipe and things will start feeling better and get better over continued use. If you cant find wipe you can use liquid witch hazel on toilet paper for the same effect. Both can be typically found in the pharmacy section at Wal-Mart near rubbing alcohol or at a similar store. Hope it helps :-)

My therapist was wonderful. We talked for about an hour and covered: weight history, successes, failures exercise plans support system sleeve expectations alcohol/drug history relationship with SO and family eating triggers emotional wellness It was a wonderful experience. The therapist runs the bariatric support group twice a month and I always attend. It's very inspirational.

Kim, how nice that they asked you to model for them! I also am not open to the public about how I have lost weight. Some ppl know but I'm not one who shares it with everyone. Cathy, oh no! That stinks. Like you said, they are just things. Still hard to deal with. You had asked if I am happy with my plastics results. I am very happy with my results. I am over 5 months out and in the last month I finally feel really good. Finally I can do all my normal workouts and I am getting more and more used to my new body. It has changed a lot and continues to take shape as time goes on. My dr told me my body will continue to change in the first year after surgery. My favorite part is my completely flat stomach. I love it!! I need to do my inner thighs next. My dr wouldn't do them with the LBL. I'm sure I could've found a dr that would but as soon as I had my consult with him I knew he was the one for me so I stayed with him. I really need to take some pics and post them. After surgery I was so sure I would take pics every month to see the changes but this recovery has been very emotional for me and I didn't want to take pics all the time. Denise, I'm so glad you are feeling better. You've had a rough road. Did Bill stick around and help you or were you on your own all the time trying to deal with this? Sheryl, I can understand why you are hesitant with moving into a serious relationship with someone. Sounds like Kevin is feeling the same. Do you want to be loved and in a loving relationship for the future? I know you didn't have that with the ex. But, the future can be different for you. Don't feel like you have to rush into a decision. I, too, don't understand how some ppl can fall in love quickly. Take your time and you will know what to do when the time comes. Just don't let the fear of being and giving love hold you back from allowing it to happen. It can be a wonderful thing! Mexico was beautiful. We were in Cabo for a trip my husband earned through work. It's hard to come home to WI after being in such was weather and beautiful sunshine. Oh well, back to reality! I'm looking forward to 5:2 this week after eating whatever I wanted whenever I felt like it for 4 days. I don't drink alcohol so thankfully I didn't have any of those extra calories to contend with! The food though, delicious food anywhere and everywhere whenever I wanted it. Thankfully I could only fit in a few bites of everything. But a few bites all day long adds up. It's all good though I'll be back on track this week.

I was on 40mg for two months and then 20mg for a couple weeks. My surgeon said if I had no acid reflux problems to go ahead and stop it. Which I did. I have, however taken a 10 day course after a vacation where I ate a lot more sweets and alcohol than normal. My tummy hurt a bit, and the Prilosec helped. I also took it (per my surgeon's instruction) when I had to be on steroids for a compressed nerve in my neck. Talk to your surgeon, But no sense taking it if you don't have reflux.

Hey Bob Congratulations on your decision to have surgery and good luck to you! As a long time consumer of restaurant fare I can tell you that it matters not what you look like. If you have a great product and treat your customers right, you'll be successful. I have never not visited a restaurant due to the weight of the manager or owner. The tough part is being around food all day. Having discipline will be key. I am in my 12th month from surgery. I eat out 2-3 times a week. I can always find food that is sleeve and diet friendly. If not, restaurants will always prepare food the way I want it. They have been very accommodating. Alcohol can also be tough, especially in social situations, It is all about choices. Owning a restaurant, you can prepare food the way you want it! I don't think that your profession matters to your success but I do think it will present challenges to you. I am a big proponent of personal choice. No one makes you choose the foods you eat. I did not make great choices with food, that is why I had surgery. Sometimes I think we do not place enough emphasis on the mental side of this equation. It is probably the most important. A year out, I still track everything I eat. I weigh and measure a lot of the time and I am careful around my food triggers. Try to find time to eat mindfully, get away from the hustle and bustle when it is time to eat and make good choices. You will do great!