Search the Community

@butterthebean Believe it or not, I sooo agree with all you write.. I know I'm a newbie FOR SURE! I know it sounds down right righteous to some. It wasn't my intention nor point. My theme was to indeed KNOW yourself and we are all different.. And soo many posts like licking the cheese off the dorito or chewing and spitting.. That sort of thing (ALOT OF IT ON HERE) is what I am referring to! I know I may have issues. When I do, I'll scale back! You are also so right about the food addictions, etc. My psych visit caught all of that (and the recent comments about alcohol and cross addictions). I know for ME, I have no alcohol addiction. Others need to be honest.. Re food addictions, yep, I think all of us have them.. My point wasn't to cave into whims. Junk food indeed got me here.. Or bad choices... I am working on changing that and only time will honestly tell. I don't think I'm enabling anyone, because my point was have the ONE dorito! but, if yuo are the type who can't handle that (only you know that), then don't do it! It works for me.. Same for the 2 pretzels. Etc. So, yes, I do agree with your points and that's why I love this forum!

The answer is both! First off, you don't count total carbs because the carbs that you eat in the form of fiber and sugar alcohols generally pass through undigested and don't contributed to weight gain or energy productiion. You have to deduct them from your total carb intake--so the focus is on net carbs. I am personally follow an ultra-low carb diet and try to keep my total carb intake under 30 net grams (usually under 20). I also count calories and track what I eat. I budget 1500 calories a day, with 45 percent come from protein, 45 percent from fat (healthy fats) andn 10% from carbs. It's working for me.

Yes I did have something similar. I would have several bm during the day but the middle of the night and early morning was the worst! For me it was my vitamins. They had a lot of sugar alcohol in them. I switch everything over a capsule and the problem has been solved.

I appreciate everyone's kind words, stories, and concern. It's so encouraging to know it can and will get better. I just don't have much optimism right now. I went to the ER again because I felt worse. I finally got a CT scan. It shows nothing abnormal going on in my belly. It did show some very tiny (doctor said if you squint) sign of appendicitis. Now I'm worried about that. I asked if it just stays like that or what. They said as long as no other symptoms of appendicitis I'm ok. I feel like I'm lying in wait for that to happen now. She said if you ask 100 doctors half would be concerned half wouldn't. So whatever that means. While in the ER they called my surgeon and he wants me to come in this coming week for an EGD. It's about time! I left there with carafate. Since leaving last night I am now to the point of vomiting for real. It's not just nausea. I've got the saliva going crazy, heart racing etc going on and it's takes everything I've got to not do it. It's happened several times. I've taking 2 doses of the carafate. I don't know if it doesn't anything or not. I also got some pedilyte popcicles. I tried to eat one earlier. I'm just trying to get fluids in. It makes it harder now that I am on the verge of throwing up. As for my husband and his stupid comments. He's an alcoholic so that doesn't make anything easy. He keeps drinking because he's worried about me he says. How dumb is that? I need him to get his act together and at least take care of our youngest. His mom isn't a reliable source of help and my kids aren't allowed over at my parents house anymore. (Long story but my brother was inappropriately touching our daughter and that's still under investigation.) I am having a lot of problems financially or I'd hire a babysitter. I feel like I have one issue after another and I just need something to go right. I need my health more than I need anything. So here's to hoping this gets better very soon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Have issues with my BP too. It will likely get better after the surgery. I am almost 3 months post surgery. I feel amazing. Currently 104kg from 126kg pre surgery. It is the best decision I ever made. For my health, family and may be vanity. I played football with my 4yo he had to tell me "mum it's okay - lets go in"! I wouldn't even dare before then. I feel like I can conquer the world. Don't find exercising as exerting as before and hoping to get better. Let me raise a glass and toast to a new you. Cus that's what the surgery will do! I guess the only downside for me is I can't drink as much alcohol. I feel tipsy really fast. So..... But that too is a small price to pay. Good luck.

I am three months out and have not had any carbonation.....doesn't bother me at all to not have it. I have had alcohol a few times....wine, cosmo, margarita. My tolerance is much lower but when I have to enter the calories into "myfitnesspal.com" it is not worth it.

Everything Gene said ... plus ... You just cannot fathom the sheer number of people who are just waiting to help you in AA. They will be thrilled to tell you their story of battling alcohol, and will be eager to guide you through your own journey. All you need to do is take one step toward them, they'll come the rest of the way. Even if you're not sure about it, go to a meeting, introduce yourself (first name only), and kick the tires. Hear the message. Toss it around in your head. See if it's something that interests you. It's anonymous, so nobody will follow up with you later unless you ask them to. You can choose to never go back again if you like. I swear, if I lived near you I'd offer to take you to a meeting. Tell me your zip code and I will try to find a meeting for you. Seriously, you sound like you're almost ready to say something like "I wish I knew how to stop". If that's true, please, consider what I'm saying. Like I said earlier, I've lost 100 pounds so far, so many things are better now that I've lost the weight ... but quitting drinking was a much more important life change to me. I wish I could share this with you.

Scotti you need to get help. AA is NOT a form of weakness. It is proof of your inner courage shining through the fear of change that you have decided to attend a meeting. It takes far more courage to seek help for a problem than to deny the problem. The damage an alcoholic inflicts on their family is devastating. I am the child of a raging alcoholic. My mother refused to get help because it was "weak". After 25 years of self loathing she took her life. She could not live with the guilt of the abuse she dealt us. She devastated her children and robbed her grandchildren of the chance to love her because she refused to look beyond herself. You can do it. You just have to be willing to take that first step. A good lunch is canned chicken with fat fre mayo, pickles, and mustard wi th a string cheese. There are a lot of different uses for the chicken and it has a lot of protein. Good luck to you!

Now this is my specialty. IMPO it would be highly advised that u don't take up alcohol or drugs. It's a disease and it is advised to get some help. AA is a good place to start. When doing alcohol u become less inhibited and more likely to eat way too much that can cause damage by his is the time to work on cultivating new healthy bodies and habits. Focus on learning more about healthy goods that nourish ur body don't tear it down with alcohol or drugs. U can do this! Now Rock that sleeve and clean up ur act!

Scotty, bro, you need help. Alcoholism is not uncommon after WLS, many of us are food addicts, and when we can't medicate with food some of us tur to alchohol. In your case, you had this problem before WLS, so the reality is you are compounding one addiction on top of another. I know AA doesn't sound like the most appealing thing, but you need some friends that do not drink a sponsor would be a great help too. Someone that understands where you are at & will take your call at anytime. I'd really hate to see you go through all this to get your life back just to throw it all away. Thats not even mentioning how your drinking affects the people you love. Do yourself a favor get the help you need. We can encourage you and offer advice on weight loss side, but, you really need someone who understands where you are with the alchohol. Best wishes.

Happy Sunday 2/9ers hoping everyone had a fabulous weekend. So I had my first hang out night since surgery and I survived. I wasn't tempted to try any food that's not on plan or alcohol I survived and no one payed attention to me not eating much. How's everyone doing? I decided to start weighing on Mondays only because the scale is starting to give me anxiety. My wife asked if I'm looking to lose 50 pounds a day or something lol - that's not it, I'm just impatient (slightly) and want all the weight to melt off as I sleep hahahahha Slimtrimshel- I am going to look for those Protein shots. It's a great idea and shouldn't be tooooo filling on those days when short on protein SuzzyQ- you are definitely getting in more protein than I am but I also take b-12 and my multi Vitamin everyday, which seems to help with energy. I think we all are really tired initially, your body just went through a major shock but I would definitely suggest trying to do some minor walking (even if you don't want to) TxJP - acid reflux has been an issue for me since starting puréed, it actually has made me do more Protein shakes because of the fear of that feeling. When I called my surgeon they told me to take nexium twice per day in addition to my Protonix and I will pop a few gas x strips. The nexium does take a few days to kick in but it has helped some. I never had acid reflux either but did have a hernia repair so this was definitely not expected. Surgeon says it should go away within a month and the pills will no longer be needed, hopeful Iamsafe69- congrats on the weight loss and sorry about the respiratory infection. Take it easy and don't over push yourself, you will get back to running sooner than later.

Oh man I can relate! Every day I was at least a 7 or 8 on a 1-10 scale and really most days I was at a 9-10. I would cry daily. And took pain pills and drank to help dim the pain. It was an awful existence non-existence! I can tell you the difference at 5'4" and 56 years from 287lbs to 135lbs today is dramatically different!!! I still have neuropathy from cancer treatment/surgery, but my pain at the end of the day is a very manageable 3-4. I live life and can be active now! It's night and day difference in pain relief. And I only have had pain pills for an emergency surgery-and no alcohol for pain management either! It's a miracle! Can't wait for y'all to experience this!!!

Let's see, my surgery was June 13. I quit smoking, after 37 yrs, alcohol & coffee on June 1. No cravings noted for any of them.

First of all I said IF meaning just what it says I didnt assume anything. As far as my education goes I have 30 years in healthcare and working with patients who have pancreatitis MOST have it due to alcoholism which is number one on your list. Secondly again IF I said not That he is drinking and needs to stop. So instead of asking questions like this in a forum you SHOULD go to a doctor not ask medical professionals who know about what your husband was diagnosed with. I am so sick of you people taking things I say out of context and making it what you want. If you dont want advice then dont ask. Educate yourself instead of copy and pasting what you think I should know because I far know more about medicine then most ever will. Next time call your lap band doctor and ask him what your husband should do. Have an awesome day.

Your Dr's advice may vary, but mine has not problem with it. I usually have 1 or 2 ounces of alcohol in the evening. Currently my drink of choice is Irish Whiskey on he rocks, although once in a while I will make a margarita. Remember, alcohol is a liquid calorie, make sure to count them.

I just have a harder time knowing when it's going to hit me and I seem to get reoccurring drunk with it. I'll be buzzed then be fine, then have another drink and end up being drunk unintentionally. I could always hold my booze before surgery but I have to be careful now. Two glasses of wine is pushing it, three is probably a mistake. Hard alcohol is way less predictable for me for some reason.

It sounds like you're doing fine. But I worry about your Protein and Fluid intake. Heads-up – my doc said getting your protein level up quickly and maintaining it throughout is the best chance of preventing hair loss. He also said that hydration is a key to skin elasticity. Armed with that info, I try to get in 80-100 grams of protein and 100+ oz. of liquid every day. Anything else is gravy. Besides those two stipulations, my doc's only other rules are to take multi-vitamins and Calcium-citrate-plus-D every day, and keep carbs as low as possible. For me that means no starches or sugars (including alcohol). Here's my plan. Maybe it will help you get some ideas. Good luck! Rog Below is a "typical" day's menu: As for carbs, mostly I get them from my shakes, Greek yogurt, and the very limited veggies I'm able to fit in after my protein. Other doctors and nutritionists give you carb targets, but my doctor just says to limit them as much as possible. If you're not logging your food yet, I'd suggest using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/. It helps you keep track of your protein and fluids, but also can help you figure out if anything is going off track and affecting your weight loss. Okay, here's an example of my day: I keep a 2-quart jug and a 24-oz Tervis tumbler (with a handle) both at home and at work. I count my morning Protein Shake as a meal, not a fluid. (30 grams of protein) 30-60 minutes later, I have a cup of coffee. (Count it as a fluid if you like.) After that, I drink a 24-oz. tumbler of decaf, sugar-free iced tea, like Crystal Light throughout the morning. (Lots of frequent sips) Then I walk for 40+ minutes. Then it's lunchtime - tuna salad or chicken salad, or leftover protein from dinner. (16-22 grams of protein) and maybe a bite of veggies if there's room. About 45 minutes after lunch, I'll fill another 24-oz tumbler of iced tea and sip that throughout the afternoon, finishing by 30 minutes before my afternoon snack. At around 4:00 or 4:30, my afternoon snack is usually a Greek yogurt (12 grams of protein) or some leftovers. (This is also a good time to get in some veggies or a V-8 if you're getting enough protein at other times.) Maybe a cup of hot tea in the later afternoon. (Count it as a fluid you like.) Then dinner – again, getting 20-25 grams of protein from lean steak, fish, chicken, or pork, and maybe a bite or two of veggies. Finally, another 24-oz cup of iced tea or Water 30-45 minutes after dinner that I sip throughout the evening. If I'm hungry later, sugar-free Jello or sugar-free popsicles are good. And if I'm short on protein or still hungry, another yogurt or protein shake. (I'm not worried about the calories because this menu only provides 700-900 per day.) So that's 70+ grams of protein and 72+ ounces of fluid. If you have a regular enough schedule, you can follow it every day. If not, maybe a modified version will work. The big trick is in pre-planning your meals and your fluids, especially if you're going to be away from home or work. In those cases, I always make sure there will be something I can eat, or I bring along a Protein shake or some kind of meat to carry me through. Beef or turkey Jerky is my on-the-fly meal. A 3 oz bag is over 30 grams of protein and about 200 calories. The sodium can be high, so watch for that. I've also gotten pretty good at restaurant eating. I avoid the bread and salad, order chicken, steak, lamb, fish, or pork, trade in the starch for a second veggie, skip the dessert.... and end up taking half of the meat, and almost all of the veggies home. I know we need to learn to eat "normally", but I'm not there yet – especially when it comes to carbs. When I get to goal weight, I'll work on finding my new low-carb "normal". In the meantime, this eating plan is working really well.

Onmyway, I don't have any advise for you, just my story which is not complete yet. I too hesitated to get a revision because of my experience with the band. My current doctor told me in January, "it's not your fault. The band doesn't work". I didn't believe him because I knew I had eaten around my band at times, was totally out of control with cravings at times. But I started the process toward revision because I knew I had to do something. I was desperate. I lost 60 pound slowly with the band and have now gained it all back after having an empty band for 3 years due to complications. I was very conflicted, trying to figure out what to do. I had to go to a nutrition class once a month for my insurance to cover revision and I started going even though I wasn't sure I was going to have surgery again. When I got there, I thought "I've been through all this before. I know all this". And I thought "I don't have to practice. I can do it when the time comes. If it comes". By the third class, something changed for me. I started believing that there was a chance I could be successful with the sleeve. I got 3 books about the sleeve and started reading. The truth is that I am a carb addict and when I am able to stay off of them for a period of time, I don't crave them as much. I just have never really committed myself to staying off of them before. Now I have. I need to. I decided to go for a sleeve. I took an optional fourth nutrition class to finish learning implementing all the new behaviors I would need to follow after the sleeve and I would need to start practicing now. Stopping alcohol was hard as it had become my replacement behavior after the band, one thing that went down easy. Getting down to 1200 calories was hard. Cutting out carbonation was hard. Increasing exercise with my arthritis was hard. But slowly I have implemented everything including going down to 1000 calories a day and 50 gms or less of carbs from veggies and fruit. I'm not losing an ounce yet but I am sticking to it for the first time because I have committed to doing this. I need to lose some weight before surgery to make it safer. I am hoping for the experience that a lot of sleevers have: not being hungry and not having cravings. But even if I don't get lucky with that, I'm going to be as good a sleever as I was bad a bander. All that said, I haven't got my sleeve yet and haven't been successful with it yet. But I think if I can start to believe in myself, you can too.

I think you guys really have it here. ADDICTION. However, a lot of medical folks don't see it that way because there are not physical withdrawal symptoms associated with the removal of certain addicting foods like there are with removing a substance like heroin. That seems quite silly to me. Yes, I actually heard this from a medical professional. Everyone old enough to sleep by themselves would know that anything could be addicting. What about cigarettes? Isn’t it true that the actual physical addiction to the chemicals is over rather quickly, but the emotional addiction can last forever? Same with alcohol, yes? So how can that line of thinking be valid? Granted, I have also heard other professionals validate eating as an addiction. But why is that important? It is certainly not because I need someone to tell me I am addicted to something to make me feel better. I know I am already. I don’t need to be told. But validation is necessary at the society and mass media level because this is why people think you can “just do it.” They see a fat person and they do not see a sad addiction to a substance we can never completely avoid. They do not realize that not being addicted isn’t as simple of emptying our cabinets of alcohol (or pick your poison) and not going to a bar. Not that I think that would be easy, but as a comparison, consider that not over-eating and eating bad foods is an addition you consciously fight three meals a day-MINIMUM, while actually partaking in the actual substance that is killing you because you must eat in order to stay alive. Oh, how we quickly judge. I have always said, I do not judge others who are addicted to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes etc. I have been fortunate enough not to have those addictions. However, I certainly have my own, food. So I try not to judge and I try not nagging my BF to quit smoking. We talk about getting help instead. That is the discussion folks should be having around the issue of obesity, not will power or how gross people look because of fat. Right, as if drug addictions are attractive. Okay, I am off my soapbox now. But that is one that always hits me hard. I dated a guy long term once who was never addicted to anything and we were really from different planets because of that. That is when all of this came to the surface for me. <O:p Luckily, my BF now does understand, and even took out a loan against his house to help me get the surgery in September. I thought he would think I was nuts at first, but he actually did a lot of the convincing by stressing the long-term effects of the weight. He often pointed out how it has affected his mother’s life and doesn’t want that for me. He doesn’t think I can do it alone, and couldn’t believe I felt ashamed for admitting I was not able to. Why can’t the rest of the world just think like my guy? Wow…I need to call him and tell him he is great. J Thanks for listening to my rant.

As I stated it was a "series" of sticks. So 8 to 10 sticks at a time over a 2 month period. Same needle every time and the area was cleaned with alcohol not betadine which is the same thing used in a fill. I still have the needle if I need more injections. Like I said, I personally don't see the big deal if the tissue is cleaned and the needle is cleaned there should be no problem.

I am with ALL OF YOU! Boy... I really wanted to be able to say that "I even made it through the Holidays!""" but now... that can never happen!!! We messed up. Back on the wagon we go!!! I am not going out on NYEve until about 9-10 oclock and then its just a few cocktails for me!!! Anyone out there able to recommend a low cal alcohol drink???

nah, I'll still do all - inclusives....who cares if I don't eat much!! I also don't drink alcohol (haven't in years) but it is still worth it to go to an all inclusive!

Debbie, pour alcohol over a pair of scissors or nail clippers to sterilize them and just clip those ends off.

hi Helene, My name is Marie, I am due to get my band in 13 days. reading your post frightens me! I did not realise you could have the band and not lose weight. I was told I would still have to watch what I eat, and be very careful about alcohol, dessert, fat. is it possible you are eating something which you think is low calorie, but is not? Good luck. Marie.

Finally home! Things I've learned today 1) My staff love me a bit too much, if they could kill me with sugar I would be dead. 2) I'm almost positive one of them is on here spying on me, they secretly knew I was going to be on liquids so they spoke with my mother and made a list of all the things I love and brought them to me as "gifts". 3) Now that I've thought about it number 1 should be changed to they HATE me! 4) Drinking 32 oz's of water on the two hour drive to work was a big mistake....huge! Unless I want to get up 30 mins earlier to make up for all the "pit stops" along the way that just can't happen again. 5) freaking out on the HWY and cussing at the poor Honda Civic in front of me at 3am because I really need to "go" due to # 4 is neither cute or appropriate. I even flipped my badge around "just in case" they could read my lips or even see me in the dark. God was cringing, I could feel it. 6) I OBVIOUSLY didn't make it clear to my husband that I don't want to see, smell or hear about food. (Thank you Jesus for still loving a foul mouth) Oh but he gets it now. 7) Hiding the kids Halloween candy is a traumatic experience for a 6 year old. His life pretty much flashed before his eyes when it was "missing". 8) Teach said 6 year old to make his own PB sandwich, nobody needs to smell that nonsense! 9) Always have a alcoholic beverage on hand for the poor neglected, harassed husband so he can deal with my "crazy" (liquid diet) because "Sprite alone will end us up in divorce court". 10) I'm stronger than I though! Everyone else may be feeling the pain but I'm happy as can be over here! I don't know what their problem is? I haven't killed anyone yet so I would suggest they all just stop being so horrible to me!!!! I'm winning today! NOT ONE CHEAT!!!! Now on to this H2oooooooo!