Search the Community
Showing results for 'alcohol'.
Found 17,501 results
-
My team said no alcohol for the first year. There were three reasons for this: 1) Liver failure. Your body burns fat very quickly during the first year releasing toxins stored in the fat into your system. Your liver is working very hard during this time to filter these out. Adding alcohol during this time period can overwork your liver, causing liver failure (resulting in at least one recent death for my program). 2) Cross addiction or transfer addiction. Many of us are addicted to various foods and need to practice and learn new coping skills while we are losing weight so we can keep the weight off for life. The statistics are pretty high for alcoholism, drug addiction, and other less common addictions (gambling, shopping, sex) for weight loss surgery patients. These statistics are equally as high for people who never indulged in these things pre op as they are for those who did. We need to learn and practice coping skills to avoid falling into the trap of new addictions. 3) Quick and easy intoxication. We get tipsy faster on less. There are plenty of reasons why this could be bad. Driving would be dangerous. You could end up in dangerous situations when quickly intoxicated. Or you could have poor judgment about what you put in your mouth while intoxicated. I tend to want to eat when tipsy. If I did that in the early stages I'd probably have had a lot more of those painful stuck food or vomiting episodes from eating too much, too fast, wrong foods, and not chewing. I have wine now at 14 months out. 4oz hits me hard and can make me slur my words and be unsteady on my feet. I only drink alcohol at home now, never in public (I like my Saturday night glass of wine - my indulgence after a long week). Mainly because I'd be embarrassed to seem so drunk in public and driving home would be very unwise. These three reasons were stressed and drilled into me over and over and over pre op and post op during support group meetings.
-
The only sugar in Quest Bars occurs naturally from nuts or freeze dried fruits. They are sweetened by using Stevia or Lo Han Guo, which is a fruit found in China. The fruit extract has no calories and no glycemic impact. As mentioned above, to determine active carbs, take the total carbs on a label and subtract fiber and sugar alcohols. This will give you net carbs for a food item. Most foods that are low carb will list the net carbs on the front of the package because they want you to notice it. Quest bars are actually low in carbs and sugar. Because of the good taste I have to be careful, these could easily become a slider food for me.
-
My surgeon said don't drink w hile eating as this can wash food through the band too quick seems to make sense so why r people here drinking with meal ? Also alcohol makes me real hungry!!!
-
I usually try to stick to spirits if I drink and believe me...when I drink I binge drink out of control... It's summer and I'm 23. Last summer free before I have to buckle down for nursing school so you do the math! I do drink until oblivion but I also low carb and I usually drink bacardi and crystal light. I end up in the morning with little to no hangover. The first time I binged after my surgery I had drank vodka (smirnoff lemon) mixed with crystal light lemonade and the volume of it itself had me throwing up the next morning. Be careful with that! I am careful to only have one or two mixed drinks and just do shots along with them if/ when I drink. I also didn't drink any sort of alcohol until 4 months post op. The alcohol hasn't affected my weight gain/loss at all and I usually drink like that about 1x-2x a week.
-
Good point...I didn't even think about dumping from the wine. I was more concerned with the stronger effect alcohol will have..really good thing to think about though.
-
I was told alcohol needs to wait until at least 6 months for any type of alcohol but to play it VERY safe because you will get drunk/tipsy SOOOO much easier than you did before. When you drink the first time drink a few sips and wait a bit, do it at home and do it while someone is there with you in case you react poorly to it. Just be really really careful, I'm a revision from a sleeve and I didn't think it would affect me THAT much more than before but I was very very wrong. You should be fine to start adding wine into your diet now though..
-
Likewise--- I agree with @Beckyyb93 What courage! Being a parent, I think, does change one for the better. Please keep thinking of them and be careful about mixing alcohol with the other drugs you are taking! Lots of people have died from mixing the two. What is your new career? How did you start on that path? Does it fulfill you? Remember, you've lost 139 frick'in pounds man.... time to be PROUD!!!
-
Sure I lost some weight. I think I was 461lb and almost three years later I am still 322lb. Stress. That's one. But let me tell you the crap I put myself in. I was married. Now I am divorced. Lost several jobs but got a new career. Fathered twin boys. Dated a long time friend. Proposed to said friend. She walked out of the engagement after 2 months. Kid's mother is being very strict on visitation. Cannot afford an attorney so I'm stuck on that for the time beiing. Have resorted to binge drinking since I can't gorge on food. I had to stop doing that when I passed out and woke up to realize I drank a half bottle of vodka. Depressed over not one, not two but THREE failed relationships since the surgery. Diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, Paranoid Personality Disorder & anxiety. My doctor has prescibed an anti-depressant and a benzodiazepine. I've also spent 8 days in a lock-down psych facility. Lastly I contemplated suicide but couldn't leave my new twin boys fatherless. I cannot stress the importance of maintaining a connection with a mental health professional for at least a year post surgery. Had I done that I would not be in the mess I am. I still have 60-70lb to lose. I live very meagerly due to child support (which I don't mind) and have an ex-wife, ex-girlfriend & an ex-fiancee. Add that to my physical and sexual abuse as a child and it's amazing I'm still standing upright. At 39, I am trying to rebuild my life. SIngle while co-parenting is hard but doable. Trying to finish college to move up in the company. But the hard part I see is managing relationship dissolution. Of any kind. Be it parental, sibling, child, romantic or professional. A lot of us turned to food to comfort these times. Once we see that it's no longer an option, we look around for a crossover addiction. My "drugs" of choice were alcohol and sex. Let me be perfectly clear about andmy addictions: Private sins almost always have public consequences. Have a therapist and psych team ready post-surgery. The psych eval prior to the VSG is not enough. No one can say wht they will do post surgery until it actually happens. Be safe people.
-
Question...what has been the hardest thing to deal with post op?
Madam Reverie replied to swtpea637's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hmmm definitely mourning gorging myself - although that's what got me in this mess in the first place and is quickly overcome when you can get onto normal food. Be careful not to graze though. It's easy to graze on things you like. It takes a helluvalot of willpower not to. Acid reflux. It sucks monkeys balls. Bread -I am still an addict. Couldn't give a rats about pasta/rice/potatoes. Bread? I still adore it and can sadly still eat it. Alcohol. I can still drink a pint of carbonated cider or Guinness. I drink too many of them. If I didn't, I might be a bit lighter than I am now. Other than that.. My butt is considerably smaller. I can run. I wear smaller clothes. I have PCOS of which the symptoms have eased. I'm not half as sick as I was before the surgery. There are some hard bits.. It does take willpower. The honeymoon period doesn't last forever... But.. it is all sooooooooooooooo worth it. -
recovery from post wls acohol issues
Ginger Snaps replied to valerieKovach's topic in The Gals' Room
I'm thinking that there are some people that just have addictive personalities -- my ex-husband was one of them. He smoked and stopped, then took up cross-stitching (excessively, 6-7 hours a day while working full-time), then soduko, then crosswords, then planning flower gardens (not gardening, planning them). It seemed like he couldn't stand life without one all-consuming hobby or thing to do. I'm sure it's the same with alcohol... even after you beat the demons of food or alcohol, you might replace it with some other thing. I'm glad you're in therapy -- that should help figure out your compulsions. I have heard people say to focus on exercise and get "addicted" to that, but that can even be a problem if it gets excessive. I hope you find help that works for you and I hope you find lots of support here on the boards. -
How was your 5:2 day today?
CowgirlJane replied to Oregondaisy's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Florinda I am sorry you are going through this....but don't be too hard on your boyfriend. I have noticed a chromosome related trait of unwillingness to communicate empathy. The next boyfriend will fail in a similar way... there are exceptions and it depends on the topic and circumstances but over the phone in a situation he knows about but hasn't really "lived" he doesn't stand a chance. That is what moms and sisters and girlfriends are for. Beautiful photos! My life has taken a turn toward the tragic with bettys brain cancer at center stage. I am proud of myself that I wake up every morning and ask myself if I feel the wolf....the horrible anxiety/mood stuff and I don't. I am calling old friends, extended family and enduring their guilt wracked voices and tears.....and while I feel it like a thousand cuts I am not depressed or spinning up...just even. (Betty is a raging alcoholic and most of us lost contact over the 7years since my sis died even though we all love Betty and promised my sis to watch out for her,that is the guilt part) A week ago I ordered this little farm toy, before all hell broke loose, and it arrived on a hot day when I happened to be dressed a little daisy duke like...Haha. makes me so thrilled at my weight loss, maintenance and plastics! -
What are your Pre-Op diet guidlines?
HaddocksEyes replied to mamaofmatthew's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You reminded me - no caffeine, no alcohol, practice drinking 30 minutes before and after meals, practice drinking 1 oz. over 15 minutes, no soda (unless it is diet and completely flat). -
How was your 5:2 day today?
CowgirlJane replied to Oregondaisy's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I like your hubby chim. So I am doing good avoiding horrible depression over Bettys brain tumor and all the horrors related to it ... at least so far. I chatted with my counselor who put it in a spiritual context that it doesn't seem fair but this is her "path" for this life. I thought about it...and she has never gotten over my sister, the love of her life. I have never gotten over losing my sister and best friend either. Maybe this sounds horrible but I felt peace thinking that they will be together again soon and that Betty will be relieved of the pain. Not just the pain of losing Linda but whatever has driven her to alcoholism. It is still horrible and sad but I can at least feel some sense of finding a bit of good in the nightmare. -
Hello everyone... Newbie here...I came home from a business trip to find my APPROVAL letter in the mail! So excited...hopefully will get a surgery date tomorrow. Ok, my stats...I'm 49 years old and 5'2". On January 1st I weighed myself. 273.5 yikes! That same day I gave up all carbs, alcohol, sweets, caffeine and fast food. I've been eating healthy ever since. I have lost 41 lbs on my own. Went through the 6 month supervised weight loss plan, psych evaluation, nutritionist appointments etc...had my 6 month weigh in on June 19th. Weighed 232 so yay me! Got my approval letter in the mail today, and am hoping to get a surgery date tomorrow. The 6 months FLEW by. I stayed busy, stayed focused and did my research. So excited to be moving forward on my journey... Any advise from any of you on here's regarding how best to prepare for my surgery and my recovery? I live alone, but my daughter lives close enough to be of help. Help?
-
Post Op June 2014 Sleevers
LivingProof replied to KimGettingSlim's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hello, I'm June 18. I'm doing pretty well, I think, but I'd sure like to be able to get that 64oz. down. I've tried plain water, Kool-Aid, Gatorade. Anybody have some suggestions? This is when I miss my carbonated friends. Well, let me just say it, I also miss my alcohol friends. I'd give a lot for....you know....fill in the blank. I'm down 25#. Maybe not the fastest loser out there, but I'm absolutely delighted. Maybe struggling a teeny, tiny bit with humility these days. I'm so doggone proud of myself for having done this! I haven't told anyone but my husband and best friend. They keep secrets. I didn't tell anyone else because no one else needs to know. AND...it's kinda tough to put the toothpaste back in the tube. Good luck, everyone!!! -
How was your 5:2 day today?
CowgirlJane replied to Oregondaisy's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Swim posts in the vets forum alot, just click on the link in her siggy and you pretty much get the picture. I thought I had a lot to learn from her but it is more conspiracy theories then anything useful to me. Stopped seeing Tino a bit ago. It just wasn't working out. I am not sure if he intentionally misled me in what he was looking for or perhaps he didn't really know or perhaps he just found me less appealing after all but I didn't want to be just dad's girlfriend... I want someone to do fun stuff with as a couple. Had a blast this last weekend, went dancing and stuff. Family tragedy has happened though, I am just sick over it. Someone I used to be very close to but who has sorta let alcoholism drive a wedge in her relationships has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. I am getting a bit of post traumatic stress due to my history of dealing with my sisters illness and death. This is just ugly and horrid and I will spare you all the details but it's really bad. I am immediately aware that I need to be very deliberate about not returning to depression, like, I just feel so emotionally overwhelmed by it that I just don't know. Right now I want to sleep but I need to work. -
I got the band out the first time because I was thin for a long time and my port stuck out pretty far. I was dating and did not know how to tell my man about the band surgery. Once I got it out I quickly gained all my weight back again. This band I got on May 15 comes with new respect. This surgery was hard. Now when I date I will be proud of my band because I am very brave to do this again. I feel if an alcoholic or diabetic had a chance for surgery to cure their ills they would. My compulsive overeating is cured because of the band. I only want a man in my life who would understand how brave and courageous I am to get rebounded. I am succeeding even though I am not in the green zone yet. I am so thankful for this band. We are all so lucky to live in a country where we can get the band and the support from our surgeons and their staff. I go to monthly support groups which helps a lot.
-
Sleevers in Recovery form alcoholism/drug addicition
mamabear7 replied to nikkitierney's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had my sleeve done a week ago, 7/7/14. I have been sober for 3 years, I used alcohol as well as food to numb my feelings and emotions. I am hoping this surgery will help with my food addictions and that I can still stay sober as well. -
She's the ungrateful and self centered one. If she can't make a small change in her diet to see her daughter make a life change to better her health than she's not doin what a mother should do. I'm only 19 and I just got a sleeve 3 days ago. Me and my mother did it together but she's lives in PA and I'm in FL. It's not like ur asking anyone to do the diet with you. Anyways my post op diet I just drank protein shake for breakfast and lunch, I had yogurt and jello for in between if I was hungry of course sugar free. U can also get sugar Popsicles to if u want. But for dinner I had a small piece of meat NO breaking. I had no complication with my liver being to large I even drank a little bit of alcohol a few days prior. Just make sure it's no calories and u drink a lot of protein shakes. Diet soda will be ur best friend too in between the shakes because that's like the last time you will be able to handle carbonated drinks.
-
Follow Up Q's After WLS Introductory Seminar
greensleeve replied to RAR70's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
You will find every surgeon and nutrition ist are different, which sometimes feels crazy. But the thing is, if you do your research and then trust your surgeon, you need to really trust them and believe that their way is the way to go. Personally I don't drink with meals because I don't have enough room for food then. I sometimes take a sip just to wet my whistle but no real drinks. Three meals a day is ideal but for me, I wouldn't be able to get in all my Protein that way. I track everything that I eat and drink and know how many grams of protein and how many calories I eat every single day. My nutritionist said to just track protein and if you reach that goal you won't have room for other things. I personally avoid sugar, fried food, high carb food and I haven't had a soda since weeks before surgery. My surgeon is ok with coffee. Its the only way I can get through the day sometimes! I can't say I miss any food. I have had a tiny bite like once a week of something "bad", just to taste it. And I'm fine. I don't feel like eating a ton of it or feel like I'm missing out. I waste a lot of food going out to eat and take a it of left overs home. Alcohol is high in calories and can hurt your stomach, lower your inhibitions so you eat poorly, and it hits you a lot faster. It can also lead to a transfer of addiction from food to drinking. So surgeons really don't want us to drink. -
Any July 25th sleevers out there?
nikkitierney replied to amychar's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
@amychar. I am trying the pre-op diet, but am not completely in compliance. I do drink the Protein shakes, but add either a banana or orange and use almond milk instead of Water. I am allowed 4 oz of lean meat/fish and a cup of vegetables. I usually eat more vegetables and sometimes have a little more than 4 oz. Usually 6. I also cheat and eat atkins treats...I try for only one a day but sometimes eat 2(110 calories or so, but they have sugar alcohol not sugar so they do not cause a spike in the blood). I began a modified pre-op diet right around the 4th of july and have lost 14 pounds so far, but the first pounds are easy as it is mainly water weight and reducing from 4,000 plus calories a day is not that challenging!!! I feel very weak, and want to take a nap like i am in pre-school!! I miss chewing and tasting soooooo much! I may not be the best role model or support person...hah!! It is just very hard. How are things going with you? Did you begin pre-op diet yet? -
Follow Up Q's After WLS Introductory Seminar
woo woo replied to RAR70's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I think that you want to restrict your alcohol intake mainly because of the caloric value. It's best to get your calories from actual food and avoid drinking them. Even so, many people still enjoy the occassional drink and seem to do just fine. This will be after an initial healing period. -
Follow Up Q's After WLS Introductory Seminar
Chelly replied to RAR70's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
No coffee because it acts like a diuretic. No drinking a half hour before a meal and no drinking a half hour after a meal. This way you keep the food in your stomach longer and it won't get flushed out. No alcohol because you don't feel it like before and it enters your blood stream faster. You might not feel drunk but your blood level will say differently. No carbonation because it stretches the stomach. You must follow the food plan that your surgeon and nutritionist give you or you won't be successful. Protein is first always to eat and always have all your water. You must measure everything. No sugars or fats because you will get sick and have dumping. Well my nutritionist says it should have no more then 10g of sugar per serving or you get sick from it. We all go to social functions you just have to plan ahead on what you will eat. I personally go out to eat and go to people's homes, I even went to a convention and brought food with me just in case there wasn't anything for me to eat. It worked out great. I ate their food and mine. Those are the basic general rules to follow. Your surgeon and nutritionist will come up with what is best for you for your plan. I was a very big soda and seltzer drinker and gave that. I also was a big drinker with meals and got use to not doing that. WLS is a big commitment and there are adjustments but it can be done and you can have a very full life also a much healthier life. Good luck with your decision. I'm so glad I did it. -
Moving right along and a little terrified!
carolk36 replied to carolk36's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi DaronB, My psych eval was pretty much them wanting to know if I had plenty of support before they would approve the surgery. There was a 100 question survey where they looked for areas in my life that might be triggers (too high, too low) that would prevent me from succeding, such as alcoholism or very poor self esteem. My counselor was very easy to talk to and everything on their end was approved. Good luck to you! -
Follow Up Q's After WLS Introductory Seminar
RAR70 posted a topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Hi everyone, I'm new the forums. I've updated my profile so you know my story. I'm been reading lots and lots on here as I've been looking for information and experiences from both the Optifast diet and WLS. I'm currenlty on the medically supervised weight loss program at Kaiser. Today marks two weeks. As I started this journey, I also wanted to know more about WLS because I thought I would rather eat real food than Optifast for 12 weeks. Well, after the introductory seminar I felt a bit defeated in my Quest as it seems to be more restrictive than I thought. I was hoping to ask my follow up questions here to help me better understand what happens after WLS, what can you eat/drink after WLS, etc so that I can make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed with the WLS orientation. I did receive a referral from my doctor. After WLS: Can you no longer have a glass of wine with a meal? They told us you can no longer consume liquids with your meal. How do you all handle this and how has it worked out? Only 3 meals a day can be eaten, no Snacks or small meals in-between. What do you do in social events, parties, picnics? You need to strictly monitor caloric intake and weigh and measure your food. Is there a standard typical caloric intake per meal and per day recommended? You need to avoid foods high in fat and sugar. Restrict alcohol. Restrict carbonated drinks. Any guidance, learnings and knowledge sharing from your experiences would be greatly appreciated. ~R
