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Big Baby, Congrats on your entry into ONEDERLAND...YEE HA! Now, I am sorry I didn't answer your prior post, I am not on as much as I want to be rigght now with teaching, going to school and also lots of stuff going on with my children and their school work! To answer you, I did not have any problem eating on the cruise. I ate too much though! I gained a couple of pounds and expected it. I just followed the rules, such as no drinking and trying to get protein in first, etc. But I did eat more than I had eaten in forever, and more often! I also want to know that the cruise fell in my PMS time, you know, the time where one could eat the paint off the walls! I was a hungry girl and in the correct place for it! Most nights I was unable to complete the entire meal, but as you know with cruises, you have at least 4 courses! I do not drink alcohol - so that wasnt an issure with me, however, the tea was not brewed, and being a southern girl...that wasnt the greatest! Drank lots of water and some of that icky tea...oh, and coffee in the mornings. Looks like I am going on another cruise in January - this one is 7 days. (I just came back from a 5 day) Baby, you will do great and have a blast, is this your first cruise?

I don’t have forbidden foods but I don’t enjoy drinking alcohol anymore. Probably just as well.

Barring my taste buds changing to dislike them there is no way in hell I am parting with foods I can't get in Canada that I used to have back in the states: - Round Table Pizza (California and a few other states) - In N Out Burger (California and a few other states) - Jamba Juice (numerous states) - Premier Pizza (San Jose area, California) - Tacos El Grullense (Bay Area, California) - Wienerschnitzel (California and a few other states) - Jack in the Box (numerous states) - Hormel Chili (No Beans, Turkey No Beans) - Armour Chili - Yoplait Yogurt (different than the Yoplait in Canada) - It's It Ice Cream Sandwiches - Japaleno Cheddar Dip (Fritos?) and Fritos Scoops Things I have ditched due to taste buds changing during weight management program: - Pizza Rolls - Hot Pockets - 99% of chips and other related snacks - Soda (I will miss you soda, but you taste like crap now and you helped eff up my liver ) - Any and all alcohol (didn't drink much anyways, but if and only if my liver completely resolves the fibrosis issue will I ever touch alcohol again, pretty sad since I've never had an alcohol problem to begin with) The difference is with the foods I will still eat, is that 1) I almost never have them as my trips back to the US lately have been few and far between (only a few times a year), 2) I will maintain the tiny portions and caloric/carb restrictions, meaning for things like the Super Burrito from El Grullense.. I might be paying 5 bucks, eat a few bites, save more for later, or if wife/daughter don't want it, throw it away. Still plan on stocking up on the chili (Hormel/Armour) from US trips for days like Super Bowl Sunday.. one of my fav SB dips are Fritos Scoops with Jalapeno Cheddar dip and chili. Of course, my portion size will be minuscule compared to everyone else's, but don't care.

April 11, 2017 ================================ 21 days post op. I feel basically back to normal now, have since about day 12. That's also when I hit my first stall. Fun! I lost 10 lbs in 10 days and then stalled. I know it's normal - I lost 20 lbs total in March between the pre-op and post-op very strict diets so it makes sense that my body would need a week or two to catch up and figure out what's happening. I'm trying to avoid the scale except for Friday weigh-ins. I feel lighter and my face and neck seem to definitely be the first place I'm losing. Which is nice because i wasn't a fan of my double chin and it's almost gone. I'm at about 41lbs gone total since starting this process. I just hope that when I hop on the scale Friday it shows some positive movement. Eating - I'm currently on purees until next Wednesday (my 1 month checkup), when I'll move to soft foods for a month - then I'm put on a "normal" diet with a few restrictions. So I've been using my blender/processor a lot. I skip that part sometimes and just chew really well but it doesn't do quite the same thing so sometimes I regret that. I haven't gotten sick yet (vomiting) and nothing I've tried has really gone down "wrong". The only time I feel uncomfortable is when I eat too much or too fast (or both!). I'm eating chicken, tuna, beans, guac, sour cream, melted cheese, ricotta, cottage cheese, yogurt, pudding, etc - all pureed/chewed to the consistency of pudding. I'm off red meats until at least 2 months out per my doc, bread until at least 4-6 months (if ever), and alcohol until further notice (my own restriction - it hit me hard before, I can only imagine how it would affect me now - plus alcoholism runs in my family and I figure why risk transferring my food addiction to alcohol!). Constipation hits every few days but usually eating some beans helps within a day but if not, I've been drinking a half cup of regular coffee and that always works (I'm not "supposed" to have caffeine but a half cup once or twice a week won't do much I'm sure - and I prefer that to taking a laxative!) I started back on the treadmill this week. Just 3 days a week, 20 - 25 mins for now. I have been doing all my regular daily routine stuff for about a week and except for getting tired (I'm only taking in 600 - 800 cals still) or having a little incision pain if I do too much, I feel pretty good. My incisions are all closed up and healing well, albeit ITCHY some days. One is almost invisible already! I have a few random stitches sticking out that bug me but I'm trying to leave them alone and let them work themselves out. I have been putting aquaphor on them daily to help them heal. Once they're completely healed i have some Bio Oil to use at night and I'm going to try coconut oil as well. Overall, I feel WAY better than I expected to at only 3 weeks out. Now if only the scale starts moving again...

Maybe it's the amount of exercise? I've noticed (and just personal observation I'm not a dr!) that people seem to stall who exercise excessively. 2 hours is maybe too much? It's also unlikely that that level of exercise is sustainable so you may be setting yourself up for failure later either way. Maybe try to cut back the exercise and see what happens. And I suppose it's not exactly 'missing' my fat security blanket but I agree with your statement abt feeling the same emotionally fat or thin. Losing weight didn't make all my demons and insecurities disappear and while I'm definitely putting myself out there more, I'm still plagued by a feeling of being on the outside of things. It's weird. I thought that would go away. And jpod, you are soooooo right. Skip the first bite. I think I need to approach it like I'm an alcoholic. Maybe some things (simple carbs) I just can't handle in moderation. An alcoholic doesn't say I'll just have a little drink and have it be ok. I think I need to change my mindset and address the carb addiction like it is- an addiction!!!!!

Bellabloom, It sounds like a struggle for you. The others have had some great points and ideas. Focusing on some calorie-dense foods might help. What about nuts? cheese? Going back to the Protein shakes, as you may have used in the first stages post-op, could also help. Can you blend in, say, avocado and/or Peanut Butter to shakes to increase the calories? Could you cook foods with sneaky fats, like baking your protein with olive oil, or tossing Pasta with olive oil? Finding some slider foods seems like a great idea! Wheat Thins or other crackers, Cereal, macaroni and cheese (make it whole grain and real cheese, if you’re worried about junk food), or whatever may work for you. I understand you don’t want to eat junk food, but if you’ve honestly tried every healthy food on the planet and you can’t get enough calories, junk food may be your best (and only) bet to make up the calories you need to stop losing weight. Maybe in a while, you’ll be able to eat more “healthy” foods and reduce the calories from “unhealthy” foods I agree with some of the other members who suggest simply making it a priority – the same way after surgery when it’s really, really tough to get down those Protein Shakes to make 65 grams a day, and to get down that Water to make 64 ounces a day. Maybe eating will feel like a full-time job, but maybe it needs to be if the alternative is getting thinner than you want to be. Experimenting until you find your own “slider” foods seems like a possibly great idea! If you’re really and truly at a point where you cannot eat enough to subsist, that’s a serious problem! I hope you can find a nutritionist who addresses your particular problems and doesn’t just label you before listening to your story. @@jenn1, I don’t have a ton of personal experience with eating disorders of the non-overeating type, but I know it’s definitely a big deal in our WLS community! There’s a nice article here from the Obesity Action Coalition discussing obesity, eating disorders (binge eating disorder or BED, anorexia, and bulimia), and cross addictions. I’ve also heard them referred to as replacement addictions: after WLS, the addiction to food can be “replaced” by an addiction to something else. The article makes a very interesting point that after WLS, the person may not realize they are developing a replacement addiction. They think they can handle the alcohol, or whatever it is they are turning to, and don’t realize when they get to a point that’s dangerous. Anyway, it is definitely very common to have eating disorders (especially if you’ve struggled in the past) or other cross addictions post-op. Thanks for that info, @@jenn1. @@bellabloom, I would say to be super honest with yourself – can you physically eat more and do you want to? – and if the answer is that you’re in physical pain and you cannot get enough nutrients, then you need serious medical help. You’ve posted about this for several weeks (if not longer), and that’s way too long to live with bad pain. You have worked so hard to get to where you are now, and you’re worth a trip to the doctor.

I've had alcohol. I talked to my surgeon and he suggested rum and diet coke. I'm following a low-carb plan, so he recommended it over a glass of wine for me. I felt the effects of it quicker than before surgery. And I felt really dehydrated and crappy the day after. But I probably overdid it that night too.

Last night I downed three Oreos from the mini bar in my hotel room. Hey, it was either that or m&ms! Or the copious amounts of liquor, wine and beer....at only 2.5 months out I was afraid of the alcohol.

I had my first alcoholic drink on Valentine's Day this year. I had a bourbon and water. I was super buzzed pretty quick.

this scares me but what scares me more is being so overweight never being able to there for my kids for anything. I have lost 100lbs gained it back, lost 40lbs gained it back, I have a very unhealthy relationship with food and self image. Now I am turning to surgery because I feel as tho is my last option to get my life under control. I am aware of the habits that I have will need to stop, the amount of food I eat needs to stop, the alcohol consumption will need to reduce. I am willing to this because this will help me in the long run. I am so sorry your going through this and this does make me more nervous about undergoing this surgery

Okay, so I was babysitting for a neighbor of mine. She called to see how the kids were doing. They were sleeping but I asked her if she had anything for a stuffed up nose. I was thinking she might have some sort of decongestant but I didn't see any in the medicine cabinet. She told me next to her bed, on the night stand, there was a bottle of nose spray and I could use that. ( I washed the tip of the bottle with alcohol) Also on the night stand, was a tube of lube that said it was for anal sex. It got me wondering why women do this. I could see why a guy would want to do it. I would suppose it's tighter and feels good for him. But does it feel good for her? I can't see it feeling any different than being horribly constipated. I wish I had never seen that tube of lube!

I went to Monterrey mexico for my surgery. It was done on Oct 10, 2008 by Dr Zapata. Ready4achange.com I didnt have any preop diet, ate what i wanted. i went out to eat the night before surgery for the "last supper" lol I had a big meal, and a couple drinks. he did want to limit alcohol intake prior to surgery but my surgery was scheduled late evening the next day. Surgery and recovery was a breeze. He did say walk alot after surgery to get rid of the excess gas that is incurred during surgery. i walked all night at the hospital and never had any gas pains. i never took any pain medicine either . I had surgery on wed night, went to the hotel thurs. flew home friday morning , i was back in new orleans for 9 am on friday and drove myself home from the hospital , the only pains i had was soreness when i was getting up out of a chair or out of bed . i am down 80# since surgery. just slow and steady. Ive had 4 fills. It is a little slow right now because i havent been walking like i should . Adrias Mier New Orleans 10/10/07 340/260/190

I regularly have wine at dinner. Just a glass but I don't consider alcohol taboo. But Restless Mokey is right - they are empty calories, so I try not to have too much.

For me it's pizza--one of my absolute favorites before surgery but not really an option since. I have had a few bites here and there, but never again will I eat even a full slice. As Catwoman said, you can have a little bit of just about anything from time to time once you are in maintenance, as long as you exercise restraint. I swore I would never eat processed sugar nor drink alcohol again after surgery, but I've done both on a couple of occasions over the last few months, with no ill effects.

I love vegges if i cant have carbs lol which i cant now so im ok but they dont keep you full for long. Im also ex band mine went in 22/11/2008 and i lost 35kilo about 75lbs but then but some back and found my way around it with saucy stuff and alcohol relaxed it. I had it removed 2 months ago and the day after it was removed realised a hunger that i had not felt for all of those years. So hungry all the time so it was working but i was not working with it obviously. The band stopped me eating fibrous things like salads and i do love salads so i would choose sauce meals which had more calories bc these went down easy. So did ice cream and chocolate.....so gastric bypass just seems like the viable next step. i dont blame the band wholly i take half the blame for it not working well for me

I am really sorry to those who are feeling the actual hunger. I can not imagine feeling that way all the time. For me, the thinking is real. There is a lot going on around me, that normally a pint of ice cream and a spoon would help fix. I have been an over eater since I became a ternager, and it has gone up and down over the years. Psycolical hunger is a habit. Alcoholics, you do not give a drink to, drug users, you do not give them more drugs. Unfortunately we dont have a choice but to eat. And, for me at least, I would eat for everything. For happy, to celebrate, sad, anxious, my brain aways looks to food as a comfort. I am not sure it will ever go away, but at least I became aware of it. And truly I would fell like i am starving with about 800 calories a day, if it wasnt for the surgery. I hope ot gets easier for the ones who feel hungry all the time.

I truly enjoy and value your posts PdxMan, and I have for years. You're right, this is one place we simply don't agree. To my mind, barring a mental issue that requires medication for "normalcy" there isn't a reason people can't change. The alcoholic that quits has the same options as the one that relapses and never succeeds at sobriety. It's a matter of will, a matter of support, and a matter of determination. On that note, though - I do concede that while this thread is helpful for others that aren't engaging in destructive behavior often, that viewing it in light of "support for all" does diminish the value and positive intention of the thread if you consider people might view it as a learning tool. But, oh, part of me still thinks they'd be leading themselves right off the path, anyway to do that! I'm the one that took a year to research surgery after making my decision to have surgery. I don't have a large amount of sympathy for someone who'd do this with no education and then look to a thread specifically about poor choices for support and/or rules! My views on personal accountability stem from my past and due to my experiences I'm likely more rigid than most about this. I come from a family of addicts and abusers of all varieties. I also have a drug addicted stepdaughter. She can quit. She could quit. People around her have quit and stayed sober. She has chosen to cope with drugs, much the way people here cope with food. She hasn't hit a point where being sober means more to her than being high. If she never hits that point, my husband and I may bury another child. It saddens me and sickens me, but I don't blame the people she associates with or their influence. It's her choice every time she uses drugs. It was her choice to be with people where it was possible even if she didn't leave the house with that intent. Is it hard to say no? YES. Is it impossible? NO. People do it. If we start down the slope of saying people aren't responsible for their actions and their choices it's a long and slippery ride to the bottom. I sat in court with the man that murdered my infant daughter while he and his lawyers (as well as his parents and a smattering of acquaintances) tried to convince a judge that shaking her to death wasn't his fault due to his traumatic childhood. That's utter crap. I make a choice every day not to be the person that I was taught to be by my childhood and my experiences. If I eat a brownie, it's because I wanted a brownie. It's because I caved or because I justified that choice or because I opted to ignore the repercussions. And yes, sometimes it's hard. And when it's hard, I sure as hell don't wander over to the "confess all your sins" thread for support! So your point about an AA meeting being a safe place is very valid. There's a big label on this thread that says what it is, and nobody with a monkey on their back should be opening the door and inviting in the trouble. That said, yes, I agree with you about some of the posts. I wish the tone of some of these posts were different. Nobody should be gleeful about sabotaging their success with a massive binge or eating ahead of their surgical guidelines. But again...people will do what they want and were already doing it. This thread is just putting it out in the open, for better or worse. I hope that neither Fiddle or PdxMan are upset on a personal level. We all disagree and we all feel we're right or we wouldn't take the time to post or share our opinions! ~Cheri

So, I understand this is a venting thread AND this is something done RARELY and not a habit, but remember, people only change when they make a change. Bottom line folks, I don't want to see any of y'all crying 6 months from now that the scale isn't moving, yet these same behaviors are continuing. If someone is struggling with weight loss 6 months from now, I'm going to point them to this thread. Just like I wouldn't advise an alcoholic to just have a shot on a rare occasion, IMO, this is a dangerous thread. Yeah, we don't have issues with food, do we? OK, y'all can flame me now.

Welcome all. I was banded July 1 2013 down 78 lbs by far the best decision of my life. Grateful I found this site some people here are amazing and so motivating . I can't explain how the band has changed my thinking as well which is why I think I have been so successful. I follow the drs rules protein small bites n portions no drinking while eating my vitamins. I also got the gym 5-7 days a week combination of cardio j weight training. I started at 297 wearing size 22/24 I am Now 217 wearing a size 16 . And only 6 months out . There will be some emotions along the way especially as you get closer to surgery I was scared to go through with it but then I said if I d nothing in letting bad things happen to me as well so let me try and do the healthy thing. I have been on a diet since age 10 27 tears of dieting at at age 38 I decided to get banded actually got the approval on my 38 bday. I still go out to dinner eat way less and don't really drink alcohol but the drinking is by my chose. Good luck and we are here for you !!!!

Yes... it easy to eat around the band... and, folks have failed the sleeve for the same reason. The band requires a bit of work--you have to listen to what it is telling you. Many folks simply don't learn how to live with a band, or they don't, or can't, do the requisite follow up visits. sometimes it is the fault of the surgeon, sometimes the fault lays with the patient. With the sleeve, it is a bit harder to cheat, but folks have managed to figure out they can graze all day, or simply eat beyond what their stomachs can hold,and finally they stretch the small stomach to to a point where the surgery is no longer effective. I've seen a lot of posts where folks have gone from the band, to the sleeve, and from the sleeve to RNY bypass. I've seen folks who lived in misery with a procedure for years, and you have wonder why in the world the problem wasn't addressed immediately? That isn't a fault of the surgery if it is allowed go on that long without medical intervention. I've seen posts where WLS patients are asking about drinking alcohol, and not in moderation... really? And they would expect to receive absolution from strangers in order to justify imbibing hundreds of extra calories and sabotaging what they have worked for? As Pogo wisely said, I've I meet the enemy, and he is us.

May 29, 2017 -- 10 weeks post op ==================================== Been a while since I updated! I'm 10 weeks out and have been cleared for all foods as tolerated (they suggest avoiding alcohol for the first 6m - 1y which i planned anyways - I was never a big drinker). I have still yet to find something that really doesn't agree with me - some things go down harder or fill me up faster, but I can still eat pretty much everything (just in very small servings!). I'm down a total of 58lbs since I started this journey, about 22 since surgery. I've got another 48 to go to hit the top of my goal range. I feel that I'm a slow loser, but honestly I'm OK with that at this point. I seem to lose 6lbs in a week, then stall for 2-3, then lose again, then stall. It appears that just what my body likes to do! I am down 2 pants sizes from a tight 20 to a comfy 16 (sometimes I can fit 14s), started jogging again and resistance training for strength. My knees and ankles don't hurt anymore. I have SO much more energy! I wake up refreshed and ready to go, instead of wanting to go back to bed. I was taken off my BP meds at my 1m appt and my BP has been good. I've started getting compliments and comments when I see people I haven't seen in a while, which is nice but weird I've gone to "girls' night out" events and BBQs and dinners with my family and had NO issues with any of them. Just nibble and move on. My life no longer revolves around what food I should eat next. I get my protein, veggies, and water in; and if I have room I indulge in a bite of dessert. I feel amazing. I am still in the transition phase of course, but I think this will end up being one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself and my family. <3

I am 4 months post VSG and down 50 lbs but have had unreasonable sugar cravings in the past week that I have given in to - eating hard candy, drinking small amounts of alcohol, part of a bagel, and today I got a frozen yogurt with crushed up butterfinger in it and ate about 1/2 cup and got so sick - vomited multiple times. Why am I doing this to myself? It's almost like I am testing the limits to see what I can "get away with" which is ridiculous since I KNOW that this isn't good for me long term. I am so close to being under 200 lbs for the first time in over 10 yrs. am I intentionally sabotaging myself? WTF is wrong with me?

Already had the coffee, gotta figure out what I'm wearing to community festival today. Five hours of all the seafood you can eat and the alcoholic drinks you can handle. I'll see a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time and I want to look thinner. Ya know how some clothes make you feel smaller. It's suppose to be 80 here today, but then once the sun goes down, so does the temperature. Hummmm, jeans or capris???

Emotions???? I don't know if I can put into words how I feel, but here goes. Surgery tomorrow. Woke up feeling very sad, and tierd. This confused me. I should be excited. Now whats wrong me. Maybe I am crazy. Well I guess I can try to explore these feelings since I can no longer turn to my best friend (FOOD). Well I am a little nervous about the pain after surgery. I have Fibromyalgia, so Doctor said pain is worse for us, and recovery usually twice as long. I have given birth to 5 children, 4 no drugs, heck the Dr. didn't even make it in time for birth of my son. Not good, very painful. Baby was 10 pounds 1 oz. Survived that, getting banded will be fine. Next emotion- Feeling sad? I am going to miss my friend. We have been through so much together. Drug and alcohol addiction,(been sober 16 years) Divorce, quit smoking(defiantly ate my way through that one) Losing my mom, and 5 kids moving out and starting their own lives, and so much more. We won't even get into all the good times. Why does popcorn with extra butter make every movie just a little bit better? Is food really my best friend? NO!! I have gained 147 pounds eating my way through life, which of course has caused numerous health problems. Next emotion? Trying not to get to excited so I won't feel let down if surgery doesn't happen tomorrow. Well that one is just dumb get over it! I then decide to come here so I can write down how I feel. That in itself is weird. I don't blog, heck I don't even journal. But oddly enough it seems to help allot. I log on and I am so surprised people not only read my blog but they left comments!!! While I am reading them I get tears in my eyes. Tears of joy :confused: People care about me and my feelings. Now that's a new feeling. Their support and words of encouragement are truly amazing. One person was even spot on about me taking care of everyone else but me. I have said these very words. I have been a wife since I was 18, and a mom at 19. It has never been about me, and I think its about time!! This has left my kids wondering what about them. They want to know if we will have still have family dinner every sat. and many more questions about them. Whatever. It is time they see me as more than a short- order cook. Hey I like that feeling:lol: So I have explored each emotion instead of eating. Outcome? I feel nothing but excitement. I am having life changing surgery in exactly 24 hours and 3 min from right now!!! :thumbup:How blessed am I!!!

Carbs-fiber=netcarbs some people also subtract sugar alcohols.