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I believe the bottom line comes down to a basic question. What are you willing to do to meet your weight loss goals? Let me tell a little side story when I first got sober. I had abused alcohol for years using it as a crutch to avoid feelings and emotions I just as soon not have or just tried to displace them. When I had my "A-ha" moment, when I realized I could no longer go on like this, I sought help. When I came out of the hospital, I returned to my life as "normal", getting support through groups, but at the same time, trying to hang out with my "friends". They wanted to go to the bars and shoot pool, play darts and do all the things we did. I would go and drink soda, but they were very threatened by my sobriety. The bartender of our oft visited place pulled me aside and told me that other people at the bar, not just my friends, were very uncomfortable with my presence there. He said I was like a mirror to them revealing their own issues with alcoholism. Every time I walked in, I showed them their faults. Like your friends, mine tried to buy me drinks and shots. That way, I would once again be "just like them". Someone in my support circle told me it was time to leave that life behind. If I continued, there would be no way I could stay sober. It was merely a matter of time before I returned to abusing alcohol as I once did. So, I had to look deep inside myself. Which was more important? My friends or my sobriety? As you may have guessed, it was my sobriety. I let my friends know this and told them I would love to do other things with them which did not include alcohol. Hiking ... seeing a movie ... whatever. I never received a call from any of them. That was the price I had to pay, but it was so worth it. I discovered they were not truly friends if they could not support me in this decision. That was 14 years ago and I haven't heard from any of them since. So ... how does this relate? Re-read this and substitute "food" in there wherever you see alcohol (and related thoughts. Alcohol=food, bars=restaurant, sobriety=WLS). I don't think there really is much difference. If I have people in my life who would rather sabotage than support, I would really need to weigh the value of their presence in my life. It doesn't matter if it is food, alcohol ...

I would ask your surgeons insurance coordinator and your psych Doc to go to bat for you. I have always asked about that question on med docs, because of this exact reason. If you respond yes to the "Do you drink?" question it sounds like your an alcoholic even though you are only having maybe 1 beer a week or just at social occasions! It is the way they ask it, there is no way to say sometimes, maybe once every two months, I have two drinks at a party but nothing imbetween... I just shared this during my psych evaluation and told her I hate that question for this very reason. She explained that she understood that I only have a drink or two every once and awhile, and that they were trying to identify those who were drinking excessively. She shared that a recent patient was drinking two bottles of wine every night at dinner and didn't get that it was an issue for weight loss surgery. In any case, if they are going to accuse you of being an alcoholic, they better have more than stupid question to go on! Maybe even your state insurance representative could help, here in Washington our guy is a hero because he goes to bat for individuals all the time. One woman was denied coverage because her ex boyfriend beat her up, some stupid clause was referenced, it was huge in the news, the insurance company backed down and paid her claims. ..

One of my best friends was so supportive when I got my surgery now I feel like she is trying to sabotage me. People are saying it's best I was always the "fat" friend and wasn't a threat. But she is still so much smaller then me that she should have nothing to worry about. I tried talking to her and that ended up with us fighting and not speaking at work. Then when she did speak to me it was to tell me it was my fault and I was the hurtful one. All I did was cancel plans for dinner because when we went out the night before she was clearly trying to break my diet by putting all this food in front of me and order so much alcohol a grown man couldn't drink that much. I would never tell someone they can't drink but all the time we've known each other she has never ordered that much. And I don't appreciate her trying to put food on my plate when she knows I can't have it. I even asked her if we can go out and do other things besides going to dinner or a bar and she said no. It sucks because we are so close but I feel like I need to watch my back. Am I just overreacting?

My relationship with junk food is reminiscent of the alcoholic/drug user to their drug. If I slip, then I use it as an excuse to fall over the cliff, I can't even watch tv shows or read books where there is food being eaten or described, it instigates the desire. There were times when I would rather be eating than having sex (in my defense the sex was not that good). I cannot keep food in my living quarters because it will get eaten, all at once, not a little at a time. I cannot have one fried mozzarella stick, I want 10. I have successfully fasted the past 2 days and will do so again today, rebooting the system after last weeks carb madness. The first few days without sugar and white carbs - you really do feel like a junkie with the DTs but after about 3 days it goes away and so does your appetite. But if I could, honestly, I could eat 10 grilled cheese sandwiches, 20, all day long.

So I'm THREE days away from my surgery...more than a year into this program.my surgery is covered by my state insurance and I have complied to every criteria they have laid out. 6 months of nutrition classes, endoscopy, psych testing, quit smoking, don't do druids, don't drink, gave up coffee, lost 49 lbs, got the IVC filter...and 4 days before the surgery, they decide because I mentioned once in one of my many doctor visits in the past 6 months that I drink occasionally, that I did not follow the criteria for my state to cover the surgery. The thing is. I haven't had a drink, but I have consumed alcohol at random points in my life...weddings...party...once in a blue moon. I had to practically beg the lady at my state insurance co to believe me and I got an "I'll email the decision team and we will let you know." For real? Can this be before I start the Clear liquids diet on Wednesday and are you trying to test me??? Ugh. Thanks for letting me vent.

No ranch. No no no no no. No ranch. LOL!!! Dressing is just awful for you. If you want some flavor, add a little hummus (I love black bean hummus, but not too much) or salt & pepper. A good trick for salads is to dip your fork in the dressing vs. pouring it on. Or, add salsa instead of dressing. I haven't tried that but heard it's a good solution. Dressing (like Mayo and other condiments) has so many calories in such a small amount. And who only uses a little ranch? It's like alcohol - just not worth the calories. I'll indugle every now and then but it's very rare.

Hey, BariatricPal Members! Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and happy Spring Break! Even if you don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or you are not planning an official spring vacation, spring is still a joyous time of year. What better way to celebrate than with a BariatricPal newsletter? Here’s what we have for you: Are You Ready for Spring Break? St. Patrick’s Day – Give Yourself Something to Celebrate! March Madness: Are You Ready? Keep working towards your goals, whether or not you are Irish and whether or not you have a trip planned this spring. You can reach BariatricPal from anywhere in the world, so come on by and celebrate the season with the other members! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Are You Ready for Spring Break? You need to plan extra carefully whenever you travel after weight loss surgery. Your preparation should begin now if you are planning a trip this spring or summer so that you can make sure that your needs are met. First, consider where you will be in your weight loss journey and what medical needs you are likely to have. If you have not yet had surgery, you probably will not need exceptional medical care, and finding out what to do in emergencies should be sufficiency. If you already had weight loss surgery, find out the location of the nearest surgeon who can help you if you have trouble. Be sure the surgeon is an expert in the type of surgery that you have. Lap-band patients in particular should know where they can go for emergency fills or un-fills. Since WLS is hard on the body, give yourself ample time after surgery to recover before you travel. You can easily need six or more weeks after surgery before you are recovered. Next, start assembling a packing list. You may need these items addition to your regular belongings. Dietary supplements: multivitamins, calcium, Vitamin D, Iron, and any other dietary supplements that you take. Prescription medications (make sure you have enough to get through your trip) and prescriptions in case you need a refill Protein powder, protein bars, beef Jerky or unsalted nuts just in case you need some protein and are not near a supermarket or trusted restaurant Phone numbers and email addresses of bariatric specialists, including your surgeon, a nutritionist, and an emergency contact Workout clothes (will this be the first vacation when you worked out?) List of high-protein foods as well as foods that you can and cannot eat. This is especially important right after WLS as you progress from a liquid to solid diet. Non-prescription medications, such as aspirin or Tylenol, and laxatives to reduce constipation Finally, do what you can to “scout out” the area. Is there a supermarket near your hotel? Are the restaurants known for being accommodating to guests’ special orders so that you can get the high-protein, low-calorie meals you need? Is there a walking route or a fitness center near your hotel? You will not be able to find the answers to all of these questions before you arrive at your destination, but you can hit the ground running if you do a little background research beforehand. St. Patrick’s Day – Give Yourself Something to Celebrate! Monday, March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday can be a day of bar-hopping, green cupcakes, and corned beef, but it can also be an opportunity to enjoy yourself in healthy ways. Make yourself proud by celebrating St. Patrick’s Day using some of these tips. Don’t drink. You’ll consume too many calories from alcohol and lose inhibition so you consume too many calories Enjoy the greenery by making a special effort to get to a park or nearby nature center. Have fun with your children by making a treasure hunt for them to search for a 4-leaf clover. Wear green…and if you have lost weight since the last time you wore green, get yourself a new green outfit to celebrate! Find naturally green food and skip the artificial dyes and unnecessary calories in decorated cupcakes, shamrock Cookies and green beer. Instead, add spinach to your scrambled eggs, snack on edamame (green soybeans) or kale chips, and make cabbage soup. Instead of corned beef stew with potatoes, roast some lean beef and turnips. This healthier dish is less watery, so it is better for WLS patients who should not drink fluids at meals, and it is lower in calories, carbohydrates and fat. Participate in local events, such as watching a St. Patrick’s Day parade or completing a Shamrock Run 5k. If you are not yet up to a road race, consider volunteering and cheering on the runners and walkers. Take these suggestions instead of drinking alcohol and eating high-calorie foods, and, Irish or not, you really will have something to celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day! March Madness – Are You Ready for the Tourney? You may think you’re all ready for the NCAA basketball tournament to start on March 18. You’ve studied the teams, filled out your brackets, and placed your bets. There’s one more thing to consider before you are truly ready for the tournament, aka March Madness. What will you eat? Watching sports on TV can lead to serious overeating, and it is worse when the tournament includes dozens of games, as does the NCAA tournament. Chowing down on pizza, fried chicken, chips and dip, and cookies can quickly stall your weight loss and throw off your blood sugar levels, not to mention make you feel extra sick because of your weight loss surgery. Instead of choosing junk, try these WLS-friendly ideas for your March Madness parties to have fun and stay healthy. Line muffin cups with turkey or ham slices and fill them with a mixture of spinach, ricotta, egg whites and garlic powder. Bake. Play up the basketball theme by serving spherical food, such as meatballs made with lean ground turkey, mozzarella balls served with tomato sauce, and cantaloupe balls. Lettuce cups filled with lean ground turkey and served with salsa. Substitute cooked peas, broccoli, zucchini or cauliflower for half of the avocados when you make guacamole. Serve it with cut veggies yourself, and tortilla chips for your guests Place slices of non-fat American cheese on turkey breast slices. Cut them into circular shapes using an upside-down glass. With a clean brush or toothpick, draw designs on the cheese so that it looks like a basketball. Of course, playing basketball can help your waistline, too. Why not start a tradition of shooting hoops or practicing your dribbling skills for a few minutes before each game? If you eat well and exercise, you will be a true winner during the NCAA tourney regardless of whether your team comes out on top. Spring is a joyous time of growth and renewal. We hope that this spring finds you making progress toward and renewing motivation for your own goals. If you need some inspiration or have some to share, or you just want to hang out, come by BariatricPal! See you on the boards!

The opurity vitamins made me nauseated too and I returned them. For a while I used liquid centrum but the alcohol content bothered me. My NUT told me to take 2 Centrum tablets a day now that I am 2 months post surgery, and a sublingual b-12 tablet twice a week. I eat/drink a lot of calcium and don't have any osteoporosis so she told me I can skip the calcium tablets ( it also helps that I am a sleever).

Awareness of addiction is a huge step. Geneen Roth has written a number of books about addictive eating that I have found helpful. Mindfulness and DBT training can also be helpful in overcoming compulsive over-eating and replacing negative thought processes. Some people find 12 step programs helpful. For many, the answer really is eliminating the trigger foods such as white flour or sugar. It's important to realize though that an over-dependence on sugar substitute never quiets the longing and desire for sugar though. I don't think there is any "one size fits all" answer. I know that I come from a family with compulsive and addictive behaviors. I have never picked up cigarettes, drugs or alcohol but have definitely relied on food. For the first 25+ years it wasn't much of an issue because I could eat what I wanted and stayed close to a healthy weight (maybe 10 lbs heavy). By the time I finally got a handle on my compulsive over-eating, between my Hashimoto's which is difficult to control even with Synthroid, my metabolic syndrome and the pain that makes working out difficult, I know WLS is the only way to help me attain a healthy weight. If I hadn't wrapped my head around the food issue though, having the surgery wouldn't really help in the long run. I had my first WLS appointment Jan 2 and have lost 15 lbs since then. Such a struggle since my metabolism is so messed up. Do I still have an occasional candy bar and Coke pre-surgery? Yes. But I can't remember the last time I had a 16 oz bag of fun size Snickers bar and devoured them in an evening. If you are already post-op and still obsessing about food, please find a program, therapist, behavioral lifestyle class - something to help set you free. Best wishes, Chrystine

If you don't drink any for 3 months.......then it's true. It appears everything just sorta depends on your tolerance for it. Some can, some can't. Some docs allow it, some don't. With alcohol, I believe there is typically more concern about sliding into an alcohol addiction, as a substitute for food addictions.

I've just seen something about no alcohol for 3 months after surgery. Is this true?

There is no issue with drinking wine except its a bunch of empty calories. Alcohol in general is a bunch of empty calories.

Hello All! I'm Carol, and I'll be sleeved at the OCC on Friday, April 4th. So I'll be coming in Thursday and leaving the next Monday, April 7th. Just took the obligatory before photo, though most of my photos lately have been before photos. I wish Flickr had instead of a delete option, a "tear up, burn and bury the ashes" option, because that's how I feel about my reflection right now. I've been doing the research I believe we've all been doing. I decided on the sleeve but was denied by the psychologist who works for my insurer. She said, in a somewhat condescending, whispery talking-to-a-child voice, that my history of depression and past use of alcohol make me a bad candidate for the procedure. I take Effexor for my depression/anxiety, and it works well for my anxiety and for the bulk of my depression, but I don't think it will ever go away completely. And I have had bouts of excessive drinking, but for the most part I've had that under control for years now. I know exactly why it would be a bad idea to drink with the sleeve, and I know I wouldn't put myself in that position-but how would I prove that to her? To her I'm a statistic, she says I have a higher chance of "suicidality", which apparently is a word, because my brother died that way. When in reality, I would never commit suicide, because I know exactly what it does to a family, and how it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I appreciate life all the more for having been close to someone who gave theirs away. I understand that statistically that's not the case. But I'm not a statistic, I'm a person; a nice person with quirks but also a logical mind, a person who has learned from her flawed but nonetheless valid journey of self-discovery. I've gone from being a young single mother with a high school diploma all the way through graduate school to where I can now support my little family. I shook my demons off one by one, but I can't shake off this weight. I've tried and sometimes succeeded for a time, but it always comes back, plus 20% more. Now my back and feet hurt, even my fat clothes aren't fitting right, and I'm having trouble appreciating all the things I've worked so hard to achieve. I won't let Kaiser tell me what I can't do. I will take their reasoning into consideration however, that if I drink with the sleeve, the alcohol will be absorbed faster because of my smaller stomach, increasing my blood/alcohol levels and putting additional stress on my kidneys, pancreas and liver. I know that people have destroyed their health by drinking too much after WLS, and I don't want that for myself. I don't think I'm ever going to fit into their mold though. I can't change my family history, so I'm going down to Mexico. Who else is coming?

I am very choosey about who I tell. My immediate family is in the loop, as well as my best friend, and boss (who currently has a Lap Band like me). I lost about 80 lbs. with my Lap Band and told those who did not know about my little assistant, that I ate less and exercised. All true since I trained for a marathon and was of course eating less because of the band. I'm not going to lie, but I also don't have to discuss my personal medical choices with anyone. I look at it this way: I'm an addict. Plain and simple. I am addicted to food and use it as a coping mechanism. It is something I will always have to work on even with WLS. I don't have to share how I treat my addiction with anyone. Just like alcoholics don't have to reveal that they go to AA. It's anonymous for a reason. My decision to have surgery and it's necessity does not have to be disclosed just because someone asks.

I second the resale shop suggestion above. Look online for thrift stores or the salvation army has stores in many areas. I have a store in my area that benefits a womens domestic violence shelter. We joke with the ladies there that I rent my clothes. I buy them, (really cheap) and then re-donate when I have lost out of them. I have gone from a 22 to a 4/6. Now they keep an eye out for me, and when things come in that fit my style and size they hold them for me. Remember that alcohol is empty calories, and the hangover isn't really worth it. Don't go down a dangerous path without a really good plan, and drinking is a dangerous path. Since you already know that many people turn to alcohol then be prepared, and keep any drinking in strict moderation. Also remember that your tiny tummy will absorb the alcohol quicker, so you will become drunk very quickly, and then sober up just as fast. Since my surgery 10 months ago I have only had 4 drinks, 2 glasses of wine at formal dinners, a mixed drink in the Bahamas, and a hard cider. That's the extent of my drinking, and I always made sure I had someone to drive me after, and also that the people around me knew that I had a low tolerance for alcohol. You were very pretty pre surgery, but you are smokin' hot now. Great work!

I love me some wine and partake about every other weekend. I read an article today on WebMD that said alcohol calories are the worst calories for belly fat. It said that your liver is so busy trying to burn off the alcohol that it doesn't have time to use your fat stores. Uggh. Still, a girl's gotta have some fun every now and then. I did go out last weekend and imbibe just a little too much and found myself in a situation where I was worried I was going to throw up. For lapbanders it's a hige no-no. I'm going to be much more careful in the future. I did enjoy the laxative side effect the next day, though.

I am finally down 100 pounds!!!! Only 40 more until I hit my final goal! My weight loss journey began in December of 2012, and I had surgery in December 2013. I still cannot believe how much life has changed. The only thing that bothers me a little is I feel like I lost apart of me? Like my jolliness isn't there anymore LOL! But nothing tastes better than skinny feels. I will be turning 21 in September, and I've heard a lot of horror stories about patients turning into alcoholics after surgery. Anyone have anything they can share about this? Also, I am running through jeans like no tomorrow. Any advice for clothing tips since they will only last for a short time before they are too big?

I drink red wine about 1-3 days a week (depending), without issue. I do however feel the alcohol much quicker, and on smaller amounts. Although, that doesn't necessarily stop me from drinking 2 glasses The biggest issue for me, is my lack of control around food when alcohol is involved. I can't eat what I did pre band, but I will eat too much of the wrong things.

Alcohol & sugary drinks cant stretch your sleeve, but they are empty calories. The stomach after sleeve cannot regrow to th esize it was before, but people who regain find ways to eat the junk that slides through easily and adds up the calories. People who stick to the Protein First rule continue to feel the restriction of the sleeve. It does relax abit after surgery and can hold more, but that is why changing habits of what is eaten is important. It may be cliche, but the sleeve is not a magic cure, it is a tool that when used properly can mean maintaining healthy weight loss. Ultimately each of us is responsible for the outcome.

Hello, I'm just curious to know if anyone ever experienced that their stomach stretched. If so how far out are you and how much weight have you gained? Only asking because someone told me my surgery was a waste because with time you gain the weight back. I know of two people who had the sleeve done lost I've one hundred pounds and is now gaining weight, granted he's drinking alcohol and soda and eating the wrong things. Just curious.

It's so easy to shift the blame of a surgical complication on something else, so the stats will never be accurate. For example, if you have a hip replacement, and then develop an infection, the infection could spread, and you could become septic, resulting in organ damage or shut down. Your COD would be kidney failure, heart failure, septicemia, etc. not "hip replacement surgery". Or for us, say you become dehydrated because of severe diarrhea and you can't drink enough because your sleeve is so small. You decide not to go to the ER for fluids and you die from kidney failure. Your COD would not be "WLS". Or you do actually have a direct complication like a leak and you chose to go to another doctor for treatment. Your original surgeon would not include your complication in his stats because he never treated you for a leak. And again, what do they consider a complication when collecting their stats? Only leaks and strictures? How about depression, GERD, constipation, diarrhea, alcoholism, gall stones, etc?

My pre surgery Friday routine is a trip to Wegman's for lunch. Now, if you don't know about the Wegman's food bar you missed out.... My surgery was scheduled for March 4th but was postponed until March 25th. I was bummed and spiraled out of control for a minute. The food bar consist of just about anything you could want to eat- from pizza, to Soup, to chinese, to suishi, to salads, fried chicken, meatloaf, mac n cheese, been burritos, veggies etc. You get the drift. Every Friday I go here with co-worker for lunch. I try to make good choices but the chinese food calls my name. Now that My surgery is a about a week away I am worried about my lunch time ritual. What do I do now? This issue hit me today as I prepare for lunch. I'm not scared of the surgery itself. I know it will be uncomfortable (already had ban and had it removed in November) I'm scared that I won't/haven't dealt with my food issues. How exactly do you deal with them anyway? I'm scared that my bad habits will outweight the tool. I'm scared to fail... again.... I'm scared that I won't have the will power to make good choices especially since I don't think I will have good support at home (when I had my first surgery my husband stopped for fries and cheese steak with me in the car) I'm scared that every social event in my life is usually built around food/alchohol(not scare not to drink as I could care less about alcohol). So, How do I deal with this fear? How do I get passed it? How do I deal with the urges that I can have just "1 fry" just "1 potatoe chip" just "1 piece of fried chicken/fish" I really need to know how to deal with that. I want to be sucessful. I know my Friday lunch trip to Wegman's will be a casualty to my new life to be and that saddens me.

Just a lot of determination. Also I stick to a high protein diet and no alcohol. I have to be honest I don't exercise but I do ensure I only eat 900 cal a day. You will get there remember everyone is different and will loose at differing rates. Keep strong xxx

Hi! Im new here. Ive been considering the gastric sleeve for the past few years and the reason I havent gone through with it is because I am afraid that it will worsen my Fructose Intolerance. I have it mostly under control right now and havent had any issues for a few weeks. I cannot have any naturally occuring sugars (as in Fruits, honey etc), no sugar alcohols (xylitol, mannitol, Sucralose etc. Mostly found in sugar free products) and foods with long fructal chains cause issues as well. (veggies, and some foods like breads) I also have a hard time if there is something that is HIGH in sugar. (like frosting. It kills me every.single.time) I am also somewhat lactose intolerant. (meaning I can have hard cheeses but nothing else with dairy. A glass of milk would have me writhing in pain for hours) Other than Fructose and lactose intolerance, my only other health problems is my asthma. Not diabetic, no heart issues etc. Is there anyone else out there who has gone through the sleeving process with Fructose Intolerance? Ive talked to some dietitians and because it is not very common (or, not commonly diagnosed. Most people think they have IBS when its really Fructose Intolerance) nobody knows what I can and cant have and therefore, they are not able to tell me if this would be an option for me. What Im concerned about is not being able to eat some of the foods Im actually able to tolerate. These are the foods I can tolerate banana (up to 1/4) Corn (up to 1/2 cob) Butter (in moderation) Bacon Rice Cuties Lettuce (in moderation) Hard Cheeses Beef Tortilla (up to 2 per day) Grapes (3-5) Spinach (in moderation) Sour Cream (up to 2tbsp) chicken Orange (unknown) White Potato eggs Pineapple Green Beans Turkey (low sodium only) strawberry (up to 5) Celery Almond Milk Canteloupe Anyone have any thoughts on if I would be able to make a post-op diet work with these foods? (or some of these foods) Any help or insight would be GREATLY appreciated!!

I would not at all drink wine so soon after surgery. (I'm assuming you are banded.) If you venture into the "graves" e.g., Bordeaux, St Emilion, Medoc.Nuits St Georges...anything rich in tannic acid (Bordeauxs especially)...that is acidic. I think the other replies are dealing with the effect of alcohol on your brain, but I personally would not want to be putting tannic acid in a newly-operated upon stomach. You are still healing, you want to baby that area. Again, I would not do this so early out of WLS, because I'm very fearful of doing anything to put my band at risk.