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I have to be honest- I haven't been as consistent taking my vitamins for the past year or so. This past year I really gave up as far as weight loss and trying to be healthy because I really felt like I was out of options and why bother when nothing was working anyway?… until I started researching the sleeve in February 2013. I truly believe that getting the sleeve will help me immensely. I also think that I need to start taking vitamins again just to get used to taking them since my surgery is in February 2014. I've stopped little things such as drinking soda and alcohol so my next step to prepare myself I decided I would drink a shake for breakfast every morning and start taking my vitamins… I have to purchase both of those and start that this week. Sorry that was the long way around to your question of what vitamin I am taking LOL. And the answer would be… None.

I am 4 years banded. I am down 102 lbs. I started at over 385, lost 20 before surgery and now weigh 283. My goal is somewhere below 240. My BMI now is only obese, not morbid obese. After surgery I went from 365 to 290 then back to 353. This year, I committed to following the rules and lost 70 lbs. My secret, eat real food. I usually start my day with Unjury protein shake with a banana in it and Chocolate Silk soy milk. Lunch is usually what my wife makes. Salads, meat and cheese, sometimes leftovers. We do Water Zumba at the gym. Dinner is meat, vegetables, salad, sometimes potatoes or bread. All made from the outside aisles of the grocery store. Way off the carbs. Way off the sweets. When we eat out (we travel a lot) we ALWAYS split everything. Never order 2 entrees. Little soda, never diet soda. Alcohol is allowed. This is how normal people live. I now feel normal. I spent the last 6 weeks in Hawaii, Atlanta and Florida and most days in swimsuits. This is how normal people live. Really, while I still want to loose 40 or so pounds, I feel normal. It has taken 56 years, but I am Happy!

I'm about 6 1/2 months out. I have had alcohol once and I haven't had a single bowl of cereal since I was sleeved. Nobody can make you drink and eat that stuff except for you. The sleeve doesn't make you change your eating habits--you do that. Remember the part about not drinking when you eat? You can't eat cereal with milk--same thing. You're just diluting the cereal down, it's passing straight through and you get hungry quicker. I strongly suggest meeting with a dietician. Your physician should have provided you with a meal plan. I lost hair between 3 and months. You should be taking a multi-vitamin, vit D, Vit B12 and Calcium at the very least. You should be eating 60+ grams of Protein a day. Stop buying cereal. You will not be able to eat like you used to and keep the weight off. I'm down 77 lbs and I still cheat every now and then. I keep chocolate chips in the freezer so I get a crunchy/sweet snack sometimes. I eat pretzels ( I count out 10) when I want something salty. Stop buying cereal. If it's not there, you won't be able to eat it. Don't even go down the cereal aisle. And lay off the partying for awhile. There are plenty of things you can enjoy without alcohol. My diet plan is basically 3-4 oz of protein 3 times a day. I can have a low-carb veg if I'm still hungry AFTER eating the protein. I stay between 500-800 calories a day. Sometimes I still do a Protein shake at Breakfast. I eat around 20 grams of carbs a day. It's really a mindset, changing your attitude about food and developing self-control. You have to do the work--the sleeve only helps you with portion control. There are days I eat crap too. I think probably everyone does sometimes--protein can be boring. Save the crap for special occasions or just the occasional splurge.

It's not dumping as such as sugar alcohols have this effect in people who haven't had surgery. It's just the effect sugar alcohols can have. ... On anyone :-) I must admit, they never have that effect on me so I guess I'm lucky.

My last beer was a sip of beer at Fenway park the night before surgery. Since then I'm am enjoying a whisky when I imbibe. No carbonation.... Fewer ounces. We all know it is the same calorie count either way. About 100 cals 3500 cals = one pound. The big thing to rebember is alcohol is a dis- inhibitor. We sometimes make poor choices, and decisions after drinking.

I've only experienced dumping syndrome a few times, but I knew exactly what it was. I still do not know what I ate to cause it, but the abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea, was enough for me. My nutritionist said it may have been the sugar alcohols in a sugar free life saver. They will get you every time.

Throwaway: The sleeve is a tool,not a silver bullet You like to drink? Me too. My motto: "One and done" Alcohol is empty calories. Factor it in. 125 cals Per drink. Also it is a dis-inhibitor. You drink----- you do Stupit things..... I'm sure you can recall some examples. Like eating the wrong things. I go out all the time and order Virgin Mary's. Only the bartender and I know I'm not drinking alcohol. You Do not need to cook to get the good Proteins. Protein shakes.--- Pre mixed or powders Canned tuna Canned chicken___ Swanson has tuna & chicken in 3 oz cans-- pop top lids. No can opener- perfect portions. Hard boiled eggs yogurts Cottage cheese Go out and order an omelet I was out to dinner tonite and ordered tuna tartare.--- awesome! Remember why you started this.

I haven't not been back on here for a while, been working too much. I thank you all for your comments an so glad I am not the only stress/ emotional eater! food addiction is harder that alcohol and or drugs (I have done both at some stage in my life, please don't judge) I feel as with both of those you need to give up and not touch again which all though is hard it is sustainable. Food unfortunately you need to live so you cant just not touch it and never eat again. As soon I eat something "naughty" that's it I cant stop. However if I deprive myself I binge as well... Aaargh!

Actually not entirely true... To the weight loss surgery patient slider foods are the bane of good intentions and ignorance often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain for gastric bypass, gastric band (lap-band), and gastric sleeve bariatric patients. Slider foods, to weight loss surgery patients, are soft simple processed carbohydrates of little or no nutritional value that slide right through the surgical stomach pouch without providing nutrition or satiation. The most innocent of slider foods are saltine crackers, often eaten with warm tea or other beverages, to soothe the stomach in illness or while recovering from surgery. Understanding Slider Foods The most commonly consumed slider foods include pretzels, crackers (saltines, graham, Ritz, etc.) filled cracker Snacks such as Ritz Bits, popcorn, cheese snacks (Cheetos) or cheese crackers, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips, sugar-free cookies, cakes, and candy. You will notice these slider foods are often salty and cause dry mouth so they must be ingested with liquid to be palatable. This is how they become slider foods. They are also, most often, void of nutritional value. For weight loss surgery patients the process of digestion is different than those who have not undergone gastric surgery. When slider foods are consumed they go into the stomach pouch and exit directly into the jejunum where the simple carbohydrate slurry is quickly absorbed and stored by the body. There is little thermic effect in the digestion of simple carbohydrates like there is in the digestion of Protein so little metabolic energy is expended. In most cases patients in the phase of weight loss who eat slider foods will experience a weight loss plateau and possibly the setback of weight gain. And sadly, they will begin to believe their surgical stomach pouch is not functioning properly because they never feel fullness or restriction like they experience when eating protein. The very nature of the surgical gastric pouch is to cause feelings of tightness or restriction when one has eaten enough food. However, when soft simple carbohydrates are eaten this tightness or restriction does not result and one can continue to eat, unmeasured, copious amounts of non-nutritional food without ever feeling uncomfortable. Many patients turn to slider foods for this very reason. They do not like the discomfort that results when the pouch is full from eating a measured portion of lean animal or dairy protein without liquids. Yet it is this very restriction that is the desired result of the surgery. The discomfort is intended to signal the cessation of eating. Remembering the "Protein First" rule is crucial to weight management with bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass, gastric banding (lap-band) and gastric sleeve patients are instructed to follow a high protein diet to facilitate healing and promote weight loss. Bariatric centers advise what is commonly known among weight loss surgery patients as the "Four Rules" the most important of which is "Protein First." That means of all nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol) the patient is required to eat protein first. Protein is not always the most comfortable food choice for weight loss surgery patients who feel restriction after eating a very small amount of food. However, for the surgical tool to work correctly a diet rich in protein and low in simple carbohydrate slider foods must be observed. The high protein diet must be followed even after healthy body weight has been achieved in order to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight regain.

Just a couple of other things I wanted to mention, though for the most part it's already been said. As long as you're over 18 and your parents don't have any kind of medical proxy over you, your counselor can't tell them anything. Don't hesitate to be honest, that's why you're going there! As far as telling your doctors the truth, please, please, please do that too. Remember this: they work for you! Every time you see them, they get paid a ridiculous amount of money (whether you're self pay, have insurance or use assistance doesn't matter, they still get paid), and it's in your doctor's best interest to see you succeed. They can also refer you to a nutritionist who can help you figure out what you can eat that meets your nutritional needs and that is still within your culinary skill level. Don't let embarrassment damage your health. Also, I hope you don't take offense, but you might be helped by some assertiveness training too. I took an assertiveness seminar a few years ago and it made a huge difference in the way I carry myself, and how I live my life. You've got to practice it every day, and might need a refresher from time to time if it doesn't come naturally (it doesn't for me, and I could use a "tune up" at the moment myself), but it might help you reach a point where you're willing to step up instead of sublimating your needs to what you think other people want from you. It's also a good way to help you "lose your inhibitions" without alcohol . As long as you're still breathing, there's not much that can't be fixed if you really want to fix it - you can do this!

I am pretty new here and was only sleeved 6 days ago. I have been obese (I damaged my back and hip and no excersise and bad food choices makes for extra weight) for some time lost weight put it on and more etc etc. when starting the whole process almost a year ago, the surgeon I chose (I'm in Australia) has a wholistic clinic with him, 2 dieticians, 2 psycs, 2 doctors and a support line. It was a little more expensive but once paid you are a life member. I chose this clinic because I do have a problem with food (would not be here if I didn't) I chose a mantra that I use quietly in my head "If I always do what I've always done, I will always get what I've always got". This works for so many scenarios, using it over the year saw me bring other areas of my life into question. I was bullied at work, I was a sucker for every as*^^^**le out there and I did not know (or not strong enough) to say no or ask for help. I now have a new job where I am respected, I have learned to say NO to things/people that are not good for me and overall happier. I have fears sure, fears this WLS won't work for me, fears my son and I will end up on the streets cause I spent every cent on this surgery lol (actually serious). But every day is a new one and yesterday is done and gone. Cooking tips stick to KISS keep it simple stupid (just a saying not personal). As I have no family my sone was home while I was in hospital (don't panic he is just 18). He used YouTube vids on simple cooking for uni students to fend for himself while I was gone and only had takeaway once. I don't believe you are an alcoholic, I think you just need to understand that you can get drunk on a lot less alcohol than you used to, you head is used to the fact that 5-6 drinks got you drunk and now your body only needs one. Bring back to basics that a normal 3 meals a day and 2 Snacks is what it took to fill your normal day but now your reduced tank can only deal with a third of it and so while the ratio has not really changed the amount has. Not sure what you are studying but if it is finance think of it as while the interest rate has changed the principal has not, the principal always has to be paid first (protien always has to be consumed first). Two stroke motor there always has to be petrol as the additive on its own will screw the motor (what ever your interest there is an equation). I do hope you can get some help, you did not take this journey for nothing remember the reason you started. Get off the merry go round (it's boring) ride the roller coast lots of ups and downs and a whole lot more fun. Good luck and good health to all. BTW thanks to all on these threads for being and inspiration, a voice on my shoulder, a reason to re evaluate and some times just a good laugh!

I love this thread. I am a little over two months (8-27). And I confess.. - this is harder than I ever thought it would be - I wish I could eat the way I used to - since loosing the weight I haven't been hit on once.. - I just now jot rid of all my bigger clothes because I am afraid I will just go back and have to re buy all those - I eat things I know I probably shouldn't - posting things in this forum is kinda of scary because of fear of judgment - I drink alcohol and caffeine - I am more self conscious now than I ever have been - I still see the fat girl I was - I haven't been to the gym - my body grosses me out - sex now.. Hurts - I snack more than I should - I still think this was the best thing I have ever done for me - peoples comments about my weight loss makes me uncomfortable - my family isn't that supportive

You know there is research out there that has found those with by-pass surgery have a propensity to drink too much. Google it and see what you find. I have a son who had a Gastric Bypass and is fighting this issue at times. Something to do with the way the alcohol is processed in the stomach....don't necessarily have the turn off point that non sleeved patients have. For most of us by-pass patients - we are food addicts - unfortunately some of us replace the food with alcohol....the issues that caused the food addiction are still there - they just move to a different venue....

Food addict reporting for duty. I find the closer I get to goal the more I see how easy it is to let those behaviors reemerge. I don't know if it is fear of getting to goal and then what? As an addict, once I start on a trigger food all control goes out the window. That's why there can't be certain foods in my house. I imagine it is like telling and alcoholic one sip is ok. Where I am currently challenged is that my addiction is always seeking a new outlet, a food that held no power over me one day like cookies (I'm a crackers/chips kind of girl) can suddenly become my drug of choice. I am already dreading this week a bit as I must do what all addicts do and go cold turkey. Today, I am getting all of the Halloween treats out if the house and pushing water. I've got 2 carb-bloat pounds that I need to get off from a week of feeding the addiction.

My junior year in college I came to terms with my alcoholism. I was so afraid to go to parties and not drink! I would drink 7-up or coke but put a lime in it to look more like a cocktail. People who didn't know me didn't even notice I wasn't drinking. My closer friends noticed but they were the ones who were happy I quit. And if I was at a bar to see a friend play, nobody even noticed. I think people are more focused on themselves than the details of others. All this being said I gradually stopped going to parties and bars just because I had made new sober friends and different things interested me. I'm just sharing my experience and helping you see that people don't notice the details as much as we give them credit for.

I'm starting my pre op on Tues. I used to be a heavy drinker in my long ago past. I found that I'm craving alcohol more than food. I've gone almost 2 years without drinking anything other than 4-6oz of red wine once a week and its been 3 weeks since my last glass. I haven't acted on it but I think I just might miss my Saturday glass of wine more than food. Is this weird?

Ok, it's been a while since I've been on here. But I'm feeling the need to confess so here goes... I confess that I'm way more arrogant than I ever thought possible I confess that I see myself as one hot momma (it took pics to convince me I wasn't before weight loss, lol) I confess I'm addicted to beef jerky and I justify the unhealthiness of it by the great protein amount I confess that sex is way better now! I confess that I'm 11 months out and drink alcohol several times a week even though I signed a contract that I would wait a year I confess that I love my cheese puffs and dont even feel guilty about it I confess that I don't say it out loud but I am beyond thrilled that I now share clothes with my 14 year old daughter I confess that while folding clothes I hold up my new panties and just grin at how tiny they look Last but not least I confess that this is by far the best decision I've ever made, better than when I said 'I do' to my husband!!! Whew, that felt great, thx

Ok seriously this was not meant to be combative what so ever. I was simply stating that some people are very set in their ways and if anyone goes against that they can be negative. I posted because my dr was saying so many things that I questioned from this site that it was hard to believe what I read. I was writing my personal feelings down about what my dr said as many on this site do. I follow my drs rules I do what I am told and I learned a lot from this site. Yes I posted that I had family problems and really appreciated everyone that resoonded. Didnt take it for granted. I explained myself and said sorry for the name of the thread I should have calles it something else. I find it hard to believe that so many people got so mad about a thread titlle when all I did In my original post was state that some things are hard to read because my dr says that it isn't true doe sleeve patients. Maybe he is wrong maybe he isn't. I really couldn't tell you. I never said I had a problem with alcohol I don't drink. My mom was an alcoholic all my childhood and far into my teen years. I have made some mistakes and ate the wrong things and stopped losing but I decided to change my eating and I am losing at a good rate again. I am a young woman who wrote one stupid thing on a SUPPORT forum so please forgive me if any of it sounded so rude that I needed to be reprimanded by you all. I will go back to reading posts that I want and not saying much its not a big deal.

Ladyglory, I know what you're talking about. I've done the same thing also with cigarettes, alcohol, drugs...and other things. Our bodies have changed but our minds need to re-program. You did good. I talk to my feet, "Get me the heck outa here!"

Being a Quaker makes me desire consensus. A laudable goal, though not often reached. I feel that we can all find the helpfulness in each person's struggle, though some may wish to be more gentle with the advice shared, and some may wish to look past the first impression to the helpfulness within. Whoever we are in this battle, we are in this battle. And we are stronger together than we are apart. Back to the thread: ... You must be aware that it is very common to substitute an addiction to alcohol for an addiction to food ... You are out of control and can regain some to all of your weight. Lots do... They rarely post here though, being busy with finding the next snack ... There appears to be a consensus that you need therapeutic help. No sin, but suggested when needed. We are not professionals ... And IMHO, this is a passionate thread because your behavior scares each of us. "there but for the grace of God go I"

Laura, the test I took that may indicate higher cortisol is the: EOSINOPHILS ABS 0.1-0.3 K/MM3 0.05 L A lower-than-normal eosinophil count may be due to: Alcohol intoxication (not! in this case) Over production of certain steroids in the body (such as cortisol) so really, I am only guessing here... will find out more next month some time....

Sorry to go back to the original topic here, but beyond all of the other advice here. If you are complaining about having to eat the cheap food, stop buying the alcohol and spend that cash to buy better quality food. It doesn't have to cost a lot to eat good, it takes thought and will power to make good decisions, like not buying bad things like cereal and alcohol.

The previous posters have nicely summed it up. I look at the sugar content more than the carbs. I eat Pure Protein bars which have 2 G sugar and 24G carbs. They do have 15 G sugar alcohol which to me means don't eat a lot of these or the gas will make you and everyone around you less than happy. I have studied nutrition many years having been a body builder and found the NUT OK but not terrific. They also seldom take into account your activity level. After recovery I put my body on a permanent training regime, determining that I would be a lifelong athlete. I have stuck to that promise to myself and have NO problem keeping fat off. For an athlete, carbs are essential. Fruit is good, vegetables are good, protein is supreme. Sugars are the cutie pies that sneak in but do you little good. If too many show up you have problems. My stomach gets nausea when too much has been taken in. My gastric bypass wife has heart palpitations. That aversion therapy is quite effective. Carbs OK, sugars not. Fruits don't seem to have the same effect when eaten in moderation. Fruits also vary in sugar content.

Hey Natalie, I agree with Aubreanna 's advice "Protein first, veggie or fruits next, carbs last." I make my kids do this also and it has been AMAZING how much less snacking goes on during the day now that I make sure they fill up on protein first. Other than sodas I don't consider any food off limits. I pretty much stay away from sweets also - but every once in a while I have a bte - just a bite. It's so nice to have such self-control (love my sleeve!). I wasn't told to stay away from fruit, so I eat fruits a lot. In fact I was encouraged to eat real food - fruits, meats, veggies - anything not processed. I was told to stay away from artifical sweeteners and sugar alcohols. Adkins products are FULL of sugar alcohols. About a month ago I tried the Adkins bars and LOVED them, but I noticed I was always hungry - very hungry. The only thing I was doing different was eating the Adkin's bars - so I chalked the hunger up to the sugar alcohols. Sure enough once I stopped eating them - hunger gone. SO even though they had a ton of protein - I'm not eating any product loaded with sugar alcohols again. Honestly I didn't even look at the carb count - usually I do, but maybe since it was a "diet" food I neglected to? Anyway, usually my rule of thumb is to NOT eat anything in a package that has more sugar than protein. If you aren't getting the answers you want from your nutriontist & you are paying for your appointments - it's time to find another one. Call other bariticians in your area & see who they recommend. You are doing great - don't give up!

So, I just got back from a computer conference in Vegas for 5 days and I thought I would report on what it was like. For those who don't know me, I was sleeved 07/08/2011 and have been maintaining at goal since 03/2012. The conference supplied a continental Breakfast buffet everyday which consisted of: Fruit (melons, berries, pineapple), cereals, yogurt and about 7 different danish/roll type things. Oh, also had a variety of Odwalla juices and of course, coffee. lunch was a choice of two different meat dishes, one poultry and the other a beef item. One day was spaghetti and meatballs. The had a salad, bread rolls and two choices for vegetables. Again, this was buffet style. First off, those who read a lot around here might remember food was limitless and I wouldn't be able to abuse food the way I had before. I learned a lot about myself and the strength my sleeve gave me on that trip and I am happy to report I had no anxiety going to Vegas knowing that pretty much 67% of my meals were going to be from a buffet and I was going to be surrounded by a large percentage of people who were going to be eating quite large portions. So, for breakfast, I would take some fruit a yogurt and the yummiest looking danish thingy I saw. I would start with my yogurt because I knew that had the biggest nutritional impact of my choices. There was no way I was going to be able to eat all the fruit I took and I was able to have about two bites of the danish. I also took one of the Odwalla drinks ... the superfoods one with the spiralla (sp?) stuff in it. Since I was at a conference and breaks were few and far in-between (and I would spend most of that break time speaking to the presenter) I knew I did not have time to snack in between sessions, so I would be able to drink that and not make noise of opening a Protein bar or the like. Lunches were similar in that I would grab some salad, some veggies and each of the meat selections. Like suggested by the guidelines, I would eat the meat first having about 3 bites putting down my utensil after each bite and chewing well. The first day the server asked me wanted to drink and looked at me funny when I said, "Nothing, thanks!", so I would order a Water, but never drank from it. Besides ... it's water from Vegas ... have you ever tried that stuff? OY! Anyhew, after about 3 bites of meat, I would have a couple bites of salad (with the dressing) and a couple bites of veggies. All together, I would say about 10 bites and I was stuffed to the gills. I had no anxiety about the others stuffing themselves around me and was able to move on to the next session and NOT be in a food coma ... unlike a lot of my cohorts. At night, I went to fabulous restaurants: Emeril's (amazing chowder with half a roll and I had gumbo another night ... incredible) Hugo's Cellar (by far the best salad ... I've been going there for it for over 20 years, but had leftovers this time) and Wolfgang Puck's splitting a cheese burger (I removed the top bun and had a couple fries). I don't drink, but am in AA as a recovering alcoholic. I would have loved to have either met up with other WLS folks or gone to an AA meeting, but I simply had no time. Did a little bit of gambling and came home about $175 ahead. So, no anxiety about food and had a great time. No food or alcohol hangovers and had a great time with my fellow computer geeks. Shows me that life with the sleeve means so much MORE, not less. You can do this deal ... really.