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For most of my life I have always had trouble with digestion. I struggled with diabetes since I was 14 yrs. old. In my 20’s my diet consisted of primarily coffee and nicotine and I wouldn’t eat dinners until late at night due to working 60 hour work weeks. When my husband was deployed in 2003/4 it was shortly after the birth of our second daughter that my health took a turn. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer that was not progressing but it was advised that I have a full radical hysterectomy to be safe. The surgery went fine and I recovered well and it was a few years before I started to notice that something wasn’t right. We had been transferred to WA state in 2006 I was 130lbs, healthy, exercised often. By 2007, I was almost 200lbs, constantly lethargic, couldn’t eat, and I noticed a large lump growing on my throat. Like a goof, I was worried it was throat cancer so I went to Madigan Army Medical and I let the military version of fast-food style medicine run rampant. First doc said it was lupus, 2nd doc said it was a reaction to my hysterectomy, and finally the third doc noticed my t4 was in the dirt and started treating me for hypothyroidism. After discovering this condition and doing a bit of research I tried many different forms of dieting, exercise programs, along with medications in order to attempt to lose the weight that was rapidly gaining yet unable to lose. At this point, with knowledge of the gastric bypass my mother had, I attempted to ask for assistance for approval for a gastric bypass. I was told, you’re not fat enough for that( I was 170lbs) and you just need diet and exercise (which I was doing). Later, in 2010 we were again PCS’d to Kansas. And my husband was yet again deployed for another year. My struggles got worse but I couldn’t give in because we had children to tend to, bills to pay, and a husband to support overseas. After a very bad series of infections and drastic shifts in weight ( going from 140 to 170 back to 140 then up to 200lbs within months of each) my husband demanded I go to the doctors. I had a team of different doctors in a few months’ time. I again started trying for the gastric bypass with the approval finally from my PCP. I chose an office for bariatric surgery that was closest to me and attended their seminar on the different procedures they offered. Filled out the paper work, did a psych eval, 6-months of medical assisted diet history, and finally had my paperwork submitted to the insurance 9 months later. The first attempt with Tricare at the time was denied. Again, I wasn’t “fat” enough. But we appealed due to other medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, positional sleep apnea, and gallstones. It would take another 6 months. During this time I had an episode where I had to have emergency surgery to remove gallstones that were measured just shy the size of a quarter that had been blocking the bile duct to my liver. Originally , the surgery was supposed to be laparoscopic, but due to complications they opened me up to discover severe liver damage and sent me to KU Medical center (254 miles away)where they diagnosed me with End Stage Liver disease , stage 4 Non-alcoholic Cirrhosis. It was at this point that the hematologist said that if I had been approved the years before for a gastric bypass, most likely I would not have this much liver damage. He quickly referred me to their bariatric surgeon for a gastric sleeve due to the success rate of completely stopping Cirrhosis in Nash patients at the beginning of this year. So here I am, towards this surgery still in Pre-Op status. I go on 9/26 to finally meet with the surgeon to discuss I guess when we will do the surgery. I have already had my EDG, Blood work, etc. So here’s to hoping it is soon. At this point I would just like to get it over with. There is no way to avoid a transplant, but this surgery could at least prolong it for a good while and hopefully improve my health in the meantime. I am so worried that he will also say that I’m not “fat “ enough for the surgery due to my BMI being at 27% but I have been told regardless of my weight I need this in order to increase my chances of the cirrhosis not spreading. Crossing Fingers! And that is my story………

Post-Surgery Weight Regain: Mental Health Regular readers will appreciated the importance of mental health factors both as a promoter of weight gain as well as an important barrier to weight management. It is therefore no surprise that in our systematic review of weight regain after bariatric surgery, published in Obesity Surgery, we found substantial evidence for the role of mental health factors both in failure to lose adequate amounts of weight or to regain any weight lost. Out of the sixteen studies included in the review, all studies that examined this factor, implicated uncontrolled mental health issues as an important cause of weight regain. These included, binge eating disorder, depression and addictive behaviours (alcohol and drug use). In fact, there was a linear relationship between the number of reported psychiatric diagnoses and the magnitude of weight regain. Overall, patients with two or more psychiatric conditions were approximately six times more likely to either lose no further weight or regain weight than patients without psychiatric problems. At least one study reported that 80 % of patients identified pre-operatively with an eating disorder, and who did not receive any treatment pre-operatively, had recurrent feelings of binge eating at 6 months post-operation. In addition to binge eating, some researchers describe a new sub-clinical disorder described as “grazing” (consuming multiple small meals with feelings of loss of control with eating), the incidence of which appeared to increase after surgery and was associated with an increased tendency for weight regain. Interestingly, one study found that completion rates of behavioural modification therapy increased to 91% when performed post-operatively, compared to 14 % when done pre-operatively. Nevertheless, it probably makes more sense, when possible, to address mental health issues prior to undergoing surgery. In summary, our review finds ample evidence that a wide range of mental health problems can lead to maladaptive eating, which if unregocgnised and untreated will prove a persistent impediment to surgical weight loss. This is why extensive mental health assessments and interventions both prior to as well as following surgery should be a routine part of bariatric care. If you have experienced specific mental health issues to be an important factor in weight gain after surgery, I’d like to hear about it. @DrSharma Edmonton, AB Karmali S, Brar B, Shi X, Sharma AM, de Gara C, & Birch DW (2013). Weight Recidivism Post-Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review. Obesity surgery PMID: 23996349

You're right, it is an addiction. I'm glad I stopped and I'm saving money. I was a sugar and carb addict, too. And alcoholism runs in my family. 5 out of 7 in my family are or were alcoholics and substance abusers - three of them are dead (two died in their twenties). That is one very big reason why I am following my team's rules about no alcohol for one year. I have always had to be super careful to limit my alcohol. I've seen what it can do. Sorry for my mini rant. :-)

I don't see any sugar alcohols in them ... There is 1 gram of sugar date of surgery 02/21/12 surgery weight 340 lbs. current weight 146 lbs

I gave up craft beer. I tend to smoke when I drink and only like one ot two cigs. And when I'm drunk and in the right company I've smoked weed too. That being said, I'm looking for a different life. I want to do this surgery so I can be healthy, not be in PAIN, have energy, be athletic, feel good about myself, and look good for once in my life before I'm too old. All of the things (besides the flesh sacrifice of the stomach) the over indulgences of alcohol, laziness, food, drugs , ect... will ALWAYS BE THERE! They aren't going to stop making any of these things any time soon. There will ALWAYS be cheesecake and fried chicken and pop. Just because you don't or shouldn't indulge right now doesn't mean that you never will again. Do your body the favor and give it a chance to thrive and heal. It's a temple. I'm not judging because I've taken my temple to the hood and have had bums living in it too long lol! And it's easy for me to speak not because I'm still presleeve. I know that this os only a hell I can imagine and I haven't been through it yet so I hope I can have the strength in my conviction. Good luck and even though you can smoke and it hasn't hurt you yet, you know it hasn't helped. Later in life vices will be there waiting for us all. Just my 2

My surgeon's rule is that you should end up with at least 64 ounces of fluid each day, but it doesn't matter whether that is from water, broth, protein shakes, tea, juice, skim milk, etc. As long as it isn't alcohol, soda, or something with a high carb count (we are restricted to 60 carbs per day).

I think we have all felt that way. My doc had me eating egg before I left the hospital. I am 1 month out and I can eat anything. I do have to eat slow and that I am having trouble with. So many years of eating big bites is a hard habit to break. I popped a ritz cracker with chix salad in to my mouth and chewed alittle and swallowed like I used to. Big mistake!! hurt for atleast 10 min. That taught me a lesson. My dic also said it is not possible to hurt, stretch your sleeve. Another mistake I made was I had a margarita then 30 min. later I ate. Food came right back up. I don't think I will try alcohol for a bit longer!!! Live and learn!!!

Hey Michael, once I had the surgery I stayed on plan for three or four months. No alcohol. Then I introduced a glass of wine every now and then. After a while I had a glass of scotch every now and then. Now 6 months out and 110 lbs lost, I just returned from a week long motorcycle trip with the guys. I drank alcohol everyday including beer and ate anything I wanted. I did gain a couple of pounds and now I'll have to get back to the plan and stay away from bad food and drink again but you can hang out with the guys. It's just like everything else. Moderation.

I am new to GBT, in the research stage. I have had a LapBand in me since '07, unfilled. I am well educated about what the diet is for the Band, but am currently eating whatever I feel like. I've been told to try RNY by several people. I have about 130#'s to lose to be an average weight. ** I have yet to find someone who admits they are deeply addicted to food and the action of doing it, for coping reasons. Sure, people say they understand, or feel the same way, but they don't. ** I suffer from Chronic Depression, a Dissociative Disorder, PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder. In therapy, on meds. Normal to the people who are not in the therapist's office or home to see the real me. I, am addicted to food to cure the bad and celebrate the good and more. I am terrified to the point of flaring up my relatively controlled disorders. I can't afford to do that. ** I am the mirror of an alcoholic, the narcotic addiction sufferer's, a cigarette smoker, though I don't do any of those things. What I DO do is feel and live the torture of giving up my "high". I have been to OA but I won't comment on that, I tried to tackle my addictive disorder with my therapist, but she doesn't "get it" all. I come here, to you, hoping against all hope I can read those words that really hit the spot, here on GBT. I know many of you suffer from emotional/addictive/habitual and binge eating. Come to me. I need to understand why I won't take care of this body I'm in. I hate it. Tell me how you got yourself to adhere to such a limited diet. Tell me how you came to love yourself enough to succeed in RNY. I am of an alternative religion, please don't tell me to give it to God. I have to do this, me, myself and I. I am responsible for what I've done to myself and I am also responsible to overcome my addiction. But YOU did it, tell me how. Tell me anything.....

I told my mom (she went with me for the surgery), my sister, and my closest friend... only because I knew she would be very suspicious about my eating/drinking changes. I don't plan on telling anyone else. As far as what do I tell other people? I tell them I am doing high protein/low carb, and exercising. Also, if I am at a BBQ or something (which has happened recently) and there's nothing for me to eat, I tell them I'm on a diet and I had a protein shake right before I got there. It's usually true. As far as alcohol, I have used migraines as my excuse for not drinking lately. My feeling is that it is nobody's business but mine, and I don't want to be known from here on out as the "girl who had weight loss surgery" in my extended group of friends. I believe it's a totally personal decision if you want to tell people or not. I decided not to tell, and although it's only been a month, it's working out fine so far.

Im not out to start a fight on here...just something I am somewhat passionate about. What the FDA passes off as safe is down right scary...Just because a product has natural on it or says real fruit..doesnt matter...it is the process in which it is made...read this if you care to- may explain it so you can understan it better....also the stevia so to speak at walmart is not the same stevia you buy at a health food store...health food stores only have the "real" stuff....just sayin Is Nectresse Truly A Natural Sweetener? » The makers of the artificial sweetener, Splenda, recently released a new sweetener, Nectresse, which is being marketed as a natural, zero calorie, healthy alternative to artificial sweeteners and sugar. Is it really natural or is it just tricky marketing to target health-minded consumers? We’ve done some research to help you make an educated decision. The Nectresse website claims that the product is 100% natural and made from monk fruit. Monk fruit is an Asian melon that releases its sweetness when heated and is 150 times sweeter than sugar. The process to create Nectresse is described on their website as the following: The monk fruit is picked fresh from the vine. The fruit is then crushed to access the sweet extract. The crushed fruit is then soaked in hot Water to release its sweetness. The monk fruit-infused water is filtered and dried to create monk fruit extract. The extract is then blended with other natural sweeteners to create NECTRESSE™ Sweetener. It sounded good up until #5. They do not disclose what other natural sweeteners are used. We learn from this that there are other natural sweeteners AND other ingredients. So what are they? The first ingredient, which is always the most abundant, is erythritol. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol frequently derived from corn, which we know to be one of the largest genetically modified crops in the United States. There is no claim as to whether or not GM corn is used, but we will note that typically if it is NOT genetically modified, they make it known. The second ingredient in Nectressed is sugar, another ingredient that is typically derived from a genetically modified crop (sugar beets) and is also refined. Monk fruit is listed as the third ingredient, which we discussed its role earlier. And the last ingredient in Nectresse is molasses, which is a sugar and typically a derivative of genetically modified sugar beets. Besides monk fruit, the other three ingredients look to be derived from genetically modified crops and two of the ingredients are refined sugars. The company can legally claim under the FDA guidelines that Nectresse is zero calories per serving because erythritol is the most abundant ingredient used and is a sugar alcohol. Clearly, Nectresse is far from being a natural product due to the extremely high possibility that its ingredients are derived from bioengineered crops and sources. Monk fruit is very much a natural product, but paired with 3 other GM bi-products, Nectresse can hardly be thought of as natural. Monk fruit can be up to 200 times sweeter than sugar because it contains natural antioxidants that have a very strong, sweet taste. The antioxidants in monk fruit, known as mogrosides, contain zero calories. Therefore, monk fruit is a healthy alternative to artificial zero calorie sweeteners. However, Nectresse is an impure version of monk fruit that is just one more example of the food industry’s ability to tap into the health-minded community of consumers. Don’t be fooled by this sly marketing attempt! I recommend Stevia or Xylitol if you are searching for a zero calorie sweetener. You can find these sweeteners in the Vitamin or baking aisles of your local health food store. Both products can be purchased in individual packets or canisters. - See more at: http://360yourlife.com/featured/is-nectresse-truly-a-natural-sweetener/#sthash.JMjB7k5y.dpuf

Ugh I remember when I was 22 and getting IDed for alcohol at a gas station and when the guys saw my picture (from when I was 17) he said "oh wow you've gotten really fat! this doesnt even look like you!" i wanted to die! But like you guys said, I guess it's a cultural thing.

How far out after surgery before alcohol is allowed?

Hello all. I'm so sorry it has been so long since I have been on here. It has been a very crazy summer to say the least. My previously, somewhat, healthy father in law was admitted to the hospital on July 5th becuase he couldn't breath. It quickly got worse. He was hospitalized for 3 weeks and then released with hospice. Once home he got "better". Up and moving around and even the hospice nurse said she didn't think he needed to be on hospice. That gave everyone a lot of hope. But sadly he died five days later, he was 11 days shy of his 55th birthday. Of course there is a ton more to this story...he was a functioning alcoholic, a smoker and we found out that he had been using meth for quite sometime. My husband is one of four siblings and organizing the funeral and dealing with the aftermath has been problematic to say the least...he's the executor and his sibling are not happy about it. I think they think he is going to rip them off or something. It's been very stressful and is no where near over. But again, I'm sorry for not coming on here at all. I want to say I just didn't have time...but there's always some time to catch up. I'm sorry. Anywho, I'm doing good. Down a little over 40 lbs and no fills yets. I've been trying to make it a point to exercise every morning and just take better care of myself in general. Oh and I just had my one year Smokiversary on Monday (did I tell you guys I used to smoke? Yup, smoked for 17 years). Mike is absolutely over joyed that I finally quit and we celebrated on Monday with a trip to Cold Stone Creamery. I got a very tiny frozen yogurt with caramel and almonds...it was delish. I hope you are all doing well. I tried to catch up a little...but the shear volume is just too much. I did see that Janet had her knee surgeries!!! That is awesome! And Dee and Teri met! Again, awesome! Oh and I saw Michelle is in Onederland, congrats!! And Dawn has way too much candy right behind her desk...I 100% could not control myself around that much goodness! Looking forward to catching up with all of you guys. Bye for now Oh and on a weird tech note...I lost all my friends sometime in the past couple months. I looked at my profile and I now have zero friends...very weird.

As mentioned earlier in a post I was diagnosed with End Stage (4) liver disease after a gallbladder removal surgery. The primary cause was (NASH) aka non-alcoholic cirrhosis and my doctors feel that it was most likely brought on through being diagnosed with diabetes since childhood. I was recommended by my hematologist to have the gastric sleeve because it has a 98% success rate in completely stopping the progression of the NASH, however I will always have the 49% liver damage. I am currently pre-op but I have been in the works of the surgery for a while. In 2006 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and went from 135lbs to almost 200lbs within a year. I did have a poor diet and bad habits of doing nothing but drinking coffee all day and only eating dinner at night. At that point I tried to diet and exercise and continued up to this day without success. Originally, per the request of my PCP I looked into a Gastric Bypass in 2010. I started the insurance dance performed all the requirements diet history, psych eval, other comorbid through Tricare and was denied on the first go. It was at this point I became very ill and it was discovered I had gallstones just shy of a quarter sizes blocking the bile duct and I had them and the gallbladder removed. That is when they discovered the liver damage and told me if I had gotten the surgery years ago I would have never had this problem or it was highly unlikely. However, now with an army of doctors at my back I am on my way to getting the surgery, but I wonder if at all now other than weight loss will there be a true benefit from it? Don’t get me wrong, I welcome the weight loss but I will still face an inevitable situation of liver transplant or complications later in life. I am currently just worried that since this entire if I am putting myself at even greater risk, because all surgeries are a risk and I would think especially one that is pretty much a 70% amputation of the stomach. Anyone else here ever have any difficulties with the liver? Or diabetes? I’ve heard that some have even been diabetes free from after the surgery? Is that only for type 2 diabetics? Any advice is greatly welcomed and appreciated

I get headaches after I drink alcohol from the dehydration. When drinking it's a good idea to follow the old 1-1 rule of one glass of water for every alcholic drink you consume. I was getting headaches every single day in the back of my neck and it turned out that the caffeine in the coffee i was drinking was the culprit. I switched to decaf and never had problems again. If you're getting headaches in the back of your head they may be caused from constricting blood vessels.

I had my gallbladder removed in Sept of 2012. At the time I had many gallstones estimated around quarter size blocking the bile duct. I never really had any symptoms of trouble with my gallbladder until just before surgery pain started to develop. Currently I’m pre-surgery and I was recommended for the VSG due to during the surgery they discovered that I have end stage 4 liver disease (NASH) non-alcoholic cirrhosis. I’m curious if anyone else has ever had this situation? My Heptologist recommended the VSG due to its 98% rate of success in stopping the progression of Cirrhosis as well as diabetes management. In some cases, curing type 2 altogether. I completely understand that the VSG will not cure the damage that has already occurred to my liver, but I’m concerned with my other comorbid that I am entering a dangerous road. Does anyone have additional comorbid such as diabetes, liver disease, Cushing’s before considering the VSG?

I an 7.5 months post op. I am drinking wine as I respond. I was told to wait 1 month before I drank alcohol. I drink wine 5 nights a week, I always have. I drink a glass or 2 of white. I have lost 99lbs in 7 months. I am 14 lbs from goal.

I was told the occasional drink would be okay (how long after surgery, I don't know) At my psych eval, it was mentioned some WLS patients transfer their food addiction to alcohol, and some become alcoholics. Drinking wasn't a big part of my lifestyle before surgery (literally a few drinks per year).....so just like soda had to go post op, I decided alcohol will not be a part of my sleeved lifestyle either....good luck!

I feel that if you know what moderation is then this will also apply to alcohol. I have indulged twice now and am a social drinker, nothing crazy(I hate headaches). I have realized that it does not take much and I make sure I am never driving. I can have 2 drinks and I nurse them, usually crystal light and vodka, I don't do soda anymore. This is also personal choice, and I make sure to make up for it in my caloric intake. Just have to make smart decisions. But I have read about how addiction can crossover.

I am still pre op but from all I have read from those already sleeved ( and my own online research) alcohol should be avoided. First of all, it is empty calories. Second, your absorption rate has been significantly changed, so a very small amount can have a much more intoxicating effect. Basically, you become a cheap drunk. LOL I do understand many people who have WLS swap addictions. They are not mentally able to conquer the demons that caused their overeating, but now they cannot physically overeat. Or they may just have addictive personalities.. Either way they move on to other addictions, be it drinking or gambling or even sexual addiction. That is what the pre op psych evaluation is supposed to determine, if you are ready mentally to be successful. But many of these evaluations are done too quickly and not thorough at all, so I think a lot of folks slip through that would benefit from additional counseling.

When I was going to my classes, we talked about this..I was told, 1 oz of alcohol could have you falling down drunk (cheap date)..there is nothing in your belly...also, you could get a little depressed & you may starting like the booze alot more than ever..when I have my cocktails now, I drink "Sombreo" with milk..don't think I'll be drinking those after my surgery...way to fattening & sugar...

I am scheduled for Oct. 22. I have seen some information on television that alcohol dependency increases with people who have weight loss surgery. Are folks allowed to drink after surgery? What is the effect of alcohol post surgery?

I waited until 9 months. I usually drink Jose Cuervo Light Magarita (3 oz= about 95 cal) mixed with 3 oz. Jose Cuervo Light Margarita Mix (zero calories) over lots of ice. One will usually do it for me. When that is gone, i will usually fill the glass with just the mix, so it "looks" like I am still drinking alcohol.

I'm the same way I'm 6 weeks out and only 3 bites max on most meals if you want to call it that. I try to eat fatter food to raise the cal and Protein intake but it seems I'm still stuck ): If I had to guess I get get in more calories by drinking alcohol then I do when I eat for the entire day. I don't drink every day of course but oh well ...