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Learning how to exist around food that you can't (or shouldn't) have is a mental exercise that takes work and determination. You are always going to be around food (or even other things) and you will always have to make the decision about whether you should have it or not and then do what you have to do. I think this entire journey is much more mental than it is physical. I don't think there really is any perfect answer. I have just chosen to embrace what I know I need to do to be successful and not cut myself off from life as I do it. And that means that I drink Water when my friends are drinking alcohol, and I eat whatever I am allowed to eat or I don't eat anything at all in situations where everyone is eating whatever they want to eat. It isn't easy, but it is worth it to move toward my goal. Good luck!

Don't forget that alcohol is toxic and cam kill u'. Ur stomach is much smaller and u can easily over do it in 2 sips. People with was have died from alcohol poisoning. I choose Heath over alcohol or drugs.

Honestly I think alcohol was the downfall of my maintenance phase. My body metabolize it faster and a drink or two when you get it. This led to me wanting to drink more and over the years I definitely added weight to my body because my eating habits haven’t changed much

LouiseC, alcohol = empty calories. Only a person with a hardcore drinking problem would dare sabotage their diet by drinking not one, but TWO glasses of wine! I can't believe you would do this to your body! So irresponsible. And to post it where newly sleeved folks for whom alcohol may pose a bleeding risk can see it? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Really, you should be ashamed of yourself. Now, see how ridiculous that sounds coming from some stranger on an internet message board?

I'm 9 days post-op and have been having a really tough time of it. Hard to get fluids down, hard to drink those stupid Protein shakes. I so miss my Diet Coke - some people smoke, some people do drugs, drink alcohol - I do none of that, I just like my Diet Coke. So today, I took one of my caffeine free Diet Cokes (when home, I always drank caffeine free), opened the bottle to let out some fizz, poured it over ice in a glass, and took small sips. It was like drinking a little glass of heaven. No stomach upset and I feel almost like a normal person again. No caffeine, lost a lot of the carbonation, and when the ice melts down, I'm even getting some extra water! It's amazing how this diet can make a person so miserable at times, but the little things we took for granted before can make a world of difference now with just a little modification (I would chug all fizzy from the bottle ).

Want kind of alcohol? If it's beer I wouldn't because of the carbonation. If it's wine or mixed drinks, maybe. I have not been banded yet, but from what I've read, carbonation can hurt the band.

Its funny to find this topic, we just talked about this at the support group tonight!... My team says 18 months to 2 years, and to be at home or somewhere safe when we first try it out. They said that it was because it will affect you differently. And because there's such a risk for transferring addictions, they said if you have one and think "wow that was really good, I want another" that you probably shouldn't. We have 3 people post op in our support groups who attend AA meetings. Apparently 1 in 10 wls patient will end up becoming an alcoholic. (at least that's what they said!) Scary stuff! I'll definitely be staying away from it other than for special occasions , but everyone is different. Just be careful!

Hi everyone! Been trying to catch up with the posts. We are currently waiting for the Dr.'s office to call and let us know when the appointment for DH's next test (an angiogram) is scheduled for. Once they do that, then we will set a surgery date. The results of all so far have pointed to the same issue. This will check to see if he might have any blockages that they would go ahead and bypass at the same time. Darcy---GO TO THE DR.!!!! DH's biggest complaints were shortness of breath, and a pounding palpitation. I know time and finances are short with the expenses of Ava, but you need to have it checked please! I am sorry you are at that point in your dogs life that the tough decisions have to be made. There is no easy answer, and it is hard. I had my dog put down 5 years ago...I kept putting it off, and she got worse and worse. I knew the time was coming tho, so I brought her kennel in to clean it up, and she hated that kennel, she would run and hide under the bed when it come out. But she drug herself up, and walked across the LR and stepped into it. I could not coax her out. When I pulled her out, she could no longer supporther hind quarters, so I took her in. I cried for ever it seemed like. My heart goes out to you. Donna--I am so thankful you had the necessary love for your son to let him help himself. You did good. My brother is and alcoholic, he has been sober now for over 5 years. He ended up in jail for 90 days, and finally that clicked. I was sad for him, but also VERY pissed off, I saw what it was doing to our parents. I know you are in their shoes, and I sympathize, and pray it works out as well for you. Eileen--twice in a month..YUCK!!! I love my hysterectomy. Now the cancer that forced it sucked, but since then...love it!! No more signs of the bunnies? Beannie--glad you enjoyed your time with DN. I think I need kicked. I am grazing all day. Stress has me eating like crazy! I am holding at the same weight, but losing has stopped, and I know it is my own fault. Get the boot ready! Patty--Woo Hoo TiVo is fun!! Get your shelf built?? HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your boys!! Enjoy them, time goes FAST! Bubbame--if you just have to be fair and share it with him, I would add up all the insurance YOU paid, and deduct that right off the top, and then, and only then split it with him at all. And deduct any time you have to spend dealing with it due to him and his family! Oh and don't forget to pay ME for my 2 cents worth!! Pat--so sorry about the loss of your friend...no words seem appropriate. Maybe you should plant something in your beautiful yard in her honor. It looks like you have the same EZ-GO golf cart as we do for running around the farm!! Kids all love it too!! And don't be afraid to pinch back those petunias, or they will get long and leggy, and not full and pretty. I hate pinching things back it seems unnatural!!! Cindy--glad you survived the "not talking about it" weekend! You did great!! That is hard. I had an Aunt who wanted everything when my Grandma died, and my Mom to keep the peace let her have her way. I hated it then, and do now. My Mom however says she has peace of mind, that she did it the way my Gma. would have wanted, and she has the comfort that SHE provided her comfort in the end. Y'all are better people than I am!!! We too do the grave decorating "thing" either here or in TX depending where we are for the weekend. Betty--thought about you buying up your goodies while we were at the rally this weekend. I bought tshirts, and the rally pin. Nothing big. Hopefully by next year I will have to buy new leathers!! Meaning mine may be too big!! I drug my feet getting these, kept telling my DH, I look like I am wearing the whole damn cow!!! Maybe next year, I'll need a smaller cow!! Becky--whatcha knitting these days?? Ok, my brain is saying ENOUGH!! Hope everyone is doing well, thanks for the continued prayers for DH....big hugs for everyone!! Kat

I would have to say cold turkey would be the only way, and replace with something else with caffein. Personally, I don't like coffee but i like tea. I used to have a can of soda on my way to work at 1:30 am, a 20 oz bottle on my lunch at 6ish am, then hit a drive thru for a large soda when i got off, then another couple cans by the end of the night. it was all i wanted to drink. it gets easier the more time that passes by, and you'll find that after awhile, soda will taste too sweet. i was out with friends over the weekend, and i had finished my bottle of water but i was thirsty so i asked my friend for a sip of her soda-not good, i know, but it was that or alcohol, lol- and the soda was sooo sweet. it actually grossed me out some. i think i miss the thought of it more than the actual drink.

Superbowl Sunday breakfast- protein drink lunch- low carb tortilla with ham and skim mozerella rolled up Will be taking a crockpot of teriaki meatballs to the party later. I figure 3-4 meatballs and something off the veggie tray should do me for supper. The alcohol is a different story. Taking a bottle of Merlot with me, empty calories but oh-so-good. Yeah right~~~I ate so much crap today. chips and dip, brisket, beans, tortilla chips and guacamole, etc... Gotta getta grip tomorrow.

FIRST FILL 9-20-06 Today has just been the best day. I got 5 new books in the mail from Amazon, I got a fill of 5 c.c. and I got a job that pays a multiple of $5 an hour. My life just doesn't get any better than this. Isn't that kinda sad? Whatever. Let's talk about my fill, shall we? First off, nothing but water from midnight. My doc (who I actually met. It was about time!) did the fill with fluoroscopy. Basically it is a type of xray. (or at least that's what I say, someone who knows what they're talking about might say something else.) I laid down on the table and they positioned a big hunk of machinery over me. The fluoro camera I presume. Then I looked at this little TV screen and there was my port. It was so cute! (o.k. I'm a little weird, sorry.) The nurse swabbed around my port site with alcohol. Then the doc said he was going to inject something to numb the site and he said it might hurt a little. LIAR! It didn't hurt at all. I barely felt it, I've been hurt worse giving blood. Heck, I've been hurt worse stubbing my toe. Then he started feeling for my port. Which also was cool, because I could see his finger bones on the fluoro screen. When he injected the saline, I started laughing. I swear it tickled! The doc probably thought I was off my rocker but that's ok. Let's just hope that my ticker now resumes its journey to the right.

Most of the bariatric literature on thiamine deficiency surrounds gastric bypass, but it seems sleeve gastrectomy is not immune to this problem despite that, theoretically, sleeve gastrectomy experiences fewer malabsorption issues. https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(18)30222-3/fulltext Nutritional deficiencies are a recognized complication of bariatric surgery. Thiamine deficiency has been reported as a possible consequence of both restrictive and malabsorptive bariatric procedures. Most of the reported cases occurred after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery; fewer were described after biliopancreatic diversion, vertical banded gastroplasty, or duodenal switch. Adults who have a high carbohydrate intake derived mainly from refined sugars and milled rice are at greater risk of developing thiamine deficiency because thiamine is absent from fats, oils, and refined sugars. https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(05)00726-4/fulltext Thiamine was the first vitamin B to be discovered. It is absorbed in the proximal jejunum and is mainly stored in muscle as thiamine pyrophosphate. It has a biological half-life of 9-18 days. Patients who experience persistent vomiting after bariatric surgery are at risk of developing thiamine deficiency. Mild deficiency should be suspected if patients complain of apathy, anorexia, restlessness and generalized weakness. Prolonged deficiency leads to beriberi and/or Wernicke’s encephalopathy. The most common presenting symptom of thiamine deficiency is a pins-and-needles feeling in one’s extremities despite normal vitamin B12 and folate. The average time from surgery to onset of thiamine deficiency symptoms was 9 months. Persistent vomiting, alcoholism, and non-compliance with vitamins are all contributing factors to thiamine-B1 deficiency. Treatment for those suspected of thiamine-B1 deficiency: 50-100mg of thiamine twice daily. https://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(11)00050-5/fulltext

Not totally sure if this is the proper subforum, but it's about food so here goes. I'm on day 4 of my pre-op diet and it's going very well so far. I've resisted all cravings and have zero intention of giving in. It's usually not terribly difficult as I really cut out all sweets, most carbs, all alcohol and other icky things months ago. But today, I woke up craving a chocolate caramel turtle. The ones with the pecans. I've always clenched my jaw and carried tension there, so chewing things that are really chewy (caramel, those bit o' honey candies, etc.) always really satisfied this bizarre need to work my jaw. This lead to me binge eating foods like that to the point that I was no longer eating just a bit o' honey anymore when I'd consumed 60 pieces of said candy. I'm not interested in returning to those behaviors or stepping a toe out of line on my pre-op diet because thankfully, I'm the paranoid type. Soooo...I'm at a loss. Eventually the craving will subside -- I know, but right now my jaw is really craving that hard chewing session. Being on primarily liquids (except for one meal a day -- again, thankfully) means I'm able to release that tension less often than I'm used to. My understanding is that chewing gum is frowned upon, though, my nutritionist never said anything specifically about it. I also have trouble not swallowing gum, so I don't know if that's a good idea anyhow. When you are really, really craving something, how do you handle it? What do you do to distract yourself until it passes? Has anyone else had this withdrawal from chewing frustration? My mind tends to ruminate on things, and hearing some suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you!! Sent From BariatricPal App

I'm so sorry you no longer have the friendship with your friend that you used to have......and it IS healthy to acknowledge that heredity does play a part in the fact that your friend is drinking (like her father)....is there any way that she would accept help? I assume you have been there/done that....will keep her in my prayers also......no one deserves a life of alcoholism....it really is NO different than being addicted to food....same struggles, different reason..........'maybe' if you shared your lap band info with her it would help? She will see that you, too, have a struggle of your own and are doing something about it......just a thought

Tags:GHD,GHD Straightener,GHD Straighteners,GHD Hair Straightener,GHD Hair Straighteners Field maintenance is a protracted war, will take several years and it's insistence, the effect will not happen overnight, but GHD slowly manifested. A closer look, you will find, a woman who GHD Straightener long maintained that the lack of maintenance than a woman look younger, more moisture. Therefore, to develop good maintenance habits is very important. 1 sun is the primary Must confront both UVB and UVA to prevent ultraviolet damage to skin, try to avoid the strong sunlight out. Sunscreen inhibit melanin production, sweat sweat to dry up after the sunscreen, shading tools to carry. "You do not know about the sun thing 2 White to the year White work to begin early, not only to take measures such as the summer season. Before the age of 25, the skin has a "reversible", even if there is hyperpigmentation, white can slowly come back, after 25 years of age, skin whitening products only with the maintenance, so that the skin regains its original GHD Hair Straighteners white. 3 intake of vitamin Especially vitamin A, C, E, etc., not only GHD Straighteners can regulate body functions and improve immunity, but also to improve the skin tissue, inhibit pigmentation, so eat vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, hawthorn, oranges, cabbage, etc. , for the skin to replenish vitality. 4 massage the skin often Capillaries within the dermis into the deep and shallow two parts, deep blood vessels to regulate body temperature, shallow responsible for GHD Straighteners supplying skin nutrition. Massage for the skin to provide oxygen and enhance its vitality has a magical effect, especially in moderate friction, kneading and palm cutting technique can promote blood circulation and accelerate skin blood GHD Hair Straightener supply, so fair-skinned healthy. 5 moisturizing, skin drink water Compact structure of the stratum corneum, even tough water-soluble resin protective layer and the membrane are the best natural skin barrier, no matter which link them to the middle of a problem, our skin will be the loss of moisture, becomes dry. Long-term work in the central air-conditioning of women, the most easy to dry skin and "Huarong pale," a week or twice a moisturizing dry skin whitening mask to relieve the fastest solution. "Recommended Hot whitening mask 10 Parity 6 essential oils awaken the skin Basil, lavender, lemon, mint, rosemary, roses and other essential oils can be used as the carrier will pass the active ingredients of whitening products delivered to the epidermis than GHD Hair Straighteners the inner layer, so that the skin glow angry, white transparent. 7 Clean the basis of skin whitening Do a good job cleaning the facial skin, is to create the perfect skin of the most important first step. If the first step to wash effectively, not only to thoroughly clean the skin, but also special conditioning of the skin, enhance the absorption of whitening GHD Hair Straightener skin care products, and thus achieve a multiplier effect. 8 feeding meridians of Chinese medicine to improve blood circulation facial skin Has a whitening effect of the herbs are ginseng, barley, white Poria powder, ginkgo benevolence, mulberry, peach, aloe, etc., amount to eat some food or a whitening effect of traditional Chinese medicine, pale and GHD Straightener moist skin can not only maintain, but also easy to spot students. 9 to make healthy lifestyle Away from the stimulation of alcohol and tobacco, quit eating spicy; attention in public places to avoid dust, harmful gases damage to GHD the skin; in the indoor cultivation of plants, to keep the indoor clean air, high oxygen content of the air is a favorite skin. 10 maintain a happy mood White luster always bloom in the happy skin on, the mood relaxed skin in the best state to draw nutrients, pore ease, speed up metabolism, whitening from the inside and outside the free energy release. Tags:GHD,GHD Straightener,GHD Straighteners,GHD Hair Straightener,GHD Hair Straighteners http://egeto.atw.hu/forum/index.php?action=profile%3bu=17909

i'm not able to drink as much anymore since i've been banded. i get both full and tipsy faster but maybe its because i don't eat while i'm drinking? long island ice teas are my drink of choice so i'm feeling pretty good after 1 now when i used to be able to handle 3 or 4... but i was eating while i was drinking. each surgeon is different... my surgeon said no soda or alcohol 3 monts post-op. i've been drinking 20 ounces of diet pepsi a day for the past 2 years and have been fine BUT follow your doctor's orders!!

I wonder why Alcoholics Anonymous doesn't use that method of curing addiction?? Abstain from alcohol all day....but then it's OK to drink at night!! Oh, that's right. It doesn't work THAT'S WHY!!!

I was being facetious. Good grief, is it a male thing that SO MUCH must be explained with charts and graphs and crayons on paper?? There was nothing mentioned about why I'm married to him or if I love him because my post isn't ABOUT that. It's about being with somebody who is as much a foodie as I ever was but doesn't have the weight issue that I do. I'm making changes, and he's almost acting put out that his eating buddy isn't going along with HIS program. It's frustration. Maybe you've never experienced that. Maybe you haven't been at this long enough, or you don't have somebody you've been with 17 years who can have a tendence to put his wants above your NEEDS. It's not whether I love him or not, this is an issue that I have had with him more than once that has aided me in falling off the wagon. It's like having two alcoholics and one chooses to abstain while the other remains an alcoholic and the change in those people's relationship towards eachother while they try to work out their relationship with alcohol. It's really no different. *Oh wait, I just looked -- hell, you haven't even been BANDED yet, so you have NO idea what I'm talking about. Figures.

I'm going to try really hard to not sound judgemental, but what makes you think binge drinking is a good life decision? Surgery or no surgery it's irresponsible and unhealthy. You had VSG surgery to help you lose weight, thereby making you healthier. Why would you throw it all away for college parties? If you want to be successful at the weight loss, and at life in general, you will stop going overboard with the alcohol. This whole "I'm not an alcoholic until I graduate" thing is complete and total bullsh*t. I hope you know that. Buckle up, eat right (high Protein, low carb), don't drink, and you will see the sleeve still works for you. You will get out of it what you put into it.

I didn't read the rest of the thread and just read the initial post but it sounds like you may need direct counseling rather than a support group. You may be addicted to food and alcohol.

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!

Margaritas are extremely high in calories. If they offer a skinny or low calorie version that would be better. I drink prosecco. Yes it is somewhat bubbly but I let the bubbles die down some. You can get a whole glass for 50 calories. I ran this by my surgeon last week and he said I'm good to go with that as my alcohol choice.

Well...that's just it. I sort of have been in his shoes. Before I was married to DH, I was married to a man who developed non-alcoholic liver disease. I took care of him until the day he died. In fact, he died in my arms, on our 25th wedding anniversary. The last 8 years of our marriage was sexless, due to the liver disease. I was in my early 40's, so this was not exactly what I had signed on for. But I did sign the contract (the marriage license), and I lived up to it 100%. I did not use LDH's (Late Dear Husband's) poor health as an excuse to commit adultery. Nor do I think anyone else should. I'm sorry. I think it's wrong. So don't ask me. Which brings us to the next problem. Mr P is truly a nice man, and I do want to be his friend. But I am terrified, because he IS such a nice man, that at some point he will ask us, "Do you think what I'm doing is a terrible thing?" My DH would KILL me if I said "yes". My conscience would kill me if I said "no".

My bandages were removed before discharge. Had no drain. Was advised to use soap & Water. Inaddition to that I cleaned daily with 70% alcohol. Had no issues.

The something worse has me worried for you. Are you safe? As far as the weight gain, your doctor isn't there to judge. Just be honest. And you are taking steps in the right direction by going to therapy and working towards getting your pill/alcohol consumption under control.