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Hello My name is Marcia, I use to be addicted to drugs but got clean and then got married and never realized until yesterday that I had an addiction to food. I have WLS tomorrow July 13th and the pre-op liquid diet showed me just how addicted I was. I talked to my therapist on Monday and she told me what I was describing was a food addiction. It's about control for me. Just like drugs were and then you realize you never were in control I come from a family with a lot of addictions; Drugs, Alcohol etc. A lot are clean from one thing and then substitute a new addiction. I am hoping that now that I know this and can have help from my therapist I will be able to succeed in finally losing the weight I have packed onto my body.

I think acknowledging the problem is half the battle and you have done that. I understand fighting the sabotaging yourself, I do it anytime I get close to a goal. Why? I don't know. Fear of success? failure? or just wanting to make things hard on myself cause that is all I've know? What I do know is if I keep at it and meet that goal, the pride I feel is overwelming. It gives me the courage to keep trying. Those little voices in our head can really mess with us! But we CAN BEAT THEM! just do it one day at a time, or one hour, or one minute, whatever it takes to get through it, Remeber the serenity prayer it helps me get through a lot of tough times. I also had an alcoholic husband and spent a few years in al-anon. It's funny how us "co-dependence" seem to beat ourselves up more than anyone else. Take care.

You can do this. You cut out tobacco and alcohol. After plenty of years. If you can do that you can do this. You just have to do it now and not look back. Don't procrastinate. Do it now. Good luck.

Update... Well, I really regret what I did below. In addition to overeating (as described below), I also continued the party last night with two glasses of Sangria. The result was one long night of extreme discomfort in the band area and two episodes of dry heaves. I'm pretty sure both the alcohol and over indulgence inflamed my already tender stomach. I think the stomach inside the band swelled up shut and this tricked my stomach into thinking something was stuck and the result was uncontrollable vomiting. Feeling much better this morning, but won't be playing with fire like that again. At least Clear liquids for another 9 days doesn't sound all that bad anymore. End of Update -------------------------- One of the big questions I had was will the feeling of fullness be the same as it was before the band? While this has been answered many times on the forum, I longed for more discussion on it because so many of the answers are different. So, here is what I found. I can say that it definitely is the same. Two hours ago, I went to Subway and ate a half a cup of chicken noodle soap (that is all I could get down without fear of enlarging my pouch). Because it's only 4 days post op, I only ate one tiny piece of chicken and a tiny piece of a noodle, the rest was broth. I also drank about 10 ounces of chocolate milk. It felt just like my evening celebrations where I would eat a large pizza with extra cheese. Nothing felt stuck. Nothing felt weird. I just felt extremely full and happy. I ate the lunch slowly as to prevent food from backing up and enlarging my pouch. Two hours later, I still feel full and happy. Out of fear of band slippage, I will try and avoid that level of fullness in the future.

Debbie, 17,500 is definitely more than a lot of people are paying. My daughter flew from nyc to Houston and paid 13,500 (NY, NJ, PA are all pretty high). Her doctor was part of the original 14-member team that introduced the band to the US from Europe. Requires almost no pre-op diet (he's done 4,000 plus procedures. I've also seen on here doctors in Colorado under 10k. And whether you're making the right decision or not, only you can answer that but if it's a lifelong problem, do you want to spend the rest of your life dealing with it. I'm being banded June 1, but my daughter is my biggest support and my primary care physician. My daughter was 265 at 5-10 on Feb 2008. i can't even begin to tell the difference it has made in her life. She is now about 170 and a size 8, but is having to have plastis surgery. But she has never regretted it a day. And, yes, there are some people that don't do as well. I have a neighbor's sister who had it done and has never had a fill, never lost a pound, but is also an alcoholic...duh. I'm 57 and clearly don't expect the same results as a 37 year old, but I've lost the same 50 lbs I can't tell you how many times and it is now or was 87 pounds and every time I gained it back, it came with a new set of health issues. So find a support group if you can near you. If money is the issue, you clearly have options. Once my daughter had all of her blood work and whatever other tests her doctor required in Houston, she was scheduled within the month (no six-month regimen like some of us have had to meet.) Good luck in whatever decision you decide. Trisha

I found it hard to stop my vices cold turkey, I'm kinda odd so made myself a plan for decreasing my quantity of caffeine, alcohol, processed sugary foods etc. I also gradually increased the decaf content in my coffee to the point that I drink a decaf coffee a week or so. I switched from pop and alcohol to carbonated Water with a dash of juice, to kombutcha tea, then to fun herbal teas cooled and over ice. I started changing my behaviours as soon as I went to the first information session but got serious about 10 months before surgery (my first intake appointment). I also struggled with the waiting for things to move on the hospital end, but hoped that if they saw the deliberate effort I was making maybe it would speed things up (it hasn't in my case). I think the awareness and effort on your part is the biggest factor, no matter how small the changes may seem.

My surgeon told me that I can have wine after 6 months and to always drink in moderation. I had have a glass of red wine with dinner on occasion prior to surgery, nothing sense, so waiting hasn't been hard but I do plan on incorporating an occasional glass of red wine and some hard cider in the fall back into my diet. The best advice I've heard is to try it, see how your body and your stomach tolerate alcohol and always use moderation. It may be possible that you will go to have that drink and no longer have the interest or the desire to drink anymore.

I actually was concerned I was developing alcoholic habits before surgery. I would drink 1-2 bottles of wine in an evening on weekends, and frequently have 2-3 glasses even on week nights. Post surgery I occasionally have a single 3-4 oz glass of wine (now I have to buy the little mini 4 packs!), but I'm pretty tipsy after that one glass. I might have a glass 1-2 x per month. I'm much less depressed than I used to be, and alcohol was a (very poor) coping mechanism. I don't like the feeling of being drunk, so for me, I think surgery improved my habits.

There is a difference between having a glass of wine with dinner to compliment the meal and downing a whole bottle of 2 buck chuck from Trader Joes just so you can fall asleep at night. While I think mild alcoholism is a dumb term. The bar for what makes you an alcoholic from a medical standpoint is too low, too black and white and too linear. I would say the thing to be watch for especially if you are young, and even more if you are single is that once you start socializing and dating, it is easy for calories to creep in. This happened to me at the tail end of last year. Started dating, going out more and it was hard to track and estimate calories from restaurants without nutritional value. It is too easy to start enjoyying your weight loss and pick up bad habits you didn't have before.

I either have red wine or whiskey and water (depending on whether I want to have the carbs in the wine or not). On those days I do have drinks, I have to maximize protein and minimize calories through protein shakes. Basically, I have to reserve calories for the alcohol, and since I'd rather be able to eat real food rather than drink, it has become just an every-once-in-a-while thing for me now. (No beer for me, though, since I won't do any carbonation...) Good luck!

hey all, My name is Tim and I am an alcoholic. It took me 40 years to address my disease of alchohol and now it is time to address my weight.... seems that there is lots of support in regards to the sleeve which is really cool. I just stumbled on a site that talked about it and now I have been doing some research and been verey pleased. I don't think it will be long before I decide this is what I am going to do. Is there anyone else here from Canada? Is there any other males that have had this? Thanks

I am nearly 8 months out. I was nearly paranoid about drinking and decided to have a glass of wine at six months. Not sure what I thought would happen...spontaneously combust maybe. All went fine. I don't know about anyone else, but I can't hold enough alcohol to get tipsy, much less get drunk or become an alcoholic. I now enjoy a glass of wine about three evenings a week. I make sure to choose a wine low in calories and I measure out 1/2 cup before I drink. I like having my wine back. I now know I can enjoy my old pastime of visiting wineries.

The first thing I would ask is why do you ask this question? Seriously, what information and/or statement were you hoping to make? I have been a 3-4 day a week social drinker for 40+ years. Since my VSG, I find that I drink less and enjoy it equally well. I discussed this with my surgical team and they agreed that the VSG would help me reduce my moderate alcohol consumption and it has!

I quit drinking before surgery long before, in an effort to lose weight on my own. I still have no interest. When I go out I drink Water with lime and tip very well. I only know one person personally that had WLS. They never drank before surgery. They were a homebody and felt unattractive. Fast forward to them being down 100lbs. They feel better, more confident, going out several times a week. Lots of drinking. I think that is how some people become alcoholics. Other people who have not done the emotional work, need alcohol as a replacement coping drug because they dont have food.

Deband...what does your Dr. say? You should really check with them and see what they recommend. Also you have to ask yourself are those drinks worth it? Only you can decide that... It's all up to you man, cause you have to live with the consequences, right...(Don't you love it when people really don't help you make a decision and say its up to you??? Ha ha ahaha.) In other words does doing what you did in the past still work for you? If not then change, if yes then keep doing it, right? Just slow down and ponder these questions, you are in control, you will make the right decision...ok enough with that...don't do it alcohol is just empty calories.. there -good luck with your choice...We support you no matter what... :tt1:) JaJeanne

I am donell1000 and I have alcohol and "dry goods" free for 22 years. I sleeved 6_10_2016. What is interesting about getting sleeved is that it feels somewhat like doing a 28 day detox/rehab. Each day I learn something new about myself and I have to work my weight-loss program the same way I work my recovery. What I am trying to wrap my mind around is how someone can loose weight and then gain it back. Is it just going back to eating the wrong foods? Does the smaller sleeved stomach grow back in size? Please let me know your thoughts... How to Prevent Weight Gain After Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

You know, Elfie, you make a really good point. I can't remember what it's like to not think about food. Even when I wasn't hungry, it was already thinking to the next 2 or 3 meals. Support group and the classes have really helped, but I realize I still have an unhealthy addiction to food (after all, it's not like alcohol in that you don't need alcohol to survive where you NEED to eat in order to stay alive). It is slowly getting better, but I am so happy I did this for myself. I'm so proud of all of us :-)!

Gigi, Maddysgram, elcee and ajtexas.... First, I want to thank you for so kindly responding to my plea's for help. I'm in a bad place and I needed your ears/eyes. No, I am not in control of my life at the moment. I think maybe I am trying to take control of my life, even if it's deciding to sabotage myself and my journey. Sounds weird, I know, but it's easier to control with learned reinforced bad behaviour than with new, difficult behaviours like my dieting, journaling my food journal. It's easier to fail than to fight to succeed. (I'm coming up with this stuff as I write) Hm, something else to think about. Gigi_Girl, I'm so proud of you for quitting smoking completely, I hear cigarettes are one of the hardest addictions to quit! And good luck with your new Band. My therapist is admittedly stuck on this issue of why I "have" to eat bad foods. I mean, she has shed alot of light on the subject, as she has worked with many addicts. She just felt I should get some inpu by those going through the Band journey. Maddysgram, it was very, very hard to take in your kind words of wisdom, but a few things helped me. "Tomorrow hasn't happened yet..." "You're brave to come out..." "...me a complete stranger loves you..." have all been allowed inside, and helped me for that moment. My past has not made me a criminal, a drinker, a drug user, etc. I guess that's a very good thing! Elcee, I did walk away with major issues, but I consider myself a genuine, honest, caring individual in spite of my issues. I see that I have achieved very little in my life but be a survivor. I'm a fighter, which is why this whole thing about fixating on cheating myself and my diet, is baffling. I never give up, not for long anyways. Your positive comments embarras (how do you spell that!) me, but secretly it's nice to hear. ajtekas- I have a history of sabotaging things when they go well, and I was doing very well. Is it because of fear of success? Is it because of fear failure? It it because it's all I know? All of the above. I was proud of myself for adhering to the program and I think it was overwhelming for me. Didn't deserve it. I say the serenity prayer everyday, everyone should. I started Al-Anon four weeks ago, and I honestly feel blessed to have the kinship of those who share my experience with alcoholism and the family. And, yes, we members do beat ourselves up! Tomorrow is a new day. There are many success stories to help me along. I so hope I get more responses to this...every one of you makes a difference to me. My therapist would thank the four of you! And I thank you. (*bows down*)

hi leslie - was interesting reading this thread starting in 2009 - but we all are food addicts, what ever year it is. In my case, give me Cookies, donuts,etc. and i'll be your friend for ever! Some people (DH) love all the carbs like bread etc.. i don't know why we just cant't limit ourselves from eating the consumption of food that we do eat with. ) Most peoplec can eat a regular portion of desert or plain amount of dinner or whatever, but us food additcts-well wd just ca't stop. The temptations are too strong. Similar to alcohol yet food addition doesn't count to "normal people" Therefore we become' food addicts" don't eat properly, and can't stop eating when we should - ADDICT, ADDICT,ADDICT Oh well - i didn't answe any question, just getting some feeling outs - thanx - welcome leslie Kathy DOS 12/15/11

If I could avoid my cocktails I would start losing weight again, my meals do last me 3-4 hours but they are still a good size meals smaller than regular but definitely not as small as they should be. Alcohol is my weakness as after a long day at work I do enjoy my drink How do we not drink alcohol?

You bet! We are in this together! Woo woo! Tonight when I have my alcohol-free glass of Water after dinner (ye GODS) I will toast you!

I wouldn't be at all surprised if she's mentally ill. Between that and her alleged drug/alcohol use, I'm surprised she's alive right now. I think she grew up being surrounded by a lot of "yes-men," with little to no adult guidance. I see a lot of people saying, "if only her mother were here," but I doubt that would help. Her mother should have been there ten years ago, teaching her how to be a responsible adult. I think she's been indulged by just about every person in her life and I think it's finally gotten to the point of her not knowing how to be an adult out on her own.

I know that alcohol is a no no. I also know that I won't be able to have alcohol for awhile, but how many of you can drink beer. Also, I love champagne, anyone able to tolerate a glass or two.

Hi there I'm in western ny my surgeon won't operate if u smoke they test u for nicotine so the food thing u talk about if your plan is to eat mcdonalds as a habit don't have surgery your not ready it's not true that u can't eat again for a while u won't eat much and certain things will fill u up faster bread rice pasta potatoes u will be extremely uncomfortable if u overfill the stomach read the the guidelines they give you carefully follow the dr instructions excercise when u can eat from the allowed list if u eat high fat high calorie high sugar foods it will impact your weight loss and may make u feel unwell as for drinking I'm not a drinker never liked alcohol my surgeon says lay off for six months no carbonation such as soda beer not an issue for me as I don't care lol but I've seen ppl here say they have a couple drinks here and there after the appropriate recovery time some say it affects them more then before speaking for myself some things that are not good for me just don't taste as good anymore and since I couldn't finish anything isn't worth me buying it and throwing most of it away( unless my dog manages to whine cute enough that I give to him) besides I don't want to work as hard as I have to keep the same old habits that got me here I'm six months post op sleeve I've lost 170 lbs since mid sept last year 60 lbs pre op and the rest since my surgery at end of February this year you must decide to eat right most of the time if this tool will work it's just a tool not a miracle best wishes to you

I had bad diarrhea days 3 and 4 after surgery. I also blamed the protein shakes but my surgeon said sometimes it's happens when things are waking up and starting to work again. But, too much sugar free stuff can do it to you for sure. I can't stand artificial sweeteners so I have always avoided them but they contain something called sugar alcohol which upsets tummies sometimes. You newbies should all take it easy. I did nothing but short walks in the house for the first two weeks. You are recovering from major surgery and getting almost no calories in. Give yourselves time to heal. As far as water goes I never met those goals. I still don't truth be told. As others have said when you are early out the protein shakes count as fluid. Just do the best you can sipping water between shakes. If you are peeing a lot, and it's light in color, you're fine. Sent from my Nexus 6P using BariatricPal mobile app