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Even this far out and soooo close to goal,after losing fast for the past two months,I am now stuck again. At just 2 pounds from goal! This is frustrating as I did the chicken thing this week,no alcohol ect ect with zero results.It still messes with my mind when this happens..lol.I still doubt what I am doing and if I will be able to eat this little forever just to maintain this weight. It does feel to me at this point that it is time to be finished with the weight loss phase. My probiotics isnt helping for the constipation anymore and I have decided to start eating fiber one every day to see if this makes a difference.this will push up my carbs quite a lot but it is what it is.I can live with 2 extra pounds but I cannot live with constant constipation.I do not want to take stoolsoftners every day because I either drink to much or to little.Cannot find e dosage that is just right for me. I will be doing labs and bone scan this week.Just recently I have been having a lot of aches and pains in my "bones".My back lower and upper,and my neck is constantly aching.It feels like I am curving more and more.As if my "frame" is collapsing...lol.My joint are also super achy like when you have flu. Well,its weekend and my kids are sick so I am stuck at home.Bad thing for my eating as I am constantly wanting to eat something..lol.Will cut myself some slack for a couple of days though. This is such an interesting journey.I am mostly happy and satisfied with myself at this point and that is great.I do worry about vitamins and calsium issues and will start working on a more organized way to drink the calsium 4 hours after the PPI and other vitamins staggered throughout the day. Will report on labs next week!

Sounds like a lot of alcohol stops for someone just out of surgery. Hope you plan on being kind to your sleeve and sticking to water while the others are indulging in the drinking.

Tips? Keep saying the mantra "it gets better." Every day things get better: the pain, the emotions, the weird feelings when you drink. And before you know it, you are rewarded with weight loss! My tastes seems to change everyday. I was able to eat my chewable Vitamins for the first week post op. Now, they make me nauseous. Like they actually come back up or make me feel blah I am switching to the Celebrate vitamins you can mix together like Crystal Light (Celebrate bariatric vitamins are what my surgeon recommends). The simpler the taste the better for me. I was able to drink some Protein shakes and Carnation Instant Breakfast-No Sugar Added post op. But after a week, the only thing I want is plain skim milk with nonfat dry milk powder added (by drinking 3 to 4, 8 ounce glasses of these a day, I get my 50+ grams of daily protein needs). My best tip would be using alcohol wipes to stop nausea. I got nauseous about 4 times during my 3 day hospital stay. I would call for my nurse and she would quickly put one on my nose and I would take like 3 to 5 deep breaths and it would calm me down (meanwhile she would be putting nausea medicine in my IV but told me it would take a few minutes to work). I still use this trick regularly (my nurses kindly gave me like 30 wipes to take home). Granted I don't get anti-nausea meds pumped into me anymore but it still works (you have to realize early post-op nausea is a little more intense because of all the pain meds they are pumping you with). One more thing - friends and family act funny post op. Learn to deal with it/laugh it off. A coworker ate candy in front of me and then was like Oops! And hid the wrapper behind her back. I laughed it off but trust me, I want nothing to do with sweets right now! And then the other day my dad was driving me to the pharmacy and was mad that I didn't "eat" anything that day yet. He asked if I could have a Wendy's Frosty! Clearly that is not a good idea - but I gave him an alternative, we went to McDonalds and I got a kid-sized milk. I now use that little half pint container daily (8 oz)...cutest thing ever. I digress... Let me know if you have any other questions while it is still fresh!! Good luck with your surgery! I am sure it has been a long journey. I had to go through a 6 month insurance approval process. I pinch myself everyday that I am now on the other side!

I had a glass about 3 months post op, the alochol did not affect me any differently from pre op to post op. You just need portion control and alcohol is empty calories so drink smart !!

*1*- I can still(and do) drink/tolerate alcohol/wine like I use to before surgery. *2*- I eat whatever I want, whenever I want (except bread and carbo drinks) I just do it in small portions. *3*- I stopped taking all my vitamins due to cost. *4*-I almost never work out. *5* I feel guilty not telling my overweight adult daughters about my surgery.

I was at 3-4 drinks a day, salad, mild protien. No added carbs, very little fat and no trans fat,refined sugar. That is about all I can recall. Alcohol and soda was a no-no, with the exception of 2-3 oz of wine a day, and coffee until 3 days before. Oh, and Water, water, water!

Personal choice for me is I'm not drinking... Wasn't really much to drink a glass so not a big deal. I will say I have read many studies of high rates of addiction to alcohol with rny patients. I think it's a waste of calories and pouch space.

Just wondering how long some of you waited to maybe have a glass of wine or two??

There are two or three threads out there specifically titled "You can gain weight" so yes, it's entirely possible. As for the stomach stretching like that? NO WAY. But you don't need a stretchy stomach if you choose to eat high calorie foods that slide. It's easy to consume enough soda, alcohol, ice cream or even chips and Cookies to gain weight if you choose to do so. No, not immediately post op. But definitely in maintenance. The sleeve relies on restriction. If you eat around the restriction, it's as if you never had a surgery. That said, I think it takes effort. It means completely ignoring everything you know is right. It means indulging in self destructive behavior. It means that instead of eating a pizza in a sitting, eating a piece every single time you have room. And you'll know what you're doing. You won't be able to mindlessly eat an extra thousand calories at dinner because you won't have room. You'd have to choose to do it. It's a tired line but no less true for that: The sleeve is a tool. Just a tool. How you use it is entirely up to you. Overcoming bad habits and being honest with yourself about what/how you eat is critical for long term success. ~Cheri

Everyone is different, but most people who've posted say you will be able to enjoy almost any food or drink eventually. I've eaten ice cream post surgery with no problems. And many people have reported being able to enjoy beer, wine, and alcohol as well - just in smaller amounts. As I said, everyone is different and you will just have to test your new stomach to see what it will tolerate. As an example - at 30 days, I can eat regular yogurt, but my stomach hates greek yogurt. I can eat grilled chicken breast that has been run through a food processor, but my stomach doesn't like canned chicken breast. And as I get farther out, I am sure my stomach will tolerate "heavier" foods, it just takes time to adjust.

Ok, I've had to do some journaling to stop and change perspective. Instead of focusing on what's ahead of me, to focus on what's happening today and what I've done this week. 1) Stopped drinking alcohol and I have only wanted to have a drink last night when **** hit the fan at home. 2) Stopped drinking soda and didn't miss it, crave it or anything. 3) Have gotten better about watiting at least 30 min between eating & drinking fluids 4) Consistenly getting about 68 oz of fluids each day 5) Reduced my caffiene intake (on 1/2 caff, not extra bold) coffee. I had caffeine withdrawal one day, and I've been fine since 6) Started exercising each day on my bike at home. 7) Started logging my food again and wearing my fitbit 8) Writing in my journal daily about EVERYTHING! That's a lot ot accomplish and I'm just gonna focus on this for today!

You're smart to go to another consult. This is a life-changing decision, and you need to feel comfortable going into it! You had valid questions and were being smart enough to think about your life after sleeve, you should get answers that assure you! Dana's right -- I get it that a surgeon cannot be all things to all people, but I think a really good surgeon should know the importance of surrounding himself with a team of qualified, quality people who can help you feel comfortable with your decision. Maybe he does just think of his patients as warm bodies....but if he's not a 'people person' , he should have a coordinator or NP or NUT or director or someone that is able to relate to you as a person. Amazon13 is right -- go with your gut feeling. I personally chose my surgeon because he has a big team and a whole comprehensive program to help ensure my long term success. Him cutting my tummy is just the beginning of a big process that will involve psych/ NUT/ exercise counseling AND support groups. I know your mom was probably joking about the alcoholic remark, but honestly (and I don't mean to be a bummer) I think that without the proper emotional / mental support, there actually is a danger that WLS folks can turn to alcohol to replace their food addiction. I haven't seen too too much about it on VST but have read about it elsewhere. . .I think it's called 'transfer addiction' and it's real for WLS patients, so something to keep in mind. . .

I finally had the information meeting with my prospective surgeon last Friday. I had really been looking forward to it - but left feeling deflated. I told him I was worried about not being able to walk with my rheumatoid arthritis if I can't take ibuprofen. He never answered me regarding that issue - just said the need for other RA meds would decrease. I also think I will need a lot of support after the surgery because I think it will be very difficult psychologically. He never mentioned a support group so I asked if they had one "yes, we do," was the only response - no additional information whatsoever. In general, I felt like he didn't really address my concerns, I got the feeling there would not be much after care. I have decided to get a consultation with another surgeon. I know that the one I went to is very talented surgically, but after the surgery I don't think he'll really be there. There was another patient there who wanted to schedule a band to sleeve revision and the Dr. told him he looked familiar - the patient said "you did my lap band and I saw you referred me for an EGD last month." Kind of felt like we were just warm bodies sitting there. Maybe I'm wrong- maybe that's how all surgeons are and I am just making excuses for my fear and second thoughts. My mom went with me and kept saying she was afraid I would become an alcoholic if I wasn't able to eat junk food, and that I would be even more unhappy being thin with sagging skin than being fat. I appreciate your thoughts

Here you go thanks for posting this! Slider Foods Spell Weight Regain For Weight Loss Surgery Patients Soft processed carbohydrates, 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. Learn what slider foods are and why they cause weight regain for weight loss surgery patients. 5 Day Pouch Test Store By Kaye Bailey For most people eating sliders is a good thing. Popularized by the American food chain, White Castle, a slider (originally slyder) is a miniature grilled hamburger or cheeseburger on a steamed bun often served with onions and dill pickle and other condiments. They originally sold for a nickel a piece in the 1940s making it affordable to add a side of fries for just pennies. By all accounts this is a good kind of "slider" food. 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. 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.

One person told me that by getting wls showed how weak I was... And that I was never going to be happy or that I was going to become an alcoholic or drug addict because I was already addicted to food ... Anyways and all this coming out of the only two ppl I trusted enough to tell them about my plans ... Now looking Back I think it was all jalousie because they are also fat! Now we don't talk!

At two weeks, I probably would not and let things get fully healed. Caffeine was the one thing that I did not or would not give up. There's enough restrictions in this process, and I am okay giving up most foods and alcohol, but caffeine, sorry no can do!

It is true that we are more than our struggle with weight. But for 30 years I struggled with being overweight And it wasn't until I had the VSG That I began living again. It took a year for me to lose 100 pounds And today I'm happier than I've ever been in my whole life. I hike and bike and snowshoe and dance and smile and approach people and socialize and entertain. It's been wonderful. My husband I've been married for almost 35 years and we're like honeymooners again. I feel so sorry for all those out there that have had difficulties with their surgery Vomiting pain depression other illnesses. I personally have had no problem whatsoever. I have gained about 15 pounds But that's due to drinking too much wine and alcohol and not doing enough exercising. So my husband I have begun cutting back and were hitting the gym more often. We are getting in shape for a two-week long hiking extravaganza across the country in July. We will start at Arches national Monument, Followed by national reef national Park, Bryce Canyon and then Zion national Park. We plan to hike at least two trails in each place. We will end this hiking extravaganza in Las Vegas Where my husband and I are planning to reinstate our wedding vows for 35th wedding anniversary. Good luck to all of you out there. For those of you struggling I hope that things get better for you And for the rest of you I hope that your as happy as I am

I'm on day 8 of my pre-op, and I feel ya. I'm hungry toooo.....BUT, to remind me I look at my dreaded fat pic, and vision myself skinny! I not only had to give up food, but also my alcohol, I love my red wine! I'm doing this and so will you! Good Luck, you have an entire world of support here.

I used alcohol pads and that seemed to do the trick. I remember how bad that was. I had my surgery in August and thought it had something to do with heat but with AC on, that still didn't help. I feel for you. Try not to think about it. Sent from my iPad using VST

carbs - Fiber - sugar alcohol = net carbs is how they come up with the "net carbs"

The net carbs refers to the carbs your body can actually digest and absorb. The undigestible carbs can be things like fiber, sugar alcohols, and artificial sweeteners. As far as the truth behind any one product being true to the label, I got nothin. But I can tell you I've read that if a product contains 1.9 digestible carbs, the manufacturer can round the carbs down to 1. So just be aware that even if it says 2 net carbs, it may actually be almost 3 net carbs.

It apparently is part of the sleeve for 60-75%. Pre band had horrible reflux-- "your fat- abd pressure" blah blah blah- , band curbed it, post sleeve I get reflux horrible if I dont eat regularily, don't drink enough watern drink any alcohol or if I eat and don't stay vertical. Others don't seem to experience it as bad-- I just accept it treat it and go on-- it was worth the trade!!

For me----My reflux is worse (10X) than with my band-- my band ended my reflux. I take axid 150mg twice a day and prilosec for break thru- usually daily to every other. I don't eat within an hour of lying down, alcohol and sugar make it worse. Reflux has been my only negative-- I'm 130#-- I will trade reflux for 230# and heart disease any day !! Hope that helps.

Your choice you two, plainly, we all know enough about it. I'd kick you out the room if you told my old man not to light at his age on occasions I was with him. I've been able to had stay quit for a good long while,not saying did I have half a smoke, or light up again now, so what, its plainly foolish to say so when el critico is watching and for fun of just that. I tried many times before and had some good time years ago and several times longest amounted to 2 yrs 4 mths. Regardless it is a big pile up when your asked to stop all your vices at once and stress will be there for sure starting the weeks after this surgery. It's not understandable by a non smoker properly. I tell you this much too, I do not drink alcohol period, as a fact, I should hope that doesn't have the effect that some one will come to call me an idiot for saying a thing about also. Vaping hasn't the carsenigens, it's a hard question to answer, I am unsure there is developed info there but it stops craving as it provides nicotine if you buy the ones that are at that strength. If your at half a cigarette you can purchase nic gum and chew instead.

Here is a short but good article..... http://health.yahoo....mFQ2ySsY.mailto Also check out the link immediately below called testosterone shortage. A testosterone shortage could cost you your life. As if losing muscle mass, bone density, and your sex drive to low T levels wasn't bad enough, new research shows the decline can also increase your risk of prostate cancer, heart disease, and even death. Follow these steps to lift your levels and lengthen your life. 1. Uncover Your Abs As your waist size goes up, your testosterone goes down. In fact, a 4-point increase in your body mass index, about 30 extra pounds on a 5'10" guy, can accelerate your age-related T decline by 10 years. For a diet that'll help keep your gut in check, try the all-new Men's Health e-book, The Six-Pack Secret. You'll learn how to sculpt rock-solid abs in 4 weeks. We believe it's the most effective muscle-up weight loss program ever. 2. Build Your Biceps Finnish researchers recently found that men who lifted weights regularly experienced a 49 percent boost in their free testosterone levels. "As you strengthen your muscles, the amount of testosterone your body produces increases," says David Zava, Ph.D., CEO of ZRT Laboratory. You need to push Iron only twice a week to see the benefit. 3. Fill Up On Fat Trimming lard from your diet can help you stay lean, but eliminating all fat can cause your T levels to plummet. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that men who consumed the most fat also had the highest T levels. To protect your heart and preserve your T, eat foods high in monounsaturated fats, food such as fish and nuts. A Fat MORE Dangerous than Trans Fat? 4. Push Away From The Bar Happy hour can wreak havoc on your manly hormones. In a recent Dutch study, men who drank moderate amounts of alcohol daily for 3 weeks experienced a 7 percent decrease in their testosterone levels. Limit your drinking to one or two glasses of beer or wine a night to avoid a drop in T. 5. Stop Stress Mental or physical stress can quickly depress your T levels. Stress causes cortisol to surge, which "suppresses the body's ability to make testosterone and utilize it within tissues," says Zava. Cardio can be a great tension tamer, unless you overdo it. Injuries and fatigue are signs that your workout is more likely to lower T than raise it.