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I have found Overeaters Anonymous to be very helpful with this type of issue. Really, we eat for the same reason other people drink. And it is IMO harder to control it because alcoholics can avoid alcohol and we have to eat food. However, the first step is recognizing it happens. Too bad we can't get our head banded :blushing:

At 5 months out, I can eat most things (except what's on my forbidden list - alcohol, gassy liquids) but choose not to eat certain things such as rice, bread etc. I still find that if I forget to really chew food fully, it can be uncomfortable but that's my fault, not the food's. For me, it's not so much about what I eat, it's about how I eat and mindful eating certainly helps avoid discomfort.

I dont have to lose but losing is a plus my only requirements for the 6 month diet is to not go below 1200 calories and not go above 1600, no soda/caffiene no carbination period, no alcohol lots of protein and EXERCISE

I am 2 yrs out with my band, I have 8.8 cc and I still use my cpap. My setting is at 9. I dont take it campng anymore, But I know when I use it I will feel good and rested the next day. I really don't want to give it up. I was recently working a second job at night and came home and was able to get about 6.5 to 7 hrs sleep and still felt great. The gas is probably coming from the extra protein or if you are consuming a high amount of Sugar alcohols, that will give your more gas as well..

I’m almost 9 months post-op, down 85 lbs. I eat what I want, but still eat my protein first and I fill up quickly. I have treats when I want but in very small quantities. Deeply grateful for the surgery and the freedom it’s given me, and feel like a million bucks. Now I don’t focus on food much and still drink almost no alcohol, which is a big change from pre-op. I don’t miss these things at all — feels freeing.

How long post sleeve did u have a little wine?

I am going to keep this short (If I can!); I’m English and English people tend to keep things to ourselves with strangers, especially if it is a point of failure so I am nervous about posting this. I had a gastric sleeve on 23rd July 2015, so 2 years and 7 months ago and it has been easy peasy with regards to food. I used to think that I couldn’t really support other people as I never had issues with the operation, or the months that followed nor with the huge weight loss. I felt fantastic, healthy and was going to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, swimming a couple or more times a week and walking my lovely Labrador a couple of hours a day. I could walk up steep mountains and still have breath to talk non-stop. Life was great. My second son got married at the end of Feb 2016 and I had a glass of champagne and a couple of small glasses of wine at the reception. The three drinks lasted 9 hours. For the rest of the year the drinks increased. I would have a couple of glasses of wine at the weekends. Then after a rough day at work (I have a very stressful job) I would have maybe one gin and tonic. That became a glass of wine and a gin and tonic and so on. I would have odd weeks where I didn’t drink at all so I never really saw it as an issue. I enjoyed it but did not really crave it. Jump to January 2017 and I had skin surgery. Tummy tuck lower and upper eyelids and a breast reduction and uplift. The first four weeks were perfect and then I started having the wounds split on my tummy and breasts. I was very ill and had to go to the hospital every day to have the wounds redressed and packed (they were black and absolutely stank at this point) initially I had three open wounds and as one started healing another would appear. In all I had 17 wounds along the scars and had to have additional surgery in June to clean 2 of them out and re-stitch them. In 2017 I had a total of 6 months off work because of this and slept in a riser recliner for 4 months. So, I started drinking heavily around May last year (that’s not an excuse its just the reality). I did it in secret, I hid bottles all over the house where I knew my husband or sons wouldn’t go (like the washing machine lol). I hid them in wellington boots, in old handbags, in my laptop workbag, in the garden, the car, behind furniture. I tried a few times to stop but just couldn’t. I spoke to a gentleman on here who had the same issue in the past, he said he had never posted about it because it would just get backlash and I felt the same. I told three close friends, I stopped drinking and lasted 3 weeks then started to drink more than before. I would get alcohol at different shops daily, so they wouldn’t judge me! Once I bought two ltr bottles of gin and the woman behind the counter said, “watch out, you will become an alcoholic with all that”. I nearly burst out crying, I felt so ashamed. It got worse and worse then a lot worse. I was drinking 4 pints of beer and half a ltr of gin a day. I functioned well in my job and no one suspected a thing. Even the friends I had told before didn’t know I was back on the booze. Then one night, I was driving home from work, stopped to buy some gin, and thought I’d get some ready made up ones too which come in cans. I drank 3 whilst I was driving home. That was my wake up call. Im an ex policewoman and have been to many accidents where the drivers have been drunk and I was ashamed of myself. I saw the Doctor the next morning and whilst I was telling him what I had been doing and sobbing my heart out, I had a panic attack and ended up passing out. He was so good with me and signed me off work for a month and referred me to a drink and drug support group. He then put me on a 10 day detox at home where I have to take a ton of tablets. This is my last day. Tomorrow I only have to take 6 tablets a day of one medication and the other one has stopped. I have my first appointment next week with the support group. Once they have seen me I will again change medication and will need to stay on that between 6-12 months. I am so lucky to have had the guts to see the GP and tell him the truth. I feel so embarrassed and ashamed. Throughout all of this I have kept to my eating plan, stuck to drinking 64oz water, and taken all my vitamins. I cant believe that I have had the control over that yet not over the alcohol. On the day I saw the GP my Blood Pressure was 202/147 so I have to go every day and its now normal. I am now 176llb so have put 40llbs on, not through food but through drinking calories. I haven’t read through this after typing it as I might just lose nerve and delete the lot so if it sounds odd or the grammar is poor please excuse that. I am still having withdrawal symptoms (just the tremors) but at least I wake up in the mornings and can remember what I did the night before. I know people here who have a glass of wine every night after work. Some people can, I obviously can’t. Just be careful. Please.

My surgeon has a very strong aversion to drinking alcohol. He spoke at one of our support group meetings about how it has been proven that weight loss surgery patients have a significantly increased risk of developing other addictions. If you've "medicated" yourself with food and can no longer do that, it's natural for some people to look for new "medication", be it alcohol, drugs, shopping, etc. It has kind of made me hyper-aware. You are so incredibly strong to share your story and it's inspirational that you chose to do this in an effort to help other people who may be facing the same struggle. THIS is what a support group page should be. Thank you and very best wishes for full recovery!

Honestly ( and I don't think this particularly applies to the OP's husband as he obviously has addiction issues himself), I wonder how so many of us can consider our problem with food an addiction type of problem, yet fail to recognize that part of any addiction recovery is the acknowledgement of how our addiction has damaged and hurt the quality of life of those we love. This can come in the form of not being able to do the things we enjoy to robbing the people we love of a person who was once fun and vivacious or at least not as obsessive about food nor living a lie of shame. I don't think it should surprise anyone, male or female, that if we were a certian person when we met them and then ceased to even resemble that person, emotionally and physically to expect their feelings for us to remain the same no matter what. We have a responsibility here, as we did this to ourselves and to fail to take responsibility for that fact whether a relationship survives this transformation or not is to fail to take the opportunity for growth and a failure to bury for good one of the excuses we gave ourselves in the first place. It is patentedly unfair to cry "Unfair!" about this. People love to say "But what about the vows?!". Well, aren't the vows valuable both ways? Nobody says that in the case of alcoholism or sex addiction or drug abuse or even anorexia. Why would it apply only for overeating/food addiction? I think part of keeping our own vows is keeping ourselves as someone who they can be attracted to and someone who CARES about themselves. I think every person here who is doing something about their weight is making a very lovable statement about themselves. But I wonder how many have actually apologized to their spouses for letting themselves get that way in the first place?

Before you have gastric bypass they warn you of a few things. 1. You can gain the weight back 2. Alcoholism is a possible side effect after surgery 3. food that used to fill you up or make you sick won't do that as much after awhile 4. Smoking cigarettes causes ulcers post-op My mom always says no matter how much I'm warned - I've always had to learn every lesson the hard way. Gastric bypass was that way too. My story is just a warning for all you newbies out there - all the stuff they warn you about is real. Hey, I'm Kaylee and I had my surgery when I was 20 years old on June 11, 2012. I was 280lbs. In less than 8 months I got down to 150 lbs, 130lbs lost. For the first 9 months I was insanely strict. If it wasn't a lean Protein or a non-starchy vegetable I wouldn't eat it. Couldn't pay me to eat a carb. While this is good health wise and I'm sure made my surgical team sing - it was the start of my inevitable failure. I was so strict that after awhile all the foods I had denied myself even a nibble of became so enticing I felt ravenous. My first screw up was picking up smoking again almost a year after I quit. Pure stupidity, I was just bored and thought I could do it socially, wrong. Got ulcers and have had them for over a year and a half. Without acid reducer pills I'm in a lot of pain. Breaking that golden rule led me to break other rules because hey, I already screwed up right? I started having those forbidden foods I had not allowed myself to even look at for such a long time. Bites turned into mouth fulls turned into plate fulls. Then came introducing wine back into my life. I suffer from depression and when you don't have to put effort into getting drunk anymore it is so appealing. I fought depression with wine and started drinking every single night - going through a box of wine every 3 days or so. I then moved from sunny south Florida, away from all my friends, to cold Missouri in the middle of January 2014. I fell into a deep depression and my drinking got worse, and since I was waiting for all my stuff to arrive in the moving truck I lived off hot pockets, bagels, pretty much anything I could toss in a microwave or toaster. I ate crap, drank daily and smoked like a chimney for pretty much the entire year of 2014, all the while pretending my scale didn't exist and convincing myself my clothes were shrinking and I wasn't getting bigger. I was too ashamed and terrified to look at the scale. I finally got up the courage to face what I had done to myself the start of January 2015 and got on the scale. 204lbs. In the span of one year I had gained 54lbs. I felt disgusted with myself and cried for days and days and beat myself up emotionally. I failed everyone, especially myself. But nothing good comes from beating yourself up over what you cannot take back. I can't take back living on bagels and wine for an entire year. What I can do is fight to get back to 150lbs though. So on January 12 I quit smoking, quit drinking every day and have reduced it to just Saturday's with my boyfriend at home versus my downtown-bad-habit-factory, and have gotten close to back to basics but allow myself some freedom - for example for lunch on days I work out I let myself have my chicken and veggies inside a wrap [carbs are my crack] instead of depriving myself of anything I want. I want very badly to get back down to 150lbs... I'm terrified I never will and have somehow ruined this "one and only chance" I've made up in my head. Like I had this wonderful gift of being thin and now that I messed it up I'll never get it back, but I know that type of thinking won't help me. So I'm going to keep going and hopefully someday get back to it. If you've actually made it this far, thank you, I really needed to get this horrible guilt off my chest. I feel like an absolute failure but getting it out helps. So advice to all you n00bs: 1. Yes you can gain it back, I'm an example. 2. Becoming an alcoholic is a real risk you need to watch out for post op. 3. You will be surprised how much food you can get into your body if you really try 4. If you quit smoking never pick it up again, I didn't even have a desire to smoke and managed to become a pack a day smoker again within a month. Not even one after you quit. And most of all - NEVER EVER stop using your scale. I ignored what I was doing for so long and that's how I ended up gaining the amount I did. If I had just looked a couple months before and saw 175lbs I would've done what I'm doing now back then. I would have never let it get this bad if I had just swallowed my pride and looked. I'm lucky that I caught myself when I did because I was headed towards being morbidly obese again. Good luck to you all - try not to make all the mistakes I did. If my story can prevent one person from making one of my many mistakes I'd be happy.

Thank you for telling us about your struggles. I am struggling with smoking, and I have probably made worse food choices since scheduling my surgery. I also watched my good friend finally lose the weight that he always hated, and seem so happy for many years. Then I watched him become an alcoholic. Then he died when he crashed his motorcycle in a one vehicle accident because he was so drunk. And it does not matter who you are or how much you think you are against these actions. We have badges. I never thought it would be one of us driving drunk. I am so grateful that nobody else was around him to get hurt or killed. I miss him so much still. I know it is wrong, but I just try to forget that he ever existed so his memory cannot hurt me.

Yes, moderate alcohol consumption, specifically no more than one or two a night, has been shown to be beneficial. However, if you're trying to reduce carbs prior to surgery, you might be well advised to restrict or just temporarily cease alcohol consumption, since those carbs definitely count. But afterwards, once you heal and are on full liquids, have a toast on me!

The binder that the surgeon gave me it said to avoid alcohol during the first 3 months after surgery but I'm gonna try my best not to drink alcohol the first year because I don't want it to slow my weight loss.

Oh girl, I was in your shoes just about 6 weeks ago. I was frantic at the thought of a liquid diet and I ate every favorite food I could think of in the weeks leading up to surgery. My husband couldn't figure out what the heck was wrong with me. In the midst of one conversation, I finally blurted out that I felt like I was murdering my very best friend! You know the one who ALWAYS showed up to console me and made me feel better (at least in the short term). Some people are addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, etc. My addiction was Dr. Pepper. It's like crack for me. My mood could be gauged by the size of the Dr. Pepper I was drinking. Knowing that this surgery meant never drinking a sugary, carbonated beverage again really played with my head. But, I sit here now four weeks out and I can honestly say I haven't really struggled with not having soda. I don't know what the future holds but I am feeling positive. I think everyone has to go through this process for themself to be a believer, but once you get to the otherside you will be okay.

Yes. The question is SHOULD you. Alcohol after surgery can cause a few problems. 1. Addiction transfer- if you have a food addiction prior to surgery, it's a lot easier to move from one addiction to another when you can't compulsively eat anymore 2. The way your body processes alcohol after surgery is a lot different. Most people lose their tolerance and are flat out drunk after a few sips. So don't ever drink and drive after surgery. Not even one drink. For someone who is alcohol sensitive after surgery ONE alcoholic drink to a bypass patient is the same as almost SIX to someone who hasn't had the surgery. Your blood alcohol % flies through the roof really quick. Some people have no problem with it but most can't drink like they use to. 3. It's calories. As fun as drinking is (I'm 22 so I've only drank for a year and now I have given it up which is hard with my social life), it's not a necessity. My program has a flat out no alcohol for a year policy but not everyone is like that. I'm not taking the risk alcohol after surgery can bring so I plan on waiting a couple years.

i just wrote a long-ish post about alcohol yesterday, ha. instead of putting it all here again, i'll just include the link for reference: take it as personal anecdote, a validation, or a cautionary tale, however u see fit.

It's such a trigger for me, I used to eat Pasta daily and have exacty 2 oz daily for years. Then when I stopped, it's like an alcoholic. I have 2 oz, I want 10! Sleeved on 1/10 so can't have for a while. Looking forward to my Tolerant Lentil Pasta though. Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App

Please read........it might help you. Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV has been around for a long time yet many doctors do not prescribe it for ailments that it is perfectly capable of treating. * * * This wonder food is said to help with weight loss, acne, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation and heartburn among others. Apple cider vinegar, also called just cider vinegar, is produced from cider or apple must (crushed and aged apples). The unfiltered product is a kind of brownish to yellow color, the unfiltered cider contains the "mother of vinegar", this is the part that has the most health benefits. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a natural bacteria fighter that contains minerals and trace elements such as magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine. 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Apple cider vinegar detoxifies and purifies various organs in the body. As a purifier, it breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. By breaking down these substances, it improves the health and function of organs such as the kidneys, bladder, and liver. It oxidizes the blood, reducing the risk of high blood pressure, and neutralizes any toxic substance or harmful bacteria that enters the body by ingesting certain foods. Apple cider vinegar promotes healthy digestion, assimilation and elimination. Research has proven that apple cider vinegar can assist in strengthening the heart, stabilizing blood sugar and reducing the risk of certain cancers. It flushes harmful toxins from your body and assists in weight control. Try drinking two to six teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with water every day. It can also be used in cooking or sprinkled on salads, vegetables, etc. You can drink it as a hot or cold beverage and sweeten it with honey. You might wonder, if Apple Cider Vinegar is so great, why hasn't your doctor told you about it? I think the simple reason might be that medical doctors are more apt to prescribe medicines than natural remedies. Pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of money getting their medicines and pills approved and they certainly wouldn't want you using the inexpensive, unpatentable alternative of ACV instead of buying their expensive cures and treatments. One big problems today that many people suffer from is acid reflux. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies have come up with a plethora of pills to treat this ailment. But before you take pills that may be harmful to you, you might want to consider treating your acid reflux or other stomach ailments with apple cider vinegar. You see, your stomach needs acid to digest food and when you have digestive problems like acid reflux or heartburn it's not because you have too much acid it's because there is too little. 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You might try making a tea out of your Apple cider vinegar by heating a couple of water and then adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to that. While it's best to take ACV before each meal, you can also take it anytime your stomach feels a little upset and it will have immediately curative effects. Some people swear by it, and drink it for everything including the onset of cold and flu. Apple Cider Vinegar is also a cure for bad breath or halitosis due to its acidity. An additional benefit is that many people who have taken apple cider vinegar before each meal have seen a moderate weight loss as well. Some theories for the weight loss benefits of apple cider vinegar suggest that ACV may help to speed up the bodies metabolism. Medicinal uses of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Honestly, natural apple cider vinegar is one of nature's own, true miracle health elixirs. The long history of its use demonstrates, rather clearly, that using vinegar was once highly revered as a practical medical application long before Johnny Appleseed graced North America by planting apple trees. The healing powers of vinegar has been traced back as far as 3000 BC, Hippocrates, Babylonia, and to 15th century England as a means to ward off dangerous and infectious diseases, to keep one's general health fit and strong, and used as a simple antiseptic/disinfectant. When deciding to use ACV for medicinal purposes, be sure to select only a raw, non-distilled vinegar. You may be able to find this type of vinegar in your regular grocery store. But more likely than not, you will probably need to look for it at a local health food store. Clear distilled vinegar is easy to find in any food store and is relatively inexpensive. This type of vinegar is great for regular household cleaning chores, but it is not so wonderful for your internal health. 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Keep in mind that it is not to be considered a panacea for all ill health evils. Although many individuals have achieved a more improved physical state by using vinegar, without modifying their daily dietary habits, serious diet modifications need to be considered in some hard-core cases. Doing so would further enhance a partial response when combined with a healthier diet. This is, especially, a key factor when using vinegar for serious weight loss. You simply must reduce or eliminate your consumption of over processed foods, eat more raw plant foods, eat smaller meals more often, and step up your effort in getting regular and moderate physical exertion. These strategies combined with ACV will take you a long way in seeing the results you are hoping for, and quicker. It is possible to lose up to one to three pounds a week. Remember too...that diet modifications include increasing daily liquid intake. Apple cider vinegar works best when adequate liquids are supplied to help carry out the toxins we ingest and are exposed to every day. Not just any liquids, but read this to mean WATER exclusively. Start reducing the amounts of other beverages you may be drinking instead, such as soft drinks, coffee, tea, fruit juices, and alcohol. Moderation, in occasionally consuming these, is absolutely crucial in maintaining a healthy body weight (even if your underweight), or if you are trying to lose weight. When used as a flavor seasoning, or drinking as a healthy tonic, ACV could have your current health issue becoming a thing of the past. As with any type of natural or conventional health treatment, be realistic. Expect a reasonable amount of time for vinegar to take affect. This may be only a few days, a week, or it could be longer. If you are really committed to giving it a real chance, you may look forward to a much different health reality sooner than you think. Related Articles about Apple Cider Vinegar Magic of Apple Cider Vinegar as a Natural Home Remedy Brenda Skidmore has spent over the last five years actively researching natural health care alternatives. She can attest to the many positive results natural practical cures and preventive strategies bring to human health. Along with the many medical professionals whose public works she has studied, it is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit: (link) Link To" Apple Cider Vinegar" <a href="http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/apple-cider-vinegar.shtml">Apple Cider Vinegar</a> Email Article Printable This site is intended for your general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Read more: http://www.disabled-...l#ixzz11PR3zLr7 Source: Apple Cider Vinegar

My surgeon doesn't have a problem with carbonation as our digestive system is not a closed system, the gas will escape. The problem is that it can be an uncomfortable process. For me, soda is too carbonated. I'll sip it sometimes, but usually it gives me the hiccups. yuck! Beer I am generally OK with. The thing with alcohol and non-diet soda to remember is calories. Diet soda can increase your appetite due to the chemicals in it.

I'm going to have surgery in June with the likelihood my date is moved up. I had joined a Facebook bariatric group thinking I'd find support and possibly friends there, but unfortunately left the group due to the outrageous number of posts regarding how soon people could eat pizza, drink alcohol, eat I cream or drink soda pop, etc., etc. then the myriad of unhealthy recipes that were posted was upsetting, even as I scrolled past them. Then, I came here. It's the same difference. The people who have knowledge are vastly outnumbered by the addicts and self indulgent. What's worse is if anybody speaks the truth, which is that the vast majority of people here are seeking a quick fix, don't want to put in the work, are food addicts and compulsive over eaters, and even lazy, then they risk the wrath of people who disagree and want to mess up for their own ignorant and selfish reasons. Stupidly and indulgence win out the day. I'm always from the school of thought if I know something or have information I ought to impart that to others. Knowledge is power and the truth is always better. It pisses me off to have to keep my mouth shut so that stupid or misinformed people win out the day spreading their crap all over these forums and ruining it for those of us who actually can use the encouragement and not use this site as a crutch for our self indulging. I was thinking of leaving. Then I realized I'm not alone after reading a post on here expressing the same outrage. Plus, I'll stick around for the few people who actually can use the help and viable info, not to mention have real issues with support outside these forums for reasons beyond what is normal, either they have limited net access and funds, or get a doctor that isn't up to par, plus I feel it's my duty to give out the correct information. And yes, there is actually correct information about this stuff. It's really easy to find and a great doctor will give it. Some of what I read is preposterous. Reading stupid crap such as it's okay to drink soda or pop because the stomach muscle left over from the surgery won't stretch - B.S! NOT TRUE, and if that isn't the worst if it, not acknowledging what sugar and fake sweeteners do to our bodies is the icing on the cake. Nobody is that daft in 2017. Rather than attack and change the nature of the addictions, people seek any excuse to indulge them. It's tiresome and boring. Have some guts, and stop spreading stupidity to others. Believe it or not, some of us want to be healthy and actually live longer by correcting the habits that got us here in the first place. If you don't like it, fine. It's not my job to encourage bad behavior, not for myself or anyone else. Leave a rude comment or not, that's your bit. At the end of the day it's about adding years to our lives and making the best out of a tool that not everybody has an opportunity out to use.

I totally agree too...thanks for saying it so clearly. I'm an Aussie sleeved patient who was given a very clear understanding of the commitment to lifestyle change & that it is your responsibility to look after yourself (healthy food choices & exercise), with the assistance of a team who work in the practice (psychologist, dietitian, surgeon, Doctor GP, & Nurse Educator). Does this not happen else where? I respond with the question of personal care vs motivation that posts are asking about alcohol or chocolate consumption for example. I personally want to be well, healthy & within a normal health range that I abstain from these items.

I didn't read most of the 13 pages of posts but want to put in my 2 cents on the main topic of this post. This site is great because it brings together people who are or are headed to the same destination - WLS but often from very different perspectives. Every insurance company has different requirements, every surgeon has different procedures and every dietitian has different opinions. Thus, pre-op plans and post-op phases can be very different for each of us. For example, my pre-op diet was 3 shakes, 2 bars, unlimited vegetables and 3oz Protein per day. Others have been liquid only. Those are vastly different but neither is wrong or dangerous. Some people ask questions because their process left them with little guidance. Others may ask questions to compare advice given by different providers. Some people are worried about everything - especially that their results are not normal. It is also true that some people are just plain stupid. I think it is fine to post a general rant about your general perceptions as to others' knowledge, commitment, dedication etc based on their posts. It is something else to attack someone who asks a question directly - even if it is a stupid question. Nothing useful can come from that. I for one am the type of person to look at everything critically - including advice from my doctors and dietitians and I would encourage everyone to do the same, This site is one of my resources. Just a couple examples - My soft foods diet from my dietitian says I can have ground turkey but that ground beef is a "problem food" and that I can have mashed potatoes, whole grain crackers and whole grain bread while at the same time saying that a ritz cracker or white bread is a "problem food." That doesn't make a ton of sense to me. Does problem food mean that there is a danger of splitting my sleeve open if I eat ground beef instead of ground turkey? Many providers have a way of answering questions without really giving you a straight answer. Maybe I come on here and ask a question to help me decide if my dietitian is telling me that ground beef is a problem food because it is fattier than ground turkey or if it is actually dangerous at this phase. I might not even want to or intend on eating ground beef but I want others' input as to what their programs are telling them. I don't need or want to be called names, accused of being a failure and otherwise lectured for that question. My thought is that if your inclination is to do one of those things, just move on to the next topic. The alcohol one is a great example. Many providers say no alcohol for a certain period of time. Is it because it is dangerous? Is it because it is empty calories? Why do they say that? For me, I asked my surgeon if I could have a drink at a special occasion 5 weeks after surgery. He said yes. He warned that alcohol is empty calories and something that can hinder weight loss. Perhaps someone else's dr. said no. By posting here and asking the question, the person could learn what other's doctors have said and could then ask appropriate follow-up questions of his or her doctor to learn why the dr. said no. If the dr explains that it is just empty calories, the person could choose to ignore the doctor. If the dr says based on your history it could be dangerous because of x, y and z, the person now knows why it is unsafe for them to have a drink. Aww heck I don't even remember my point anymore. Perhaps the thing to take from it all is some people are stupid and some people are jerks and there is no reason to interact with either of those types or get worked up by anything they post,

I definitely realized something when this happened. I felt like an alcoholic in a desert having to choose between thirst and a cold beer. (Not sure where he got the cold beer ????). I'm so scared to cheat because I'm afraid I won't get back on track. Also afraid it will become a habit. That I will justify it the next time and then the next and the next. I didn't realize until that night that I was literally afraid of junk food and afraid of failure. I have already thrown some nuts in my glove compartment.

Report from the Pittsburgh Tribune News GS Cookie Sales Crumble Nationally, cookie sales are reportedly down 19 percent from last year. Regionally, the outlook isn’t as dire. "I think the economy has something to do with it," Vance says. Since the cookie sale is the primary fundraiser for troops each year, Vance says decreased sales may hold girls back from great experiences in the coming year. My cookies have arrived, from not one, but two different Girl Scouts. I have no idea what my family ordered (remember I avoided that HERE) because I didn’t look. But I think my family help with the Regional Outlook being better…I’ve been told there are many boxes on our shelves…I’m staying away. This got me thinking about how I’m going to deal with my sweet-tooth as part of my lifestyle change. I’m a huge chocoholic and as you’ve heard me say so many times I’m all about starting into this change as a lifestyle change and not a diet, so it’s all about being able to make better choices without feeling deprived. I’ve never cooked/used many artificial sweeteners, but I’ve started some research on this. I’ve got some sugar free Russell Stover chocolates, individually packaged that work for me, so I thought I’d like to learn about artificial sweeteners, possibly even in cooking/baking. *Note I’m no Dr. or Nutritionist, I read a lot of articles and this was the gist of what I found out, I don’t claim to know what’s truth, and experts come down on both sides of the safety issues on all these. I started with the LB; What I’ve turned up so far is that several people have blamed band issues on artificial sweeteners…one declared that it was a major contributor to her band slippage, and many people have said their docs have told them not to use them (some say they cause sugar cravings). There are two types of sweeteners available on the market, nutritive and non-nutritive. Nutritive sweeteners provide sweet taste and a source of energy (calories). Their sweet taste comes from the presence of natural sugars glucose and fructose, alone or together, as sucrose. They are higher in calories than non-nutritive sweeteners, but they are all natural. Exceptions* - Common examples of nutritive sweeteners include typical table sugars (both brown and white), molasses, honey, agave nectar, and syrups such as maple and high fructose corn syrup. - Erythritol/Polyols, energy-reduced sugar alcohols: Slightly less calories than true sugar. Often called sugar replacements, these sugar alcohols are derived from natural sugars- fruits or produced commercially from dextrose. The most common include: sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and maltitol. Products are Organic Zero, Zsweet, Sun Crystals. Gas and laxative issues. - Stevia: almost 0 cal. New product. Truvia*(Rebinia), PureVia* (*some say both have artificial additives), or raw/natural Stevia. Some say has a bitter aftertaste and causes gas (I’ve actually grown this plant in my herb garden before). - Whey Low: 75% less cal. than sugar. Fairly new product. Made with different sugars-sucrose, fructose, lactose; studies not clear on calorie absorption-they claim 75% less calories because of the way the combination of sugars acts to not be absorbed in the intestines. The only studies were done by the company. Some say more studies need to be done on this product. Non-nutritive sugar substitutes offer no energy (calories) and sweeten with little volume. Non-nutritive sweeteners include: saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium and neotame. For many of you who drink protein shakes, almost all of them contain these. - Saccharine: 4 cal./pack Sweet ’n Low- thought to be dangerous was almost banned by the FDA, but public outcry kept it as it was the only substitute at the time, and it used to be labeled ‘cancer causing in lab animals. Made from petroleum based products. - Aspartame: 2 cal./tsp. Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful- some studies show that aspartame is dangerous/cancer causing and is considered dangerous by most, by law has to show PKU (disease in infants) warning. Found in Diet Pepsi/Coke, SF Jell-O/Pudding, and Crystal Light. - Splenda/sucralose: Says 0 cal, but it's NOT calorie free-has 4 per serving, which can add up if you’re baking with it, i.e. coke zero has 4 calories. FDA rule- they can claim 0 if it’s less than 5, the same is true for all packaging; i.e. they can claim something is 0 carbs if it is under 5 per serving. Splenda has sugar: maltodextrin & dextrose/corn syrup and sucralose, the process changes the sugar molecules and turns some atoms to chlorine (other chlorinated products include pesticides). So, although it’s made from natural sugars the process changes the atoms. Remember that everything is ‘natural’ it just depends how you define artificial vs. natural. Most consider this the safest low cal. nonnutritive sweetener, but there have been no outside studies. - Acesulfame K/acesulfame potassium: 0 cal. sold as Sunett, Sweet One- thought to cause cancer (no new studies underway). It’s found in Crystal Light, SF Jell-O & Pudding. - Neotame: Newer product. From amino acids- Clabber Girl Sugar Replacer, Domino Pure D’Lite. Many consider it to be much more dangerous than even aspartame, which was considered the worst. Used in many gums, Herr's pretzels. The bottom line of what I found out was that although there are opinions on both sides, one thing that most everyone can agree on is that even if artificial sweeteners aren't bad for you, they aren't good for you either. I'm no health food/organic nut, but even I was appalled at the lack of studies on these products and the role of big business in keeping these on the market (ie. Saccharin is only still on the market because Congress passed a 2 year moratorium against any ban of the product by the FDA when they wanted to ban it in 1977, which Congress has continually extended). Even Cyclamate that was banned by the FDA in 1970 is currently being reconsidered (I lived on TAB in my teenage years...no wonder I was so skinny). I don’t have time to read every nutrition label and I’ll probably still chose to eat some things with the non-nutritives like SF puddings (let's face it, obesity will kill me sooner than aspertame caused Cancer). As with most things…all things in moderation. I do plan to limit my intake of Crystal Light, which I have always drank to excess on every diet, and just up the water intake. I don’t intend to start baking with any of the non-nutritive, although I might look into some of the nutritive ones more. I think this will turn out to be like the rest of my theme for my ‘lifestyle change’ …I’ll be using real sugar, and just like other bad foods…in VERY small amounts. Besides, I love really DARK chocolate…Like Hershey’s 70%, which are lower in calories and higher in the good aspects of chocolate like antioxidants (cocoa has more antioxidants/flavanoids than green tea)…a tiny bite satisfies my chocoholic cravings. The cave woman got most of her sweets from fruits, which were seasonal, so she bulked up in the summer and fall to survive the long winter. So stick mainly with the natural sweets...nature knows best!

I had my VSG 7/2015. I never felt much restriction and was hungry from the start. I restricted my calories to 800 per day and followed all the rules for the first 3 months and lost 60lbs… then my mother in law was dropped on my doorstep. LONG story but I was the sole provider for my husband and 2 small kids, working 12 hour night shifts. She had stage 4 emphysema and end stage esophageal cancer with alcoholic dementia to boot. Our house was tiny. She was 69 and weighed 65 lbs … let’s just say I was a bit stressed. I stopped counting calories. I plateaued for a full year and then started gaining. I’m now 6.5 years out and just 27 lbs from where I started. I’m hesitant to revise. My bariatrician tells me people tend to not have as much success with revision. I chose a sleeve because I didn’t want to risk not being able to absorb medications I need but my GERD is so bad I may not have a choice. I’d love to hear if anyone had a similar struggle with their initial surgery and were successful with the second. Those in the thread who had the scar tissue and hernia repair, surely they will allow a follow up procedure.