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Thank you everyone for the advice and encouragement. I will think of you all as standing between me and that fork that I want to use to shovel all that food in my mouth. I don't normally binge but after all this time waiting for regular food, it's pretty scary. I feel like an alcoholic-in-treatment going to a wine tasting event at a vineyard without being able to take a friend for support. But, I will follow your advice and report back how it goes. Thank you again!

Sparkling water is carbonated. I wouldn't do it. Ice water with a lemon and a swizzle stick. Looks like a drink but won't KILL you with calories. I mean ice water between actual alcoholic drinks! Alternate.

There's no easy answer to this other than to just not drink so much. Space your drinks out with Water or diet coke or whatever you liek that has no calories. Stick with lower calorie drinks like wine spritzers or light beer. I find with alcohol it makes me not care any more about what I eat - and that's not with getting tipsy or drunk that's just after a glass or two. We've had a few bottles of wine open round here lately, I've had a glass almost every night with dinner and voila! Weight loss stopped. Its deadly when you're trying to lose and needs to be a very occasional one or two only really. That sucks when you're at that time of life when everyone is out drinking and its a big part of the weekend. But you cant fool your body, you just have to cut down on it to lose weight.

I can't drink alcohol at all because I never had a stopping point like most other people. I often used to envy those that could drink 1 or 2 and stop. That was not a possibilty for me. The same held true for drugs and later with food. I guess being an "overdoer" means moderation is an impossibility for some of us. I know that some of the others banders I know say that a "seabreeze" is excellent for the waistline. This consists of vodka and cranberry juice. Then there's always a martini flavored any way you like with vodka or gin. Oh yeah, by the way, I used to be a bartender. One of the banders at my doctor's office has lost 160 lb.s so far and said she drinks corona light because it has less carbonation than other beer. Whatever you decide, the very best to you. See ya!

Not all sleeve patients lose their hunger so you can't count on that aspect. But, if you choose the right foods, you will stay satisfied longer. If you eat mushy, carb-laden foods that slide through you can eat more and more often. All the junk food you listed, the cakes the Haribo Snacks will not stay with you long, and will allow to continue to eat well over the suggested caloric intake for optimum weight loss success. You can have all the foods you listed. It's about moderation on what you put on your mouth. Not every person can just eat what they want and lose weight. If you continue to do the same thing you've always done, you will get the same results. The sleeve gives you restriction, 100% correct, but if you eat to just eat, and eat junk food, lots of carbs, then your weight loss might not be what you want. You can eat what you want, but you also can't expect fabulous results by not following a more nutrient dense, balanced, and planned food plan. You do not have to diet, but you can't just eat whatever you want and have fabulous weight loss. If that were the case, you wouldn't be considering surgery. Losing weight is easy in the beginning. I can tell you at 2 years out, that gaining weight is easy as well. There are plenty of us that are further out than 12 months that have seen gains. I saw a gain over the holidays because I ate just whatever I wanted, drank lots of alcoholic beverages, partied for 3 months straight. Well, that behavior gave me about a 7lb gain. So, again, everyone that thinks "Oh I'll never gain the weight back, I can eat whatever I want, and not worry about regain, or I'll never gain again." don't be surprised if/when regain happens when we allow ourselves to forget how we got fat in the first place. It's naive to think that surgery will fix everything, and that just because we're eating smaller amounts, we won't gain weight. It is easier with the sleeve to make the best choice (fruit over chips), but making those choices, and breaking bad habits is the really tough part of this journey. It's a lot easier said than done in my opinion.

I agree that it’s not really self sabotage unless you actually intended to harm or sabotage yourself. Don’t beat yourself up, Just try to learn from your mistake and do better today. Have you tried searching for a sugar free or no sugar added alternative? I have found Many sugar free or no sugar added options out there that honestly don’t taste bad. I had sleeve so I don’t have issues with sugar, but I found Yasso Greek yogurt bars that are only 100 calories and satisfy my sweet cravings. They do have some sugar 13g total and 9g added sugars? I am pretty sure that’s quite a bit LESS than regular ice cream though. I don’t have any ice cream to compare it to. Okay I just searched Walmart real quick and it is less than regular ice cream but Klondike makes no sugar added desert bars that have even less. 6g of sugar per bar (11g of sugar alcohol. I’m not sure how that plays into it). Also, Bryers makes no sugar added with 5g sugar and 10g sugar alcohol (salted caramel flavor). I personally like the idea of the bars cause it’s already portioned out for us. Most but Not all products have the nutrition info online so a little research and hopefully you can find an option that will work for you. If you live near a Publix I have found that they tend to carry a wider variety and have more of the healthier options (compared to walmart). Trader Joe’s and Aldi are supposed to be good for healthy options too but I don’t have either of those I am, of course, not advocating that you eat ice cream this early out but i will admit that I tried a few treats just to see if I could eat them once I got to regular food such as chocolate, pizza and pasta. For me it was a mindset thing. Once I knew I could tolerate them in small amounts and eventually have them later it was that much easier to do without them until maintenance. Everyone is different though. All we can do is what we think is best for us. I hope this helps

I'm sorry you're dealing with GERD already! Been there, done that. It's a MISERABLE way to live. And I lived that way for several years. It gets to a point that the best prescription GERD meds can't touch it. Google foods to avoid when you have GERD, there's several: fatty foods, dairy, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, mint, etc. You may try sleeping propped up or in a recliner, that's what I had to do. I'd say reach out to your surgeon and get prescription reflux meds and see what the surgeon says about how to treat it going forth. Are you okay with revising to bypass? GERD is common after lap band and sleeve since your tummy is operating under a high pressure system. And I know tons of sleeve/band patients have told their stories on here, just as I have. I told my story hoping to help prevent another person from choosing a high pressure weight loss procedure and make a better choice. The lap band permanently altered my esophagus, and I have dysmotility and nerve damage. It caused me to develop GERD along with bile reflux. If I stayed that course I was destined for Barrett's esophagus and possibly esophageal cancer. I hope this reaches at least one person considering the sleeve. I know GERD doesn't happen to everyone who gets a sleeve, but if GERD and revision and another 2 week pre-op diet doesn't sound like something you'd be keen to experience, please reconsider getting a sleeve. It's not the only weight loss surgery option out there. @SleeveDiva2022 I wish you the best and hope you feel better soon!

PrincessErin, you can order virgin drinks that look and taste as good as having alcohol. If you are a beer drinker unfortunately carbonation is bad too. Having one normal drink will make you legally drunk so maybe that is a good thing for some people. My big issue is my diet caffeine free Pepsi, I will truly be mourning that!!!!

How about ordering sparkling water with a twist of lime and tell everyone you are drinking gin? No one will know that you aren't drinking alcohol, and you are not consuming empty calories. You can then act wild and crazy without the booze and no one with notice.

I am waiting for insurance approval- doc had a 3 month pre-surgery healthy steps program, to teach me to eat and exercise, see a shrink, etc . I lost 30# already but still have 100 to go... And my diabetes hasnt really improved. I know I will never make it alone without surgery. Craving sweets. QUESTION :Will i ever be able to taste those sweet things without being horribly ill? ??(dumping syndrome scares the heck outta me) Also found out that i shouldnt drink alcohol before a meal- i forget to chew or taste anything when i am that happy.

If you’re reading this post, you’ll probably agree that losing weight is one of the hardest things many people will ever do. After months or years of attempts to lose weight (and keep it off), you may be considering bariatric surgery. In 2011, the total number of bariatric surgeries performed in the U.S. was 158,000. By 2015, the number had increased to 196,000. Patients who undergo bariatric surgery and follow all treatment guidelines can expect to lose weight and improve the quality of their lives. More than 85% of patients lose and maintain 50% of their initial weight loss. This post is designed to focus on what I learned, sometimes the hard way. Some things you can’t find out in a doctor’s office, no matter how skille d a professional he or she is. What Your Doctor Can’t Tell You If you are considering bariatric surgery, you’ve probably done some research. You may have looked up “gastric bypass” on the internet, read some blogs, or perhaps you’ve gone so far as to discuss the possibilities with your doctor. You may have a decent grasp of the physical side of this surgery. But there are some things even the best surgeon can’t tell you. I’m talking about the emotional side of taking this life-changing step. The emotional roller coaster of trying and failing to lose weight does not disappear when you decide to use bariatric surgery to get control of your life. But, it does become easier when you know what to expect, and when you see that you are not alone. I speak with authority on the subject of bariatric surgery and the emotional struggle that goes with it — I’ve been there. Seven years ago, I had a gastric bypass. This process took me from being barely able to function to living a magnificent life as an authentic and productive person. But it wasn’t a walk in the park. As a person who has been through the surgery personally, and as a clinician (I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) I bring deep experience to this subject. And I’m anxious to share what I learned. I want to make it clear up front that I am speaking as a clinician and someone who has been through weight loss surgery and the difficult recovery process — I am not a nutritionist or medical practitioner. The full tale of my own personal journey is recorded in my book Recovering My Life: A Personal Bariatric Story and in videos and Facebook posts I recorded during and after my surgery. I began emotional eating as a response to childhood trauma. And, though I had dieted over and over again since high school, I weighed over 200 pounds at the birth of my second child. At that point, my medical problems included sleep apnea, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). By the time my third child was born, I was pre-diabetic, with gestational diabetes. Many days, I was too tired from sleep apnea to even get out of bed. I could barely take care of my kids, and I felt like the worst mom on the planet. Fighting My Way Through I had always thought only slackers had weight loss surgery. But when a friend had a gastric bypass, she convinced me that, for people with weight loss resistance, this was a good option. I consulted my doctor. He approved, and I began fighting my way back to health. And it was a battle. I made mistakes, but I learned from them, and I persevered. Today, I have maintained my weight loss, and I am healthy. I am a better mom to my kids, and I have a thriving group practice and run a nonprofit foundation I created to assist people in our community to heal the brokenness in their lives. And I met and married my second husband and have a great marriage. If you’re thinking about bariatric surgery, or if you’ve already had a procedure done, it’s important to move forward with all the information you need — including the physical and emotional ups and downs. My recovery was a difficult journey, but I would do it again a million times over. Knowing what I know now wouldn’t eliminate the challenges I had to overcome before and after surgery. But, it would make the whole thing less scary. That’s what I hope my story does for you — help you avoid the mistakes I made and feel more confident in your success. Understanding Weight Loss Struggles & Bariatric Surgery Causes of Morbid Obesity What is Bariatric Surgery? Getting Ready for Surgery Mental & Emotional Preparation Advocating for Yourself After Surgery is Approved Building Support Planning Pre-Surgery Weight Loss What You Will Need Immediately After Surgery In the Hospital The First Few Days at Home Ongoing Recovery Physical Issues Emotional Issues Other Issues Potential Issues After Weight-Loss Surgery Emotional Challenges Health Problems Relationships Understanding Weight Loss Struggles & Bariatric Surgery Why Do People End Up Morbidly Obese Well-meaning acquaintances, friends, and relatives may suggest that you’re “taking the easy way out” by pursuing bariatric surgery. They can make you feel guilty for even considering this as a last resort. Why can’t you just lose the weight on your own? Genetic predisposition. Some are genetically predisposed to gain weight, even when they exercise, even when they try to diet. Certain hormone imbalances and disorders can also make it hard to stay at a healthy weight. Emotional eating. The barrier that keeps most morbidly obese people from losing weight is that our eating is connected with our emotions. Early on, many of us learned to use food as a way to cope. Food for us is not just fuel; it’s the way we deal with life’s problems and blows. Regardless of the particular cause, some of us have been on one diet or another all our lives. We have lost the same 50, 70, or 100 pounds over and over. In fact, our attempts to lose weight have made us worse off. Along with the health effects of too much weight, we carry the shame of failure and frustration. Weight and Your Wellbeing The physical health problems associated with obesity are many and serious: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, acid reflux, gall bladder disease, congestive heart failure. Type two diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, sleep apnea and other sleep problems, fertility problems, arthritis, lack of energy. Knee and back pain, gout, migraines, psychosocial stress. Even scarier: liver disease, increased risk of cancer, risk of stroke, and earlier death. Associated emotional problems that stem from these conditions can also make it harder to overcome them. For example, you may be struggling with depression, anxiety, and guilt. Sometimes, the biggest problem we have to face is the low self-esteem that goes along with being the biggest person in the room. What Is Bariatric Surgery? Bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic procedure. We may hope to look better after losing weight, but the best reasons for undergoing this major surgery are to extend and improve our lives. The common term for bariatric surgery is “weight-loss surgery.” It means any surgical procedure on the stomach or intestines that aims at weight loss. Doctors have been performing these surgeries since the 1950s, with a good success rate. The most common procedures are lap band, with a success rate of 47%; gastric sleeve, with a success rate of 80%; and gastric bypass, which has an 85% success rate. Another procedure, duodenal switch, has a success rate of 95%, but is more complicated and less common in the U.S. These procedures support weight loss while requiring lifestyle changes. Drastic weight loss can motivate you to keep on the road to better health. Whichever procedure you choose, pre- and post-operative education is key to developing lasting, healthy habits. Getting Ready for Surgery Mentally and Emotionally Preparing Convincing others — and yourself — this is the best solution Your first job is to conquer your own hesitance about weight-loss surgery. Even asking about it takes courage. Then, when you’ve reached the point of seriously considering it, you need to be prepared for a long haul. You will need to get lots of people on board with your decision. First, your family — maybe not extended family, but certainly the people you live with day to day. Next, you need your doctor to approve your decision. No matter how much you hate to get weighed, you will need a referral from your primary physician. And, you need to convince your insurance carrier that bariatric surgery is necessary for your health and to prolong your life. Navigating Relief and Fear You will probably feel a profound sense of relief just to know there’s a solution to obesity- related health problems. But along with that relief comes worry. It’s major surgery. Things could go very wrong. You might even die. Will having surgery be worth it? What if you can’t get the weight off during those post-surgery months? What if you can’t keep it off and all this trouble and pain is for nothing? After all, you’ve tried and tried to lose weight and it hasn’t worked — or only worked for a short time. Then there’s having to consult with medical personnel and, even worse, insurance representatives, to advocate for yourself. You’ll have to talk about your weight, which means confronting the shame that goes with it. You may worry that people will think you’re weak — that you’re taking the easy way out. How do you overcome that prejudice? Especially since part of you still shares it. Overcoming Resistance And what about all those hoops you have to jump through? You have to have at least six months of records showing your weight on a regular basis and detailing your attempts to lose it. When you can’t bear the sight of your own body, much less the weight on the scale, how are you going to face that challenge? Your research, from articles to videos, shows people who’ve had bariatric surgery eating impossibly small portions. You hear about all the restrictions ahead: first, a liquid diet; then mashed food; then, even when you get back to “normal,” ongoing restrictions, such as not drinking with meals. How will you ever be able to eat normally again — how will you ever be able to eat out? These are mental challenges it won’t be easy to meet. But if you want to be well again, if you want a long, productive life, it is possible to work through them. Advocating for Yourself I was fortunate that my primary care physician was willing to support my bariatric surgery decision from the beginning. But you may have to work to convince your medical advisor that this route is good for you. Advocating for yourself isn’t easy, especially if, like most of us who suffer from morbid obesity, you don’t like calling attention to yourself and your weight. To succeed, you must learn how to speak up for yourself. Here are some suggestions. Decide what you want. Believe in yourself! Know the facts. Educate yourself about bariatric surgery and potential issues. Plan. You need a strategy for recovery and ongoing lifestyle changes. Gather support. It’s helpful to have family, friends, and people who have similar issues on your side. Target your efforts. Find the best medical practitioner. Find the right person at your insurance company to plead your case to. Express yourself clearly. Tell doctors and insurance agents that you are interested in surgery and why you feel you need it. Stick to the point, and don’t give up if they say “no.” It may help to role play scenarios with a friend or family member who supports your decision. Assert yourself, but don’t lose your temper. Respect the rights of others, but ask for what you need, and then listen. Finally, don’t give up. Be firm and persistent. Follow through on what you promise. (Those six months of weight-loss records, for example.) After Surgery Is Approved You’ve made the decision to have bariatric surgery. You’re both excited and scared about taking this serious step toward improving your health and your life, but you’re going to do it. Now you need to build your support system. Nobody goes through such a major life change, such a serious physical challenge, without help. Find Your Team Choosing the right people to support you on your journey is one of the most important decisions you have to make. You will need to depend on family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers who have gone through this experience before you. The most important quality to look for in your team is respect and support for your decision. You will need help with ordinary tasks and responsibilities while you are undergoing and recovering from surgery. A few needs: Someone to care for your children and pets while you’re in the hospital and perhaps during recovery at home Help cooking meals and cleaning the house Someone to accompany you to the hospital and be your advocate when you can’t do that yourself Help dealing with the inevitable emotions and stresses of major surgery and a major lifestyle change First, you have to overcome your reluctance to ask for help. Then, you have to reach out. Share your needs with family and friends who are sympathetic to your goals. If they’re not on board, you don’t have time for them right now. If it feels right to you, you can use social media to reach out. Contact your church, work friends, fellow hobbyists, and people you’ve come to know in other ways. Trust that there will be someone who can help. Be Informed and Follow Your Doctor’s Advice Use the resources available through your medical advisors. Seek out a sympathetic nurse. A therapist can help you deal with the emotional consequences of surgery and also the issues that led to your obesity in the first place. If you don’t have a therapist, maybe it’s time to make that connection. Find a good therapy group. And above all, follow your doctor’s advice! Learn as much as you can about what will be happening to your body and mind, but trust the experts. Plan for an Extended Recovery Your time in the hospital may be only three to four days, but it will take longer for you to feel “recovered.” The period (about nine months) when you are relearning how to eat and coming to terms with the smaller size of your stomach is crucial to your long-term success. There will be lots of ups and downs. Be ready for a long road to full recovery. Having support from friends and family is important, but this is the time to get involved with a support group. Being with others going through the same experience can give you the perspective you need to keep going. Even if your physical recovery is swift and relatively painless, you will have to learn how to deal with the changes in your life. If, as with many, food has been the way you deal with past trauma, uncomfortable feelings, your need for independence, or any other of life’s problems, you no longer can depend on that comfort. If food has been your addiction, you now have to kick the addictive response to it. There will be setbacks. You need to be prepared to bounce back from them. Lose Weight Before Surgery Your bariatric surgeon is likely to require you follow a weight-loss plan for a number of months (six is common) before surgery. The reasons: to make sure you really are committed to your goal of losing the excess weight, and to help you be as healthy as possible going into surgery. This can be a frustrating time. You’ve tried so many diets and exercise programs before, and none have worked. You hate thinking about your weight, and your program requires you weigh yourself daily and keep records of your weight, food intake, and exercise. You’ve made a major decision and are anxious to get it over with. But again, following your doctor’s advice is the shortest and best way to reach your goal, no matter how frustrating it feels. Confront Your Fears To make this transformative decision, you’ve already had to overcome lots of fears. Some of your fears involve others’ opinions. “What will people think?” Some arise from self-doubt. “Am I being selfish?” These are not frivolous concerns. Believe in yourself and face them. Your decision to take care of your health so that you can be there for your loved ones is a good one. Trust in yourself. Another very real fear is the fear that anyone feels when they are about to undergo major surgery. You could die. This is not a frivolous thing. It’s serious. But the vast majority of people who have surgery don’t die from it. So, face your fear realistically. At last, the big day is here. Your surgery is performed. You wake up in the hospital. Are you a different person? Is it all over now? Not yet. The journey of recovery has begun, and it will take resilience. Immediately After Surgery In the Hospital If you have built your support team, you will have fewer worries going in. Your family and home responsibilities are covered, and you have people to support you in the hospital and after you return home. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges. During the initial stages of recovery, hospital staff will be checking your blood pressure, oxygen levels, and more. You may feel as though you are always being poked and prodded at, with little privacy. Thankfully, this stage doesn’t last forever, Your doctors will advise you about the physical challenges that may follow bariatric surgery: constipation, dumping syndrome (nausea, vomiting, and weakness caused by eating high sugar meals, sodas, and fruit juices), possible infection of the wound, and possible leaks in the new connections. But medical advice may not give you the information you need about the emotional side effects. One consequence of the surgery I noticed immediately: I no longer felt like eating. My hunger hormones were gone for a period of time. I had to force myself to eat, and I felt weak. Others report that they felt hungry during the post-op period while on a liquid diet. Hungry or not, a liquid diet can be a source of emotional stress. Be aware that different people react in different ways. The important thing is to keep following your medical and nutritional advice and trust that, in time, you’ll be feeling more normal. Another potential problem is “food grief.” Food has a special meaning for people who suffer from morbid obesity, and “mourning for lost foods is a natural step in the re-birth process after weight loss surgery.” For a long time, maybe all our lives, food was our friend. We turned to it in celebration, in sadness, for comfort, for reward. Now, we can no longer turn to food. We have to find other ways to fill the void food once filled for us. Along with the pain associated with surgery comes the challenge of managing it. The pain medication you are given in the hospital may not work for you. Keep advocating for yourself until you find one that does. It may also take time to know exactly how much medication you need. Trust your doctor, but don’t be afraid to ask for a higher dose if you are in pain, or a lower dose if you are experiencing other unpleasant side effects. It’s worth reiterating here, I am not a nutritionist or medical practitioner. And, I am certainly not advocating for you to ignore your doctor’s advice. Rather, by telling your doctor how you feel when you’re on pain medication, he or she may be able to transition you to a more effective medicine or dosage in a safe, supervised way. Other challenges: meeting the medical requirements for discharge from the hospital and meeting your own fears and expectations. Will you be ready to be sent home? How will you manage after you get there? Your First Few Days at Home Your first major challenge will be dealing with pain and managing your pain medication. If you’re like me, you will want to get off medication as soon as possible. But follow your doctor’s advice. Pain meds usually require tapering off. Quitting “cold turkey” is likely to cause withdrawal symptoms, such as feelings of anxiety or depression, trouble sleeping, headaches, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I made the mistake of not tapering off my pain meds and lived to regret it. You — and members of your family — might be appalled at how little you eat. You might worry about not getting enough of the right nutrition — protein, for example. The combination of pain, medication, and lack of hunger hormones can mean almost total loss of appetite. Feeling responsible for things at home may make you push yourself too hard, especially if loved ones need you. Preplanning for getting help during this early recovery period is important. You will need to have both physical and emotional support in place. Recognize that even though they care, some people won’t be able to help. But don’t be afraid to ask. Take baby steps. Your recovery has many facets: overcoming pain and regaining your physical strength are just the beginning. Emotional adjustment to the new circumstances of this life-changing step is major and ongoing. Therapist Lynne Routsong-Wiechers, herself a successful bariatric surgery patient, lists “Seven Steps to Improving Emotional Adjustments Post-Surgery” in her article, “Baby Steps — Emotional Adjustments to Weight-Loss Surgery.” Follow your doctor’s orders. Ask questions when you have them and express concerns, but trust your doctor’s recommendations and prioritize your physical health. Keep a journal. You can use this to keep track of the foods you eat, as well as whether or not you are emotionally eating, but you might also choose to express what you’re thinking and feeling. This will be a private record, just for you. Remember, you are more than your diet and weight. Write down realistic goals and expectations. Celebrate when you meet them! Reflect on the past. Remember why you decided to make this change, and honor how far you’ve come. Take plenty of photos and keep your old clothes. This will help you physically see your immense transformation. Call on that support team you’ve created. Look forward to living life to the fullest! Ongoing Recovery Physical Issues Even after you’ve conquered the first few days after surgery, the challenges go on. This early recovery stage can last from one to six weeks. The specifics vary with the particular procedure, but here’s a general outline of your physical recovery: Develop strategies to deal with these attacks: exercise, journaling, and deep breathing are a few suggestions. Seek help if your attacks are severe. Focus on One Part of Your Body You might find yourself focusing on one body part. For me, it was my double chin. I had lost inches from my waistline and was making good progress, but when I looked in the mirror and saw that same double chin, I felt like I was making no progress at all. This kind of body image distortion, if it becomes obsessive, can lead to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a mental health disorder. People with BDD can spend hours a day obsessing about their appearance. These obsessions and the low self-esteem that results can make them avoid social situations, have problems at work or school, or even lead to suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. It’s important to seek help and support if you feel yourself becoming fixated. Remember that no body is perfect, and people are much more like to think about their own “flaws” than notice yours. Practice positive self-talk and try to replace thoughts about your body with something else, such as a new hobby or activity. Now that you’ve lost weight, a whole new world is open to you! Health Problems It’s not uncommon for patients to regain some weight after surgery, although it’s a myth that many patients regain all their lost weight. Regaining Weight Regaining even a small amount of weight can feed your fear. What if you stretch the pouch and end up gaining weight back or stalling your weight-loss? What if you have to go back to the hospital for something and you gain weight because of the treatment? About half of all bariatric surgery patients regain weight after two years. But the average regain is about 8% after reaching the lowest point, and total ten-year excess weight loss is still over 50%. The main reasons for regaining weight are: how much excess weight you carried before surgery, alcohol or drug abuse, lack of a support system, or having a psychological problem or food “addiction.” Realize that even if you regain some weight, you are still healthier than you were before surgery. Take steps to avoid the main reasons for weight gain. Be aware of the dangers of a substitute addiction to alcohol or drugs. Get yourself a support system and use it. Get treatment if you suspect you are overeating because of food addiction. Plateauing Don’t lose hope if you stop losing weight for a few days. These things happen. You can overcome the weight loss plateau. Your metabolism may have slowed because you couldn’t exercise after surgery. You can start losing weight again. Focus on getting the right amount and intensity of exercise. Track your heart rate. You should be exercising at 60 to 85% of your maximum heart rate (220 minus your age). Vary your exercise routine to keep yourself challenged. Be sure to drink enough water, and continue eating right. Complications I worried that something would get stuck in the very small connection between my stomach pouch and small intestine. Would I have to go to the emergency room? Could something else happen to me? As with all surgeries, there can be complications with bariatric surgery. But this surgery is very safe (99.8% survival rate). And less than 10% of patients have a complication. Though the list of complications is fairly long, most are not life-threatening (e.g., indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, nausea and vomiting, dumping syndrome). Some can be prevented by self-care. Stick to your bariatric diet, follow your doctor’s instructions, inform yourself about what to look for, and share your worries with your doctor. Sutures I had difficulty with sutures coming out before they were supposed to. Others have had infections at the wound site. Monitor the site of your surgery and consult your doctor if things aren’t going right. Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) happens when after eating, a rise in blood sugar makes your body produce more insulin, which then lowers blood sugar. Unless it’s extreme, this can be managed by changes in your diet. Nutritional Deficiencies Common vitamin and mineral deficiencies among bariatric surgery patients are Vitamin B12, Folate and Zinc, iron, copper, Calcium, and Vitamin D. Potassium deficiency can also be a problem, causing nausea, cramping, and dry skin. Supplements may help. Consult your doctor and dietician. Dehydration The recommended daily intake of water — 64 ounces — may be hard to get down, particularly right after surgery. Eight cups sounds like a lot, but if you break it down to one-fourth cup every 15 minutes for eight of the twelve or so hours you are awake, it is manageable. There’s an app for reminding you when to drink at GetHYApp.com. Clothing Especially in the early weeks and months after surgery, when you are dropping weight fast, you may find you can’t find anything to wear. This may sound like a minor problem, but you might be caught off guard by how much you spend on new clothes as you lose weight rapidly. While you are changing sizes every week or two, you may want to find some ways to save money: Borrow clothes or shop at thrift stores. Shop your closet. Now’s the time to wear those too small items you just couldn’t part with when you were heavier. Don’t buy too much. Get exactly what you need until the next size change. Buy just a few practical basics and splurge on accessories. Don’t buy for the future. Clothes that fit and flatter now are better for your confidence. Alter. If you can’t alter your own clothes, find someone who can and get items altered as you lose weight. Most things can be taken in. Exchange Clothing. If you’re in a support group, consider swapping clothes with other group members. Relationships Social Life Your new body may allow you to make new decisions: to start dating or to go to the beach. But because your body image may not have caught up with the reality of your new body, you may still have the self-doubts you had before. Part of your mind still thinks the way you did before surgery. You may feel unattractive, even invisible. Inside, you still feel fat. Negative self-talk may still be your go-to response to interacting socially with other people. Counseling, a support group, and self-affirmations can help. Most importantly, give yourself credit for all you have accomplished. You’ve come a long way. Different Reactions Sad, but true. Not all of your friends and family will react positively to the new you. Old friends, even family members, may envy or resent your new look. Family, friends, and even strangers may have a range of reactions to the changes in you. Your children may support you, but carry a lot of anxiety, fearing that you may die. Some may become diet police, worried that you’ll regain the weight and ill health of your days of obesity. Some will trust you to know your own needs. Know that others’ reactions don’t mean anything about you. You are taking care of yourself, and that’s a good thing. Getting More Attention Now that you have lost weight, you are probably getting more attention. This may make you uncomfortable. Obesity goes with isolation. In fact, some people use their weight to keep from being in the spotlight. Being noticed may be flattering, but it can also be stressful. Jealousy If you’re married or in a relationship your significant other may be jealous of all the attention you’re getting from other people. Your spouse might fear that the new you might leave the relationship and so may try to sabotage your efforts to maintain your weight loss. Your overweight friends might be jealous in a different way. If monthly dinners out with your “foodie” friends were the main thing that kept you together, or if these friends are not sympathetic to your weight loss efforts, they may, consciously or unconsciously, sabotage you. Remember to surround yourself with people who support you. Don’t judge others who may be struggling, but don’t sacrifice your progress to please them. Guarding Against Judgment The different way strangers and acquaintances perceive you now may make you feel flattered, but also confused and even resentful. You may wonder — do these people like you for yourself, or are they just attracted to your new appearance? Would they have liked you before? People you don’t see every day may not recognize you. Others may make you feel that you’re being judged for your decision to have the surgery. You may be re-introducing yourself to one person and defending yourself to another. It’s understandable that you may be struggling with your sense of self. But, remember, you are worthy of kindness at any weight. Be your own best support. Honoring Your Accomplishment You can’t control the beliefs and behavior of other people, but you can be true to your goals and to yourself. Keep honoring your decision, your hard work, your determination, and your truly astonishing accomplishments. Whatever others say or imply, you are a brave and magnificent person, and you deserve a magnificent life. Embrace Your Future Bariatric surgery is a last-resort choice for losing weight that is killing you. Deciding to go ahead with it and working through all the barriers and difficulties is not for the faint of heart. But for those who choose to go forward, it can be life-saving in many ways. By arming yourself with information about what to expect, you can feel prepared to navigate the weight loss surgery process with greater confidence and ease. Keep coming back to this guide and check in with yourself at every step along the way. Before, immediately after, and long after surgery, remember these key points: Create a support system Take care of your body Believe in yourself No matter where you are in your surgery journey, you deserve the new life you have given yourself. Enjoy. Links https://asmbs.org/resources/estimate-of-bariatric-surgery-numbers https://obesitynewstoday.com/gastric-bypass-success-rate/ https://www.caroladkisson.com/books/ https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/feeling-hungry-less-than-a-week-after-gastric-bypass-surgery-is-this-normal.html http://www.boxingscene.com/weight-loss/54558.php https://www.consumerreports.org/health/avoid-withdrawal-symptoms-from-prescription-painkillers/ http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/weight-loss-surgery/baby-steps-emotional-adjustments-after-weight-loss-surgery https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/bariatric-surgery-recovery.html#Support_Main https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bariatric-surgery/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20019138 https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/239270-joint-aches-and-pains/ http://www.mybariatriclife.org/chronic-fatigue-after-bariatric-surgery/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/456678-feeling-cold-all-the-time-after-a-gastric-bypass/ https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-avoid-skin-problems-after-gastric-bypass/ https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/you-lost-weight-what-about-extra-skin#2 https://www.drdkim.net/ask-the-dietitian/understanding-hair-loss-after-bariatric-surgery/ http://www.yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com/psych-impact/ http://www.bmiut.com/mood-changes-bariatric-surgery/ https://www.njbariatriccenter.com/eating-out-after-weight-loss-surgery/ https://www.bariatriceating.com/2013/11/what-medications-are-off-limits-after-my-bariatric-surgery/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/the-emotional-health-risks-of-bariatric-surgery.aspx http://www.yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com/psych-impact/ https://www.tijuanabariatrics.com/blog/2017/04/18/is-a-ketogenic-diet-safe-181655 https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/dietary_guidelines_after_gastric_bypass/ https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/weight-gain-after-gastric-bypass.html#Diet-and-Life-After-Main http://www.yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com/psych-impact/ https://weightwise.com/avoid-body-image-distortion-weight-loss-surgery/ http://bariatrictimes.com/depression-after-bariatric-surgery-triggers-identification-treatment-and-prevention/ http://blog.riversidesurgicalweightloss.com/blog/manage-anxiety-after-surgery https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder-bdd https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-misconceptions https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/weight-gain-after-gastric-bypass.html https://mybariatricsolutions.com/overcoming-and-preventing-the-weight-loss-plateau/ https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/complications-of-gastric-bypass-surgery.html#General_Safety-Main http://gethyapp.com/ https://weightwise.com/how-to-shop-for-clothes-after-weight-loss-surgery/ https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/marriage-family-strangers-after-weight-loss-surgery.html

As is often noted, when performing surgery, our surgeon only operates on our digestive tract, not our brains. Many of us come to WLS with a long time or even a lifetime dysfunctional relationship with food and/or our bodies. One resource for making peace with food and our bodies is Overeater's Anonymous (OA). OA is a worldwide fellowship that is fashioned after Alcoholic's Anonymous. OA uses AA's 12-step model of recovery and changes the words alcohol and alcoholic to food and compulsive eater. If you are struggling with food and emotional eating or other issues around food and eating (anorexia, bulimia, compulsive eating, binge eating, body dysmorphia, food obsession, etc.), then you may want to explore OA. The website (OA.org), has information about the program, literature, meeting lists, podcasts, and other useful information. Here is a good blog post about how WLS and OA can work together: http://www.mybariatriclife.org/oa-overeaters-anonymous-after-surgery/

<br /><br /><br /> I agree with Heather, there are times that I respond with a reality check. Normally this is in regards to people expressing behaviors that are likely to cause them physical harm. Some examples: I ate a Big Mac two days after surgery (not making that up), It's been 3 days since surgery and I'm starving so I ate nachos and chicken wings now I'm sick!. Not long ago there were several discussions about drinking alcohol after banding. Personaly I find that to be counter productive to dieting. I have never been a drinker so my responses were regarding calorie content. Some posters however made it into a morality discussion.

i too was irritated that i saw the pa's postop. however you can request to see the dr too and not the pa's. but i have learned if you go to the hoffman estates office and they are running behind even though you are scheduled to see the dr they will send in the pa to keep things "moving"...i saw the asian pa twice (i forget her name) and then another one with curly brown hair once when i was supposed to see rantis. but rantis did make an appearance at the end of the appointment to see me. as far as your incision, did you have single site in the belly button? i didn't have problems during the healing phase but now that my stomach is frumping over from weight loss it gets infected quite frequently. and maybe irritated is a better word than infected. i have learned its from the moisture and the inside of my button not drying out. i stick a cotton ball in there for about an hour after a bath/shower to dry out the Water that may be left behind. it helps. i have also used a q-tip with a little alcohol on it to help dry out the water. but again this was after mine was healed. i have a very deep innie . hope it clears up for you!!! and its completely normal to hit a stall around 3/4 weeks. if you do a search on the dreaded 3 week stall a lot of posts will come up about it. just follow the plan and i promise you it will start again. make sure you are getting your water in. i learned water is truly the secret to flushing out your system. i think between the rapid loss with the 2 week liquid and the rapid loss those first couple weeks, your loss definitely trails off for a week or 2 around 3 or 4 weeks. i think our bodies are like "what is happening". and they take a couple week hiatus to figure it out and catch up. that is my crazy thought anyways. feel free to pm me if you have any questions!!!!

I hate to be the buzz kill but I would be super careful with alcohol. I would kick soda and avoid alcohol until you have reached your goal. I know, I know. No fun. When I had my lapband, I was drinking a month after. Totally sabotaged my weight loss and honestly replaced food for a while. Now with my revision I plan on avoiding alcohol, if I go out I plan on ordering Water with lemon- or a virgin drink. A few sips can turn into a whole drink, then 2 drinks... Sounds boring and will be boring, but let me tell you NOTHING sucks more than letting alcohol slow your weight loss. Take advantage of this stage of your surgery, in the start is when you can really drop some serious weight. I have worked in Bariatrics for over 6 years, I've seen hundreds of patients ruin their surgery because of alcohol choices. The last thing you want to do is make alcohol apart of your journey and make it seem "normal", get use to your new life alcohol free, after 9+months (or reaching your goal) of KNOWING how your new stomach works start introducing alcohol. /endbuzzkill.

I'm scheduled for the VGS on the 7th May. I'm really looking forward to my life changes ahead. I know it will be hard but one of my biggest concerns is not being able to drink the alcohol of my choice (Jim Beam with Coke Zero) anymore as ill feel full. I socialize every weekend and I will be impacted by this change and wanted your thoughts and views on this subject. What do people drink when socializing? Are you restricted? How long did you have to wait before having a drink?

I keep thinking about a quote from a minister when the temperance movement began in the US in the 19th Century: "very little good comes from the absolute shall." I've always taken the approach of explaining the pluses and minuses of recreational drugs. Why the positives? Because people are getting something out of it if they are using it, and to ignore that would be less than honest with my kids. It's in the honest cost/benefit analysis that helps guide them so they can make the positive decisions that I do hope they will make. Alcohol has been an on again, off again struggle with me (before and after WLS). Some WLS patients have a sip of wine and feel intoxicated, and I have a tough time feeling it at all unless I drink a great deal. So to change and relearn my relationship with alcohol, I used some techniques from this site: https://hamsnetwork.wordpress.com/. I also found me keeping my eye focused on bigger goals makes it much easier to say "not now" than scare tactics. But everyone is different. Some need hard fast rules, others need general guidelines. Personally I agree with Dee Hock: "Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex intelligent behavior. Rules and regulations give rise to simple stupid behavior." Understanding addiction, substance use and abuse is incredibly complex. It has never been aided by alarmist media treatment. There are no simple solutions. I am always amazed at the dismal success rate of "rehab." I am also amazed that the vast majority of drug/alcohol users go through life with scant few problems. I have felt that my kids stayed out of trouble because there was always clear communication, acceptance, tolerance, encouragement and lack of judgement in the family. "Absolute Shall's" just don't work for me.

@@Connie Stapleton PhD - Thanks for the clarification. I understand the warnings and advice to abstain to maximize success. The tone just comes across like this scene from Mean Girls: The term toxin is loaded, pejorative and a bit misleading. Tylenol is toxic. Vitamin D is too. Both can be hard on the liver and fatal in high doses. But these are acceptable risks in moderation. Alcohol is rough on the liver in high doses. It can be fatal in the most extreme cases. There are risks in sex, driving, and even walking on a treadmill, so I heed the cautions. And to be clear, when I discuss this subject with fellow WLS people, I do share my cautions based upon my experience, research and warn of possible red flags and dangers signs to watch for. It is a danger area. Alcohol may have put me in a stall, but that's why I am abstaining for a season to test this out. In short, I don't disagree with your message, just the words (rhetoric in the classic sense of the word). Thanks for what you do, and I do have a great deal of respect for those of you who work with people in recovery from substance abuse. It is a tough job, where you know most are not going to succeed and it is often heart breaking work, so take care of yourself too (this is a major part of my sister's work, and I always remind her "there is a reason why the airline tells you to put on your own oxygen mask before you put one on those around you, and don't forget it.").

@@Babbs I definitely agree that the bariatric team need only give patients education and information. As I keep reminding people, my issue is about the governing body of the bariatric team not making a sound medical recommendation. My point is not about being absolute or overbearing... it's specifically related to the bariatric professionals who are the "leaders of the pack." My position is that this governing body needs to have a more definite RECOMMENDATION, based on the fact that alcohol is a toxin that can have deleterious effects on the absorption of essential nutrients, in addition to other possible negative effects. Continue making the healthiest choices for you!

Hello friend, alcohol consumption is very bad for health and can cause a lot of problems related to health issues. So always try to avoid alcohol.

I was advised no more alcohol also. Primarily because continued drinking would promote ulcers for bypass patients, and it was a matter of "when" not "if". So I'm of the mindset it should be avoided just eliminate that possibility.

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

First I'd like to tell you that DH is "darling husband" or "dear husband" I wish I had the thread from the woman who explained it to me. She also said it could be "drunk husband, damned husband depending on one's personal preference etc.... Hope that helps. I was banded last 8/07. I also went through a phase where I was affraid to eat but the person who did my fills the first two times thought I had the small band and only put in less than 1 cc for the first two fills all together. Then my surgeon did my fill 3 months after surgery date and I was really filled and at the point where everything I ate had to be well chewed or I'd vomit and because I had gone the first three months thinking this is what it was like it kind of messed with my head in a way, hard to explain but it did. Then when I was filled with 3.5 it was right before I went home for Thanksgiving and then Christmas came and that's when I realized that the sugary stuff went down just fine and that's when I started using those kinds of foods to compensate for the fact that I was probably overfilled but didn't question it at all thinking this is how it's supposed to be as my surgeon put it in, you drink, it goes down. I had know idea at the time that I could have been over filled. Then I'm not losing but gaining so the next time I go to the fill nurse she assumes I'm gaining weight I must need more fill, so now it's worse, right. Then two weeks later I go back probably put on more pounds and guess what I need more fill because I'm gaining. This time she put it in but had written the wrong amount last time and thought I had a certain amount so she put in wayyyyy tooo much and that's when I had the 10 hour puking up my own saliva day until midnight when "my hero" surgeon, actually my daughters to be, met me at the office and figured it out and took out enough so that this was not an issue. Then went back a month later asked my surgeon to take out 2 out of the 4 so that I could possibly eat like a normal person, trying WW or something to lose. It is much better but since I'm not a bulk eater per se, I don't know what you call me maybe I am a sugar eater or it might even be more complicated because I was just choosing the foods that would go down easily because I was always overfilled. Then you get used to things the way it's been and hard to change back. Anyway I felt kind of alone out there, but I probably wasn't but then I found a forum of people that all were changing from the band to a DS because either it didn't work for them or they didn't work for it whatever you want to call it so I thought well maybe this is my place and my option. So I read up on the DS and it's one of the most extreme of the surgeries they do for gastric patients and start thinking is this really what I need to put my body through for the rest of my life and I'm almost 50 and don't know if that's really what I should do. Everyone is supporting me here as I've labeled myself a failure and have come up with solutions other than the basic ones but are more directed to my personal issues and have been very helpful and don't seem as condescending to me anymore. Because I really didn't want to come across as someone who hated the band I just felt like it wasn't for me. So 8/07 banded and lost about 25 pounds from prior to surgery to post surgery because I was on Medifast liquid shakes for four weeks, my poor daughter is on them from 6 weeks! Then slowly it started creaping back on. Sometimes I've crashed dieted and because it was a crash diet it goes back on quickly so maybe that's partially why besides the fact I was under filled or over filled and never hit that "sweet" spot that everyone talks about. By Christmas it really started coming back on because of all the "eating" holidays all the good baked goods were in the house and I couldn't eat the Protein but those went down so I ate them. I think your body/mind thing is pretty powerful and mine was telling me I'm starving and I was telling my stomach well these will feed you and did. So up to 248 to 250 now after starting at 253 around April of 2007. I've had motivational issues because of depression about the surgery and my failure and various things that come across in every day life like my mother in law coming next Thursday and stressing that she's going to judge me for not losing the weight after going through surgery and of course she's one of those who doesn't know the difference between a lap band and gastric bypass anyway! So that's my story and I also am on anti-depresssants and anti anxiety meds which toy with your metabolism and your hunger and I have an underactive thyroid but am on meds for that and have just had more blood work to see if I need to go back on my Metformin my GP took me off prior to surgery thinking I wouldn't need my diabetes meds becuse I would be cured by losing weight. I'm a 48 year old premenopausal woman who was fat all of her life except for the two times I lost 100 pounds but gained them back and then some. Plus have had two children, sure that has to be added to the pot! I know it sounds like a lot of excuses but I'm a fixer type personality, (alcoholic father) so when something is not working I try to find out why and fixing myself is the hardest thing ever!!!!!! Sometimes I do need a kick in the pants but also I still wonder if any of my other physical/emotional issues are keeping me from succeeding. Anyway I've told this story before and have totally lost most people because I've b:bored:red them to death! I don't know if this sounds similar to you or if you can think of why you're having probs or why I am but it's a good place to discuss and try to work out our issues because a lot of us for whatever reason are having them and if we all wanted gastric bypasses we probably could have had them but we wanted something easier and less traumatic on our bodies so we want it to work!!! Take care, Nancy and keep me posted about what you think about the situation.:welldoneclap:

I've been told to be extremely carful with them. Check the sugars especially the coated ones. I've eaten about a handful of pistachios at a time and as long as I chew well, I'm ok. But at first I threw up ALLOT!!!!! It was from gall stones and after it was taken out, I haven't thrown up hardly at all. Gallbladder issues are usually common after gastric sugery because te bile that it creates is not needed to digest as much and it just sits there and inflames the organ. Not every sugary is going to advance in the same way, of coarse. But if you attempt any new food, try it with caution and, just like a baby trying new foods, take it slow. It's DEFINITELY a relearning experience about how to eat. 90 pounds down for me. And if you hate to take Vitamins, as I do, I FORCE myself to take the b12. B12 is imperative to protect our brain function and to help avoid brain shrinkage. It also increases the metabolism and is responsible, by the most part, for reproduction of red blood cells. If our red blood cells are not replenished, we can develop anemia. Tilapia is ALWAYS a good choice as long as it's not fried. Greasy fried foods may not sit well. But everyone is different. Personally, in my opinion, it was the fatty, fried, foods or sweets, along with my addiction to food that drove me to needing an "intervention". my crutch was not alcohol, drugs, smoking, or anything else that you can go cold turkey. How can you go cold turkey with food? It's impossible if you are to sustain life.

Atkins bars are very low carb. Like 3 carbs per bar. They look like they are high, but what you need to look at is net carbs. The other stuff is stuff like fiber, sugar alcohol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, and Glycerine, which have little to no impact on a diet. I learned this from doing the Atkins diet so many time. BTW, they taste good too..