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Skinny, OMG me too! I was so bad last Satuday after I found out I had lost I turned around and ate like mad (and had wine and alcohol which I RARLEY ever do) I ate candy the whole thing. But I did great with food yesterday and am back on track. Yesterday I did my elliptical for 4 miles 60 min. and today am headed out for a spin class at the gym So far today I had coffee & milk 1 point 30g protein shake 4 points banana & blueberry smoothie with greek yogurt 4 points so I am good and off to go sweat!

If you don't like the taste of alcohol, why drink any? Alcohol is not low in calories (1 ounce of 80 proof Vodka has about 65 calories not counting the mixer) and offers very little nutritional value. (There are some health benefits to drinking limited amounts of alcohol.) There are single serve versions of most cocktails, including mudslides. They're usually sold with the wine coolers. The amount of carbonation in most wine coolers is not likely to cause problem. The other option is just to have wine. Most of the lighter wines (white, blush, rose, etc.) have fewer than 100 calories per 4 ounce serving. Tom

My file will be submitted to Carefirst BCBS (DC Plan) tomorrow (5/26) morning. Here are my vitals: Age 30 Female Height: 5'3" Type II Diabetes (diagnosed 5/10/2011) Hiatal Hernia Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease = Metabolic Disorder Weight at surgical consult: 205 Current Weight: 198 Goal Weight: 127 Carefirst BCBS through DC. Only insurance concern is that I have had two three month diet plans that went like this: My weight doctor: Visit 1/3/2011, visit 1/17/2011, 2/1/2011, 2.16.2011, 3/1/2011, and 3/17/2011, with a primary care visit in early April - should be OK for this one. My other weight program was a visit on I think 1/20/2010 and another visit on 4/9/2011 with a primary care visit on 1/21, blood work on 2/16 and a neurologist visit on 3/17/2010. I have good documentation of visits, receipts, medical notes, etc. but there could be an issue with the fact that I did not go to the weight specialist between 1/20/2010 and 4/9/2010.The insurance coordinator at Bluepoint Surgical group seems to think that we can get approval because my documentation is good and it shows that I have lost weight but can't keep it off.

I wondered if it could be a lactose intolerance which we can develop post wls. Diarrhoea, bloating, wind are the usual symptoms an hour or so after eating lactose. Sugar alcohols (in some artificial sweeteners) can do the same thing. And yes, as the others have said, dumping has many more symptoms which are temporarily debilitating. I don’t know about the beef. I was easily eating steak & pork pretty soon out after solid foods (probably from around weeks 9 or 10). But we are all different & our tummies can be fussy & sensitive for a time about certain foods.

According to hopkinsmedicine.org 80-90% of gastric and duodenal ulcers are caused by H. Pylori bacteria. Other causes are NSAIDS, smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and physical stress. food doesn't seem to CAUSE ulcers but can aggravate existing ulcers. By definition an ulcer is a break in the tissue, a sore, or a lesion and can be located anywhere in or outside of the body. Ulcers get their names from their location... gastric ulcer, peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, skin ulcer, etc. The type of ulcer you are referring to is totally different from the type that was mentioned.

If it were me, I'd not want to risk it. The point if the pre-op is to shrink the liver, like a previous poster said. Alcohol goes through the liver. It also lowers inhibitions and might make you more tempted to eat that evening and really blow the pre-op diet. Some surgeons don't require a pre-op diet, but yours does. Mine did, too. Mine also said if he got inside and my liver was not in shape for the surgery, he'd either have to do it open (huge incision and recovery) or would close me up and no band that day. That's my opinion, take it for what it's worth and have a Happy Birthday.

I personally have not had any problems with my band in regards to having an occassional drink (once a week or a couple times a month). I may be an exception. The main problem I have noticed is my tolerance is not the same. One drink usually gets me tipsy vs 3 or more before. I don't know if it does anything to the band (I can only speak from my almost 4 yr experience (Aug 2003) but, most alcohol drinks have a lot of sugar or empty calories....so, not exactly what you need when losing weight

chewing gum often contain sugar alcohols and it can increase the amount of air you take in, causing bloating, and if swallowed it can also block the opening between your stomach and small intestine.

Hey Evie I was sleeved by Mr Koak at The Holly Private Hospital in Epping. He is the most gentle and re-assuring surgeon. He also works on the NHS out off Cambridge Hospital. I went private as I did not qualify on the NHS even though I had a BMI of 56. And sleep apnea, high blood pressure plus a fatty non alcoholic liver disease. I've been big for over 25 years and at my biggest I was 25.st 12lb I managed to get it down to 21. St on my own but then never could get past that. I feel like I have a second chance of life! I paid a lot off money however the way I was going my family may have been spending it on my funeral! That's the reality of my story! It is tricky sometimes, my life is different however I do have one! For that I'm thankful! My food intake is good and I don't feel hungry! It's the head hunger I have to work on ., I am in counselling for help with that. That's been a god send! Hope this helps! Good luck Evie !!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is from my surgeons patient handbook LAP–BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System Diet Instructions AFTER Surgery • Stay away from carbonated or citrus drinks to decrease nausea – “sugared” drinks are OK for a source of carbohydrates at this time • No foods that are “doughy” or “sticky” - like soft white bread, coconut, chips, popcorn, or dried fruits - they could obstruct the band • Very fibrous foods such as broccoli, asparagus, celery, artichokes, pineapple, and rhubarb could also obstruct the band if not overcooked and cut into small pieces • food that is difficult to digest includes nuts, almonds, and peanuts • Caffeinated drinks are not usually an issue • Drink lots of Water (48 oz – 64 oz/day). Avoid gulping water, sip small amounts slowly and gradually through a straw. You may find that cold water tastes better than lukewarm • Do not drink while you eat or within an hour before and after eating • If overeating occurs during the immediate post-operative phase, vomiting is expected with an increase risk of having the stomach tissue slip up through the band. IMMEDIATE POST OP DIET: Ice chips, 30ml of water every 15 min or nothing by mouth. A barium swallow (Upper Gastrointestinal study) is scheduled the next morning after surgery. DAY ONE: Clear liquids only (liquids you could see through), broth, Jell-O, apple juice, tea or popsicles. There are also clear Protein drinks – Ultra Cal liquid (Mead Johnson), Isopur (GNC store – raspberry, punch, or orange, has O carbs and whey protein), and Enlive (Ross – 10g of protein per 8 oz). It is common to have post-op swelling around the Band as a result of surgery. Do not be alarmed if you are unable to tolerate or swallow liquids easily. You will be monitored for this in the hospital, then discharged. FIRST TWO WEEKS: Transition to liquid diet including skim milk and tomato juice (a good source of protein and can be tolerated by LAP-BAND patients, unlike Gastric Bypass patients). Continue with full liquids such as creamed Soups and yogurt including a “protein shake” (Ensure Light, Boost, Instant Carnation Breakfast) at least twice a day. See detailed dietary guidelines for Lap Band patients. TWO TO FOUR WEEKS: pureed or blended foods (for example, applesauce, yogurt, creamy soups, cooked cream of wheat, farina, cream of rice, pudding). Patients can puree the following foods with skim/soy milk or broth: • Vegetables • meats • Casseroles *Patients who eat solid food too soon run the risk of dislocating the band, thereby developing an enlarged upper gastric pouch. Transitional Period to Solid Food on or about the FIFTH WEEK: Regular diet until first scheduled assessment for adjustment (sixth week post-op). Continue “Sugar-free” products. Expect to eat ½ cup of food at a time or 1 ounce – 1 ½ ounce by the 5th week Beware: the majority of patients will find it difficult, if not impossible, to eat whole chunks of meat, although ground beef is generally tolerated if well chewed. Food must be chewed well. It is important to make good food choices. To avoid hairloss eat protein-rich foods first at every meal (3 meals a day). Alcohol has a lot of calories, and therefore should be avoided.

not going to lie, I do happy hours now w/alcohol, I waited until 3 months post op to include it.. prior it was Water, tea or coffee .. zero beer's but a mascoto or zinfandel works just fine and sip on it for 2hrs. friends have commented how I drink my alcohol slower, but I tell them it helps with weight loss

I had the SADI-S/SIPS/Loop Duodenal Switch surgery almost 14 months ago now. I've had some of your symptoms, but not all: Diarrhea (maybe once a week?) Constipation (happens on occasion, but only been bad twice) Excessive foul smelling flatulence (yep. made worse by sugar alcohol. Avoid sugar alcohol's as much as you can) Severe Bloating (occasionally) Abdominal discomfort (the problem with this one is I have EOE so sometimes it's caused by that and not my surgery. I had issues with abdominal discomfort BEFORE my surgery with that) Pale coloured stools (nope) Steatorrhea (it happens. lessen your fat intake it gets a lot better. it did in my case, at least) Foul smelling stools (I think it just goes with the territory, but it's always worse when I consume sugar alcohols. Avoid them if you can) Nausea (rare occasions. Usually when I eat to fast or too much) weight fluctuation (yes, but that's due to me having hypothyroidism and not my surgery. According to my PCP and surgeon, anyway) Malabsorption (I KNEW I'd have this as they told me before my surgery that it was common to malabsorb vitamins. Especially ADEK vitamins. However, I only have issues with Vitamin A and have to take extra. I also, for some reason have issues with my potassium though I doubt that's caused by the malabsorption. I DID develop a wheat allergy though. My surgeon believes it developed due to the malabsorption because it can happen that way. My PCP and gastroenterologist aren't sure though and said there's a slight chance I already had it, but the surgery made the allergy worse. So not sure on that aspect. I was never tested for the allergy prior to surgery) I'm so sorry that you're going through all that and are miserable. I doubt anything I said really helped, but many of those issues are fairly common for the surgery, or so I've been told. I really hope things get better for you!

i try to limit my grains and sugars. lo-carb is the best diet for me. the less carbs i eat the more likely i am to lose weight. i realize the WoW suggests grains, but they do not do well with me. grains are carbs, carbs are addicting. carbs are like alcohol. body processes them the same way. alcohol comes from grain, hence beer-belly.

Just wanted to put this out there for those soon to be surgeries. I've read so much about how bad the gas will be the first few days and the necessity for the Gas-X DISSOLVABLE Strips. You might want to get them ahead of time. They may not be easily found in stores (although Wal-Greens has them). They were about $6.00 per 18pkg, recommended 2-3 at a time. Wal-Mart does not carry them in store(or not in all stores) CVS does not either. Amazon had them listed from about $9 up to $30. Crazy prices. It's been said they are discontinuing them but I suspect they will probably come back at a higher price due to increasing needs due to bariatric surgeries etc...All I could find were the mint flavored but I'll probably need them for fresh breath anyway. I got 4 boxes to be safe....I had to order because our nearest Walgreens is 50 miles away. Trying to make sure I have everything needed for the first week or two. Found that zero Gatorade too. I'm just ready to get this party started. Cooking supper tonight, all I could think of was how I'm going to miss my veggies. Crazy right, ok with giving up alcohol and desserts, I'm going to miss my steamed veggies, cabbage, asparagus. I only have a 24 hr liquid diet but, I'm going to start a week earlier and be diligent the last 3 days. Dr. said no need but this is one time I'm going to go with my gut. I'll abide by his orders afterwards. (smile) Have a great weekend everyone!

Hey gang, how is everyone doing. Louisianagirl - good to see you back online. Seems like many of us are down to our final 20-25 pounds, its the hardest to lose I have found! I have about 20 more to go I think, maybe just 15. I'm at 155 and would like to get to 135 or 140. I was thinking 145, but now I think I want to go slightly lower. I'm thinking about a tummy tuck too, maybe next year. :smile2: Confused - I know its sooooo hard to fit exercise in, I do great for awhile, then I slack. Right now, I've been slacking. I must get back into the grove of things! Now that spring is on its way, I'm going to start riding my bike and get some kind of exercise that way. I took a break from my HCG diet - its also called a "Planned interruption" for a week. Well, I was supposed to eat low carb, and I started out that way, but before you know it, I was eating everything in sight, and I had over indulged in some alcohol on my girls weekend. Put on 7 pounds!!!!!! Grrrrr. Well, I started back on the HCG again last Thursday (4/1) and have lost 5 of the 7 I gained. I learned my lesson, I'm planning another interruption this month on 4/22 thru 4/25 when I go to Puerto Vallarta, but this time, I will be more sensible and not eat just because its there. I'm going to stick to good proteins and EXERCISE and limit my fruity alcohol drinks on the beach! I plan on taking some crystal light and getting some vodka shots for my drinking. Anyhow, hope everyone is doing good and had a great weekend.

It’s been 18 months since my surgery, and I am a work in progress. I recently posted about the decision to have the sleeve. See, “Down Over 140…The Decision: Fears and Tears” Now I want to write a bit about the emotional changes that I personally had to go through. Maybe some of this will ring true for you, too. As I contemplated this entry, I struggled with what to tell you, a complete stranger, about my process. Finally, I decided to be honest, so that you could know in your heart that if it’s possible for me to change, it is also possible for you. I still think about food all day, every day. I so wish I didn’t, but I have come to know that I am a food addict, and I have to treat it like an addiction. I grew up the oldest of 6 in a poor family. When I was 12, my dad left and my childhood instantly ended. Alcoholism, mental illness, chaos. That was to become my family life. At 18, my stepdad committed suicide. When I was 20 I was raped. When I was 21, I joined the Army. When I was 22, my brother committed suicide. When I was 28, my two-month old baby girl died. I struggled with anxiety attacks. I developed a life-altering auto-immune disease. There were good things, too. Love. My other beautiful daughter. My sister—who was my best friend, my soul mate, my rock--we went through everything together. Getting my college degree over a period of 20 years! Getting promoted. Writing. Photography. My home. Friends. But always, there was food…my constant companion. It never failed to nicely anesthetize me. One night, just before my surgery, I was watching a weight loss show where they were talking about how you MUST deal with the issues from your past if you are going to succeed. I don’t know why this struck such a chord this time, but I really began to think about the girl I used to be and all the fear I still carried inside me. It hit me like a tidal wave! I cried for the girl whose childhood abruptly ended at the age of 12. I cried for all that had been done to me. I cried because I had been so powerless. But then I realized with real clarity that I am no longer that powerless child! I had succeeded at everything I had truly worked for! I had a great job, and would never be dependent on anyone financially again! I had even learned to be assertive. That night, I spoke to that little girl inside me. I made a promise to her. I told her that she would never be a victim again. That she was no longer powerless. That I was going to take care of her forever. But could I do it without food? One of the best things I did for myself was to line up an appointment with a therapist for one month after my surgery. Although that person did not work out and I ultimately found a therapist who specializes in addiction, it was such a comfort to me to have a support system in place. I haven’t gone to her more than a few times, but she is an anchor for me, and I know she’s there. As I said in my previous post, my beloved sister died in my arms on December 28th. I had postponed having my knee replaced to take care of her, and I foolishly thought I’d be doing well enough by the end of February to get through it ok. Well, I wasn’t. March was one of the bleakest months of my entire life between the physical pain, drugs, bad weather, isolation, and grief. So how did I get through it? How else? I ate. Ice cream. Candy. Cookies. Let me tell you right now, you can put down a lot of calories every day in 100-calorie increments. That is why you need to know beyond a doubt that what they say is true: They operate on your stomach, not your brain. So I spent March crying and eating. And then one day, as I was sobbing to my husband about my out-of-control eating, I wailed, “The worst part is, I’m letting myself down!” “I’m letting myself down.” I could not back away from this statement. I called my therapist to discuss the grief/eating cycle. She let me off the hook, saying, “Sometimes you just have to be in survival mode.” I got off the phone and thought about that a lot and realized even though I had been given permission to eat badly, eating badly no longer felt like my authentic self. For the first time, I knew that I had truly changed. The old me believed that self care meant whatever felt good. The new me knows that self care can never equate to self destruction. The next day, all the junk food left the house. I’m still sad. But I am empowered. I am not a victim, even of myself. If you've hung in there through this long post I hope you'll leave me feedback and share your own story. In posting this, I sort of feel like I'm running down the street naked! Soon, I plan to post on some of the logistical things I've found to work for me since my surgery. More practical! Less emotional!!

plain, I originally started the gastric bypass surgery pre-op stuff about 3 years ago before my surgeon even did lap bands. Then all these things started happening like my dad got ill and my sister got cancer and my dog died, sounds like a country song but it's true and I put it off because I felt like I was needed elsewhere. Then two years later I decided to take the time for myself since everything in my life seemed fairly calm and I went back and then found out they were doing lap bands now. I started pre-op again for the gastric bypass and had it all approved and I changed my mind, I kind of chickened out I'd say and wanted the lap band because of two reasons, one I knew it could be removed if need be and two, I wouldn't have the bad side effects you get from gastric bypass surgery because I knew I'd end up cheating once in a while with ice cream. And also it wouldn't be as traumatic on my body. I think a lot of people feel that way. Anywho, I had already discussed the post op diet with the nutritionist for the gastric bypass and had done everything else and called the doctor made an appointment because I wanted to tell him I wanted the band instead. This was about one month prior to surgery. I was never told those things and maybe it's my own fault because of the way I had changed things in the middle and maybe something (info wise) got lost in the shuffle. I swear it's the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God. I'm not a soda drinker, I'm not much of an alcohol drinker but I like me some ice cream and knew that would be an issue. But because it was so much easier to eat the yummy cakes and cookies and pies and ice cream and candy instead of protein I tended to go that route because I found out it went down no problem. I think I learned that at Halloween. My dad was an alcoholic and I take after him, except I'm not dead and I'm not a male. I tend to choose sugar foods over alcohol but there very similar in a way. I'm ate a salad today for the first time in a long time because my fill is reduced and I also had almost a whole sandwich with Weight Watcher's bread today and that was so weird to me. Anyway I have to learn to stay away from the WW desserts though because I'll end up eating them instead of the healthier foods. I don't blame my surgeon, they have a good program here and they have an orientation first and then you meet with the surgeon, you go through a lot of pre-op testing and get screened by a psych of their choosing. I'm not a dumba...s but I guess to a lot of you I appear to be. I just have issues with certain foods that the band won't catch and didn't know it ahead of time. I'm still working on it just in a different way now. So wish me luck, brandyII.

Kay I go to a few support groups. My surgeon has a twice monthly group meeting of pre and post op patients. The benefit of these meetings are the chance to talk to pre op patients about what they will experience. The meetings did help me pre op. As for post op, we compare notes and root for each other and give support. I also go to a group meeting that my therapist has. The meeting isn't productive. Everyone talks over each other and there is no structure for people to participate. It's the loudest and pushiest that get to speak. I actually go to these meetings for the entertainment value as I don't get much therapeutic value out of them. My last support group is Overeaters Anonymous (OA). My therapist was able to show me that I was a Compulsive Overeater. No matter how much weight I could lose it would only come back due to my compulsion to over eat. OA is based on the same 12 step program as Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a very good fellowship that helps to get one spiritually grounded and to help with the compulsion of overeating. I attend a few meetings a week and I also have a sponsor who I call every day for guidance and support and to help me be mindful of my eating habits.. Any support group that you feel comfortable with and that will help you succeed is worth joining. I know that I cannot be successful on my own. I am 100% successful in failing at all of my previous attempts to keep my weight loss off. I take it one day at a time. If I can be successful today then I try my best to carry that success over to the next day. So far, I'm doing better than I thought I would. I'll be 18 months post op at the end of this month and I've been able to achieve my goal weight and maintain it. How long can I do it for? I don't know. I do know that I will never again get the advantage that I now have from the WLS. I don't want to squander this "Golden Ticket" that I've been given. Good luck in your weight loss journey and I wish you much success.

Hey, Marine--nice to hear from you, and happy one-year anniversary (more or less). My surgeon and nutritionist both said alcohol is fine one year out. However, it always going to be calculation as to whether it's worth the (empty) calories vs. the the benefit. Becoming a teetotaler isn't realistic for everyone, but drinking of course needs to be done in moderation. This will be a lifelong balancing act that does't end just because we are in the maintenance phase. I hope you are doing well!

we were told we could occasionally have alcohol a year after bypass. I do - but I probably have about three or four glasses of wine a year. I can feel it right away...

I'll tell you why not: * There's virtually no nutrition in that food -- and it's "expensive" for the calories that are in it (I'm guessing around 150 calories for a half-cup). That's a lot of calories. For 150 calories, you could eat more Protein, some very nutritious veggies and fruits, and even a little whole grain. The point to WLS is not just to lose weight any old way, but to get healthier. (I realize you may not care about this, but I did.) * It indeed may be a gateway drug -- and lead to a second, third, fourth half-cup serving. . * The sugar alcohols in there (that sweeten it) will give you diarrhea of the worst kind. Try eating two half-cups and see what happens. Best to you.

Laura, Thanks so much for this thought-provoking thread. I am a food addict with alcohol/drug/food addiction family genetics and a lifetime of addictive "experience". The first five weeks after VSG surgery were heaven (no desire to eat at all!), but now my stomach has healed, the honeymoon is over, and I am grappling with my new reality. The sleeve is a great tool ...but the addiction battle continues and it is hitting me pretty hard right now. I want to be CURED, dammit!! It really helps to know that others are struggling and succeeding. I have this little voice that is whispering "You can't do this...you will fail". Thanks to all the VSTers who are helping me to believe that I don't have to be perfect, that I can pick myself up and keep going forward, and that I can change.

I always thought that I was not addicted to food.. One reason I still think so.. is because.. after having the sleeve.. I dont really miss food.. all I really miss is chuging water.. food.. not really! I go out with friends to buffet lunches and I expect to feel depressed or something.. but don't.. But the scale has a different story to tell.. I have no linking for carbonated drinks before.. do not drink alcohol...don't smoke.. even without the sleeve.. I was eating less than 800 calories a day.. that low calories was partly because I worked/studied for atleast 16 hours a day.. and did not care much about eating when I was working.. lunch was my only meal.. and slept for less than 4 hours each night.. But.. then came the weekends.. and I would eat.. breakfast.. lunch.. and dinner.. well under 2000 cals.. but more than twice of what i used to eat the rest of the week.. umm.. and I wondered why I was gaining weight! all I am eating is a salad for lunch each day! I screwed up my metabolism.. thats' why! Just before I had the surgery.. I took a new job.. and don't work for more than 8 hours a day.. I sleep for atleast 7 hours each night.. (havent been able to do that for the last 11 years..) I actually get in more calories now after the sleeve..but not sweked towards the weekends.. So..honestly..now.. I dont know if I am addicted to food.. am I?

Hey Fran, I was on antibiotics on the cruise and only cheated a bit on the alcohol but maybe I can give you and Carol some challenge for next time? Sorry your band was not cooperating. If it makes you feel any better, I ate your dessert every night!:hungry::kiss

I was advised by the surgical nurse that I shouldn't use any type of hair products containing ALCOHOL 24 hours prior to surgery. She stated hair gel as well as hair spray. I've had many surgical procedures and never once has this been an issue. Has anyone ever heard of this? Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, but I have a HUGE public event the afternoon prior to surgery.