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Sometimes you have to jump through these hoops for insurance and sometimes for the hospital or the surgeon. If your final cost isn't much and you get banded and drop all the excess weight, it is well worth sitting in on some alcohol and eating disorder classes. In my case, there were no pre-op hoops to jump through .... nothing. There were no classes and no testing. I just had to do a 2 week Atkins pre-op diet. The one very large hoop I had to jump through was paying $10,000 cash. Either way I think it is well worth it. If I had insurance that would have paid for the surgery I would have done whatever the insurance required.

Lawson I'm not a diet expert or someone who has any authority on the matter - clearly or I would not have had plication. But I'll tell you what I did that I think made an impact for me: I did not eat a thing besides water crackers, tuna and coconut juice from the center isles of supermarkets I tried everything in my power to eat only organic and from whole foods or fresh market I ate every two hours -shakes were berries, egg white protein,coconut juice, banana and I juiced. Now on the juicing I drank only kalelicious it's the only veg juice I can stomach. It's a recipe from the wholefoods juice bar that you can make at home and trust me I'm latin we don't eat very many vegetables and this is delish! Kale, spinach, banana, lemon, apple juice. You can sub banana for mango pineapple etc and I add a whole lemon not just half. I downed about 6-8 of those a week and it helped curve my anxiety bc I would drink it at my desk and play w the straw twiddle with the smoothie it just filled me up too. It's very good and eventually I started making it at home. I've gotten a few people addicted to it. I also try as best I can not to have anything w corn syrup corn starch - I prefer antibitic free grass fed, etc I do not have any soda!!! No syrup drinks. Coffees or cold teas. Only water. I did not. Drink alcohol for 3mos - and no artificial sugar only brown cane I worked out after 28days from returning from my surgery and I walked 2 miles a day post surgery before the 28days I ate little to no bread and little carbs had only water crackers w my Tuna at best And I hired a trainer worked out 3 days a week w him and a workout partner which I think helps a lot 3-4 days I also did something- fun like spinning yoga running but I did aomething and there was no one that would stop me. Even if I was going out that night I would get a good sweat in. After about a month I needed the adrenaline rush I started at 188 in January I now fluctuate from 134-138 I also bought outfits I wanted to fit into When I was an 8 I bought a 6 dress that now fits me big That 6 dress at the time was pretty snug and I would try it on and take it off in the morning and it helped me go from dam! I want a Madeline cookie w a VENTI skinny vanilla latte to a protein shake to get to my goal My trainer also made me change my mentality from a fat girl training mentality of "I can't and this hurts and I don't want to" to measured thinking like an athlete goals videos it really helped I now look at Olympians and see them sprint and think I can't wait to sprint this week w my trainer So that's it. I was not lethargic in my thoughts or actions. I was determined and I saw myself that size and I exceeded what I thought was possible. My legs bounced back b.c they did get a bit flabby w the rapid loss my arms changed although I'm still working on it and my jeans well... I loooovvvveer buying jeans! So there you go. Also another point I don't know much about health and wellness or probiotics or supplements nor am I a tree hugger I just set parameters around what I could eat. Now I cheat a lot but in my own way. Good luck it is a journey but this tool is such a blessing use it to the fullest capacity bc I did and I love it! I am interested in seeing what a year post surgery brings and that will be a whole other post

Hello Personally I would NEVER tell someone just because I don't want them to be pissed that I'm not eating chinese food at their party. This is a medical issue and a lifechanging operation that you should keep to yourself if you so choose. If your already so sure she's gonna spill your secret then is she really such a good friend? Tell her your really not feeling well and your sorry but your too sick to eat chinese or drink alcohol. If she's not mature enough to be understanding of your pain/health/feelings then she's probably not mature enough to be going to university Just my two cents Good luck with whatever u choose !

Would like some input about an upcoming trip... It is s Business Convention and I am trying to figure out a non carbonated, sugarfree, alcoholic beverage to sip on (a weeks worth of business dinners). Prior it would be Bacardi diet or Mike's lite hard lemonade, neither of which will work now. Doc gave me ok to have alcohol but I have no clue what other types of drinks to have. Thanks!

I'm new to the site but my surgeon seems to have answered all of your questions: SAG: as some others have said, is related to your current age and elasticity. #2 he says, will begin again with food. He does recommend a stool softener (also mentioned). HAIR: all protein related. Preop should be a minimum of 40grams a day but post op at least 80 (40 Food 40 drink) i'm using isopure zero its 40 grams per drink and zero carbs. It's very important. Also he says 4 flinstone complete chewables per day. ALCOHOL: NONE for at least a year! This will be a hard one for me. After a year he said don't drink anyway, too many carbs and too much sugar. Additionally, no pregnancy for 1year, no breads, and no white flour. I hope this helps. My facility requires that all patients attend 3 meetings while they are preop. That's where all these questions are asked. Good luck with everything. I'm going tomorrow to hopefully get my date.

May 15 surgery- 250 day of surgery- today 187. Was a size 24 day of surgery- yeaterday- bought my first pair of 12s ever! 63 lbs lost since surgery- 67 since 3 day preop diet! Walk twice a day- no sugar- no unnatural carbs- no fast food- no cheating- no drugs- no alcohol- just hard work and it's paying off!!!!

I am on my pre-op diet as well. It feels so strange because I have done this all before with the lap band! I even said goodbye to my beloved diet pop two years ago, only to realize I could have it again. I feel more mentally ready this time because I have dealt with some of my emotional eating, and I am wholly aware of just HOW emotional eating is for me. (That is something that the sleeve will not fix!!) I have a great book about emotional eating that has really helped me. It's called: "The Weight Loss Surgery Coping Companion." I highly recommend it to you guys having emotional eating issues, it will not get easier unless you address it! Now I'm here again, doing the pre-op and clinging to my diet coke & Pepsi (I would give up alcohol for diet pop in a heartbeat!!) But I am okay giving up gigantic portions because it will mean a healthier me. Much love & luck to you all! Erika PS Yes it has made me gassy...and it did the first time too...too much meat and vegetables. My husband is doing the pre-op with me to be supportive....and let me tell you...his gas is making our house liable to burst into flames...ughhhh!!

My friend was sleeved 2 wks prior to me and she had a cocktail this weekend and said she was fine.. I guess for each it's own..someone from this site emailed me and said they waited 4 wks and told me to add a splenda and add a splash of water in the alcohols used for the margaritas and mix w/fresh lime, lemon and oranges

My surgeon cleared alcohol after two months. He doesn't encourage it because of empty calories.

I was given a gift of a facial with a chocolate martini so I asked my dietician. She said to wait til close to the end date of the gift coupon to do it which isn't until Oct. My surgery was in June. The surgeon said to wait a year for alcohol or just one on a special occassion. The latest research on NAFLD (Non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease), which most high BMI people have even if the doctor hasn't mentioned it like that, shows to try to avoid alcohol consumption as much as possible. Hopefully lessening weight especially by over 20% will correct some of the benign NAFLD problem (also shown in research). If a person is NASH, the not benign condition but inflamed and fibrotic liver, then alcohol isn't recommended at all. This question might be a good one to ask your doctor or dietician because of these factors.

Good for you all who have identified an addiction an addressed it. I never drank often, but when i'm with my buddies we have a tendency to go full bore. Is it a coincidence that my surgeon allows alcohol 3 months after surgery and two of my buddies are flying across the country to come see me exactly 3 months from surgery date?

What I will comment about hunger is that there is still also a relationship to how you manage your food and exercise. If I eat a high Protein, small portion diet, my hunger remains very low to practically zero. If I eat junky snacky food, my desire to eat increases. I don't know if it is fair to call it hunger, but it is some sort of physical response to crappy food. Thirst and acidy stomach can also "mimic" hunger, especially those first few months post sleeve. I have been told that if you exercise long durations you can trigger hunger. I don't know about that, when I go out and do horse stuff I am out for 4-6 hours and I feel that my hunger is reduced when I am physically busy. I have to remind myself to eat something especially if I am exerting alot. I am still most likely to eat "wrong" late in the evening watching TV - old habits can be hard to break. I try to have a Protein Bar or a bit of fruit with cottage cheese for dessert - so at least some sort of nutritional value So, my advice - focus on small quantities of foods like lean meats, cottage cheese, greek yogurt etc etc with veggies to balance it out. Go light on the fruit, high carbs like pastas or bread, alcohol or any of that. You just feel more satisfied on the high protein with veggies diet and your blood sugar stays more even if you eat moderate to low glycemic indicator foods. I do NOT eat super low carb because it makes me feel bad physically and I am still losing weight okay. When I have a slice of bread, it is a wholesome whole grain, I try to avoid a lot of crackers and cookie type carbs. Ice cream literally makes me ill and I get diarrea so that source of fat and carbs is pretty much gone too. When I was first banded - say the first few months - my hunger was seriously reduced, but my drive to eat really wasn't. After the first few months, I was constantly hungry and wanted to eat. It was not good. Then, when the band was removed I realized it was helping some because I went from being hungry alot to being just RAVENOUS practically all the time. It was terrible but convinced me that I really needed the sleeve because something just isn't right - my stomach sends too much hunger signals to the brain. What a miserable way to live - always focused on food. I tried behavioral therapy, but I am convinced that MOST of the issue for me is physical hunger (not to say that old habits and head hunger aren't a factor too, but it is smaller then the drive to eat due to hunger in my case anyway).

Natalie I have found a drink that works for me it is Vodka with Water and I use Mio to flavor but have found that I can only have 2-3 drinks before I feel the alcohol ( A lightweight now) where before I could drink all night. I guess it is the food as there is less to absorb the drinks Breakfast Egg whites scrambled with peppers and Onions and shredded cheese lunch small chicken bacon cheese on wheat roll from dangelo's dinner 1 link chicken Sausage 1/4 cup angel hair Pasta Water 6 glasses excercise Water arobics and laps 30 min

Ok I was really concerned! I'm glad Im not the only one who had to go through it. My fiance was so mad when I told him because he KNOWS that there is zero concern that I am an alcoholic much less a drinker. We bought a bottle of wine 2 years ago and it was never opened lol. I was so afraid that somehow the insurance would think that I was some sort of risk and not approve me. It's scary to think of spending $500+ in one month in driving, hotel and parking expenses to get denied. (not that there isn't that risk in general........) Thanks again guys!

whymomwhy - When you say drink do you mean alcoholic? Did you find it affected you a lot more now that you're a bandster? my doctor recommends no alcohol the first year but says I can on special occasions. Going to a cocktail party in September and would like a few sips. Navigating parties is so hard now! I think social occasions were my biggest downfall in eating and not taking care of myself pre band... I'd go to potlucks and hit that buffet 2 or 3 times, try every single dessert and have a few cans of pop to wash it down. Anyway, thank you for the motivation!! I am going to support group on Weds and therapy on Thurs, and just trying to be more busy. Breakfast - 6oz mango yogurt dinner - 1 sm wheat tortilla, 1/2 turkey italian sausage, 1 tbsp mozzarella, 2 tbsp tomato sauce snack - 8oz milk Was feeling really sick today (Worst cramps i have ever had) and slept through lunch completely. Tomorrow back on track.

Oh no, Honey, don't worry. Where I am going, everyone has to go through those four courses, although I don't understand the alcohol one... You will be banded. No worries! Wendy

Well, my doctor requires EVERYONE to attend three sessions with an eating disorder therapist. I was SHOCKED how important these sessions were for me. There are WLS patients who transfer their food addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling, compulsive shopping. It sounds like your doctor is just being very conservative.

Today was my first appointment on my journey to surgery. I had all my tests/labs and met with the pysch. for my eval. I went from having 4 appointments this month to 9. She said I have to go to 4 group counseling sessions to discuss my binge eating (which she said I don't do. That I am a 'grazer') Also that I have to attend one substance abuse group. When discussing if I ever drank I said yes about 3 years ago, for aobut 3 months on the weekends. After my divorce I went through a short partying phase with my friends. So now I am considered an alcoholic? I haven't touched a drop since Dec 09. How can someone become an alocholic in a few weeks and never touch it again? I haven't drank since I found out I was pregnant. I honestly feel that this is just to collect on insurance. So, I am a grazing non drinking person who has to attend binge eating and substance abuse classes? I don't get it. I drive 2 hours each way and it costs my approx $40 in gas. x 9 = $360 That's just insane. Plus gas to drive my child back and forth for to daycare. Now I feel like I'm going to get rejected by insurance for surgery

I am a week shy of 3 months out and I feel pretty much normal. I can sleep on my stomach, I can do crunches when I work out, I had an alcoholic ( low cal) drink, and I can eat a little bit more. Not a lot, but more than 2 tbsp like in the beginning. I'm still steadily losing, some weeks better than others. I'm down 57 lbs now and it's all been worth it. Hang in there! Sent from my iPhone using VST

I am glad that you are planning on stopping. I have nothing against it for occasional recreational use, I don't think it is much different than alcohol in that sense. But I was curious when you posted this, so I just did a little searching, and, like tobacco, it can slow the healing process which can result in complications. Good Luck with your surgery.

Have you been drinking alcohol? A friend of mine was drinking and smoking a lot, rather early on and she developed an ulcer at the top opening of her pouch. Needed surgery to repair.

I am of German descent, and in my opinion, we here in America are doing a huge disservice to our children by "protecting" them from alcohol. I was given small amounts of beer in my bottle as a baby. And as I grew I was never refused alcoholic beverages, they were limited, just as any responsible parent would with sodas. Now the argument can be made on both sides about health advantages/disadvantages. But where I saw the biggest difference was in my late teens & early twenties when all my friends were out getting sloshed, alcohol really wasn't that big of a deal to me, because I had access to it and was taught moderation with it my entire life.

Tomorrow I begin my two week full liquid diet, not looking forward to it! My revisional RNY is scheduled for 8/20. My original was back in 2004 & I lost a total of 170lbs. Over the last two to three years I began gaining weight (53lbs). I decided to have a revision after an endoscopy showed my anastamosis was dialated. I also had a upper GI that showed my pouch was not stretched. However having the dialation causes food to empty my pouch quicker causing hunger after a short period of time. This is something that just happened through no fault of my own. However I did pick up the habit of smoking for the last eight years after never smoking before that! I have succesfully quit since 6/20 & hope to stay that way! I also started drinking alcohol twice a month, which I attribute this bad behavior to part of my weight gain. I would just like to tell newbies that although I will be doing this again I do not feel like a failure. I have been extremely happy and most importantly healthy over the past 8 years; I was to a point that if I did not have surgery I would not be around today. I had severe complications my first time around & still have decided to go through with this revision because RNY saved my life. I am not doing this again to be a size zero or to look a certain way. I just want to continue to enjoy the quality of life that this surgery afforded me. It has been one hell of a ride that I plan to continue to enjoy. My best advice is that carbs/ sweets are the devil and you should really limit these! Enjoy each day that this great procedure allows us to enjoy it is magical & magnificent!

Yeah, I've dealt with similar situations. Don't expect people to be considerate of what you're dealing with, unfortunately. But, trust me, it will be much different post-op. I stayed with my parents for two weeks after surgery and almost every night my mom would watch tv with me while drinking a beer and eating chips. Yeah, that was killer. Honestly, the soda is harder for me than the alcohol and both my mom and best friend always have a diet coke with them. Ugh! BUT, like I said, it will be much different post-op. I'm not saying you won't want it but in the beginning you won't want anything and after that the idea of it doesn't turn you on as much. Good luck!

jennruslike an alcoholic in a bar, right? stuff like that "broke up with food yet everyone else is still dating" - love that **************************************************************************************************************************** hopefully after you've been "officially" sleeved - family et al might be a little more considerate seeing what you are going through your working hard now concluding your pre-op, maybe it just doesn't seem real til they see what you are doing Post WLS you are being strong, and not faltering - congrats good luck tomorrow with WLS speedy recovery best kathy