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Thought about your question all night.... I have said it myself it for years.... tried crazy and healthy diets only to gain all the weight lost back and more. So at this point about a month from my surgery, I honestly have said... ""If I could do that, don't you think I would?" Add to that if there was a surgical procedure that could help an alcoholic or drug addict would I tell them to keep trying to resist without it? That is what people are doing to tell me to try to do this diet/weight loss with out the help/tool the sleeve offers. Another thing I have done is, as I told the few I have told about my decision to get the sleeve, I have stated first, "I am not asking for your opinion or approval, I have made a decision and you are one of the few people I trust enough to tell about it....."

I do A LOT of Crystal Light, but I was told to stay away from the "energy" ones because the "energy" is just caffeine. My NUT says to stay away from caffeine, sugar, alcohol and carbonated drinks. Caffeine mainly because they dehydrate you.

Hi Everyone out there, What prompted me to write this was a wonderful lady named “Kathy”. She spurred some thoughts that I have going around in my head. First of all a big thank you to Kathy for what she said and the very nice compliment about my writing style and the things I have to say. She said they have helped her go forward to make some appointments to check out having WLS. For most of us we didn’t overeat because we were hungry. We ate for a thousand different reasons, and they were mostly emotional reasons. We have so many issues or problems in our life and have turned to food for comfort. The range is so wide, self-esteem, addictions, to food, drugs, alcohol. Our hearts and souls have deep emotional scares for various reason, we cared more for the food than we cared about ourselves. Food was or is our comfort and it was easy to hide behind being fat. For some they have been sexually or emotionally abused and the food was the one thing that we could control and NO one could stop us. Kathy said something that really stood out in my mind; and that was we were slowing killing ourselves with a “fork”. That is so true. So what will it take to motivate you to love and care for yourself enough to STOP this cycle? We do have a disease also called obesity. If we had any other disease we wouldn’t think twice about having surgery for it, we would do it because a doctor would tell us it will save your life. For some it will take some therapy, to heal enough to turn their life around. What you look like on the outside is usually not who you are on the inside where it really matters. There are so many people who love and care about you. I want you to take your power back and take the steps to move forward past the pain you feel. I never said it was easy, but you are worth all the efforts it will take. You are unique, and special. There is ONLY one of you, and you are here on earth for a purpose, and a reason. Take that giant leap forward and consider having the WLS to change your entire life forever. You have earned the right to be everything you could ever want to be. Shed the fat and let that inter person inside of you out. Look at all the possibilities and pick the right one for you. I will be the first one who will tell you, it will require work and effort on your part. WLS is your tool to use to achieve your healthy weight. Be proud of yourself for doing it. Only you can make this choice to change your life. The first time someone calls you “skinny” you will think are they talking about me? Yes, they are. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me. I had Weight Loss Surgery almost 4 years ago and Dr. Aceves in Mexicali was my doctor. I happen to think he is the very best doctor you could ever have for WLS. As a matter of fact Dr. Compos who is his partner has had VGS and so he knows all the things you have to go through to be healthy again. They are a terrific team, and when you have them, you have the BEST. Hugs, Suzanne Sleeved 10/21/2008 Lost 105 pounds

you all have made me smile - thank you so much! I also went through all the stages of liquids and small bites - trust me there is life after the stage you are in now; you will look back and feel accomplished. CE - glad you understand my feelings today, I do go out with my friends and order something small or healthy and bring it home for a few more meals. I drink alcohol on the weekends - but it is not the same - but my wonderful friends get me and understand - they all have weight issues so they have compassion. Thank you all for the responses - it is what I need

You know I'm only 2 weeks and lost 25 lbs in a month and yesterday I felt great gettin back to cooking and I wanted to eat my pork and rice so bad which I'm not aloud to I'm still on the liquid thing but I know what I mean wanting to have a nice big meal **** I wish I I too can have a nice alcoholic drink lol the things we give up to live a healthier and sexier life style

30-40 pounds in one month is not exactly healthy. I suggest you push your surgery out one more month in order to give yourself time to learn to eat more correctly. Less of a shock to the system that way. 30-40 in TWO months is still tough, but much safer IMO. To get there, you MUST 1) make sure you get enough protein every day, every meal if possible, (it really helps with the hunger), 2) limit quantities at EVERY meal (you want to shrink your stomach some) and 3) REALLY cut back on the carbs, ESPECIALLY sweets and any beverages with sugar or alcohol. You CAN do it, but this whole process is as much a mental thing as physical. Good luck!

I'm 7 weeks out tomorrow and down 30 lbs maybe a few more but the scale bounces around a bit. Exercising more than I used to, able to drink alcohol on occasion and almost down a size. Still kind of hungry but got 4 cc's in my 12 cc band last week and doing well I think it's a 12 cc band anyways...

I have been there JGo. I had doubts hours after the surgery, when you feel the bloating and everyone tells you that you just need to get up and walk. My wife and I went Red Lobster two days before my surgery. I thought that I would order one of each from the menu, but I didn't. One thing that I wish I had done, was apply more of the VSG post-op diet before the surgery. If you get used to starting the day with a protein shake and Greek yogurt now, it will be less 'painful' later (post-op). My first whey powder shake was a week after surgery. I tried this beef based first but it didn't 'go down' well. (Who thought Raspberry flavored beef powder was a good idea?). As for alcohol, your body won't miss it and will thank you for it. IN my case, I had already cut back because alcohol interferes with NSAID's and Tylenol type medicines that I took for my arthritis. Sometimes I do miss the days of us going out and not being conscious of what I order from any menu, but every time I can buy smaller size on the pants and shirt rack, I feel better about it.

NOTE: As always, this is a funny look at the things that have happened/are happening as I continue on my weight loss journey. I in NO way plan to replace food with alcohol or need to be told how bad I am for drinking one night with a friend (mind you it's a friend I haven't seen in 15 years). Please don't feel the need to lecture me or get passive aggressive with your comments. As my regular readers know, I am just giving a comedic side to WLS. Also, remember that everyone's journey is different and just becasue I may or may not be doing it the same way you are, does not mean that I am better or worse than anyone else. Ok, I think I covered it all. As always, enjoy and I hope the story puts a smile on your face. Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged but I've been one little busy beaver. I had my friend and her family in from Costa Rica, then my friend from Ireland came in for two weeks (she is still here), and while she was here, my brother-in-law and niece came for a two night visit. Needless to say, I've been the hostess with the mostest. I've really missed doing my blogs. They seem to keep me focused and help me put things in perspective. I've also not had time to do myfitnesspal.com. So, for about a week and a half, I haven't written any of my food intake down. That just makes me feel like I've been a bad, bad girl....and not in a kinky good way. (sorry, those hormones are still pouring out of the fat cells LOL) Anyway, I have so many stories for you all. I wish I could just sit down and type them all for you but I can't so today I am going to let you know about my first drinking experience since the sleeve and the interesting things I've learned from that experience. I hope I can give you a good idea of how the night went as I am not sure if I remember it all....but more on that later. First, you have to understand how I met my Irish friend Cat. 15 years ago, I worked and lived at the beach. Cat worked at the same place and even though she didn't live with me, I swear there were times I thought she did. We were 21/22 and we were having fun. We worked hard and played harder. We spent many nights at a bar across the street from my house and only a 1/2 block away from work. I somehow was able to keep up with all the Irish kids that were in town for the summer. I could go one for one with them with any drink (except Guinness. That stuff is REALLY thick). I was even told I had become an honorary Irish lassie ( I even learned most of the Irish pub songs that they sang). I tell you all this to explain that after 15 years, loosing more than 1/2 my stomach, and a lot of weight I for some reason thought I could still drink like a fish. Never mind the fact that I haven't drank in almost a year (except for an occasional glass of wine or a night cap). So, we go into a local bar and order two drinks. I got a L.I.T (long island iced tea) as I have always enjoyed them when they are done well. As I drank my drink and did some catching up with my friend, I could feel the effects of the liquor seeping into my blood. I won't lie, I enjoyed it. Paying less to feel this way was great (before anyone freaks, I don't plan to go out drinking on a regular basis......BUT....it was nice to go out and spend less money and get tipsy). This is about the time I knew the night was getting ready to change. The bartender (a little bored) asked if we wanted shots. "Are you buying them for us?" I asked. Of course he wasn't but after talking it over with Cat, we decided, "Hey, why not"? Now as I explained already, I haven't seen Cat for a long time and we needed to go on "a tear". Patron it was. Lick. Slam. Suck. OHHHHH how smooth. Now, from that moment on, the night began to just blend together. I know I played pool...and lost. (wonder why!!!) The drinks went down easier than I ever remember them going down and I have to admit, I was enjoying myself. Through it all, I never felt “drunk”. I mostly felt tipsy and then I would feel mostly sober....then tipsy again...and so on and so forth. I never thought anything about it as I was having fun and enjoying being out and about...the alcohol was just an added positive. Then, we decided to go to another bar only a block or two away. Now, you have to understand that drinking and feeling tipsy was a whole new experience to me. I would go from being (or should I say feeling) sober then in just a few moments, I would be “footloose and fancy free”. The back and forth wold happen so fast, it wouldn't make any sense but to be honest, I wasn’t trying to make sense out it as I really didn’t care.. So, when we left to go to the other bar, I REALLY thought I was sober...that is until the curb jumped up and tripped me. I know it grew at least a foot with out telling me. There is no way a sober gal, like myself, could have missed that curb. Then, as always, I did my thing. I fell. I fell hard...and I fell fast. My knee was the only thing between my face and the pavement and because of that it was all scrapped up. Even my hands had stones imbedded in them, and I am sure I messed up my back just a little more than it was. It was such a hard fall that even the person driving passed stopped to make sure I was alright. Poor Cat, was so concerned, and all I could say was, "Really, I had to fall TONIGHT?" LOL...then it happened. I felt DRUNK. I collected myself, raised myself up from the ground, dusted off my knees and hands and tried to focus on the person only a foot away from me. Needless to say, it took awhile to focus....mostly because my glasses went flying off my face were now in Cat’s hands. Not seeing well is only intensified when your half blind. LOL Once I put on my glasses, Cat and I began the walk (she walked I stumbled) to the other bar. Then it hit me when we were almost there. I was sober. It was like I hadn’t had a drink at all. How was this even possible? So, I did what any sober person of sound mind and body would do....I ordered a drink. LOL As I was sipping on my drink, we decided to get something to eat. I also figured that maybe getting a little food in my tiny stomach may help....it didn’t. I still went back and forth from sober and drunk but now it was happening faster than I can even begin to describe. After finishing up there, it was time to get home. Yes, we were safe about it and no, we didn't just wait for me to "feel sober".. I thought my husband would find my stories funny...and he did when I told them to him sober. But BAM, next thing you know I’m drunk again. This of course caused an argument. Now, I should be more honest. My lack of knowing when to just keep my mouth shut and go to bed is what caused the argument....nothing else. But for some reason I felt it would be a great idea to go for a walk. So I walked out the door and made it down three steps and then THUMP....yes, that’s right, I fell down the steps. I figured this would be a good time to go back inside with my head down and my tail between my legs. Once I did that and listened to my husband give me a very short lecture, I took my Tylenol and went to bed. When I awoke the next morning, I remembered why it was that I no longer drink like I am still in college and then I then looked at my knee. I should say I felt my knee...then I looked at it. Yep, it was bad. It was all scrapped up and swollen. It was so stiff that I was unable to walk down the steps of my condo to get to the pool. I felt like a total gimp having to take the elevator because I was sloppy drunk...or should I say a sloppy sober one minute, drunk the other person? Anyway, .I did get the to pool and worked it out. I had to as the day after my Irish drinking reunion, I had my 20th H.S. reunion (more on that tomorrow) and I figured I would have to be able to walk that night for it. It worked. I got my knee working (and ended up hurting my shin...not sure how), and I was ready to face all the people from H.S....or at least as ready as I'd ever be. Funny thing is, I was more upset to realize that I was no longer Irish!!! Apparently when they took my stomach, the doctors also took my Irish drinking crown as well. Needless to say, lesson learned. Funny thing is, I am sure it won’t be the first or the last lesson I learn after having this surgery....I mean it’s only been three months. But to be honest, this lesson was a fun one to learn...up to the point I fell down...no, that didn't damper the mood.....it was fun until I woke up the next day hung over. LOL

1st Thanks everyone for your replies! (History: I had a bad stay at the hospital, long story short, during my surgery my spleen was bruised causing me a great deal of pain, I complained of pain in the hospital and it fell on deaf ears, this was extremely tramatizing. After being discharged I went to another hospital through emergency and found out about my spleen. So this has damaged my relationship with my surgeon and I haven't been folowed by a specialist since that day. I have tried to find another surgery but this has been difficult I'm currently on a waiting list.) I wanted to say that in the first three months I followed every rule to the "T" when it was possible. I say this because alot of days I had NO appetite and found a day or two going by and I hadn't ate anything. It's been really hard to get in the required amount of liquids but 99% of the time I drink Water only! On the days when I did eat, I ate only what I was suppose to eat. meaning mostly Protein my diet was more lean and green than anything . What I ate: Lean ground turkey loaf with onions and green peppers, some sort of green veggie, if I used fat to cook it was a dash of olive oil never any breads no red meat or pork either baked or grilled chicken or turkey, no starch! Breakfast a egg and lean turkey sausage, very simple thinks low sugar fruits cantalope, honey dew. lots of fresh string Beans. On this diet I lost an average of 1 pound a week . three weeks after surgery I lost 11 pounds that was 4/2/12 since then I've been averaging about 1pound a week total weight lost is 22 pounds. Last month I have been off schedule feeling depressed and helpless I said F- this and I have ate a few lunchmeat sandwhiches had some choocolate, a few chips here and ther but honestly I can't even eat a a orange without feeling full so I figure even on my binge I hardly ate much due to my reduced stomach uhgggg!!! Oh another thing, I dont have any of those food trackers or fitness trackers mentioned in the or any online tools i'm just learning of these things. I hope this helps other when giving me advice with my issue. I never been a soda or juice girl or at least i havent been one in the last 10 years due to diabetes. I don't drink coffee or tea, I dont smoke nor drink alcohols. I only drink Crystal Light beverages outside of water. Please let me know if I left out any thing that would help you all to help me!

Last month I was all cleared for surgery and then 7 days into the pre-op diet, I freaked out and cancelled the surgery. I started thinking of all the things I would have to give up ALONG with the food and I started feeling depressed. The 7 days that I was on the pre-op diet made me feel like I was getting a glimps of my future without food and (I'm not going to lie) alcohol. I was highly irritable, short tempered, and hated that everyone around me could eat what ever they wanted and for the rest of my life, I would never be able to do. My husband and I LOVE (and make it a point) to try different kinds of food and drink from different cultures and such. For example, we traveled to Jamaica and made it a point to eat jerk chicken from a street vendor (always the best way to go for authentic)and had to, in the spirit of Jamaica, drink a Bob Marley. Went to india and of course had to have authentic indian food, went to mexico and (well you get the point.) I'm 31 years old and am a newly wed (2 years.) I'm afraid that if I "can't" eat, we'll never have fun and my husband will think I've turned into a "skinny brat." It's been a little over a month since I cancelled my surgery and I feel guilty about it every day. I am really considring rescheduling, but I am afraid I am not over my initial fear of losing more than food. I'm afraid that down the line my husband will not like me. What's a girl to do? I'm so confused.

It's a fact that after VSG, your stomach is much, much smaller. Thus, alcohol pretty much goes directly into your bloodstream. Alcoholism is higher to VSG people because of it.... You get that high fast , kind of like smoking crack goes right into a crack head's system, and they are hooked. I've read about it researching VSG. Also, when you lose weight, you feel better. You go out more. So, you are probably drinking more often. It's a risk you weigh. You know beforehand the statistics, and keep them in mind. My procedure is Friday. Can't wait!

great topic. Seems I am not alone in the bad childhood department. To keep it short, my was diagnosed skitso when I was a baby. Dad was a drug addict, alcoholic grandparents raised me, Dad wasnt really around. I started gaining weight after quitting smoking pot 6 years ago. It was my medication. I replaced it with food and now here I am 100 lbs later. Time to do some work, mentally and physically.

My life started out in a really great place. My dad was a retired Aerospace engineer turned Dentist and my mum stayed at home with us. When I was 7 he was diagnosed with cancer and died when I was 10. We all had to stand by and watch him fall apart not being able to do anything. My mom became an alcoholic after he died and my older brother pretty much avoided us at all costs. My mom married an abusive man who blew all my dad's life insurance policy on himself and then left her. I raised my younger sister it was hard doing all that at that age. When I was 13 my mom got arrested for assaulting an officer when she was drunk and making a scene. She continued to get DUIs and get arrested for years. I turned to food to make me feel better. I developed a passion for baking and cooking and learned how to cook well on a budget -- of whatever I could scrounge up from my brother and my part time after school jobs. So I guess it was just really emotions. I didn't want to burden my little girl with my problems, I was supposed to be the strong one who could handle it. So I ate my feelings and hid them from her. Luckily my mom just recently pushed a little too far and got mandatory rehab. She finally realized what she was doing to us. She was so supportive and loving but just not a mom -- she was like a really cool friend. She is 2 years sober now and I think I really needed that to deal with my issues and my problem with food.

When I went for my gallbladder ultrasound I was told that they found something and required to have a Ct done. With my insurance, you don't meet with the surgeon until you finish all of your pre-op testing and a 12-week class. I've finished everything, now I'm just waiting on my referral to the surgeon (should hear from them anytime). And no, I don't drink. My mom is an alcoholic and just the smell of alcohol makes my stomach turn.

Isn't it funny that most folks (except those who've battled weight) don't understand that for many of us, food is an addiction. However, unlike alcoholics, druggies, gamblers, we can't just stay away from our addiction...therefore making it the toughest to fight. Not to mention that people brand you as lazy and weak (but any of the other addictions people now believe its a disease). I don't think anything can prepare anyone for this major loss. We've just got to stick together and lean on each other for support!

What happened that they thought your liver was was larger than normal? You have not seen the surgeon yet! Who examined your stomach to determine this? Do you drink alcohol a lot? Just curious. This is one the few things I did not have to go through yet.

My alcoholic stepmother just told me I'm taking the easy way out by having rny. I almost started crying because she was being so harsh. Then I thought, well, drinking alcohol and beer all day everyday is taking the easy way out of life... And with me having irritable mouth syndrome (anything comes out...no filter at all, lol) I told her I felt the same way about her. So now I'm a troublemaker! lol This is going to be very strange when I lose weight. The "FAT GIRL WITH NO FILTER" has always been my catchphrase. Now I have to come up with a new one!

My name is Rachael. I am a mother, a nurse, and a very fat person. I was given my first diet pill at age 10 by my mother... I couldn't take pills so I struggled to get the huge pill down. I don't know that I ever did or that it worked or if I even really needed it! I see pictures of my self and I am a bit chubby but not obese at all at that age. I remember being teased about being fat and large at an early age. I remember carving the word fat into my arm at around 12 years old. I remember hating my body and thinking my life would be perfect if I weren't fat. Years flow by I am in high school I am 5 7 my wt a HUGE 155. In retrospect that isn't that tall or fat but at the time I felt unattractive. I had a period at age 16 were I had a lot of dates no sex but boys asked me out and told me I was pretty....... I did have big boobs and a full soft figure. I think I undervalued myself in some respects but was a fun, gregarious person. I met the man I eventually married he seemed to think I was attractive. We moved in together 2 years later. I did my first "successful" diet at age 20 . It was a liquid Protein diet run by a doctor. My dad paid for it and I achieved my ideal weight of 130 lbs. I bought a tiny bikini short skirts and tight jeans. I went to community college for 2 years then nursing school. By the time a graduated in 1983 I had regained the wt I lost plus 30 or 40 lbs. I married at age 22 wt 170 ish ....continued to gain year after year hitting 270 when I got pregnant for the first time. I lost wt during the pregnancy but regained during breast feeding. Rinse and repeat x 2 more kids over 7 years. At age 33 I was 300 plus lbs but active and healthy. Years flow by my life hits a snag or two my husband developed into an alcoholic and we have marriatal problems. We split for the first time when I was 38 wt 345 lbs 3 kids ages 12, 7, and 5. Living as a single mom for a year was hard we got back together kind of to buy a nice house in VA and be a family. The difference was we kept separate rooms. I had become used to sleeping by myself reading if I wanted to and did not want to hear my husband snore or reek of alcohol. Today I am thinking about why I decided to have the surgery. I have become increasingly UNABLE. I can not: walk up stairs, walk any distance comfortably, fly comfortably, ride a bike, get up from a sitting position with anything like ease, and take care of myself alone. I have a laundry list of things I want to be able to do a BUCKET list if you will. Chase my grandson walk up or down stairs without a rail fly to Africa on a mission ride a bike take a hike buy a small car and fit in it ride a motorcycle Meet someone and be attractive enough to attract them I sometimes want to do a skit like Jeff Foxworthy (not that its very funny) YOU MIGHT BE MORBIDLY OBESE IF you can't wipe yourself without hurting your wrist you can't climb a stair without a reinforced rail get up out of a low couch without assistance well you get the idea i have a million and they all make me want to cry life as a fat person in America is not much fun .....the ridicule is one thing ......the discomfort of chairs that bind you is another...... and the comments people feel free to make is yet another. Yes I am responsible for my situation I know that but it does not make me sub human or less valuable as a person. I know I have lost friends, one in particular that I relate to my weight and my inabilities. This makes me sad and mad. I am a disappointment to my children though they love me they worry about me when they should not have to. They miss being able to do things with me or having to do things for me. They want a Mom they can count on and not have to worry about. I want them to have that as well. That's why I am doing this surgery to be ABLE.

I was just thinking about this! I went out last night and had a little too much to drink. To add to my hungover headache, I decided to weigh. Bad idea. I gained 2 pounds from last night. No more alcohol for me for a while.

Well first if you were an alcoholic would he insists that you drink with him? Or would he tell you to take cocaine? No 1 knows what it's like to live in your body except for you. Can you compromise with some of your food choices. I've never eaten deer meat. Does it have to be fried? There are some foods that I don't eat everyday or even once a month. That doesn't mean that I don't eat those foods as a treat on a rare occasion.

I feel for them but distance myself as well. I'm glad I've been thru so much as child with their alcohol problems as an adult I don't drink and I've never done drugs. I'm a Christian as well you and you bf are in my prayers. Kudos to him for staying clean for so long

You have made the right decision!! I was sleeved on June 1st and have lost 44 pounds already and 25 inches! It was not only the best decision I ever made for myself, but more importantly, as it turned out, it was a life saving one for me. When he got in there to do the surgery, my organs were so covered in fat that my prognosis was very bleak... I would not have lived another year or two the way I was going and the scarey thing is... I didn't even KNOW it!! I had so much liver damage from fat that you would think I was an alcoholic (and I don't drink). I mean, I had shrank my fatty liver with the pre op diet before surgery, but the damage was already done. Thank God the surgery has stopped it's progression and now I can live a long healthy life (God willing). Don't let anyone talk you out of this most important endeavor... it might just save your life! Just do it! Good luck to you!!!

I don't tell people at work because of exactly that. I've gotten to the point where I also can't trust myself to hold my tongue. I'm not going to take comments about what I eat and not respond with questions like "Are you sure that alcohol fueled orgy you told everyone about was good for your health". "Has the doctor checked your liver lately becuase with your level of drinking I'm sure it's got problems." People should mind there own business! Very rarely do people say things because they want to be helpful. They say it to be superior.

I know you didn't mean it to offend anyone I was joking. As far as relapsing its a fact of life my mom is a life long alcoholic so are most of her siblings. She's fallen off the wagon more times than most. Its a daily struggle no shame in it. Dust yourself off and get back on.