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My primary care doctor told me that there is a very high percentage of bariatric patients who become addicted to alcohol after surgery. He said that basically one drink for us has the same intensity of five drinks for someone without the surgery and that it is easy to become dependent on that. I don't know if he has any studies to back that up. But it seems to make sense to me.

First, I would like to say Karen2012 you are definitely not alone. There are tons of posts on here about the same exact thing. (Search "mourning food") I was sleeved on 6/11 and I can tell you that I went to three parties with tons of food during my pre-op diet and have been to 3 parties post-op. I have cried at almost every single one. Plus I live with 2 adults and 3 children who are allllwayyyysss eating! I am totally frustrated too! You have to remember that it's early, our stomach have to heal and our heads have to catch up! I too was able to have refried Beans, salsa, sauce and sour cream 3 weeks post op...eat up...but I do miss the tortilla chips myself...two and a half weeks and I can have them!!!!! I can't wait! It is getting easier day by day! @Benjamin - I have a couple of things to say. First, you must remember that everyone has different relationships with food, and for that matter cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, etc. Some people get over addictions easier than others. Next, she is early out...don't you remember what it was like those first few weeks? Speaking as a woman who is 5 weeks out...I am still having a very difficult time "breaking up" with food. Perhaps gender even makes a difference? After all, men are from mars... Good luck to you Karen2012. I am learning that it does get easier!

Since I've been drinking coffee daily since I was 16 yrs. old, I would definitely say that I'm a caffeine addict! I've tried to switch to decaf, but get terrible headaches. Since I was banded (July 2010), I've gone from 3-4+ large cups/mugs to 1-2 daily, with Splenda and fat free unflavored creamer or just with fat free flavored creamer. My coffee us the one thing that I just won't give up. Sodas are out, alcohol is out, but I need my coffee!

Obviously its NOT failing I've lost 31 pounds in 3 weeks. So don't come on here and judge me OKAY. lol I love to hear people different people's opinions but I don't like to feel attack. and its the same thing as an alcoholic they know its bad for them to drink and they try NOT too but they see everyone else drinking obviously they are gonna want some too. They are different addictions and mine is being addicted to food that is why I had this surgery, because every other "DIET" out there failed. Im guessing that is why you had surgery too.

I paid an upgrade fee to fly to San Diego (and back) for my surgery with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana. I didn't really need the "pampering" for the flight there, but I wanted to treat myself. It was MUCH more comfortable, and the service difference between first class (called Executive on Air Canada) was AMAZING. Only 20 seats in Executive and we had an attendant all to ourselves. drinks before we even left the terminal......nuts in an individual ceramic dish......Free headsets, newspapers, pillow, blankets, 4 course meal in real china with stainless steel cutlery, free alcohol, Snacks. Unbelievable difference! Of course, as I was on a clear liquid diet, I didn't get to eat anything, and no alcohol. But it was still really comfy and pampered! If you can afford the upgrade (or talk your way into one), you should go for it!

Its great you are seeing the issue and putting a stop to it. I don't drink alcohol but we all have some sort of vice that we must let go of. Mine is sweets. Hang in there and keep putting one foot in front of the other one day at a time.

I am making this post because I need to come clean. Prior to surgery I would drink nearly every evening, a glass or two of wine or a couple of beers a night. Did I feel I had a problem??? - Maybe, but I would rationalize it by telling myself I could go days at a time without drinking, so it could not be a problem. During my pre-op stage I did not touch alcohol, nor did I even want a drink. Post surgery, I did fine for a month... Then, I thought, I want to try a glass of wine. I did and one glass was all I needed. But the next day there was still that wine left, so I rationalized drinking again by saying I did fine the night before might as well have another glass. A week later I have rationalized my way into having a glass to a glass and a half of wine nearly every night. I see an old habit returning and I don't want it back. I poured out the remaining wine and am making this posting to come clean about my error. For those of you who might be like me (a regular alcohol user pre-surgery) and want to have drink post surgery.... Please don't. It could be slippery slope into letting other impulsive negative behaviors back into your life. Yes - I know there are people who can have a drink with no problem post surgery. I am just admitting I am not one and I started to slide down the slippery slope into old unhealthy behaviors.

Congratulations on the driver's license thing. That's WAY more of a milestone than skinnies understand. No more lying to the nice lady behind the desk. One of the biggest disappointments for me after VSG was finding out that alcohol no longer agrees with me. In fact, it so doesn't agree with me that I have no difficulty saying no to the offer of a vintage glass of white wine (my fave). It sounds like I was an alcoholic, but my husband and I are serious Foodies, and a beautifully paired glass of wine with a gourmet meal was a highlight of our expat life. After 14 weeks, I'm slowly getting to share in the 'gourmet' part again, but no matter what I choose, alcohol just hits me wrong. *sigh* On another note, I'm curious about the weekly weigh-in. One of the things the doctor here made me promise to do was get rid of my scale, and leave the weigh-ins to check ups with him. I'm glad I did. I've gone down every month, and I've gotten rid of the tyranny of the ".2" thing that always happened to me before. (Well, it was actually a fluctuation of 5 - 7 pounds between morning and night pre-op). I just wondered about the level of discouragement that happens to see ANY gain at all, when likely over the whole month, you'll lose. I don't think I could handle the psychological/emotional upset of seeing the scale go up. Good luck with your class and the eating out. =) CE

Yesterday food as anything more than nutrition. The opportunity cost, the trade-off of having my stomach reduced in order to lose weight, is that I can no longer satisfy the void(s) in my life with food. I should rejoice, yes? This is what I wanted so desperately, right? Now I finally have a tool to help me lose weight. So why should I even consider a loss of anything other than pounds?? For anyone who does not struggle with food addiction and over-eating, this is probably incomprehensible. But to anyone who can relate, to anyone considering taking the so-called easy way out (i.e., weight loss surgery), this is definitely something to consider.Mexico for weight loss surgery, and counseling was not offered. Psst!!! I didn't really think I needed it anyway. But now, as the days go by and I continue to heal and get back to living life, I find that the thing that used to provide a source of comfort/peace/familiarity/companionship is gone. I mentioned before that it's kind of like mourning the loss of something or someone, and it is so true! I find that now I have a lot of free time, because what I used to do just doesn't work anymore. I can't watch TV and really plug into it like I used to. I didn't know the food I was eating while watching TV was such a huge factor. Don't get me wrong. I am so glad I had the surgery. I don't regret it at all, because with it I can change my life. But that doesn't change the fact that, without food, I feel a little lost. I'm out here on my own now. My old friend Food, is gone. And while that is most certainly what I wanted, I didn't consider the opportunity cost of not having that scapegoat. So what do I do now?? I ask myself. Living a Redux Life is about more than lip service. Now that I don't have my food crutch to lean on, I have to stand on my own two feet. And that's...scary. I now have to face my life, rather than be numb to it. And I want to! Yet at the same time, I don't want to... The opportunity cost of having weight loss surgery is that if food has meaning in your life other than nutrition--and let's face it, if we only used food for nutrition we wouldn't be in this situation--then you MUST do the work of evaluating how you will navigate your world once you don't have that source of comfort. What will you do when you are uneasy with your surroundings? Eat slider foods? Start consuming more alcohol? Or will you finally get your head and heart in the game and do the work to resolve your issues? If you can answer those questions BEFORE surgery, then perhaps the opportunity cost won't be so high. And maybe this "tool" won't feel so much like a hammer, but more like a massage.

Week 16 (4 months post op) Last week’s weight – 203.8 This week’s weight – 204.0 Total weight lost this week – I gained .2 pounds Total weight loss since surgery – 42 lbs Average weekly weight loss since surgery – 2.5 lbs Had to weigh in a day early this week due to a trip I am taking that is going to keep me from a scale tomorrow morning. I must have jinxed myself last week because this week I experienced my first gain in 4 months. I’m attributing it to not being as careful eating this week (we’ve had a giant local festival going on which involves a lot of food and alcohol). I’ve kept up the exercise (3 miles) although I might need to shake up my exercise routine a bit. Luckily it was only a .2 gain so it is not disastrous but I guess when you keep seeing losses week after week it was a bit of a shock. I should still be on track to be under 200 lbs by the time school starts (August 20th). Some thing I noticed this week was how badly alcohol was irritating my stomach (generating lots of acid). I am actually thinking that this is a good thing (It definitely makes me think twice before having any!). I am not sure if that is a direct result of the surgery or if its age. Either way I am fine turning down drinks in order to keep my stomach happy. On the NSV front I pulled out my driver’s license this week to see when it expired and I am now below the weight I have on it (Woo Hoo!). My challenge this week is a three day class I am taking (lots of eating out). Hoping my renewed commitment to watching what I eat helps me make wise choices from menus.

You may not want to tell everyone, but why is it a secret. If these are your friends then they will support your WLS and efforts to do better for yourself. I just got back from vaca - if my family or friends were eating something I couldn't I found an alternative or just didn't go out to eat. My husband and friends drink, but I don't. I'm still social- but no alcohol. I think your friends could be a great support. Low carb dieting could be a valid excuse but in this case when they see u losing fast u could be caught in a lie.

Seems most of lifes social interactions involve food. So - when you go out for those first couple of dates here are some tips. First date - go for coffee/tea Order a Skinny Decaf vanilla Latte (160 calories & 10 gram Protein - order Soy if lactose issues) and go for a walk afterwards. You would be amazed at what you find out about a person in a book store. Second date - go out for appitizers. Tell date you don't drink on worknights (no alcohol) or say you have an early morning next day. You pick the place. Do your research going on the internet to search menus that have protein items you can have like fish, wings or another protien. At PF Changs I eat the chicken in lettuce wraps. NUMMY Date three - By now you should be able to feel comfortable enough to go out and do something. It is summer, so find a local park concert, bikeride, beach walk or go to a farmers market. You pack the Snacks. Remember, dating is about getting to know someone. Eating is just another way to have fun. You will know when it is time to approach the subject of - "hey, I am actively trying to lose weight so where would you like to go to do something together?" Now, get out there and have fun!

Despite what people think, white or red wine has very low carbs (both are about the same at 4 per glass). Sangria is high in sugar as is cranberry juice. I'd sip a white wine and enjoy it. Riesling from Germany is lower in alcohol by the way than other whites. So it won't go to your head as fast.

I can only share my experiences with fills. I've had two so far, my second one just this morning. The surgeon and I talk for a few minutes; what have you been eating, have you been exercising, and he reviews my weight. He gives me time to ask questions, then we discuss the amount to put in my band. The first fill he did 3 cc's. Today, since I had lost 14 lbs last month (he expects 3-4 a month), he said he hesitates to put in another 3 cc's because it may be too aggressive. He opted to put in 1.5 cc, bringing me up to 4.5 cc's total. As for the actual fill, it's a breeze. I lay on the exam table and lift up my shirt to my port area. He feels for the port with his (gloved) hands - usually has me do an abdominal crunch so it's easier to feel, then wipes down the area with rubbing alcohol. He then takes the syringe that has the Fluid in it, pokes it into the port, injects a small amount, draws back to make sure he's totally in the port, then pushes the rest of the fluid in. It doesn't hurt at all, and takes about 1 minute from start to finish. A little circle bandaid over the injection site and I'm good to go. He has me drink a small cup of Water before I leave to make sure it passes then I schedule to see him again in a month. Quick and painless! From what I've read and heard about a slippage - - with a true slippage you should have symptoms. Most people cannot even get fluids down. As for eating too fast, that's a HARD habit to break. One that I still struggle with. Try not to let yourself get too hungry. When I get too hungry, I get ravenous, and eat way too fast.

Congrads for your surgery!!!! I was sleeved two weeks ago. It was not bad at all. If you get nauseated have the nurse to bring you some alcohol wipes and fan them in front of your nose. Crunch and suck on ice chips. This will help you get through the first 24 hours. The third day you will be tired. Just rest. Remember to sip, sip and walk around. Each day you will get to feeling better. I had some ups and downs with my energy....just listen to your body and go lay down and take a 15 minute power nap. It is amazing how you brain and stomach will not be on the same page! I just love the new me. I am down 18 pounds in 18 days. It was the best thing that I could have done for myself and I trust it will be the best thing you could do for your self. I still have a long way to go, but I am optomistic about my near future! - Addison

Don't be nervous. I was sleeved two weeks ago and I have lost 18 pounds. The surgery is not bad at all. If you get nauseated after surgery ask the nurse to bring you some alcohol wipes and fan them in front of your nose...it takes away being nauseated. Crunch and suck on ice chips! The third day of surgery you will think....what in the hell was I thinking! You will feel tired and want to sleep on the third day. Each day gets better! And when you jump on that scale and your down.......it will kick in. Your brain will no longer think about food like you use to. It is amazing. Be sure and get that 65 grams of protien in with your protien shakes. Be sure and sip, sip and get up and walk around. You can have sugar free popcyles, sugar free pudding, sugar free jello. Tomatoe soup, creamy or classic. They have a new Campbell's Tomatoe soup parmesan creamy bisque...YUM!!!! Also, after a week, get some Idahoan potatoe mix (find with micaroni mixes) add water and make a semi thick potatoe soup....eventually you will not have to add so much water and can make them a little thicker. You will do just fine. You will enjoy your new life and all this will behind you in less than a week. - Addison

I posted about this yesterday. Here's a repeat! You may be experiencing excess acid production and sometimes this leads to reflux. Many VSG patients have reflux post-op. For some it resolves with time, for others it ends up being fairly permanent. The good news is that it is quite well controlled with medication (a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Omeprazole (Prilosec) often by itself or in combination with another med). There are many theories as to the why patients develop Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) post VSG surgery: 1. The new long narrow shape of the stomach make the mobility of the acids more easily progress up into the esophagus. 2. The sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach many have mobility issues post-op due to the surgery. Often these will resolve with time and healing. In some cases, there may have been some scarring or injury to the sphincter during surgery that can result in a more permanent condition. 3. During post-op healing (which can take up to 6 months to fully heal), the lining of the stomach is very sensitive and more likely to react to the acids being produced. This can cause some spasms that may push the acids upward into the esophagus. 4. Some patients may develop a hiatus hernia. A hiatus hernia is a widening of the diaphragm at the point where the esophagus passes from the chest into the abdomen. When you have a hiatus hernia, the stomach slips into the chest and the sphincter at the end of the esophagus is less effective. The hiatus hernia can be surgically repaired (and often patients have this pre-op and it is found during VSG surgery and it is repaired during the VSG!), which should also help resolve the sphincter mobility problems. 5. And of course, eating foods that irritate the stomach or cause excess acid production, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic, onions, spicy foods, foods high in fat, alcohol, and caffeine should be avoided in the early post-op stage. If you are progressing well following the elimination of many of the foods suggested above and are taking a PPI, you can begin to try to reintroduce one of these foods at a time and assess your tolerance. Laying down after eating can also increase the likelihood of GERD and should be avoided. Good luck!

Hey there! I'm eight weeks out and have a second date tonight. I avoided alcohol on the first, and haven't had a drink post-op yet, but would like to try sipping on a cocktail tonight (with no intention to finish it!). Looking for recommendations on some of my best options for not going crazy with carbs/sugar, and avoiding cabonation. I was thinking cranberry vodka, but not sure the juice is my best choice. Thoughts?

Nikki, I was self-pay as well, so I understand what you're saying about missing all the pre-reqs. I've been seeing a therapist since before surgery and we've finally found a topic that she can't help me with: body image. She's a tall, slender runner who has never had a weight issue, so she's thrown when I talk about how I see myself (still huge, even after losing 110 pounds). But, even though she's not a bariatric specialist, she has helped tremendously on my journey. I had a tendency to eat my problems and I'm learning to be more assertive. The first few times I had a problem after surgery, I was literally lost because I had no idea how to cope. I think a lot of folks here can relate to that. I think that therapy helps a ton with coping skills and helps us to not have cross-over addictions to alcohol and/or drugs.

Happy to help! I also recommend making some if ur own broth and freezing it in baby 3 oz or 1 oz tupperware! 1. Beef broth . Buy bones from butcher, they are usually ore wrapped in meat section. Out in pan w onion (i buy frozen chopped for this), add garlic and pepper and roast 350 for about 30-40 mins, turning bones once until brown. Add bones and onion and any liquid from pan into large pot. Add kitchen basics beef broth....whole carton and one can beer. Add dried mushrooms (or fresh), garlic and a spoon of beef "better than bullion" simmer a few hours, covered. Add more kitchen basics broth if u like. Uncover and let beer alcohol boil off. 2. chicken broth. Remove meat from costco or other roast herb chicken. Put carcass in soup pot, add one bottle of chardonnay or other white wine. (it will boil off too but if u r concerned about alcohol check w ur nut.) Add kitchen basics chicken broth, better than bullion, garlic, pepper, onion, mushroom. Simmer 2-3 hours, covered. Uncover, adjust broth w kitchen basics if needed. Enjoy! Let me know if u have questions.

Hi Everyone, I'm Michele T addict, alcoholic, cancer survivor, and friend of Bill's celebrating 7 years sober today. What a gift! I'm getting sleeved on Aug 16 and really aware that my disease can manifest is many other places. Today a cute guy on a motorcycle smiled at me and I was high for an hour (oh and for that hour I almost forgot I was married) Everything is a drug to me so I've stepped up my meetings and when I read the BB I am always reading it and putting food, shopping, men, ect in place of alcohol. I'm in the midst of a deep 4th step right now to try to clean out the cobwebs and be ready for this next phase of my amazing journey. Nice to know there are others here. Hugs, Michele

My taste buds changed right after for the first 6-8 weeks, but everything went back to normal there. I still have an aching sweet tooth but I keep it in moderation. Likely, the protein shakes you try and like now will taste completely different. Premier was my friend. And I never tried any crazy things like grinding pork chops. That's just silly. I actually didn't cheat on any of the stages. I did try alcohol earlier than 3 months. Originally, it was to be one night. But I had a DVT (clot in my leg) back in 2009 and they were being cautious. I was perfectly fine with the extra night. You'll probably go home the next day. Remember to get up and walk while there. The pre op group had great info. Write down all of your questions for that nurse. I was sore on my right side for awhile. It was like my muscles in my abdomen had been bruised or strained. I couldn't get comfortable at night and needed help getting in and out of bed. Hopefully, you won't experience that. I didn't notice skin issues then, but I have loose skin now after 85 lost. I know that it will get worse with more loss. But I will pursue plastics if it bothers me too much. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I just wanted to share some experience with self pay banisters or people new to lap band. I was banded in 2008 and self pay. I flew to Detroit from Maryland for my band and I literally pay my local doctor a fee to fill or unfill my band. He will do pretty much whatever I want cause no insurance is involved. In the time I have had the band I've lost about 80-85 lbs. but I've completely abused the band. I eat whatever and whenever I want knowing I will vomit or can easily vomit up the food if I choose. I have crazy acid problems at night and will aspirate in my sleep. I never really exercise and rarely gave much thought to the food I put in. Recently, I found myself at the bathroom of my job vomiting up bright red blood. I cannot tell anyone who has been thought this how frightening it was. What a wake up call! All I could think about was how much I have abused this amazing tool over the years and how it has caught up with me. I knew I didn't really have medical support so I thought I would try to handle this before seeking outside help. Since then I have made LIFE CHANGES rather than a quick fix like I was doing before. I cut out most meats and breads, this was always hard for me to digest. I really focused on fruits and veg. I stop eating before 7 at night, I never drink alcohol. I began taking an acid reducing tablet before bed and number one, I stopped releying on vomiting up food as a way to stay in control. I'm no telling anybody who has gone though this not to seek help because you should. But I know how easy it is to fall into these horrible habits and please beware.

Very possibly. Many VSG patients have reflux post-op. For some it resolves with time, for others it ends up being fairly permanent. The good news is that it is quite well controlled with medication (a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Omeprazole (Prilosec) often by itself or in combination with another med). There are many theories as to the why patients develop Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) post VSG surgery: 1. The new long narrow shape of the stomach make the mobility of the acids more easily progress up into the esophagus. 2. The sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach many have mobility issues post-op due to the surgery. Often these will resolve with time and healing. In some cases, there may have been some scarring or injury to the sphincter during surgery that can result in a more permanent condition. 3. During post-op healing (which can take up to 6 months to fully heal), the lining of the stomach is very sensitive and more likely to react to the acids being produced. This can cause some spasms that may push the acids upward into the esophagus. 4. Some patients may develop a hiatus hernia. A hiatus hernia is a widening of the diaphragm at the point where the esophagus passes from the chest into the abdomen. When you have a hiatus hernia, the stomach slips into the chest and the sphincter at the end of the esophagus is less effective. The hiatus hernia can be surgically repaired (and often patients have this pre-op and it is found during VSG surgery and it is repaired during the VSG!), which should also help resolve the sphincter mobility problems. 5. And of course, eating foods that irritate the stomach or cause excess acid production, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic, onions, spicy foods, foods high in fat, alcohol, and caffeine should be avoided in the early post-op stage. If you are progressing well following the elimination of many of the foods suggested above and are taking a PPI, you can begin to try to reintroduce one of these foods at a time and assess your tolerance. Laying down after eating can also increase the likelihood of GERD and should be avoided. Good luck!

The connection between strong negative emotions and the compulsion to action is usually our downfall. (So it is with food, drugs, alcohol... any addiction) Some suggestions for alternative actions? (Some worked for me, some didn't. I tried them all until I found what gave me the ability to think through the emotion to a constructive rather than destructive action) Get a glass of ice cubes. Crunch them in your mouth. Compel yourself to a physical action (walk around the block, go up and down the stairs four or five times, play Wii, Xbox, etc. Something you can do right now to wear off the adrenalin of the emotional hijack) Speak up - even just a little. Give yourself a voice. Stuffing what you think about the circumstances results in an emotional void needing to be filled. Call someone you trust and set the timer to vent for five minutes, then talk through what action you need to take to be positive. Journal - stream of consciousness - no self-censoring. Fill three pages with the thoughts in your mind. It won't be pretty, it won't be nice English, but it will get those destructive, habitual thoughts out of your head and into tangible form. After three pages, put the journal away and make a date with yourself to read it later. Later, when you do read it, make some concrete decisions about how you want to think about (______________) behaviour. (i.e., your brother's) Even if you can't talk to him, you can write him a short note taking personal responsibility for your response to his words/actions. Something like, "I was very (emotion) when you (action) and I need/choose/ask you to stop/change. If you don't, I will need to limit our contact for my sake. I choose not to be a part of that kind of encounter again." Or something similar. You may not be able to say it to your brother, but you can use the opportunity to practice self-advocacy. Lastly, use positive self-talk. When you're not in an emotional crisis, learn some things you can tell yourself when you are. "I am not compelled to action because I am feeling (emotion)." And other phrases that you learn when not under stress. Using them does make a difference. I promise. Keep at it. All this stuff is so much easier to say than to do. But you already know that. Sometimes, just having extra tools/ideas can make all the difference in the world, one stressful situation at a time. CE