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I decided that today was the day for me to start blogging on here b/c quite frankly I am so pissed at myself right now..i have been doing so good these past few weeks and i was starting to see a change in the scale and i was ecstatic about it. then the stress rolled in and pppffffhhhttt that was it..my 1 meal on Friday was over 1600 calories! For one damn meal!! I know this b/c i went on their website and looked it up..can you say shocked! Mortified! embarrassed! If my legs were long enough I'd kick my own ass! so then today my thinking was ah well since i have f'd up already why not a little more so a drive thru it was! UGHHHH!! Dammit! I do admit i am a food addict. and it isnt an easy addiction as you cant totally give up food like u can say drugs or alcohol..so what to do? i have had my woe is me time and now starting today (well when i get up later since its after 1am here on the East coast) I know that i messed up and now it is time to get serious yet again. I meet with my NUT Katie on the 23rd of July and i plan on being a lil bit lighter than i am now..its so hard but i know eventually this will get better and food wont be an issue or my go to thing when ever something doesnt go my way or stress beats on my door or the Devil wants to bring old habits back..i will not give in..ive come too far in this journey to stop now. i deserve to be happy. I am doing this for me and no one else but me. i am accountable for my own actions. and i take full responsibility for what happened this weekend and now we start anew. From here on out. Any time that i feel like the old way creeping in i will be writing down my feelings here. So Here WE GO!!! I

That's probably the best plan. Some doctors aren't as restrictive about the alcohol, but anything bubbly is bad. It's also generally pretty high in calories, and it can affect you pretty quickly because you can't really have a lot of food in your stomach to absorb it. One bite of cake would probably be fine except for the sugar rush, but if you have any sort of carb sensitivity (which a lot of people who need this surgery have), it's just going to make you want more more more and it's best to avoid it. Have a happy birthday, and enjoy all the non-food-and-drink things that are great about life!

I'm 12 days post surgery. I was told no alcohol for a year. I don't know about cake though. It's a lot of sugar which could make you feel bad. Good luck and Happy Birthday!

Nikki and Mishi I totally UNDERSTAND I am going crazy on full liquids! I find myself thinking only about fast food, alcohol and weed YES my weed. I'm not a big smoker about 3 times a week (bad days at work) and usually one weekend a night. But omg I slurped down some ramen noodle with added chicken broth and I tried to eat a noodle. Plus slurped about two full ounces down one teaspoon right after another and I admit I had a bite of pizza and chewed it up and spit it out. Gross? Hell yes but I just had to have a taste of it. I am in bad shape here! I can't even believe I have to stay here 3 weeks

peripheral neuropathy comes form many dz processes, malnutrition, diabetes, hypoxia, pressure on the nerves, as well as neurological demylenation disorders. Causes By Mayo Clinic staff It's not always easy to pinpoint the cause of peripheral neuropathy, because a number of factors can cause neuropathies. These factors include: Alcoholism. Many alcoholics develop peripheral neuropathy because they make poor dietary choices, leading to Vitamin deficiencies. Autoimmune diseases. These include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Diabetes. When damage occurs to several nerves, the cause frequently is diabetes. At least half of all people with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy. Exposure to poisons. These may include some toxic substances, such as heavy metals, and certain medications — especially those used to treat cancer (chemotherapy). Infections. Certain viral or bacterial infections can cause peripheral neuropathy, including Lyme disease, shingles (varicella-zoster), Epstein-Barr, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. Inherited disorders. Examples include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and amyloid polyneuropathy. Trauma or pressure on the nerve. Traumas, such as motor vehicle accidents, falls or sports injuries, can sever or damage peripheral nerves. Nerve pressure can result from using a cast or crutches, spending a long time in an unnatural position or repeating a motion many times — such as typing. Tumors. Growths can form directly on the nerves themselves, or tumors can exert pressure on surrounding nerves. Both cancerous (malignant) and noncancerous (benign) tumors can contribute to peripheral neuropathy. Vitamin deficiencies. B Vitamins — B-1, B-6 and B-12 — are particularly important to nerve health. Vitamin E and niacin also are crucial to nerve health. Other diseases. Kidney disease, liver disease and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) also can cause peripheral neuropathy

Five weeks ago, banded and hopeful. Today, I'm down 23 lbs and so happy about that! Not a super fast loss, but I'll take slow and stead and PERMANENT any day over fast and yo-yo! I'm finding that summer time is the most challenging time for me - although there are many fresh fruits, veggies and healthy options out there at this time of year, for me and my husband, there are many social engagements including barbecues, outdoor concerts, farmer's markets, weddings, and other really wonderful events. The events for me are not a challenge, and I'm finding that the food at the events is not the problem, but I am one to enjoy a glass or two of wine or a cocktail with friends at these events. While I'm still losing, I'm thinking that I'd do myself a bigger favor if I stuck to non-alcoholic beverages and watch the weight come down faster. But like I said above, it's not all about losing it fast - I am learning a new way of living right now, and if that life involves an occasional cocktail or glass of wine, so be it. This week has been full of festivities related to a dear friend getting married tonight. I haven't exercised as much because work has been insane busy and we've had engagements every night this week. But isn't that what life is all about? Some weeks are busier than others, it's all about having balance and taking care of myself. I feel like I've been doing a pretty good job in that area. Will I have a glass of wine tonight at the reception? YEP! My daughter turned 18 on Thursday and headed out to Denver (about 4 hours away) for the weekend. As life would have it, she ended up in a fender bender, wanting to come home, not sure about her future move to Denver for school, and so upset (poor baby!) My old mode would have been to hit the pantry since I couldn't be right there to help her. But this time, (luckily her dad is over there), I was able to deal with the problem, feel the emotions I was having, and not stuff them down with a bag of chips. I just talked them out, and I felt better than the food would have made me feel. Again, life happens. So the ups and downs can still happen without dousing them in food - I am learning a whole new way of being, a new way of dealing, and I feel good that so far I've been able to take on stress (good and bad stress) in a healthy way. Hope all of you out there are doing well, remember it really is a JOURNEY and our bands are helping us physically manage hunger while we learn to deal with the other habits and head issues that have made us obese. It is so much easier to understand old patterns, look at them for what they were and change them when I'm not constantly starving. I LOVE MY BAND!!! My best - D

Personally I would send a meeting request and reserve a conference room so this meeting will be private. I would tell him that you are very uncomfortable with him policing your eating habits. That you do your very best to eat healthy and if you end up having to eat a unhealthy meal on RARE occation; it is not his place to comment. Also that he does not know how you will eat when you get home to make up for a higher calorie lunch. If after you have this meeting he continues to comment on your eating habits go to HR. What he is doing is bullying you. Tell them you've spoken to him privately and he is continuing to harrass you. It is their job to deal with work place bullying. Trust me an HR generalist/manager does not want you going to their boss (HR Director/or VP) because they've failed to deal with work place bullying. I had a boss that would comment about everyones lunch. She was a vegetarian and no matter how healthy your lunch was she would say gross/disgusting there's meat in there! She would have vegan soup for lunch that had 35 calories and make sure EVERYONE knew about it. She also however would talk endlessly about her alcohol fueled orgies on the weekend! NOT kidding. I had several thin coworkers comment to me how annoyed they were about the way she commented about everyones food habits, yet she was a high functioning alcoholic. Oh and by the way she would go to the company store at the other end of the building and buy cookies and eat them when she thought no one could see her. Priceless. This is why I don't tell coworkers that I've had WLS. You can be guarenteed that every though I have skinless chicken breast and raw veggies (no dips/dressings) everyday for lunch; the day I have a 1 inch square piece of birthday cake someone will comment about it. For other readers esp. if you work in an enviroment with HR you boss does not need to know what surgery you are having. That is the beauty of HIPPA. A manager does not have the right to determine what medical proceders, ordered by a doctor are neccesary. The notes my doctor gives just say the gastro/intestinal dept; says nothing about WLS. I had a coworker have breast reduction surgery and was out on disability for 6 weeks. Some might argue the company should not have paid her to be off 6 weeks after breast reduction. Clearly WLS is more health oriented that that.

(((Kimmy))) It is SO hard to deal with our parents being ill and dying, but it is a part of life for many of us, unfortunately. I hope you do get to go spend some time with him, for both of your sake's, during this part of his journey. This is some precious time for you both to share your love with one another. Alcohol, or any other negative addiction, can definitely grab you right now because you are vulnerable. As others have suggested (and you have mentioned), exercise is a much better addiction and will give you the energy you need to get through this time.

I'm wondering if anyone went through or is going through this. My surgery date is July 17th, and so far just about everyone I'm close to is on board with me and being supportive, even the few who wish I'd given diets another attempt seem to be on board. Except for ONE person. This person is always pointing out to me anything that's wrong about weight loss. Always talking about someone they know who is miserable and regrets the surgery. Or mentions how a neighbor of mine died during gastric bypass (it was his own fault, the man ATE and drank ALCOHOL past 12am day of surgery). And today texts me about Steve Carelis who "supposedly" died of gastric bypass complications. Of course I'm well aware of my complications and I am still very much on board with my surgery. But it just makes me SO nervous because I really don't want to be that small percent that has horrible complications or death, I'm pretty sure none of us want that or wish that on any of us. But it freaks me out..And it maddens me that people think that by bringing up complications and situations (real or imaginary) that they will make us change our minds. Ugh! Like I need anymore nervousness added 3 days prior to surgery.

I'm not a big alcohol drinker so I've had limited types of drinks, but there are two things I will drink, that taste good to me if mixed properly. One is an amaretto sour. No soda or fizz. Amaretto (I prefer Disaronno) and sweet/sour mix (which you can find SF). I like them shaken with ice, and a cherry. If I had any desire to get drunk, this would be my drink of choice. #2 is a blended drink - frozen strawberry margarita made with Tequila Rose. I can't begin to describe how good this is. Not a mixed drink, but it needed its props too.

I'm a plain Water girl, but DH loves Vitamin Water - specifically a flavor called "XXX" which is a mix of acai, blueberry and pomegranate. Target had it 10 for $10, and get a $5 gift card. He bought 100 bottles. He drinks about 3 a day. He says they have a light flavor (most mixes or flavored water are way too overpowering for me), and aren't very sweet. Have you tried any of the newer crystal light flavors? They're based on popular alcoholic drinks. Margarita, mojito, appletini... there may be others. The girls at work drink them all the time. Do you like tea? You can brew some tea and add any extract or syrup to it. Rasperry tea, peach tea, blackberry tea, etc. Do you like peppermint? Brew tea 1:1 black tea bag to peppermint tea bag. Then add in some lemon, or frozen lemonade concentrate. That's a "must have" summer drink in my house. (I don't like it but everyone else does). Do you like chai? You can make chai (water) or chai latte (milk). I make my own chai mix so that I can do it way less sweet than what you get in the stores. When my band was slipped, I lived on it with skim milk. And the milk has good Protein, too. (Doubley since there's powdered milk in the mix.) I can get you started with a base recipe, and then you just tweak the spices to your preference. There's a newer flavored water product called HINT. It's kind of hard to find, but it's not to sweet and calorie free. Our Whole Foods carries it, and I've seen it at Sbux. http://www.drinkhint.com/products/ Hope you can figure out something that works for you.

Skinny girl makes all kinds of low fat alcohol beverages including wines. None of them are carbonated.

What exactly are you guilty about? Are you paying out of pocket, thus taking money away from something your family needs right this minute. Because even if you are self pay you probably will pay just as much if not more over the course of your lifetime paying for weight related illnesses. If you need a hip replacement or pacemaker would they tell you to live without. Would you tell someone who needed drug or alcohol rehab to think themselves well? Of course not.

yes, yes it can! I feel a bit like an alcoholic in a steel cage placed in a bar!!! When that feeling happens, I drink water - take some deep breaths, and move on..... I know it gets better with time.

It will depend on your guidelines. The only thing I will add is that some sleevers do dump, and alcohol seems to be one of the things that triggers it. It's not super common, so I'm not talking about an odds-are situation, but when you can drink it, maybe start with small sips and wait generous amounts of time between. Alcohol, orange juice, corn, and syrup are (that I can remember) all things that have reportedly caused dumping in more than one person. That last sentence almost made sense.

My doc said not for one year! However, I had alcohol, about 3 months out. I have a cocktail every once in a while now, maybe two twice a month. I was never a big alcohol drinker...well, I worked at a winery for 12 years and I definitely consumed my share and more over those years which was 15 or more years ago. Beer, absolutely fills me up with just a half of beer now. I might have one or two glasses of wine and/or cocktails on a weekend night (but I don't do ones with sweet fillers), just a martini or fresh margarita and I'm feel super happy! I say use your own judgement. You might be able to have a cocktail or two or...your sleeve just might not tolerate it. Keep in mind...alcohol is still high calories, high sugar, and for me at least it seems to hit me much stronger than before being sleeved. One Love.

Be careful with the high sugar alcohol ......itsa just like sugar for us. I like the bars called pure protein....they are really good and the plain chocolate has 20 protein, 2 sugar, 4 sugar alcohol.

It is hard, I know. You didn't have your head banded, only your stomach and sometimes the head is stronger. Just think - you have had surgery and are healing. Do you want to stall or delay the healing process? I doubt you do. Try your hardest to stick to your eating plan. Foods you loved before, you still may be able to eat but just a lot less, which is great. As for alcohol, everyone has a different opinion, but mine is, I still drink it and love it and I'm okay with it (and so is my doctor). Now probably isn't the time for it though. You need to let your body heal and just give it the nutrients your doctor said to. Good luck!

Thank you all! I totally relate to you who are having the same thoughts I did...so much self doubt and fear for us all. For me it was so bad that I told no one I was doing this in case I failed (I have yet to tell anyone). My goal was modest compared to some, but overwhelming for me. I have thyroid disease and a non-existent metabolism. I lost about 10 lbs on my preop and a little over 60 since then. It sucked, let's be real, but I didn't bust my ass or watch the food intake and I even drank alcohol whenever I felt like it. Some may think it irresponsible of me to say these things, given how much we all have struggled and continue to struggle post op in many cases. But my intention is to encourage everyone. It will happen! It will.

Wipe your skin off with alcohol pads or alcohol and a paper towel. Let it dry for a minute, then put on the patch, it should stick. Also if you know you're going to do something that requires you to sweat. I found if I put a, I believe it's a 4x4 waterproof bandage on top of it. Then you don't have to worry about it falling off....Hope that helps....

Have your first alcoholic drink and what was it?

Doctor's appt. went well. He won't close up my hole, he said a suture popped off and that he wants it to close on its own...clean it with peroxide daily. For the record he used a 32 bougie. I was given medicine for the acid reflux, nausea and diarrea. All of which he says are common and should go away soon. He also said (which I have already learned from this site) that "buyers remorse" is common too, and that it takes time to get your head straight to adjust to such a dramatic change, and of course my hormones are all outta wack!! I love this doctor...he is so kind and caring, and never rushes...why can't they all be this way? Anyway, he also said that I can swim (covering the hole with gauze and waterproof stuff) and I can drink alcohol - woot woot - it's gonna be a great weekend!! Thanks again guys for all your support. This will be a rough journey, but everyday it will get better!

To me (and I'm not being mean). But if you are asking the question you are thinking about it! Why would you take this incredible gift we have been given and want to put anything in your body that a) is illegal b)could kill you??? Don't abuse this gift you won't get a second one and don't (please) take one addiction (food) and replace it with alcohol, drugs, or nicotine. It's a battle but you will be so proud when you hit goal and are healthy!

There's a lot being said on here about replacing one addiction (food) with another (alcohol). How about we all choose our new addiction and throw ourselves into working out. If we can conquer food, then we can take control of and retrain our minds for what we will embrace. This band isn't the one doing the work. It is my tool... but it's still up to me to take control of what goes into my mouth, whether it's food, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. Folks, I don't want to get on a soapbox, but if you think you're having a problem with alcohol, you need to reach out for help before it takes root in your life.

Let's see.... I was 8 when my father had 75% of his stomach removed due to hemorhaging ulcers. He died of alcohol-related circumstances when I was in my early 20's. I don't recall that he ate much differently, but my folks separated when I was 9, so I wasn't in touch with him much. I do recall that he remained slim throughout his life. So, that was done over 51 years ago, and he lived at least 12 - 14 years. Probably would have lived much longer had he stayed away from the booze. I intend to live at least 25 more years!