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Good evening all! I was recently approved for medicaid and I'm now looking at choosing my managed care plan. I cannot get a clear answer online whether or not VSG is covered by any of them. I have to make phone calls tomorrow, but due to Hurricane Harvey I don't know if they'll be available, so I wanted to reach out and see if any of you have medicaid in Texas that covered your surgery? I weigh 320, BMI 53, currently and have been obese/morbidly obese for at least 8 years I have IIH, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and had my gallbladder removed when I was 16 I know I qualify, I just need to know if any of you have had it covered or know which managed care plan will cover it with the proper prerequisite conditions. TIA!

I've heard sugar alcohols can cause this (i.e. Sugar free drinks and foods). Downside of many of our protein drinks!

3 to 5 protein shakes a day, clear liquids all day, no coffee, no alcohol, none of the liquids should be over 5 calories per saving and have no carbs. Can have sugar free jello made from box and 2 cups of broth, or 1/2 cup tomato juice, and can have sugar free popsicles. Diet _as for 14 days.

I had my first wine about 4 months postop. Started with just 1/2 glass in the "safety of my own home" since I didn't know how I'd react. Turns out no problem. I have since had many cocktails including whiskey, vodka, and various liquors. Normally I might have 1 or 2 drinks a month, but I had two glasses of wine with Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. And I haven't noticed alcohol affecting me any differently than preop....I can still out drink a football team. But if I have a drink or two a few days in a row (like when I was on vacation), I do develop a little gastritis and will take Prilosec and/or Rolaids until things settle down.

I pretty much avoided alcohol during weight loss phase but had some red wine at a celebration about 4 months out....burned! Now I am almost 3 years out. If I drink on an empty stomach it hits me hard. It's like the booze goes directly into the boodstream! I don't recall being so sensitive when banded. The sleeve creates metabolic change. If I eat first I can have 1-2drinks with no issue. Just be careful with it.

My Dr told me no alcohol 3 days before surgery, but you're far enough out even she wouldn't mind. Go for it. Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

Addictions come in all sorts of forms. The most common forms of addiction people think of are drugs and alcohol. And those are both, obviously, bad. There's other addictions too though. There's addictions to soda pop, bread, pasta, cookies, cakes and other pastries, food in general. I think most people that have gotten to "OMG I have to do something about my weight or I'm going to die" have some form of food addiction. I've been realizing, albeit way too slowly, that I am addicted to sugar. I may even be addicted to food in general. I was at the grocery store with my mom today and at the checkout are the candies. Reese's, Twix, Butterfingers, York Peppermint Patty, M&Ms...the list goes on and on. I nearly cried because I wanted some (and I really didn't care which one either) chocolate yumminess (that usually isn't all that yummy after I eat it) so badly. I am so glad I am going to be going to a therapist starting on Thursday. I HAVE GOT to get this crap under control before my surgery. I should already be at least 20 pounds down by now and I think I'm the same weight I was last month. I'm awful about not logging any meal that isn't good for me. I'll log all the ones that are right on track though. I don't even understand why I want the stuff. It doesn't taste good most of the time and then I feel all kinds of guilty after I eat it. Other times I'm just so depressed that I couldn't give a rats patootie what I eat, so I don't eat what I'm supposed to. Like tonight mom bought pizza for dinner. I could have run over here to my house and gotten the leftover chicken and broccoli from the other night. No carbs hardly at all. I could have been a good girl, but no. I just didn't care. I was tired, hungry, and depressed and so I ended up eating two pieces of pizza, a cheesy bread stick with marinara sauce, and a chocolate chip cookie since I figured I'd already blown the whole meal anyway. Now I'm just tired and even more depressed. How do you fight an addiction to food? I'm scared that I'm going to go from one extreme to the other. Going from a see food diet to a no food diet. I guess that's something for the therapist to deal with, huh? I hate this. I'm going to bed. Night night.

Addictions come in all sorts of forms. The most common forms of addiction people think of are drugs and alcohol. And those are both, obviously, bad. There's other addictions too though. There's addictions to soda pop, bread, pasta, cookies, cakes and other pastries, food in general. I think most people that have gotten to "OMG I have to do something about my weight or I'm going to die" have some form of food addiction. I've been realizing, albeit way too slowly, that I am addicted to sugar. I may even be addicted to food in general. I was at the grocery store with my mom today and at the checkout are the candies. Reese's, Twix, Butterfingers, York Peppermint Patty, M&Ms...the list goes on and on. I nearly cried because I wanted some (and I really didn't care which one either) chocolate yumminess (that usually isn't all that yummy after I eat it) so badly. I am so glad I am going to be going to a therapist starting on Thursday. I HAVE GOT to get this crap under control before my surgery. I should already be at least 20 pounds down by now and I think I'm the same weight I was last month. I'm awful about not logging any meal that isn't good for me. I'll log all the ones that are right on track though. I don't even understand why I want the stuff. It doesn't taste good most of the time and then I feel all kinds of guilty after I eat it. Other times I'm just so depressed that I couldn't give a rats patootie what I eat, so I don't eat what I'm supposed to. Like tonight mom bought pizza for dinner. I could have run over here to my house and gotten the leftover chicken and broccoli from the other night. No carbs hardly at all. I could have been a good girl, but no. I just didn't care. I was tired, hungry, and depressed and so I ended up eating two pieces of pizza, a cheesy bread stick with marinara sauce, and a chocolate chip cookie since I figured I'd already blown the whole meal anyway. Now I'm just tired and even more depressed. How do you fight an addiction to food? I'm scared that I'm going to go from one extreme to the other. Going from a see food diet to a no food diet. I guess that's something for the therapist to deal with, huh? I hate this. I'm going to bed. Night night.

Amanda, I've had a similar experience & can completely understand and empathize. I was banded in August 2010, I was desperate, had been battling my weight for 15 years. I didn't really prepare myself mentally for it & thought it would be a quick fix. For the first year I did ok but then I didn't listen to my body & started eating bigger portions & all the wrong foods, I was constantly being sick because of binging, got to the point I couldn't even keep liquid down but I thought this was good because it would mean I would lose weight!! Finally after not being able to cope with the discomfort I got it emptied, blaming everything on the band! I then tried every fad going......lived on shakes for months until I got to the stage normal food made me wretch & I didn't want to eat. I was so depressed I then went to the other end of the spectrum & starting binging in secret.....even taking food to the bathroom to have in secret......disgusting!! I realized in October 2013 I had issues & went to my GP he referred me to a eating disorder specialist......this was the turning point......I saw her every week together with a psychologist and managed to get to the bottom of my food issues which weren't actually food.......it could have been any addiction, drugs, alcohol anything I could use as a crutch. I have now been discharged from their care and have taken the first steps to lose the weight (I'm now 50lbs heavier than when I was banded).......I got my first fill 2 weeks ago & have been patient and sensible & now realize it's simply a helpful tool but you need to work with it and change your eating habits & mental attitude to succeed. Good luck Amanda I wish you well xx

I have no idea what percentage actually fail, but likely the majority of the ones that are deemed failures or have significant regain are the ones that did not use the time right after surgery to relearn how to eat properly. They expected the sleeve to do all the work and all they'd have to do is "eat less" of the same foods they've always eaten. My doc said that anyone can lose weight the first year, even if the eat crap foods all the time. But when the body's metabolism adjusts over to how you eat after surgery, it will make it possible to regain easily if you're still eating high carb, high fat/sugar/sodium low quality/nutrition junk. The weight loss is not permanent unless you throw out all your eating habits and crutches and start learning how to eat proper portions, healthy, whole foods and limit bad/crappy foods to very occasional times. Junky foods should be eliminated from your meal times for the rest of your life - bread, crackers, alcohol, fast food, fried foods, high sugar/fat/sodium prepared foods... all banished to every once in a while, and only in small portions then. You can still have them, but not in the quantity or frequency you used to have. Some things might need to be eliminated completely if you have a serious addiction and you can't control yourself, or if they are a "slider food" (where you can eat a large amount of a food/drink without it being restricted by your sleeve - like crackers or ice cream). You have about 1 year or so where the portion control from the sleeve and the lack of hunger allow you control to adjust how and what you eat. It really is all about a stripping of old habits and establishing new ones. Good Proteins - fish, chicken, turkey, dairy - should be the bulk of your meal time, followed by healthy vegetables and a small portion of complex carbs if you have room (brown rice, whole wheat Pasta, beans). There are almost always healthy recipes and workarounds for most of the foods you love, and you can be happy having small portions (like 2-3 bites) instead of eating the entire thing (if that's what you used to do), but you have to commit to changing your relationship with food to make WLS work for you. Exercise is also an important part of the process, but the food relationship is the main thing to get figured out ASAP.

Cool! Cordial here is synonymous with sticky sweet sugary alcoholic drink. Good times, right? I figured it was something lost in translation.

First of all, everyone is different. That said, I lost 15 pounds in 15 days (not a pound a day, it's been much more erratic than that). I drink 2-3 Protein shakes a day, and have 1-2 meals that include lean protein (usually chicken or fish) and non-starchy veggies. I can have 1-2 tbsp of a healthy oil with my veggies (olive oil, avocado). I'm not allowed any dairy, alcohol, or simple carbs (Pasta, rice, bread, oats, etc.). This is my liver shrinking diet - it's not all liquid, like so many other diets, yet I've still lost weight, even with my calories in the 1200-1400 range. I've been surprised at the weight loss, as I thought I wouldn't be as successful not being on an all-liquid diet. Anyway. This worked for me - I'm just offering it as suggestion. As others have mentioned, you could try a liquid diet too.

Hey all, Quick background, had surgery April 2nd 2018. At the time I was 471lbs. I'm currently weighing 359lbs. The other night I was out with a friend and she ordered 2 shots of liquor, I stupidly took it. It felt like my insides were on fire. However it seemed to melt away the stress like food used to do for me. Now it's all I can think about or want whenever I feel stressed. I've caved once and did a couple shots. I did call my Dr and he set me up for a scope just in case and an appointment with the social worker. Has anyone else here struggled with that? It's tough, food used to be my go-to if I was angry, sad, stressed, etc. Now I have this void I need to fill and I CANNOT let it be filled with alcohol. Any suggestions, ideas, or anything?? I did see a counselor until I lost my insurance.

Did anyone who had to do Optifast before their band have such severe issues with it as I am having? I feel like an alcoholic trying to stay off of liquor only my liquor is food. I am so frustrated and tempted to eat and I have to call people to help keep me occupied so that I do not eat. I have followed my doctors orders thus far with my 5 shakes a day and some sugar free jello but I am so frustrated and miserable. I need to do this and I don't want to cheat, heck I have even incorporated 30 minutes of walking during my lunch break at work, but I am seriously going nuts when I get home and ahve to make dinner for the kids. Hubby has been doing what he can to help but he works three nights a week this week and next and I HAVE to make dinner for the kids. I am just so frustrated and looking at the prize at the end is not even helping. I don't know if I can make it though 9 more days of this.

Well, I DO sweat quite a bit . . . but I seriously doubt I am sweating 2 pounds worth. I mean, that's a LOT of sweat. LOL! Nance, I am with you. I need to get over this scale addiction. I've pondered having my husband lock up my scale and only getting it out for me at pre-designated times. But I haven't had the courage. I guess if I can go from being a food addict to a scale addict, then it's not that bad. I think my husband was afraid that if I didn't have the food, I'd turn into an alcoholic or something like that and so far I haven't . . . so maybe I should just stick with the scale. :ohmy:

LOTS of us experience exactly what you're experiencing. I'm nearly three years past surgery, I've regained some weight, I've drunk too much alcohol, etc. What I've recently come to realize is that discipline can only take me so far. Now I understand that to progress, I need to involve other people to (pardon the pun) scale my efforts. I'm starting to once again work with medical specialists, plan to attend group sessions, etc. Perhaps this approach may work for you too. Good luck!

Maybe try to find some other ways to relieve your stress. Alcohol is definately not the best after surgery. Plus it's empty calories. An occasional drink is fine but every day can't be good

So, I'm 9 weeks post op 75 pounds down! YA!! Well I'm going on a cruise next month. I'd like to have some drinks. Wine and Margaritas. Just wondering if that's okay. Does anyone have an experience drinking alcohol post op?? Advise Please....

Not gonna lie, it will be tough, but keep your eye on the prize. You have done so well, you are so close. Think to yourself, is it really worth it this time. You will be able to go out again, and even have a drink, but you can get through it this one time. Especially alcohol so close to surgery. Alcohol thins the blood. I remember when I got my tattoo, they would not work on me if I had been drinking because you will bleed way too much! Keep that in mind. The best thing to do is leave if it is getting too hard. If your friends know, they will understand, especially if you leave before everyone else has had a little too much! If not, use not feeling good or something like that. You can do it. You obviously have a lot of will power and determination!

I wish! Although I don't drink alcohol, I would have started that is how bad the itching gets.

Hi. I was sleeved June 27, 2014 in Juarez, Mexico by Dr. Rodriguez through the BeLiteWeight.com program. I just wanted to tell you my experience thus far, and I am also a nurse so I was very observant during my hospital stay. I was advised to be there on June 26, 2014 and was picked up by a taxi at the El Paso, TX airport. I was scared to death when I saw the taxi which was a bright orange van, very dirty, with hardly no air-conditioning. The driver was pleasant, courteous, but did not speak English. I was pleasantly surprised when another lady from Arkansas boarded the van with her young daughter and we immediately bonded and my nerves were eased up. The trip across the border was no big deal and it was a short trip to the hospital. The hospital was Angeles Hospital which was in a nice area that was surrounded by fencing and security at the gate. The hospital was beautiful, and was exactly as it is represented on you tube, if you would like to look. We were taken straight to admitting and never left alone at any time. Some advice for those of you that are admitted a day early, bring plenty to read or keep your self busy, it is a long night. In reference to pain, expect it. This is a major surgery and there is pain especially the first post op night, however they will give you morphine and will respond quickly to your light. The best thing you can do is get up and move as soon as possible, this will help you a great deal. I was fortunate that I did not have any GAS pain any place other than occasionally in my tummy. But most all patients have gas pain and it can be in your back, shoulders, chest, etc. (gotta move) STICK to your diet, do exactly what you are instructed to do and you will be fine. Your body will quickly tell you when you have taken too much in, so you will learn quickly to take in small sips. I am not hungry, but I find myself very exhausted so I push fluids and it does make you feel better. I am less than a week out and I am sleeping well, taking very little pain medication, and can get down my pills with no problems. PROS: The hospital is beautiful and very clean. The surgeons and anesthesiologist are very compassionate, and will visit you daily. The staff seem very happy to be there, and have a desire to please. All the staff are dressed in nice matching uniforms, with starched white jackets. The towels and dishes are monogramed, it almost feels like a 5 star hotel. Security is everywhere, and they do watch the elevators. No one comes or goes unless they check you out. I felt completely safe. Call lights are answered quickly. They will have food brought in from the outside for your guest. Almost everyone I came into contact with had a smile on their face and had a good attitude. CONS: Communication is terrible, even if you use a translator on your I phone. Not one person that entered my room washed their hands, and the hand sanitizer outside my door was empty. No one wore name tags or identified themselves as a nurse or a tech etc. No one wore gloves, except maybe one time as I remember and there are no gloves available in the rooms. There are no paper towels in the bathroom, even if they wanted to wash hands before care. No one ever cleaned the hub of the IV port with alcohol before push medications. The T.V. only has 1 English channel, boring. So basically the staff needs additional training in infection control. Things to take with you. Wash cloths, large hand sanitizer (and make them use it), magazines, chap stick, all your paper work, music, toiletries, Gas X strips, chewable antacids, liquid Tylenol, and any comfort things... I have no regrets, I am glad I did this. Hope this helps some of you. Qmovinon

Alcohol for me after surgery will be a big no-no. It has too much sugar and that's my trigger so I won't even consider it. If you not a big drinker find something else to drink, Water with a twist of lemon would probably be the best option.

One drink can make you drunk, the alcohol goes straight into your blood stream. Be very careful if you do decide to have drink.

this time last year I was a mess, 196kgs and rising I had all the fatty food the big cake and all the alcohol i could fit in!!! Today,,,,I am on mushies Ill be having a low fat casserole, sipping my water and I think my kids are getting an ice cream cake, coz they are only 6 and 3 u cant have a birthday without a cake lol Funny thing is it doesnt bother me if i have it or not Next year will be amazing, people will be able to buy me nice clothes!!! I will want to go out somewhere, coz the chair wont break, coz the isle will all of a sudden be big enough for me, coz my seat belt will fit Today might be my birthday but i feel like today is a celebration of a new life. I am feeling reborn:biggrin:

I'm thinking it is because f the dehydration alcohol causes more than it being dumping. From my experience dumping is pretty sudden and almost as soon as I ingest the sugar and it hits my tummy.