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I think it's especially important for us to pay attention to these things too. Not only because it takes so much less to knock us on our butts. I think the risk of a "crossover addiction" is very easy! I come from a background of family members with addiction issues (drugs alcohol) I have NEVER had a problem with drugs or alcohol (just food) . I was very prepared for many things after surgery but the one thing I didn't think about was the temptation to find comfort in things that never comforted me before.. The weeks after my surgery I became increasingly aware of my "need" for my pain meds (refilled twice) it got to a point I looked forward to my nightly dose. I wasn't taking it during the day just at night for my relaxing down time (the time I used to over eat also). I knew it was becoming an issue so I fessed up to my husband who then helped me hold myself accountable after. I guess for that reason now I only have a glass of wine when I'm out at a social event and not at home alone, at least for now....

Lol. You got all that right. Minus the alcohol. I come from a strict religious family. But eating is our thing. But im going to make the most of it. Mississippi is something I can tell u that. Thank goodness for my medical card for going out to eat

I buy them too. I get them in a variety pack at Sam's club. I feel uneasy about having 300 calories per bar, so most of the time, I break them in half. I have found another brand that Sam's and Walmart carries that I'm finding myself buying instead of Premier. Pure Protein bars. 20 grams of protein/180 - 200 calories per bar. But they are a smaller bar. What I've discovered is that almost all the Protein Bar brands I've tried are 4 to 4.25 calories per gram, so of course Premier Protein is higher in calories/protein, since it's a bigger bar. The Pure Protein Bars I've eaten were - chocolate Peanut Butter/Chocolate Peanut Caramel/Chocolate Deluxe. They all tasted as good as or better than Premier Protein. I tend to favor the Chocolate Peanut Butter, but I like all 3 flavors. Now they are made with sugar alcohols, so if you can't tolerate them, stick with the Premier Protein - I couldn't find an old wrapper, but I think Premier is made with real sugar. I have to buy the variety pack at Sam's, but Walmart sells the individual flavors in separate 6 pack boxes. They all run me about .95 cents a bar.

Hi all. I know you’re not supposed to have any alcohol after surgery so I’m talking about a year or more down the line. What alcohol beverages are safe to consume if you were to have 1 drink socially?

Be carefully I was told change that I had to sign an agreement to not drink alcohol for a least 1 year after surgery

shasta you're right... The food isn't tasting as good as I thought it would. I'm making ceviche, grilled oysters and having my last corona today. Mighy have 3 coronas to celebrate. I haven't drunk alcohol since July of 2012 while trying to lose weight but today Im going for it.

I also cheated during my pre-op diet, and had to comes to grips with my food addiction. It's like alcoholism... Every day will be a challenge, but I always tell myself "hi, my name is Kevin and I am a food addict". It reminds me that this isn't easy and choices need to be made. I am now 13 weeks post-op and I have lost 75 lbs!! Making a choice to eat healthy is much easier now, but still must make a decision to eat Protein and fruits and vegetables rather than Cookies and chips and ice cream. You can do it!!

I just eat when I'm hungry. Sometimes that's 3 times a day, sometimes it's 6 or 7. I only eat small amounts, so it seems to work out OK. And because I eat when I need to, I don't feel deprived. The only thing I'm strict about its alcohol - I only drink it when it's an occasion with friends. I think wine was what piled on the pounds in the past, so I'm not going down that road again! Some people are really strict about food too, but you have to find out what's sustainable for you. If you're really very strict about food for a few months and then fall off the waggon because you feel deprived, then you won't keep off the weight. I have the occasional treat, but make sure I still lose a pound or two a week. I think I'll be able to sustain that in the long term. There won't be a single right answer - I think you've just got to experiment to find out what works for you.

I had my psych evaluation today too. Passed....yeah. First I had to take two test. First was about a 100 true or false questions mostly making sure I wasn't CRAZY...Lol. Second test was best answer out of 5 statements of about 10 questions making sure I'm not an alcoholic gosh didn't think I was going back to school....then to the psych Doctor. We had a conversation about my children. Seeing what kind of support system I have. Who in my family knows about my decision. How long I have been struggling being overweight. What other systems have I tried losing weight. He made sure I knew about exercising, drinking enough Water and Vitamins after my procedure. It wasn't too bad. He suggested that I start now trying out Protein supplements to see what I like. I hadn't even thought about it. Does anyone know if they have samples that one can try before purchasing a huge portion of protein powders or liquids? Congrats on passing your eval @@losing2win

Why do we drive on parkway but park on driveways? If 7-11 is open 24-7 why are there locks on the doors? If you are not supposed to smoke at a gas station, why do they sell cigarettes? Why do states that only allow you to buy alcohol in state stores, sell mixers in the grocery stores?

I'm curious about how this affects the system, since alcohol gets you intoxicated quicker after the procedure. I'd like to be able to continue partaking, in lieu of empty calories...but if my desire for it is gone I will accept it.

1. We love you. 2. We are not going to beat you up. I hope we each realize that "there but for the grace of God go I" OK, I (intellectually) knew that the Sleeve was not magical. But emotionally I just wanted the sleeve to work automatically. Maybe it would be a switch that would turn off my hunger. Maybe the operation would automatically make be want only the 'nutritious' food and change my taste buds so that I'd hate "slider" foods. Maybe the sleeve would end my work and life stress. Maybe the sleeve would vacuum the carpets... (um, sorry) Nope. For me it is a tool and nothing magical at all. I CAN eat around the sleeve. I can eat a lot more than I thought I could and I also have a stomach of steel. Aside from one episode of nausea and vomiting, I have had NO problems. I think I could eat a box of carpet tacks. I have had good loss. I am coming up to 7 months out and am down 100# from my heaviest weight and 45# down from surgery. I have been in a frustrating stall for over a month, sigh, but I press on... But I have a fat brain (named, as many folks here know, "Skippy"). Skippy wants me to eat. ALL the time. I can only deal with Skippy by having a daily eating plan. I know what I will eat and when I will eat and that's it. I just never change from the plan -- not because it's fun or because I don't WANT to -- but because Skippy is freaking insane and is FULL of wonderful snack ideas... Also, from reading here and other research, I have come to believe that I am a Carb Addict. Period. One day I had a bananna... and was STARVING the rest of the day. One day I had a small (tiny) rice pudding cup... and was starving for the rest of the day. This made no sense. BUT I have found that IF I can stay on a very strict low carb eating plan (NO sugars and NO starches and NO processed carbs) for 3 or 4 very difficult days it does get easier. And after about a week, I really don't mind the temptations of TV, work parties, and home; and I no longer have terrible and painful cravings. 3 or 4 TOUGH days to pay for a much easier time later, with Skippy being quiet in the background rather than continuously whispering in my ear. PS, I have given up longing to be normal... I never was and I refuse to "long" to be fat any more. I struggle every day with eating slowly, I drink coffe, my NUT is not happy, but it's the only drug I've got left. PS, I drink it black -- took a month to transition to black coffee but I did, I drink no soda, diet or otherwise, no beer, nothing bubbly I do not smoke (thank God) I limit my alcohol to special occasions, I get my Water in I get my Protein in I write everything down I take the Vitamins required PS, we love you, and this book helped me: http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Get-Fat-About/dp/0307474259

Definitely check in with your doctor's office and let them know you are having problems. I had problems with that too and didn't get much help other than permission to take Immodium if I needed to. I'm not sure if you are allowed to drink skim or 1% milk on your plan and if you are, that you might be lactose intolerant after surgery. My doctor told me that many people have a problem with this and I thought I was one of them until I did some more checking on my own. I am able to drink milk without too many problems but if I mix Protein powder for a shake with it, I was having problems. I talked with my SIL who is a nutritionist/pharmacist and she told me to go check the amount of sugar alcohol or other artificial sweeteners in the Protein Powder I was using. Sure enough, all of them contained sucralose (Splenda) or other sugar alcohols that were causing the shakes to basically run through my system shortly after I ingested them. Once I found some unflavored protein powder without any sugar alcohols or sucralose in it, everything was much better and I wasn't having as many issues with that problem anymore.

I can vouch for the Quest bars. They are now the only bars I eat and the only ones I've seen that truly are different. I have eaten many other types of Protein bars over the years and always wondered why something that was basically a glorified candy (filled with sugar or those nasty sugar alcohols) didn't taste better than they did. I found out about Quest bars a few months ago and was really impressed with the fact that the ingredient list was so short and they it contained no sugar of any kind and no sugar alcohols. I ordered a box to try them and immediately fell in love. I think they are amazing and judging from the many other posts I've seen here about people's experiences with Quest bars, so do others. I'm pretty sure that you will like them. I've given them to my wife and friends that are NOT protein bar eaters and they really liked them. I actually have to make sure I sneak a small emergency supply that my wife doesn't know about in my car as she will eat them all if I'm not careful. I still always try to get real, healthy meals in whenver I can as no protein bar will ever be better for you than real food but they really let me keep on track when I'm in a pinch or on the road.

Don't touch the bread, or drink alcohol, or eat dessert. Swap out the starch for a second vegetable. Eat your Protein first, veggies second. You should run out of room part way through the veggies. Take the rest home for tomorrow's lunch. It really is that simple!

It seems like a short time, but it will go by faster than you think. I think you are spot on in preparing for your new like in these next 6 months. That is exactly what I did and am having nice success post-surgery. Here are some things to think about - this is according to my doctor and as you will read on this forum it seems every doctor is different. No soda for the rest of my life - so if you have a soda habit, try to kick it now No alcohol for 6 months after surgery. I stopped my weekend beers 4 months prior to surgery and I thought this would be the hardest - but I don't miss it (unless I'm at the ball park and then I'm missing a beer and a dog ) The hardest was to no drinking during meals - that was the biggie and even 6 weeks post-op it still can be a challenge. This isn't easy by any means and I have to say some of the emotional issues that need to get dealt with are much harder than figuring out what to eat. As my surgeon said AFTER surgery - "OK, the easy part is over--this is where the work starts." I wish you the best of luck - this was truly one of the best decisions I've made for myself - and remember this is for YOU. Keep the eye on that prize and you will be successful.

Just a question for the group. I had my surgery 1 year ago. I am down over 100 lbs. So I am not complaining in the slightest. I have experienced some slip ups in the last couple months or so and I am not losing like I was before (like not at all). I do however, still exercise (run 2 miles a day 4-5 days a week). Bread is creeping in, as is an occasional alcoholic beverage. Are y'all the same ? I am 20 lbs. from my goal weight and need to refocus my efforts !! Mike A/K/A - BigHarleyGuy1 (although not so big anymore)

sugar free hard candy is a saving grace. It makes you feel bad.. but they are low calorie .. They have sugar alcohol which burns off in your body. Had this same issue last month on Pre-op diet. -Debbi

Hmm interesting. I do know that there are gobs of fat around the liver in overweight people, and I can see how that could be hard to see and work around. If you google fatty liver(images) the liver is clearly larger and paler in color than healthy livers. There are several causes for fatty liver, but the appearance is basically the same for all. The fact that it's paler in color would go along with actual fat lipid deposits, but I have no clue what color the sugar stores would lend it... I'm on day four of my pre op diet and my instructions are to eat any Soup I want however much I want, yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, and sugar free drinks. I'm opting to do a very low carb diet because I was a heavy beer drinker utill 7 days ago. It just seems that I would consume too many carbs, sugar AND fat with the diet he recomended. I'm still going low fat, but I'm worring more about the carbs and I have been enjoying eggs:redface: I guess that's why I'm curious about what actually makes the liver smaller. If mine is inflamed due to alcohol as well as my bad diet, I should probably eat a lot less fat as well:frown:

In this case I'm glad they differ -- I hate milk!! But thank you for clarifying! Just FYI, once you're back on solid foods you should be able to enjoy wine again. I know a lot of doctors discourage alcohol consumption because it is empty calories and full of carbs, but I just count my wine in my allotment of calories and carbohydrates and have been successful with my weight loss.

She's like your drinking buddy. If you were both alcoholics, you would having to likely avoid her if you decided to stop drinking. Same thing here except it's food and not booze. You can try to reassure her that you want to remain her friend but you need her to be supportive. If she can't do that, you may have to let her go in order for you to move forward. Good luck...this part won't be easy.

The following is a direct quote from Dr.Weill. "I don' t believe that most diseases are related to toxic buildups in the liver or that cleansing the liver is a worthwhile health practice. Some health conditions may follow compromised liver function, but these are due to liver damage. Serious liver disease can result from alcoholism or infection with hepatitis viruses B and C. It can also be caused by an autoimmune disease or be the result of cancer. An important function of the liver is to deal with toxins that enter the body. If you are in good health and not overloading your systems with toxic substances (such as alcohol), the liver will cleanse itself very well" From what I have learned through relative courses over the past few years, the liver does not need anymore than healthy food and lots of Water. Try to refrain from fast food, preprepared-prepacked foods, artificial sweeteners, and high fatty foods. The liver has the uncanny ability to rebuild and repair itself so if you start treating it right through a healthy lifestyle then it will detox and cleanse itself. Carol

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

I find the puree stage to be boring for me. I love my liquid (no alcohol or carbonated drinks). The food is not enjoyable. I prefer shakes and water. I try very hard to remember not to drink with my meals or after. I love my sugar free lime popsicles as we as other frozen sugar free. I feel kinda stuck on the food part. Is cheese ok?? Im a cheesehead-Wisc girl here. Im used to making sandwiches and now no more. I cant wait till I start using romaine lettuce in my diet. I now know what full feels like. Im good at stopping once Im full. I do soups quite a bit. Suggestions? Thanks, this board is very helpful and interesting. Im learning a lot from you guys!!

Yep sounds like dumping. Alit of people cant eat the sf jello due to the sugar alcohols in it