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I tried it and the peach something and boy oh boy they taste just like the real thing alcohol and all!

Just wanted to share with you what I first posted on another subject when I joined this site. God didnt intend for us to be this way. When people try to change my mind about doing this or to tell me I am just lazy and this is the easiest way out, I tell them God didnt intend on me being this way and any help I can get to show God I want to take care of what He has given me then I will do it. food is an addiction just like cigarettes, alcohol or any drug. When someone goes to rehab to free themselves from any of those, isnt that a positive sign for them? Public opinion sucks when it comes to getting help to better yourself. So I just laugh at the ones that are against us for doing this step in better health and for those that are very critical about it, just ask God to bless them and move on. Ok done preaching now, sorry but it breaks my heart to hear that some don't have support from loved ones or friends. Thank God for this forum so we can support one another. God bless everyone.

I find I categorize people a bit now....there are the ones who loved and supported me when I was huge.....and there are those that criticized me for being big and said I wasn't worthy of their time.....the first group has my undying loyalty and I just pray that the second group has God to remove the ugliness from their hearts....people battle drug and alcohol and addictions and yet are still supported more and encouraged more then big people....we were looked at as fat, lazy and often times complacent....now we are Champions and everyone wants to be around a champion just be careful about who you let into that circle.... Onyx

According to the Atkins protein bars, sugar alcohols are subtracted from total carb count because they minimally impact blood sugar. I always deduct them from the carb count on anything I eat that contains it. I have had no digestive problems or stomach pain from it.

I learned the hard way to not pay attention to sugar content or sugar alcohol content. They are just "fancy" ways to tell you "eat this, I'm good for you" pay attention to the carb content. That is what will raise your sugar levels. My daughter was diagnosed w juvi diabetes when she was 3, she is now 20. Letting her eat diabetic candy back when I was ill informed, I couldn't understand why her sugar was high when I watched everything she ate. Not only that....she would get very bad cramps after about 2 or 3 pieces.

For me I realized it was my body detoxifying. I quit alcohol, soda, coffee, and fast food right before my pre-op diet. After a few days it will seem like no big deal. And it is worth it! I have lost 100 pounds since February 28th and I couldn't have done it without the surgery or the pre-op/post-op diet. Good Luck!

I have no regrets about anything. A long time ago when I was around 13 or 14 years old I told myself I had "worth". I have always lived by that and have never degraded myself because I never felt I was less of anything or anyone. Why are you beating yourself up over something you had no control over? The brain of an obese person is similiar to an alcoholic and a drug user. Thank heaven we have the band to help us. You know when unkind or even bad things or decisions happen I think well, that is what help me be the person I am today. I am happy who I am banded or not.

I have been overweight my entire life; except for for when I lost significant weight at 13, and over 100 pounds at 18, and 30. There was a British study done a while back that showed in families where the men are alcoholics the women are obese. That is certainly true in my family. I think it shows a propensity toward addictive behaviors. I had to attend mindfull eating sessions as part of my preop. These sessions were really helpful to me. I have to actively decide not to eat fatty/high calorie foods; probably like an addict has to actively decide not to have a smoke or a drink. This is why my diets never worked in the past because it is mentally exhausting to constantly be chosing only healty foods. With the band if I do make poor choices it helps me eat less of them.

Last week’s weight – 212.8 This week’s weight – 211.4 Total weight lost this week – 1.4 lbs Total weight loss since surgery – 34.6 lbs Average weight loss per week - 3.15 lbs I’m glad that I experienced a loss this week. This week my battle was with and inconsistent schedule, farewell parties, and alcohol. We finished school and I celebrated by buying the ingredients for a white Russian (vodka and kaluah mixed with milk). I think I would have been fine with one but, even buying the smallest bottles of each, I had enough for two/three each night (for several nights!). Clearly this is a “red light” food that I don’t need to purchase AGAIN. I don’t normally drink a lot of alcohol and definitely not a lot since surgery (I have three quarters of a bottle of wine sitting in my cabinet that has been there for quite awhile). At the time it seemed like a good summer’y idea. Since I am out for the summer (for the most part) I have tried to get in some deliberate and sustained exercise each day. So far I have hit 4 out of the 5 days (mostly walking…3 miles in our neighborhood. This week I walked a total of 12 miles). I am waiting for my summer schedule to level out and then I will join the Y and take advantage of their indoor lap pool and some of their programs (bought a waterproof MP3 player on amazon that I hope will help motivate me – can you tell I am not in love with working out?). For any people wondering a “normal life” still continues after surgery. You just learn to adapt to a new normal. This week I ate at the Golden Corral (small portions of items, i.e. mac n’ cheese). I ate out at a local restaurant with out-of-town guests (ate off the appetizer menu and took some home). Tonight I am eating out again with my husband and a friend of his and I already know that I am either going to stick to an appetizer or bring three quarters of my meal as leftovers. My surgery has not stopped me from doing anything. I do think more than twice about the food offerings/options and then decide if I can make it work. I do want to note that I got sleeved with two other people while I was in Mexico. We have stayed in touch on this forum and I am the slowest loser of our group. One person (as of last week) has lost 39 lbs and the other an impressive 55 lbs. I'm not too stressed about it since I am consistantly losing. I would have loved to have been one of those "I lost 75 lbs in 2 months" kind of gal but I am happy how the sleeve is working for me. Until next week!

Yellow Stool Yellow stool can indicate that food is passing through the digestive tract relatively quickly. Yellow stool can be found in people with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, chest pain, sore throat, chronic cough, and wheezing. Symptoms are usually worse when lying down or bending. Foods that can worsen GERD symptoms include peppermint, fatty foods, alcohol, coffee, and chocolate. Yellow stool can also result from insuffient bile output. Bile salts from the liver gives stool its brownish color. When bile output is diminished, it often first appears as yellow stool. If there is a greater reduction in bile output, stool lose almost all of its color, becoming pale or grey. If the onset is sudden, yellow stool can also be a sign of a bacterial infection in the intestines. http://altmedicine.about.com/od/gettingdiagnosed/a/stools.htm

I weigh myself every morning too, but I agree it's strictly personal preference. As with Little Miss Diva, I only got worked up when trying to hit a certain number. I thought I would never loose the last few ounces to my goal. Now that I'm at goal, I stay in a 3 lb. range on either side. If my weight creeps towards the high end, I slack off on Snacks and alcohol and make sure I am hitting all my workouts. If it drops too low, I up the fat content in my food. I like the daily weigh in for accountability and I don't trust myself to stay in range without it. During the losing phase, I weighed every day, but only tracked it on Fridays. Lynda

Sugar alcohol, from what I have read, comes in many different varieties. It is hydrogenated sugar, and cannot be absorbed by the body. Because it cannot be absorbed by the body, it can ferment in the intestines, and may cause digestive upset in people. Some of the "sugar alcohols" do have a caloric value. I am not a chemist, but this is my understanding of how they function. Basically, they are a form of chemically engineered sugar, and as such are used in the category of foods considered to be "highly or overly processed". I don't believe that it's a great idea to use those products...if we truly want to change our health for the better with loosing weight, why would you want to ingest chemicals? IMHO, in the long run, simple unprocessed foods are healthier. Many on the forum have written about their "sweet tooth", and I am a self confessed chocoholic. I would think it healthier to have 1 small piece of the real deal than to use the chemicals. Your mileage may vary...best wishes to you as you continue your journey!

Just curious if anyone uses products with sugar alcohol. I do watch my sugar intake (very low) but would like to try Russell Stover's sugar free candy line. They are made with Splenda; have 0 sugar; but 23 g of "sugar alcohol"

I've been giving a lot of thought to this and .... As fat people we refueled (and over fueled) as soon as we thought we felt hunger. What if what we were really feeling was emply (low on fuel). This is a good state to be in. When you are here you are burning fat and losing weight. But...it is an uncomfortable feeling until you accept it as a good feeling. Empty = good = weight loss. As we change what we feel about being full or not we change the state of mind. Make the uncomfortable into comfortable because you know you are losing. You've reached your target and have added many carbs to the diet. Old memories emerge and you have to recognize them and not deal with them as you did prior to weight loss. Talk to a healthy recovering alcoholic about things that trigger them.

Before surgery, I mentioned to my nutritionist all the various 1,2, and more week liquid diets I've noticed that people are on pre-surgery. She said that of course every doctor is different, but it didn't seem very healthy to her to only be consumuing liquids so far in advance of surgery - it's not necessary to shrink your liver (the point of the liquid diet), all that's required to do that is high Protein content. Her recommendation was to eat protein, cut out soda, alcohol, etc. The surgeon told me after surgery that I'd done a fabulous job shrinking my liver prior to surgery. So, everyone's mileage may vary, but we should always do what what our surgeon/nutritionist recommends. Then if something goes wrong, it's not my fault!

My Dr made me promise that I would not drink any alcohol for a minimum of a year. My understanding is that with your new metabolism alcohol hits you different than it did in the past. i am always amazed though at how different Drs have different requirements.

It's nice that your doctor is amenable to wine! A lot of the info I've read has said no alcohol for a full year after the procedure, but if your doctor is okay with it, I'm glad for you!

Not sure how they handle self pay, but, I would advise that you do all the nutrition consults. These consults will educate you as to what and how to eat. The change in how you eat is the toughest thing to learn and they will educate/prepare you. Insurance will require that you can prove that you've tried to lose weight on your own, but, without permanent results, so, that part is omitted with self pay and probably take the longest. The psychological evaluation looks for issues with serious dependency with food. Think of it this like an alcoholic and dependency with liquor. If you have a serious issue with food, counseling may be a requirement before the band. I would advise to find out how much fills are and how many are included with the their asking price of the surgery. Ask if they do them under floro or blind fills. Find out what kind of band they use (lapband or realize band). Find out how aggressive they are with fills (how many cc's they put in at a time) and also at what frequency (usually every 6 weeks). Find out if fills are done by the doctor or PA (makes no difference, but good to know). Ask the doc how many bands she/he has done. Is the bariatric program certified a "center of excellence" or how close they are to getting their certification. My best guess is a month or so, but, I'm just guessing. Good luck to you. This is a big step and I can assure you will help with disc issues. Jake

ok so I'm post op day six and i've been struggling with the hydration issue. i can only seem to drink ice cold water with maybe a little apple juice for flavor, everything else hurts like mad or taste horrible. I've always been a big drinker lol (non alcohol of course) so my feelings are quite a bit hurt when former faves like powerade zero and even protein shakes (yea i actually liked those pre op) won't cooperate with my new and improved belly.

My surgeon does do sleeve to GB, but I think you have received some really good advice so far on this. I think the “get back to basics” approach is really where it is at. I know that just because I had this surgery does not mean that all of my issues with food (my relationship with food) has magically changed by removing part of my stomach. I still struggle with issues. It is hard, it is work, it stinks!... but it is my reality. I know that I will have to work at this the rest of my life. Food for me is like a drink to an alcoholic. Some folks can have "just one cookie". I CAN'T!!! I have to be very careful. The hard part for those of us that struggle with food issues like this is that we can't live without food, where as with other addictions, you can live without those items and still survive. I think this makes food addition the hardest of all addictions to wage war on. We must eat. We can't just quit cold turkey. I feel for you and I am sending you some positive vibes to help you get back on track. When you feel like you want something sweet, have a SF popsicle. When you need something salty, try putting some salt on some fresh watermelon. Yes, I know it is an increase in salt, but some of us have low sodium, and crave salt, so this has worked to settle down that salt craving by a more healthy means. These two things really save me from going off the rails. They are my life line!!! No joke. You can do this. We will support you. Go take a walk when the chips call your name even if it is just around your house. Find a new hobby, something to do with your hands that will occupy your mind. That is me. I have to be active mind and body, or my mind thinks of food. TV watching is the worse time for me, so I watch very little of it any more. I wish you the very best. I totally understand even though my sleeve is fairly new. Old habits are very hard to break.

Hi all! Back in Miami from my cruise. Relieved to be away from the buffets, alcohol and cigarette smoking. I did so-so with my eating. It was hard. Every day I had a treat - one day I had 1/2 piece of key lime pie in key west, another day 1/4 piece of cheesecake, and then another day 3 chocolate covered strawberries. I also had a glass of pineapple juice each day instead of a cocktail. I feel kinda bad for eating all that stuff but trying not to get down on myself. When I feel guilty it just makes me want to eat MORE. I am proud of mysef for being active every day, walking lots, having only 1cup portions, eating protein first and having no breads of fried foods. Before the band, I wouldn't gorged myself at the buffet ALL DAY and had 2 or 3 margaritas a day. Why has this thread been so quiet?! How's everyone doing?

I am wondering about alcohol after surgery too... I enjoy having an occasional drink! Love to have a glass of wine every now and then. Has anyone tried wine?

This is reposted from another WL forum - thought it could be useful to add to a blog post to remember~ Ten Mistakes that Weight Loss Postops Make 1st Mistake: Not Taking Vitamins, Supplements, or Minerals Every WLS patient has specific nutritional needs depending on the type of surgery you have had. Not only is it a good idea to ask your surgeon for guidelines, but also consult with an experienced WLS nutritionist. Understand there is not a standard practice that all surgeons and nutritionists follow in guiding WLS patients. So, it is important to do your own research, get your lab tests done regularly, and learn how to read the results. Some conditions and symptoms that can occur when you are deficient in vitamins, supplements, or minerals include: Osteoporosis; pernicious anemia; muscle spasms; high blood pressure; burning tongue; fatigue; loss of appetite; weakness; constipation and diarrhea; numbness and tingling in the hands and feet; being tired, lethargic, or dizzy; forgetfulness, and lowered immune functioning. Keep in mind, too, that some conditions caused by not taking your vitamins, supplements, or minerals are irreversible. For example, a vitamin B-1 deficiency can result in permanent neurological deficits, including the loss of the ability to walk. 2nd Mistake: Assuming You Have Been Cured of Your Obesity A "pink cloud" or honeymoon experience is common following WLS. When you are feeling better than you have in years, and the weight is coming off easily, it's hard to imagine you will ever struggle again. But unfortunately, it is very common for WLS patients to not lose to their goal weight or to regain some of their weight back. A small weight regain may be normal, but huge gains usually can be avoided with support, education, effort, and careful attention to living a healthy WLS lifestyle. For most WLSers, if you don't change what you've always done, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten -- even after weight loss surgery. 3rd Mistake: Drinking with Meals Yes, it's hard for some people to avoid drinking with meals, but the tool of not drinking with meals is a critical key to long-term success. If you drink while you eat, your food washes out of your stomach much more quickly, you can eat more, you get hungry sooner, and you are at more risk for snacking. Being too hungry is much more likely to lead to poor food choices and/or overeating. 4th Mistake: Not Eating Right Of course everyone should eat right, but in this society eating right is a challenge. You have to make it as easy on yourself as possible. Eat all your meals--don't skip. Don't keep unhealthy food in sight where it will call to you all the time. Try to feed yourself at regular intervals so that you aren't as tempted to make a poor choice. And consider having a couple of absolutes: for example, avoid fried foods completely, avoid sugary foods, always use low-fat options, or only eat in a restaurant once a week. Choose your "absolutes" based on your trigger foods and your self knowledge about what foods and/or situations are problematic for you. 5th Mistake: Not Drinking Enough Water Most WLS patients are at risk for dehydration. Drinking a minimum of 64 oz. of water per day will help you avoid this risk. Adequate water intake will also help you flush out your system as you lose weight and avoid kidney stones. Drinking enough water helps with your weight loss, too. 6th Mistake: Grazing Many people who have had WLS regret that they ever started grazing, which is nibbling small amounts here and there over the course of the day. It's one thing to eat the three to five small meals you and your doctor agree you need. It's something else altogether when you start to graze, eating any number of unplanned snacks. Grazing can easily make your weight creep up. Eating enough at meal time, and eating planned snacks when necessary, will help you resist grazing. Make a plan for what you will do when you crave food, but are not truly hungry. For example, take up a hobby to keep your hands busy or call on someone in your support group for encouragement. 7th Mistake: Not Exercising Regularly Exercise is one of the best weapons a WLS patient has to fight weight regain. Not only does exercise boost your spirits, it is a great way to keep your metabolism running strong. When you exercise, you build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, even at rest! 8th Mistake: Eating the Wrong Carbs (or Eating Too Much) Let's face it, refined carbohydrates are addictive. If you eat refined carbohydrates they will make you crave more refined carbohydrates. There are plenty of complex carbohydrates to choose from, which have beneficial vitamins. For example, if you can handle pastas, try whole grain Kamut pasta--in moderation, of course. (Kamut pasta doesn't have the flavor some people find unpleasant in the whole wheat pastas.) Try using your complex carbohydrates as "condiments," rather than as the center point of your meal. Try sprinkling a tablespoon of brown rice on your stir-fried meat and veggies. 9th Mistake: Going Back to Drinking Soda Drinking soda is controversial in WLS circles. Some people claim soda stretches your stomach or pouch. What we know it does is keep you from getting the hydration your body requires after WLS--because when you're drinking soda, you're not drinking water! In addition, diet soda has been connected to weight gain in the general population. The best thing you can do is find other, healthier drinks to fall in love with. They are out there. 10th Mistake: Drinking Alcohol If you drank alcohol before surgery, you are likely to want to resume drinking alcohol following surgery. Most surgeons recommend waiting one year after surgery. And it is in your best interest to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol before you do it. Alcohol is connected with weight regain, because alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while protein and vegetables have 4 calories per gram. Also, some people develop an addiction to alcohol after WLS, so be very cautious. Depending on your type of WLS, you may get drunker, quicker after surgery, which can cause health problems and put you in dangerous situations. If you think you have a drinking problem, get help right away. Putting off stopping drinking doesn't make it any easier, and could make you a lot sicker.

That's not a stupid question...the only stupid questions are the ones we want answers to and don't ask! My understanding is that a sugar alcohol is a hydrogenated form of sugar, and to varying degrees, it may or may not be absorbed by the intestines. They may to be used to mask the aftertaste of some artificial sweeteners, and depending on which sugar alcohol it is, it may have some caloric value. The sugar alcohol is not absorbed by the body, and tends to ferment in the small intestine, thus may cause digestive upset. For my purposes, I would be counting them in with the grams of carbs listed on a food product, if they contain any caloric value. Carbs which occur naturally I allow myself to have (fruit, some veggies). I limit my carbs which occur in condiments, such as ketchup. I try to avoid the over processed foods which may contain artificial sugars/sweeteners, which would be including the sugar alcohols. Your choices may be different, but generally I would count the ones with calories as carb grams, and avoid them, as they would be found in the over processed foods that are chemically engineered. One easy rule which I follow is to shop only on the periphery of the grocery store, in the produce, meat, and dairy sections. Of course, the bakery is also on the periphery, but I avoid going there! I don't know if I answered your question or not...please let me know if you would like a clarification of my response!

Well, after the band, most people are light weights when it comes to drinking. There isn't much in the stomach to soak up the alcohol, so getting drunk a lot quicker happens. Also, beer is a no-no due to the carbonation. Same goes with soda as chasers. Most alcoholic beverages have a lot of calories. Empty calories at that. I only drink alcohol every once in a while, and only have a couple shots when I do drink now. I only drink at home, and have tea or some other non carbonated beverage as a chaser. Either that, or I will have a couple glasses of wine. As they say - everything in moderation.