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i was a DIET ANYTHING finatic.. i quit when i started my pre op diet- along with quitting smoking- it was a habit for me just like smoking was- i miss going to the grocery store and picking up a diet coke for the ride home, or on the way to work, from work, at work...but i FEEL better- i have gotten rid of so much JUNK in my diet:smoking, alcohol, junk food, diet soda- and i feel good- ive lose 25lbs since I started my preop a month ago (was just banded on 2/27)- Even after the 6 months i dont plan on drinking diet soda any more- its NO GOOD FOR YOU!

Hey All, So I'm going to Vegas in April (7.5months post-op) and my girl friend and I are obviously going to want to go out in the evenings, dancing, etc. What on earth does one drink when they are going to a bar that isn't alcoholic, doesn't contain butt-loads of sugar and isn't carbonated? I mean the obvious answer is Water but there has to be something else? Help! :-)

Wow, I read EVERY post and it took until the last one to finally find someone who thought like myself. I told everyone (once i had it, prior to it was my medical business and nobody elses). I wanted the support, and am VERY proud of what I've decided to do for myself. Alcoholics are not chastized for getting help, nor is anyone else with a crutch, problem or yes even Addition! I may be crossing the line, but I don't mean to :-) Its my personal experience that many many woman are the ones who fear letting everyone know, where as the guys are more willing to accept the consequences and gain the support. I might be way off, if so I apologize but its just a personal observation. Let the world know, the more help the better!!

I think for those of us (probably many of us) who have used food as our comfort to avoid dealing with anger or other emotions for a long time, suddenly not having that food is psychologically as well as physically tough. Studies have shown that eating, esp of sweets, affects receptors for serotonin, and these are very close to the receptors for drug and alcohol addiction. The more we've eaten that stuff, the more receptors our brains have made to process it all. Take the "drug" of sugar away, and it's just as bad as an addict going through withdrawal. Add that to the physical drain that major surgery takes on you, and I think being depressed after surgery is more "normal" than to not be. My 2 cents.

I don't think the alcohol in two drops of extracts is a factor. Curious as to how you are mixing the shakes. The bariatric fusion label has conflicting directions. How many scoops are you using?

@@jintycb Good grief, I am not even talking about you. I am talking about the 200 questions a week about Alcohol, drug use, pizza, ice cream, crackers, not losing 10 pounds a week, stretched my pouch/sleeve at 6 weeks and all the other assorted stupid questions that people ask every week. You know, the ones you made this rant to complain about. Anyone that has been around here for over a year can definitely notice a huge influx and change in the types of questions asked.

I think I spit Water out of my nose while reading the OP! Love the rant and especially the funny that you brought with it. I do think many many people have sub par medical support. It just isn't the same for everyone leaving many unanswered questions. This is the place that people come and that's great. It seems you can always vett out those that simply don't want to listen to their medical professionals. They are usually the folks drinking alcohol soon after surgery or going right back to old crappy behaviors.

I am scheduled for sleeve in one month. I'm lifelong obese, was banded 7 years ago. I haven't told my family yet. They will not understand. They are cross fitters and health preachers. Although everything they do is not healthy. As many do, they deal with stress with alcohol, prescription meds,over exercising..... That is not a criticism. They don't understand emotional eating or food addiction. I also don't understand and often beat myself up for being so fat. I guess I'm asking if anyone else felt this way before having the sleeve and how you are dealing with it after the surgery. I want to be healthy, active and involved in life. /URL] Sent from my VS986 using the BariatricPal App

Hey Band Groupie, You WON'T gain it back. Just remember where you came from and find out "who" you really are. When I was going through "Bandster's Hell" I had to give up sugar, of course. I decided then and there, that I'd give it up for good. Like I said, it's a trigger food for me. I NEVER thought I could do that...EVER. Go the rest of my life with no Dove chocolate? NO WAY! I mean life wouldn't even be worth living, right? Wrong. I just can't chance it. It's like an alcoholic taking that first drink after being sober...what's one drink? I can handle it. What's one bite? I can handle it. Hell, I could NEVER handle it, and you know what? No way, it's worth the risk. To think that everything I've worked for and have now could slip through my fingers...to know that my sanity could go away, just like that...with one little(?) bite. And on a lighter note; here's something you'll love. You know, met that cute little Kenny Chesney not once, but twice. Oh God, I was so excited! Me and two friends went back for a "meet and greet." I'm dressed to the nines. I just know that Kenny is going to take one look at my fine, sexy self and beg me to leave my husband. So, I get up there and have my picture made with him. I had to kind of lean in and down 'cause he's so short. I wanna make sure both of our faces are in the photo...that's how short he is...seriously! So, my friend takes the picture, and this was before everyone had a digital camera or a picture cell phone; you had to have the film developed; remember that? Well, I get the pictures back (24 hour developing); I take them out, and...What the HELL? See, what I didn't realize is that not only is Kenny short, he's little as well...real little...tiny...little bitty, teeny tiny, pocket sized. And there I am standing beside him and I look HUGE. No lie. I look like a man in DRAG. GIGANTIC! Everything I have is twice as big as what he has. I look like a red-necked Godzilla. I swear, it looked like I could pick him up in my big ole' hand and just pop him in my mouth...bite his head off, like in those old Godzilla horror flix. Everyone was like, "Let me see the pictures," and I was going, "Uh...they messed 'em up at Walgreens...dammit...yeah, they messed 'em up, that's it." Oh well, I like George Strait way better anyhow.

I'm a low BMI patient and lost a bit of weight in the 3 months prior to surgery, which was 2 days ago on April 10. My doctor had me do the same 2 week pre-op diet as his other patients and I think it helped me transition to my new lifestyle. A few months ago, I gave up sugar, carbonated beverages, alcohol, & caffeine, and focused on quality protein and fresh fruits & vegetables. And so far since surgery I've not had any nausea or vomiting and no shoulder pain. I also didn't do any food funerals. I've enjoyed lots of great food in my life so enough is enough; now it's time to stop yo-to dieting for good and get back to and maintain a healthy/normal weight. I'm excited for my future!

Lol. Alcohol is known for enlarging the liver..hmm can you have it when trying to shrink your liver and prepare for surgery? Glad you asked as its easy for no one to mention it in the pre op chat as it can be assumed as obvious. But good to ask. No drinking for a while. depending on plan.

What is your experience with caffeine from tea? I am 8 months out and had maybe 2 oz of coffee with some milk for the first time. I was really tired and don’t plan on doing that regularly but I would like to have tea this winter. In your experience was the alcohol causing the ulcers from regular drinking? I would like to have a small glass of wine a few times a year but not tempted to even try it yet.

Oh. And I stayed on plan! No cheating for me! And no alcohol either.

You may want to consider starting to change some of your habits as soon as you can, like reducing/eliminating alcohol, sugar, caffiene, nicotine or anything prohibited in the prep for surgery so you are ready, willing and able to transition. Studies show it takes an average of 66 days to build new habits, and it's often a bell curve. Get feedback from the Team you choose and follow their instructions. Safe Journey 🎈 Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 998-1009. (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674/abstract)

Different programs have different rules. I didn't have to stop at the beginning of the program, but my doc does not want us having alcohol after surgery during the rapid weight loss phase (he'd prefer not ever, but he's realistic). Both because of the empty calories, but also because of something I don't completely understand about the liver - that the liver is busy dealing with the weight loss - and we metabolizing alcohol differently after surgery. I haven't really asked because it wasn't that important to me. I'd eventually like to have a glass of wine every now and again, like on my birthday, but I'm not worried about it now. It may be good to taper off before surgery, but its worth talking about with your surgeon.

Alex is right. I'm amending my committment to no booze for 6 months, and no eating after dinner. Yesterday I had one Coke and ate past pain. This is awful. Life shouldn't be so hard. Please remind me that I don't drink alcohol. I have gone 2 full weeks without a drink, then during my 2nd glass of wine I'll whack myself upside the head because I forget I quit. Today is Day 3 of no booze. I have to remind myself not to drink.

As the air starts losing the cold bite of winter, you are happy in anticipation of the summer. You start planning holidays to sea resorts with friends and family. Until that fateful moment when you realize you have been too lax with your body and you are not in shape for the summer activities and swimming trunks or bathing suits cannot accommodate your body any more! Still don’t despair! Summer weight loss is still possible. Remember that losing weight is influenced to the extent of 70% to 80% by what and how you eat and the balance by the physical activities and exercises. Cut down intake of excess calories which increase fat in the body and exercise the body which will help in to burn body fat and to lose weight. The following simple natural weight loss suggestions if implemented can help you with summer weight loss and shape up your body to face summer with confidence in a matter of three to four weeks. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of Water per day. Water plays very important role in our body functions. Body fat and bones account for 20% of water each, lean muscle tissues are 75% water and over 80% of our blood is water. Water helps kidneys remove toxins allowing liver to metabolize more fat. It works as a natural suppressant of appetite; Put alcohol on highly restricted list if you are serious on losing weight. Alcohol helps body in storing fat by slowing down metabolism; Main culprits causing excess weight are saturated fats. Saturated fats and sugar are strictly no-no for weight watchers. Avoid Desserts, ice creams, etc; Include low fat milk products such as yogurt, skimmed milk, cottage cheese in diet; they contain “good proteins” which help suppress cravings for food. They are essential in building muscles; Vegetables, Beans, whole grains and fruits contain “good” carbohydrates which are moderate on calories and fats, they are consumed slowly by the body and thus they help suppress hunger naturally; Omega 3 fatty acids increase metabolism and energy levels of the body. Eat fish such as Mackerel, Salmon, Sardines and Herrings; they are rich Omega 3 fatty acids which help prevent blood clotting, regulate blood pressure, and lower risk of heart failure. They are helpful in weight loss;. Eat four or five meals of smaller portions instead of the normal three meals. Smaller meals at shorter intervals help metabolism and burn fat; it helps to lose weight; Eat adequate Fiber food. Fiber food is more filling and it suppresses hunger. It takes longer in digestion and passing through the body it attaches to some fats and Proteins in our food and thus keeps them from being digested. Whole grains, brown rice, figs, Apples, broccoli, peas, lentils, beans, fresh vegetables and fruits and nuts are high on fiber content; Spices such as ginger, mustard, pepper, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, etc decrease sugar cravings and are helpful in weight loss; Avoid late night meals within the two to three hours before going to bed. Allow time for digestion of the meal before going to bed.

You count carbs that affect blood sugar and dietary fiber and sugar alcohols do not affect blood sugar. I subtract them.

Doesn't matter if anything bad happened to anyone else. What matters is if it happens to YOU. Why even take the risk? Hernia surgery is going to be a big deal and keep you out of exercise a lot longer than just waiting a few extra weeks. You gotta look at the big picture of the rest of your life- not just now. It's like someone asking if they can cheat with sugar or alcohol or pizza and that it's OK if others do it without consequence. Just be patient and do something else like walking, stretching, yoga, or non weighted isometrics.

I was banded Oct of 2009 and lost 200 pounds. I was 368 lbs and went down to 168. I was too tight and never could eat except dinner. I liked drinking alcohol, but my like for it became extreme once I took away the food I use to eat to deal with life. I would go out to dinner and order my food to go and just drink the entire time everyone ate because I did not want to keep getting up to run to the bathroom. I turned myself into a alcoholic, or I could say the problem reared its head fast once I took away food from my life. Anyway I am now sober and got to AA, but I did not know that you cause an extreme sugar addiction when you are an alcoholic. I never ate a ton of sugar. Sure I had ice cream a couple times a week, but never gained weight from it. I started eating like 3 pints of Ben and Jerrys a day. Since Sept I put on 71 pounds from pure sugar. Now of course comes the depression, none of my clothes fit, and my body hurts just walking again. I just got a fill and explained everything to my doctor. I am finding I can eat huge portions again and that is scary. I eat all the time and am hungry.I may go in for another fill, but would like to work on getting back on track first. I do enjoy not vomiting every time I eat and I know another fill could bring me to that. I never snacked, never over ate, never gained weight over 5 years. This has really turned my life upside down. I am not willing to let my overcoming alcohol ruin 5 yrs of constant weight loss. No way! It was bad to be heavy before, but to lose that much weight and be packing it on is so much worse. Anyway I could really use a network of weight loss friends to get back on track and be happy again. I am not good at these msg boards so who knows if I will be able to find this site again. If you all have some group or place to support each other my email address is diana_dickey00@yahoo.com let me know where to find it on the site. I may figure it out once I post this, but just in case. Thank you to everyone that shared on the site. It has given me a lift and hope. You all stay strong. We can do this. Diana Tampa, FL

What you may need to bring on vacation depends on your eating plan and how firmly you intend to stick to it. If you do protein drinks and intend to stick with them then you'll need to bring protein drinks. Obviously, anything you just must have that may not be available on vacation you need to bring. Or your can adjust by eating foods on the vacation that still allow you to achieve your protein and calorie goals. Or, you can just ****-it all because you're on vacation. Personally, I'm somewhere between the last two options on vacation, depending on the meal. My plan since puree has been easy to follow no matter where I am with no special potions, lotions, or concoctions. As for drinking, you have similar options. Be careful, though. At this point you're eating very little, so alcohol can hit harder. Many sleeve folks are also generally affected by alcohol faster and harder so be very careful. If you're going to drink do it in a safe place initially so you can get a handle on the new paradigm for you. Also, transfer addiction is a hazard, so again, be aware and careful. Again personally, I don't recall drinking until more than a year out, on vacation. I don't drink normally but ****-it all, I'm on vacation. Once people understand your vacation, goals, and plan, they can offer a ton of tips. The requirements for a backpacking trip would be different than a 5 star resort. Enjoy your vacation. Tek

my Doc & surgeon, said to stay away from alcohol sugar..soo i do!!!

at first I tried alcohol pads, which only moistened the glue and made it stickier. but baby oil def got it off!

There is also new research out that suggests CBD causes liver fibrosis. (Just like alcohol.)

Honestly I don't get it either. To me alcohol is a lot more harmful. How many families have been torn apart because of marijuana compared to alcohol? I don't think either is good for you and consumption should be limited but I don't get why pot gets the side eye from so many people when getting drunk does not. Plus with pot at least you don't get a hangover the next day! I actually have a couple family members who are on medical marijuana for chronic pain and/or anxiety.