Search the Community

Chunk - I think we all loved to eat and drink (if not alcohol - sodas, milk shakes, etc). You have to balance your love of that lifestyle with your desire to live a longer and healthier life. You will not be able to eat the quantity of food you do post-surgery you do pre-surgery. After a year, you will be able to eat almost anything in small quantities. You could probably drink in small amounts. I have discovered a small serving of food (whatever it is) satisfies me and I don't want anymore - and the family celebrations don't miss a beat if I have 1 small helping rather than eat like a pig at the trough (like I used to). And if I have a small sip of a mararita then switch to something else it certainly doesn't impair my enjoyment of the evening and it doesn't seem to bother anyone else I'm not drinking (more for the rest of them is their attitude). It's a tough decision - and you are right to give serious consideration to whether this is a step you want to make. This is a forever thing, not something you will do for a couple of months then can go back to how you were before. Good luck.

I stay between 600-800 calories by eating mostly lean protein and less than 30 carbs. I eat 3 oz of fish or shrimp for breakfast, snack on a slice of turkey, have scallops or tuna for lunch with 1/4 cup spinach or broccoli, have 7 or 8 almonds for afternoon snack, 2 oz steak for dinner with a veg side, and a low-sodium V-8, a few red grapes, or half a protein shake for bedtime snack. I usually get in between 70-85 gms of protein and around 685 or so calories. I don't eat pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, junk food, fast food, or sweets unless it's a special occasion and those come around infrequently. I don't drink alcohol either. I am 56 and tired of being fat so I wanted to get to goal as quickly as possible and this way is working for me.

I preface this by saying I don't like ice cream much, never have. So that might affect my credibility LOL. That said, my favorite 'naughty' treat, though I'm not much of a sweets person -- I more have to stay away from salami and that sort of thing, is to take Fage Greek yogurt (I would use 2% if I could get it, as I need to keep fat in my diet, but I can only get 0% or 5%, so I use the 0% -- has more Protein for whatever bizarre reason) and stir in one spoon Peanut Butter and a whack of SF Jello cheescake pudding powder. OMG tastes soooo good, but warning: is VERY filling. But also: is a tasty satisfying protein bomb. Mmmm mmm good. Really tastes like you're being a very naughty WLS patient when in reality you're being practically angelic! Also: Once when I was out and about for the day with DH and friends, we went to a place to eat where I could find NOTHING (thankfully this is so rare that that is the only time it's happened to me) I could eat. Oddly enough, I ended up having chocolate ice cream for lunch that day (I don't really like chocolate OR ice cream LOL...what a mental case I am sometimes). I could only eat a little of it, but it sat mostly fine and gave me energy to get through to snack time, which was really my goal. I wouldn't recommend it or anything, but in a pinch it was fine. Now there's the other time I ate an entire red velvet whoopie pie over the course of an afternoon -- THAT was a bad idea and made me feel like shite for sure. I truly believe it was down to the fact that I hadn't had red velvet anything in years, and the novelty of even having something like that available to me (found it in London, being sold by an American guy, bless him LOL). It was a home-comfort food experience...ended up not being too comforting though. The best-laid plans and all that... So yeah...good and bad choices, we all have them and we live with the consequences of the ones we make. Keeping with your program is the best plan, which I do 95% of the time. But I'm not the fastest loser here either, so my advice is worth what you paid for it. Just a tip, though -- if you ask about carby foods, sugary stuff, coffee, soda or alcohol, you will almost always see a bit of a debate (albeit usually a very civilized one, such as in this thread) ensue. My other tip is, if you ask for advice in one of these areas (or on any topic really), don't take it personally if someone answers you in a way that seems negative to you. People are sharing their reactions to your question you've asked on an open forum -- and the likelihood of everyone agreeing with you is pretty low, regardless of the topic. Good luck!

Now you are talking my language, I love love love Strawberry margaritas, well most margaretas I like the cranberry juice on the rocks, for the initial stages...no-one will need to know it doesnt have a dash of vodka in it. I agree it would be so hard to have to give up alcohol as well as food, if I drank it everyday. Talk about detox. We can bring it back in eventually, everything in moderation. I will let you know of all the fun we are having.....being single (me) I will be checking out the fit rugby players. They also have naked rugby competition that i thnk would be funny to see (or not see) as it is freezing cold down there . Are you almost ready for your liquid diet?

I'm sorry, but you asked for opinions, you specifically asked if "it's okay". Sure it's okay, is it smart or a decision that is conducive to weight loss? Nope, not at all. Your comments are rude and condescending. Support comes in many forms, and no one was rude or condescending towards you. You asked on a public weight loss surgery forum for opinions/suggestions. It's no different than a recovering alcoholic going to an AA meeting and asking "is it okay if I just have 4oz of a beer instead of 12oz?" Do you think the other members would be cheering him saying "sure, it's no biggie, you've been sober for 2 weeks, hit the bottle, just no more than 1/2 cup!" I agree with TexasTeacher 100%. You are a mere 15 days out from having your guts altered and want to eat one of the poorest food choices out there, and for anyone to tell you "it's okay" would simply be enabling a bad food choice. So, if you don't like hearing that ice cream is not a good option, think before you ask a group of fatties and former fatties who have decided to make the very best of their surgery journey and not eat craptastic food while trying to get to and/or maintain their goal weight.

Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Cream SPF 10 List Price: 105.00$Sale Price : Click to see the sale price Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Cream SPF 10Natura Bisse's C+C Vitamin Cream SPF 10 restores elasticity, tone and firmness to the skin due to the extraordinary amounts of Vitamin C in its formula, Highly recommended for superficially as well as deeply dry skin, Its revitalising elements reinforce their effect against free radicals, Benefits : Boosts the anti aging action, Repairs sun-damaged skin, Ideal for : Dehydrated & Dry Skins, Hyper-Pigmented Complexions, City Skins, Smokers, Binding:Misc. Brand:Natura Bisse EAN:8436002991398 Feature:Ideal for dehydrated skin and for smokers Feature:Boosts the anti-aging action Feature:Repairs sun-damaged skin Ingredients:Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane)(3%), Homosalate (10%), Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)(3%), Octocrylene (2.5%)Other Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Sterate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-75 Stearate, Bisabolol, Cyclodextrin, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Dimethicone, Carbomer 2984, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium DETA, BHT, Sodium Bisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 4 (CI14700)... IngredientsSetElement:Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane)(3%), Homosalate (10%), Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)(3%), Octocrylene (2.5%)Other Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Sterate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Anogeissus Leiocarpus Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG-75 Stearate, Bisabolol, Cyclodextrin, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Dimethicone, Carbomer 2984, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium DETA, BHT, Sodium Bisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 4 (CI14700)... Label:Natura Bisse ListPrice: Manufacturer:Natura Bisse MPN:31A113 ProductGroup:Beauty ProductTypeName:BEAUTY Publisher:Natura Bisse Size:2.5 oz. Studio:Natura Bisse Title:Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Cream SPF 10 Click Here for More Details ! Do not Miss It!! Source

Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Body Cream List Price: 100.00$Sale Price : Click to see the sale price Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Body CreamNatura Bisse's C+C Vitamin Body Cream is formulated with a Vitamin C base, this luxuriously rich and firming emulsion provides a complete beauty treatment for the body, Its toning and hydrating properties provide extraordinary firmness and elasticity and help prevent the appearance of flaccidity, Skin feels smooth and firm, Benefits : Anti-free radicals, Repairs skin damaged by the sun and environmental aggressors, Stimulates the synthesis of Collagen, Ideal for repairing and protecting the skin before and after the summer, Ideal for : Dry & Dehydrated Skin, Smokers, Binding:Misc. Brand:Natura Bisse EAN:8436002991411 Feature:250ml/8.8oz Ingredients:Water (Aqua), Decyl Oleate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C 12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Sterate, Rosa Cannina Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, BHT, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Methylparaben, Ethyl Paraben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral... IngredientsSetElement:Water (Aqua), Decyl Oleate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C 12-20 Acid PEG-8 Ester, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Sterate, Rosa Cannina Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, BHT, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Methylparaben, Ethyl Paraben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Benzoate, Hydroxycitronellal, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral... Label:Natura Bisse ListPrice: Manufacturer:Natura Bisse MPN:32A301 ProductGroup:Beauty ProductTypeName:BEAUTY Publisher:Natura Bisse Size:8.8 oz. Studio:Natura Bisse Title:Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Body Cream Click Here for More Details ! Do not Miss It!! Source

Seventh Generation Unscented Baby Wipes Aloe List Price: 19.95$Sale Price : Click to see the sale price Seventh Generation Unscented Baby Wipes Aloe 7, 0 x 7, 9 in, Soft & gentle, All natural lotion with aloe vera & Vitamin E; Hypo-allergenic; Whitened without chlorine bleach, Our baby wipes are moistened with natural aloe vera, Vitamin E, and water to cleanse and moisturize gently and naturally, Unlike many traditional baby wipes, ours are not bleached with chlorine and do not contain alcohol or synthetic ingredients that can irritate baby's skin, You Can Make a Difference : Please reuse this container with our refill pack, Each refill pack uses 90% less packaging than a hard plastic container, Be kind to your baby and the environment, Not tested on animals, No animal ingredients, Binding:Health and Beauty Brand:Seventh Generation Feature:All-natural wipes moistened with aloe vera, vitamin E, and water Feature:Chlorine- and alcohol-free formula gently softens baby's skin Feature:Environmentally sensitive design minimizes impact for "next 7 generations" Feature:Not tested on animals; reusable container Feature:80 unscented wipes measuring 7.1 by 7.9 inches Label:Seventh Generation ListPrice: Manufacturer:Seventh Generation NumberOfItems:5 PackageDimensions: ProductGroup:Health and Beauty ProductTypeName:HEALTH_PERSONAL_CARE Publisher:Seventh Generation ReleaseDate:2006-06-12 Studio:Seventh Generation Title:Seventh Generation Unscented Baby Wipes with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E - 80 ea (Pack of 5) Click Here for More Details ! Do not Miss It!! Source

The Vitamin Cure for Alcoholism (EasyRead Comfort Sale Price : Click to see the sale price The Vitamin Cure for Alcoholism (EasyRead Comfort This book can be a godsend for many persons--for those who suffer from alcohol addiction, for their friends and loved ones, and for those in the relevant helping professions, Its central message is that alcoholism is primarily a metabolic disease that should be treated with due consideration of its physiological roots, The old moralistic approach and the more recent behavioral and psychological treatment approaches have a dismal record of failure, largely because they pay little or no attention to the crucial physiological and nutritional needs of alcoholics, Click Here for More Details ! Do not Miss It!! Source

SeattleSue - you are so right! I am a carb addict. They were my comfort food - big time. It is best if I just don't indulge in white carbs (bread, Pasta, potatoes, rice, most crackers) and absolutely no junk carbs (chips of any kind). It is like asking an alcoholic to drink reasonably. I am still recording every thing I eat. It took a long time before I was ready to take the training wheels off the bicycle when I was a little girl, it's going to take a long time before I feel in control enough to quit writing down everything that goes into my mouth. Good luck to you ASBGirl - both with your sleeve and your horse endeavors!

I think it's a mental trap...it goes something like, "You've lost 50 lbs! You can have that dorito. It's just a single serving." I'm all for rewards but when you're an addict...it can't be food. I know we aren't all addicts, just like everyone who drinks isn't an alcoholic...but if we are a carb addict, we probably need to remove them or find complex carb substitutes.

The nurse at the hospital gave me a trick for feeling nauseious, if you put an alcohol swab or any cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol on the bridge of your nose and breath in through your nose slowly and out through your mouth. It really worked for me and I never heaved. As for the taste, everything changed for me I loved the chocolate pre op and then after I hated it (still do) I found I love the fruite ones (Syntax nectar Lemonaid ) is my favorite, but all the fuite ones are ok with my new pallet. I am now 4 weeks post op and eating soft food but it too is dificult to find what tastes and feels right, don't worry you just need to find what works for you. I hope you feel better soon. I am 2 days post op and feeling miserable. My left side pulls constantly, I have been dry heaving since gettin home from the hospital yesterday and have a bit of blurred vision. So please excuse any typos. I am having buyer's remorse as well. ALl I want to do is sleep. I wake every 1.5 hours though amd walk, do my respiratory therapy and drink another ounce of something. I have been taking prvacid and gasx and they are helping some but I am having strong hunger pangs as well. Nothing tastes good. I am trying to drink a Protein shake today as my 1 ounce every 15 minuts. But, I know I have missed alot of them since I keep sleeping so much. I am praying for all of us to get better. For now, I am a bit depressed and miserable.

The sleeve really does help keep portions in control. I promise I did not diet during my maintenance time, but I was conscious of my food choices. I eat anything and everything I want. Grant it, about 85-90% of the time I still eat Protein first, but I enjoy all foods. I drink soda, alcohol(not in pregnancy), enjoy a lot of social gatherings which revolve around food. So, I do feel I live a pretty normal little life with food. BUT, I put in the work early out when really didn't have room for a lot of other foods. I remember even getting into maintenance, and being perfectly content with a few chips/crackers. Now, I can sit around mindlessly eat an entire "Big Grab" (those 99cent) bags of Funyuns.or half a sleeve of crackers without restriction. Those are the habits that I was talking about in my first reply. The sleeve really does help us not gain the weight back, but the sleeve doesn't stop ice cream, Cookies, carby/fat/fried foods from sliding right through. None of the WLS options stop carbs and sliders. So, we still have to be mindful and diligent in our food choices. My weight gain was over the holiday season last year. From Halloween to New Years, we attended a bunch of parties, social events, get togethers, etc etc and they all involved alcohol in copious amounts, party foods, Snacks. Seriously, every other weekend, I had somewhere to be and had food and booze in hand. Over those 3 months, I had a solid 7lb gain. I saw the scale gradually go up, and thought "oh it's Water weight from the booze". Low and behold, the new year came and those pounds were still there. I went back to just my normal eating habits, not dieting, just protein first for my meals, and I dropped those pounds in a little over a week. I admittedly hate working out. It's no different than scrubbing toilets. I could probably have more laxity in my food intake if I worked out more. However, I don't want to work out, I don't want to go to a gym, I really just hate exercising. That is a big part of my pregnancy weight gain. I'm eating 1700-1800( about 400-500 more calories than what I ate in maintenance) calories a day with a minimum of 100-200gr of carbs, and 80-100gr of protein per day. The sweet/junk food cravings are unbelievably difficult to fight at this point. I've never dealt with this level of head hunger, or cravings in my life. So, I know that it's pregnancy, and the fact that my eating habits have changed in pregnancy. The lack of physical hunger really is my #1 contributor to my success. I know my sleeve limits, I also know how to cheat the sleeve so it is still all on me to make the best decision on what goes in my mouth for every meal, every day. I can still go several hours without eating. I still never get a stomach growl, or any physical sign that I need to eat. But, I can eat every hour on the hour if I choose. That's the part that is very hard to overcome for me. I know I can eat a meal, and then an hour later I can wander into the pantry and eat more. I wanted to just put it out there that losing was easy, and maintenance is where I (and many others) struggle. That was my issue before surgery as well. I could lose on WW, or any other "diet attempt", but life would happen and I'd gain back what I lost and then some. For me, the most successful sleeve patients out there are the ones who made major behavioral modifications, and really adhered to a solid plan post-op. I have read 100s of topics from people who experience several stalls, slow weight loss, and/or their weight loss comes to a complete halt because they think that the sleeve will do all the work. Sadly, those same patients post how they don't want to diet, how they want normalcy. Well, I hate to say it, but most of us are NOT normal. If we were, none of us would have sought surgical intervention. Pretty much if you are diligent with food choices, and allow indulgences in moderation, the sleeve works. I can still suck down a milkshake, or eat an ice cream without issue. I really do live by the mantra of "just because I can; doesn't mean I should". It's not always easy, but the sleeve helps tremendously.

Sugar alcohols in some of the protein bars cause really bad gassssssssssssssssss in my tummy....some of the Adkins bars are loaded.........and I mean that in the gasssssest way!

I think that they report everything that you all discussed in regards to lapband, committment, psych issues, alcohol, drugs, etc. I will not be able to get a copy of my report until monday to tell you more. He asked about my support system, meds taking, weight loss programs attempted before, do I know wht the lap band is and how I will be affected by it, stuff like tht. But I did do a questionairre of about 500-600 questions. My visit total time was 1 hr and 10-15 minutes of that I spent talking with the psychologist. My psychologist was linked to my physician so that made it easier for me, I did not have to find one on my own or take in papers. So, he automatically knows wht they request of him to do. As long as ur comitted, I think u will be fine, it was a breeze for me.Goodluck.

I am hoping that exercise is releasing enough endorphins to make up for what I am missing from food. I'm exercising 6 days a week, not because I enjoy it but because I think it helps my health. I originally went with 5 days per week so I could get off the anti-depressant I had to start taking during perio-menopause (for those who don't want to look up what that it, it's when you body starts changing, but you're still having your period :-). I am afraid mostly of alcohol (I've always enjoyed it in moderation) and cigarettes (I gave them up years ago and some days one still sounds good). I'm old enough that I think other risky behaviors are behind me. I've either tried it and outgrown it, or it just didn't do it for me. Lynda

My doc's hardline on alcohol was "never" or at least until I hit goal (same for caffeine), but when I pressed him and very pointedly said that I would not be a non-drinker forever, he said 3-6 months and I should be OK. He reminded me that my tolerance could be significantly impacted so to take it easy. I'm looking forward to that experiment! I think a lot of people have returned to caffeine after 3 months or so.

My surgeon says no to alcohol because you might not make your weight loss goals. He is good friends with the doctor I work for so he is straight up with me. I had a half a beer at my dads 60th Suprise Bday Party on Saturday. I felt fine. I will wait to drink my 2nd half a beer until New Years :-)

Hello.. I am a month out.. I just wondered when I could have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. I can't fine my diet package right now because we have company staying with us and my house is upside down..lol By they way, and I mean this kindly, I don't require responses telling me how alcohol is empty calories and not a good choice..etc.. I know the drill.. just wondered when I could have a glass of wine or a coffee with the company Thanks!!

Today is my 6 month surgiversary. I have been wanting this day to come for so long!!! I remember how miserable I was the first 8 weeks after surgery. Sometimes the only thing that would get me through it was knowing that I would someday be right here - near my goal, eating more normal food, and living a good life. I was not sure what to expect from this journey - and it continues to surprise me. In some ways I am more limited than I thought I would be. However, I am also a lot more successful than I thought I would be. As of today, I have lost 52 pounds, gone from a BMI of 31 to a BMI of 23, gone from a size 18/20 jeans to a snug size 10, gone from a 40DD bra to a 34DD bra (which is still hard to find). This surgery was everything the lap band promised to be, but wasn't. It has forced me to change my life. These changes are not always easy to make, but you really have no choice. I still struggle with the emotional side of eating certain things. I am still restricted to just over a 1/4 cup of food, but I find that I am able to eat again within an hour - this is where I have to try and be disciplined. It's always easier when I am busy :-) I find that I have no physical sensation of hunger, but I do have powerful cravings - something I still have to work on. I can't drink alcohol because of a burning sensation I get when I drink it. I could probably triple up on acid reducers to fix that, but I figure I'm not missing out on much by not drinking. I also stopped eating bread because of reflux issues. I find I can skip my acid reducer altogether if I eat clean and I eat small portions - it's worth it to me to try and eat the right way and skip the meds. I've been off the acid reducers for about 3 weeks. My weight loss has slowed down a little. I think I am eating between 1000 and 1200 cals a day - more on the weekends because I have more idle time and I will snack a little. My report says I have lost 5.5 pounds in the last 30 days. It seems to come off in small bursts now - no weight loss for 2 weeks and then 2 pounds in a few days. That cycle is fine with me :-) I would be happy at this weight forever, but I am curious to see where my body wants to settle. On a personal note, I got engaged last month. I went wedding dress shopping and my biggest fear is that the dress will be too big for them to alter when it gets here. Crazy. It's 2 months till the wedding and I am hoping that I don't lose too much. Oh well, we'll deal with that when it happens... Finally, I'll talk about health. I don't exercise - I know, I know, it's terrible. I just haven't been able to force myself into regular exercise. I do walk A LOT more than I used to - to the store, around the block, by the beach, etc. I don't take the Vitamins anymore and my 6 month bloodwork was perfect. I stopped taking the acid reducer last month and I noticed the weird taste in my mouth went away and I have more frequent BM's (sorry if too TMI), I get about 60 grams of Protein a day - all from meat / yogurt / cheese, I eat about 50 grams of carbs - mostly from granola or oatmeal. I still eat 5 to 6 times a day. I have 8 pounds until I reach my "made up" goal. I know in my 20's I was very healthy at 120 pounds which would be another 20 or so to lose. I don't know if I want to go there - at this point I feel like I am along for the ride. If I lose 10 more, great! If I lose 20 more, great! If I stay where I am, great!! Bottom line: right now, I am really happy. Good luck to all----

Hi flowergirly! For my 30 day challenge, I'm following the Whole 30 plan. In a nutshell, I'm eliminating all foods that cause negative impact on your body so no sugar, no grains, no legumes, no dairy, no soy, no processed foods and no alcohol. It's basically a very strict paleo diet. It's pretty tough but it's a good way to wean yourself off of sugars and figure out if you have sensitivities to other foods.

Hi Everyone, My nut told me it was ok to drink while i was eating, that it was more for band ppl then sleeved ppl. I'm just over 4 months out, and I have been drinking w/ all my meals. I've continued to lose weight, 3 to 5 lbs every 2 weeks or so. i have not had any alcohol since being sleeved, and NO soda...lol. I don't even miss that anymore. I'm 20 lbs to goal, and feel the drinking has not hindered me at all.......I have a dr appt at the end of this month tho, and I'll be sure to double check this question w/ her again, just to be sure....

I don't see where anyone mentioned alcohol. Yes, you will be able to eat and drink at the same time in the future, if you so choose.

To clarify - Right now if I try and drink a glass of tea or lemonade or Water while I'm eating it's really uncomfortable. It feels like a big bubble in my stomach and throat. Just wondered if that will ever subside and I can have a few sips if I choose.... not even interested in the alcohol aspect of the whole thing.

The other aspect, beyond the basic sleeve healing and caloric intake issues, is liver health. Being obese, our livers usually aren't in the best of shape to begin with, and the rapid weight loss further taxes it by it's role in metabolizing all the fat that we're losing, so it doesn't need any more work by having to metabolize the alcohol. My doc is a liver specialist outside of his bariatrics practice, so you better believe that we are on the no alcohol program for the 12-18 months of rapid weight loss - he doesn't like seeing his WLS patients coming back as transplant patients!