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Hi, I was intrigued to read your message about the importance of food in our lives and what to replace it with. I am about to have the surgery done (3 days) and I have already experienced what you're talking about during the pre-op diet. For one thing, I am using this message board to find support and answers to questions that I have. That is the first change I've made and I think it's a good one. There's nothing worse than feeling as if you're the only one going through something - so lonely... I also think that I will start to reward myself with clothing and accessories in place of the food. I know that when I was thinner I really enjoyed clothing and dressing up. Now I slink into the plus sizes section and feel embarrassed by having to buy such big clothes. Also I will use my hobbies of quilting and knitting to take up time and energy. I need to have something to do with my hands. I was used to having as much wine as I wanted with meals and am finding that part hard to give up. I have done it but am struggling with what to use to replace alcohol in my social life. Do you have any thoughts on that? Good luck. Barbara url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wHhZnhr/] [/url]

I am one of those low BMI people, 35, with my co-morbidity (hate that word) is sleep apnea, which has its own health risks in addition to obesity, and my waist measurement is 38", which also puts me at higher risk for many health conditions. I'm less than 5'2", and though I was under 200 pounds when I got surgery on Monday, I was recently very close to 200 lbs. Weight is irrelevant if you don't consider height as well. I have been obese for much of my adult life and I know that my health will greatly improve with this procedure. I have a feeling that as people with low BMIs have the surgery, and significant reduction in many health challenges, the insurance qualification may lower. In fact, it used to be 40 BMI, and is now 35 with a co-morbidity, which is why I and many of us have qualified for the surgery. Generally, I am actually an active person who ate well, but certainly too much. I don’t eat red meat, and haven’t for decades, I don’t drink alcohol, take drugs or smoke. I work at a standing desk with a treadmill that I walk on part of the time, and I ride a seven mile bike ride around three times a week. I drink only Water. I haven’t had sugar of any kind since April 5 of 2011 (no sugar, agave, maple syrup, honey or fake sugars). Over the years, I’ve done tons of diets, including two medically supervised fasts twenty years apart. The only time in my life where I was able to keep myself at a great BMI was when I was on Phen Fen for two years. The reason I was so successful is it was the only time in my life that I have ever FELT when I was full. The feeling of when I am full has evaded me except for this time period, and it has been the great challenge of my life. On Phen Fen, I felt full with much less food, and was able to stop without emotional eating for years. However, that medication was discontinued. Now, having done the sleeve, I don't feel hungry, and I do feel full. I realize this is less than a week out, and that I likely have 6-18 months to make these changes permanent, or I might as well have not done the surgery, but I'm feeling hopeful for the first time in my 49 years that I might be able to achieve and maintain an healthy weight. I hope we are careful not to judge each other, and to offer support. This is such a scary thing to do, but I am grateful to have had the opportunity to do it, and for the support of this group.

Not that I an alcoholic or anything but this is nice to know. As a 25 year old woman it is nice to know that when I go to a bar with friends and everyone is singing kareoke (sp?) and puonding down drinks I know that I don't have to make 1 drink last 4 hours.

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I took a look at the string you started earlier as well. I am interested to see if there are people who feel like they have overcome their eating disorder. Or is eating disorder recovery similar to alcohol recovery… Something we have to do for the rest of our lives. Just curious. I am doing DBT therapy as well. Trying to get as much in on the front end, prior to surgery, so that post surgery. I am really starting to think that I will never be able to stop seeking outside resources.

I haven't tried alcohol since surgery. I was never much of a drinker. An occasional glass of wine when out to dinner, so I don't miss the alcohol. So, i have no stories to report on how drunk or not drunk post-op.

my surgeon says he'd rather his patients eat butter than consume alcohol. ever.

Breads will be a big problem most likely for now on. I'm four months out and can only eat a half a slice of toast. I did try a piece of bread at dinner one night and I felt like I was going to throw up for about two hours afterwards. Anyways, you really want to stay away from the high carb foods like breads and potatoes and even alcohol. I knew this was a sacrifice I had to make when I went with this surgery.

YOU BETCHA! I was 3 months out when I had my first alcoholic beverage and coffee. I'm out 3 years now and basically eat and drink whatever i want, including sodas (diet of course). But the only thing you will NOT be able to do is overeat (pigout) like before. And that is all well worth it. . . so don't freak out, time will get you there and then you'll smile at your question. . . but dont worry. . . life is good and your going to love it! good luck

Yes you can, but remember, just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. In moderation, once in a while, those are words to live by....I seldom eat bread, hardly ever at home, I don't eat sandwiches at home.....I can eat a fourth of a med sized baked potato. I use Greek yogurt as sour cream and a little butter, very little. I don't want to fill up on potato ever, we need Protein. Alcohol, I was at goal, past goal.....and about 17 months out before I had a White Russian or glass of Sangria. There is a place here in Dallas called Which Wich.....I can eat one third of a 7" sub from there, maybe a tiny bit more....that's it. I'm full, satisfied and to tell you the truth, I never feel deprived. I split a piece of pumpkin bread from Star Bucks with my husband. The difference is this, I am aware of EVERYTHING I put in my mouth. After having 85% of my tummy removed, no mindless eating for me.

I am making this post because I need to come clean. Prior to surgery I would drink nearly every evening, a glass or two of wine or a couple of beers a night. Did I feel I had a problem??? - Maybe, but I would rationalize it by telling myself I could go days at a time without drinking, so it could not be a problem. During my pre-op stage I did not touch alcohol, nor did I even want a drink. Post surgery, I did fine for a month... Then, I thought, I want to try a glass of wine. I did and one glass was all I needed. But the next day there was still that wine left, so I rationalized drinking again by saying I did fine the night before might as well have another glass. A week later I have rationalized my way into having a glass to a glass and a half of wine nearly every night. I see an old habit returning and I don't want it back. I poured out the remaining wine and am making this posting to come clean about my error. For those of you who might be like me (a regular alcohol user pre-surgery) and want to have drink post surgery.... Please don't. It could be slippery slope into letting other impulsive negative behaviors back into your life. Yes - I know there are people who can have a drink with no problem post surgery. I am just admitting I am not one and I started to slide down the slippery slope into old unhealthy behaviors.

I am struggling with the supervised diet also. I started out great and lost 12 pounds but I see the dietician this week and am sure I have gained some back. One thing the dietician does is ask me a series of questions: Are you chewing your food to mush? Are you drinking pop or juice? Are you drinking alcoholic drinks? Are you exercising? I think they are wanting to know you are starting to make the changes you need to make to be successful with the surgery. I have done it for three months and am sick of it. If I could lose the weight on my own I wouldn't need the surgery. Well I will just keep plugging along but I have been worried that if I don't keep losing i may not qualify so glad to read everyone's post.

I have been tp the gym maybe 5 times not counting my stint with crossfit to meet men. You can't out train a bad diet. You can erase 2 hours in them gym with a few bites of a bad food choice. So working out doesn't matter if you aren't eating right. Most peoppe with RNY don't dump, at least not long term. They might at first but once their intestines adapt they no longer do. Which means at 1 year or 18 months they are stalled out or regaining from bad food choices like anyone else. The sleeve is just a tool, it can't save you from yourself. You have to make the right food choices that work with you sleeve not against it. You can easily get back on track but you are going to have to accept that some things are not helpful for losing weight, like alcohol and other nutrient devoid foods.

i did not do any "sugar free" stuff. i dont even do stevia. i did do a Protein shake with sugar alcohols in it. i used coconut sugar post op. its a low glycemic sugar. i dont eat jello, or SF pudding or popsicles or "lite" yogurt. i did do grass fed Gelatin, eddies fruit pops (the ones with 60 calories.. not splenda), cottage cheese and vanilla or plain greek yogurt. i have juiced cucumbers (and other veggies), made lots of bone broth and drank plain coconut Water. i made popsicles with coconut water and yogurt too! i have lost 80 pounds post op and so feel like i must be doing something right! my nut agreed she doesnt do artificial sweeteners and so encouraged me to find low sugar whole foods to eat post op.

Thank you @Bastian and @FluffyChix I haven’t answered I’ve been in a mood. My weight did a bit of a backslide after the colonoscopy and endoscopy. Three days of prep I got in less calories than usual but got my average protein in 52 grams. Colonoscopy day I only managed a packet of BariatricPal cappuccino (80 calories, 15 grams protein) the past two days I had around 60 grams protein. My weight was down the day of the colonoscopy but then backslid. My nutritionist wanted me to try new food I tried smoked salmon last night she said it was ok to try It was soft enough to not have a hard time going down. Tasted fine, I ate extremely slow. But I was nauseous and got a migraine. I admit my mom asked me to go out to dinner with her friends. The day after the tests. I had enough protein that day I had a few small bites of her sweet potato and a drink I sipped very very slowly, nothing with added sugar, some crushed ginger and lime, my first time having any alcohol for a long while, it wasn’t a sweet drink. I don’t usually go out I am terrible in social settings and all the loud voices in a restaurant, so that’s why I got a drink hoping to relax me, to numb the throat pain, even though I felt no effects from it at all. As for the colonoscopy and endoscopy they never give a option of what time it is. They also require I do prep the night before and the morning of or drink it five hours before the procedure. I had no idea that a noon appointment was their last patient. This was the only availability otherwise the wait was a month or two longer. You are right the stoma is the GJ junction, so then GE junction is gastroesophageal junction. How do they tear that during dilation of the stoma? No one talked to me because I wasn’t alert enough. So it was my fault I had an involuntary hiccup? Probably from having to try to do all the prep despite the Dysphasia. And then my follow up isn’t until November 27th! I’m just getting frustrated with doctors, with myself, with just about everything lately. This could just be a normal stall before it starts but I hate the backsliding, for me it triggers a sensation of ptsd and I feel like I can’t keep from going back to being fat even though I try so hard. I also feel like my metabolism is just so slow I’ll never be able to eat normal calories even after surgery that I’ll have to stay below 400 calories and stick to around 50 grams protein. My nutritionist wants me eating more normal foods and I’m afraid it will trigger more gain even if it’s within calories and protein. Never mind the swallowing issues. Not sure when or how to discuss the colonoscopy and endoscopy or if the doctors will even care. And I need to prepare for surgery on the 14th and hope I can keep my weight going down despite that. With my lifelong chronic illness constantly getting worse, and dealing with new unknown neurological problems, I can’t deal with setbacks with other things. Especially my weight. It may seem like a small thing to me it’s a big thing. But I have no control over much of my life it’s one medical thing after another and needs to work around fatigue and post exertional malaise. I don’t want people thinking it’s a pity party. I’ve had my mom accuse me of that. It’s just my reality. I feel rather stupid venting on a public forum on the internet again. I hadn’t done this in a while. I’ve got no one. My moms boyfriend seems to think because I “look good” automatically I should be perfectly fine and have no problems. I try to be a part of my mother and her friends sometimes but it’s not my place here it’s hers and her life. I just feel like the idiot with autism and chronic illness that no one wants to hear exists. So then I don’t get involved. When we moved here I encouraged my mother to take advantage of the opportunity to do so, and to get away from our life in NY so she could have a better life for herself. It was never for me. And the one thing I enjoyed most about being here, going on walks to photograph birds and critters and nature, is getting further away from being possible. I tried to tell my mom these things, she doesn’t want to hear it just says she is worried but she gets to go about her life. Of course she should. I say she is better of without me but she says she needs me. Story of my life. I’m never good enough. Again I rant. I’m Sorry about that.

Well, I've started a post here quite a few times only to get a few paragraphs in, tell myself "who cares" and log off without posting anything. The night before last I got a call from the Bariatric Clinic where I had my lap band done and they were calling to remind me to make my three year follow up visit appointment. Three years. Has it been three years? And where am I at? I'm heavier today than I was the day of surgery. To say I'm discouraged is the understatement of the century. I was 320 pounds when approved for surgery. I lost 35 pounds before surgery on Medifast because I needed to shrink my liver, per doctor's orders. I am now at 298. The lowest weight I achieved was 268 and that was about 6 months after banding. It will be three years in May and the thought of even going in for a follow up visit leaves me cold. At an appointment about a year and half a ago (for a fill) the doctor told me, "You did not fail the band - the band failed you." Seriously? Doesn't that sound like a cop-out? He wants me to have gastric bypass. He always did want me to have gastric bypass. So did my PCP. So does my diabetes doctor. Anyone I've encountered in the medical field advises me to have gastric bypass. They don't really come out and say it, but I know with my super high blood pressure and pre-diabetes (I was Type II diabetic before surgery, but was able to come off the meds after surgery and haven't had to go back on them - yet), plus a BMI of 54 (nothing like being more than half fat) they're fearful I'm going to have a stroke. They never come out and SAY that, but the urgency is there. The constant encouragement to have gastric bypass is there. I've been overweight since I was about 12. I'd been called fat or variations thereof my entire life up until that point. I look at photos now and sigh with regret. I was tall (for my age - now I'm 5'3" - who knew I'd end up a shrimp?!), but I was thin. I don't know why so many said I was fat. I am a big-boned girl, but I'm not Andre the Giant. Anyway, by 12 I was seeing myself as the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man and I grew from there. I've lost the weight off and on my entire life, starting in my teens. 50 pounds here, 100 pounds there. I lost 100 pounds in 1997 and kept it off for five years until I had a car accident and couldn't work out 7 days a week like I had been. The weight came back so quickly without my constant exercising. It was pure heartache for me. So here I am again. I'm seeing a Hypertension specialist because my BP is so high and my PCP can't manage it any longer. I have hereditary high BP and was diagnosed at 15. I'm 40 now. I take more medications than a 70 year old. Even when I lost the 100 pounds my BP didn't budge. I'm seeing an Endocrinologist because my PCP thinks my issues might be hormonal, however the Endocrinologist is coming at me more from a diabetes standpoint. I have arthritis in my hands and feet and I'm having flare ups almost on a daily basis. My RA doctor doesn't want to prescribe medications because they will jack up my already high BP. I haven't been in for a fill in about two years. I don't go because I feel like I'm a failure. Every weigh in depresses me. Oddly enough I don't need a fill. I have pretty good restriction and I'm limited in what I can eat. I haven't drank soda or eaten fast food in 20 years. I don't eat junk food (really I don't). I rarely touch alcohol with very few exceptions. I try to exercise 3-4 times a week, but with my feet hurting so badly lately, exercise seems impossible. Plus I fractured my foot two months ago, so I'm only recently even ready to think about exercising again. Sweets are difficult for me, but I really limit what I eat. I'll have sorbet about once a week (maybe twice if it's that time of the month) and a piece of chocolate (not candy bars) every now and again. I haven't maintained a perfect course since being banded, but I've stayed the course pretty darn well. A woman in our office was banded about 6 months ago. I'd say she's lost probably 75 pounds. She looks fantastic. Before surgery she ate a lot. Eating out every day, large portions, soda, fast food, etc. She was pretty big. Even before my surgery I never ate that way. Weight just seems to stick to me like a booger that won't flick off. This same woman who was banded 6 months ago still drinks soda, but it's diet now (which I know soda is a no-no). She eats pretty large portions (I cannot or I'll puke) and she looks amazing. I was sitting in the breakroom with a friend the other day eating lunch and I told my friend, "I'm so jealous. I'm never jealous of anyone or anything, but I'm jealous of this woman's weightloss." If you're thinking I'm not eating enough, I did have my trainer tell me that he didn't think I was eating enough, but I feel full. What am I supposed to do? Force it? Here's a typical day: Breakfast Greek Yogurt with a handful of Grape Nuts on top 1 cup of coffee with Splenda and creamer Water throughout the day Lunch Half a sandwich (Typically turkey) OR Egg salad with a serving of Wheat Thins (about 16 chips) Snack (I know we're not supposed to snack, but sometimes I'm just starving and I have to take a pill with food) Some slices of cheese OR Handful of almonds Dinner Salad with lowfat Ranch dressing Protein of some sort (chicken or steak) OR Meatloaf and cottage cheese I can't eat past 7pm because of heartburn, so I'm eating early and I do not eat or have dessert after 7pm because of the heartburn. I drink plenty of water throughout the day. Sometimes I do have juice (like a mango/orange from concentrate) when I get home, but I cut it with water (usually 1/4 juice and 3/4 water). If I do have dessert it's usually sorbet. I will have a piece of birthday cake (it's a birthday celebration - come on!) or a piece of pie at Thanksgiving. I don't believe in being insane about restrictions. I don't understand what's wrong. I take so many medications that I wonder if all these BP drugs are slowing my metabolism down. I've been medicated since 22 - heavily medicated. My BP is 220/120 unmedicated. Medicated I'm 140/90 and lately it's been 153/100, hence the reason for the referral to the Hypertension Clinic. I'm discouraged. My sister and I are exactly the same size and she weighs 30 pounds less than I do! 30 pounds less and we're the same size! That's crazy! I don't want to starve myself and exercise like a mad woman in order to take the weight off. What's wrong with me? I'm so very, very discouarged. I don't like being this big. I do want to change. I'm trying to change. My whole life I've tried. What am I doing wrong?

@@SlimJill - talk to your doctor about this: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3697760/ Naltesone seems to help with compulsive behaviors. If you use it for a season to get on stable ground, when you get off of it, try to add in some positive things like sex, exercise etc. I also suggest this book: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical/dp/0976852659/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481661627&sr=8-1&keywords=the+emotional+first+aid. I worked through it before my surgery, but it still works on the other side. The danger is without a positive alternative, it is easy to transfer addictions to something negative. (drugs, alcohol, gambling) I'm not suggesting the struggle is easy, but the battle is one you can win.

Alcohol.. but after hitting rock bottom, I slapped myself around a bit then stopped. I wish I could have a drink every now and again but I cant. For me its better that it's never. Kate

I'm the same way I'm 6 weeks out and only 3 bites max on most meals if you want to call it that. I try to eat fatter food to raise the cal and Protein intake but it seems I'm still stuck ): If I had to guess I get get in more calories by drinking alcohol then I do when I eat for the entire day. I don't drink every day of course but oh well ...

Thanks for the advice... I'm finding it hard to get in enough liquids... Everything has a terrible taste to me, pre surgery I loved the taste of Water and diet Snapple, and crystal light! Now they all taste like quinine or rubbing alcohol! The Dr. office says that's because I'm dehydrated!! Well how do I get hydrated??? ?

I've been told to stay away from alcohol for about a year. That bariatric patients are at high risk for alcoholism and 1 ounce of wine could literally put you on your butt. Since our body metabolizes differently, our tolerance for alcohol is back at zero. Sent from my SM-N900T using the BariatricPal App

Lee, I am concerned for your health, your rambling style makes me think that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You seem to be somewhat disoriented and your argument has little flow, you seem unable to coherently state your point. If I am incorect I am sorry please take no offence, I only say this because I am concerned, I understand that being a single parent is very stressfull.

To understand parts of my blog you should have a little background about me and the people in my life that you will see mentioned in my blog. About me... I'm 38, divorced and currently not in a real relationship. Relationships are a challenge for me, I just can't seem to figure them out. I am totally a people pleaser and give way to much of myself in relationships without expecting anything in return...You guessed it...the perfect setup to be used and taken for granted. Albeit by my own doing as I set the stage for such happenings. I'm working on fixing this character defect and trying to figure out a good balance which is why I am currently not in relationship..Another thing that makes relationships hard for me is the fact that I am very independent and self reliant and supported..I own my own house (my family and I physically built it ourselves) and make a decent living... I think that makes most men a little intimidated. PS to the guys out there who may read this...why wouldn't you want a woman who could take care of herself???....well enough on that subject. A little more about me...I have been trying to lose weight all of my life and I have made it a goal that if I was going to be fat at least I wasn't going to be weak so I have worked out a lot in the past yet, I am 100 pounds overweight. I'm a size 14-16 and wear and extra large shirt. I did this more for my health reasons than for looks...the looks thing that's icing on the cake...being able to get off my diabetes medicine and knowing I'm not damaging my body by not controlling the diabetes that's the important thing for me. Moving on... People in my life. Lets see. My mom, She's the reason I had the band put in. She's a walking medical book of her own. She has so many things wrong with her all because of being overweight and alcohol. She does not understand nutrition at all!!! She fell and broke her hip in July of 07 after my dad passed away in April from a broken hip, you can imagine how scared I was when I got that call. Three surgeries later she's finally able to walk and care for herself. My Sister Lisa, she and I were really close until she started working with me and couldn't separate work from home. Love my job but don't want to live it 24/7. She hates April because she blames her for taking me away from her. Totally not the case at all. My best friends April and Donna and Dalena. April, she's amazing. She has got to be one of the strongest people that I have ever met. She's under 30 and has lost two children. Serenity who was 20 days old and born with six major birth defects and Alex...My buddy...I miss him so much. Alex was four, he died September 10th, 2008 a day I will never forget because it was one of the hardest days of my life. To watch the life leave such an amazing little boy was heart wrenching. It makes me cry just to think about it. April has her days when it's really tough and the next six months I am sure are not going to be easy as we are coming up on the anniversary of his death and the Christmas holiday season. Most importantly I will be standing beside her and holding her close. Next is Donna. Donna she's complicated(She's my niece through marriage but also my best friend). She has the most amazing supportive attitude and helpful spirit. But, Donna like myself is morbidly obese. She's very frustrated about her weight and the fact that April and I are both losing weight and she feels lost. I try really hard to support her and have even set down and showed her the numbers of how many calories a day that she's putting in her body just by drinking soda(enough that by just stopping drinking soda would help her lose 12 pounds a month or at least not gain it). McDonalds or fast food of some type is a staple in her daily diet and it saddens me to watch her feeding that stuff to Payton my great niece who is 15 months old. I try to make suggestions such as order the apples instead of french fries. I think Donna wants to lose weight, but I don't think that she knows how to...Like so many of us. I see so many little changes that could make a big impact on her weight I just don't know how to approach the subject with her. I love her no matter how much she weighs or what she eats. I just feel a little guilty that I have this tool and I know that right now there is just no way that she could afford it with no insurance. Dalena...She's actually going to be moving in with me in a week. I'm a little nervous about that because she has a ten year old son and she doesn't drive. I live in the country and there is nothing within walking distance. I don't want to be a taxi service. We get along great I just worry that she will expect me to drive her around and that I will be the built in babysitter. Next the men in my life... Larry...I love him with all of my heart but know that he is a playa playa and totally the wrong man for me. I hired him two years ago. I could tell that he was into me because it was like he was making up reasons to come in just to "ask" me questions. I screwed up totally and fell into the game...I'm not a game player and had never been exposed to what would happen next. I dated Martin--Control freak--OTR truck driver...he broke up with me and I called my nephew who was working on the night crew to go and take all the pictures of Martin out of my office because I couldn't stand the thought of seeing them the next morning. Anyway...The next morning, Larry shows up in my office and makes the move...I ended up at his place that night and stupid me...yes, stupid stupid me slept with him!!!! DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB I would never do that again if I had it all to do over again. Anyway, this relationship without being in a relationship went on for a year and a half. I broke it off with him about two months ago because I knew that going into this lapband that I had to concentrate on me. T...Larry's best friend. He keeps asking me out, the only problems are one...He's Larry's best friend...Two He's Larry's best friend and Three he lives two hours away. Then there's Dave...He's awesome, we actually date, but he doesn't want a relationship either...GRRRRRR men they are so fickle. AM I JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO DATE? Lastly, Greg...HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT OH Did I mention he was HOT!!!!! He transferred in about four months ago. He and I just clicked, not sure why, normally I would probably never have talked to him because he is way HOT and I am Way bashful. I get the feeling that he likes me. The other night we were on the phone, I was booking a trip for him to Ireland. I asked him if he missed having me around this week and he said "No, because we're sleeping together...or at least that's the newest rumor" I laughed and said "Dang it! I missed it." We laughed ... Why is it that when I sit down with a guy at lunch the next thing I know it's going around that I'm sleeping with them?...not that I would mind at all with Greg but sheeeeshhhh come on people. The pets... Ruffaluf...Grey tiger stripped regal looking cat. He was born on my mom and dad's 47th wedding anniversary. Making him nine years old in September. Hotta hootta Houchy moooo...Other wise known as Hotta B or Obbitchywan...He's my baby. I had to bottle feed him because he was so little when we found him his eyes weren't even fully opened. He's been my baby ever since. Can you say SPOILED!!! He's a beautiful black tuxedo long haired cat that loves to snuggle in the morning. I love it when he pets my face to wake me up. Bear Bear...He's was an abused dog that Martin rescued that I got stuck with. He is a beautiful black lab. His name used to be Dr destructo but now he's starting to finally be a good dog except for when left outside alone he gets in the neighbors trash and drags it all over his yard...BAD BAD BAD DOG!!! That about wraps it up as to the important people in my life. Totally exciting huh????

Today was my first appointment on my journey to surgery. I had all my tests/labs and met with the pysch. for my eval. I went from having 4 appointments this month to 9. She said I have to go to 4 group counseling sessions to discuss my binge eating (which she said I don't do. That I am a 'grazer') Also that I have to attend one substance abuse group. When discussing if I ever drank I said yes about 3 years ago, for aobut 3 months on the weekends. After my divorce I went through a short partying phase with my friends. So now I am considered an alcoholic? I haven't touched a drop since Dec 09. How can someone become an alocholic in a few weeks and never touch it again? I haven't drank since I found out I was pregnant. I honestly feel that this is just to collect on insurance. So, I am a grazing non drinking person who has to attend binge eating and substance abuse classes? I don't get it. I drive 2 hours each way and it costs my approx $40 in gas. x 9 = $360 That's just insane. Plus gas to drive my child back and forth for to daycare. Now I feel like I'm going to get rejected by insurance for surgery

Ok I was really concerned! I'm glad Im not the only one who had to go through it. My fiance was so mad when I told him because he KNOWS that there is zero concern that I am an alcoholic much less a drinker. We bought a bottle of wine 2 years ago and it was never opened lol. I was so afraid that somehow the insurance would think that I was some sort of risk and not approve me. It's scary to think of spending $500+ in one month in driving, hotel and parking expenses to get denied. (not that there isn't that risk in general........) Thanks again guys!

Sometimes you have to jump through these hoops for insurance and sometimes for the hospital or the surgeon. If your final cost isn't much and you get banded and drop all the excess weight, it is well worth sitting in on some alcohol and eating disorder classes. In my case, there were no pre-op hoops to jump through .... nothing. There were no classes and no testing. I just had to do a 2 week Atkins pre-op diet. The one very large hoop I had to jump through was paying $10,000 cash. Either way I think it is well worth it. If I had insurance that would have paid for the surgery I would have done whatever the insurance required.