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Elfie, I'm willing to accept that. I don't have a particular issue with carbs; while I may want and crave them, I don't experience any sort of physiological reaction when I eat (or do not eat) them. I do eat "cleanly," and avoid refined carbs to maximize my health and loss. But it's not to avoid symptoms. I think there are probably as many different answers to WHY as there are people. My point was that for ME, identifying what's going on in my head is useful when I'm trying to change my behavior. It's not required--I can white-knuckle any kind of change. But for long-term success, I do better if I'm able to say, "Oh, I've just hit the 30-pound down mark, and the last time I weighed this little, x, y, and z were going on. Wow, that was uncomfortable; I wonder whether approaching this weight again is stirring up feelings that are causing me to get in my own way." Obviously, that does not mean that other things (types of foods eaten, and so on) don't require change. It just is helpful. I made the distinction between alcoholics and addicts in that, while it's great for an alcoholic to recognize what triggered his/her disease, once it IS a disease, that knowledge is relatively useless. If you withdraw alcohol, life-threatening physiological responses occur, and medical intervention is required. I hadn't considered that for some, banding might represent a similar sort of medical intervention to help treat carb addiction. Interesting to ponder.

I was Sleeved on June 5th and so far i've lost 70lbs, so it's possible. It's hard, but it is possible. I'm proof of that. I am a big time food addict. Always have been, and just like any Alcoholic or Drug Addict, I always will be. It's a struggle daily to stay away from things I know I shouldn't be having. I would much rather be eating something way bad for me any chance I get. I just keep reminding myself why I got sleeved. I think about how my life has been the last how many years, stashed away in the house hiding from the world, watching life go by. I refuse to live like that any longer. So when I get the desire for something bad to eat instead I opt for something healthy. My go to snack of late is baby carrots and celery sticks with hummus to dip them in. When I really want to feel like I'm cheating I'll have a sugar free popsicle or fudgesicle. That's not saying we can't still eat pretty much anything we want from time to time. I've spoiled myself and had stuff I know I probably shouldn't have had. I just had it in moderation, and on rare occasions.

Yes they have Margarita n mojito mix taste great!!! Makes it a lot easier to get the liquids in. Make as directed just put it in the blender with lots of ice n that's it. To the mojito I add half a lemon n crushed mint leaves so it taste just like a mojito without the alcohol. [ATTACH]2797[/ATTACH]

Let's face it. We have been living to eat not eat to live. We are addicted to food in some way or to some degree or another. Anytime someone goes into addiction recovery (alcohol, drugs, gambling) they recommend to the person in recovery that they abstain from relationships for the first year. Addiction is addiction is addiction. Getting normalized in your daily life and stabilizing your weight is far more important than being in a relationship. I am not being judgemental here and I am sorry if that is the interpretation but that was not my intent. We are fighting for our lives. If I were a recoverying alcoholic and Thanksgiving and Christmas were nothing but drunken brawls interspersed with football games and gifts then I would go on a cruise! My quality of life is my utmost priority in my psycho-social behavior. My quality of life includes losing weight. It is absolutely my highest priority.

So first i am not posting this to get anyone to jump all over me. So dont please. Anyways i am headed to vegas in nov. And i have not even thought about alcohol due to the fact i am not a huge drinker. But is it ok to have a drink or two? I mean hello girls weekend in vegas! Nothing carbonated..clearly lol but something simple...? Yes i understand cross over addictions and blah blah im not making a a habit... Anyways by the trip ill be 3.5 mo post op.

I believe that my surgeon likes to try to avoid crossover addictions, which is why alcohol is such a no/no under his program.

My doctor's told us that drinking alcohol is a no no. They reported that our stomachs are greatly reduced and is absorbed at a much faster rate and that people have died with WLS from drinking alcohol. Now was this a scare tactic or what? I don't want to risk it. But on the other hand, I might take a sip here and there. Why not?

I am so sorry for your loss and for your struggles and challenges. As you are being treated for alcoholism then you know the first step is accepting that you need help. I am glad you recognize that. I agree that you should make an appointment with a surgeon, a NUT, and even a psychologist first thing to talk about your stays and goals. If you haven't had blood work in a while they will definitely need to check your Vitamin levels etcetera. See if the bariatric program has a support group. If so, attend. You may also want to find a 12-step group like OA (OA.org). A good therapist will be critical for helping you recover and move forward in a positive way. It is never too late to be successful and create a life that you deserve. Sending hugs.

Please move my post if I am not in the right place. I had gastric bypass in 8/2012. I fasted to a weight of 275 and in the next three months I dropped to 246. I lost my health insurance at that time and couldn't go to the doc anymore. I never lost anymore after the 246. I stayed there until the weight started quickly come back on. I never felt like I had restriction and I ate like I didn't. I ate a lot of slider foods. (My Father also died the same year and I was in another state isolated from my family. I should also tell you that I hurt my back in 2009 and I had trouble walking - one of the reasons I had the surgery) There's so much to believe that there was something wrong with my surgery (I was hungry when I woke from surgery and ate the whole Clear liquids platter and I never felt much restriction at all.) I feel so much shame about what I keep thinking as my failure to adhere to the "rules." On top of that I started having trouble with alcohol in 2013 and I am an alcoholic now, currently seeking treatment. I don't like to regret things but I always think that I would have done better with the sleeve but if the problem is really psychological with me, it wouldn't have mattered. Now I finally have insurance and I can seek an opinion on the surgery and meet with a dietician. I will not be pursuing a revision or other procedure unless I have at least a year of sobriety. Thank you for reading.

I'm so glad you posted this! There are so many strong people on this site posting about their struggles with addiction. I know it's hard to share such personal information, but it really does help others to know they are not alone and that addictions can be managed. I am a little over 6 months out and I can see some tendencies toward other addictions. I'm certain I am a food addict and I've been in counselling for a year now. Just the reaction I had after my sleeve surgery when I couldn't eat my feelings anymore - it was the WORST feeling I've ever had. I used to eat until I was numb and was "high" on food (I compare it to getting drunk). I can't do that anymore so my brain automatically wants to look for a replacement. I'm really keeping an eye on my drinking, shopping, etc. The counselling has helped me be aware of my issues and, if I'm aware of them, I feel like I'm gaining some headway to healing. It is also helping me to feel my feelings instead of suppress them with whatever (food, alcohol, etc.). It's a really difficult process, especially when you suffer with anxiety and depression. My brain really fights feeling my emotions! I've used these coping skills my entire life and now I'm trying to change - very hard thing to do. So I guess my point is that none of us are immune to the possibility of other addictions. But awareness is the key. If you are aware of the problem (or potential problems) you can get the help you need. Hang in there - you're not alone - and YOU CAN DO THIS:)

WOW! My doc said I couldn't drink alcohol for the first year? Good to hear that a drink won't kill me!! LOL

Some great stuff in this thread. I have struggled with these questions, also, and yes I do believe that being overweight is somewhat of a spiritual void, but what isn't these days? I guess I have moved into a more gray area of accepting myself where I am and accepting the opportunities that are given to me which will help serve God better. My parents had me on a diet in the fifth grade. I vividly remember being on the playground counting the calories in Starburst candy. I was not an obese child by any means, just had some of that "baby fat" that our Moms used to call it. From then on, my focus has been on dieting. Even when I have had thin moments it has been about dieting. Right there, God was intervening because we have free will. My parents had free will to make me go on a diet every other day. I have come to accept being banded as someone posted earlier about "meeting God half-way." I did the exact same thing in AA as a recovering alcoholic....I felt God led me into AA where there was all of this love and help and by meeting him half-way, I simply had to stop drinking. Now I simply have to have surgery and do what is required to be successful. I believe God wants me to be the best person I can be. I'm sure he cares if I have band surgery or continually diet and fail and ruin my body. I guess I'm just exhausted with dieting the normal way. I admit it. I'm tired. I have such ingrained complex feelings associated with overeating that I've already looked at in therapy. But, therapy didn't change these issues because sometimes issues are still there. So then, we move into what I like to coin "living life well with unresolved issues." This is an uncomfortable position to be in, but we all do it every day! So, I'm going to be banded because I think it is the right thing to do to initiate some control regarding my weight. A little help from my surgeon and I am going to be empowered both physically and spiritually. Because of feeling better about myself, I will have a better relationship with God and everyone else. So, any type of addiction is a spiritual malady alongside the genetic part), but how we walk through it is the spiritual beauty. As my husband says, "once the fire is started, no-one really cares who started it." I have tried to do a couple Bible based diet programs and I simply didn't like it, didn't want to have to do all the work b/c I have failed so much it is like the Myth of Sisyphis where he has to push that huge stone up the same hill day after day after day. I think that is where the emotional stuff comes up and our (at least mine) ability to bounce back and try again becomes less and less. Hopefully, this will be a whole new approach! Kelli

I am not yet sleeved but have been trying to work through some eating and self-destructive issues I have had for many years prior to the surgery so that I keep these behaviors from sabotaging my weight loss. I am not saying that it won't creep in at times just as you experienced. The truth is many of us got fat due to other factors and may have used food to self-medicate that pain. You take food away and there the pain still is and it is absolutely normal to try and find some way to self-medicate to ease that pain again through whatever means, shopping, gambling, drinking or drugs. We aren't used to dealing with the pain and feelings and not having something to insulate us from that means we have to feel it, experience the pain and try and work through where it is coming from to heal that part of ourselves. I am specifically worried about how my marriage will weather through this. My husband is also overweight and tends to use alcohol as a crutch. When we don't have eating out or grabbing a beer or two together in common I am not sure what we will do. I talked to him about this last weekend and he is saying all the right supportive things but I am still concerned it may open up underlying issues that will have to be addressed. I am hoping I find stress relief through exercise. I have never been a consistent exerciser but expecting a life filled with self-confidence issues, abusive relationships and passive/aggressive behavior to magically be all better because I am thin is not realistic. YearningToBeThin, I hope you seek out someone to talk to that can help you put things in perspective. You are not alone. So many people struggle but keep it in. We just wear our struggles on the outside.;o)

I am in the same boat you are in. So glad you posted, as there are not many frequent posts on this topic, although I am finding out that cross-over addictions are extremely common after bariatric surgeries---one person mentioned as many as 80% have this post op!! I, too, formed a cross-over addiction to wine. It started roughly 3-6months after my surgery and I am 1 year post-op. I believe I always "abused" alcohol, but it really escalated when using food, etc. was no longer something I could turn to as a coping mechanism. I hit my rock bottom, and am now actively trying to reach sobriety. I find that isolating is my downfall, and people in the recovery community are so caring and generous if you reach out. I had a terrible day yesterday and reached out to people. I had a tremendous response which was a lifesaver. I am finding however, that no matter how common this link is between VSG/etc. and cross-over addictions (which I hear over and over,,,), I still can't seem to find specific people experiencing it that I can talk to for support. So would love to chat with you if you are interested. We could discuss by phone or email if you like. A fellow VSGer in recovery!

I am 2.5 years post op and drink dry red or white wine, a glass or two on the weekends. I didn't touch alcohol at all until 8 months post op, and I didn't drink it regularly at all until I was 10 lbs below goal and had been maintaining for 6 months. Just watch yourself and know that your tolerance will be much lower than before. Also, I highly encourage you to be very aware of transfer addiction - MANY bariatric patients transform their food addictions into alcohol addictions.

You could always toast with something non alcoholic. I'd be afraid to take the chance. Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

Same, except I'm 46, never have, have no desire to. But I also have no desire to judge. Some turn to the pharmaceutical world to relieve some issues, some turn to pot...they both have their positives and negatives I'm sure. But what I will say, most especially to the younger (under 30) crowd is this...in my experience, both in life and work (I'm a nurse), I've known people who were regular to heavy users of cannabis from a young age into middle age and past, whose minds are so messed up it's sad. There are diagnosed psychoses that stem from heavy and/or prolonged use. Is it personal to me? Yes, my oldest sister is one of them. Was smart as a whip growing up, started smoking in her teens, the only time she did not was at 30 when pregnant with her son. She's now 55 years old, and could barely think her way out of a paper bag. Having a conversation with her is painful. Some will argue pot isn't as dangerous as alcohol, or overindulging in food (in most of our cases), or whatever it is that floats your boat and seemingly makes life easier to get through, and I truly don't know. All I know is what I've witnessed from my sister, others I've known, and from patients, and say what you will now, that you remain productive, and you're totally in control of it, etc, but there is fallout just like any of the other choices. And I'm not talking about people who have gotten in to other "heavy" drugs, but strictly pot use. Before I get any hate, again, I have no dog in this fight... I believe fully in we all do what we do and so what. Like the post I referred to, I wish nothing but peace and blessings to all, but I've been following this post from the beginning, and had to get that off my chest. I do thank everyone for the honesty and bravery in their posts....it's been very enlightening. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

liquids, Protein shakes with ff milk applesauce sf, sf Jello, sf pudding no diet soda or alcohol reg vitamins stopped vitamins a week prior to surgery per dr request (vit e reasons)

my doc says the same thing however there is no metabolic reason for it. Your doc, like mine probably doesn't want you to consume useless calories. He is also betting that if you go a whole year chances are you might never drink again - therefore you would eliminateone source of calories from your diet. IF you choose to drink - drink non carbonated, non mixed drinks. Drink wine, or a distilled spirit straight, always in moderation. Beers, wines, and liquors all contain different amounts of alcohol. In general, a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor have about the same amount of alcohol and the same number of calories. This would not hold true if you were drinking fortified wines, or other spirits like kaluha etc. So if you want to have a shot and know that you've spent 150 of your 800-1000 cals a day, it really isnt going to hurt you. Just subtract from your daily balance and you will be fine. Finally anything that can be consumed in liquid form should be considered an empty calorie. Ice Cream (yes ice cream is a liquid), shakes, smooties, soda, fruit joice etc are all empty calories that can easily be consumed since there is nothing to stop you from eating these. The band only allows for restriction, and since there is no solid food everything will just slide right through.

How is everyone doing? I'm sober since Feb5 2013. `7 months. Never thought I would be a drunk but I know I can't touch the stuff anymore. Made it to goal a week ago. and am working on maybe another 5-10# lower leeway. Doing my eating from noon to 8 pm daily. I like this I don't go to bed stuffed. Occ. will be hungry but I sleep much better. If I have cravings for alcohol I will just take my L-glutamine and I'm good. I don't go to meetings I'm doing this on my own w/ help from these forums. Lets keep this forum alive. Linda

For SOME it's painful, not everyone. I've had an alcohol drink where there was Sprite in it (unknowingly to me until I was halfway through it), and beer/champagne, which are both carbonated. As well as a flavored, sparkling Water. I was very timid to try them, though. I only did that 3 weeks ago and I'm 8 months post-op. I had zero pain. I took it slow to test it first, because I didn't want to chug them and regret it later. The biggest thing is that sodas (even diet) have high sugar, empty carbs, and high fructose corn syrup (typically). They can be a self-sabotage during the weightloss period. I know some who are at maintenance that allow themselves one every so often, but even then it's few and far between. Just be careful! And if you drink anything with carbonation, take it slow and test it out first.

Let’s face it - after bariatric surgery, life is not the same. Your diet will change, your body will change, and in many cases, your attitude will change. For many of us, however, a point in time comes when we find ourselves in a different state. In some respect, we almost forget that we’ve had bariatric surgery. After our initial phases of being on liquids, soft and chopped foods, and transitioning into full solids, we spend some time reveling in our ability to eat a ton less and to be able to only eat certain foods. For the first 6-12 months, we are in a “honeymoon phase” of sorts - we’re losing weight easily, we have the assurance that we just CAN’T eat certain things such as rice, bread, pasta, etc., and we’re in a certain mindset that I’ve dubbed the “Bariatric Brain”. For some of us, that mindset remains because we are never able to eat certain things without them getting stuck or without experiencing dumping syndrome. For others, that mindset all but disappears when we discover that we can eat certain foods without sliming or them getting stuck, or that other foods no longer send us to the bathroom for an hour. From my own experience, the downfall out of the “Bariatric Brain” began 6 months after my surgery. I was told my my nutritionist that I was allowed to have carbonation from that point on. I was a little confused, as all of the other people I knew with the sleeve had been told they could never have it again, but my addiction to diet soda was stronger than my common sense. From that point on, I learned I could also eat bread (8 months), pasta (10 months) and rice (14 months). From there, it was no-holds barred. Something else that happens with the sleeve that they don’t tell you is that at a certain point - your stomach capacity will increase after a time. This is because for a few months, it’s swollen to a point that you can only hold about ½ a cup of food at one time. After the first year, and it is completely healed, that capacity increases to about a cup. For someone that’s not expecting that, it can be a little confusing. For a food addict, it can be exciting and tempting. At that point, you are no longer bound by restrictions. When this happens, some people begin to forget about their surgery. They begin to get back into a different mindset. One of “oh, I can eat this!” instead of, “Nope - gotta leave that off”. When this happens, the diet shifts to one of fast food, sugar, carbs, soft drinks, and alcohol (not every food in every case, mind you). It is that moment when the tool that we so greatly loved and admired begins to fail us. Or, rather, WE begin to fail our TOOL. When this happens, it’s time to return to the mindset we were in during the first year. It’s time to think like a bariatric patient again. This is no easy feat, after all, we’ve returned to our addiction - FOOD. But at the same time, in the case of most other addictions - drugs, alcohol, nicotine, etc. - there is almost always a backslide. A heroine addict may sneak out of rehab for that one more fix, an AA leader might get depressed one night and get insanely drunk, someone trying to quit smoking might sneak a puff or two at a rock concert. These instances are normal and, some believe, even a healthy part of the healing from addiction. If this is acceptable in these cases, why is it not acceptable in the weight loss world? When this happens, take a step back. Look at yourself from the outside in. It’s important here to remind yourself that getting off track is NORMAL and OK. Although not everyone has done it, many MANY people have - and some of those people have the most successful weight loss stories on the Bariatric Pal forum. With that in mind, how does one go back to the “Bariatric Brain”? Go Back To Basics Remember what started the weight loss to begin with? Protein, water, walking? Get back to it! Make sure you’re getting AT LEAST 60g of protein a day (even better is 80-90g!). Make sure you’re getting AT LEAST 64oz of water a day, and make sure you’re getting some kind of activity for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day (30-45 minutes is better). Return To Liquids? Some people return to a liquid diet for a few days (no more than 3). They feel that this helps “reset” their system and returns their mindset back to where it should be. One way of doing this is through the “5-Day Pouch Test” (designed for RnY or Gastric Band patients) in which you return to liquids for a few days then gradually return to solid foods. For those that have the sleeve or the duodenal switch, the pouch test might not work for you as it’s not designed for that kind of surgery. That being said, if you feel the need, you can also return to liquids for a few days. Return To Support Groups Support groups are the #1 key to a successful weight loss surgery, regardless of your surgery or your stage. If you are a year or more out, consider returning to a support group. Hearing what the people in the early stages are having issues with, and helping them work through those issues can, in fact, help you work through yours. Read, and Educate Yourself Consider finding books, articles, cookbooks, and magazines on bariatric surgery. Do research on one aspect that really interests you. Immerse yourself in it again like you did in the beginning! Remember Your Motivation What was your reason for having Bariatric Surgery to begin with? Your health? Your family? Your looks? Looking at what you wanted from your surgery and where you are now might help you to refocus. In The End Remember … What you are going through right now is okay, and completely normal. Thousands of people are going through exactly the same thing you are. You are not alone! Remember that if you’re REALLY struggling, you can always find help. Talk you your nutritionist or dietician, seek mentorship in a support group, or find a good counselor that has experience with food addiction and bariatric patients. And ALWAYS remember - YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

I waited til 6 months post op to try alcohol, and it hit me way faster. Now I drink socially but the sugar calories and hangovers aren't worth it to me anymore. And I definitely did see a transference in shopping as well, all Of a sudden I went from one or two stores I could shop at to basically all of them. It was a good feelin though.

I was told that having alcohol will get you more buzzed faster that non RYN surgery people. I am 10 wks post op. I had a glass of wine a couple of weeks ago and nothing... My dr. says that you could/will get drunk faster after RNY surgery and to be very careful etc. etc. I have only had wine so far and have not had anything else but in my case and opinion a glass of wine pre op and/or post op is the same so far.........

This was something I blogged on another forum site that I used to use quite often..... It was dated October 30, 2010...... So I am the one that a month out from surgery was pushing to be able to drink. Just a little I said. Just a glass of wine I said. Well they are not kidding when they tell you it is not a good idea. I started drinkin a month out and did not quit until last Saturday. And that is after being put into detox and then into the mental health unit at u of m. I was in detox before this and tried tried tried but just failed at quitting. It took me being sent away from my kids, my husband (who is now on his last straw with me), my job, and my life. It took me feeling like I was at the end of my rope, considering and partially acting on taking my own life. Dear Alcohol, I love you. I LOVED you. You were there when no one else was. You were there when I needed to feel better. You were there when I was sad and wanted to be happy. You were there when I was uncomfortable and you gave me comfort in my self. You gave me self esteem. You helped me be more social, more alive, more of a person with a personality. But I must say good-bye as I have opened my mind to the possibility that perhaps you are the most fake love of my life. You made me believe in you yet you tried to take everything away. You tried to make me fail, and guess what.....I am not gonna. I may have caused my loved ones much grief, much embarrasement, much resentment, and I cannot change that, but I can turn it around starting now. Everyone makes mistakes right? I cant change what has happened but I can only choose to try and be better now. So farewell my beloved fake friend. I hope to never see or feel you again. God grant me the serenity..... Love/Hate, Mandy This was a few days later..... Thank you all for all of the encouragement!! There was another thing that I had wanted to add. During one of my "detox stays" my blood alcohol was .39 and that was at least 4 hours AFTER I had stopped drinkin!! AND, I was semi-normal acting/feeling.......dont get me wrong, I was drunk, but didnt feel or act THAT drunk! I could have died. I could have left my young girls motherless and my husband a single dad. Alcohol really does affect us different now!! And yet, I still had more episodes, one even harsher. This would have been in December, my birthday weekend, of 2010. That was my last time I was kept in the hospital. I did some more outpatient, some aa, and here I sit today. A little more in control..... Just, BE CAREFUL friends! IF you think it may not be a good idea, SKIP IT! IF you think it may be something you can handle.....DONT RISK IT!!!! Much love