Search the Community

170 days after starting my preop diet I am down 78 pounds and officially at my surgeon's goal weight. There really are no words to express what I am feeling. It's a wonderful thing, but also kind of a weird let down. Maybe because I don't know how to celebrate. Celebration always meant food and alcohol. Now what do I do? ( And don't say excercise or go for a walk....or I might have to cyber slap you). I guess what I'm gonna do is go for a couple great horseback rides this weekend, wearing my brand new boots I just got yesterday. I'm sure no one (besides me) is happier and appreciates my weight loss more than my horse!

I was told I would have to give up my coffee. NOT ME!!! Nope I only missed my oral caffeine one day. That was the day of surgery. I told the "knock out doc" and they said they would give me some IV so I wouldn't get a bad headache. My husband said thats all she needs! Caffeine IV!!! I am very creative, even when on my "only liquid" phase, I used my milk and carnation instant Breakfast in my coffee as my cream. Take away my Java, and I would seriously have a melt down. As for alcohol, my vise was beer. No more of that. No carbination. So... Wine is good! In modreation though, I am not a big drinker anymore, I did my sowin of my oats in my 20's. Take care! Schel

I was banded for 2 years. I chose the band because it was reversible in the event of a problem, and less invasive than the RNY. There was a problem...erosion - 80% was inside my stomach...so much for less invasive huh? 2 years ago I had it removed/reversed, and it reversed me all right...right back up the scale, and I'm now scheduled in Aug for the VSG. I've spent the last 2 years researching, reading, and waiting before finally deciding what to do. I've finally decided to do the VSG. The studies say it's as effective or better at 5 years out than the RNY in weight loss and maintaining. Wasabubblebutt is right, they use an improved technique to prevent stomach stretching. I've read that you may gain a 3 to 5 % stretch over time. That's still a very tiny stomach. I've read that some patients do experience a bit of a dumping feeling. A discomfort if they intake the wrong food, generally sugar alcohols... or eat too fast, described as a feeling of discomfort in the chest and or abdomen, lightheadedness, feeling faint, and sweats. It eventually passes, you have to wait it out. Many do not experience any kind of dumping feeling. I would think it would be a good thing to train us avoid foods that arent good for us. I've also read that the body compensates over time and generates a new location in the intestine for grehlin production, but it's never at the former levels that the stomach produced, so it's still a reduced level of hunger. It's permanent. Just like the band you can eat around your sleeve with high calorie liquids. We still have to monitor what we fuel ourselves with. I've read that much like the band causes the slimes, VSG can cause 'foamies' brought about by eating too fast, not chewing well or eating too much. I like the newest VSG studies for 5 years out. I like that this time it will be permanent. No risk of erosion, no risk of slippage, no port, no fills, a constant sweet spot not affected by TOM, stress, time of day... I'm having difficulty locating any post up VSG'ers who regret the sleeve, but am finding lots and LOTS of banders that regret banding. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I waited about the same as @@Dub, maybe a little less, but only had a few sips of wine. I don't think I would've been able to get down a whole glass at that point. I'd definitely stay away from beer and other carbonated beverages though. I will reiterate what I tend to in these threads, and that is to be aware of the fact that alcohol is simply empty calories. So soon after surgery, those calories are valuable as you can't consume very many, so you have to make a choice where to "spend" them, and alcohol gives nothing in return (as far as your weight loss is concerned ). Also, I made sure I cleared with doc first, and first try was at home in case things "didn't go well". Best of luck

I gave up alcohol during the second month of my six-month pre-op diet. Some days it is still hard to believe that I haven't had any in 5.5 months. My plan is to see about bringing it back in (in small amounts, of course) mid-December, but we'll have to see how everything goes between now and then. I have made peace with the fact that drinking post-op will NEVER be like it was pre-op, and I have re-conceptualized my social life where food and alcohol isn't the centerpiece of everything.

@@MissLiss Thank you for your prayers, they are all heard, and definitely all appreciated! My husband went in for his second colonoscopy today, to no avail as the doctor could not get the biopsies he needed to get. So he went in for x-rays, which we will hear results from tomorrow morning. The surgery will have to be done without any other tests, apparently. And it needs to be done ASAP, so I imagine either this week or early next. We think the cyst on his pancreas may be from a fall he had off of a ladder last summer. The "bloated" sensation isn't bloating at all, but because he has this blockage, it is food that can't pass through the colon in the same timing as normally done. This is a BIG heads-up for all, as colon issues apparently don't always present symptoms (my husband didn't really recognize his symptoms as symptoms), but on the slightest change, get medical attention. Here is an otherwise VERY healthy, robust man, who has never smoked, hasn't used alcohol in over 25 years, never did any type of drug (other than the rare aspirin), works out a minimum of 5 times a week (burning a minimum of 500 calories - P90X...) and works outdoors 80 percent of the time....just healthy as can be. Never sick, other than minor colds once every few years. And there it is. Surprise. Out of the blue. No warning. ANYONE, ANYWHERE can have health issues. Take care, people! Take CARE!

Hello hello ~~ I bet it must have been a great great transformation and a decision worth EXCITELY SHOUTING for.:eek: But *shhh* , tell you something. Other than my parents no one I knew knew. Part of it is because I wanted to "surprise" them a year later, another part of it is, it's hard to go "drink crazy ( as in alcohol )" "eat crazy" and "spend so much time going to parties or karaoke" when I have to be VERY FOCUSED to exercise after work (9-5). And "other" reasons too. Sigh. :thumbup: You're like the only "close" person that "knows" i'm "going" to have a band. Haha, isn't it ironic? :thumbup: Don't want anyone close to me know I'm going to this LIFECHANGING surgery, yet posted this thread to see whether there's someone in Toronto that's "close" to me. I'm with SWLC, in mississauga. I reallllllllly want to lose 100 pounds, I should say I can't really imagine "going back to what I was" (or lighter). Haven't really "bonded" with anyone in SWLC yet, though I would consider myself moderately active in the forum. Great resource from other patients, I also look forward my banding experience to be a positive one. Actually, "hoping" to lose 100 pounds - I am even slightly "afraid" of it, cause... over the years I gained so much, so much stretch marks across my stomach ( not even red ones, they are all plain color now, even worst ). It bothers me to think to SPEND :eek: extra more on plastic surgery after this surgery. Sigh. Well one step at a time i guess. Ay, can you be my Mentor/buddy? :ihih: I tried to look at the "support" section for buddy/mentor, but sigh, none "near" me. I'll cheer you on for the rest of 15 pounds, and you'll cheer me on for my 100 pounds? :lol:HAHAHAHA sounds like a deal? hahahah

Yipee!! Someone else that's a vet. The coordinator isn't being discouraging about the surgery, she's over the bariatric program and gung ho for the surgery. She just wants me to have it through the VA and not in Mexico, which I can understand. She's done no research about my doctor, about the facility, or about others who have had the procedure there. The only experience my the VA bariatric surgeon has with Mexican surgeons is correcting their complications so he's really not thrilled about people having the procedure there. Which is again understandable. He never sees all the people who are fine. He only sees the ones that have complications. And he forgets that every surgeon has complications. I spoke to the coordinator again today and she's still trying to convince me not to go. She wants me to do the move program, lost 5% of my weight, then have my PCP refer me to the coordinating surgeon in Columbia, then have that surgeon refer me to Charleston, where the surgery is performed. So after I lose 13 lbs in 6 months, not more cause if I drop below a bmi of 35, they won't do the surgery, I have to convince my PCP to refer me, then she has to convince the Columbia surgeon to refer me. Then, if all that is a go, I have to pass the psych eval when I have drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and sexual abuse in my past. That's just going to be lovely. So that's 3 opportunities to be denied the surgery after waiting 6 months to have it, plus another month or two for them to act on my request. OR I can just have my surgery this Wednesday coming and not jump through any hoops. It's a hard choice, believe it or not. A part of me does want to have a program that follows me, and a doctor to call when I'm worried, and it would be awesome to save my money. $4500 isn't much but I really appreciate having it sitting in my savings account, just collecting interest and giving me peace of mind. Of course, I would normally spend 3/4th of that in 6 months eating out but there's something about dribbling the money away that feels ok when spending it all in one big chunk seems crazy. I don't know. I look at what I was and what I am and to think of postponing my surgery for 8 months just to be told no? I don't know if I would be ok. Here's a current pic of me (I'm the girl with the crazy big breasts): Here's a pic of me in 2005 with my sons and my mom. I'm in the rust-colored dress: I went from a average size woman to a severely obese woman in 8 years, mostly due to medication that's still affecting me. That's crazy to me. I don't want to live like this another year.

Hello everyone, I just wondered if anyone out there is having any trouble consuming wine? I don't drink hard alcohol and have a beer everyone once in a blue moon. I feel like I'm some type of an alcoholic when I drink wine. Who should I go see? I have sever memory loss and never have a hang over. I'm very scared and need to talk to someone. Any suggestions??? Thanks!!!! Yes Linda you are right I am very non specific. I had gastric sleeve surgery in January 2012. Let me state I was only a social drinker prior to surgery. I was told to wait till July 2012 at the earliest to consume any alcohol. Things were fine when first introducing a glass or two ....then €&€t hit the fan as of January 2013. I keep telling myself I'll just have 2 glasses, but then I get to feeling euphoric and then it goes downhill. I know I made a huge decision to loose weight ( down 93 pounds) and knew it would be a lifestyle change... However I never knew the chances of be abusing alcohol would be so great 2 years post surgery. I welcome all comments and suggestions! Thank you

I haven't had my surgery yet but my nutritionist told me that drinking can be very dangerous after the surgery because our bodies just can't process the alcohol like it used to. She said I could get drunk after just a bit of wine. She warned this was a slippery slope. I happen to love wine, so this is something I'll have to deal with.

It is widely known here on the forums that I attend AA meetings. As SooCalChic suggested, going to a meeting or two is a good start. Talking to your Dr is another. If you would like to PM me, I can also offer some guidance in your local area. Cross-over addictions are very real. There was a reason why you abused food and where you used to turn to food, you are now turning to alcohol. Getting to the root will be the source of serenity for you. I know for myself, alcohol wasn't my problem, I was. How I dealt with my emotions and how I channeled my thinking just wasn't healthy. I got sober years prior to my surgery and have continued to work on myself. I am a never ending project!

i agree with all of the above...as for me, I have chosen NO ALCOHOL at all... wasn't much of a drinker beforehand, was usually the designated driver because of it ... I don't see any benefit in having "drinks", for me, it's wasted calories and carbs... but from what you have said, you need to seek some help before it gets out of control! Good luck to you!

I come from a long line of addictive behavior. My mother died from prescription drug abuse. I have always been overcautious in all matters but food , and now I'm getting a handle on that. My husband and I previously enjoyed wine as a hobby, belonging to tasting groups, seeking out new wines etc. We've probably toured more than 100 vineyards.We usually had a glass with most evening meals. I stopped any alcohol on my pre-surgery diet and I'm surprised that it doesn't bother me when he has his wine with meals now. I don't mind being the designated driver when we are out with friends. I'm relieved to see it's going pretty easily. My doc and NUT say no wine until July for me and I will approach it very cautiously when I do thanks to the warnings I've seen here. I had a very near disaster driving home the other day -- a car that was heading for me overcorrected at the last minute and flipped the car on the other side of me. Both cars were totaled and I heard later that people were life-flighted out. The minute that I recognized I was OK - even with my heart pounding out of my chest - the first thing I wanted was to stop at a restaurant and "pull myself together "(actually eat something to calm me down). When I talked myself out of it, I had a strong need to go to my local bead shop. I do seed beed and other jewelry design as a hobby, but have noticed my materials stash is really been filling up since the surgery. When I get tense or frustrated I head to my studio room. Doing it definitely soothes me and likely is a substitute addiction. But the good news is beads don't take up much space and my friends, family and I get some great gifts out of my "safe" obsession. But I'm watching myself on my tools and materials spending with weekly limits. Having an addictive personality, no matter how much support and/or therapy you have means always walking a fine line.

I should have started this earlier. I have a lot to say! My surgery was performed by Jose Rodriguez through Belite, in Tiajuana. It was really a bizzarre adventure, crossing the border, language barrier, not so state of the art facilities. I was checked into an ok hotel. Taken later for EKG and bloodwork, not at a hospital, but a one floor infimary staffed with nurses. The 'Belite team' was not based there, they traveled back and forth to Juarez.. Anyhow, I won't go into much more detail, surgery was normal, everything worked out fine. I would do it all over again and even after telling the whole story, my best friend is scheduled for July 16. The first few days my incisions were painful enough that I leaned on the pain releivers they provided... toridol I believe. Non narcotic. I was able to tolerate all the clear liquids I tried, water, soup broth, juice, my favorite thing was Passion tea from Starbucks. I was able to eat (after chewing a long while) gummy vitamins and swallow pills with a little dragging feeling but not much pain. Getting up and moving always seemed to be the best medicine. SO I'll skip through to now, about 3 weeks later. I'll start with the biggest pay-off of course, I have lost 30 pounds since my starting weight of 236. I lost 10 pounds pre-op and 20 more since. I m losing about a pound a day. I honestly can't really tell, but other people have noticed. I'm still squeezing into my pants. My struggles change daily. I sip water all day but it never seems to be enough. I am working on getting at least one protein shake in daily. I stop by the fridge and take a sip whenever I think of it. I am starting to incorporate the soft foods that have been recommended. So far I have tolerated pretty well about a half of a scrambled egg, cottage cheese, small amounts of yogurt, noodles are great... not very nutritious. I went out for sushi. Toro was fantastic though I ate too much. I think the thing that pushed me over the edge was drinking a little plum wine. Speaking of alcohol... I used to love vodka. I really still do but it hurts to drink it and makes me feel like crap. It 's a funny thing, all of the things I turned to for comfort have disappeared. Thank God for anti-depressants! Some mornings it takes me an hour or so to work through some kind of morning sickness I've developed. I took some advice from a member of having some juice before I get out of bed and that seems to help a bit. I am thinking of switching from Prevacid to something else. I have only thrown up twice, once when I took a pill and it stuck in my throat, and another time when I ate cottage cheese too fast. It is getting better every day, though I am always worried about nutrition. I am figuring things out... sometimes the hard way which is just really being over full. I'll be much more excite when I am under 200 and can slide into some 14's!

To each their own... I enjoy my glass of wine and I'm sure you have something that you enjoy. As we've learned, moderation is the key. You could say the same thing for a bunch of the foods that we've eaten that made us fat. Alcohol is a choice and I choose to drink it in moderation.

The connection between strong negative emotions and the compulsion to action is usually our downfall. (So it is with food, drugs, alcohol... any addiction) Some suggestions for alternative actions? (Some worked for me, some didn't. I tried them all until I found what gave me the ability to think through the emotion to a constructive rather than destructive action) Get a glass of ice cubes. Crunch them in your mouth. Compel yourself to a physical action (walk around the block, go up and down the stairs four or five times, play Wii, Xbox, etc. Something you can do right now to wear off the adrenalin of the emotional hijack) Speak up - even just a little. Give yourself a voice. Stuffing what you think about the circumstances results in an emotional void needing to be filled. Call someone you trust and set the timer to vent for five minutes, then talk through what action you need to take to be positive. Journal - stream of consciousness - no self-censoring. Fill three pages with the thoughts in your mind. It won't be pretty, it won't be nice English, but it will get those destructive, habitual thoughts out of your head and into tangible form. After three pages, put the journal away and make a date with yourself to read it later. Later, when you do read it, make some concrete decisions about how you want to think about (______________) behaviour. (i.e., your brother's) Even if you can't talk to him, you can write him a short note taking personal responsibility for your response to his words/actions. Something like, "I was very (emotion) when you (action) and I need/choose/ask you to stop/change. If you don't, I will need to limit our contact for my sake. I choose not to be a part of that kind of encounter again." Or something similar. You may not be able to say it to your brother, but you can use the opportunity to practice self-advocacy. Lastly, use positive self-talk. When you're not in an emotional crisis, learn some things you can tell yourself when you are. "I am not compelled to action because I am feeling (emotion)." And other phrases that you learn when not under stress. Using them does make a difference. I promise. Keep at it. All this stuff is so much easier to say than to do. But you already know that. Sometimes, just having extra tools/ideas can make all the difference in the world, one stressful situation at a time. CE

I decided that today was the day for me to start blogging on here b/c quite frankly I am so pissed at myself right now..i have been doing so good these past few weeks and i was starting to see a change in the scale and i was ecstatic about it. then the stress rolled in and pppffffhhhttt that was it..my 1 meal on Friday was over 1600 calories! For one damn meal!! I know this b/c i went on their website and looked it up..can you say shocked! Mortified! embarrassed! If my legs were long enough I'd kick my own ass! so then today my thinking was ah well since i have f'd up already why not a little more so a drive thru it was! UGHHHH!! Dammit! I do admit i am a food addict. and it isnt an easy addiction as you cant totally give up food like u can say drugs or alcohol..so what to do? i have had my woe is me time and now starting today (well when i get up later since its after 1am here on the East coast) I know that i messed up and now it is time to get serious yet again. I meet with my NUT Katie on the 23rd of July and i plan on being a lil bit lighter than i am now..its so hard but i know eventually this will get better and food wont be an issue or my go to thing when ever something doesnt go my way or stress beats on my door or the Devil wants to bring old habits back..i will not give in..ive come too far in this journey to stop now. i deserve to be happy. I am doing this for me and no one else but me. i am accountable for my own actions. and i take full responsibility for what happened this weekend and now we start anew. From here on out. Any time that i feel like the old way creeping in i will be writing down my feelings here. So Here WE GO!!! I

Pippy's Mommy, WOW!!! You are truly an inspiration. I started to cry when I read about your childhood. I can so relate to you growing up in an alcoholic, abusive and dysfunctional home. Words can not express how thankful I am for your courage in posting your story. Overcoming everything you have speaks volumes for your intestinal fortitude. Blessings, Kathleen

The good news is my place smells like lemon/lime margaritas (minus the alcohol smell) and I dont stink of smoke I dont know if it is just as harmful as cigarettes or not (and i refuse to get into it), but whatever. It tastes amazing (im running through several different flavors right now (Pirates Cave (lemony/limey), Queen of Sex (skittles flavor/smell), Purple Savior (Kind of fruity with some spice and flower aftertaste), and Melon Blue (honeydew/blueberry flavor). I think hookahs make great conversation pieces and when my friends drop by, i can smoke while they drink and then they can try my flavors too.

I'm about 2 1/2 yrs out. Have lost 185 lbs with no regain. I walk 3 miles everyday to keep it off. I'd like to lose 40 more but Ive been stalled a while. Stay away from trigger foods & eat the way your supposed to & you'll be fine My meals are 6 oz of lean chicken or fish & 2 veggies. Don't drink with your meal. Protein shake for breakfast every morning. Take all your vitamins everyday. I have 2-3 snacks a day. Sugar free fruit cup or jello or sugar free pudding or popsickles. Fruit & fudgesickle are only 40 calories. As much as your working doubt you can exercise much. But try to do a little bit. Stay focused on the basics No sugar, no fried food, no fast food, no sodas or alcohol, no bread, pasta potatoes, or rice. Eat your protein first then veggies. It's great you've stayed on track without regain. Keep it up & you'll be fine. Good Luck to you. I live in Mesquite just outside of Dallas

My sister has two sons with ADHD, and it has been so difficult for her. One isi 7 and can only go to school half days...just can't make it through the afternoons. She has him taking some kind of herbal/natural supplement called Calm Child that she says really helps. He even has told her "I need more of my dirt pills" (which is what he calls them). The other son is 20 and is basically a mess. He is sometimes able to hold a part time job but changes frequently. He self medicates with cigarettes and alcohol. They can't live with him...he makes everyone miserable...but he has no where else to go and no way to support himself, so they really don't know what to do with him. My heart breaks every time I talk to her. People don't realize it's a disorder that they can't help...they think the kid is just being a smart ass. My heart really goes out to you and all the other parents who have to try to deal with this. It must just tear you apart to see what happens to him and not be able to "fix" it. I would still call the school and let them know you aren't happy. Home schooling is hard, too...I did it for 5 years. But sometimes it's the only workable solution. Hugs~ Emily

some people like to approach banded life with a set of rules and a ban on alcohol because of the empty calories often tops that list. But a band is a tool to help you manage a lifestyle change that will see you reach a normal weight. And within that, I personally believe, there is room to be a normal person once in a while. You've got to face facts - if you go out and have 3 or 4 drinks four times a week, that's going to affect or negate your weight loss. Alchohol IS empty calories and you cant down too many empty calories. However, going out for a drink once or twice a week if you stick to 2 or 3 drinks and dont do the usual burger/hotdog/kebab thing at 2 am need not really be ap problem for a young person who is otherwise active and healthy in their habits. Decide before you go how you're going to tackle it, some occasions are honesty not worth wasting the alcohol calories on - others, like dinner with the in-laws, you need all the help you can get! One thing that really struck me in my decision making though was the fear of having to change habits like this. I love my cup of coffee, packet of Cookies and a good book sit ins on the couch. It was my relaxation time. I really feared what life would be like without it. then it hit me like a bolt from the blue - IF I WANTED TO BE THIN, I COULDNT EAT LIKE THAT ANYMORE, EVER AGAIN, BAND OR NO BAND. It wasnt the band I was afraid of, it was changing the habit. D'oh! So obvious. But so true. Likewise with social drinking. The band doesnt make you stop that. But if you ever want to get thin and stay that way, something must change, no?

Im 7 months out and have been cleared to have an adult beverage. What are some good options that wont bother my stomach and not alot of calories?? I know to stay away from carbonation. Any ideas??

I have not tried any carbonated drinks (I was never a beer or pop drinker anyways). A friend of mine is 5 years post op and says he has a small can of coke from time to time. He says it does feel uncomfortable (bloating) for a few hours after from the gas build up but he fights through it. I assume everyone’s pain/discomfort tolerance would be different so who knows how someone else would react. As far as the alcohol, my doctor said the reason they tell you it’s “forbidden” after the fact is because whatever part of the stomach that absorbs alcohol safely is bypassed so someone that consumes alcohol post op will get drunk 100 times faster on way less and such could result in becoming a full blown alcoholic. I personally don’t think it’s worth the risk but again each person could handle it differently. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@@Kindle oh no.. Sorry about your horrific delay. I know you were looking so forward to your warm trip to Florida. Hope the alcohol keeps you toasty until you get to the sunny rays!!