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Hmm interesting. I do know that there are gobs of fat around the liver in overweight people, and I can see how that could be hard to see and work around. If you google fatty liver(images) the liver is clearly larger and paler in color than healthy livers. There are several causes for fatty liver, but the appearance is basically the same for all. The fact that it's paler in color would go along with actual fat lipid deposits, but I have no clue what color the sugar stores would lend it... I'm on day four of my pre op diet and my instructions are to eat any Soup I want however much I want, yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, and sugar free drinks. I'm opting to do a very low carb diet because I was a heavy beer drinker utill 7 days ago. It just seems that I would consume too many carbs, sugar AND fat with the diet he recomended. I'm still going low fat, but I'm worring more about the carbs and I have been enjoying eggs:redface: I guess that's why I'm curious about what actually makes the liver smaller. If mine is inflamed due to alcohol as well as my bad diet, I should probably eat a lot less fat as well:frown:

Crown and Water is my first choice Riesling Chardonnay or white zin if they don't have Riesling Twisted Tea I've had hard cider and Mike's, but had to pour it over ice and let it set awhile. I had a rum and coke the other day, but the coke was VERY flat. Carbonation is the only thing I can't do. Alcohol doesn't affect me any differently postop. I barely get buzzed, so I usually don't drink that much anyways....the calories aren't worth the lack of effect. And I always feel a little dehydrated the next day.

Do any of your Protein drinks contain sugar alcohols like Maltitol? Or sucralose? Some people are sensitive to sugar alcohols and have bowel issues. If so, you might try experimenting with a product that has no sugar alcohols and see if it makes a difference. \ I hope you find relief soon.

I haven't been banded yet but maybe he doesn't totally understand the whole diet thing? Sure probably everyone on this board has dieted in the past but those were temporary SHORT fixes. What happens?? We fall off the diet wagon cause something tempts us or we get tired of only eating <insert your choice here> Or any of the thousands of other reasons we stop our diets. Then we gain it all back and some more to boot. Its not quite like being a smoker or alcoholic where you can pretty much avoid it. Heavens sake its food we have to have it to live. Unlike most of the diets the band is a long term tool. It doesn't replace anything. You may not be able to eat everything you want to but most can just in WAY SMALLER portions. Its still up to you to eat right though. But its gotta be way easier to recover from a binge or falter of 1 cup of food or less then when not having the band. I know my other half didn't like the idea of surgery. But he's seen what its like in a way. We tend to argue allot somedays because even though he's just barely overweight he can't avoid the candy/sweets even though hes diabetic. And he works at walgreens so he's around it all day long. And he cannot resist the temptation to buy that candy bar or candy. And i'm not there to tell him no. (candy I can avoid my problem is carbs) lol But after having him read more about the band hes now behind me 100% to get it. And is making a better effort to knock off the sweets for himself. And eat better right beside me. Suggest he come here to the boards and read and research with you. Maybe if understands more he will be more supportive.

You are also used to eating for energy at the time of surgery, and your body is trying to burn fat and muscle right after surgery to get that energy. Your head is definitely telling you to eat more. I remember eating cream of chicken soup and having more than I thought I would be able to, and even now I can chug (reasonably) water and other fluids. But when they ok'd cream of wheat and oatmeal, I noticed that I could only finish about 1/3 of a packet. 3 months out, I still can't finish a whole packet of oatmeal. You will feel the limitations more when you get into fuller foods. The important thing during the full liquid phase is to eat slow because you don't want to put pressure on the staples and cause a leak. I also tried sugar free sucky candy during that time, to keep my mouth busy so I wasn't always thinking about food, but even the sugar alcohols they use in those can give some sleevers tummy aches so be careful.

So very sorry for your loss. It's awesome that you realized food is not the answer. Just don't be like me and turn to alcohol like I did when my mother passed a few years ago. It is truly a hard thing to go through life without finding some way to numb the pain. We just have to remind ourselves that they are in a better place and no matter how much it hurts we still have a life to live. Very good that you are not tempted by their junk food, I don't think I could handle that. So glad to live alone. Good luck and keep your head up. I won't say the pain will go away but it does fade with time.

If it was as easy as "just dieting" and "eat less, exercise more" t there would be no fat people. Telling an overweight person to just exercise more and eat less is like telling an alcoholic to "just drink less" or a drug addict to "just dope up less". With drugs and alcohol, you can abstain from them to help keep your addiction in check. food isn't like that. With food you have to eat it in order to live. So life as a food addict (which is why/how I gained so much weight) is like being an alcoholic or drug addict who has to drink/take drugs 3 times a day to sustain life. Anyway don't listen to people like that. You do what works for you. For some people, dieting/eating better works well. For others, it doesn't. Take my friend and I. She went to college, became a Vegan and lost 60lbs and has kept most of it off for the last 10 years. I went to the same college and tried every diet there was (weight watchers, slim fast, starving myself, Lemonade Diet, working out 3 hrs a day while taking Phentermine, etc) and I ended up packing on 100 lbs in the last 10 years. Based off my own experience, I feel most overweight/obese people are that size due in part to genetics, but a lot of it is unresolved issues and we're using food to help us cope. Also overeating is as American as apple pie. Most of our holidays, milestones and comfort are food-centered (Christmas, birthdays, funerals, family get together, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, etc) so many of us come to equate food with love and community.

To me my weight issue is comparable to being an alcoholic except it's food. We have to find a way to have some control over what and when we stick something in the hole in our face. I lack control over how much of something I eat. I'm hoping that the band will force me to have more self control thus allowing me to bring down my weight. I wish you the best and yes you can achieve your goal! Be tuffanf remeber why you choose this option. i to need support as I have just begun this journey and I as new to this as a newborn baby.

I understand why you would wonder that - it's an excellent question. The way being sleeved helps me is that I now have a short list of very simple rules that I have to follow if I want to get to my goal weight and stay healthy. They go into effect when one is released from the post op liquids/pureed/soft foods restrictions. They are: Consume 60-80 gm Protein per day and 60-80 oz of Clear liquids per day. Every day. Do not drink anything for at least 30 minutes before a meal or snack. If you forget and do drink, re-set the timer and wait another 30 minutes before you eat. Eat dense protein first at every meal. Eat a very few bites of non-starchy veggie in addition if you have room. Decide how many meals and/or protein Snacks you're going to have per day, and stick to it. Do not eat between meals. Wait at least 30 minutes after every meal or snack before drinking anything. If your mouth gets really dry you could rinse after eating or brush your teeth. I avoid alcohol because I'm concerned it would decrease my ability to resist bad food choices. Follow those rules at least 90% of the time, and you will succeed. For the other 10%, do not beat yourself up - just get back on the wagon immediately and Sleeve On! I was very fortunate in that I was not hungry at all for 2-3 months post op. I ate because I knew I should. When my hunger returned it wasn't as intense as before, and by then I had established my new eating habits which helped a LOT. Now I eat every 4 hours (8a, 12n, 4p and 8p), and I keep my carb intake as low as humanly possible. Both factors contribute to my never being hungry for very long at a time. What keeps me on track when I could never stick to a diet before: The feeling of satisfaction / fullness after each meal, plus the decreased hunger, is the main thing that makes it possible for me to stick to the plan. I do get head hunger sometimes, and when I can't ignore it I have a big glass of Water, a SF popsicle or some SF Crystal Light. I've lost a significant amount of weight doing this, so I KNOW it works. I will be da**ed if I'm going to throw away the $12,500 I paid out of my pocket to have this done, not to mention all the work I've done (and the goodies I've resisted eating) to get to this point. Sometimes I just repeat to myself, as many times as necessary "I'm not going to eat that. Not gonna do it. There will be goodies available when I'm at my goal." The support available on this site and on the Facebook group I belong to is PHENOMINAL. It helps SO much, especially at those times when family/friends would probably beat me to death if I mention one more thing about the trials and tribulations -- or the NSVs -- related to being sleeved. The above have kept me going even through a 6-week stall, and I am deTERmined to get to my goal. Hope that helps. Best wishes.

I can't eat tortillas, either. I avoid bread, pasta, and other starches and sweets, but probably could eat them if I wanted to. I do have dessert sometimes. When eating out my husband and I will share something and he even eats less, which is good for him, too. I drink little alcohol, but do have some when the occasion calls for it. Sometimes I want to eat a big portion of something, but I'm not hungry for it. I have also given up some behaviors: I no longer have to check the desks at school to see if I will fit; don't have to worry about booths in restaurants or seats in airplanes; don't have to wear baggy clothes to hide the rolls; and don't think I'm the biggest person in the room wherever I go. Giving up many liquids takes getting used to, as well as "pigging out" on huge amounts of food. It takes adjusting, but is every bit worth it to be healthy and more of a normal size.

Hi Angel and Welcome, There really isn't anything I can't eat... I am careful with bread as I sometimes have difficulty with really soft types... but other than that... I can eat everything I used to eat but in smaller amounts. I find that I do not crave carbs as much as I crave Protein now. I try and avoid high calorie things that are liquid as the band does not restrict Fluid intake... so... I avoid ice-cream... milkshakes... cream Soups... alcohol etc. The biggest changes are that I chew everything REALLY well and I don't drink fluids with or for one hour after eating. I also do not drink anything with carbonation or take ibuprofen. Hope that helps. Darcy

The only exception to the sugar alcohol rule is erythritol. 90% is absorbed in the small intestine and excreted, unchanged in the urine. It has no affect on blood sugar levels and therefore none of the sugar addiction affects. It may be hard to find things sweetened only with erythritol, but it is available in powder form, so something to consider using in baked goods or if you want to make your own sweet treats. Personally I've just stuck with real sugar from the get go. I don't seem to have a carb addiction. Oddly, my ultimate postop craving is for nuts.

I had wine after three months on a cruise - no issue. Keep in mind alcohol consumption will stop weight loss in its tracks. It also didnt take a whole lot to get loopy. A reasonable doctor will tell you that you will need to live your life. Its not reasonable to assume you will never drink alchohol, eat something fried, eat cake, eat something bad for the rest of your life. If you are reasonable about it you can do those things once in a while.

My doctor told me no more alcohol period. It's going to be hard but you've already gotten this far. I'm not drinking anymore for myself, I've invested so much in this weight loss journey. I'll support and not judge any decision you make. Good luck. Sent from my LG-H901 using BariatricPal mobile app

My Surgery is in less then 2 weeks and I'm getting nervous/anxious! I'm having a harder time thinking I won't be able to chug water more then any of the food stuff. I love water!! Also will I ever be able to drink wine with dinner?? Can you still consume alcohol after you have been sleeved? I like socializing with friends and having wine.

I usually drink some wine or a nice vodka martini. Alcohol is fine but it WAY goes to my head fast. I think it's mostly because of the reduced calories I'm eating. It used to take three or four and now one and maybe half of two and I'm blitzed. Cheap date!!! It's hard to find mixers without the massive sugar and calories. I've tried two brands of sugar free margarita mix and they both tasted terrible.

VerticalSleeveTalk Newsletter Hey, Sleevers!Time flies when you’re having fun. If you’re like those of us here at VerticalSleeveTalk.com, you can hardly believe that January is already over! How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re still following them, great job! If not, that’s okay. It’s never too late to go back to following your resolutions or to make a few new ones to help you meet your goals for 2013. Whether you’re on track or need to get back on track, we hope this newsletter will provide inspiration and ideas to help you succeed. This is what we have for you this month! Please be Respectful on the Boards! Member Spotlight: Meet iegal! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Member Challenge: Celebrate Yourself This Valentine’s Day! Keep reading for more on each of these stories, and when you’re finished, come on over to VerticalSleeveTalk.com for more motivation and information. The conversations never stop! And, as always, please free to drop us a line if you have any comments. We love hearing from members! See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder VerticalSleeveTalk.com Please be Respectful on the Boards! We started VerticalSleeveTalk.com to help sleeve patients and people who may be interested in getting the gastric sleeve surgery. We are very proud of the array of resources on the site, and recognize that you, our members, are our most valuable assets. From the conversations on the boards and feedback we receive from members, we know VerticalSleeveTalk.com has been successful in reaching out to thousands of members and making a positive difference regardless of where you are in your weight loss journey. One of the most valuable features of VerticalSleeveTalk.com is its welcoming, respectful atmosphere. Because of some recent incidents on the board, we’d like to remind you that rudeness is not tolerated. Board etiquette is outlined in the terms of service, which you must agree to in order to use the boards. Please use private messaging to contact Alex Brecher, founder of VerticalSleeveTalk.com, if you have any concerns or if you feel that another member is violating the terms of service. We depend on members to keep VerticalSleeveTalk.com positive and welcoming so that all members can feel comfortable expressing their viewpoints. Thanks to the thousands of members who follow the forum rules and make this board the incredible community that it is! Member Spotlight: Meet iegal! We’re delighted to feature iegal from California in this newsletter! iegal decided to get the surgery after years of failing to lose weight permanently and after months of careful consideration and research. Her procedure was in September of 2010, and she has no regrets! Her highest weight was 221 pounds. Now, she’s down to 155 pounds and a healthy BMI of 22.7. “Living life more freely” has been one of iegal’s greatest changes since losing so much weight. She’s no longer held back by obesity or judged by people because of her weight. iegal has also developed the ability to “stop eating too much,” which of course helped her lose the weight and will help her maintain her weight loss long term. iegal says her best moment was reaching her goal weight! She also enjoys her confidence that this time the weight loss will be permanent. iegal also appreciates shopping for cute clothes and showing that her critics were wrong when they thought she couldn’t lose weight. The cost of the sleeve surgery was one of iegal’s first challenges. She justified it by realizing how much she’d spent on “TV promises, weight loss clinics, hypnosis, weight loss clubs, B12 shots, various personal trainers, gym memberships and more.” She also had trouble right after the surgery with “eating like a thin person.” Apparently she did a great job, since iegal reached and maintained goal weight! She gives VerticalSleeveTalk a lot of credit for her success. Members have been there for iegal to keep her on track, be honest and give her a kick in the rear when needed. She loves the way VerticalSleeveTalk members have touched her and changed her life. iegal also depends on VerticalSleeveTalk for information, both from new conversations and from old, archived discussions. iegal chooses to remain anonymous on the boards because she hasn’t told many people about getting the sleeve. She wanted to lose the weight quietly before talking much about the sleeve gastrectomy. Don’t let her anonymity fool you, though! iegal finds herself sharing her positive story with people who are “on the fence” about getting weight loss surgery. iegal’s tip for weight loss surgery patients is to be persistent. The sleeve provides the tool to restrict food intake and let people lose weight. She also reminds sleevers to stop comparing their own weight loss to others. As she says, you will lose the weight if you keep eating right. Even if you’re losing slowly, you’ll still get to your goal weight! iegal wanted to take this opportunity to thank those who challenged her during this journey and never doubted that she would succeed. We’re only too happy to pass the word along – a big thank-you from iegal to all those who have helped her! And we'd like to thank iegal for being in the member spotlight and sharing her story and wisdom. Congratulations on your success, and we can see why you have no regrets from the sleeve! If you want to be in the Member Spotlight, let us know in the Member Spotlight Forum! Also, you can nominate any member that you’d like to see in the spotlight! If you’re a little shy, just send Alex Brecher a private message. We want to hear from you! Valentine’s Day: Show a Little Love the WLS Way! Many WLS patients dread Valentine’s Day. For many people, the holiday is about candy, cupcakes and a rich dinner with wine. Before starting your weight loss journey, you may have celebrated by exchanging boxes of chocolate and eating too much fat and sugar at home and at work. On your pre-surgery diet and after surgery, these unhealthy choices are no longer for you. High-fat, high-sugar foods aren’t part of your weight loss surgery diet. Chocolate truffles can give you dumping syndrome and alcohol with dinner can make you lose your control and overeat. So what can you do to enjoy Valentine’s Day – with or without a special someone – while keeping your weight loss on track? We have a few ideas. Give your sweetheart flowers instead of candy. Opt for broiled lobster or chicken with vegetables instead of steak with creamy mushroom Pasta. Skip the refined pasta at dinner. Instead, try a small amount of orzo or another whole grain – but only eat it after eating your Protein and vegetables. Choose strawberries for dessert instead of chocolate cake and ice cream. If you still have chocolate cravings after dinner, sip sugar-free hot chocolate instead of going for the chocolate truffles. There’s nothing more romantic than dancing. Burn a few extra calories with some slow dancing before watching a movie after dinner. Picking out a few slow songs to dance to with your sweetheart will show how much you care. Take a walk. A short after-dinner walk lets you and your valentine enjoy the fresh air and focus on each other. Don’t have a valentine? Call up one of your single friends and take a leisurely walk together. You’ll both benefit from the chance to chat. Make a Valentine’s Day card. Do you remember how good it felt to get them from your friends when you were in elementary school? Making one instead of buying one lets you put your own personal touches on it. These are just a few possibilities for enjoying your Valentine’s Day without interfering with your health. Everyone should be able to enjoy, not dread, this happy holiday, and we hope these suggestions are useful as you make your plans. Member Challenge: Be Your Own Valentine! The Member Challenge portion of the newsletter is an opportunity for you to try something new or discover tricks that’ll help you with your weight loss and health. It’s not a competitive challenge; it’s just a way to challenge yourself to achieve new goals. This month, we’re sticking to the theme of Valentine’s Day. Some people think that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret: anyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re by yourself. Take advantage of the occasion to show yourself how much you love and appreciate yourself – especially as you work toward becoming healthier. The challenge this month is to show yourself how much you care about yourself and appreciate your efforts to become healthier and happier. These are a few of our ideas to treat yourself without going off your weight loss surgery diet. Get a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. Try a calorie-free chocolate treat, such as chocolate chapstick or chocolate-scented body lotion. Make or buy yourself a Valentine’s Day card. Frame a “before” and “after” picture – with or without your sweetheart – in a Valentine’s Day-themed frame. Try a dance class – you’ll burn a few calories and may meet a special someone! If you are dedicating February 14 to a special someone, take a few moments to treat yourself, too, or treat yourself on another day. Use one of the above ideas, or come up with your own way to celebrate Valentine’s Day without missing a beat in your weight loss journey. We’d love for you to tell us how it went in the Challenge Forum! Sharing your ideas and experiences gives you a sense of purpose and helps other sleevers hit their own challenge goals. Don’t forget that the archived Newsletter Forum is always there for you when you’re ready to try an old challenge. We’ll leave you with these thoughts of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they’re warm enough to carry you through the rest of the cold winter. Keep up the great work with your weight loss journey, and we’ll see you on the boards! Thanks as always for your support. Take care of yourself and each other. Sincerely, Alex ============================================================== If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: {unsubscribe}

Hi, I'm new to this app, and have a question that I'm kind of nervous about asking. I am currently on the pre-op liquid diet and am going to be sleeved in 11 days! I'm very excited and motivated to start my wls journey. I just recently moved to Southern California because I'm starting school here in the fall. All of my friends are in Northern California and have no idea that I'm having this surgery. I was wondering at what point, post-op, were you able to have a drink? I am by no means an alcoholic, I'm just a 21 year old girl who loves to have nights-out with her friends. Fortunately for me, all of my friends live 6+ hours away so I won't be seeing them as often. But when I do go to visit, it will be expected that we go out and a have a few drinks. It will be obvious if I go out and don't part-take. I am of course able to say no, but I'd rather not go out with them at all if I can't act how I normally would, if that makes sense. Please no judgements [emoji18]

You are committing to no alcohol your whole life time? Not even a sip? How far out are you?

I'm eating way healthier and even with the Protein powders, etc. my food expenses are WAY down..... This includes grocery bill, alcohol, and restaurant tabs. When I used to get something from the deli I would sometimes get 2 medium containers of whatever and eat it all in one day. Now a small container of whatever lasts me 2-3 meals. At restaurants I either order an appetizer and still have leftovers or an entree and have 2-3 meals worth of leftovers. Preop I would order an appetizer, entree and a drink or two....with no leftovers. My clothes bill, on the other hand......

For the love of the gods, husband, if you insist on buying chips, keep them on the top shelf where I can ignore them. I have asked him nicely, more than a few times since being sleeved in March to put that stuff where I can't see it. Instead, he leaves the open bag on the bottom shelf of the cupboard with the plates and bowls. I go to get my little plate on which to put my 3oz of chicken, only to be greeted with the aroma of deep-fried goodness in the form of a potato. No, I don't believe that he is trying to sabotage me, he just truly has no comprehension of my deep-seated issues with potato chips. You see, chips and I, we were BFFs. But alas, no longer. Husband looks at me like I am crazy when I tell him to put the bag out of my sight, until finally I ask him, "Would you leave alcohol out in the open in front of an alcoholic?", and I see the light bulb go on. He sorta gets it. And the chips are moved. One step at a time, my friends. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Okay - if you want to drink most surgeons recommend avoiding until you hit goal or minimum of 3 months. Saying this - "Drinking alcohol after a bariatric procedure is not recommended because alcohol will take longer to metabolize in the patient's body; therefore serum levels of alcohol will rise more quickly and will be maintained longer in a bariatric patient. I still warn them that they stand the risk of getting drunk with small amounts of alcohol and may take longer to become sober". Personally, I was a light weight before and am a super light weight now. One drink and I don't drive, at all. Not passing any judgement. As Erica said, be careful if you choose to drink. PS - Erica you look amazing!

Hi, I'm new to this site an I am scheduled for VGS on June 30th. I am a social drinker and many times attend social events with coworkers after work. How has everyone adjusted to drinking alcohol after surgery? Is it something I will have to completely give up?

#1. I agree, around 6 weeks. #2. Regarding the fruit. Fruit is high in carbs and most diet plans want you to keep your carb intake fairly low. Also, many fruits are very fibrous and can cause a blockage(stuck episode) and that's not something you want so early in your recovery. #3. Jean's right again. Worthless calories. I've allowed myself one beer or one glass of wine per week. Sometimes none and sometimes two. I've found I really don't miss alcohol as well as many other foods. #4. Most doctors and nutritionists do recommend no fluids up to 15 minutes before and 60 minutes after a meal. I have to say I don't follow this rule and I'll tell you why below. I drink right up to a meal. Sometimes, if I'm excessively tight, I need the liquid to help my meal pass through my stoma(not often). I will also drink right after a meal but only if I have satiated my appetite. But, you should follow your doctors advice. Now my caveat. As we all travel down our own paths with our bands, we all find ways to make it work(or not) with our bodies. In the beginning I followed the rules as closely as anyone. But as we became familiar with each other(me and my she-band) I've made some adjustments that work for my band and also aid my weight loss journey. Such as drinking during or after a meal. I found that sometimes I had to drink just so I could consume enough of my food to keep up my nutrition levels. I've never drank fluids just so I could eat more food. I'm the one in control over this element of my weight loss plan. You are not here yet. And it takes time to get to the green zone and understand how your body communicates with your band. For some, it's 3 months and others, years. So be patient and follow the rules till you have some experience under your belt. tmf

damn, no one else really had any burning huh? Maybe its the way the doc did it?..or maybe I'm just weird like that...but it burned like a mother for about 15-20 seconds and after it was over i still kept feeling twinges like u know when you scratch yourself and the skin burns later...he didn't use alcohol on me he used monkeys blood...what do you call it...benedine? that brown kinda stuff...any way....I don't think i can do another week liquids, i think i have restriction i ate a half bowl of creamy soup today and I'm good. I think i may try some mashed potatoes tomorrow and see how the week goes. I'll keep u posted.