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Wow! Hard core dude. LOL. Great it's worked for you and your bro. Congrats on your weight loss. I do agree that from my viewpoint, you have to be willing to say "screw food" -- at least in the WLM--in order to lose the quickest and get to goal without potentially setting yourself up for stalling out too soon and losing focus. I do think many of us have to completely change and break up with the foods that contributed to our poor eating behaviors. Otherwise, like alcoholics, we run the risk of recidivism. The beauty of the initial weeks out from surgery and the honeymoon period is that it presents an opportunity to break up with old habits and almost painlessly build new healthy habits and learn new food ways of eating. Thanks for showing us your plan!!! p.s. I never really had ANY post op pain or pain in refeeding...

@ms.sss Wow congrats on your surprise vacation. Get bikini fit before you go, You deserve to indulge and enjoy. You know yourself best. Try to be ok with a small weight gain. You can trust yourself to work it off after you get back. I am just checking in after a short vacation and family wedding. A fantastic time was had. I was 130 at the start of vacation and I’m now 143. A bit over my ten-pound bounce range. Clothing is tight. My body is not used to the craptacular food and alcohol choices over the last week. I feel sluggish and not myself. I appreciate how good I feel when I eat on plan. Looking forward to getting my weight back in range.

I haven't had any form of alcohol in several years. It doesn't fit with my lifestyle or choices anymore. I'm 5 years post VSG and had to really overhaul my entire lifestyle. even after surgery and I lost my weight, I got some sobering health news that made me have to tighten up my eating even more. I stick to sugar free iced coffee when I'm out and about, and have some Zevia-flat- for a treat.

Ok, so please note, I do not advocate drinking alcohol after WLS. Bad things happen to good bari peeps, mmmmkay? Having said that, if you have a lot of stress in your life, this whacked crash diet from the 70's Vogue, sounds compelling on the surface! bahahaha!

Wait patiently and work on lifestyle modifications. Try getting some walking in, start eliminating things from your diet that you won't be able to have after surgery. I found that this was very helpful. Recovery is hard enough without going through withdrawal from cravings. Give up the sugar, simple starches, caffeine, soda, alcohol. If dieting worked for you, you would have already lost the weight and kept it off by now. Like many of us, you have probably lost and regained many times. All that does is wreck your metabolism and short circuit the stomach-brain transmissions, making permanent weight loss nigh unto impossible. The time will past quickly, with holidays right around the corner, and starting a new job. Hang in there!

Be sure to take it easy for the new years celebrations no alcohol etc preop

My experience with all inclusives is similar to @ms.sss's. The food isn't good enough to be all that compelling. But the alcohol on the other hand ....

True, if you can't control yourself. I was a weekend drinker but as soon as I started my first nutritional session I stopped cold turkey. It's not worth my health. I plan to have wine March 15th, my BIRTHDAY. So if anyone is a alcoholic or borderline - STAY AWAY. I do understand & respect your answer : )

I eat fairly simply. Never been a spicy food person so no loss there. The only carb I knowingly eat is rolled oats. I can eat fish, all meats, eggs & cheeses. My tastebuds still are not fond of many vegetables & fruit I used to love though. The only takeaway food i’ve tried is Chinese chicken & cashews (without the cashews). As I can only eat small amounts, I focus on protein and eat little or no vegetables or salad - three/four spoons of protein (half a sausage, a small lamb cutlet, small chicken leg) & a small cauliflower floret & i’m done. Takes me three days to eat two scrambled eggs. I eat slowly & mindfully. If i’m stressed (like worrying about what I can eat when dining out) my body shuts down & I can eat even less. (I’ve had to calm several concerned wait staff stressing everything tasted delicious & the reason i’ve barely touched my meal is just me.) I find it hard to get my fluids in each day. Alcohol is an occasional treat now - I can nurse a gin & tonic for hours. Tolerated my first glass of champagne last week. Yay! Only vomited food once. I just wish the gurgling would stop and the hair loss. Listen to your body. Find what works for you. Everyone’s experience is different. Yes, you will have to change your diet & find healthier foods to eat. But this is a new and better world. Enjoy!

Thanks guys. lol, I’m the queen of disorganization myself, but Anna is super kind and I’m always such a big fan of hers. November feel free to chime in with any questions or concerns, we’re more than happy to help out. Research and prep are KEY to success, and as a type A control freak, I definitely understand. Anna, I’m so glad your hair stopped falling out! Honestly I don’t know if mine has stopped, but at least it doesn’t seem to be falling out more. I’ve got a cut and color scheduled for mid-next month for a bday present, and I haven’t had new color since about 2 weeks after surgery. Can’t wait. Girl you’ve GOT to keep drinking that water. So far I’ve avoided the dread UTI, but I think I came close back in July when we took that NOLA trip and I drank about 1500 calories a day in alcohol. Usually I’m uber-hydrated at 80 plus ounces water daily, so it was a radical change. I can’t believe this, but I’m about 7 pounds away from goal and it’s probably going to happen by my 9 month surgiversary. TBH, I knew I’d lose weight from WLS, but never would’ve imagined I’d ever truly hit goal. How many of you guys have an actual plan for maintenance? I’ve discovered that I really kind of don’t have a plan and that’s a bit scary for me.

OMG, I forgot to respond to everyone's replies. I actually get this..like every 2 to 4 weeks it seems. The first 2 times was before I had healed very much (I'm...7 weeks out now?)...and I got so dehydrated I was sent to hospital for a long duration of IV fluids. They also gave me some meds for abdominal pain/cramping (I had already taken the 2 different meds my surgeon had prescribed for this and he prescribed Tramadol as well, but Tramadol does nothing for me). When the 'meds' I had at home were not enough to suffice and after hours of enduring the agony, I actually did call dr both times. That 1st hospital visit also gave me some type of pain relief but I have no clue what it was. It was not what I had on hand, nor was it a heavy duty narcotic. The 2nd time I had this kind of pain I was sent to another facility to drink soapy water (I was only a few weeks out and it was one of worst things I've ever had to try to drink, esp with being not even 1 month past operation. Scan showed no leaks, etc. The 3rd time, I was told to go back to hospital I had scan at. Was kept overnight. Was in awful pain. Scan done again and only thing they could see this time was that my esophagus tended to spasm which answered question of why I felt my throat and 'restriction' were locking down sometimes after even a small mouthful of water. Only thing the hospital offered me for pain relief was IV tramadol. I didn't even pay attention as I was so completely miserable..I just noticed that I had NO pain relief during the 15 hrs I was @ hospital, unlike 1st one i went to where they gave me something that helped. THUS, I have resolved to NOT go back to a hospital I do not let my dr know any more when I have these..episodes? It seems the ONLY test that can be run during these horrid events is just the soap drink/check your GI tract/pouch? No thank you. If I am going to spend almost a full day ((or what ends up being a full day out of commission), with no way to even take the edge off the pain..then I'll stay home and keep trying to get through it. I don't know if it is the dang opioid crisis or what, but my prescription history shows i do not take ANY pain pills as a general rule. They just are usually not worth it. They could check previous hospitalizations and see that 90% of the time I turn down heavy duty pain meds and opt for 'less powerful' pain meds (tylenol, etc. and no, not tylenol with anything added). That is why 10 days ago...on what I now see was the 4th time to have the exact same symptoms I just posted here. I should have given the backstory.... My fingers are crossed that I never have another episode again! If i do though, I'm just staying here. It hurts enough that if I could drink alcohol and IF that even helped anything, I MAYBE would do so...but that is not my preferred way to handle things.

I think this post of FluffyChix's is the crux of the matter for me. It is all about knowing myself. Like her, I knew what sort of behaviour resulted in obesity, and like her, I need to be accountable for it. For me, my Achilles heel was alcohol (2-3 glasses of red wine a night) and portions of healthy food that were just too large. Now I've cut out the alcohol (apart from special occasions) and got the portion size right, I feel I'm in control. But I recognise that different people have to do different things to be in control.

Okay so after a rather decadent weekend (mostly with alcohol, not food) I’m hitting it now with a 24 hr fast. At 6:30 We finished up a dinner of chicken and salad and I even found some passable avocado to add to the salad for some extra healthy fat and calories. I’m so stuffed right now that I don’t feel like eating for 3 days, lol. Plan is to get up early for Pilates, spend some time organizing some clothes to do a sell-back before going to work at 1pm, then finding a way to break my fast tomorrow night at work after 6pm. I’m going to do an 8 ounce beef bone broth cup with some sea salt before I go to work. I’ll try to remember to post when I get off work tomorrow night and let y’all know how it went

Oh thank God it’s not just me. I’ve never been pregnant, but it feels like a hormonal craving. I find myself with the frig door open, eyeing the pickle jar whilst looking around to make sure nobody’s watching my weird obsession with pickle juice! I’m going to look for the drink! I can make my own alcohol-free cocktail!! Thanks so much!! P.s. I eat the pickles too, sometimes. That crunch & burst of pickle juice in my mouth - Nirvana! 😂😉👍🏼

The best: Getting my life back!!! I feel 20 years younger and am doing things now that I haven't been able to do for decades. Rode 15 miles on my bike today and felt great! Hiking hills, riding my mule, climbing stairs, swimming (in a size 10 suit!!!), getting down and up off the floor, no more sleep apnea, no problems with asthma or reflux, no fungal infections in my skin folds this summer, no joint pain, normal BP and blood sugars (ie: no more metabolic syndrome!), wearing cute clothes, feeling "normal" in a crowd, more confidence, not having to size up the furniture in a room to decide which I will fit into, the list just goes on and on. I took a "Biological Age" test, and I am 16 years younger than my stated age! Hurray!!! The worst: Can't think of any. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself. I LOVE my new active lifestyle and lifelong way of eating. Yes, there can be temptations, but they get easier and easier to deal with as you see the benefits of healthy choices. Sugar and desserts have no appeal at all any more. Neither do processed foods, coffee, soda, or alcohol. I do not even see those as sacrifices - not when I get to eat so many other healthy things. I guess one thing might be that when I go out to eat, I can only finish about 1/4 of the meal. I take the rest home, but the left overs are really not that great past a day, so I end up giving the rest to the chickens. So that's a waste of money. I am learning to order off the appetizer menu and to not let my eyes get bigger than my stomach. It's a process. Another thing might be that I feel a bit self conscious about my face, which I think looks old and wrinkly now. Others tell me differently and that I look younger, but I just don't see it that way. I am trying to be more out going and cheerful so that the wrinkles look more like smile lines than grumpy lines. That's just a matter of building confidence and learning to accept a great new body, but one that looks a little funny in places.

Well I’m assuming that you’re referring to healthy low-carb, high Protein food because otherwise why would a person even consider WLS if they don’t plan to radically change their diet, right? That being said, I’ve tried a few things in my 7 months that aren’t truly on the “approved” list. Mostly alcohol. Anytime I have alcohol it goes and stays down just fine, but the price I pay is slowed weight loss for a few days so I truly pick and choose those times carefully. Went to a wedding July 4th and had 3 glasses wine, some bbq brisket, smoked chicken , Mac and cheese, cole slaw and a couple bites of a piece of bread, and half a slice of wedding cake. Quite honestly everything except the brisket and smoked chicken (that I ate without the sauce) were the worst things I ate. All the carb-ey stuff tasted kinda weird and gross. The cake was just “okay” and people everywhere were raving about how delicious it was. *shrug* The wine was simply awesome and I’m kind of sad in a way that I haven’t lost my complete and utter love for wine. OTOH, at least I still do have this every now and again indulgence I can turn to. Okay, so let’s talk “healthier” options. One food I used to LOVE was eggs. Any kind cooked any way. I loved me some eggs. Now I can’t really even tolerate part of a boiled egg on salad bc eggs give me horrible cramping. Also mayo. Cannot have even a smidge of mayo or insta-cramps. Some would think maybe my gall bladder is acting up, but so far that’s been ruled out. I used to be (and still am) a complete salad mix freak. Thank goodness I can still put away a cup or more of leafy greens without difficulty. Some people can’t so I’m thankful. In fact, I’d be willing to bet over half my carbs daily (which isn’t much) comes from different salad greens.

Alcohol and NSAIDS are big no-no's. The acid in coffee can cause problems, as well.

That is very encouraging! I also have no problem living without soda or alcohol, I have heard soda can cause problems but I can do without it. I had not heard anything about straws, I use them all the time, hmm......I hope I can keep doing so!

I am very happy with my bypass. My GERD is gone, which has relieved my asthma as well. I started exercising right away, gradually adding elements of cardio, weights, stretching. I have more muscle mass now than before surgery. I have also entered a triathon in Oct and a bicycle event in November. I have so much energy now and feel 20 years younger! My only issue with malabsorption is with fat. If I eat too much it will come out in my stools. All of my 6 month vitamin levels were great, but I do take my vitamins faithfully, which I think is a small price to pay in exchange for the life I have now. My only other issue is getting enough calories in now, to keep up with my training schedule. My pouch limits intake, so I am having to eat more frequently and starting to add more healthy carbs back into the menu. All in all, I couldn't ask for a better outcome. I respect anyone's decision about which surgery to have, but it seems quite a few folks with the sleeve end up getting revised to bypass. I was also fixed on the sleeve until I understood the advantages of bypass with helping GERD and since that was an issue for me, it became a no brainer. I also like the fact that dumping can occur with sugar intake, when bypass is chosen. That is a great detriment for me to avoid sugar. Sugar is poison. I want no part of it, and my tummy agrees! No brainer there. I am also commited to taking care of my pouch and all the connections as well as possible. I work in the GI department of our hospital and I have seen firsthand the damage that can be done to WLS sites - ulcers and erosions beyond horror. So no alcohol, coffee, or NSAIDs for me. Those are my personal choices - again, a small price to pay for the life I have now. Best wishes in your journey!

Congrats on your appointment Maureen! I'm 3 months post op & I don't think there's anything I can't eat. I haven't tried bread, other than low carb wraps & those are absolutely fine. Honesty I went into this thinking I was giving up like, idk all sorts of things. I really thought, I'd never be able to eat them again. And even 3 months out I'm realizing that's not going to be true for me. Nothing has made me sick. This has all been super smooth sailing for me. That said, it means it's really up to me to say NO to all sorts of things. If that makes any sense? Like I sorta thought if I ate sugar or something, I'd be horribly sick like many of the members of this site. I haven't tested sugar much, but I had a tablespoon or two of creme brûlée at one point, I was fine. I've had halo top a couple times, I was fine. So far, I've had chicken, steak, ground beef, turkey sausage. All has been absolutely fine. Oh pizza! I have had pizza since surgery. Probably 10 weeks post op? I had a serving about the size of a slice of bread & I was fine. Is it something I'm purposely eating on a regular basis, no. I was at a thing & that was what was served. I haven't had alcohol or soda since surgery. Neither of them means anything to me so it's no hardship on me not to have them. I drink a lot of coffee & my doctor is fine with it. I also use straws - he's fine with that as well. You'll find a lot of varying opinions about that here. All in all, I feel exactly the same as I did before - in a good way. I don't really feel like much has changed for me except my stomach is much smaller & I eat much less. It's still up to me to make smart choices, but it's MUCH easier for me to do that with a stomach this small.

You have lost 36 lbs in 2 months?! Congratulations!!! I’m obsessed with reading and watching everything I can. I will admit my eating lately isn’t perfect and I’m working on fixing that. I did quite well in the first month but this past month not so much. I have major some major changes that I have stuck to...quit coffee, no more drinking alcohol (was a social drinker) and I have introduced protein shakes into my life. I am scheduled for rny on 10/15. I’m only down 5 from my first appointment in July. It was 9... You are doing GREAT!

For all you wine drinkers - just saw this new ad for low sugar/low carbs brand of alcohol & with very good review! Go to website to see all the varieties! You best believe someone is ALWAYS creating healthier versions of cheers ; )

@Sheribear68 Ouch! So sorry to hear about your friend!!! ((hugs)) TG you are escaping that fate with every day of your lifestyle change!!! I know how you feel and can relate! And for anyone who is genuinely interested in hearing my journey and not just a rubbernecker, I will discuss the specifics. But for anyone else who looks at me, there is no doubt that I'm somewhat fanatical religious about making good choices--cuz like you, we have some big strikes we deal with. But sadly, no one likes reformed smokers or reformed alcoholics. So we do just have to live our lives. And sometimes the best testimony is through action rather than words. Live your life hon. Let your friends feel safe, coming to you when or if they are ready. ((hugs))

@KarenLR75 my BMI is 54.7 I believe so pretty high. My surgeon hasn’t mentioned anything to me about calling it off due to the size of my liver or anything. I do have “Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” which I believe most morbidly obese people have. Mine is mild if I remember correctly. Either way, I will do better and hope everything works out on Monday. If we could give up food that easy, no one would be big and there would be no need for weight loss surgery. It’s a tool to help with smaller portions, which lead to healthier choices.... eventually, no or minimum bad cravings. So, I don’t try to beat myself up too bad. I’m sure surgeons realize that people will cheat. How can we not? If you don’t, please share some will power :)

Sad to hear that you are having a rough time. Definitely consider two things (if you can): get a personal counselor (I had one a little before my surgery) and find a support group (ask NUT team or surgeon's office--people go before and after the surgery). I went through a mild downer about the 3rd week. I think it was withdrawal from alcohol, caffeine, food, everything!). I also work from home, so I am sitting looking at walls ALL day or food commercials! I am 6 weeks post-op and can go to fit classes and it is helping me to be around people. Keep your head up! I love also watching Dr. Voung's videos on YouTube and he keeps me going.