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• I was taking Gas-X. He told me to stop taking it and to use Maalox Maximum Relief. • I was drinking a Protein shake called ENS chocolate Milk. I would mix it up thin but as it would sit it would get very thick. He asked me to stop drinking it for a while. • i was taking my multi-Vitamins in the morning. He said that they can sometimes cause gas/bloating/nausea so he asked me to take them at night before bed. • I was using soy milk for my shakes. He asked me to use regular milk for a while and see what happened. • I was taking one or two SF mints daily for my breath. The contained sugar alcohols so he asked me to stop. Unfortunately, I did all of this at once so I have no idea what made the difference. Hope this helps :-)

LAPAROSCOPIC GASTRIC SLEEVE DIET Joseph E. Chebli MD FACS Introduction The following information provides guidelines for you to follow before and after Gastric Sleeve Surgery and for the rest of your life. Gastric Sleeve Surgery is a weight loss tool. After surgery, you will be required to make lifelong changes in your eating habits and to exercise on a regular basis in order to achieve and maintain your weight loss goals. Gastric Sleeve Surgery reduces the size of the stomach which restricts the volume of food that you can consume at one time. This means that you will feel full after eating a small amount. The surgery also induces hormonal changes which help prevent you from feeling excessively hungry. You should avoid drinking liquids with meals. This is to prevent overfilling of the stomach. Frequent snacking or grazing must also be avoided as this contributes to excess calorie intake and can slow weight loss or cause you to gain weight. Exercise is an important component of weight loss success. Exercise is recommended before and after surgery in order to maximize the amount of weight that you lose and keep off. If you have not been an active exerciser, always consult with your physician for clearance and recommendations before beginning any exercise program. It is important to follow the lifetime Gastric Sleeve diet rules, supplement guidelines, and exercise recommendations in order to achieve and maintain optimum weight loss success. In order to begin preparing for surgery, start implementing the pre-surgery diet goals listed on the next page. Pre-Surgery Diet Practice Tips 1. Choose low-fat foods, and avoid fried foods. 2. Stop using sugar. Use healthy sugar substitutes. (T) 3. Decrease intake of Desserts and candy. 4. Stop drinking sugar-sweetened beverages such as regular soda and sweetened Kool-Aid. 5. Start weaning off of caffeine and carbonated beverages. 6. Start cutting back on fast food and eating out. Begin making healthy meal choices when eating out and at home. 7. Eat 3 meals a day. Do not skip Breakfast. 8. Start decreasing portion sizes. 9. Eat more fruits and vegetables. 10. Practice drinking Water and other fluids between meals, not with meals. 11. Drink 64 ounces water a day. 12. Practice sipping liquids. 13. Avoid alcohol. 14. Begin some form of exercise. 15. Review the following information on the gastric sleeve diet. 16. Practice chewing foods thoroughly, 20 - 40 times or to paste consistency. 17. Purchase your Protein drinks or supplements. 18. Purchase your Vitamin and mineral supplements. 19. Begin planning a schedule for mealtime, fluids and vitamin and mineral supplements. Post Gastric Sleeve Surgery Diet Important Diet Guidelines: 1. Eat 3 meals per day. Avoid snacking and grazing. 2. Eat small amounts. Initial portion size should be no more than 1 - 2 ounces - approximately 2 - 4 Tablespoons - of food per meal for the first month. At first you may not be able to tolerate this amount. Over time, you will slowly tolerate more volume at each meal. Long term, the stomach will eventually hold about 4 - 8 ounces (1/2 - 1 cup) of food per meal. 3. Eat protein foods first. 4. Do not try to eat food and drink liquid together. • Consume liquid 30 to 60 minutes before and/or 30 to 60 minutes after eating meals but not during meals. 5. You are required to take a multi-vitamin with minerals for the rest of your life. 6. Eat slowly! • Each meal should last 30minutes or longer. • Avoid gulping foods and drinks. • All foods must be well-chewed to a paste consistency. • Using a small fork or spoon (i.e. baby utensils) can help control portion sizes. • Have one place to eat (such as at the table) and avoid reading or watching TV while you eat. This helps you to enjoy your food, concentrate on eating slower and to realize when your stomach is full. 7. Drink plenty of calorie-free, non-carbonated, caffeine- free fluids between meals. • Drink slowly-sip fluids, never gulp. • Calorie-containing beverages should be limited to skim milk and Protein Drinks. • Limit juice to no more than 4oz. per day. • Consume zero-calorie beverages throughout the day. Diet Progression After Surgery The diet after gastric sleeve surgery progresses through several stages. Your surgeon will let you know when it is okay to progress to the next stage. Day 1 - 2 after surgery: Clear liquid diet The clear liquid diet means fluids or foods that are liquid at body temperature and can almost be seen through. You will be on a clear liquid diet while you’re in the hospital. Examples of Clear Liquid Diet (No Added Sugar/ Sugar Free): • Clear (diluted) fruit juices without added sugar: apple, grape or white grape or diet cranberry • sugar-free Crystal Light drink mix or popsicles, Sugar-free Kool-Aid. (T - careful, usually sweetened w/Aspartame) • Herbal tea, caffeine-free tea • flat soda • Sugar-free Popsicles • Sugar-free Gelatin • Clear broth • Water �� It is best to dilute juices by 50% with water. �� Avoid citrus juices (orange/grapefruit) and tomato juice for the first three weeks. �� coffee and de-caffeinated coffee contain acids which are irritating to the stomach lining and should be avoided for the first few weeks for healing. Day 3 through Week 2: Full Liquid Diet The next stage is the full liquid diet which consists of sugar-free, low-fat milk products and the Clear Liquids listed above. You will need to supplement with protein (drinks or powder) after surgery. Remember to sip liquids, do not gulp. Examples of Full Liquid Diet (No Added Sugar/Sugar-Free, Low Fat): • Skim Milk or Lactaid milk • Soy Milk (non-fat) • Low fat, thin, strained cream Soup (smooth, no pieces of food) • Sugar-free instant breakfast • Protein drinks – Start daily when you get home from the hospital. (See section on protein and protein drinks) • Plain or “light” (no sugar added) yogurt with no fruit pieces • Sugar-free pudding or custard • Thinned cream of wheat or rice Cereal Week 3 through Week 8: pureed Diet You may now begin a pureed diet. This includes all items listed for clear and full liquids, and the items listed for the pureed (blenderized) diet. • Eat PROTEIN foods first • Make sure foods are well blended. • Start slowly. If you do not tolerate pureed foods go back to the liquid diet and try again in a few days. • Remember to drink liquids between meals, not with meals. • Continue protein drinks or protein supplements every day. Examples for the Pureed Diet (Sugar-Free/No Sugar Added, Low Fat): eggs cheese Pureed or blenderized scrambled eggs or egg substitute or cheese omelet; melted low-fat cheese, low-fat or non-fat cream cheese, ricotta cheese, very smooth/mashed soft cheese such as mozzarella, string cheese, low-fat or non-fat smooth or small curd cottage cheese meat, Fish, Poultry, Baby food meat or pureed meat or poultry moistened with broth or low-fat gravy Blenderized shrimp, scallops or fish Pureed tuna or salmon (canned in water) or pureed egg salad with low-fat or non-fat mayonnaise Potted meats thinned with broth; smooth deviled ham Starches Unsweetened instant oatmeal (strained), cream of wheat or rice cereal, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, smooth polenta, hummus, refried beans; low-fat or baked crackers or chips Vegetables Baby food vegetables or pureed cooked vegetables (no corn or peas) Mashed winter squash, tomato juice or sauce, pureed salsa, marinara Soup Strained, low-fat cream soup made with skim milk; fat-free broth Blenderized lentil or split pea soup or chili Fruit Baby food fruits (bananas, pears, applesauce, peaches, mango, etc) Unsweetened applesauce (smooth) Unsweetened canned fruit – blenderized Unsweetened fruit juice (diluted, no sugar added) Remember: IF YOU CAN CHEW IT, DON’T DO IT! Tips to Get Started Everything that you eat on the pureed diet should be sugar-free or no sugar added, low fat and blended to the consistency of baby food or smooth applesauce. • You will need a blender or food processor or you can purchase baby food. • Start with 1 ounce (2 Tablespoon) portions - no more than 4 Tablespoons at the most. Listen to your body and stop eating as soon as you feel full. • Eat protein foods first. Then if you are not too full, try vegetables or fruits. • Continue protein supplements (80 g protein per day from supplement). Helpful Hints for Blenderizing • Cut foods into small pieces before putting into the blender or food processor. • Remove seeds, skins and fat. • Add liquid for ease of blending. Add enough liquid to cover the blades. Options include skim milk, broth, strained low-fat cream soup, low-fat gravy, low-fat or non-fat sour cream or fat-free half & half. • Blend the item to a smooth, applesauce consistency. • Make sure there are no particles, seeds or lumps remaining. If so put through a sieve or strainer. • If you have leftover blenderized foods, try freezing in single serving portions in ice cube trays and put the frozen cubes into plastic freezer bags. Meats – Very lean and dry meats puree better by adding a small amount of fat (margarine, oil, light mayonnaise, gravy, etc.) Fish also tends to be dry. Improve the texture by adding small amount of lemon juice, light mayonnaise or strained low-fat tartar sauce. Starches – Try pureed peas, canned Beans, sweet potatoes. Starches puree better when hot. Rice and potatoes tend to puree into a gummy paste and are not recommended. Substitute cream of rice cereal prepared with a flavorful broth and seasoned with margarine. Pasta or noodles are not recommended as they are not well-tolerated. Vegetables – Cook vegetables until soft. If using canned vegetables, drain first. Add melted margarine and puree. Add a small amount of liquid until it reaches the smooth applesauce consistency. Fruit – If using canned fruit, drain first. Add a few drops of lemon juice to help prevent them from discoloring. Begin to take advantage of your favorite leftovers before surgery. Process these foods, and freeze them in an ice cube tray. (Each cube is approximately 1/2 to 1 ounce). When frozen, pop out into Zip-lock bag; label and date, and freeze cubes until needed. Meal Guidelines for the Pureed Diet (See Sample Pureed Meals listed in the Appendix) Once you begin to eat pureed foods (which are considered solids) you will want to start differentiating between liquids and solids – meals should include pureed foods, and so liquids (including protein drinks) should be taken separately from your meals. • You should eat 3 meals a day with protein drinks between meals. • Protein drinks containing at least 20 grams of protein per serving should be consumed as needed to meet 80 g/day goal. • Start with a portion size of 1 to 2 tablespoons of pureed food for the first month. At first you may not be able to tolerate this amount. Eat your protein source first, and then if you have room a small amount of fruit, vegetables or other foods may be consumed. Hints for Measuring Foods: Liquids or soft/pureed foods are best measured in measuring cups or spoons; they can be measured in ounces, Tablespoons or mls. 1 cup 8 Fluid ounces 240 ml 16 tablespoons 3/4 cup 6 fluid ounces 180 ml 12 tablespoons 1/2 cup 4 fluid ounces 120 ml 8 tablespoons 1/4 cup 2 fluid ounces 60 ml 4 tablespoons 1/8 cup 1 fluid ounce 30 ml 2 tablespoons 1 Tablespoon = 3 teaspoons 1/2 Tablespoon = 1-1/2 teaspoons Week 9-12 After Surgery: Soft solid food Diet If you have been tolerating pureed foods, you may now begin a soft diet. This includes all items listed for clear and full liquids and pureed diets plus items listed for the soft diet. Try 1 to 2 new foods a day. This will help you to learn what foods you tolerate. • Remember your stomach pouch empties more slowly with more solid or dense foods than with liquids, so you will be able to tolerate a smaller quantity of food than you could with liquids. • Go slowly. If you do not tolerate the trial of soft foods, resume pureed foods and try again in a week. • Eat protein foods first • Avoid foods high in sugar and fat. • Space meals 4-5 hours apart • Continue your protein drinks between meals • Drink other fluids constantly between meals Examples of Soft Diet (No Added Sugar/Sugar-Free, Low Fat): • Baked fish (no bones) • Imitation crab meat, baby shrimp • Bananas • Canned peaches or pears in water or juice • Well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skin (no corn or peas) • Scrambled, poached or hard boiled eggs • Tuna or egg salad (no onions, celery, pimientos, etc.) • Finely shaved deli meat • Baked, grilled or rotisserie chicken o Moist foods will be better tolerated. Moisten meats with broth, low fat mayonnaise, or low-fat gravy or sauce. o Fish and seafood Proteins are softer and easier to break down than poultry or red meat proteins. o Reheating foods tends to make them dry out and hard to tolerate. Common Problem Foods (Avoid for 3 months after surgery) • Red meat such as steak, roast beef, pork. Red meat is high in muscle Fiber, which is difficult to separate even with a great deal of chewing. Avoid hamburger for one month after surgery. • Un-toasted bread; rolls, biscuits. (Toasted bread may be better-tolerated.) • Pasta • Rice • Membrane of citrus fruits • Dried fruits, nuts, popcorn, coconut • Salads, fresh fruits (except banana) and fresh uncooked vegetables, potato skins. Month 4 After Surgery: Regular Diet • Problem foods as listed above can now be tried. • Rice, pasta and doughy bread may not be tolerated for 6 months or more. • Try fresh fruits without the skin first. If tolerated, the skin can be tried the next time. Salads are generally well-tolerated if chewed well. • Go slowly. Try a small amount to see how you feel. • Avoid high sugar and high fat foods to avoid a high calorie intake. Foods to Avoid: Hard/crunchy foods may always be poorly tolerated. Nuts and seeds are difficult to break down. Fried foods/greasy foods are hard to digest and are very high in calories. • Corn chips, potato chips, tortilla chips, hard taco shells • Nuts and seeds • Fried foods and greasy foods Points to Remember: • Solid foods will fill your stomach pouch more than liquids so you will be eating smaller quantities of foods versus liquids. • If you don’t tolerate a food the first time, wait a week and try again. • You may find that you tolerate a certain food one day and not the next. It is normal for this to happen. • If you don’t tolerate certain foods or notice nausea, vomiting or diarrhea during or after eating, ask yourself the following questions: o Did I chew to a paste consistency? o Did I eat too fast? o Did I eat too much volume? o Did I drink fluid with my real meal or too close to my meal? o Did I eat something high in sugar or fat? o Was the food moist or was it too dry? Steps for adding solid foods: • Try only 1 small bite of the new food and chew well. Wait awhile and if there are no problems, take another bite. • If at any time you feel too full, nauseated or vomit, stop eating and rest. Take only clear liquids at the next meal and add blended foods and liquids at the following meal. Try one solid food again the next day. PROTEIN Protein is the most important nutrient to concentrate on when resuming your diet. Because the volume of your meals will be limited, you should aim for a minimum of 80 grams of protein per day – this needs to come from your protein supplement. Why is protein important? • Wound healing • Sparing loss of muscle • Minimizing hair loss • Preventing protein malnutrition Remember to eat protein foods first at each meal, followed by vegetables and fruit. These are some good sources of protein: Protein Sources Serving size Protein (g) Skim or 1% milk 1 cup 8 Evaporated skim milk (canned) 1 cup 19 Soy milk beverage 1 cup (8 ounces) 7 Non fat dry milk powder 1/3 cup powder 8 Nonfat, sugar free yogurt 1 cup (8 ounces) 8 Nonfat or low fat cottage cheese ½ cup (4 ounces) 14 Nonfat or low fat cheese slices String cheese *1 ounce/ 1 slice 6 LEAN meats – skinless chicken or turkey breast, fish, beef, ham, Deli meats *1 ounce 7 Egg or Egg substitute 1 egg or ¼ cup subst. 7 Peanut Butter (creamy) 1 Tablespoon 5 Tofu ¼ cup 5 Legumes; dried beans peas or lentils Chili, bean soup ½ cup cooked ½ cup 7-9 6-7 Soy/vegetable patty (like Gardenburger) 1 patty 8 - 10 Hummus ½ cup 6 Measuring Hints: *1 ounce of meat is equal to about 3 – 4 Tablespoons of chopped or ground meat. 1 ounce of grated or cottage cheese, tuna or egg salad is ~ 1/4th cup (4 Tablespoons). A 3-ounce portion size of chicken or meat is about the size of a deck of cards. High Protein Ideas Chicken or Turkey Pureed – Use baby food or make your own. Try mixing it into strained low-fat cream soup. Breast – baked or grilled Thin-sliced/shaved deli slices Ground – meatballs, meatloaf Canned – works great for chicken salad

Good Evening Peeps - think this post on my #7 thread needs to be re-posted here - it's about our issues with fear and maintaining an waking up fat tomorrow.. Good Evening Gang... Ok I can speak to the fear - I have been maintaining for almost 2.5 yrs now - Like you said I am moving into my 4th yr of being banded and my 3rd yr of maintenance Dropping off the site doesn't always mean that pple have lost their focus as we have one person who pops in every now and (beth??) the one who moved (you won't know her but Candice & Phyl would) and I think for those pple who have been successful and who's light bulb has gone off they have a hard time dealing w/pple who just don't get it.. But I would say the majority drop because they feel like failure once again. But these pple haven't gotten that this is a lifetime battle - they think it's a quick fix - the get cocky - they go back to eating their normal It really is about changing our eating and how we look at food and about moving. It's not about dieting or keeping your band so tight that you can't eat.. Will you ever lose the fear - I dont' think so - Idrise has helped a lot in understanding that I do have control - Remember about 6 months ago - he and I got in a big disagreement - about me being a food addict - he says there is no such thing - well this pissed me off and he and I went around and around - I told him if there is a bag of candy or fried chicken in the house I would eat them I have no control So one day he said Janet are those foods in your house - I said No - He said who does the shopping - I said I do - he said well are you buying those foods that you have no control over - I said No - He said well then Girl you do have control - AH HA MOMENT !!! We are not physically addicted to food - we are mentally addicted to it - Yes our bodies have a physically reaction to our trigger foods - but it's not like a physical addiction like drugs or alcohol - It's a mental flaw that we have (genetics).. and for some they don't have that full sensation - As adults - we go to work every day cuz we have to we have responsibilities - do we like going to work - I would say for the most part nope - do you like paying bills - do you like cleaning house - nope. But its all things we have to do. Well we have to apply that same mentality to being healthy.. So what do you say to someone lt who tells you - I don't like exercising and I don't want to watch what I eat Well just like the rest of our lives 80% of the time we are doing things we don't like to do - but there are the things that we have to do as being responsible adults So to be healthy - you have to eat healthy & exercise - suck it up and be a responsible adult and just do it.. Ya you may not like it all the time - but if you want a better quality to your life - if you want more energy - if you want to extend your years on this earth then - ya gotta do it - just like you gotta go to work every day to put a roof over your head It's ok to have treats - that's where our thinking is screwed up - we think we can't - that if we eat a giant candy bar one day - or a Reuben sandwich - Omg - we are back to the road of being morbidly obese - no we aren't - that was a treat - it's not something we are going to do every single day - we did it one day - not 365. This is why I usually eat pretty healthy at home - but when I am gone on our vacations - I have more treats - but again I try and watch it too.. I don't pig out 24/7 for 5 days. and if I come home and have gained a couple of lbs - I know that those lbs will come off with a little extra exercise and with my normal healthy eating.. We all had surgery to help us - and the band does help us but it doesn't do all the work - but what we have to do is give ourselves credit for the times that we are eating clean and exercising When we find ourselves slipping back into old habit - We realize it - hell look at Jane - ate 2 cups of grapes and had a freak out attack - oh tomorrow I am going to wake up weighting 250 lbs - you ate grapes - you didn't down a gallon of ice cream and then a bag of Cookies - That's when you need to freak out - you need to freak out before you eat them - you need to exercise control when you are out shopping and not to let those foods ever get in your house - it you are in a mood - you want to say "f" it - go buy a pint of ice cream and eat the whole damn this - go to the bakery buy 4 cookies and eat them all - if you want a candy bar go buy just 1 giant one - eat it - and then when it's done you say - Ok I did that - I'm done - I had what I wanted now it's back to the real world. Yep the candy & ice cream still call my name - but when I walk down those isle - I say "F You" I really do this ... Those things that call my name - they say "I know that you can control it " (that devil talking to us) but I know I can't -- So I will pick it up look at the calories and think Oh I would love to eat you - but I know I won't stop at one - so I am not buying you - I feel to damn good to go back.. I wake up every morning - and when I go to put on a pair of my pants - I am still amazed that they fit.. I have fear - but it's a healthy fear of my mental addiction to food - better yet - I don't have fear - I am have awareness I am aware that if I eat candy - cookies - ice cream - high fat foods - tons of cheese - and I don't go to the gym - I am aware of what the results will be - I will be 250 lbs .. I don't want to be 250 - I want to look cute - I want to have a longer life more than I want to eat a 1/2 gallon of ice cream every nite.. I want to have the muslces - to help my body do the things I want to do and to help me as I age - to have stronger bones - to have better balance - I like being able to clean the house without breaking in a sweat - to go shopping for 6 hrs without my feel killing me after 1 hr.. As we all know being morbidly obese limits the quality of our lives Since most of us are 50+ we know that we have less years in front of us - and if we want to extend those yrs - enjoy the yrs that we have left - we have to lose the weight - we have to get and stay healthy.. And to get those results we have to eat healthy and exercising - is it fun - nope not all the time - but just like life - it's not a bowl of cherries either - we just have to take those lemons and make lemonade w/splenda and we have to pick the lemons - squeeze them - instead of going to the store in our cars and buying it already made and full of sugar Our addiction never leaves us - it becomes a little easier as time goes by - but it's still always in the back of our minds - When we do have those treats - we have to tell ourselves - it's ok to have a treat - what's not ok is to have the 24/7 365.. We do have control - we truly do and we will relapse every now and then - it will happen in all our lives - but what is the most important thing - is that we are now aware that we have lost the control and say STOP - PULL UP THOSE BOOT STRAPS AND MOVE FORWARD.. So if you want those new shoes - you save for them - you work for them - If you want a nice house - you work for it - you do what it takes to save the $$ for it and then once you get it you have to maintain that house. Getting healthy is no different - you have to eat healthy - you have to exercise and once the weight is gone - you have to keep up that work to maintain the new healthy body.. As the saying goes - who said life was easy... Laura - Yep page 1000 is getting close ;0) Hugs on your Dad - yep once you have been diagnosed w/it - every test after wards is scary - Prayers & Love to you and your family for good results.. Kelly - Like I said you don't know my family - picker was suppose to be bicker o) Chris - sent you the recipes Cheri - I need to give up FB games too - but it keeps me out of the kitchen ;0) Sandy - One Thanksgiving the kids couldn't come - I went to bff's house - this yr am looking forward to some down time - like I said - while you are all feasting on turkey - stuffing - taters - pies - I will be having Lobster Veggies ;0) Julie - Hope the shots help - and TRULY I will be just fine - I am a loner (family trait) and just think I am spending an entire week w/my family ;0) Ok gang gotta feed the dogs - cbl

Good Evening Gang... Ok I can speak to the fear - I have been maintaining for almost 2.5 yrs now - Like you said I am moving into my 4th yr of being banded and my 3rd yr of maintenance Dropping off the site doesn't always mean that pple have lost their focus as we have one person who pops in every now and (beth??) the one who moved (karla you won't know her but Candice & Phyl would) and I think for those pple who have been successful and who's light bulb has gone off they have a hard time dealing w/pple who just don't get it.. But I would say the majority drop because they feel like failure once again. But these pple haven't gotten that this is a lifetime battle - they think it's a quick fix - the get cocky - they go back to eating their normal It really is about changing our eating and how we look at food and about moving. It's not about dieting or keeping your band so tight that you can't eat.. Will you ever lose the fear - I dont' think so - Idrise has helped a lot in understanding that I do have control - Remember about 6 months ago - he and I got in a big disagreement - about me being a food addict - he says there is no such thing - well this pissed me off and he and I went around and around - I told him if there is a bag of candy or fried chicken in the house I would eat them I have no control So one day he said Janet are those foods in your house - I said No - He said who does the shopping - I said I do - he said well are you buying those foods that you have no control over - I said No - He said well then Girl you do have control - AH HA MOMENT !!! We are not physically addicted to food - we are mentally addicted to it - Yes our bodies have a physically reaction to our trigger foods - but it's not like a physical addiction like drugs or alcohol - It's a mental flaw that we have (genetics).. As adults - we go to work every day cuz we have to we have responsibilities - do we like going to work - I would say for the most part nope - do you like paying bills - do you like cleaning house - nope. But its all things we have to do. Well we have to apply that same mentality to being healthy.. So what do you say to an adult who tells you - I don't like exercising Well just like the rest of our lives 80% of the time we are doing things we don't like to do - but they are the things that we have to do as being responsible adults So to be healthy - you have to eat clean & exercise - suck it up and be a responsible adult and just do it.. Ya you may not like it all the time - but if you want a better quality to your life - if you want more energy - if you want to extend your years on this earth then - ya gotta do it - just like you gotta go to work every day to put a roof over your head It's ok to have treats - that's where our thinking is screwed up - we think we can't - that if we eat a giant candy bar one day - or a Reuben sandwich - Omg - we are back to the road of being morbidly obese - no we aren't - that was a treat - it's not something we are going to do every single day - we did it one day - not 365. This is why I usually eat pretty healthy at home - but when I am gone on our vacations - I have more treats - but again I try and watch it too.. I don't pig out 24/7 for 5 days. and if I come home and have gained a couple of lbs - I know that those lbs will come off with a little extra exercise and with my normal healthy eating.. We all had surgery to help us - and the band does help us - but what we have to do is give ourselves credit for the times that we are eating clean and exercising When we find ourselves slipping back into old habit - We realize it - hell look at Karla - ate 2 cups of grapes and had a freak out attack - oh tomorrow I am going to wake up weighting 250 lbs - you ate grapes - you didn't down a gallon of ice cream and then a bag of cookies - That's when you need to freak out - you need to freak out before you eat them - you need to exercise control when you are out shopping and not to let those foods ever get in your house - it you are in a mood - you want to say "f" it - go buy a pint of ice cream and eat the whole damn this - go to the bakery buy 4 cookies and eat them all - if you want a candy bar go buy just 1 giant one - eat it - and then when it's done you say - Ok I did that - I'm done - I had what I wanted now it's back to the real world. Yep the candy & ice cream still call my name - but when I walk down those isle - I say "F You" I really do this ... Those things that call my name - they say "I know that you can control it " (that devil talking to us) but I know I can't -- So I will pick it up look at the calories and think Oh I would love to eat you - but I know I won't stop at one - so I am not buying you - I feel to damn good to go back.. I wake up every morning - and when I go to put on a pair of my pants - I am still amazed that they fit.. I have fear - but it's a healthy fear of my mental addiction to food - better yet - I don't have fear - I am have awareness I am aware that if I eat candy - cookies - ice cream - high fat foods - tons of cheese - and I don't go to the gym - I am aware of what the results will be - I will be 250 lbs .. I don't want to be 250 - I want to look cute - I want to have a longer life more than I want to eat a 1/2 gallon of ice cream every nite.. I want to have the muslces - to help my body do the things I want to do and to help me as I age - to have stronger bones - to have better balance - I like being able to clean the house without breaking in a sweat - to go shopping for 6 hrs without my feel killing me after 1 hr.. As we all know being morbidly obese limits the quality of our lives Since all of us are 50+ we know that we have less years in front of us - and if we want to extend those yrs - enjoy the yrs that we have left - we have to lose the weight - we have to get and stay healthy.. And to get those results we have to eat healthy and exercising - is it fun - nope not all the time - but just like life - it's not a bowl of cherries either - we just have to take those lemons and make lemonade w/splenda and we have to pick the lemons - squeeze them - instead of going to the store in our cars and buying it already made and full of sugar Karla - our addiction never leaves us - it becomes a little easier as time goes by - but it's still always in the back of our minds - When we do have those treats - we have to tell ourselves - it's ok to have a treat - what's not ok is to have the 24/7 365.. We do have control - we truly do and it's ok to lose that control for a second - it will happen in all our lives - but what is the most important thing - is that we are now aware that we have lost the control and say STOP - PULL UP THOSE BOOT STRAPS AND MOVE FORWARD.. So if you want those new shoes - you save for them - you work for them - If you want a nice house - you work for it - you do what it takes to save the $$ for it and then once you get it you have to maintain that house. Getting healthy is no different - you have to eat healthy - you have to exercise and once the weight is gone - you have to do keep up that work to maintain the new healthy body.. As the saying goes - who said life was easy... Off the soap box ;0)

I have Tricare Prime and no there is no supervised diet. Tricare requirements is that you are 100 pounds over your ideal weight. Most of the time, the doctors office lumps everyone under one insurance requirement forgetting that each insurance has a different requirement. My doctor was trying to tell me that Tricare was requiring a drug and alcohol test, I called Tricare and found out that was not one of there requirements. Also I found out that my doctor accepts Tricare Prime none of the hospitals that he is affiliated with are in Tricare Network so that mean I can go but they may bill me the 15% cost. That is why I have insurance. I may have to find another doctor. I have all of my tests done even my labs. So I will see. Keep us posted.

I think you both need help. It sounds to me like this marriage has perhaps been desolving for a while. Here is something I want you to think about.... I am the child of a mother who had just one or two glasses of wine a night. If you are to the point of falling down drunk, that is an alcoholic. If you can not live with alcohol and you are refusing to quit because you like it too much, you are on your way to becoming an alcoholic. I think you personally need to evaluate your personal issues. I think your husband needs to evaluate his personal issues. Heck we all have them, we all need to grow up. Compromise and learning each other. Wasn't he a smart ass before this point? Is this new? If my husband did that I would laugh. Thing is I sometimes take things too seriously and he tries to remind me that life isn't that serious. To have fun with it. Your marriage is in trouble it has nothing to do with the weight loss.

My mother-in-law has a glass of wine every night. She'd probably have two except the one puts her to sleep. :blushing: Seriously, a couple glasses of wine at night does not an alcoholic make. I know many people who have a couple glasses of wine or beer *every* evening...and they are not alcoholics. I would caution you to be careful though if you feel you 'need' those drinks to relax because life is so stressful right now. Nobody starts drinking with the intention of being an alcoholic, but some wake up one morning and realize they have become one. Your husband was caught in the act (making faces) of doing something inappropriate and mean and is trying to make his actions less important by trying to turn the tables on you and your behavior. If it wasn't the alcohol, it would've been something else. I have to say I'm a bit dumbfounded at the idea of a grown man making faces like a child behind his spouse's back. Ok...my .02. If you can't afford a therapist, then a good old fashioned sit down is in order. Keep it calm. You might just put it out there and bluntly ask him if he's looking for a reason to end the marriage. He may not realize how close he's coming. In the end, you have to do what is good for you. .

Sorry your husband seems so negative lately regarding your success with weight loss and just in general. Commenting on your last post I will say I can relate to your husband, as a man. . . I have a sarcastic sense of humor with my wife altho I would never let it get to the point to where she walked out. We kinda feed off each others sense of humors and sometimes mine comes off as assholish but really that's just my personality and she knows that. If I push it too far tho I generally tell her I am sorry and we make up. Are you perhaps over-analyzing everything now sense the intimacy of your relationship has become what you feel flawed to him? I know when my wife lost weight I can honestly admit I felt like I was going to lose her, at the same time I didn't attack her and just praised her for her efforts and hard work. . . but I can somehow relate with how he may be feeling deep within the sarcasm. As suggested perhaps some good ol fashion therapy is what you both need. You both need to lay out your feelings on the table and see what direction you both want to take your relationship. The last thing you want is to change for anyone but yourself. . . you only live once, make it as happy of a life as YOU can. . ya know? I wish you the best in all of this, and hope if it was meant to be. . that your marriage also heals over time and you both become one with the new you! As far as drinking goes, that's a bit of a personal opinion thing. . no one can tell you to stop drinking if it's something you enjoy, at the same time most of us can say when stressed it may lead to more obsessive drinking, and maybe he sees that you're stressed right now and perhaps feels you're turning to alcohol because of it? Once again, I wish you the best. . . if you need a man's perspective on anything or wish to ask me any question feel free to shoot me a message. I've been through a lot with my wife and if anything it has made us the incredibly strong union we are today. . very happy and blessed with two beautiful children!

Hey Everybody, I am back for an update. Last night I was in the kitchen cooking dinner and talking to my husband and turned around and looked at him and he was making faces at me behind my back. I got mad and went to stay the night at my office. This morning he comes to talk to me and at first he was denying that it happened then he said "I was just playing" and went further to say that it was a joke and now I take everything in a negative fashion. I told him he was abusive, and he insisted that he was just being "sarcastic" and "a smart ass". Then he started telling me I was an alcoholic and that I get "falling down drunk" every night and that is why he is mean to me. (I do drink a glass or 2 of wine at night.) Then he asked "Would it be easier for you to quit drinking or me to quit being a smart ass? I have been like this since I was 4." I am to the point where I am not willing to change my behavior to suit him. I probably do drink too much but I am not willing to stop drinking so that my husband will stop being mean to me. I will also take this time to say I have a major phobia about being bossed around, I will do the opposite of what you want if you try and say I have to do something, so now even if I wanted to stop drinking I would have a problem doing it just because I feel bossed around. So maybe I am an alcoholic and am like those people on intervention who make up excuses of why they wont stop? I will post a disclaimer that I did quit drinking to finish losing the last 15 pounds about 2 months and had no side affects. Honest opinions wanted.

Keep working at not eating as much - and get that exercise in your schedule! I am 1 1/2 years post-op and I still crave certain foods. I think I will always be fighting my head hunger --- I can pretty much eat anything I want -- but not as much of it....so that makes it nice. I can not overeat - without it coming back up....which is gross. But remember - there are "slider" foods -- that most people NEVER have problems tolerating. And it is the slider foods that will prevent people from losing weight - because they do NOT get stuck - you may end up overeating and NOT lose weight. Sample slider foods (varies for everyone): mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, ice cream, puddings, yogurt, popcorn, crackers, Cookies, and the list goes on and on....it's okay to have a LITTLE if you have control to STOP....otherwise I do not have any.....sort of like an alcoholic....don't start because it is difficult to stop. Good Luck - and keep this website as a resource -- take a look around the other areas....post op, etc. And remember it really is all about EATING LESS and EXERCISING MORE! The band will help you eat less -- but there are many people who LEARN to eat around the band and they actually gain weight. so be careful and stay focused. Hope this helps -- GOOD LUCK!

You really should consult your surgeon. For my program guidelines, alcohol should be avoided for a minimum of 3 months to give the sleeve time to heal, and it's even more preferred to wait until you are at goal weight to indulge in alcohol. Alcohol is just wasted calories, but if you're not strict then you can indulge once your doctor releases you do so. I personally wanted to wait until I got to goal, and not waste calories on drinking.

hey all, My name is Tim and I am an alcoholic. It took me 40 years to address my disease of alchohol and now it is time to address my weight.... seems that there is lots of support in regards to the sleeve which is really cool. I just stumbled on a site that talked about it and now I have been doing some research and been verey pleased. I don't think it will be long before I decide this is what I am going to do. Is there anyone else here from Canada? Is there any other males that have had this? Thanks

I agree with much of what you've posted. I, however, was not disappointed by my band at first because my experience (the typical being hungry/feeling like I was dieting/feeling as though I didn't have a band) was something I had been well-prepared for. I expected it, and expected it to be time-limited. Obesity occurs for many different reasons, and food addiction is only one of them. I do come from a family of alcoholics and addicts, however. Those who have successfully achieved sobriety accept the prevalence of their drug(s) of choice in society, and accept personal responsibility for their sobriety. It is difficult---but they do it. I understand your stance about advertising, but the fact of the matter is that food addicts, like other addicts, must take responsibility for their choices. Cigarette advertising was banned because the risks of smoking became incontrovertible, and there are absolutely NO benefits. Food is required for life; banning its advertisement simply will not occur. Yes, obesity is an enormous public health issue. The key isn't removing food advertisements from television. The key is education---teaching children, from a very young age, how to properly nourish their bodies. Teaching them that advertising, in general, is not geared toward their best interests, but simply to sell things they don't need. Re-educating ourselves and taking back our power, in the form of personal responsibility, is crucial for those of us who've lost our way. For those of us who've already fallen prey to obesity, personal responsibility is key. Would I like to see HFCS removed from foods? Absolutely. Since that's not happening, I don't purchase foods that contain them. I don't purchase foods that contain transfats. I cook from scratch. When I eat out, I order very carefully. Personal choice and personal responsibility are priceless. Yes, food addiction is a problem for many. And commercials really do stimulate appetite---there are evil geniuses who know exactly what buttons to push. But they don't put the car keys into anyone's hand, or drive them through the drive-through. Food addiction differs in one very crucial way from other addictions: the physical component of the addiction is just completely different. The body does not require the crap in order to function, as occurs with alcoholism or drug addiction. A carton of yogurt is as apt to produce physical satisfaction as a Big Mac. So the responsibility lies with the individual to make the right choices. Regarding malnutrition related to the band, this too is largely a matter of personal choice and responsibility. A properly adjusted band permits adequate nutrition, if the person who is banded makes appropriate food choices and, as good measure, takes a Multivitamin. We don't experience the malabsorption characteristic of other surgeries---in the absence of band complication, we have the ability to make choices that properly nourish our bodies.

There's only one member here that's more than 2 years post-sleeve. I'm nearly 18 months out, and experience zero real hunger. My stomach never growls, I still have to remember to eat, and I've been maintaining for the last 6 months extremely easily. I eat like a normal person now, at least my perception of normal. I can stretch my meal out, and eat all of what you listed above. Yesterday for lunch, I had a small salad, 4 saltine crackers, and cup of Soup with 4 more saltine crackers, big glass of sweet tea, and I split a marshmallow fluff/walnut brownie thing with a girlfriend. So, for me that's pretty stinkin' normal. Last night for dinner, I made parmesan chicken (baked breaded chicken breast), with angel hair Pasta. I ate about 3 oz of chicken, with marinara sauce and literally a few bites of pasta. The chicken filled me up, but I wanted some noodles, and was content with what I ate. Everyone that I've seen post that still has some degree of hunger all state it's not the same as with their band, or pre-sleeve if they weren't a revision. For me, it's an empty feeling, and if I go too long I get a bit grouchy. I had the same issue as you do with my band. I would eat, the food I ate would satisfy me for about an hour, then the food would slip through the pouch, and BAM hello ravenous hunger. If you'd like to add me to your friends list, you can pull up my blog from my profile, and within my blog are tons of research links, dietary guidelines, articles and other information about the sleeve. The one link that was most interesting to me is the one that studies plasma ghrelin levels post-sleeve vs. RNY and Band. As for the acid reflux, I never had it pre-sleeve. But, I know just as many band patients on a PPI as I know sleeve patients. I choose to remain on my Prilosec. The risks are so minimal that I'm not concerned, and I truly believe in "why fix something that isn't broken?". For me, I'll pop a Prilosec every day to not be hungry, and to not deal with reflux. Some people wean off of their PPI 3-6 months post sleeve. Some do not or can not wean off of it. I probably could at this point, and kept saying that I would, but I'm not in any hurry to test the proverbial "reflux waters". A few have been successful on weaning off without real major reflux, but I enjoy spicy food, and acidic alcoholic beverages, plus some of them report getting hungry a couple of hours after eating. For me, it's pure laziness, and I honestly love, love not ever being hungry. Don't get me wrong, I still love food, and have an appetite, but I don't want to be ravenous hungry like I was with my band or pre-band. Immediately post-op, the small stomach doesn't realize it needs to make less acid, and PPI protects the healing staple line that's the reason why most sleeve patients go on a PPI. The sleeve is honestly the best decision I ever made. I hated life with the band, and don't miss it at all. If you have any other specific questions, feel free to shoot me a message.

Fort Smith....you sound exactly like me! I also have the same concerns with being banded (12/9) I also quit smoking a month ago and I have gained weight...which the dr office really frowns upon. But eventhough I have gained a few lbs, I know that I'm better off not smoking. Drinking is another concern for me as well. I'm a social drinker so hanging out with friends is going to really be hard without my two other friends (cigarettes and alcohol) My ultimate goal is to get healthier, be around for my kids and feel better about my self. So in the grand scheme of things, how important is a cigarette or a drink? Not very huh? Good luck to you and keep up posted on your progess!! We can do this!!

I figured I'd start 1 thread instead of 5, so if there's one subject you just wanna talk about you can ignore the rest or visa versa. I have some very strong opinions on certain subjects in relation to obesity. I'd really like to hear your thoughts on the following topics: - This forum and what it's used for - People who struggle with adjusting to the band - Lack of nutrients with the band - The importance of willpower - Fast food (high calorie food) advertising. Some thoughts on this forum and why the band may look bad: If you’re looking at an area for people who are looking for support in regards to a certain issue then OF COURSE it’s going to look bad. If you go looking for problems, you’re more than likely to find them. The band was disappointing at first, but I gave it a go and it worked: I was one of those people that regretted getting the band. Why? Because I wasn’t losing as much weight as I thought I would. I was hungry all the time and I had some serious depression because I was unable to self medicate myself with food. This is temporary and you’ll probably find that a majority of people grow out of the phase. After my first fill, my appetite became increasingly suppressed. A lot of people find the band useless until their first fill. These people come here for advice on these issues which are why it looks like there are a lot of problems with the band. This is an advice forum, not a praise forum. Occasionally things go wrong as they do with every surgery. This is rare. It is less of a risk than actual obesity which is the leading killer in a lot of major countries across the globe. The biggest risk could be argued that the band doesn’t suppress your appetite. Lack of nutrients: Malabsorbtion often doesn’t occur unless you’re not eating properly, or you have a serious problem with your stomach absorbing nutrients. It occurs occasionally with a lap band and that’s usually because people are used to eating more food in order to get their nutrients. Changing your eating habits is hard, but you eventually get used to it. In regards to willpower: With the band it still takes a huge amount of willpower to lose weight. The band does ¼ of the work. It’s a tool that is used to help you with your weight loss journey, not to do the work for you. Junk food advertising (I don't expect everyone to agree with me on this): High calorie addiction has been proven recently to be a real thing. Sometimes people can actually experience ‘highs’ from eating high caloric foods such as fast food. They describe it as the same chemical reaction as someone using heroine, but not as intense. If someone were to be addicted to Heroin it would be hard for them to just stop cold turkey...It’s similar as it is with us, though obviously not the same thing. There is more support out there for heroin addicts than what there is for obese people. That support is free and often a detox program can be free too (though I’m going to assume this is different in other countries). I’m not saying they’re the same thing, but an addiction is an addiction. Obesity is the leading killer in a lot of countries and yet nicotine advertising is banned, and advertising drugs (obviously because they’re illegal) is banned, but we have food waved in our faces all day every day, so it could be argued that it’s quite hard for us. Imagine waving a bottle of liquor in front of an alcoholic or some poker chips in front of an obsessive gambler and dropping him off at the front door of a casino. This is stuff we have to deal with all day everyday and when you have an addiction to food, it’s ok to advertise the product that’s slowly killing us, even if it’s the biggest killer in our country. I just thought I’d share my thoughts with you. I know sometimes I can come across as argumentative, but it’s mostly because I get very offended when people assume we don’t have to work hard to lose weight.

Erosion is when the band pushes into your stomach. I had this happen to me but caught it early on. After a few weeks of meds my stomach got better but I removed the band so my stomach could heal. Home From The Hospital And Photos a quick search on the internet and you'll find that erosion is "when the band penetrates the stomach wall and enters the stomach. Normally placed lap bands surround the outer stomach and constrict it. " Erosion can be caused by the band being too tight, sutures too tight, your stomach walls can get weaker by bad food choices ( ie not following rules by your doctor), spicy food alcohol etc. The guidelines set by your doctor should be followed closely. Though it is not hard to go down the bad path it doesnt mean you should it can cause problems.

Sweet Tea Cokes Steak .... Drinking with meals (non alcohol)

Morning girls~ Thanks Michelle...I was thinking I was "getting old" with all my blabbering. This is my journal/blog thingy...haha! I can't have alcohol for 6mos to a year (not really a biggie), but margies have like 700 cal, I think I will sip a shot of patron silver WHEN I return to cocktails. Same effect 650 less cals! Well, today is the day! I woke up at 6:30 and was at the gym by 7am! I kicked ass and enjoyed it. Now I am home sipping my coffee on ice. I get 3 Protein shakes, 1 Proti Soup and 1 bar today:thumbdown:. So...I am trying to go sparringly, I've had 1/2 a bar (I was starving at the gym). I see a BIG NAP in my future. My back is hurting (mid cycle ovulation so something) so I might take a pain pill and make my nap BIGGER...haha! Today I weighed in (after the gym and tons of lifting weights) at 272. So, I'll use that as my starting weight. I liked 269 better, but I forgot to weigh in before I worked out. 32 to reach Christmas goal!!! Today we are doing NOTHING! I've started The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. I like it but need "the hook" which I hope is coming soon. I need to download some books ASAP before the hospital (now that Amazon removed that horrible book). Tomorrow is church then grocery shopping (VERY SMALL LIST). Then home again...aaahhhhh! HAVE A GREAT DAY/WEEKEND! Love you girls! xooxxo:wub:

It's tough for so many people to deal with this. Let's face it, most of us were emotional eaters. I have been very fortunate to have not aquired any cross addictions. It is very sad. I know a girl now who is struggling with alcohol addiction that started after WLS. I also know of a girl who died from liver failure for the same reason. We really have to work hard to find other ways to deal with our emotions. So far, when I feel the need to emotionally eat, I make myself get up and do something. Go for a walk, give myself a pedicure, or w/e. I just know that I have to distract myself for a while. So far it's working. phew

I keep wondering about this too. Actually I know three people IRL who had gastric bypass, 2 have regained and the other one is now a severe alcoholic, so my stats skew to 100% fail, but obviously that is not true. Scares me some because this has been too easy for me. I hope I am learning better habits for when it gets harder....

I thought I read that you would become intoxicated faster with the sleeve due to how the alcohol is absobed in the stomach. wrong?

It is used for anxiety. Doctors often give it out the night before surgery to help a person calm their nerves and get some sleep. People that have anxiety attacks also use it most doctors just have you use it on an as needed basis. If you feel anxious or an panic attack coming on they say to chew it up (so it works faster) and then it will take the edge off. Xanax makes people a bit hazy but if you are truly in an anxious state you don't really feel that side effect. It is widely misused by teenagers who get ahold of it and they actually buy it off the streets because it gives them a bit of a high especially if they take more then a couple or add alcohol to the mix. Ativan is another one for anxiety it causes more of a drowsiness but less of the buzz then Xanax and therefore less addictive it seems to be prescribed more then xanax these days. ALL OF THAT IS MY OWN PERSONAL INFO::: I am not a doctor heheh

I am sorry that you are feeling this way, however, I have been banded since September 2nd, and have lost 28 pounds on sheer will power alone, I have yet to get a fill. Please don't make assumptions about us all getting banded because we have no will power. I was banded because I realized I needed HELP. I am sorry for this, and people will probably get mad, but if we have no desire to do some of the work ourselves, we will fail. I say this only because my surgeon, nutritionist, and all of the research says that the band is a TOOL! It is not a miracle. And I know you asked for people not to say this but it does get better. If we don't work on our mental issues with food and being obese, then nothing is going to change. This is a life changing event, and you have to look at it as so. I hate posting things like this because I am SO NOT PERFECT!! At the end of the day, I am a food addict, just like and alcoholic loves alcohol...it is hard to go every day (and sometimes I slip up-we are only human) without my fix. But every day it does get better. As for the diet pills, I would talk to my doctor, if I were you. They never really did much for me. I really do wish you the best of luck on your journey, and remember too...everyone's journey is different. So take what I am saying with a grain of salt, but think of your band as a tool.

It is different with the sleeve for sure. I had a drink the other night and since I couldn't have coke I opted for a Amaretto DiSarono on the rocks. It is sweet but low alcohol content and went down smooth, didn't even get a buzz. Haven't tried bear yet.