Search the Community

Remember of the 4g of carbs 2g are sugar alcohol. So you can deduct that from net carbs but the sugar alcohol can also mess with your gut. I eat about 3-4 as a snack maybe 2-3 times a week, especially since its summer and hot.

"It's a new hobby..." I like that. think of the time people spend on their pets, shopping, bird watching, cruising, wood working, pottery,...……. all kinds of hobbies that take lots of time, but bring immense joy and satisfaction to one's life. Sooooooo much better to have an exercise "addiction" than transferring to gambling, shopping sprees, alcohol/drugs. As long as you are doing it sensibly and getting pleasure (all the great endorphins from exercise instead of food!) - go for it!

First follow up with Surgeon: Doing well so we advanced my diet to soft phase (eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, ricotta, etc) Port sites healing well, walking enough, drinking fine etc. Told no smoking drinking alcohol, lifting things over 15 lbs. (Don't do any of this anyway 😂) Side note: Asked the question about prevalence of GERD in VSG patients and was provided with the info that he counsels patients who are considering the sleeve that there is a ~30% chance of GERD developing (~30% chance of no development, ~30% chance of it being reversed through VSG) if there was any history of reflux. I didn't have Reflux regularly prior to surgery only during my first pregnancy He said about 1/3 of people *may* develop it after VSG. I found that really interesting... Has anyone else been provided this type information? Anyways here's the food ive made/tried so far: yogurt, cottage cheese and ricotta bake (everyone else's version featured)

a lot of surgeons don't seem to have an issue with coffee (some do, though). The smoking and alcohol restrictions seem to be pretty universal, though.

I work in the GI department of a hospital. Today we had a patient who was 14 years post gastric bypass. She looked great, but had started having pain in her upper abdomen. She had also started drinking alcohol fairly regularly. The endoscopic exam revealed a horrific ulcer at the jejunum-gastric anastomosis. I have seen other post bypass patients with ulcers and erosions at the anastomosis, but hers was the worst by far. I do not want to offend anyone, but seeing the damage done by becoming a bit careless or overconfident, even years after surgery, was enough for me to commit to NEVER touch alcohol, and certainly never to smoke. I will not drink coffee again, either. I had surgery to improve my health and I never want to risk it by slipping into any habit or vice that could do damage to tissues that obviously remain more fragile for many years, if not forever. To anyone who cares to listen, please heed your doctor's instructions when he/she tells you not to drink, smoke, or eat/drink particular items. There really is a good reason, and what I saw on the endoscope today really brought that reality home.

My ballpark date is the first week of September. Diabetes does suck. I'll never forget the ay my doctor looked when I went into his office for my follow up from getting my results from my blood work the first time. I really thought I was going to tell me I had cancer. I really never struggled too much with my weight. I weighed 94lbs until my mid 20's. Then I was 120 until I got pregnant with my son. After I had him I weighed 170lbs. I worked out and lost it. Only weighed a 130lbs when I gave birth and lost last as well, and my third one got huge and lost that. I was hanging around at 108 lbs for years. I walk in my doctor looks at me and then at the results rubs his hands over his face, shaking his head with the perplexed look on his face. He tells me my cholesterol was 398 and my fasting blood sugar was 400 something. I had a hysterectomy in 2010 gained some weight after that surgery. I had to move myself and my kids from on military base from the East coast to the midwest. My husband was deployed. Me, 3 kids (15yrs, 12yrs, and 8yrs old at the time) 3 cats, and a dog in a minivan. Needless to say, I was at the hotel bar drinking a few adult beverages after 10+ hours driving. Alcohol has way too many calories. I gained weight from that and then the big one was I broke my ankle in April of 2018. I could not walk and they could not find the break. I went all summer and a 10 day trip to Disney World on a broken ankle. When I go back my primary care Dr. told me to stay off it. I did. I had to go on extra meds to control my blood sugars. I was gaining weight rapidly. In September I told him that I could not walk from the front of a store to the back to get a gallon of milk without being in agony. So we got an MRI and bingo. They could not get me into surgery till Jan 30! Then I had reinjured my ankle in May this year, Hairline fracture in my tailia. So, I get to start physical therapy again next week. WOOT. I did lose 45lbs with just my diet but I have not lost anymore in months. I know I can not lose this weight by myself this time around. I am using this chance to take back control of my health. Bread, my own homemade chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream are my weaknesses. I have read that cravings and your taste buds change after surgery. I hope my brain will forget as well.

Hi same person different account [emoji1] After talking to my Dr I had to do a seminar then they call to make an appointment from the surgeons office after you complete that. They require 6 months of weigh ins and if you miss one they will make you start from the beginning even if it's your last appointment. So make sure you go. -psych eval -dietician eval -history and physical done by primary -labs -cardiac clearance -gi clearence. This one wasn't a normal thing I was already seeing him so that's why it was required. -support group agreement. That was done when I was given all my paperwork. - no drug or alcohol clearence letter from primary - 2 years of primary care records - a nutrion class - a hospital wellness class After they get all that they submitted it and it was 2 weeks later I got the call to schedule. Then 2 weeks after that I had my surgery. I had mine done in Modesto. Sent from my moto e5 plus using BariatricPal mobile app

I honestly started cutting things out when i started my pre op diet (7/8/19). Stopped drinking alcohol, stopped eating like sh**, drank a sh** ton of water. My surgery is 4 days away and im feeling extremely confident and excited. I knew what i signed up for. Good luck!

My surgeon and nutritionist never told me that any food was out of bounds. They told me that if I chose to eat very calorific foods then I would lose weight slower. They did warn me that very calorific sugary drinks and alcohol would be easy to consume and could sabotage my weight loss, so I steer clear of them (except on special occasions). I do eat some of the food that you've listed, but only in very small amounts. If I eat just a bit too much of them, I get dumping syndrome and that's so unpleasant, that I've only done it twice. I've lost a good amount of weight using moderation rather than the 'all-or-nothing' approach, but it fits my personality to do it that way. I was never a food addict - my portions were just too big and I drank too much wine. However, I recognise that if someone is a food addict, then they might not be able to eat just a little bit of what they like without bingeing. I am the sort of person who would rebel against being told I could never eat something ever again though, so I don't think I would have succeeded with your surgeon's stipulations!

Full disclosure: I am going through a lot of emotions with this and well...a bit like an alcoholic, the world is full of temptation. My nutritionist and surgeon have an all or nothing approach. Now I very well KNOW that I will never, ever be able to eat at the same level I used to, nor should I be able to. But it was the lack of compromise that got me. It being all or nothing. Black and white. Like...I can't have the things I like in *some* moderation as long as I behave myself? And there may be things I avoid because I can no longer tolerate them. It just feels like I'll have to miss out on a lot if I want to stick to this diet faithfully. I live in the south, land of chicken fried steak so....yeah. I may feel differently as time goes on, but I just had to whine and vent. I signed up for this. I knew what I was getting into mostly. But I know the nutritionist won't be sympathetic to my struggles and will be a hard@$$ about it. What's the point of missing out on one of life's greatest pleasures, which is food? I feel like I will barely want to leave my own house without the promise of a treat like Taco Bell or a burger anymore. Just feeling bitter that I had to do this. Wish I'd postponed or...I dunno. I just...don't know.

BlueAngelEyes, I am so sorry you have family members who are undermining your success. For some reason they want you to fail, or else they think THEY will be embarrassed if you gain the weight back! Please try to find one or two friends you can TRUST to have your best interests in mind and who will support you. Being said, I have found that even my few close friends who know about my surgery really don't want to hear about it every day. They like to know I'm losing, but not totally into hearing me out about struggles. That is where this forum is so good. Exercise has a couple of really good benefits after surgery. First (maybe the most important), it gives YOU control. You cannot know what your pain will be like or what your food tolerances will be, how long it will take to progress from stage to stage, what your emotional fluctuations will be like, how your healing will progress, or if your weight will come off slowly or quickly. You have no control over those things. BUT.. you CAN have true control over exercise goals. It gives such a sense of accomplishment and empowerment, and helps divert the tendency to form new addictions. Exercise can become your new obsession/addiction (a lot better than buying shoes, drinking, or gambling!) Get yourself an inexpensive step tracker. I think mine cost $29 on Amazon. It is a highly motivating little friend. Start wearing it now to see what your baseline is. Work up to 10,000 steps a day. After surgery, start right up with walking, walking, walking. Get up to 10,000 steps as soon as you can do so comfortably. (Several of us here were up to 10,000 by the end of week 2.) Start taking a walk every single day. As the weight comes off, you will go further and faster. It's just amazing to see progress. I also started wall pushups 3 times a day. Started at 25 per set, and now do 50 per set. Later, I got 3 pound weights and started an upper body strengthening routine. I also incorporated stair climbing. Anyway, exercise is such a great tool for your MIND as well as your body. It will reduce depression and anxiety, as well. You start out with small goals, and track them daily - just like your food. Exercise also helps you set up a pattern of activity that you can maintain for the rest of your life. You have to make major changes in your diet and lifestyle if you are going to keep the weight off. You have a wonderful took with WLS, BUT after the "Honeymoon" period (a year, give or take), hunger can come back and restriction will not be so noticeable. You HAVE to have your lifestyle, dietary, and mental habits in place and well established if you want to succeed longterm. (I HAVE done the research and this is what everyone says.) OK, for diet - start making modifications NOW. GIve up the addictions you can't have after surgery. I think this is another key to feeling better after surgery. Surgery and recovery is hard enough by itself. You don't need to be going through withdrawal at the same time! For me, that meant caffeine, sugar, soda, all processed food, anything artificial. (My goal was to make every bite post-op, and for the rest of my life as nutritionally dense and healthy as possible.) Of course, smoking and alcohol would be in there, too. I saw how much better I felt, and again, it gave me control. Even in the hospital, I did not eat the jello or weird protein supplement that was full of artificial sweetener/ flavors. I had herbal tea, broth, and my own protein shake that I knew I liked. That was just fine. I was the first one of the surgery group that day who was out of bed and walking! Soooo...….. in my opinion, you have 2 things to focus on - your diet, of course, Getting your fluids and protein in will be the first goals. But exercise can start on day one. It will help prevent complications, boost your metabolism, give you more energy, help beat depression/anxiety, give you control and empowerment, and set you up for long term success. I promise that you will have struggles with eating. Everyone does. A LOT of your focus and frustration will revolve around eating. Exercise is actually a lot easier in the sense that it is predicatable and controllable. It helps you feel positive about SOMETHING, even on the worst of days. Above all, don't listen to the naysayers. They are already experts on WLS, right? You have to take control over YOU, in spite of what any one else says. Surgery is for YOU - not for them. Stick with the forum support. We are all here for you.

About a month for me. I have to say that alcohol doesn't really agree with me any more though, which is a good thing. I'd rather pass on the empty calories.

Im just a bypass newbie and havnt had a drink yet, but I smelled a glass of rosé when my husband and friend were drinking. It smelled wonderful! I couldnt drink it, but the smell was enough. I think I'll have to start seeing if I can find some good alcohol-free wines. In other words...an adventure begins! PS. I tried coffee as well but it made my pouch really acidic.

Not from me, you're an adult person capable of making and living with the choices you make. I do think you were one lucky duckie🐥to escape any ramifications. Will it always be that way? Can't really say, there few absolutes in life anyway. Well honestly I haven't much drank in my adult life, if you have read my postings you know there are "small business men"aka,"moonshiners "on Daddy's side of the Family Tree. White lightening straight ---cures You of much aspiration to hard liquor. Yes I kept it down, didn't want to shame Daddy. by vomiting on my shoes or the ground. And no, this wasn't not Daddy's idea, in fact he was "up mift tree" about it, some shouting ensued when he found out what his doggone briothers were up to. And if I had any aspirations to alcohol , remember my small dictator, Precious Pouch, she won't even sanction Coffee, you know doggone well she wouldn't accept any hard or semi- hard drinks like THAT!

Danger Will Robinson!! It sounds like this is way too important to you than it should be. Transfer addiction is a significant problem in the WLS world - this is where whatever addictive tendency we may have had toward food is transferred to something else (alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping, etc.) in its absence. So, what was a casual occasional drink thing can easily become full blown alcoholism. You seriously need to find a way to not "need" it. Sermon over. Doctors and programs vary widely on their directions for when it is OK to consume some alcohol, from a few weeks or months for the benefit of healing, to a year or two to prevent further liver damage (our livers tend to be in poor shape to begin with from our obesity - hence the common "liver shrinking" pre-op diets that are often imposed - and is further stressed by its role in metabolizing all the fat that we are losing, and it doesn't need the additional stress of metabolizing alcohol. Some go further to advise never again, for the transfer addiction reason. Check with your surgeon's program directions and go from there.

Well over 2 and 1/2 years post op and I'm doing things I never dreamed possible. I got back into mountain biking and never thought I would be doing a downhill bike park, bit here I am doing it!! I joined the bike patrol unit in work and ride 15 to 20 miles a day in work. I travel, I eat food, I drink alcohol, I'm really living my best life as cliche as it sounds.

actually, those foods you mentioned - fried, breaded, carbonated, alcohol - are things we're not supposed to be eating anyway. I get the same "side effect" from fried foods (not so much the other three - but I usually avoid those as well). It's a reminder (to me, anyway), NOT to eat them! I had a (catered) meal once from Cracker Barrel the day before a memorial service. There was almost nothing on the buffet that was on my plan, but I put together what I could (a piece a chicken with the skin removed - plus some of their greasy green beans). I was in the bathroom throwing up afterward. I just can't tolerate grease anymore - and that's a probably a good thing!! (other than when it's my only option!)

If you have sleep apnea, they'll want you to get a CPAP/BiPAP machine and start using it consistently when you sleep. It may slightly delay things (my doctor wanted at least 30 days of no caffeine/alcohol/cigarettes, and consistent CPAP use), but I don't know that they do anything differently per se. The big thing is: if you have sleep apnea and you don't know it, you WANT to know it before surgery. First off, it can totally wreck your sleep, which in turn means you may heal more slowly. Second, involuntarily tossing and turning in your sleep to find a position which gives a clear airway, right after surgery, would suck.

I was sleeved 12/14/17. Everything went well, I recovered nicely and I have lost 99 lbs and my BMI is currently 23; weight 144lbs. However, I know for certain I’m not getting nearly enough calories / day. There are so many foods I can’t tolerate (mostly all meats) and I only eat 1/4 of what I put on my little kid plates that I’m still using since surgery. There is only one meal that I eat everyday that doesn’t bother me; it’s breakfast. Everyday, I eat 1 egg, 2 pieces of bacon, and 1 slice of toast and I feel fine. But anything else, I feel terrible after I eat. I get hungry but I feel so nauseous and bad after I eat, that I wished I hadn’t eaten. Am I eating too fast? I’m considering checking in with my surgeon to see if this is common or if I need to be checked out. Oh, I also have the worst problem with IBS. I notice that certain foods (Fried foods, Carbonation, anything breaded, and alcohol) sends me to the bathroom that there are times, I don’t feel I can hold it long enough to get to the restroom. Also, admittedly, I do have an issue that I’ve never been able to conquer waiting 30 mins before I drink anything. So I wonder if my stomach issues with eating could be caused by me trying to drink while I eat. If anyone has seen this before or knows what I could possibly be doing wrong, I would appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks! Diahanna

After a good 10 years dealing with life and alcoholism I finally gave it up and once my mind was clear of alcohol I noticed geez I'm in my 30s and over 300lbs.. I don't want to still be fat and unhealthy at 40.. I need to make a change and I found surgery will help me greatly in getting my life back on track...

Every doctor is different and they will give you the diet to follow. Mine is protein drinks several times a day and one low cal, no fat sensible meal. They gave me a chart to pick from. No sugar, alcohol or my passion ice cream. I can do this as my husband will be out of town the first week and by the second week, I should be in the pre-surgery mindset.

I did know a RNY person that turned to alcohol instead of food and it ruined his life - he lost his job, ability to drive and other things. I still think many bariatric programs need to mandate therapy for 6 months prior ad 1 year after because so many people fail to find a coping mechanism to replace food and have a multitude of reasons behind the symptom of using food. There is of course a wide spectrum to disordered eating and many are unwilling to admit or tackle that - oh I just eat too much, etc.

I am still in the very early stages of this whole process. I have met with a surgeon, gotten insurance approval, have a date for a scope, have an appointment with a nutritionist, and will me with my GP next week to start the 6 months of monitoring. just curious how much you share with your extended family. My parents are on board as well as my besties and my husband, but I have refrained from telling his family as of yet. They will know eventually, but right now it’s a mixture of embarrassment and feeling like they won’t support me. My MIL has made several comments about how I wasn’t raised like my husband (which he shot down PTL) and can be very stuck up at times. My husband is a recovering alcoholic and my SIL (his only sibling) dabbles in drugs. I’ve never done these things and get really stressed when compared to her since MIL doesn’t know about the drug use. I was planning on telling them about my surgery at Thanksgiving, just not so early on the game. Thoughts? Is there anyone out there who struggles with what/when to share. Just curious.

I am sooooo glad I told no one except my husband, 2 adult kids, my brother and a nurse I needed to change work days with, and she was sworn to confidentiality. I didn't even tell my own parents. I needed a small group that I knew would be supportive and not judgmental - people who have seen my struggle over the years and would stand beside me in this surgery. What I am really getting tired of is people continually coming up to me and asking what I did to lose the weight. Why is MY weight loss their business????? I tell them that I have made some major lifestyle changes in diet and exercise, which is perfectly true. If they ask for specifics, I tell them, "No wheat, no sugar, no caffeine, no soda (diet or regular), no juice, no alcohol, no processed food, no artificial colors/sweetners/flavors, intermittant fasting, and a lot more exercise." Their eyes glaze over either with the sugar or the alcohol. NOT A SINGLE PERSON HAS ASKED ANY FURTHER - THEY WALK OFF. EVERYONE WANTS A MAGIC PILL. If there was an obese person who was sincerely looking for answers and was willing to start making serious lifestyle changes, I might consider offering WLS as a suggestion to investigate. But I have not seen that person yet. It makes me realize that we here are a very small group of brave, courageous individuals who truly are willing to put it all down, make the sacrifices, and do the hard work for lifelong changes and health. We are few, I believe, when considering the general population.

I did not have any prior concerns going into the surgery. Maybe that’s why I’m so frustrated with the way I feel?! I had BMI of 41 exercising regularly not drinking sodas or alcohol. Now, I feel like I should have tried harder to lose it with out this surgery.