Search the Community

No nasty comments or judgment, please. So last night, we went out for Mexican at a new place nearby. My husband ordered an organic, all-natural "skinny" strawberry jalapeno margarita and I had....water. 😕 After a few mins of him raving how awesome it was, I decided to give it a try - and yes, it was AMAZING. I had several small sips over the course of an hour, expecting at any minute for it to hit me like a ton of bricks, but it never did. It had absolutely zero effect on me, even though he insisted it was pretty strong. I'm just over 5 weeks post-op and at my appt. with my dietician last week, she mentioned I'd be starting my "general diet" on 9/29 and that nothing was off-limits as long as I could tolerate it (and choose wisely). I've also been eating more "normal" food lately without issue. Last night I ordered two "street" tacos - one grilled grouper, the other grilled chicken. I ate almost half of each one without any problem (I removed most of the tortilla - just enough to hold the food together). Neither the food nor the drink had a negative effect on me in any way. I also woke up 2# lighter this morning after being stalled for about 2 weeks. While I'm not a big drinker and haven't had any alcohol since mid-July, I do miss the occasional margarita or beer - especially during football season! I'm holding off on the beer though due to the carbonation. I'm NOT going to make this a common thing, but I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this? Absolutely no effect from booze? I should also add that I've had the same thing happen my whole life with other things...Benadryl makes me hyper, as does Hydrocodone. Nyquil gives me a buzz. Caffeine sometimes makes me drowsy. LOL! Maybe this is another weird quirk?

Hi Guys! I know that there was some discussion on the effect that sugar alcohols have on eating low carb. This was an interesting find: Sugar Alcohols by Doreen ALL ABOUT SUGAR ALCOHOLS (MALTITOL, SORBITOL, ISOMALT , etc..) These sweeteners are neither sugars, nor alcohols, but they are carbohydrates nonetheless. They are sometimes called POLYOLS, to avoid confusion. At the present time, they have not been legally classified for product labelling purposes, as are sugars, starch and Fiber. So, some manufacturers are choosing to omit them from the total carb count in the nutrient data panel of the label (they MUST however declare the amount of sugar alcohol in the ingredient list). Because they aren't actually SUGAR, products that contain them may use the term "sugar free" on the label. Some manufacturers and distributors (esp. in Canada and Europe) are choosing to declare the full carbs in the nutrient data panel, and some diabetes associations and consumer groups are pressuring for gov't legislation to make this a legal requirement. There are some claims that sugar alcohols don't have carbs, and therefore don't count; that they can be completely subtracted if listed on the label. This statement is not entirely "false" but it is misleading. Sugar alcohols do have carbs, and approx. 1/2 to 3/4 the calories of regular sugar. They are more slowly and incompletely absorbed from the small intestine than sugar, thus producing a much smaller and slower rise in blood sugar ... and consequently insulin. But this is a YMMV thing. Some Type 1 diabetics have reported that they sense an immediate "sugar rush" from eating even a small amount. Others notice no change, and absolutely no effect on ketosis. Sugar alcohols do have carb calories, and the body will use these as fuel, or store as fat, whether or not insulin is involved. You need to look at the total CALORIES for one serving of the product. Subtract from this total the number of calories from any Protein in the product (prot = 4 cal. per gm), then subtract the calories from any FAT in the product (fat = 9 cal. per gm). What's left is the calories from carbohydrate ... divide this remainder by 4 (carbs = 4 cal. per gm). If the number you get is bigger than the number of carbs declared on the label, the product has hidden carbs, and it's most likely the polyol. Calories do not just disappear into thin air! The "laxative effect" happens for two reasons. First, because the sugar alcohols are not completely absorbed, they hold on to a lot of Water in the bowel. This causes diarrhea. Another consequence is that when undigested carbs reach the colon, the normal bacteria present there go WILD --- resulting in unpleasant gas, and bloating. Sorbitol and mannitol are the worst offenders in this department, maltitol less so. The effect is dose-related -- you would be wise to pay attention to the serving size listed on the product label. This amount would be considered "safe" for the average adult -- make note of this before giving to a smaller child! Nothing like watching your kid doubled over with cramps and diarrhea because they ate too many "sugar free" sweets. To the best of my knowledge, sugar alcohols ARE safe for children, and pregnant/nursing mothers ... just keep an eye on the dose. There are some newer sugar alcohols slowly making their way on the market, which have less laxative effect, and even less blood sugar and insulin consequence. Erythritol, isomalt and inulin are a few to watch for. There's another called HSH (hydrolyzed starch hydrolysate) also called maltitol syrup. The thing is, the different sugar alcohols have different properties, and can't be used for all things. Sorbitol is used in hard candies ... it produces a nice, clear candy that doesn't crystalize, and stays hard and dry in a humid environment. Because it doesn't crystalize, sorbitol is used in ice cream to help it stay creamy. Mannitol also can absorb a lot of moisture before it gets damp and sticky, therefore it's used to "dust" sticks of gum, to keep them dry. Maltitol and erythritol provide smooth bulk, and are ideal for chocolates and soft candies to give a creamy "melt in the mouth" quality. Sugar alcohols are not acted upon by bacteria in the mouth, and therefore do NOT cause tooth decay. In fact, xylitol actually INHIBITS oral bacteria, and is often used in sugarless mints and chewing gum for this reason. BOTTOM LINE We are all individuals, and our bodies will react differently to these products. Depending on other factors, such as what else we've consumed along with it or on an empty stomach, we may even find ourselves having totally different reactions each time we eat it. So proceed with caution. Be aware that there is potential to cause a rise in blood sugar and insulin ... although slower. Also the possibility to knock you out of ketosis, if you're following a ketogenic program such as Atkins. Pay attention to the serving SIZE. A 45-gram (1-1/2 oz) chocolate bar may state on the label that one serving is 15 grams (1/2 oz). That's only 1/3 of the bar, so keep that in mind when you're about to chow down. If you are following Induction level low carb eating, it would be wise to avoid these products until at LEAST the 2 weeks are up, and your body's metabolism is settled well into ketosis and fat-burning mode. Same for other low carb programs, which may not be ketogenic, but do have strong effects on the metabolism (eg. Protein Power, Carb Addicts). Give your body the chance to adjust to the new WOE first, then cautiously add these products. KEYWORD moderation. Most low carbers find they can indulge very occasionally in a polyol-sweetened treat without consequence to their weight loss effort, and perhaps a mild laxative effect or some gas. It's a trade-off, but helps to stave off cravings for high-sugar goodies. A problem could develop though, for someone with carb-addiction .... these candies just become a substitute addiction. Also, the sweet taste can trigger EMOTIONS (for an addict) that will result in a "rush" of hormones and enzymes in the body, ultimately leading to an insulin spike ... and fat STORAGE. And remember that candy is NOT a meal substitute. There's little or no protein, Vitamins or essential fatty acids. RESOURCES "Reduced Calorie Sweeteners: Polyols" from the Calorie Control Council "Letter to Health Minister Allan Rock from CSPI Canada" Sept/00, urging accurate labelling of food products containing sugar alcohols, health warnings of the Gastrointestinal effects, and recommendations for control of dose per serving. "All About Polyols" from SPI Polyols (manufacturer) Happy Low Carbing!

I've eaten a couple protein bars in the past and this is nothing like that. I think it just a low carb candy bar (tastes about like the weight watchers turtles). Let me dig up the wrapper....... ...Okay, I think it is just a candy bar. 140 cals, 7g fat, 4g protein, 14g carbs (5g fiber, the rest sugar alcohols), *2g net carbs according to package. It is really good! I'd lick the wrapper if I hadn't just dug it out of the trash! :thumbs_down:

FeliciaLevy75—When I start out on a low carb diet – especially before restriction---I built in good tasting substantial meals for dinner to help me past the early carving. Breakfast and lunch were easy enough (especially on work days). Breakfast could be Atkins drink or/and deviled eggs on the go. Lunch McDonalds quarter pounder with cheese (skip bun) etc. For dinner I’d often look to the crock pot and make a nice roast or meat with sauce. Sauces, wines, seasonings really keep things interesting and the crock pot meant that I could cook veggies right in the pot for flavor. Or I’d do something like stuffed green peppers simmered with tomato sauce. I’ll cook cauliflower on the side and splash the extra tomato sauce over the cauliflower. That’s easier that making the faux mashed potato recipe. If you go to a low carb recipes page, you’ll find a lot of great ideas. If need a snack, I do pickles and olives, chicken wings (in low carb tomato sauce or buffalo wings with blue cheese), low carb salsa or guacamole with pork rinds, SOME almonds. There is a low carb yogurt in the supermarket. I try to stay away from the protein bars because they have sugar alcohols in there that a lot of people find causes stalls. The Atkins protein drinks don’t have those ingredients. Things like blue cheese, pickles, and deviled eggs, a small amount of nuts or cheese and iced coffee with a little heavy cream really go a long way in getting me past the craving stage. I have also found that if I’m feeling really tired, low energy, I just have to raise my carbs a little. It may mean that I can’t be in ketosis. It still works – just not as fast – and I am able to stick with it much better because I feel good. Once you get restriction – it WILL be easier. Good luck.

About four months ago my trainer told me about a new protein bar called Quest which seems like it was designed with lapband patients in mind. It gives me 20 grams of protein and only 4 carbs (for real), plus no sugar and no sugar alcohols which can be very disruptive to the digestive system. I've been eating them ever since as they help meet my nutritional needs, and contain a lot of fiber which helps fill me up.Hope this helps.

When I read 3000 calories a day and a tracker I knew it was BMR plus exercise they all give you the daily total and the exercise break out. All the people like toss you tracker, really? Do you understand the apps? The alcohol is probably temp dehydrating you and flushing your system when it converts to sugar. I don't think drinking on the weekends is a sustainable weight loss method though. Why is everyone so damn angry in this thread?

I actually thought you were talking about BMR because I have a FitBit that calculates it that way as well. Now that that's cleared up, I have seen something similar happen if I drink a bit of wine but I've always attributed it to dehydration because the same thing happens the day after I've had diarrhea. You most likely are losing normally because you are in a normal deficit. Some people can eat or drink anything the first year and lose. It's after that honeymoon period you have to start watching calories, which you're already doing. While I don't think there is anything wrong with having a glass of wine now or then I've noticed it burns my stomach and the alcohol hits me really fast so I tend to avoid it. Also, most aren't advised to have it until closer to goal weight. There's also a higher risk for bariatric patients to have transfer addiction from food to alcohol so doctors advise you wait to consume. Not saying you have this, but that's why you'll get some negative responses. We've been warned and conditioned to avoid alcohol because of surgery.

I definitely knew that OP was including the BMR + calories burned from activity and stating total calories burned in a day. I have noticed that this site has many ultra sensitive folks, and ultra critical folks, and that combo is not always good. I posted a lot in the beginning but I stopped because I feel ppl are often overly critical when some folks are just trying to be honest about their experiences and get feedback from those who have experienced it too. For example, I have drank alcohol multiple times since surgery and I also have continued to lose. I think it's also because when you drink, you tend to eat less, and most likely you're active to some capacity. I'm sure someone will tear me down for this, but I don't follow every single rule and I've still been successful. I'm more than halfway to goal at only 4 months out. Just like any diet or lifestyle change, there will be some days where you splurge a little but the most important part is staying on track and being accountable. On a side note, I wish that we could just be honest adults without worrying that someone will jump all over us. I think the OP got defensive and maybe went a little far after, but I have seen this so many times on here. We all know what it feels like to be criticized, let's try to look at things from the other person's perspective. With that said, Carry on everyone lol ????????

Good to hear from Lisa and Bandista. I've noticed that my arthritis is generally better this year since I made some major f ood changes. I do get occasional (bad) flares, but they come and go pretty rapidly and are, I believe, correlating with stress. Anyway, when I'm not in a flare, I have a much better overall pain level than I did a year ago. What changed? I gave up fried f ood 9 months ago, all alcohol a year ago, and most refined carbs 9 months ago. I'm down over 20 pounds since last September. I'm not at goal but I'm slowly losing. I really wish I could get motivated to exercise. I really hate getting sweaty. There, I've said it. JustWatchMe

I was sleeved Monday, so today is day 3 healing. Trust me, the pain and nausea you go through, you will not even begin to kick around the idea of alcohol. I say take you pain meds and carry a champagne glass of water around. You'll be giddy from not feeling pain and can sip the water and no one will be the wiser

Do you think it will be possible to have a little alcohol over the holiday period. I have my op on the 19 Dec.

This is from a slightly different perspective, but I was in a relationship over the course of a few years when I went from being mildly overweight to morbidly obese. Part of my weight gain was for the normal reasons of poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and emotional disregulation, but the speed in which I gained was largely because of medications I was taking for a mood disorder. When I look back over that relationship, a big part of the deterioration was because of the weight gain. When you date someone who's 170 pounds and they shoot up to 250 in such a short period of time, it just changes everything. Part of it was the physical attraction, but I think more of it was how poorly I coped with my body image. I struggled with moving, I hated myself for letting it happen, and I projected that negativity into my relationship. My partner wasn't being shallow as we fell out of love, they were experiencing the pain of what it's like to love someone who doesn't value themselves. We ask ourselves on this site how we are going to address the emotional aspects of what lead us here, and we fight a battle to get to where we want to be. And when you look at all of the obese people throughout the country, we are in the minority of people who are actively fighting and winning this battle. Everyone deserves to be valued and treated with respect, but when it comes to choosing romantic partners, I don't get angry when people aren't interested because of my weight. Like others have said, we choose people who are most attractive to us, and obesity is one of the most visible personal demons out of them all. If every alcoholic had a bottle of wine on top of their heads, Id be hesitant too.

Great posts. This is why it's extremely important for people with addictive personalities to be extremely wary of engaging in anything they find addictive post-op.. there's a higher risk of what @dsdesignamentioned is "transfer addiction". We should be wary in general of what we consume due to WLS impacting the way our body processes food, physiologically and psychologically. However, extra baggage like this requires extra caution.. and if one even thinks they might not be able to moderate themselves, abstain entirely. In my case, my liver damage was done comprehensively by a horrific American style diet rife with extremely carb dense food, carb/sugar dense liquids, and a sedentary lifestyle. While I did hit bottles pretty hard in the few time I did have a drink (would go through most of a 750mL bottle of Captain Morgan in the span of an entire day, mixing with sodas like Cherry Coke for example), never getting to the point of throwing up, but enough to have to watch how I walked, I didn't drink often whatsoever, maybe a small handful of times a year. It was a blessing because my mother and father were both alcoholics, so I had been warned that I was predisposed to alcoholism, but that never transferred to me. Nonetheless, with my phases of depression came food addiction, which, as far as the liver is concerned, just as bad as alcohol and drugs, just doesn't damage it as fast as those things can/will. So to summarize, sodas and alcohol will hit us twice as hard post-WLS as it will before.. it's extremely imperative we monitor ourselves, and it's important to identify potential addictive behaviors or addiction transfers and nix them right away: 1) Keep food, especially snack foods, further away from where you veg out and harder to reach, 2) If you're the only one in the house that eats certain junk food, just don't get it at all, it's presence is especially bad for anyone susceptible to compulsive/addictive eating/drinking behaviors, 3) Talk yourself out of it.. there's no one that will save you from you. 4) Especially monitor booze if you're going to drink it.. and drink it slow, because the sleeve might allow it to pass through us that means it makes us drunk that much faster, and it also means it can overwhelm the liver that much faster.

[ GEEE I wonder what from???? Just Wondering Terry:) Mark Hughes, Herbalife's Founder, Dead at Age 44 Stephen Barrett In May 2002, Herbalife founder, chairman, and chief executive officer Mark Reynold Hughes, was found dead at his $27 million oceanfront mansion in Malibu, California. In a series of articles about the death, David Evans (Bloomberg News) reported: Hughes died after a 4-day drinking binge, apparently from an overdose of alcohol and the antidepressant drug doxepin. His blood alcohol level was 0.21% (more than double the "drunk driving" level). He was being treated by a psychiatrist for a drinking problem. Hughes said many times that he had been inspired to start his company after his mother (Jo Ann Hartman) died from taking diet pills. However, Hartman's autopsy found that she died of an overdose of Darvon, a narcotic painkiller. At the time of her death she was 5-foot-6-inches tall but weighed only 105 pounds.

Have any of you guys had an alcoholic beverage yet?

Back in the day..... Lolol! The old folk used to cut a straw from a straw broom & put a lil clean peice of it dabved in a bit of rubbing alcohol in ur ear piercing hole to keep em open. I did that for a nose piercing for a friend b4 surgery once...it worked! Try it. You'll only need it for about 3hrs.

s I am 4 years banded. I am down 102 lbs. I started at over 385, lost 20 before surgery and now weigh 283. My goal is somewhere below 240. My BMI now is only obese, not morbid obese. After surgery I went from 365 to 290 then back to 353. This year, I committed to following the rules and lost 70 lbs. My secret, eat real food. I usually start my day with unjury Protein shake with a banana in it and chocolate Silk soy milk. lunch is usually what my wife makes. Salads, meat and cheese, sometimes leftovers. We do Water Zumba at the gym. dinner is meat, vegetables, salad, sometimes potatoes or bread. All made from the outside aisles of the grocery store. Way off the carbs. Way off the sweets. When we eat out (we travel a lot) we ALWAYS split everything. Never order 2 Entrees. Little soda, never diet soda. Alcohol is allowed. This is how normal people live. I now feel normal. I spent the last 6 weeks in Hawaii, Atlanta and Florida and most days in swimsuits. This is how normal people live. Really, while I still want to loose 40 or so pounds, I feel normal. It has taken 56 years, but I am Happy! Hi, congrats on 4 years banded, I just had my 4 year bndiversary on 10/30. I, also, lost my 100 lbs. You have done great. I have gotten off track for a while, but am getting back on!

@italianlady13: We are all different. Some people have craving foods that they can eat moderately. Personally, I have never known an obese person that can. Most of my downfall in the past is the belief that I can "have just a little." Next thing I know, I am eating them regularly, and have gained another 20 lbs. It is like alcohol for me (never been an alcoholic, but, believe me, I can relate!) It is about willpower (I hate that word! Many skinny friends say "Oh just use your willpower and eat less, exercise more!) I knew when I embarked on this journey that there are many foods that I can't have ever again, and I mourn the loss. If I label them "addicted to," then I have to walk away, especially when they have no nutritional value. But, again, let me emphasize, that everyone is different. For me, It is a slippery slope. I CAN'T rely on willpower when it comes to food. If I could, then I wouldn't have needed WLS.

Hi Everyone, So....it's been 7 months for us. I've lost 20 pounds. I was very depressed for a while because I wholeheartedly expected to lose more and more quickly. As long as I keep losing, it will be ok. Maybe it's good that's its been so slow. IDK So, get this, the new dr put me on Adipex. I told her that I had taken Adipex for my entire adult life (I'm 56). But she prescribed it anyway. She told me to eat every 3 to 4 hours. And she told me that I wasn't getting enough protein. I know that's true. Most days I don't even get half of what I'm supposed to have. I know this, I've had enough protein shakes and eggs to last a lifetime. Why aren't there scientists out there figuring out a way to make a protein patch or a capsule. LOL I did get some JRobb protein powder to add to soups and yogurts. I haven't tried it yet. I'm wearing clothes I haven't worn in a long time --and that's nice. I still have 16 pounds to go to reach my goal. The surgeon made it sound like I would lose all I would lose in year one. In other words, he doesn't see patients losing in year two very often. This leaves me 5 months to try to lose the 16. I'd like to know if any of you guys heard the same thing. Can I really expect NOT to lose after a year? Or possibly even gain back? On an unrelated note -- I've been reading about alcohol. I'm trying to cut back on that too, hoping maybe that will help with the weight loss. I've lost some hair. The new dr is super nice and she explained why we lose hair --that's why I've got to figure out a way to get the proteins in. I'm very happy for all of you who have lost really big amounts of weight. That's got to be life-changing. Congratulations. Baby sister had gastric bypass in Tijuana in October and has lost nearly 80 pounds.

I don't think there are a lot more people with regrets. I think they are speaking up more because one got the nerve to really speak out. And we don't hear from the ones that have regained all their weight or never got remotely close to goal and quit coming here. IMO, those with regrets should speak out so others have an idea of issues they may need to work on pre-op or post-op. When I first starting reading VST, Tiffy-kins was on here all the time. She had a terrible post-op experience, with a leak and having to get rid of her gallbladder, but I saw she got over those things and I thought, well if that happens to me, I can get over it too. I also read threads about people not getting to goal and those that did get to goal so I knew what I had to do if I wanted to get to goal and stay there. And I read the threads about people who became addicted to alcohol or drugs. After I started drinking again when I got close to goal, I set a limit on how often and how much I drink to avoid those issues. I think we all have issues with food or we wouldn't have got overweight to start with. And it's important to work on those issues because no matter how tight the restriction, at some point in the future, enough capacity for weight regain will return. Of course, that's just my opinion. Your mileage may vary. Lynda

Hi All, Welp I am almost 1 yr post op (Jan 17th) and I hit my goal. The reason I am writing is to find out if anyone in the Lake Stevens, WA area would like to get together? I feel really silly putting this out there...it's kinda lame I know... It would be wonderful to get together and share a plate somewhere. I am 37 and very happily married. I work for Boeing. I have 3 kids (19, 18 and 10). I have been told I am normal and I love to laugh. I would just like to meet a friend that understands WLS and meet someone who understands meals of string cheese and having absolutely no alcohol tolorance.

Pnut, I am worried, you're obviously such a sweet vivacious person, and alcohol, especially large quantities is -so- hard on the body. Please take care, I have a brother who is an alcoholic, who has been sober now for a few months, his common law wife of a few years also an alcoholic passed away from massive organ failure due to her alcoholism earlier this year, the time he quit drinking was right after her death. She was only 36 years old, and alcohol killed her, it came as a shock to all of us. I truly believe we all have a right to do what we want with our bodies, but I can't help but feel the forums are here partly to help support one another in getting not just thinner, but healthier. I don't know whether you have a problem with alcohol or not, but please, do take care of yourself. A lot of us who struggle with food/sugar addiction, also struggle with alcohol or other addiction... It's been a fine line for me once years in the past. Be well. XO Leila

Yes they have Margarita n mojito mix taste great!!! Makes it a lot easier to get the liquids in. Make as directed just put it in the blender with lots of ice n that's it. To the mojito I add half a lemon n crushed mint leaves so it taste just like a mojito without the alcohol. [ATTACH]2797[/ATTACH]

Hello all my fellow sleevers! I'm 5 months into my nutritional visits so I have 1 more before I get to submit to insurace for approval. Iv been having second thoughts about the surgery and its giving me so much anxiety I can barely sleep at night. My life is great.. To a point. I have amazing friends and we love to go out and party quite often. There's only one thing.. I miss out on so much because I hate my body. Its kills my self esteem every time I'm out and I can't even get a guys head to turn because I'm constantly surrounded by my beautiful tiny friends. I want to lose the weight, I want to be happy but I just wonder, how am I going to be happy if I loose the weight and can't go out and have fun? And please don't judge me when I say this, but I'm 21 and "going out and having fun" always includes drinking. I mean I know I'm going to have to stay away from alcohol for a good 3 months after and my tolerance is going to be a lot lower but has anyone been able to maintain a party life with healthy vsg foods and proper exercise? And I know alcohol is extra calories but I really could use some insite from someone my age who understands the struggles I'm having. PLEASE comment!! Is there anyone out there who's like me?!

Yes, she has me subtract fiber and you can subtract sugar alcohols from the carbs to get your net carbs. Our bodies do not absorb sugar alcohols (hence people get diarrhea when they have too much, been there done that). Atkins does it the same way, they deduct fiber and sugar alcohols from the carbs, that's why the yummy bars they have such low net carbs.