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Make yourself some low sugar sangria with dry red wine and diet orange soda. The bubbles from the orange soda are minimal to non-existent when mixed with the wine. I like about 60-40 wine to soda mix, but adjust to suit your tastes. This was just my go to while camping over the 4th. Alcohol hits me way harder these days, so use caution.

I used to have a large glass of wine every night. I loved gin & scotch & champagne & a good martini. Since surgery I only have a drink about once a month. I don’t miss it at all. My friends all enjoy a drink or several but it doesn’t stop me socialising with them at all. I spend time with them to spend time with them not to drink. I take ages to drink a glass of alcohol now & often don’t finish it all. Sometimes I agree to a glass but only have a sip or two & really just hold the glass. I had my first drink at about 6 weeks post surgery - my cousin’s 40th. It took me hours to drink that gin & tonic - at least the tonic became super flat. My taste buds have changed & a lot of alcohol is too sweet now - even non sweet alcohol. Honestly I don’t enjoy it in the same way. I don’t enjoy champagne much anymore - the shock the horror! I haven’t had a martini in two years. I find gin & tonic best because of the bitterness of the tonic I think. I had my first scotch last month (I always drink it neat) & it was ok.

That's my thoughts too. My unhealthy relationship with food. I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict and apparently I suck at moderation. It's all our nothing. I have a huge network of support and the closer I get to my day, the more excited I am. We got this!! Sent from my Z983 using BariatricPal mobile app

I personally won't drink a drop of alcohol until I know my liver issues are completely resolved first. Another criteria I'm imposing is to be my bottomed-out weight, so I don't have to worry about stalls that will result. Like others here have shown with their planning, it makes 100% sense to go at it from a logical perspective.. just be careful if you're doing any sort of exercise or prolonged standing. Keep hydrated and fed.

It sounds like part of the problem is that on the weekends you have more time on your hand to think about food. Find a new hobby...something that keeps your hands busy. I find that I need to keep my hands busy even when I'm watching tv or they (my hands) want to go into the kitchen and find food to shove into my face. Also, does an alcoholic feel they must keep the bottle in their house to prove they've overcome their addiction and that they have willpower? Nope. They recognize that it's a temptation best avoided. If at all possible, clean out the temptations in your own house. That way, in order to give in, you actually have to go to the store and that requires more effort and time to talk yourself out of it...and time for the willpower to kick in. Be patient with yourself. It takes time to change the relationship you have with food...but you can do it. .

One thing that I have not seen mentioned is alcohol. When I revealed how much I drank, the social worker made me go to AA. I even had to get a form filled out (like when people get DUIs and have to present a form to the courts). I knew I would have to quit for the surgery and at least a year after. I was very pissed that the social worker was forcing me into AA. But now that I have gone for a little over 3 months, I'm glad she did it. I don't think I could have quit by myself after all. This of course delayed my surgery a few weeks, but I'm grateful to be sober too and can't wait for my surgery!

I still eat out, Usually at least once a week with friends or family. I can find something to eat on just about every menu ( i usually look at the kids menu but at most places everything on the kids menu if fried or pasta). I always come home with a lot of leftovers. Only thing i miss is going out for drinks, but my surgeon recommends no alcohol for 1 year.

Hi Blix..welcome to your new life! I was banded in Feb of this year and I've lost 39 pounds so far. I have had 2 fills and could have had 3 but I think I'm real close to my sweet spot! So I asked my doc if we could wait a month before we put any more in. When you start getting your fills ask your doc what size of band you have and how much he puts in. I find it very helpful to know what I have and how much is going in. It just keeps me focused on what is happening in my new life. I have several co-morbidity factors, High BP, High Cholesterol, Metabolic Syndrome, border line diabetes, Non alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, sleep apnea, over 100 pounds overweight..I think that's all of them! Now the good side of what has happened since I've been banded. In March my heart doc reduced my blood pressure meds in half because my BP dropped to less than 100 on the top side and I always ran 140 with meds before the band. I have had a visit with my digestive disease doc and am happy to let you know that my liver panels came back excellent. My liver is no longer storing the fatty deposits that gave me my cirrhosis problem to begin with. He is also weaning me off my cholesterol meds and by my 6 month check up we'll know how my cholesterol is doing! My diabetes was just borderline but I checked it all the time and now it is well below the minimum and all these factor into the metabolic syndrome I suffer from, so everything is looking great for me. I wasn't worried about how I looked so much but when my health got so bad that I was headed for a donor list with my liver I decided with the help of 5 doctors to have this surgery. I am very happy but it's coming off alot faster than I can tighten my skin up! HA! But I keep working it and eventually it will slow down to where all the exercising I'm doing will pay off in my toning! :scared2: I know this is a bit of info but I think this site is loaded with lots of info and more nice and friendly people you'll never meet! The ones I have had the privilege of writing to are fun, witty, and truly good people! I hope you will enjoy this site as much as I have! Good luck on your travels with your new band and let us know how you are doing! :thumbup:

I was sleeved 12 years ago, and never had dumping. I still am sensitive to high fats, lactose or fake sugar (sugar alcohols like xylitol) where I poop my brains out if I eat or drink those things.

For about a year after surgery I counted total carbs. I did that because anything that didn't count as a net carb, (fiber and sugar alcohol) was likely to screw with my stomach and I wanted to avoid it anyway. Now that I am in maintenance mode, (2.5 years post op) I watch the total carb count, but only count net carbs. Whether I am counting it or not, I still like to know exactly what I'm eating.

I like your attitude! I think a lot of people lump cigarette smoking and cigar smoking together. One is dangerous habit and while the other is rather benign. I belong to a social club and smoke cigars with several medical professionals. None smoke cigarettes. I look forward to the day when I can have a drink too. Life is to be enjoyed. I used to smoke cigarettes, 2 packs a day for over 30 years..... Along with a lit of things, I quit for good. I am now a cigar aficionado. Yes, I smoke cigars, drink coffee, double espressos, consume alcohol, enjoy ice cream and other delights, At 63 soon to be 64, I am enjoying life more now than I ever have. I can now appreciate the things life offers, rather than being a glutton and sitting on the sidelines as a spectator. Of course, listen to your Dr. and gauge your results/successes against your new lifestyle.

I've heard that about the sugar alcohols.

This got me to think, I would say my root cause to my obesity is both genetic and that I am addicted to food. Ever since I was little I have been the big kid. I come from a family who was obese. My grandpa was 500 pound man, my mom was overweight, and multiple other family members as well. Also addiction runs in my family, so the whole addiction part is what gets me today. I love food like an alcoholic loves liquor. It has always been that way up till now. Addiction runs in my family as well with many different vices. My vice and my downfall is food. It is a comfort in all of its glory. I saw my grandpa with the same addiction tragically lost his battle back when I was a sophomore in high school because of his obesity. I thought I was ready to change my life outa high school and had the lap band put in place. Then life happened and that addiction came back stronger than ever. It took me five years of soul searching to finally tell myself "hey, its time" and get healthy. I fight this addiction and the obesity factor everyday. What keeps me going on this path of my new healthy self is knowing that in the future when I have kids I will be around for them, I will be able to live longer than my grandfather, also I am finally happier than I was 100 pounds ago.

I really need for someone to please tell me if sugar alcohols are allowed in pre- op. No one can tell me. My sugar free protein bars have them in them and I just realized it and it's after hours

I'm worried as well. My husband is even heavier than me...although very supportive so far. I fear though. It's a little bit like alcoholism. When both people drink and one stops or cuts back....how can that not create tension. Even with best intentions, the one who still drinks has loss of their partner in crime....and the one who gets clean watches the other one continue to make poor choices....whether there is judgement on either side or not, there would be perception of judgement. You have to do what it takes to get yourself heathy and on track and worry about yourself first. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Would these be allowed during a clear liquid diet as long as you do not chew and swallow the hard candy? After surgery, your mouth is dry, throat is sore and stomach is queasy....seems like a good option to address all issues. The only objectionable factor I foresee, might be the sugar alcohols causing more gas but one or two pieces shouldn't contribute unless a person is highly sensitive to sugar alcohols. Any experience or opinions would be appreciated.

I don't think it's just fat people who do this.. I am sure alcoholics, drug addicts, etc. have the same thoughts.. well I had one drink so I might as well get drunk,,, I think some of it is just human nature.. I used to weigh myself, if I had gained I would spend the day eating what I wanted cause I thought what the hell.. self punishment I guess.. now a days I weigh in the morning and I take it and go.. if I haven't lost oh well I will see if I need to change something like drinking more water or skipping a carb.. I have not gained anything since surgery so I am lucky.. I feel confident that this will work and I do not feel deprived...

Sharpie, food, drugs, alcohol different tools, but the same addiction.

Good Afternoon, I'm leaving work a bit early to register my DD for school this september...its a different school (she is in private right now). Other than that, sosdd. Sherry... oh do tell the recipe. Betty... boss is out... I'll prob find out about the job next week or so. Deb... good luck with the job !!! and i'm sorry to hear about the car. Hope everyone is okay. Kattttty, good luck buying a new PC. I hate buying bit ticket items like that. When ever an electronic is purchased in my house DH takes care of it b/c I suck. I always wind up buying a lemon. Glad DH is home Dianne.... how are things dolly ??? Cindy, 2000 steps = 1 mile... COOL wonder if I even do 2000 in a day. Here's the info I took from the PBS show I watched... not exact but you get the point. Betty, I just watched You on a diet... PBS special: The doctor did a good job.. parts of it were gross when he showed actual body parts (no Beanie.. its not what your thinking) He showed a real liver and a fatty liver and other icky stuff. Amazing. He had some folks on his show that lost like 30 lbs. I was kinda hoping I'd see some one who has lost like 80+. One of the things he really stressed was walking 30 minutes a day, every day. He also had "Action Steps," 25 of them to be exact..... here's some of what he said.....(not perfect but you get the picture). 1. Measure yourself (around the waist and at the bellybutton), the idea womans waist should be approx 32 1/2" 2. Walk 30 min a day/every day 3. Dump the frig.... no simple sugars, get rid of any grain but 100% whole grains, no flour (enriched, bleached) no sat fats or trans fats, avoid all white food cept egg whites, cauliflower. 4. Automate Choices (prepare foods ahead, this helps keep you on track) 5. Walk 30 minutes a day (he likes this one I guess or I got it wrong LOL). 6. Go food shopping.... veggies, 100% whole grains, cinnamon.etc. 7. Invest in a good 8" knife...makes it easier to prepare veggies, etc. 8. Prepare yourself before you start anything 9. Regroup your team... meaning your doctors, support, etc. 10. Never be hungry 11. Its okay to make mistakes..just make a U turn....don't beat yourself up. 12. Eat healthy fats 20 - 30 min b/4 your meal 13. I think this one was 13.... ?? build muscle... 3x week for 20 minutes...muscle strengthening. 14. Do the U on a Diet workout daily... they showed some chick exercising at a beginners level... it looked pretty good and doable. 15. Vitamins and Minerals VEDDDDY important. 16. Fish oils should be taken unless your eating 13 oz of fish a week. 17. coffee is good for you unless you have certain health issues, also alcohol (a few oz) LOL 18. Fix fast food dishes and have them ready for you..... Also eat low cal dressing not low fat. GET TO KNOW YOUR FATS (((again he stressed good fats))) 19. Get a good pair of running shoes and socks (not cotton). 20. Make a dr. appt and get your vitals 21. Brag.... when all this starts working for you .... brag to your friends so they can learn too. 22. Grade yourself A, B, C.... ????? 23. Restock your kitchen 24. Learn what whole grains really are.. ... Bran, endosperm, germ... always get 100% whole grain... stay away from grain blends. 25.. Teach a friend. Thats about it girls.... I"ll talk to you later Luv yah's

Be honest. I was scared too because I have a lot of mental health issues... but it turned out fine. The psychologist wanted to know that I 1. Was honest with myself about my limitations, my successes, and what I needed to work on pre- and post- surgery. 2. That I had a realistic attitude toward surgery and what it could and couldn't do for me. 3. That I understood what I was getting into wrt permanent lifestyle changes and potential for side effects etc. 4. That I was doing my best to fix whatever problems I had and was in treatment for my various disorders. Having depression and anxiety and ADHD wasn't a dealbreaker, it was if I wasn't treating them to the best of my ability that might have posed problems for my long term success. Hard to stick to a long term, complex diet plan if your ADHD has you unable to focus or organize squat. Lying might jump you through the hoops faster, no question about that, but it also means that you might be shooting yourself in the foot. Think of it this way: just GETTING surgery is not the ultimate goal.. having a successful lifetime POST surgery is. The surgery won't mean **** for you if a month later you're binge eating or abusing alcohol or eating fast food six times a week or, or, or, which is essentially what the psychologist is trying to screen for. Wanting to be prepared is understandable, though, so here's what I did. Since I knew I'd probably forget half of what I wanted to say, I made a series of lists before my appointment that I could refer to or show the psychologist: 1. my successes so far with regards to lifestyle changes (not eating in front of screens, limiting eating out) 2. things I thought I still needed to work on (get better at meal planning) 3. what I was hoping to get out of surgery (opportunity to be more active, avoid type 2 diabetes) Not only did it give me guidance on what I wanted to say to her and not forget important things, it also showed that I was already engaging in goal setting, self-reflection, and that I was the kind of person to plan and prepare. I think it DEFINITELY helped my case. she was very impressed by how organized I was and how much work I'd done already.

I am 12 weeks post op and had steak for the first time last night. It went down ok, but not as easy as chicken or fish. I definitely could not eat as much as other foods. I think if the steak has been more tender, it would have definitely helped. As for alcohol, I doubt a small glass of wine will hurt you. I’ve had a couple of small drinks by the pool this summer. I just stick with one small one, and I am just fine. We are heading to the beach in three weeks so I wanted to experiment with alcohol before I went, lol.

I guess we are like former Alcoholic's, if you've ever been around them you will know what I mean. They are fanatical because they know the hell they have been through, and if by being overt about alcoholism can possible help someone realize they have a problem,then they feel it's a victory. I think when we've "crossed over" from MO to normal by the lapband or other WLS we want to spare others the pain we went through and sometimes it just comes out the wrong way, not meaning to Hurt that person but wanting them to know that it can be done....but how many have the opportunity to get the WLS, some may never be able to afford or because of other medical problems be qualified...therefore, exercise in caution before we act is what is needed. I too, share this same problem as everyone else. I just had a photo taken of me and I was disgusted at the sight of myself, the camera NEVER LIES!!!! I think we start looking at ourselves from the neck up, forgetting how we look. I can honestly say, I dont remember a time I really looked at the full mirror and when I do I about die! It's easy to "fog" the image of ourselves, to forget we too are that big and that others look at us as we look at others. I am having my surgery in Jan, and I will be taking photos of myself in different outfits, with friends/family to make a book to never forget. Although, I hope to lose enough weight to become healthy, I will always be MO in my mind...too many years of being obese is up in there stored away, but I will take that mindset and focus on helping others reach their goal whether through WLS or diet and exercise. Try being on a campus where you are 1 of 20 MO people, on the ENTIRE CAMPUS!!!! It's a real eye opener! I along with some friends look to reviving a group on campus that has WLS patients, but I also want to invite those wanting to lose weight without surgery...I feel if nothing else we can share compassion towards each other's plight! I think the best thing to help people is to let them know you are in the same boat with them, and when they get tired of rowing you'll be there to lend a hand. I never want to forget who I was prior to the surgery, that I have struggled against many obstacles...too many to begin, but it's who I am inside that counts weight loss or no weight loss. I hate my weight but not myself!

I also had bilateral pulmanary embolii and am on warfaran for the rest of my life. I needed to start the shots when I first started blood thinners and I was sure i would never be able to give them to myself. I have never liked to depend on other people so, after the first one done by the nurse I bit the bullet and stabbed my stomach. The needles are so fine you don't really feel much- especially if you let the alcohol DRY after swabbing. Learned that the hard way! After surgery I was back on the shots for a few days and it was old hat. It is amazing what we can get used too! I was getting so good at it I only bruised a couple times!

I guess you're going to have to start over. You'll do better tomorrow. It does get easier with practice, this is self deprivation. It's going to take a bit of will power and a bunch of determination. You have to take it one day at a time, like a recovering alcoholic. You're a recovering food junkie. If it gets to the point where you can't stand it, think about what you'll look like in a year if you make a success of this. If you follow your dietitian's instructions, you should lose about two pounds a week, on average.That's about 100 lbs in a year. Would that be worth drinking a cup of tea instead of eating a cookie? Everyone here has done it and we've all slipped once or twice, but you have to get back on the horse, and try again. you're the only one who really knows how badly you want this and whether you're willing to work for it (and it is work!). The rewards are worth it.

@@SD123 My initial BMI was 32.3 last year. Surgeon was happy to operate on me to prevent future complications. I had a massive, rapid weight gain between 2014-2016. So, I would have been operated on last July 2015, but the team's endocrinologist diagnosed me with Thyroid disease. It took 9 months for my thyroid to stabilise, and in that time i piled on another 29Ibs, making it a total of 90Ibs weight gain, and BMI of 37.1 My pre-op weight was 222Ibs. I am now 5 months post op and lost close to 60Ibs, and still losing. My excess weight put me in a pre-diabetic stage, and I had beginnings of non alcoholic fatty liver disease. My blood pressure was high, my cholesterol levels were very high, and emotionally I felt completely beaten down. If I did not have this surgery, my weight would have doubled, and more. Even though I was only obese for 2 years, it played havoc with my body and emotions. Now, I am feeling so much better! And yes, had a few people tell me that they wished they did WLS surgery when they were at my BMI level, and not waited when their BMI got much higher. Good luck to you, and no-one has a right to tell you what to do or not to do. Any negativity is only someone else's opinion. It has nothing to do with you!