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Butterthebean...your post should be required reading for all people using this site! I will say, without judgement implied, that I am daily amazed by some of the things posted here...how long did you wait to have macaroni and cheese, or a milkshake, or to drink alcohol, or to smoke pot, or whatever other unhealthy thing you can imagine....and I wonder (usually to myself)..."Have you learned nothing about why you ended up needing this surgery??" Most of us had (and, I dare to say, still have) no real concept and understanding of "moderation.". We didn't track every bite we put in our mouths prior to surgery, so how can we know what is "moderate" in comparison? Without honest tracking, we rarely have a realistic impression of what was consumed (there have been amazing studies done on the disparities between what we "think we ate" versus what we actually ate!). Like you, I have made the conscious choice to not eat things that are harmful to me...to continue to do so, after having gone through the pain of surgery, makes absolutely no sense to me. While I understand I can't do anything to directly help anyone else on their journey (and I often get "smacked" on here for trying), I do sincerely worry for those who give every indication of not having changed their relationship with food. Best of luck, to each of us, as we continue on our journey to better health! Laura

By "not eating healthy" do you mean not following your prescribed diet? Being the same weight for days or weeks is normal but gaining 11 pounds isn't. How much Protein and carbs do you eat daily? Drinking enough Water? Exercising? Avoiding "Slider" foods and alcohol? You don't have to justify any of this to me but you do need to be honest with yourself. The WLS is just a tool. To lose weight we really have to do ALL the work ourselves.

There are a lot more men out there who would welcome a relationship with someone who is taking control of their life and their health. I know one of them very personally, in fact... As Frustr8 said, there are a couple of threads that have been started for September surgeries, my date is September 6, 2018. I'm currently on the four-week pre-op diet, very similar to what you posted. I have an enlarged (but otherwise healthy) liver that the surgeon wants to make as small as possible. I'm limited to 800 calories/day, low fat, low carb, and high protein, and greater than 64oz of water a day (I'm averaging more than 90oz/day). I've cut out all added sugar, caffeine, alcohol, starchy veggies, fried foods, most restaurant food, bread (almost - I have two slices left, then no more), pasta, and carbonated beverages. I'm down 30.5 pounds since June 29, 2018. I do not feel hungry during the day but sometimes before bed or first thing in the morning, I get hungry. What I am struggling with now is "head hunger." Every evening when I drive home from work, I see all the places I used to stop and eat and my head wants me to stop again. So far, I've not stopped, but it is a challenge. My therapist suggested that I phone someone when I feel like I'm going to stop and get something to eat, so I call my mom often... I, too, am available to listen if you need an ear to vent to. Good luck! and we're all here for you!

This is a rant and a rave. Firstly I would like to say that I have always found the people here to be in the most part helpful and supportive. The same cannot be said for all other sites. Some of the sanctimonious BS from some peeps is unreal. Example Wow reading this thread is depressing. So many people saying never to drink alcohol again. Absolutes ( never )are very hard to accept. I got my band 9 years ago and was never told I had to give up alcohol. I enjoy a glass or 2 of wine a couple of times a week. Maybe I'm lucky I didn't become an alcoholic! Now looking at revising to RNY so I understand that I am going to have to give that up, at least for the foreseeable future but I would hate to think that I could NEVER have a glass of wine again. alcohol is pure sugar. The body uses that pure sugar to function instead of burning your stored fat for energy. Maybe ifvyou had not used alcohol you would be at goal weight and not looking for a revision. You are a perfect example of the truth of what those who are saying about alcohol use are saying. Alcoholics and drug abusers in recovery use the never absolute every day. They have to, no other choice. Not using absolutes, like never is often just an excuse.

I used a q-tip with alcohol on them and they came off easily - just dont use too much

Tired O man- I understnad what you are saying and saw what you meant in your last post about the job. Many smokers begin around 16-22.. that IS the age of consent and they know that it is addictive that and alcohol abstinece is pushed and pused in school. HOWEVER.. one of my favorite customers quit smoking after 45 yrs. He just deceided and quit. Sure he was cranky a little but he got thru it. If HE can do it any one can. I also find it ironic that he LOOKS like the Marborlo man... very wrinkly like a sharpei. But he is very happy he did it. I am happy too. I think this guy is great and want him around as mucha s possible. Also once he quit 8 regulars ( they all hang out) decided to quit together. 6 did and havent smoked in 5 months or so. The other 2 gave up. Still these are old smokers who finally wanted to get rid of the habit. I am proud of all of them and hope they can continue to resist.

To my knowledge, no one has talked about restricting people's smoking inside their homes. What has been discussed is the restriction of smoking in businesses and in public. If someone chooses to have a business in their home, they are consciously agreeing to abide by laws governing businesses, including smoking laws. There is proof that second-hand smoke can give you cancer. It may take a lot of it, or it may not. I am certain that some people are more susceptible to cancer caused by smoke. Now, if someone wants to kill themselves, they can go right ahead. But things are different if they are doing something that can cause other people to become ill or die. Let me put it this way: As long as you are at least 21, you can legally drink as much alcohol as you want. Heck, you can kill yourself with it if you want, and no one can stop you. But if you sit behind the wheel of a car or do something else while intoxicated that puts other people at risk, it becomes illegal. Again, I couldn't care less if someone wants to kill themselves with cigarrettes. But if they risk my health or the heath of the people around me, you better believe that I will lobby to have their smoking rights restricted.

With food like that and the obesity problem rising, why even worry about alcohol and nicotine anymore? You'll die faster from eating at Domino's xD

things went well with the surgery (9/10). i was in and out quickly. they did find that my liver was way larger than normal, so they took a biopsy. came back and i have early fibrosis/non alcoholic steatohepatitis (fatty liver disease) that could lead to cirrhosis if i dont get/keep the weight off. in the hospital overnight, couldn't sleep. was on an 8 minute dilaudid pain pump, which i thank heaven for. just don't let them take out your IV/pain pump til they are actually ready to walk you out the door, especially if you have a long way to get home. i had mine out too long and got very agitated because the dr took 2.5h to write my discharge orders... i felt horrible and then started running a fever and my blood pressure and heart rate (things i don't have issues with) skyrocketed. the nurse had a horrified look on her face when she took them right before i left. on the ride home, every bump was horrible. i just wanted my own bed. and it felt like years before my husband got home from the pharmacy with my pain meds. other than that just poking and prodding. went home the next day, pain for about a day and a half, only gave my oxycodone. phenergan did not touch the nausea, so they called in some zofran. if you have nausea, DEMAND the zofran. much more effective. turned out to have been pain mainly from the nausea from pain meds. i was fine w just zofran the 2 or 3 days after that, then i felt just fine. within the week, i actually felt GOOD. weird. i did have one night where i laid in bed and felt like there was electricity going through my body. i couldn't sleep and was just restless. it was horrible. i think it was related to an anti nausea patch they gave me to put behind my ear? not sure, but i stopped using it and it hasn't happened since. so far, down 25 lbs and 25 inches. mostly in my arms, legs, and face. coming off slowly on the abdomen, which is where i carry everything. was initially scheduled for 3 weeks off work. i feel good. was cleared for soft food, sex, and exercise today, THANK GOD. walking wasn't cutting it. i did get approved for another 2 weeks off of work though. i want to be less exhausted from healing. my sleeve doesn't hurt. it cramps a little in the am when i am empty and haven't taken my prilosec, but other than that, no pain. no nausea otherwise. i think i am eating too quickly bc i am overly full when i am done. take the time to listen to your body. eat super small bites VERY SLOWLY and you'll avoid getting too full, which feels gross and can make you cough out the extra. it's really not fun. matrix mint cookie protein and i are bffs. the best flavor! and not too thick. so glad i did it! best decision i have ever made! questions? lol

I am so sorry for your loss, I am new to this forum so I will make this comment brief. I have a rule that I have applied to my eating that I hope will help you. it goes like this....Feelings are not right and not wrong they just are, let them be and choose how you will react. Grief, loneliness, and anger are all powerful feelings that will take our control away from us if we let it. Ice cream for you, pizza for me or a drink for the alcoholic will destroy all of us and I really can't believe that this is what your lovely little dog would want for you. Sugar free popsicles would be a better choice for me but if I were you and I kept grieving I would go into a deep depression and just keep eating without knowing what I was doing to myself. I hope this advice helps. God Bless ttfn

Likewise--- I agree with @Beckyyb93 What courage! Being a parent, I think, does change one for the better. Please keep thinking of them and be careful about mixing alcohol with the other drugs you are taking! Lots of people have died from mixing the two. What is your new career? How did you start on that path? Does it fulfill you? Remember, you've lost 139 frick'in pounds man.... time to be PROUD!!!

A study was just released that showed that alcohol drinkers are less likely to have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Tell her your friends drink to help their health, unlike smokers, who smoke to kill themselves. Nahh, just ignore her. She'll never change her opinion, or admit that she has a vice.

I haven't had a carbonated drink (and I was a 2l a day diet coke addict), nor any alcohol since 1 week pre-op....in Feb. I've considered having a glass of wine at different times, but then just said, hell for the same calories I could have XYZ. I prefer to eat than drink, so wine has lost every time! Not to say that won't change sometime, but so far, no alcohol.

Pearlygirl, I'm sorry about the issue with your brother. Can kind of relate with my dad. He was in put in prison over night at the age of 79 for drunk driving and this was not his first offense but they let him go. I think the laws in FL may be a bit easy when it comes to the elderly and drunk driving. They should have taken away his license. Finally my brother and I took away his car because the state wouldn't do anything. It's a nightmare when you have to deal with an alcoholic family member. Not only are they responsible but then you're responsible for them too! I know we can't compare apples and oranges, it's a nightmare losing a family member to a drunk driver or any other nonsensical reason. Anyway I appreciate your honesty, it's not an easy thing to discuss. brandyII

I think first offense a minimum year suspension of driver's license. And fines, and classes that give up your entire saturday...for months. I don't think jail time though for first offense. After that though lock them up if they continue that behavior. Most of the time they are young and stupid. That's not an excuse, but I think it's a cause. Get them off the road until they have grown up enough to handle the responsibility of driving. I had a friend when I was growing up that had some drinks and drove. He had a wreck and the passanger was killed. This is tragic for everyone involved. In prison, before his trial he hung himself. I couldn't imagine the pain he was in. He was young, never been in trouble, and made a stupid mistake, and someone died. Was he a bad person? Did he belong in prison. No. He had never had a dwi or anything like that before. He thought he was invincible and turned out he wasn't, and two mothers lost their sons. Where did he get the alcohol? Who served it? Who bought it? I think if you buy underage people liquor, especially if you let them drive afterwards then YOU should be CHARGED.

So I met with surgeon today for last appointment prior to insurance submission. I asked all my questions and we had a good discussion. He said of all the complications the real “thorn in their side” was ulcers. Even as an entire practice rate of ulcers is about 15-20% lifetime. And lifetime use of PPI or at least 4-5 years dropping to the lesser Pepcid etc type drugs forever. I am astonished by this!!! Is this true? Is there a reason it’s so high? I mean my mother in law had open RNY about 25 years ago and is not a model patient. She eats ibuprofen etc like crazy, tons of soda and the like and never an ulcer. Any opinions, suggestions on diet or anything to prevent? I’m not a smoker or alcohol user now but even without that’s the rate. Or, like doc said it is a surgery that creates ulcers based on plumbing. This has me really second guessing even more

I have one suture site that won't heal up. I thought I had caused it because of wearing an underwire bra. It was all pussy and I would drain clean it with alcohol each morning and night. then I got to going around braless~not pretty at this stage~ anyway, got the infection cleared up and in cleaning the site yesterday it is still open! 5 weeks post op. Well, looking in I think I see a blue thread. I tried to get it up to the surface with tweesers, but no luck. I guess I will go to the Dr. on Monday? Has anyone else had this happen? What did you do? Of course I had to discover this on the weekend. Is there anything that will disolve the stitch? All my other wounds are healing nicely. Just the one under the left boobie is a problem.

clear liquor (i.e., absolute vodka) plus water and crystal light/equivalent is the least harmful - least caloric alcoholic drink you can do since diet pop is out and the other mixers (i.e, fruit/vegetable juice) are high in calories. I will DEARLY MISS my light beers - used to have about 7 or 8 every weekend - of course, that's probably why i got so fat LOL. No beer, i have to think, has contributed to my 25+ pound weight loss since the end of june. You couldn't pay me to drink flat beer. Has to be fresh and cold. Oh well -worth the sacrifice to be thin. Best of luck to you!

I still have an occasional beer from time to time. I am not one that has problems with carbonation. But, I wasn't a big pop drinker before so it hasn't been an issue giving it up with the band. Some people have a horrible time with carbonation. I used to drink a lot of beer when out with people. The difference is now, I don't have it very often and usually 1-2 gets me buzzed. It takes a LOT less alcohol with the band to get me tipsy. The vodka and Crystal Light mixtures are awesome, if you want to drink.

I was banded in early October and the weekend before Thanksgiving my sister and I painted the LR. When we were done on Sunday night, I grabbed 2 wine coolers from the fridge. God only knows how old they were. I drank about half and realized it was carbonated.I was so aware of NO SODA, that I forgot other things have bubbles! I had a bit more and was fine. There is alcohol abuse in my family and as I am single am always driving alone to and from parties, so I RARELY drink. Do bandsters have issues w/ alcohol the way By Pass people do? I have witnessed this and it is not pretty.

Just a thought but are you taking vitamins? Back to basics - protien and water. I am with you - boring. What about a 5 day break from carbs sugar caffeine and alcohol? Also for me logging is a must. Keep us posted.

I am 18 months post op from bypass. I have been able to eat whatever I want without dumping. I very occasionally treat myself to sweets. It is all about how how much of something you eat. If I have a small piece of cake, cheesecake, pie, scoop of ice cream, I don't get sick. I have only made the mistake once of eating just a little too much and it left me feeling crappy but I don't get sick. Now, I have had too many carbs and they can stall you so just because I can eat whatever I want, doesn't mean I should. Also, anything overly sweet just simply doesn't taste good to me. I try to choose a dessert that isn't overly sweet tasting. My favorite is cheesecake! I have a couple of bites and I am satisfied. Of course I never even attempted trying sweets until I was post op 6 months. I still have not tried alcohol but that is because I am on pain medication. I also don't do carbinated anything mostly because I didn't drink soda before and I don't need to start now. Life after bypass is pretty darn good. My only side effect that I truly complain about is constipation. My doctor recently put me on Linzess and it is working fantastic.

Sunni, I used Dr. Richard Carter in Arlington TX. He accepted my insurance and he is an extremely kind person. His office is a little chaotic due to quick growth and sometimes it is hard to get through to them because they are busy, but they always find time to talk with me about anything and everything I have for concerns. I started my journey with another doctor. His office is tied to a University hospital. Too many politics! I think they are looking for "Stepford candidates", perfect people to prove the band works! Maybe something to do with funding. After two months, March/April, I still did not have an approval because they did not file anything. They were waiting on the psych testing. They also forced me to see one of their shrinks instead of letting me select my own. Their shrink thought I should go to three months of pre op therapy, even though she had never met me personally and had a student at the University interview me. She felt I had anger management issues ( of course I did, since I waited months) and doctor compliance issues, (what the heck is that?) all based on a Minnesota personality profile that was done in office, so I went to a second shrink on my own who wrote me a letter saying there was nothing mentally wrong with me ( drugs, personality disorder, alcoholism etc.) and I was conscious of the decision I was making. I brought everything with me for my first visit to Dr. C. Letter from PCP, shrink report, dietician report etc. THey sent the info on a Wed to my insurance and I was approved and pre certed in 24 hours. Radical difference, I would say. Its really important when you start the procedure for insurance approval, that you find out early on what the insurance requires and most important that you feel comfortable with the doctor and his staff. Anyway, I am now happily banded and almost 30 pounds lighter in 6 weeks and I know I will be successful longterm. Long answer to a short question!!!!

I am 5 foot 2 inches, I am a nurse so I am very active and walk a few miles a week in addition to work. I have just started riding a stationary bike as well. My calories fall around 800 a day with about 70 to 80 grams of protein. I don't drink alcohol. I was pre diabetic before surgery.

This is pretty much how I feel, I don't mind giving up soda or alcohol forever, but I'm not giving up my pizza!! I basically wanted to try to re-learn how to eat and not be a pig! Have 1 slice and be satisfied instead of thinking I need to eat a whole large by myself. If I want a few chips I'm going to eat them! I really just hope this is a lifestyle change in regards to making me realize that a small portion is just as good! Amanda