[polarbear]

Hi all.

I haven't posted for awhile and I'm really new here as well. I went for my orientation meeting and was there for 3 hours. Heard from the staff including the surgeons. Some things really surprised me. Like I could never eat bread again unless it was toasted well. No alcohol ever again. No rice ever again. I don't know if I can really say I will never have a glass of wine or some of the other things that are on the no-no list. But the weight is really taking a toll on my body. Friday my knee gave out on me. While I was in the injury clinic the nurse told me that my weight was not good for my joints. Like I don't already know that.

Anyway, now I have 12 weeks or so until I meet with the surgeon on she gives me my goal weight before surgery. I'm feeling really confused and conflicted right now.

Bear

[Trulykath]

ummmm....I've had alcohol and my surgeon never told us "never again." They told us to stay away from carbonated (beer, wine, champagne...wine being the least of these).....I've had 1/2 glass of wine, Seagrams & rum. You have to be VERY careful...it goes right into your intestines and STRAIGHT to your bloodstream...you feel it immediately and you shouldn't have ANYTHING if you are going to drive.

i eat SOME bread, but I try to stay away from it because of the carbs/starches/calories!

Early out, you shouldn't plan on having either one.

[lazell]

I don't know about down the line, but I do know 6wks out I don't miss bread or rice at all any more.I am to afraid of the dangers to even try it..I do love that i'm down 55lbs already and have not had any knee pain since WLS .as for booze ; i was quite the drinker,last night i really missed it because i was at a party.it was tough but i knew that my healthy body and mind were worth more than that buzz.. I just go day by day,sometimes minute by minute...I consider WLS a gift, a chance at life again. I hope i don,t waste it.. trust me i think it's going io be worth the sacrifices.good luck on your decision and keep up with this SITE!!!

[Kenyar]

hmmmm. thats interesting. all of the things you listed as never again i was told i could have but further out. i was asked to try to wait a year for alcohol. bread i can eat now in small amounts. rice i do fine with now...etc. every dr is different i suppose.
to be honest, i am just over 6 months and i dont crave or want any of the things you've listed. thats not to say you will or wont, but to be honest, your focus will be protein for a LONG TIME if not the rest of you life. sure you could have these things here or there but not like how you would have them pre-op. it's definitely your decision to make. but dont base it off of missing certain foods. this is bigger than that. once food is no longer the focus, all of that goes away. its definitely worth thinking about...

[Rachael]

I think it is perfectly legitimate to wonder if this is what you want, knowing you may have to give up certain foods, perhaps forever. I know I did.

I mean, we didn't get where we are without eating certain foods, and if we physically can't (as well as aren't supposed to), some of us might miss it.

So while it is about doing this for the health benefits and feeling good, I think it is very realistic to determine whether or not you can give up certain things, perhaps forever. I know it "weighed heavily" on my mind

However, I don't drink, so giving up alcohol isn't an issue for me. But other things are, and I finally figured, yes, it was worth it to give them up, even it it is forever, becuase they aren't anything I need to be healthy and aren't worth risking my health or my surgery on.

But then, I haven't had surgery yet - but I understand what you are going through. I thought about it a lot. I mean, no matter what, this surgery is not reversible. It is a big change. But then, I need a big change right now. Doing what I've been doing hasn't been so good to me.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I assume there will be days after surgery I'll look around and say, "What in the world have I done," but when I think about it realistically, I do that now. Every time I look in the mirror and see the huge person I don't know looking back at me, I say "What in the world have I done." I'd rather say that and realize what I've done is something good rather than something that took me to where I am now.

I think it is SO important to have the thoughts you have now and talk about them, rather than later. It is a big decision, but again, doing what you have been doing hasn't been working, so a lifetime change might just be in order.

It is hard to take the food out of it when it is food that got us here. But the way I look at it is that now I will have a tool that will allow me to take the focus away (FINALLY) from food. And yes, I am ready to give certain things up. I'll miss them, but in a way, I'll be glad to see them go. They haven't actually done me any favors.

And you know there will always be someone here for you.

[LittleLisaMarie]

I think that talking again with the surgeon will put your mind at ease a little more.....To say never again to most foods is not what we discover as time passes. I do have a never again list that i keep, but eventually you can incorporate moderation back into your diet, later on....but the surgeon will guide you better on what he/she recomends.
I am two years out and I do occasionally eat breads...i eat pizza, i have not had any carbonated drinks for fear of gassy pains and i dont want that...i have never tried rice bec i hear people have had trouble with it so i just stay away....I do have social drinks at parties...What i have is some crystal lite with vodka my own little drink...it does work immediatly but dont last to long....i waited till way over a year to even try any alcohol though. During the first year i was very strict on my intake, portions, breads and carbs but now i just eat pretty much normally ...only i eat normal size portions....Before surgery i could eat 2-3 slices easy....now i am barely able to get in 3/4 of a slice with very thin crust. You will see as you move along your journey. Keep asking questions, keep researching. It is not an easy journey but one you learn as you go. I have never felt healthier in my life....

Good luck and keep asking away..dont be a stranger.

LittleLisaMarie

[clancythecamper]

I agree with all of these, also, I found that my tastes have changed - don't know how, dont know why but they have. What's important to you now may not be later on - you just have to wait and see.

[MsVickie]

Honey first of all every surgeon I have seen with all the patients are so different.
Some limit things. Some say never.

You will find your own way with this. If the surgeon tells you no dont do it. You probally went to the orientation with dietians and nutritionist. There are alot of stuff they would love to see everyone not eat again.

Mine tells me to try eveything except sugar.

When I first attempted bread they told me to toast it very well to. I couldnt eat it without somthing to drink with it. That it self overid the toasting part. Askinig my surgeon he said try it! Try to make it healthy bread.

Now im with you on the joint problems. The pain of them joints will make you want to have it done right away.

If anyone suffers from any type of joint pain they know what I mean.

[judy]

Bear my husband is 3 yrs post-op and has alcohol. He has also had beer. He went about a year before trying any. He eats rice, pasta and bread with no problems. He could barely walk because of his knees - he rides a bycicle daily now. I have had no alcohol cravings and have shied away from bread but I will try it after 6 months.
Good luck
Judy

[traciflud]

Good to hear from you again Bear! My own surgeon says eventually he likes for his patients to eat everything they used to, just not the portions they used to. In the beginning, you may miss foods, I did. But since losing some weight, my knees feel better, and I am wearing clothes I couldnt fit in before. And there is no food I have found that tastes as good as a sincere compliment from someone feels.