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Strong caution re drinking alcohol post sleeve surgery: the newest research is showing high vulnerability to alcoholism after a sleeve or bypass, because the stomach is so small that much more of the alcohol reaches the small intestine and is absorbed quickly into the system. Two drinks for the average person equal five drinks for someone with the sleeve. In addition, the peak impact of the alcohol is much faster - between 5 and 9 minutes, instead of over 20 minutes with someone with a regular stomach. And the weird thing that they don't understand yet is that risk of increased alcohol dependency continues for several years after having the sleeve/bypass done. Much of this is fairly new research, which they didn't know about even two years ago. I had my sleeve done in August 2016, and the last 4 months have really started having trouble with drinking; never had this before in my life, and had no idea how bad the withdrawals can be when you try to stop drinking. This is one of the better articles I've found about this problem - the statistics about alcohol absorption are about halfway through the article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171120133922.htm. A doctor I saw last week told me that, because of having the gastric sleeve, taking a shot of tequila is now about equivalent to taking a hit of crack cocaine (which I've never done), because of how intense and fast the high is. And for this reason, we sleevers are much more vulnerable to addiction. Before having the sleeve, I could easily have one or two drinks a night, or not have any alcohol, without a problem. Frankly, I think that given the recent evidence, our doctors need to be informing potential sleeve/bypass patients that those who never had a drinking problem before are at much higher risk of becoming alcoholics if they continue to consume alcohol after surgery, because that's what the new research is showing. And as far as they know at this point, that risk does *not* reduce over time. Sorry to be a bummer. I used to really enjoy the occasional Corona or margarita, but looks like complete abstinence is likely in my future, because of the sleeve. That is, as soon as I find a recovery facility that accepts Medicare.

If you are finding that post- sleeve you are much more vulnerable to alcohol, you're not alone. Here's a link to an article that examines recent research. Basically, because our stomachs are so much smaller, we absorb more alcohol, and it peaks in our blood more quickly. My doctor said the alcohol is acting more like crack cocaine in terms of speed and intensity of the high. And therefore much more dangerously addictive. So, in addition to alcohol being empty calories, we are at much more grave risk of becoming alcoholics if we drink after gastric sleeves/bypass. Here's the link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171120133922.htm I'm now struggling with this myself. Snuck up on me quickly, within 2 or 3 months of dealing with some personal trauma and depression. Kept finding that when I'd try to stop drinking, the shakes and intense anxiety were overwhelming. After consulting with a number of agencies and doctors, found there are some meds that make the withdrawals much more manageable, and those have helped tremendously. But insurance limitations make obtaining additional support much more challenging - still working on overcoming that hurdle. Anyway, be very very careful with alcohol after the surgery. One shot of tequila can affect you like 5 shots. And the brain really gets to liking that way too much. Then that's another battle to fight.

Oh joy, something to look forward too!???? I was sleeved on 8/30, so still exclusively on liquids. Read about diarrhea possibility, but so far nothing is moving in my lower intestine. Nurse practitioner said it's okay to start milk of magnesia to help move things along. Sent from my SM-P600 using the BariatricPal App

I'm 3 days post-op, and have a similar experience unless my sips are very, very, very tiny, and I allow time inbetween each swallow. So each swallow is all the way down before I take the next one. Walking around and stretching between swallows helps. Sent from my SM-P600 using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved on 8/30, and have found walking around, stretching, and wiggling often release what feels like golfballs in my chest, so I can burp them out. So far no gas down below - needing to keep moving, I guess. Sent from my SM-P600 using the BariatricPal App

I'm getting about 1/2 my liquid requirement from Protein drinks. Sent from my SM-P600 using the BariatricPal App

Putting weights in your bra can work, too. These insurance rules are so arbitrary, for people who have yo-yo'd forever. And we all know how easy it is to can gain or lose 7 lbs in a week, since we've all done it 100 times. (Worry that writing about this online will tip off the insurance companies, and they'll start requiring naked weighins!) Sent from my SM-P600 using the BariatricPal App

I hear you! I was sleeved 3 days ago, and am still getting used to how tiny my sips of liquid need to be. If I take very tiny sips, with a minute or so inbetween, I don't get that "golfball in my chest" feeling. Walking around seems to help move Fluid through, so I walk around a lot after taking sips. I used to be a big Water drinker, chugging down a pint without a breath, so this is quite an adjustment. Hoping drinking gets easier before long! Seems like a full-time job trying to get that 1.5 liters/day down! Sent from my SM-P600 using the BariatricPal App