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Two ppl I know who had WLS waited about a year to drink alcohol. I myself, never drank. Sad to say the beers and cocktails kept piling on over the course of the following year and before you know it one gained 22lbs the other 20lbs. That's only after one year of going back to alcohol. Like many they thought they could enjoy an occasional brewski. Sadly not the case. I have found through my group sessions this happens quite often.

i just wrote a long-ish post about alcohol yesterday, ha. instead of putting it all here again, i'll just include the link for reference: take it as personal anecdote, a validation, or a cautionary tale, however u see fit.

I had a gin & tonic (well & regularly stirred to reduce the gas), which I truly sipped for hours, at about 8 weeks. Then another one about a month or so later. Honestly they didn’t taste the same & I didn’t enjoy them as much. I chose G&Ts as I was very sensitive to sweet & preferred the bitter of the tonic. I only have a drink maybe once a month or less often. Usually only one. I still take a while to drink it & sometimes I don’t finish it. I don’t know if the alcohol affects me more quickly or if I process it more quickly as I drink so little & so slowly to make a real judgement. I used to have a large glass of wine or scotch (or both) every night, sometimes one at lunch too if out. but I really don’t miss it now. My friends all drink & it doesn’t affect our dynamic if I don’t or only have one drink. More champagne for them they say! I’m more selective about what I drink - quality over quantity hence the champagne. May be remember all the empty calories your friends are drinking while the number on your scales continues to go down.

Confession. My team said could drink alcohol after a year. Me being me, i had a couple sips of red wine around 3-4 weeks post op. Was really weird, i swear i could FEEL the wine travelling through my intestines. Then I had a couple sips or a sake-soju concoction around 2 months post. The aftermath still ranks to this day as one of my top 5 dumping episodes. *shudder* I had maybe 5 or so PARTIAL drinks of red wine or gin/vodka tonics throughout my entire weight loss phase. Long story short, I was "affected" really fast. I also sobered up unbelievably quickly. Now in maintenance (im over 4.5 years post op), im NOT proud to admit that i am probably (on paper), a full on alcoholic. i probably drink about 1-2 servings of alcohol a day (espresso martinis or red wine, mostly). I used to drink pre-wls, but nowhere as regularly as i do now. On the flip side, i would reach "embarrassing drunk" pre-wls, but have yet to get there post-wls. Yes, I realize i am justifying, but there u go. As i write this, im wary of newbies reading this, as i really dont want to seem to be endorsing my lifestyle. So sorry everyone! I guess what im ineffectively trying to say is (again) everyone is different, and it is my fervent hope that everyone knows their own personal limits and strives to stay within them. P.S. dont drink too much if u can help it! honestly its not worth the extra stress. I have way too many conversations with myself about this that its ruining my VIBE. P.S.S. i will now remunerate for the next couple hours if this post was a good idea or not. P.S.S. Happy Father's day today to all awesome dads our there!! ❤️

I'd agree with Arabesque that it's probably too much activity too soon after surgery. Your body's still healing, and you're not taking in enough calories to support strenuous activity yet. And low blood pressure/low blood sugar are issues with some of us the first few weeks. It was probably a combination of things. about alcohol (and I know you said you weren't drinking. but just because the other commenters addressed it...), we were told to wait a year. I waited more like three years. The first time I drank it slowly and in a "safe" place since I didn't know what kind of effect it would have on me. I remember getting really buzzed really quickly on just one glass of wine - although the feeling left more quickly than it would have pre-surgery. I do drink now (eight years out), but it mostly consists of a glass or two of wine (and usually only when I'm out with friends) about once a month. But then alcoholism runs on one side of my family (two uncles), and with my addictive personality and my re-arranged digestive system, plus the fact transfer addiction isn't uncommon among bariatric patients, I never wanted to risk it.

I'm so glad you're okay! It sounds like a fun event! And yes, alcohol is OK, in moderation and at an appropriate stage. Nothing is a no no after surgery. Life is to be enjoyed and that includes a treat occasionally.

You just had a pretty major surgery & are still recovering it’s no wonder you passed out after undertaking what is quite a strenuous activity for you at this time. Though you hit your protein goal you still are eating very few calories, possibly have some low blood pressure & maybe some hypoglycaemia (sugar drop) as well. Check with your team as to their activity recommendations. Many of us are advised only gentle walking for the first weeks, slowly increasing. Take things slowly & listen to your body. While you are recovering you can’t do exactly what you did before surgery but you will again soon. Not being able to drink alcohol after surgery isn’t an absolute no @Carol97045. Sure if your post surgical plan says no alcohol for a period it time, it is best to follow that. But after that there are a few considerations around the consumption of alcohol post surgery. Empty calories & carbs is one. The habit of usually eating high fat, high sugar, high calorie, highly processed food while drinking. How your body & changed digestive system tolerates it & processes it (like feeling the effects more quickly). The most important is the possibility of addiction transfer - from food to alcohol. Does this mean you can never have alcohol again? No. What it means is you have to make your own choices around whether you do or don’t drink & if you chose to drink how much & how often based on those considerations. I drank while I was losing. Had a gin & tonic at about 8 weeks. Nursed that drink literally for hours & didn’t have another drink for another month or so. Four years out & I still only have a drink maybe once a month & usually only one. I still take a while to drink it or sometimes don’t finish it. My choice. I don’t enjoy it in the same way either. And I used to have a drink every night. And I’m far from being alone in continuing to consume alcohol.

May be only 15 cals each but they are not zero calorie. The sugar alcohols can cause tummy upsets and may have a laxative effect if you have too much of them. If you are having surgery on Monday, you don't want to be having tummy upsets or worse which could cause dehydration. You don't want to be dehydrated before surgery.

I was not consuming alcohol at this event nor have i had alcohol since before my 2 week pre op diet I mentioned I've consumed alcohol at this event in the past before i thought about having surgery just to give some context on how much things have changed for me now that I’ve had RNY I’ll make it a little more clear in my OP 😊

Hello this is my first time on here and I couldn’t help but feel that I needed to respond to your message but you shouldn’t be consuming any alcohol at 4 weeks out from surgery or 4 years out from surgery because we don’t absorb alcohol like the average person would since we have had our stomach altered with a bypass procedure

So today I’m 4 weeks post op RNY by the date. I passed out today (Saturday) at an outside, pretty physical, 3 mile walk/dancing event. I’ve frequented this event plenty of times in the past before surgery & while drinking liquor in 82+ degree weather (1-2 years BEFORE surgery) This is the first time in life I’ve ever passed out. It was kind of scary when my friend told me I was out for about 3 minutes…. The morning of I had 2 protein shakes and hit 80g before heading out. I had plenty LiquidIV supplements to make sure I stayed hydrated but it seems like that contributed to my downfall according to the EMT. I have not and did not consume alcohol while only 4 weeks post op. But mainly I had no solid food since Friday thinking that i could hit the protein & just stay hydrated but hell no… With the physical activity & no carbs to replenish the energy my body was way deprived so…eat your carbs

Hi I have a VSG scheduled on Monday 06/19. I am required to be on 2 days of Liquid Diet. instruction says I am allowed zero-calorie liquids in between Protein shakes it includes sugar-free popsicles. However they are 15 cal each and has 6 g sugar alcohols. I am confused. Can I have them or not?

There are comparable ones you can pull from the interwebs. It's pure nonsense in my opinion. Why should my choice to eat less, and let's face it this is exactly what surgery is, be a restaurant's problem? When we ate less with a normal diet, was that a reason to get a discount? The other point is restaurants are unlikely to accept the card. It's something they are not a party to creating. Personally, the thought of making my surgery an issue in a restaurant with strangers is something I would ever do. Again, it's my business. I know not everyone agrees with me. It's OK, it's why Baskin's makes 31 flavors. But I believe we just need to work out following our plan without making it other peoples' problem. Somewhat like a recovering alcoholic not forcing everyone around them not to drink. Besides, early on leftovers can be wonderous things. The right full price appetizer can cover days of meals. The right meal even longer. Here I am 20+ years later and it's a long time since I bothered with leftovers. It's easier just to eat what my plan says and leave the rest. It's been this way since before I hit goal. Good luck, Tek

Hi all, New to the forum and have been feeling a bit overwhelmed at times with all the info I found on my google searches I get sleeve surgery on July 4th! I am equal parts excited for the new journey and scared for what is ahead. I have yo-yo'd for years and like other posters here I like to follow a food plan but do wish others would give it to me rather than the handout I got from the hospital with a sample of a one liquid soup recipe and a list of food groups. I do well with lists and instructions (yes, I am a bit of a control freak) so it is the unknown that freaks me out the most. I have tried to do some food prep but find it all a bit overwhelming. For who I have told, it has just been my Mum (though I presume she told me Dad ), my two sisters, my boss (to discuss time off work) and three friends. I don't want to say it at work in advance but figure I will have to say it when I get back to the office after a month off 'sick'. Also my new eating and drinking habits will be noticeable in a small office. The clinic here that I go to haven't given me any pre-op advice on cutting down on foods in advance so I decided as of June 1st to give up alcohol for the month in advance so it is not too much of shock post-op. I am not an alcoholic but I do love a glass of wine (or 2) in the evening or a cocktail (or 4) on an evening out and a lot of my social life revolves around drinking with colleagues & friends so I think going forward that may be hard. I am trying my best to make healthy choices for food in the run up to the op, but again as a control freak, I would have preferred that the clinic gave me strict instructions to follow in the lead up to surgery. I know my faults (when it comes to food ) are that a lot of the time I eat too quickly, without even noticing, and I eat too much and often don't know/realise I am full so I am really hoping I find the transition to slow and mindful eating goes smoothly. For me, my weight has caused considerable knee pain and starting to cause ankle pain but then it is a vicious circle as they are too sore to do much to help me loose weight. I am hoping the op will make it easier on my knees to walk comfortably and eventually take up exercise. I know I need a knee replacement but the ortho surgeon said my knees were too fat for him to be comfortable in carrying out a successful op so that is my longer goal, as well as weight loss and being health to have bionic knees

These are terrific questions! I think everyone's answer will differ, so I don't want to speak for everyone's experience but I can tell a couple of my own experiences. I used to absolutely love Egg McMuffins. 300 calories, 17 grams of protein, 12 grams of fat....they're really not even that bad for you. I used to joke that they were my personal perfect comfort food....I loved the taste, felt accomplished that I had a favorite that wasn't that bad....and just generally was happy about them. I remember starting solids again after surgery and taking a little bite of one....expecting that wonderful feeling. It was like (pardon me) sex with no orgasm. Zero pleasure. It didn't taste gross or anything, but it wasn't wonderful anymore. All of my EggMcMagic was GONE. I wasn't angry, I wasn't relieved. I was sad. It was a weird loss. The better part of my brain was happy and proud I no longer had such an intensely happy feeling about them....because I know that's disordered eating and I wanted to get away from that. But the nostalgic part of me that was still busy coping....felt the loss deeply. Most days, I was happy and relieved that food seemed to be losing control in my life. It felt good to say no, to throw things away after a few bites. It felt good when I had that crazy moment and bought something terrible like a box of little donuts....took one bite and had the strength to say....What the hell am I doing? And throw them all away. I'm proud I can do that now. That I can have a screw up, get something really awful, and have one or two bites and throw the package away. We're not perfect. We'll have moments. But the ability to pull up sooner and right the course sooner...has been a welcome and wonderful change. And as the years have gone by, I'm getting even better at this. I buy a lot less stuff to throw away now. LOL. Some people have a lot of emotional upheaval after surgery. Marriages can get worse, relationships can change. Be very aware of and use caution with cross-over addictions. Watch alcohol, gambling, flirting, over-spending, substances. Anything that gives you a pop of pleasure and distraction....keep a close eye on. Lots of data to show those things can bite you in the butt. The struggle is real, but so are the rewards. It is WONDERFUL to be able to walk five miles a day and get things done. It is wonderful to find cute clothes that fit, and like how you look in pictures. It is wonderful to inspire folks you love to make healthier choices. Lots of stuff is so nice. I remember the first time I could shave my legs and breathe at the same time. LOL! I remember the first time I tried on a swimsuit and went...holy ****! this looks great on me! The little victories are so lovely. About acid reflux... I have had almost no problem with it, with one notable exception. If I eat and lie down, I can end up with very nasty acid. If I wait an hour after eating before laying down...zero problems. I just need to be careful not to snack right before bed, which is a bad idea anyway, so the reminder isn't even that bad. I get a little bit of heart burn laying down maybe once every month or two now. I take a swig of Pepto and it's gone in a few minutes. Wishing you the best.

Yep check with your team & watch the sugar alcohol sweeteners. Also you may find things become so super sweet & you can’t eat them when your taste buds temporarily change. I loved that phase as I never went back to sweet foods or drinks & broke my desire for it - I loved a sweet treat after dinner & on weekends. I keep my sugar intake low (less than 10g a day) and avoid artificial sweeteners or sugar alternatives wherever possible. They only feed your craving for sweet & research is showing that artificial sweeteners actually lead to weight gain, mess up your immune system & cause inflammation so I choose to avoid them. Now if I want something sweet I have some fruit.

I can tolerate any artificial sweetener, but some people have trouble with some of them. Sugar alcohols (those whose names end in "-itol", like xylitol) are especially known for giving some people problems.

yes - the above commenters are right. Some people are intolerant of artificial sweeteners - or at least SOME artificial sweeteners. Sugar alcohols (those with names the end it "-itol" - like xylitol and malitol) are the worst offenders.

I have found that most drugs for which I feel an effect don't last as long as the label says. Generally the effect lasts about 4-5 hours where the expectation is 8 hours. I've done time-released medications and supplements, some work fine (or at least well enough), others not so much. Out of an abundance of caution, me and my medical team tend to take more pills of smaller doses more often. I spread them out through the day or in the case of 'as needed' medications, I am able to take them 'as needed' more often. Alcohol, also being a drug for which I feel an affect, works much the same as other drugs. I feel the effect quicker, it fades quicker, and on the extremely rare occasions when I achieve a hang over it starts and ends much quicker, such that by early morning it's run it's course. Hope this helps. Good luck, Tek

I found that I needed more and more calories to be satiated as the months passed. By 6 mo post-op, I just couldn't maintain a very low calorie diet without becoming ravenously hungry. And, my weight loss progressively slowed down each month until the weight loss petered out at 9 months post-op. I reached my goal weight, losing 100% of my excess weight. I currently eat 1800-2000 calories a day and have maintained my final weight for five months so far. While my hunger has returned, it is nothing like it was pre-op. I feel very much in control of my hunger, and I find it difficult to overeat... even when I want to. And my body generally craves healthier, cleaner foods vs. the garbage fast/junk food that was the staple of my diet pre-op. I suspect the reason people regain is they increasingly indulge in slider foods... crackers, chips, cookies, etc... and start drinking their calories... sugary drinks, alcohol, ice cream and such. I think it would be very hard for me to eat enough "real" food to regain. My restriction is still very present, but it's easy to defeat it by "eating around" my sleeve.

I commend you for making this decision! One of my doctors first brought up surgery when I was in college. At that point, I knew I wasn’t ready to take my health that seriously. I wanted to have a “normal” college experience. I 100% do not regret waiting until after college to have the surgery since I knew I wasn’t ready. I’m still in my early 20s and it’s a tough life adjustment. My social life lessened a lot early on due to not being able to eat out or drink alcohol. I’d say in terms of college life that would be one of the bigger struggles post op. Also, depending on your dining options at school it can be difficult to track and have good options. At the beginning about the first 2 months it may be difficult to hide from your roommate that you’ve had surgery. The food options are pretty limited and the quantity is very small. But, a lot of college aged students have not struggled with weight yet and have no idea about bariatric surgery so they may never catch on! Also something to keep in mind, most people at my surgery center are out of work for 2 weeks. I know a lot of people say they feel fine after surgery, but it hit me hard and I needed the full 2 weeks off of work. I’ve heard that younger patients can have more side effects from anesthesia and that was definitely the case for me. So I’d definitely recommend at least 2 weeks before move in day. In terms of approaching the conversation with my parents, I told my mom that I had something important to talk to her about and I wanted her to support me in my decision. Later after I had gone through the pre surgical processes and had a date, I told my dad I decided to have surgery to improve my health and gave him the opportunity to ask any questions. Best of luck to you!

I am a firm believer that food addiction is just like most others. With that in mind, having a slice of pizza is like “It’s just one little shot of tequila” for an alcoholic. One leads to two…and so one. I am also a firm believer that this is the main reason people gain back weight or completely fail after Bariatric surgery. It’s a constant struggle. Keeping that perspective, one slice of pizza is not worth it. I’m not perfect and will fail at times but keeping the above perspective helps to ensure I will be successful in the long run. If I tell myself that one slice is fine, I will soon convince myself that so is two.

I overcame my fear and went to a family graduation party last night that involved a ton of food and alcohol. I didn't test anything except Arby's roast beef, no bun and a small bit of potato salad since I knew I stomach mashed potatoes pretty well. All good. My fam kept offering me alcohol and I kept turning it down while I sipped my water. No way was I going to try it then attempt to drive home. I had a good time and glad I went. Baby steps

It could be just your fussy sensitive tummy. Many of us experience temporary changes to our taste buds &/or sense of smell. For some certain textures upset them. I was so excited when I was able to eat vegetables again but nope my tummy said no to some of my favourites. But it was only temporary. At best it’s just a ‘this is yucky’ reaction. At worst it may cause you to vomit. And yes certain artificial sweeteners (usually the alcohol ones) can cause digestive distress - bloating, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc. I actually had a reverse experience. Before surgery, I often found smoked salmon too rich & strongly flavoured. After surgery I surprisingly could eat it (smear of cream cheese wrapped around a wedge of cucumber - yum). But a few weeks later - nope awful & still avoid it. Give your tummy time to relearn flavours, smells, textures, etc. This is often a great time to try different foods or foods you fed isn’t enjoy in the past. Avoid those foods that upset you fur a couple of weeks & then try again.

You would maybe be okay for the drive. However, the dietary restrictions may be hard to follow. You'll be on full liquid, no alcohol, tired. I would seriously think it through.