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Hi kakatalady612 thank you for responding! I have not given up coffee but I have given up alcohol and sugary carbs and potato chips...pretty much most of the things that got me to this point. I just had a "Boost" protein drink for lunch. I hope you get your date soon, I feel like the only weirdo getting sleeved in March. I work for a University so I had to shoot for spring break to take two weeks off. I hope to lose a little weight before surgery as well, that would be nice. My husband takes all of that Omeprazole stuff, if he doesn't his stomach goes CRAZY. I hope to have us both eating much healthier after my surgery.

Yes non alcoholic fatty liver. My enzymes had been slightly elevated but it didn’t raise a flag. I went in for the surgery in Jan 2017 and my liver was too enlarged to do the surgery. Got clearance from a liver doc that it was fatty liver and nothing else. Had to lose 30# to try again very pleased so far. Lost a total of 70# since last Jan. 40# since surgery. My diabetes is gone and I was a pump user. Also bp was 120/58. I had my 6 week check up yesterday. Hope this helps! So glad I did this. All the positives of the sleeve and bypass without the bad from them. Good luck!

Hey! Getting SIPS in March(previous vsg)! Jus wondering, i said u had fatty liver initially...was it non-alcoholic?, and how did they find out u had it? And how are u doing now? Are u losing much with the SIPS?

It's sort of like I took the fabric and pattern instructions given to me, and then tailored them to fit myself. I have done things my own way, with success, but have followed the basic guidelines. The first couple of months out I was far more militant about adhering to the "rules" while I was healing. After that I would give myself more liberties, but within reason. I had alcohol for the first time four months post-op, at a Christmas event. It wasn't painful, but my tolerance was definitely much lower. I've only had a few sips of wine ever since. One of the reasons I avoid alcohol is because it's liquid calories that offer little in the form of nutrition. I also only have Coke, frappes, and other calorie-laden drinks on very rare occasion. It's easy to consume more than intended, and sabotage yourself.

Hello … I’ve just been approved to be sleeved. I’ve been reading here for months, so wanted to introduce myself. 41, female, single, no kids, located in Los Angeles. I’ve been curvy my whole life, but really heavy the last 10 yrs or so. I had never considered WLS until now because of all of the negative side effects from the Lap Band or Bypass. But last fall my neighbor told me she was getting sleeved. So I started to research, and was excited by so few “cons” to the procedure. I went for my initial consultation in October, was told I was a good candidate. But I couldn’t have the surgery before the end of 2017 because of my work travel schedule. So I held off proceeding until January, so I wouldn’t have to pay more out of pocket than necessary. On January 9th I went back to my surgeons office and had nutritional counseling, psych eval, EKG, and then went to the hospital to get my blood work, chest X-ray & echocardiogram done. On January 9th I went to a PCP who works with my surgeon to review the results. I had one blood result she didn’t like, so I went back to get blood drawn again. Once that was all back and she signed off, it was submitted to my insurance. Approval came back in about a week! Surgery date is set for February 12th. Random thoughts: I’m really happy my insurance (Anthem BSBC) and my surgeon didn’t have a lot of requirements, or waiting periods, like nutritional counseling etc., or required preop diets or weight loss. I just want this done with, and have a skinnier me, sooner rather than later. My surgeon office was also really efficient about me getting all my tests, counseling, evals done within one week. I’m also glad my surgeon and my hospital are located about 3 miles away from my home. My job and this process is my biggest concern. I’m in sales and travel for work extensively. I have my first business trip 3 weeks after my surgery. It is a long flight and a weeklong trip, so I’m worried about my energy level, and eating (I’ll be in the pureed stage). I’ll also be with my boss (who won’t know about my WLS) from 7am-10pm, 3 meals a day, and also with a lot of customer and associates throughout the week. I’d love to have more time to recover, but traveling is a big part of my job so it’s unavoidable. On the job topic, because of the fact I’m in sales, entertainment, meals & drinking, is a big part of what I do. The difference in my eating habits & drinking will definitely be noticed and commented on. Also, I see a large number of business contacts & coworkers throughout the year. But everyone I see is infrequent, from less than monthly, to annually, so my weight loss is going to be very noticeable (hopefully!). I’m not sure how I’m going to answer well meaning questions about my eating or weight loss. I’m naturally an open book, but I don’t want to be open about my WLS. So I’ll need to come up with an answer that is truthful enough I won’t appear to be lying, but not the whole truth. I’m curious to find out what it will be like to drink post op (but once healed). I don’t intend to give up drinking, and my surgeon doesn’t require that I do. I have a reputation of being able to hold my liquor (considered an asset in my career). I know my tolerance will get lower as I lose weight. But I wonder how the sleeve will change the alcohol absorption and effects for me. I’ve told my mom and a few friends about my upcoming WLS, everyone is supportive (I obviously only told people who I knew would be). Last night I told the guy I’m dating, so that felt a little awkward. We didn’t have a big discussion about it, so I’d love to mind read and see how he really feels about it. Does he like my figure now and not looking forward to it changing? Is he just ok w my figure now, but looks forward to a thinner me? I’m obviously doing this for myself, so it doesn’t matter in the end, but I am curious. Definitely planning on plastic surgery when I get at or near my goal weight. Very fearful of the pain of a mommy makeover (even though I don’t have kids), but looking forward to the end result of being happy with my body. Any SoCal plastic surgeon recs appreciated!

I’m almost 9 months post-op, down 85 lbs. I eat what I want, but still eat my protein first and I fill up quickly. I have treats when I want but in very small quantities. Deeply grateful for the surgery and the freedom it’s given me, and feel like a million bucks. Now I don’t focus on food much and still drink almost no alcohol, which is a big change from pre-op. I don’t miss these things at all — feels freeing.

I would love to see some peer reviewed scientific studies that show Splenda is dangerous. I haven’t found any, but there could certainly be ones I’ve missed. Definitely check with your surgeon for their recommendation, but mine allows Splenda. I try to avoid all sweeteners when I can, but I definitely use protein shakes that are sweetened with Splenda. I also use products sweetened with sugar alcohols, stevia and monk fruit.

Sheila, hi I had the ESG procedure November of last year, just before Thanksgiving. I'm early 50's and yo-yo dieted for the last 15 years, gradually gaining 10-20 pounds per year since my mid 40's. I chose ESG because I wanted a permanent change (not the balloons) and felt more comfortable with the endoscope procedure (no incisions) than a vertical gastric sleeve. ESG procedure went very smoothly, I was not in pain, did not get nausea and was up and about within a day or two following procedure. After the long weekend I went back to work on Monday and there were no complications. I'm looking to lose about 80 pounds. As of late January I'm down 34 pounds and since the ESG it has totally changed my appetite and desire for food. I eat much less, don't have cravings and have eliminated most sugar from my diet (no processed foods, sweets, alcohol, etc.). Check some of my earlier posts for more details on diet, etc. Let me know if you have more questions, on this forum we're always glad to help and share our experiences! Tex

My doc was fine with me reintroducing alcohol after my 12 month follow-up. No binge drinking mind you, but with-in reason is absolutely fine he said. I follow all my guidelines and am doing well so far. I don't really break the "rules" on this stuff cause I get sick if I don't follow the protocol.

Statistics are just statistics. (And I say that as a person who does math for a living...) My ex and I broke up in July after 8.5 years together. (And that is like 50 years in the gay world.) We both lost a tremendous amount of weight, and while that had some to do with it, it wasn't all of it. The last 2-3 years had been rough, and the last year had bordered on unbearable. When we broke up, I told myself I didn't want to be stereotypical, but it had to happen. If you have a super strong relationship before you start your weight loss journey, you'll probably be just fine as long as you support one another and keep your communication strong. We didn't, and that's why our relationship had to end. Like choice of surgery, or alcohol consumption, this just depends on the particular life situation of the individual/couple. My parents both had WLS in the past 13 years, and they are still together and have been married for 43 years. I know many others in the same boat.

I'll chime in... First, I abstained from alcohol for the entirety of my six month pre-op diet program and the first 3 months post-op. I just wasn't willing to derail the progress I wanted to make on the front end of the surgery (where I lost 100 pounds by surgery day) or the first few months post-op. I took my ex on a monthlong tour of SE Asia at the 3 months post-op point. I spoke with my surgeon about alcohol on the trip, and he told me that I would be fine. His only recommendation was to take it easy and test things out at home before I went out in public with it. I am now 16 months post-op, and it has been 22 months since I started this journey. I follow a keto way of eating and am really particular about what I put in my body. I have lost 225 pounds, am below goal, and have maintained beautifully for several months now. Do I have alcohol? Yes, I do. I mostly have red wine and I mostly only have it when I am traveling for work or on the weekends. Drinking has always been a very social thing for me. Yes, there are statistics about WLS and alcoholism just there are statistics about losing more weight with a bypass than a sleeve. But, I'll same the same thing about the alcohol as I did about the bypass vs sleeve weight loss issue in a thread the other day. It depends on the person. If you were inclined toward alcoholism before, you will be now. If you are eating and exercising like you should, a few drinks (especially with low- or no-carb mixers) probably won't cause you a problem. I had a sleeve and have been more successful than many bypass patients. It just depends on each person's story. But if your alcohol calories outnumber your food calories, that is an issue. Something to think about. To each his own. I have no issue with it, and never have gained one once from it, but I am also crazy obsessed about what I eat and how often I imbibe. It's all about balance, in my opinion. Good luck!

You're welcome. My answers to those questions are thus: 1. How long did you go before having your first drink? 8 days. 2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol? None so far, but it hasn't been long for me. 3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol? Not applicable to me because I am still in the losing phase. I do feel that I would lose faster if I went absolutely dry but I will not be doing that. 4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before? I am drinking less than I was before surgery. I do not think this will be a problem for me, but again I am not that far out yet. Furthermore regarding food, I am having a similar experience, I am able to eat only about 1-2 oz (by weight) of food at meal times. So, that is hardly anything (like 3-4 bites). So intake for me is typically 2 protein shakes, yogurt and for dinner 1-2 oz of food, and water of course.

The US divorce rate is 50%. The divorce rate for people who have had bariatric surgery is 75-85% Read that again. If you have had bariatric surgery, your chance of getting divorced within two years is 75-85%. Split the difference....and 8 out of 10 of us....will get divorced in the next two years. There is no way in hell I would add alcohol to that equation and those odds. it is really important to pay attention to your relationships and do the work required to keep them healthy. I don't see alcohol as a beneficial part of that. My marriage is incredibly important to me. 25 years this year. I have seen way too many marriages go down the crapper...over something as utterly unnecessary as alcohol. Given the physical changes in digesting and tolerating it....and the fact that we're already losing a big coping crutch (food) and that alcohol abuse and dependency are documented to increase post surgery.......it just seems like the perfect storm for a really bad outcome. To me. Others will have different views and keep rolling the dice. To each their own. Free will, and all that:)

sucralose is not a sugar alcohol. sugar alcohols include xylitol, erythritol, etc. and they are, in my opinion, a much better choice than Splenda.

Risk for Alcohol Abuse Intensifies after Bariatric Surgery: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/887243 Food for thought.

Q: Can I drink alcohol after surgery? A: Alcohol is not recommended after bariatric surgery. Alcohol contains calories but minimal nutrition and will work against your weight loss goal. For example, wine contains twice the calories per ounce that regular soda does. The absorption of alcohol changes with gastric bypass and gastric sleeve because an enzyme in the stomach which usually begins to digest alcohol is absent or greatly reduced. Alcohol may also be absorbed more quickly into the body after gastric bypass or gastric sleeve. The absorbed alcohol will be more potent, and studies have demonstrated that obesity surgery patients reach a higher alcohol level and maintain the higher levels for a longer period than others. In some patients, alcohol use can increase and lead to alcohol dependence. For all of these reasons, it is recommended to avoid alcohol after bariatric surgery. (American College of Surgeons, 2011)

I drink so seldom I forgot about the alcohol rule. My kiddo made some homemade cherry mead and wanted me to taste it last week .... it had completely slipped my mind. I took a tiny sip...and that one little sip of mead burned like rubbing alcohol on a paper cut going down. It really hurt...and I remembered immediately that it was too soon. I took a big drink of water (which helped a lot) and looked up the alcohol rule. (and went...ah, crap!) I might repeat the experiment...next Christmas.

Myself and others that I know in the area have all been told no alcohol for a year. The reason not being completely on the intolerance, but more on the higher likelihood of alcoholism and addiction since it takes so little to get the buzz. Take a look at how and when you are eating. If you are grazing on stuff throughout the day, then that could be why you are only tolerating small amounts of non 'real-food.' I was told to eat at least 2-3 hours apart. No liquids 30 mins before or 30 mins after. To each their own. I hope you don't get any major complications from your current path.

Feel free to do what you want to do with your own body, and you are perfectly within your rights to do so, but I think you set a bad example. Even if only one person decides to disregard their doctor's orders (like your example with alcohol) and they hurt themselves or complicate their health, then you have contributed to it.

Real food sucks...I have it on occasion and 1-2 oz's max. Protein shake in the morning, then munch on nuts, cheese, beef jerky and protein bars throughout the day, then have a few bites of whatever the fam's having for dinner. Doc said no alcohol for 6 months post op. Yeah, right. I've been drinking as regularly as I did before (sans beer ) since the full liquid stage. Tolerance was low for about a day or two, then back to normal. Exercising as per the nutritionist's guidelines, though, so not doing everything wrong. 75 pounds in a little over 2 months. Extreme hypertension down to near-normal. No regrets. Am I alone in just doing it my way?

Splenda is sucralose, a sugar alcohol, I would make sure my doctor is okay with it, but I usually err on the side of safety. Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

I was denied due to recreational drinking and mmj being on my medical record. Has anyone had any success with appealing the process? I was never given an opportunity to appeal officially, either, so if anyone knows who I can call that’d be great. I’ve gained an additional 15 pounds since I was denied. My body is in an awful state. My mental health isn’t much better (the news was pretty devastating). I’ve got another appointment with my doctor in hopes that I can try to talk to her. All I received was a call from her nurse telling me I was denied entry to Options. They told me I have to wait a year for sobriety despite the fact that I am not a heavy drinker nor a heavy pot smoker. I would quit both alcohol and pot cold turkey if I had to - they have no real significance for me. At this rate I am considering paying entirely out of pocket. I’ve never been so disappointed with my insurance before. I am so miserable. Only 25 pounds off 300 lbs which is the heaviest I’ve ever been. I am so afraid.

Six months is the recommendation at my group, but the overwhelming advice it to avoid it permanently. I know some people do continue to drink after six months, but alcohol will feel different...both in absorption rate and the way it's digested. It might cause you problems, so approach reintroduction very cautiously.

When did everyone start to drink alcohol?

Wow! I know this has nothing to do with your thread. But I saw you speak at the Hillary Clinton Nomination! Thank You for all that you have done!!!!!!! Now onto your post. No a doctor never should have called you a name. Yes, we are all addicts. Addictions will never go away. I will always be a food addict. The day I forget that I am an addict is the day I break what I am supposed to do. We are all food addicts. That is the reason why we are in the positions we are in. Why do some people cheat on their liquid diets? It is because we are addicts. It doesn't mean we aren't ready for surgery. Heck. Very few people can stick 100 percent to the liquid diet. Just look at this forum. Does that mean those people aren't ready for surgery? No. Should they be insulted the way PeachesCat was? No. We are here for reinforcement. Positive reinforcement. If an alcoholic fell off the wagon they don't need to be attacked. They need to be supported and to tell them start again immediately. You can do it PeachesCat. I am sorry if you are still as sick as you are in that picture. Do not let anybody on a forum get you down. You are going to do great and remember. Nobody needs to insult you. Not a doctor or a unnamed person on a message board. Thank you for your service and your speech with Hillary was AMAZING.