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I have done the alcohol thing but I do t think you guys understand how much there is lol. It’s gonna take days [emoji849] Thanks **I’m losing it**

I agree with the alcohol. Just pour some into some gauze and let it soak for a few minutes. Comes right off.

Alcohol pads did It for me

Hi all, this is my 2nd time here. I had my sleeve i think in august 2014. I have put it all back on due to stress and my daughter developed an eating disorder. I had to eat what she was eating,so she would eat it. Not to mention the amount of alcohol it took to numb me from the pain, watching my daughter slowly disappear in front of me. I remember when i was on here last, seeing people put back on the weight they had lost. I wonder how the hell could that happen. Well i’m now one of those people. Started Weight Watchers, cheaper then going back to a dietitian. My husband is away for a few months so i’m Going to get myself into a routine before he gets back. Can’t wait to get back to a healthy weight.

Okay I've always had mental issues, clinical depression, anxiety, ptsd and a history of being abused as a child yadda yadda (the stereotypical poster child for low self esteem)... But never once did I think losing a bunch of weight would be the sole solution to all my life problems, but yes it has greatly improved my quality of life, health wise most importantly and I wouldn't change my weightloss journey for anything in the world, yet I've always understood no matter what I will always be a damaged person. That is not to say I can't change and I consider myself a work in progress but sometimes I'm not sure what I'm doing. Before I always had a child like mind and was considered naive, innocent and easy to take advantage of (but part of me actually knew what was going on, just too meek to say anything and I often play dumb to avoid conflict). I had only been in one relationship in my 34 years of life (that relationship lasted 12-13 years) and when he moved on I just completely gave up on living and hardly went outside for 8 years, just stayed in my room and rotted away and hoped everyone forgot I existed and that I would just eventually die. For years it was told to me that I was disabled and just beyond help and I'd be better off living my days in group homes or facilities for the mentally ill and despite me knowing it was untrue I just gave into whatever everyone said about me until that one day I the found fire and strength in me to turn my life around. 3 years later and everything is much different now, people can't believe I'm the same person. I finally got over my fears and learned how to drive, got a car ,got a job, live on my own in and...got the sleeve which means I dropped a lot of weight. I've grown up and changed a lot...Except in one area where I am very much like a teenage girl. My "love" life. While I'm attracted to men it's like their a whole different species and I don't understand them at all. Even when I was in the relationship with my ex he left me because he wanted someone "in better shape." So I always assumed I'm gross and unwanted with a big part of it being because of the weight. So last summer I weighed about 200 pounds. I had just started fixing myself up more and my mom introduced me to this guy she thought would make a great friend since we were both shy and had similar personalities. Our friendship grew into a little more over the 4 month span but he never wanted anything else from me so I respected that, but he knew I liked him and we had been intimate on a few occasions and all of a sudden he just stopped and just wanted to stay platonic. I later found out that he had someone else but never told me and it crushed me. He said something to the effect of "When you get smaller you'll be a killer and I'll be bummed that you don't like me anymore." Yet the women he chose is heavy set as well and she is 19 years older than him and not to be mean but she is a known drunk, so yeah it was a major blow and I felt like crap. Despite my mom saying "It's not you, just he has his own deeps issues and prefers women who he feels need him." I still took it hard and looked everywhere for some sort of validation as a person and because of it I put myself in dangerous situations. In the quest of opening my eyes and seeing what else is out there, wanting to feel desired and connect with someone... I went on random dates with pretty much any guy who showed interest, even strangers who showed red flags from the beginning by repeatedly insisting I drink alcohol when I said I don't drink or as soon as I got into this one guy's car after talking to him on the phone for 2 weeks thinking he was going to take me out somewhere first thing he did was grabbed my boobs and stuck his tongue down my throat. I tried going to social atmospheres like bars and clubs, but it's really not my thing. I'm just really horrified at this point about dating because I feel like the majority of men are creeps and I'm not sure how to go about finding a decent one or knowing when I'm ready to.

The first few weeks drinking any liquid has to be slow and careful, you are healing and this takes time. I am nearly 3 months out and can take pretty good sized gulps now. Prior to surgery, I really worried about how in the heck will I eat without drinking liquids? - but it was mostly all in my head, it's not that big of a deal, and I drink up to 15 minutes before eating solid food. The first few weeks before solids don't worry about that rule of waiting - you will need every ounce of liquids you can get down. I had one sip of champagne on NYE and it was fine. I also had half a glass of wine a week ago and it was also fine. I am however not much of a drinker anyway, and it isn't a lifestyle to aspire to when getting healthy is your goal. YOU have to decide what is most important to your well being - food and alcohol or the chance to have a healthy body that will support you for years to come. We all have the fear of the unknown, don't let that keep you from making important decisions.

One of the reasons we have this op is to change our lives to make them better, healthier and happier, so there will be big changes, there will be things that are different and you very well may be a different person. However, I absolutely love the person that I now am. I love how I feel physically and mentally and I love the clothes I can now wear and I can't believe just how unhappy I was before. I am nearly 3 years out, I can eat pretty much anything if I chose to but in small portions - although I love how I am no longer a slave to all the crap I was eating before - I am not a big drinker but I do have the occasional alcoholic drink. I do still find it a bit of a struggle with not being able to drink and eat at the same time but its a very very minor issue. Having the op was the BEST decision I have ever made. Thats not to say there haven't been challenges, you have to work at it you still have to chose the right foods, you still need to exercise, there will be some things you miss and you may encounter stalls, but OMG the rewards from this journey just don't compare to anything you might have to give up or change. You will always find negative people and people for who it has not gone as they hoped. Don't be drawn into the negative or the what ifs, look at this as an exciting journey to an amazing new you, go into it with your head high and your determination strong. Good luck with everything and if you have any questions I'm more than happy to be a support.

Yes, you can eventually have alcohol (in moderation) again. I brought alcohol back in around 3 months post-op. I strictly adhered to the 30 minutes before and after eating no drinking rule for at least a year post-op. I've relaxed that somewhat now, especially if I am eating out, but generally, I can't drink that much while I am eating without feeling bad. So, I more or less adhere to that, but I do have a sip here and a sip there. It is normal to have reservations. This is a big change. But there comes a time when you have to decide what is more important -- your health or these other things (certain foods and drinks, routines, etc.). I just bought a new pair of slim fit jeans in a 31X32 and a beautiful cashmere sweater size small. That means SO MUCH MORE TO ME than any food, drink or routine! Good luck!

I have been scheduled to have the operation on the 29th of this month and saw the sergeant today, he reassured me that it is really safe. On the other hand I have been talking to people and I have been getting mixed feelings, some told me that you will never ever be able drink alcohol, never never be able to drink (any drink) and eat at the same time, some said I am not big enough to have the surgery (by pass). I am 159 cm and 105 kg. I am really scared now and really wondering if I am never going to be enjoying the things I enjoyed before or am I going to become someone else. Has anyone else these kind of mixed emotions like this before the operation???

There's some scary statistics that at least in my group they didn't really highlight. One is the alcoholism or other addiction rates (they mentioned it, but never shared rates). The other is an 85% divorce rate according to one study. Kind of crazy... hoping to not do either of those things myself...

Its funny to find this topic, we just talked about this at the support group tonight!... My team says 18 months to 2 years, and to be at home or somewhere safe when we first try it out. They said that it was because it will affect you differently. And because there's such a risk for transferring addictions, they said if you have one and think "wow that was really good, I want another" that you probably shouldn't. We have 3 people post op in our support groups who attend AA meetings. Apparently 1 in 10 wls patient will end up becoming an alcoholic. (at least that's what they said!) Scary stuff! I'll definitely be staying away from it other than for special occasions , but everyone is different. Just be careful!

I waited 3 months post-op to have any alcohol. Since then, I have had it in moderation (mostly in social situations and only red wine or carb-free liquor drinks). At 16 months post-op, and below goal with a 225 pound total loss, I have no issues with it. In fact, I usually weigh less after drinking because it dehydrates me a bit. While I return to my regular weight the next day, I have never gained an ounce from it. YMMV. But, as folks have said in the thread, be mindful of the calories, and watch out for the sugar and carbs in many of the mixers. And, most of all, listen to your doctor's advice.

I drank some Skinny Girl Margarita and a zero calorie carbonated grapefruit drink as a mixer. I dont know how but I guzzled those things and before I knew it, I drank two 750 ml bottles to myself! (I was the only one drinking them at a party!) What this did was it got me drunk fast but I believe it flushed through me just as quickly so the high never got really bad - does that make sense? Pre surgery I would have been falling all over the place! It also made me crave some bad food carbs so I ended up nibbling the wrong things ALL night long. For me, the moral of the story is I overdrank and overate before WLS and I clearly did the same POST WLS and I can no longer drink alcohol. Big part of why, after two short months, my weight loss has slowed. I wont be doing that again. Plus I got like four different guys phone numbers and woke up with a huge hickey - eh, maybe I will do it again kidding!

Oh, we are so much alike. I was thinking also about trying one last time. I know I would have to really starve, and deep inside I know it's not goint to be sufficient no matter what I do. Also, how much time am I going to spend in this mode, struggling with no real results. It's not magically going to change after turning 35, that's for sure. I feel you on the snowballing. Knowing how much harder dieting gets for each time you have gained weight, it's so not motivating. What about alcohol? Tried any of that yet? Hope you'll have a great trip to Vegas, and that you get some time off to do fun stuff there too

My surgeon told me to wait a year to drink any kind of alcohol. That’s going to be hard for me because I like to have a drink on my birthday and I had my sleeve December 5th 2017 and my birthday is January 28th.

This is the bigger reason so much caution is used in regards to alcohol. I'll have to look up the stats but the rate that people turn into alcoholics after WLS is significant. Lower inhibitions may lead to eating more or eating things that you shouldn't.

How long can you drink alcohol after gastric sleeve surgery ? whiskey vodka tequila beer .

Hi everyone! Here's a new twist on an old subject matter - a bad breakup. I was happy, healthy, losing weight and working out. I had lost a solid 67 lbs since my June 14 surgery, had a great boyfriend and was really doing well. Then, on December 26, my BF and I broke up. It was sudden and I was absolutely blindsided. I moved out of his apartment and moved in with my bestie and her husband in CT, away from my job (which I lost), my neighborhood, everything that I know. The old Diane would be drowning her sorrows in Ben and Jerry's, crying and eating. The new Diane? She can't do that. She can't even eat ice cream because post surgery, she is lactose intolerant. She can't eat chips and dip, or go to McDonalds and get fries and a shake, she can't eat a lot of sweets, she can't drown her sorrows in food, she can't eat her emotions. And, she can't drink alcohol, because she's a freaking lightweight again, like a 14 year old girl at her first kegger. Damn it. But here's the good thing - the new Diane went to the gym and decided to get serious about working out. She is pushing herself harder than ever. She goes for an hour a day and REALLY works out, climbs the Stair Mill, takes a class, does 200 squats in the evening, does a lot of cardio. Why? Because she's in pain and needs to channel that pain somehow and also because SHE CANNOT EAT HER FEELINGS. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you all to know how your relationship with food will change once you have this surgery. You learn to channel your emotions differently, you learn that food is not always the answer, you learn that alcohol won't solve your problems. Food and drink change post surgery. You have to learn to deal with your emotions instead of running to your comfort food or drink. And it sucks. It sucks big time. Instead of gaining the post breakup 10 lbs that I normally do, I've lost 10 pounds. Maybe too much for me to lose in a couple of weeks. I had no appetite and I struggled to eat. But better to lose than to gain, to overeat, to push my stomach to full over and over again. I couldn't do it. So I'm now 20 lbs to goal instead of 30, and I've lost 218 lbs too (that's how much my BF weighed). He was a good guy and I will miss him, but things happen for a reason. And this was a good lesson for me to learn.. how to deal with strong emotions without the comfort of food. I think we all know that food isn't always our friend. We need it, but we don't need to be dependent upon it to get through some tough times. I am still crushed and hurt, and I miss him, but I really don't miss the food hangover that goes along with a bad breakup. Silver linings....

Doesn't sound like fun. I'd also take a look at anything you're eating that could have a laxative effect. For example sugar alcohol is in a bunch of sugar free and bariatric stuff (especially calcium supplements) and that can cause that. Hope you get it figured out, I think some kind of pad or diaper is a good idea until you get it figured out, that way it is just annoying VS a catastrophe if you're at work.

I am with you on this one. Once I get through surgery, my goal is to never touch the trigger foods again. My goal is to make life about not living to eat, but living for life. I don't have self-control either so it's wise for me to treat those trigger foods like an alcoholic abstains from alcohol.

I strictly avoid processed sugars. I have a sweet tooth and that is one of the major causes that contributed to my weight gain over my lifetime. I limit myself to artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda and sugar alcohols), to natural low calorie sweeteners (such as Stevia) and to the natural sugars found in fruits and milk. I had diabetes. That went into remission when I left the hospital two days after surgery and I have not taken any diabetic medicine ever since and my blood sugar levels are good. I am almost 5 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. I test my blood sugar levels periodically. I read the labels of all food that I consume. I look at the grams of sugar per serving. If it is above 5 grams, I look at the ingredients. The ingredients are listed in order by highest percentage, and if the first 5 ingredients contain processed sugar (in any of its many forms), then I avoid this food, like a plague.

Sleeved October 17, 2017. I’m out with friends tonight and I got a fruity drink with barely any alcohol mainly just juice lol but I’ve been holding onto it most of the night cause I’m nervous to drink it. Will one light drink do anything? I know to stay away from it but I’m nervous

I've got around 10-12 close friends, all retired like me (who have all known me since 1985/1990) and who have seen me live through slight overweight all the way to morbid obesity. Two of them know I have had the surgery. About seven or eight of them tell me to my face AND on near daily Facebook posts that I am losing too much weight and that my two to five hours daily exercise 27 days per month will kill me. They implore me to stop. I'm not sure what it is they worry about: (1) that I am now no more obese than two or three of them? (2) that I exist on about a third the food in public that I used to? (3) that I exist on water or only one alcoholic drink per evening when I am out with them? (4) that my priorities have shifted since six months ago? (5) that their wives tell them how much better I am looking? (6) that a few of them are dealing with health issues other than obesity and I am winding my obesity and medications back? I dunno!

Hi! I’m having surgery January 16th too. I am on liquids, Protein Shakes and specific veggies only. Anyone else? I am so glad this was required. I also have been off of all alcohol and on a restricted diet for the last 2 months. Here we go gang! I’m excited!

I read a lot about constipation prior to my surgery. While in the hospital they gave me sugar free jello, which I know has Sugar Alcohol which side effects is a laxative. So I ate one at every meal. It worked when I got home. I've had some form of diarrhea since being home every day. About the gas, oh my, it's horrible and at times very painful. I think I'd rather have a loose bm than constipation that I've read hurts really bad. I just try to keep up with my liquid requirements so that might help you. Also adding Benefiber to my protein shake helped. Today is one month since my surgery and I've lost 18 post op. Got really sick for the last 2+ weeks and I stopped losing even though I didn't eat much. I was dehydrated that entire time and still get my liquids but it's on the lower requirements. Now I'm losing again. As for your hiatal hernia, as much as you didn't know you had one prior to surgery, it won't give you any pain afterwards either. I had one 6 yrs ago and it was repaired when I had lap band surgery. Never felt a thing and my doctor said I wouldn't. With this sleeve surgery he said he did a few stitches with the hernia to help support it (I had a blockage last year which they think stretched it). Be sure to eat and drink slow or else you can backed up or the stomach get full too fast and hurt. I've only had a few times where I can feel it wanting to come up but I slowed down, stood up and it went down. I haven't yet get anything backed up to my throat or throwing up. I have a bad habit of eating too fast so there's been times I have and my new sleeve really hurts and I have to deal with it. Now I've backed off eating some things, went back to softer foods and stopped eating before I feel I'm full. That's helped. I don't think swallowing has to do with the hernia but maybe go back on shakes only and see if that helps.