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Hi Engelyn, I understand your fears. I have some of the same especially around alcohol restriction and people knowing. I'm taking this as an opportunity to stop alcohol consumption for good as I know it's one of the main things that gets me to put on weight and I'm better off without it. Once I start socializing again, I'll be drinking water with lemon and graduating to sparkling water with lemon. I've bought different types of citrus essential oils and 1 drop in 1 glass water makes it taste great. I've only told my very best friends that I'm getting a sleeve. Everyone else I've told I'm being operated for a hiatial hernia and that the doctor is putting me on a liquid only diet afterwards (true!) Graduating to smoothies and finally after 1 month, easy solids (true!). I say that I'll most likely lose some weight and that this is an added bonus! So, when people see me eating less and losing they won't be surprised. Then I'll just say that I'm taking the opportunity to continue eating well and losing (true!). As for social life afterwards, I'll still be going out but eating less and mainly proteins and drinking water. The main thing is being out with friends and socializing, enjoying their company. People don't really notice what you drink as long as you have a glass in front of you. I'll also be meeting people more for coffee and teas. I hope my thoughts help you in some way.

I've been ghosting, this is my first post. I am scheduled for January 11, one week! I am very nervous, especially when I read stories of complications. Pre-op diet going good since the 26th, except for some champagne and bad snacks at a party on NYE... But still already down 11lbs during pre-op. My diet right now is protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a small protein forward dinner w/ veggies. Been having Oikos triple zero and sugar free jello for snacks when I get home from work as well. I am a bundle of worries and fears, these being the biggest ones: - Complication from surgery - Alcohol and carbonation restriction (I am [hopefully "was"] a daily drinker, diet cokes during the day and wine and beer at night) - Regaining weight after losing a lot (I regained weight after being on Medi Weight Loss and losing 100 lbs 5 years ago) - Returning to work quickly (I run a business and cannot afford not to be back) - The diet ruining my active social life which revolves around friends and going out for drinks/food. - People finding out about my surgery and thinking that is was the "easy way out". I have only told my SO and my BFF. There are other smaller fears but it felt good to write those out!

So funny how all doctors seem to be different in their protocol. Mine said just 6 weeks for carbonated alcohol and only 5 weeks for non-carbonated! Had no adverse effects.

I’m in the same boat I’m 2 years out in March and I’ve regained exactly how much I’m to scared to look lately but it was 5kgs a few months back drinking alcohol has been the biggest issue as I get drunk fast but I use to never drink prior to surgery now I do every night except the last week I’ve stopped I can also eat bread and chocolate and lollies I was sleeved and wish I had chosen RNY so I’d atleast get dumping and not continue to eat bad things I snack all the time and don’t exercise I’m miserable I Was self pay and cannot believe I’m having these issues now I was so good in the beginning so strict Please let me k ow how your going with your weight loss

I 100% live by the anything in moderation idea at this point in my journey because I know my triggers, what to avoid personally and when I can allow myself a "treat". I didn't want to live on a "diet" for the rest of my life but instead wanted to learn to eat normally. I will be the first to admit that I allowed myself to indulge a little over the holidays and now I'm back on track with my normal diet. That being said, I'm a year post op and 12 pounds from my goal weight. When I was a month out from surgery, I was still on pureed and I followed my plan to a T. I was also not allowed alcohol before 6 months. It is absolutely dangerous to stray from the plan this early out for multiple reasons, most importantly your stomach is still healing, which I think is what many previous posters were concerned about. If you are allowed alcohol and sweets per your plan at this point, great! Indulge, enjoy and get back on track but if you are not, I would stick to the your doctors plan. Sweets, alcohol, carbs and all that will still be here in the future and you can indulge when you want then.

I've been up and down with my weight over the years. I didn't realize how "up" I had gotten again until we took a family trip to Florida and went to Universal Studios. We went to get on a ride and I couldn't get the shoulder bars to lock into place. So I had to get off while the rest of the family went on the ride. I wanted to die right then and there. I feel your pain. My sciatica had gotten so bad about 2 years after that where I couldn't walk for more than 5 minutes without being in horrible pain. That finally drove me to get my sleeve done. You're taking the right approach. Too many overlook the mental aspect of having WLS. The surgery is a tool. If I really wanted to it would be easy to take up a diet that would lead me to gaining weight back. Food is just as addictive as any drug, alcohol, tobacco, etc. I equate it to overcoming being an alcoholic – you’re never really “over” it. Some days it will be a battle to stay strong. Over time it gets easier and easier and you don’t think about it as much, but there will be times when you have to fight those urges. Some days/weeks are really tough, but as time has gone by it gets a bit easier to fight those urges. I never thought I’d be able to give up smoking and I did. It’s a long journey but having the right mindset will give you all the more success on the other side, and you’re on the right path. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Drinking for me was interesting. I didn't touch alcohol until over six months out. And all it takes is a single glass of wine or a shot or two and I feel it pretty fast. It also wears off very fast for me though (not a great combo btw). I think everyone is unique in how they handle alcohol post op. My advice, especially now that I went down that rabbit hole... Just don't go there at all. It's not worth it. Like some people can eat ice cream or milkshakes/Fraps. These are the rare items that I've had dumping with. I won't go near them now. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey Dimples58, Soooooooo.....drinking after wls is truly different for every person. I was also advised by my medical crew that I would not be able to tolerate much alcohol, BUT this was not true for me. I can drink a sailor under the table. Lol! This is not good though because it's a lot of calories and causes weight gain. My first attempt was a shot of whiskey about 6 months post op and I felt nothing. The only time I feel it quickly is if I don't eat first.

Good morning, i was just curious, did drinking alcohol effect you any different than before the WLS? I was told that we wouldn't be able to tolerate drinking the least amount and that one small dip would put us over the edge quickly. What was your experience and do you drink?

I've returned to BP due to regain as well. I need to get refocused. I'm a little over 2 years our and 2017 kicked my butt. It's entirely my own fault. I was heartbroken by a betrayal and also started a new job and went back to old bad habits of using food for comfort. Stopped running. Drank a lot of alcohol. Sigh I gained back 50 of the 115 that I lost. I'm starting new with protein goals and 64oz water daily. Getting my arse moving again. Etc. But it was a learning experience, a scary one, to see how easily I could screw up my own health even with the surgery. Over two years out and everything I eat still hurts: meat, cheese, veggies. Potatoes, pasta, and bread are the most painful for me. It's probably a blessing,even if it's a total bummer sometimes. My regain was a lot of liquid calories and learning to graze throughout the day. Lack of exercise. Bad food choices (when it ALL hurts, it isn't very motivating to avoid certain foods) A combination of a lot of things. But my restriction is still there. I eat like a toddler. Lol Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm not sure where to post this, so I hope this is OK. I had VSG in October of 2015 and lost 115 lbs by the following August (10 months out). I went from 254 to 139. My goal was 129, but I likely was in that ballpark because of loose skin weight, so I felt like I had hit my goal. I maintained that goal weight for six solid months. In December 2016 I had a betrayal by someone very close to me that I'm still not over. Somewhere in early 2017, I started eating more carbs. Grazing more often again. Drinking a lot calories, much of it alcohol. In the first year post op, I became a runner and was running up to five miles, 4-5 days a week. In 2017, it tapered off until I hadn't run in months and recently had to restart C25K completely, and couldn't even run 1/4 mile anymore without having to stop and walk again. I have regained almost fifty lbs and I am so pissed off and angry at myself. I cry daily over it. I have no clothes to wear. I was 188 last week. I saw a counselor at the end of 2016 and most of 2017 to try and deal with my "head stuff" and honestly feel like I did more damage than good. She was all about forgiving myself and it just ended up that I'd "binge" or not exercise and instead of trying to refocus, I'd just forgive it, make an excuse and do it again. I'm not sure of anyone here can even help me but I needed to post this and put it out there as a first step in being accountable for my actions again. I promised myself I wouldn't be a statistic with this surgery. I worked so hard and went through too much to end up here and I desperately need direction to get back on track. I have my 2 year check up with my surgeons office on Wednesday. I will tell them all of this, as well. Thank you for listening. Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

I do wonder if some patients get the "pain ball" at surgery and that's why they feel little pain after surgery? I know we each have different pain thresholds and prior use of alcohol or narcotics also jacks with the ability to manage pain after surgeries, but the way some sound in describing their pain after/versus how others describe no pain. The local anesthetic from a pain ball would certainly account for some of that difference!

My alcoholic brother called me "a fat f#cking b#tch !!" ...story gets better though...... A year later and 5 mths after my surgery the alcoholic said "you f#ckin b#tch" I was ready and prepared. I said, "that's right you can call me a f#cking b#tch but you can't call me a fat f#cking b#th no more, can you?!?! His mouth just dropped and he walked away and now I weigh less than him ........ I may have been fat but I'm not an alcoholic hurting everyone in their path Sent from my LGL84VL using BariatricPal mobile app

You're so right. I am not giving myself enough credit for all the good things i have done for my body. And ya it was just xmas and the end if the year that got me to sin a little. Overall, I haven't really been that bad, just the burrito and some alcohol was sending me on a guilt trip. But i'm back from my trip now and the new year is going to be awesome! 2016: worm [emoji218] 2017: cocoon [emoji946] 2018: butterfly 🦋 Thanks for your kind words and tips.

So, we all wan to eat like that but if you are doing that so quickly after surgery, you are setting yourself up for failure. Talk to your NUT about the best options for you. And really think about your priorities!! This is the time when it is easier to eat right so you should take complete advantage of it. Do everything right at this time because later it will be even more difficult if you don't set your good habits now. Keep a food log and be honest with what you are eating. Show this to your NUT. And if that scares you to show them, then you know you aren't doing it right. No burritos right now!!!! And just a warning about the wine -- there is a really good reason why they tell us to not drink wine/beer/alcohol, especially early on -- it is very common for people who have had WLS to transfer food addiction to alcohol. It may start out as a small glass of wine but that becomes bigger until it is a problem. I don't remember the statistics but the % of WLS patients becoming alcoholics is really high so please put the wine down for now!! Later on when you are in maintenance phase you can slowly bring it back. Besides, it is full of calories and sugar that you don't want to have right now. Best of luck to you -- keep us posted on how you are doing. We are all pulling for you.

Great progress!! You look amazing! Good thing you are traming your meals and cutting down your carbs/sugars/alcohol.. I hope you reach your weight goal soon. Happy holidays! 👌

I've lost 72 lbs. since having gastric sleeve surgery in June of 2017. These are the changes I've made this year. I no longer drink carbonated beverages. I don't eat bread, pasta, rice, tortillas or chips. I rarely indulge on alcohol or sugar. I only eat from a very small bowl or small dessert plate, using a teaspoon. I drink two protein shakes a day. I track all my food intake and activity. I am finding new ways to be fit. I recently started training for a 5k, and added weights back into rotation. Surgery is only a tool. It takes constant effort to lose and maintain weight. While I'm far from the end of this journey, my overall health and well-being have improved dramatically and I am ever so greatful to have my life back again! Sent from my SM-N920T using BariatricPal mobile app

WOW!!! You are Beautiful! Your skin just glows!! I don't know if anyone has said this or not but CROSS ADDICTION is REAL!! When we can't have food to help us deal, sometimes we move to other things: alcohol, sex addiction, exercise. We all need to be careful here because it is a slippery slope. I am not saying this in a bad way. I just want you to be aware. My hubby said that he hoped I was addicted to sex. LOL NOPE but I do love to shop online and clothes, boots, and purses are my things that I overdo for sure!! Just be aware,

Aloha All, These are my before and after pics at 8 months post op. starting weight 312 two weeks on pre op diet/ surgery day 302 current weight at 8 months post op 240 which are the two bottom pics. I have been losing quite slowly but can only blame myself due to my weakness for wine. My surgeon did warn against alcohol as it will slow weightloss. I am doing much better at abstaining from drinking! Good luck to those who have not made the jump yet and for those struggling, get back on your plan, you can do this! Happy New Year everyone:) Sent from my SM-N920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, absolutely. There are many reasons you fall off the wagon, usually falling off the wagon isnt introducing a bit more lean meat, vegetables and legumes in to your diet to ward off hunger, its going off the rails and eating high calorie and nutritionally void foods too frequently. Nobody gets obese eating comforting portions of lean meats, vegetables and legumes most of the time and treating themselves occassionaly. If you dont feel good eating filling portions of nutritionally dense food then you have a phycological issue, you arent suffering physically from this. Its difficult to gain weight by over indulging in lean protein and vegetables, but you can by over indulging in potatoes or high calorie processed foods. So I dismiss the idea that people stop eating nutritionally dense low calorie foods because? What? they're starving? What is the pressure that makes them not able to do it anymore? How is it not sustainable? Are they low on energy? If you are saying they dont feel good because they crave high calorie foods too often and want to give in to temptations often enough that it causes weight gain then that is phycological and can be changed with persistance its like an addiction. You wouldnt be saying this to an alcoholic. I felt like I wasnt getting anywhere on wholefoods after a while, but in hindsight if I kept going I would have broke the plateu eventually, even if I didnt it would be a better place than I am at now. I take full responsibility for mucking things up for me.

Hi everyone! I'm Morgan, and I was sleeved on 12/5. I'm about 3.5 weeks out. The first day was ROUGH. I pretty much vomited from the time I woke up until the next morning. I'm doing well now, and just really trying to adjust to this new normal. I am having trouble getting all of my protein in, though. I do really love Genepro. I hear a lot of people mix it with coffee, so I might try that. I can't tolerate flavored protein shakes (my pouch HATES) artificial sweeteners, Sylvia, Trulia, and sugar alcohols. Premier Protein had been the worst so far for me. Are there any other options out there that actually taste decent?

Glad you have a meter to monitor what's going on. I was diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia. (complication from surgery) I worked with my bariatric, sports medicine and diabetes dietitians to get better control over my blood sugars. Here is an article: If you are diagnosed, Work with your team to find what foods and meal frequency work for your body specifically. June 2015 Issue CPE Monthly: Nutrition Tips for Reactive Hypoglycemia After Bariatric Surgery Reactive hypoglycemia (also called postprandial hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, or noninsulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia) is characterized by recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia occurring two to four hours after a high-carbohydrate meal (or oral glucose load). Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, especially those in whom the pylorus is bypassed (gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch), may experience reactive hypoglycemia. The dietitian is key to helping these patients manage symptoms. Symptoms Patients may experience any of these symptoms one to three hours after a meal high in carbohydrates: hunger, feeling shaky, dizziness, sleepiness, sweating, anxiety, feeling weak, confusion, heart palpitations, fatigue, aggression, tremors, fainting, or loss of consciousness. Dietary Modifications Work with your patients to help them identify and eliminate from their diets simple sugars, concentrated sweets, high-fat foods, alcohol, caffeine, and lactose (possibly). They also should avoid skipping meals or consuming meals comprised only of carbohydrates. Focus on how you can help patients modify their diets, including the following: plan mini meals spaced equally throughout the day (three to four hours); make low-volume choices; consume high-protein levels at each eating occasion, pairing protein choices with complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables; choose healthful fats; and separate food and fluid intake by 30 to 60 minutes. Soluble fiber from guar gum, glucomannan, and pectin and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, (eg, acarbose) or somatostatin analogs (eg, octreotide) can help delay gastric emptying, increase small intestine transit time, and slow glucose absorption. Patient-Specific Tips Acknowledge that everyone may have different triggers for low blood sugar or reactive hypoglycemia. Advise patients to keep detailed food journals that you can review to identify patterns (eg, timing and amount eaten as snacks, meals, and drinks; blood sugar levels; feelings). Encourage patients not to use foods or drinks with added sugar to boost low blood sugar levels, as this can cause blood sugar crashes and spikes.

Congrats Brian, on starting to look at ways to change your life! I really encourage you to have an open conversation with your parents. I know they must also be very concerned about your fatty liver and are probably wondering how they can help you. I really like @Stella S's suggestion to get your PCP to hook you up with a nutritionist and maybe even someone like a physical therapist or trainer to get you started on a weight loss/exercise program. At the very minimum, your insurance company is going to want to see a 3-5 year history of your weight loss attempts. Even if you don't qualify for surgery until you are 18, you need to have doctor verified weights and also verify that you've worked with them to try to lose weight on your own. So start building the behaviors and history that will benefit your future self. There was a very important study done in Sweden on obese teens. It's important to note that the surgery helped resolve many obesity related diseases in the teens (including fatty liver resolution). But it's also important to note that up to 25% of the teens had to complications that let to more surgery or hospitalizations and vitamin deficiencies. Here are a couple of articles about this study: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170105213120.htm https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-01-good-long-term-results-obesity-surgery.html The thing is...that WLS only works long term if you actually change the behaviors that got us obese in the first place. In the early days, you will lose because of the surgery. It's like, even a blind squirrel will find the nut! But unless you really are focused on diet and lifestyle from then on out (tracking your food in a daily diary, weighing and measuring foods, making super healthy food choices at every meal, not sliding back into eating sugar and other carby crap, not drinking liquid calories or booze), the chances are good you will regain 50% of more of your previous weight. And even more, you will need to take vitamins on a set schedule and drink a set amount of liquids every day--for life. Those are pretty adult responsibilities that even a big majority of adults can't handle. You also really should avoid alcohol for life as well--and with a fatty liver, it's going to be really important for you to do the same regardless of having surgery. It sounds pretty depressing right? I mean, you're a 15 year old kid (male)...how do you NOT go to the kegger in college? How do you not pound down burgers and fries with friends? I'm bringing this up, because these are issues you MUST consider prior to surgery. Are you emotionally capable of choosing the road less traveled in order to experience health and a long life? Can you really exercise that type of control and maturity in the face of peer pressure? "Oh, that won't happen to me" belief will not protect you. It will happen to you. You will face these dilemmas. I hope you continue to process all the information and take initiative to start working with your family doc and a nutritionist/trainer and see if you can get a handle on things to start reducing your fatty liver. If you're drinking already...quit. I'm adding you to my prayers!!! ((hugs)) And I really believe you've taken the first step in working on a success plan for your future!!!

I felt just like this and had similar stats (was 247 when I started). I didn’t even really commit fully to the pre op/6 month diet. But I went back every month even if I hadn’t lost, mostly because I didn’t want to start over. Once my surgery approval came in, a month prior, it got a lot more real and I got serious. I started the plan with some rigor, cut out all sugar and alcohol, etc., and lost around 15 lbs pre-surgery. I’ve been a slowish-loser post-op but have been compliant, careful, diligent and have not gone back to my bad habits, and exercise 5x week and enjoy it. Am down almost 80 lbs, at around a .5 lb/week pace now. The surgery won’t “work” on its own but it’s a huge opportunity to change your life, and the weight loss is an awesome motivator to keep going. Good luck to you!!

I did too and I didn't take benadryl because I assumed it was because of normal healing (like any other itchy cut) so I very carefully cleaned the areas with alcohol and it helped a ton.