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This is from the Journal of the American Medical Association. It is entitled, "Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders Before and After Bariatric Surgery" at http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1185618

LOL... alcohol has not affected me either way, there is no difference pre or post op but I have heard that people either get more buzzed or less buzzed. I stayed the same (7 months post op)

Same thing with alcohol or nicotine while still in the healing phase. Addiction/dependency got the better of people. Luckily most of the time no serious consequences.

My nutritionist recommended avoiding alcohol the rest of my life. There is evidence in medical literature that bypass patients are at greater risk of alcohol dependence. But I love martinis. I do plan on drinking much less postop, and never on an empty stomach .

If you truly enjoy alcohol, then go for it. I would suggest being highly aware of the new way it gets processed. Everything in balance - the key is finding that new balance.

Very well said, @@vincereautmori! I joined BP in my research phase prior to deciding to have the sleeve surgery. Like many others here, my decision to have sleeve surgery was not for the sole purpose of losing weight; it was because of my health, i.e. non-alcoholic liver, diabetes, high blood pressure. My PCP recommended WLS to me since I had 100+ lbs. to lose and considering my age, history, etc. he felt it was my best option and I would be successful following surgery. For those of you still researching and deciding whether or not to have WLS, leave this subject thread and go to another, more positive forum that can provide you with the information and support you are seeking.

BRAVO!!! This is what we are trying to accomplish. Besides the immediate danger, the OP is setting herself up by continuing her normal "I crave it so I'm going to have it" habit. Not only are these months for healing, they are for completely changing you eating habits and your issues with food. It's a training period for when most people just really do not feel like eating normal foods anyway. Maybe we should have a pinned DO and DO NOT list posted and pinned like: DO follow your surgeons post-surgery diet to the letter DO eat Protein first and fill in the edges with a little healthy carbs like veggies and Quinoa. DO take your Vitamins, minerals and Calcium daily DO exercise when you get cleared DO drink all your water/fluids DO NOT eat popcorn or nuts until cleared to do so. DO NOT eat until you feel sick or hurt. DO NOT drink alcohol until cleared to do so and then WATCH IT. Cross additions are common and alcohol has tons of calories. DO NOT eat nutritionally devoid high calorie foods such as white flour, white rice, high sugar, etc. DO NOT eat highly processed foods. The last two are debated by some people, but as a rule I follow the last 3 except for very special occasions.

@@LynnAlex My best friend had a band installed 5 years ago. He lost some weight, it was up and down, fills were common and he had a lot of problems finding foods he could eat. He lost about 40 pounds and sort of stayed there. Two years ago he deployed (as a civilian) to Afghanistan and having nothing to do, decided to get back into the military workout routine. He lost 50 pounds. Came home and had a fill. As it turns out they overfilled him. He figured he would just keep losing weight and grow into the fill. He gained weight back, 10-20 pounds up and down and has been in that range for the last two years. He had the fill reduced 2 weeks ago, and lost six pounds in his first week. The problem was the fill was so tight all he could eat were soft carbs, so in spite of walking 25K steps EVERY SINGLE DAY and being one of the most active people I know he was not losing any weight. Now that the fill set correctly, he can eat hard Protein again and had lost about 15 pounds. However, he still eats what he wants. If he wants a snickers bar, he eats one. So in spite of the band, he'll remain around his current weight just because he pushes his caloric intake everyday. Oh he is also a nighttime alcoholic, what was the odd beer or two at night is now, 8-10 oz of Jack seven days a week. I love him like a brother and would take a bullet for him (we enlisted together), but I cannot solve his drinking problem. He has to realize it's a problem, and given his past history he won't until it is too late and his wife leaves him. The point of all this was soft carbs versus hard protein, in 3 weeks I go to an unrestricted diet, and intend on eating solid foods as much as humanly possible, because with the exception of my beloved yogurt, I am a bit tired of soft food. This just gave me an idea for a chicken stir fry I could probably eat......

So I'm 6 weeks post op and experimenting with different options. I'm on a full diet and return to work Aug 6 (teacher) so I said I would try a bar to see if that could be an option if I'm in a jam or working late unplanned. I ate the bar slowly, it went down well and I was very full. About an hour later....my stomach started to send me hate mail lol. It is the first belly ache that I've had post op. Ugh! Soon after you know where I had to spend some quality time (at least I finally finished 50 Shades while in there lol). When I looked at the ingredients I think it was the sugar alcohols which I didn't have much trouble with before. Welp....cross those off my list!

@@SweetPeas So glad to hear that the medical professionals on your team said no alcohol! Where did you have your surgery? @@SweetPeas So glad to hear that the medical professionals on your team said no alcohol! Where did you have your surgery?

Actually, for me it isn't about the alcohol at all. It's more the all-or-nothing, "WLS patients can't be trusted to make good decisions" attitude that fries me. I'm a grownup. This is my life, my sleeve, and my health. I accept full responsibility for them.

@@beinghappy2day Transfer addictions do happen, I believe. My point in writing this article is in relation to the governing body's recommendations. My point is not about being absolute or overbearing... it's specifically related to the bariatric professionals who are the "leaders of the pack." My position is that this governing body needs to have a more definite RECOMMENDATION, based on the fact that alcohol is a toxin that can have deleterious effects on the absorption of essential nutrients, in addition to other possible negative effects. Thank you for posting!

@@2goldengirl Please remember that I am only talking about RECOMMENDATIONS. And recommendations from those who are the governing body of WLS. It's not about saying ALL or NOTHING, nor does where I am coming from having anything to do with WLS patients being able to make good decisions - or not. What I am saying is that BECAUSE alcohol is a toxin and may interfere with absorption of essential nutrients, the governing body's RECOMMENDATION, not MANDATE, be that it is not a wise decision to consume alcohol after weight loss surgery. I totally agree that each and every person is responsible for their own health. Thank you!

My general rule of thumb these days is this: just because you can do something (according to your surgeon) doesn't mean you should. Though more often than not I think surgeons go way over the top alarmist about food, caffeine, alcohol, etc. For me, at one month post op I was not eating much carbs - only cooked veggies and some fruit. I am more than 2 months out now and I can tolerate protein-infused oatmeal okay but rice, Pasta and bread feel like bombs going off in my stomach. I avoid as much as possible.

Speaking only for myself, I'd prefer an occasional glass of wine to an occasional four Cookies, hands down. I'm an adult. I'm educated and capable of educating myself about the pros and cons of alcohol intake now that I'm sleeved. I neither want or need anything beyond education on the matter from my bariatric team. Like every bite I put in my mouth and every step I take toward improved fitness, these are my responsibilities for my life, and my lifetime. I neither want nor need draconian edicts in an attempt to scare me into adherence into what anyone thinks I "must" do, or not. It's paternalistic, patronizing, and unwelcome.

So 3 for 3 answers that yes alcohol loosens the band. Anyone else? As far as my weight loss, It feels like maybe. I am moving tomorrow, lot's of stress....not easy. I will give myself another month to post whether or not I have had a loss.

Hi Gina. I have IBS as well. I was hospitalized as a toddler for a week - diagnosis: nervous stomach. Which of course became Spastic Colon, then IBS. Now, at 54 I got so fed up with how I was feeling that i decided I wasn't going to feel like it another day. I started doing research. I discovered while doing research that sorbitol and other sugar alcohols are in so many things (xylitol, mannitol, etc.). Even in my toothpaste. And more importantly, I was taking Cipralex Meltz which contain sorbitol - I can honestly say I felt poisoned. So - lactose intolerant, IBS and a pretty bad intolerance for sugar alcohols (something I figured out 5-6 years ago but didn't know I was ingesting every single day). When I went to my doctor and explained all these thing she said - "I know what's wrong with you!" - She told me about the Low FODMAP diet - a Doctor in Australia (with celiac) discovered the correlation between certain foods and intolerances, and sugar alcohols and their effect on people with gastro-intestinal problems. The biggest factor for me has been removing sorbitol completely. I'm super vigilant about this. My brain-fog just disappeared, my gut/bowel was so much better after that. I'm fairly good at not eating the many fruits and vegetables, fructose, fructans, etc that are all part of this. I just could not understand why when I ate I avoided dairy but my almost instant diarrhea happened all the same. It was awful. I'm not completely out of the woods, but I feel control for the first time in my life! I downloaded the app, bought the book and haven't looked back. My IBS is one of my major concerns when it comes to getting the gastric sleeve operation. I'm very concerned about foods going through my system too quickly and making my life miserable due to the food bypassing the absorption in the small intestine and through to the large too quickly resulting in chronic diarrhea. I see my doctor August 11 and it'll be a question I'll be asking for sure. She may not know the answers but she may be able to send me to see somebody that does. I really think that you should try this diet, especially as you have IBS. Perhaps you already know about the Low FODMAP diet? If so, sorry I've wasted your time with this very long message! lol The protein shakes you're drinking - check the ingredients. Become familiar with all the sugar alcohols so you can recognize them when you read ingredient lists. Most people with IBS also have lactose intolerance. Do you have it? Protein shakes are an issue for me - it's also a concern if I get the sleeve surgery as the protein shakes are a necessity from what I know. I can't have things like sugar-free popsicles (probably have sorbitol), shakes if they have dairy or sugar alcohols/sorbitol, etc. Dieting usually means low-fat, low-sugar foods. I won't be able to ever have those items, so will need to always have whole foods only - no processed. I will need to have a protein shake chosen beforehand that doesn't bother me. If it bothers me before surgery it'll be a nightmare after. Please look at this diet - there are so many doctors that don't know about it. Find a dietician who knows about it and get some help from him/her. Check your toothpaste, your foods/drinks, gum, mints, sugar-free pop (btw I can't have aspartame either). Good luck - would be so nice if this is a big help for you :-) I was put on the low fodmap diet six years ago. I was not lactose intolerant before my sleeve but I am now. Thanks for the thought and the time you took to message me.

I gave up alcohol before surgery. I had the occasional mimosa with brunch because I am civilized. I had communion at 2 weeks, not thinking. It burned really bad. And communion wine is watered down. I imagine real alcohol would burn like hell. It is your birthday do whatever you want, you are an adult, but you have been warned, it might really hurt. I'm not even going to bother with empty calories and all of that, because it doesn't even matter.

I also need help I'm 6 wks away from my one yr and I have not reached my goal I eat carbs and crap and feel like I'm hungry 24/7 I have lots of water on most days at least 64 oz and have stopped going to gym, I know I'm setting my self up to fail maybe we can share and support each other. This week I decided to stop drinking for a month and see how it goes. I feel I've been sabotaging my diet with alcohol. I've completely stopped logging food and I need to get back to protein packed diet, I keep saying tomorrow... Tomorrow I'll go to the gym suggestions?

Well just look at calories and protein. That is what I do. My big issue is alcohol and it helps keep me in check.

I find that I can eat anything in TINY bites. I had half a slice of ice cream cake when my daughter turned 18. I found that cake and ice cream go down so easily that I have to make a conscious decision to only have a little. I do go out to restaurants. Sometimes I just order an appetizer for my meal and still have leftovers. As for alcohol, I have no clue since I'm not a drinker. I never really acquired a taste for alcohol. Just remember, everything in moderation.

@@RJrocks Are you asking if drinking alcohol is ok to do? Well it depends on the person doing the drinking. I, myself enjoy a couple glasses of wine before dinner. Or a good margarita on the rocks... I don't drink Beer only because i never have.. Hate the taste. My suggestion to you is, if you want to have a night out and have a cocktail.... do so, but be mindful that one will probabley do you in..... i use to drink a few and just start a buzzz..... now one good one and im buzzing.... Make sure if you drink you have a DD. Try to stay away from stuff like ??? and coke or ??? with sprite as the combination may get to you. chris

I came to the conclusion that I am a food addict after reading several books These books also tell one how to deal with the addiction. Boiled down to the basics: one must avoid trigger foods just as an alcoholic must abstain from alcohol. The usual trigger foods are are sugar, flour. white potatoes, rice, and processed food. "Processed food" is anything in a bag or box in the center aisles of the supermarket. Shop the exterior aisles where one finds fresh produce, meats, poultry, dairy, and frozen vegetables. There is a withdrawal period that is uncomfortable, but after a couple of weeks the cravings for the trigger foods diminish. Unless one of the trigger foods is sitting right In front of me, I no longer have difficulty avoiding them. I have lost 93 lbs by cutting out these things, 70 lbs prior to RNy revision surgery and another 23 lbs to date post surgery, I recommend these books Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction by Vera Tarman Weight Loss Surgery Does Not Treat Food Addiction by Connie Stapleton Why Diets Fail (Because you're Addicted to Sugar) by Nicole Avena & John Talbott

Oh not a mocktini. It has alcohol. I have about 1 drink a month. This is soooooooo good. Yummy!

Today is my birthday and I'm 4wks post op and wanna know how soon did any sleeves start drinking?? But remember I'm really don't drink like that only on occasions.. Help pls