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That's something I'm struggling with. I'm 13 years out and was to goal however I'm not longer working and doing stairs at the hospital and still enjoy my vino. Resulting in a 30 pound gain over the last 3 years. I'm stable the past year with no loss. I'm now Journaling and cutting back on alcohol. Doc says it's fine so long as I journal it. Say some prayers please. I need back down. Sent from my SM-T350 using the BariatricPal App

Wow, it took me a few days to figure out how to get back into this forum. I'm grateful for the many comments on here. It's gives me hope. I heard the wrong things early in my glory days of weight dropping off. " if you are able to keep the weight off 3 years you will not have any problems ". Unfortunately I took it to heart and allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted. My weight did go up and down some about 10lbs. I worked full time at a physical job and exercised my days off. I hit 40, job change, weight gain. Found out about disabilitys more weight gain. Lost our home in a house fire, more weight gain. I have always known I'm a sugar addict. Most of the time Doctors and professionals laughed like I'm Kidding. I wish, but notice they don't laugh at alcoholism or drug addiction. So long story short I lost my job, home, had a scary gun accident that left me with PTSD and 75lbs of extra fat. I'm feeling depressed beyond understanding to most. Sugar feels like my only comfort in life. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm almost two years post-op. These days I can eat (comfortably) a cup of food at a time. I eat three meals a day and a couple of planned Snacks daily. I've lost 100 pounds and have been maintaining at 135 pounds for the last 6 months (and at or below my original goal -- 150 pounds -- for 14 months). I typically eat 1700 - 1800 calories/day to maintain my weight. I'm 70 years old. At six months I could eat 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of food. It's slowly increased since then. Very early on (a month or two post-op) the restriction is much greater because your newly built and badly traumatized sleeve is swollen and inflamed after surgery. The reason why your eating program is so restrictive for the first 2-3 months is because your stomach edges (where it's stapled together) haven't knitted together / healed yet. If you do have WLS, you will REALLY want to follow ALL your surgeon's eating phases so you don't spring a leak. Here's the deal -- after losing your weight you can regain a lot of weight by "grazing" (nibbling) foods that won't challenge your sleeve. The foods that will flow right through you, leaving your sleeve empty and awaiting more food, are things like chips, crackers, Cookies, ice cream, starchy foods, sugary foods, and, of course, sweet and alcoholic drinks. Dense Protein and fibrous vegetables stay in your stomach longer than anything else. (You'll learn all about "the rules" if you go forward with WLS.) Oh -- and sleeves seldom cause "dumping", although it does happen for a few folks. Sleeves usually let you eat all the sugary foods you can slurp up. Whatever you do / decide, good luck!

@@salmon77 I go out all the time. I don't drink. I usually have bottle Water. People assume I think I am on mollys or something. If I do order a drink a rarely end up drinking. If I think I am going some place where I might drink I have to rearrange all my macros and calories for the day to account for the alcohol, which usually means instead of eating meals, I am drinking Protein shakes to allow for the calories. It just isn't worth it, I'd rather have a steak Other people don't care if you don't drink, really they don't, not like you think they do. I am outgoing and I don't need alcohol to be fun and have a good time. The only time people might have an issue with it, is if they have an issue with alcohol and drinking with other people makes them feel like they have less of an issue, but that is someone elses deep problem, that isn't your problem. I never hid from the world, but I do go out more or the same. Not drinking has no effect on my fun level. Plus I need to save all the money I can for my shoe habit.

LOL! I too was one of those girls.. and I am going to miss my wine! I committed to giving it up after having this conversation with my surgeon. He explained, which I already knew, that wine has carbs and sugars that will make you fat. Liquor, on the other hand, will not ever may you fat on its own. The body converts alcohol to ketones, which are either burned off as energy or eliminated. He told me that he doesn't tell people not to drink, because he understands that it's just what some people do. His advice to me was to choose top shelf liquors because they are made from superior grains, and mix them with zero calorie mixers. He also said that if I do decide that I want a glass of Chardonnay once in a while, buy a nice bottle of it and savor it, rather than knocking back a big bottle of Barefoot. All perfectly agreeable alternatives as far as I'm concerned. I'm only seven days out...so it will be a while before I have any adult beverages, but when I do, I am considering a nice fresh watermelon martini!

I see that as well..how about drinking alcohol? Is that completely elimated?

I was told no alcohol for a year after surgery.

Best to consult your team when it comes to timing of alcohol and moving forward on your plan but either way at seven weeks post op you are going to nurse the drink or meal heavily as both may be surprisingly unpredictable to tolerate now. Enjoy!

I have had similar reactions from my overweight friends. One wanted my clothes, others it just made them feel bad about themselves. Makes them face the fact that they are also overweight and need to do something about it. When you start a diet your friends have seen you start many diets probably and are there to sabotage you too... We have eating buddies, just like alcoholics have drinking buddies.

hi my names is laury n im getting the gastric sleeve done on Tuesday the 30 of aug if hurricane irene lets me lol... i have a few questions about recovery such as how long till u can actually start eating ur normal foods n drinking alcohol.

Checking in: getting sharp pains like I did post surgery on right side of belly button n been having increased acid n throwing up this month. It's either all because I am eating late. Eating too frequently, upping my sodium n it's insane how dehydrated I can get so quickly. However I am still drinking coffee a lot. I get huge headaches now. I do exercise more. But I feel that I get weak and tired pretty fast. Maybe some of this Is mental because of birthday blues. I try to stay away from alcohol because I'm a major lightweight now with the sleeve. I burp soooooo much it's so unladylike! I take pribiotics again, although they r so expensive. I try to only eat organic n all natural. I wore pants for the first time in ten yrs n all of a sudden everyone thinks I'm super skinny. Lol. It's just cuz I wore baggy skirts and tops for so long. I just hit a yr in oct since the surgery n I'm feeling healthy for the most part. I try my best to keep my sleeve in good shape, but I don't know why I must eat until it hurts sometimes or eat junk sometimes. I would be devastated if god forbid I seriously mess this up for myself after altering my organs. Anyway, I'm thankful for a lot and for being alive. I wish I didn't have sagging skin n that I focused more on toning...still... I weigh 140 (+) and I started at 265 (+\-).

Hi I'm 4 days post and similar to you in as much as my BMI was 32 and I also self paid as I spent 40 years yo yo dieting. Drinking too much alcohol and generally over indulging.i am 61 and could no longer bare to see my 13 stone reflection so decided to use the sleeve to gain control of my body and mind.i am feeling surprisingly well for 4 days post and find the easiest way to get fluids down is with warm drinks ie broth. I'm thinking if all continues to improve at this rate I've done the right thing for me. I really hope every one is feeling good, well and better about themselves Oh yes I will not weigh myself until my post op appointment with my lovely surgeon Mr Hamouda from Tunbridge Wells who uses a 34fr Bougie as standard. ????

Jenns did you try one of the drinks yet? Positive - I'm glad that I could help regarding the alcohol...I'm trying to steer clear for the most part for a little while. I take 3000 mcg of B12 daily, the sublingual tablet and my energy is typically ok...it may be linked to you not eating enough calories and Protein (especially since you are working out 3 days a week) ....I would start with the b12 and upping your calories and protein, u may have to force yourself to eat something every few hours...I really try not to eat things that don't offer me some protein just to ensure I'm getting in as much as possible....if that doesn't work, you may need to follow up with the Doctor

Challenge End Tally: Challenge Starting weight: 148.4lbs Current Weight: 150.4lbs Curre1nt weight lost: 138.6lbs (Beginning Wt. 287lbs) Losing or maintaining weight: Losing!!!!! (hopefully or at least maintaining) Working on Goal#2 - 140lbs Fitness/exercise goal: Exercise 6-7 days per week with 3 days being strength building with bands Total weight loss at the end of challenge: (Post January 1st 2019) 151.4lbs (+2lbs) Check in: Tell us how you are doing - (How is your diet and exercise plan going? Any struggles? Stress level? What have you overcome? Any strategies that have helped)--I'm finished the challenge strong, but sick with a yucky cold. Very little stress heading into January. Don't have any worries about over eating or eating "the wrong things." Although, clearly I indulged over Christmas. In between indulgences I was able to modify my eating and make "cuts" to keep cals/carbs low to try to offset the more liberal "treat" meals/alcohol. Very little exercise during this time, because our schedules were so busy and I didn't have the energy to exercise on top of how active I was. Am off all meds now except Letrozole, thyroid, and supplements. BP is in remission, blood sugars/insulin in remission, cancer in remission, asthma in remission, degenerative arthritis in remission, pain is reduced over 50%, sleeping has improved 100%. Thank you so much for doing this challenge @Healthy_life!!! Although I suck at them (as you can see), I do think it helped keep me from going completely off-track this holiday season!!! I'm actually pretty proud to only be 2lbs up after Christmas. I'm used to it being 10lbs at least! So I kinda feel like I was able to "maintain my current weight" even though I'm not at goal yet. You rock girlie!!! Happy New Year to you my sweet friend!!

Thanks for sharing about the sugar alcohol. I did not know this. There goes my sugar free candies.

I'm not understanding the connection between not drinking and "losing your social life". Why can't you go out with your friends and have a good time without having alcohol in your glass?

@@salmon77, Are you able to enjoy hanging out with your friends if you’re not drinking and they are? If so, maybe that’s the way to go. Otherwise, it may be time to see if they are willing to do non-drinking-related activities sometimes, and just hang out with them during those times. Alcohol will never exactly be good for your diet, of course, but in terms of when it’ll be “safe” – well, it’s not great. Definitely wait a little longer until the sleeve completely heals. Then if you choose to drink, know that your tolerance will be way less than it used to be. You won’t be able to handle as much. It also may be worth thinking about a few years down the line. You may find yourself at a point in your life when drinking isn’t the only thing to do: maybe you’ve just arrived there a little sooner than you thought. Whatever you do, do it responsibly!

I appreciate that you're looking to change your lifestyle. And that's a good thing. But your doctor's comments that alcoholic spirits are less fattening than wine are some of the weirdest I've ever heard. Yes, “savoring” a small amount of wine vs. guzzling a whole bottle is a good idea – fewer calories. And yes, good wine is a better choice than cheap wine -- but not for nutritional reasons. But the idea that the minimal number of carbs / sugars in a 5-ounce pour of chardonnay will make you fat again is simply not true. Skim milk has more sugars and carb grams than chardonnay. You can check these facts on any online nutritional database. Some surgeons’ nutritional education seems astonishingly lacking. P.S. Also check out recipes for watermelon martinis. They contain not only sugar found in watermelon juice, but sugar from ingredients like granulated (white) sugar and (in some recipes) sugary liqueurs.

Monster is checking in to report she is at 221 pounds so far (surgery was April 1, 2019), and I discovered today by going to the thrift store I can fit into size 12 Lululemon yoga pants. The black ones. You know the ones! They fit!!! Plus a gorgeous velvet dress I would have never gotten into two months ago, or even one: bought it today for $10 and........ IT. FITS. ~swoon~ A girl could get used to this 😄 Transparency: what I am able to eat now, one month into the pouch: Almonds and other roasted, salted nuts - the pouch loves them Brussels sprouts - boiled until soft, then salted and/or roasted - the pouch loves them Cooked beets - a little touchy but can handle them in moderation Those little protein packs that contain almonds, Colby Jack cubes and ham/turkey cubes at Ralphs - loves em Sardines - it likes them, can handle in moderation - very high protein though so I make sure to eat them Red Bull and I know I shouldn't - pouch likes it Red wine and I know I shouldn't - pouch OK with it but no buzz. Alcohol has no effect (disclaimer this is unusual, do not use alcohol unless your surgeon and nutritionist say you can). Very weird. Pouch treats it as Kool-Aid and I am unsure why. But I cannot overdrink. About an ounce is far as I can go before pouch fills and stops me. V-8 tomato/veggie drink: recommended. Almost nothing makes body and pouch both as happy. Cheese - pouch likes cheeses but finds cheddar a bit tough to digest, prefers Colby Jack etc What the pouch cannot stand: Prunes which is sad: they loosen me up and I like the taste. Pouch says firm no Eggs of any kind, again which is sad. I loved them Most meats, but I'm a former vegan, I can do without as long as I find sufficient replacement protein Most vegetables so far. This makes me ANGRY. Will continue to test, try, and gently adapt the pouch to em Things pouch looks sideeye at me if I even consider eating, so I have not and will not: Anything crunchy/salty with points and edges such as chips, pretzels and my beloved avocado Triscuits 😭 Milk of any kind Sweets, but then I hated those anyway, good riddance Eating more than about 400-450 calories per day. It's difficult. It is truly HARD. I have a big day of what I think is eating then measure everything, check the calories I had and find I just cannot reach 500 calories. Can't do it. This is a work in progress. Every day is an opportunity to trick the pouch into accepting a healthy food. It's very cunning. It knows what it wants (450 tops) and will manipulate to get it. Nobody warned me of this. Seems ideal doesn't it? Wait until you get here. The low calorie intake will worry you. Taking vitamins like crazy to help. Stuff I used to love but mysteriously do not crave now: Coca Cola/Pepsi and similar products, sugar free or not. For some reason the taste for this is just not there. Breads, chips, salty crunchies except nuts, or sweets. No desire whatsoever. Hamburger type meat, burgers, steaks, hot dogs, chili - no desire for em Sushi. This was my big one. My super crave. Now I drive right past a sushi joint and don't care. Scary But new yoga pants in skinny girl size FIT. Vintage 1950's cocktail dress at thrift store FITS. Everything fits. I'm over the moon. God bless this surgical procedure. Report out! EDITED TO ADD: And this is just 36 days after the surgery!!!!

Thanks for sharing, AvaFern, - this is helpful to me, because I think I'm getting to that point. At about how many weeks were you when you went the alcohol route? And that was it, about a week later you were seroma free?

Nikki and Mishi I totally UNDERSTAND I am going crazy on full liquids! I find myself thinking only about fast food, alcohol and weed YES my weed. I'm not a big smoker about 3 times a week (bad days at work) and usually one weekend a night. But omg I slurped down some ramen noodle with added chicken broth and I tried to eat a noodle. Plus slurped about two full ounces down one teaspoon right after another and I admit I had a bite of pizza and chewed it up and spit it out. Gross? Hell yes but I just had to have a taste of it. I am in bad shape here! I can't even believe I have to stay here 3 weeks

I am in need of recommendations for proper sugar free popsicle brands. You know the ones without the sugar or sugar alcohols? I have a friend shopping for me and it's hard to find the "right" sugar free as directed by my surgeon and nutritionist. Sent from my SM-N910P using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 5yrs out and I am brutally honest about this surgery. I am the type I'd rather you tell me like it is instead of sugar coating it. I've lied to myself almost my whole life with the "I don't eat that much.." excuse. I am where I am today because I did it to myself. The obesity I did myself and the surgery I did to myself. I accept my actions and trust me its a dark life when ur in a hospital and all u have is urself and ur thoughts. I do not intend to terrify ppl to have the surgery but I can say this I care enough for my fellow bari patients to tell yall the truth and what can happen. Bariatric surgery has became so mainstream now I fear a lot don't take this seriously hence why suicide, sex addictio. Or alcoholism rates are so high for us. The reason you will probably hear about my story in every post is bc I would have truly appreciated someone in my pre-op post-op days coming to me with the truth. Instead I felt dooped. Out of all the reading on forums etc not once were there a person openly honest about how it truly affected them. Do you know how hard it is to be deathly sick and you hear rude comments from nurses such as "bet ya wished u had just got a gym membership huh?!" Or to have your family just get tired of listening or you lose relationships bc of your condition? It really hurts to come to a site and literally pour your heart out only to be berated by somebody you look to for support. We may weave our story in all the time but we do so bc we know or HOPE fellow bari pt will listen and not mind to do so bc unlike everyone else we r all supposed to be on the same road. Accept us all no matter what bc haven't we lived a life of hell prior to surgery due to the constant degeading conments and stares...let this be the one place u can trust to come to and know ur not going to be hurt..we r all entitled to that. =)

Abby - Northern California Kaisers are in their infancy in regards to the lap band. I know, I went through the SSF Kaiser program and was banded 12/12/07. They've been at is a little over a year. This is why most of their recommendations and information is spill over from gastric bypass stuff. You need to do your own research so that you can peel the GB stuff away and find out what you need to do. Lap band patients aren't effected by alcohol like GB patients are. Alcohol no matter what form it is consumed in is still empty calories and if used more than occassionally will prevent your weight loss from being good if at all. But one of the nice things is you can plan a nice cool one into your day and enjoy it. I think that the reason your boyfriend might not be on board is because he may be afraid that you won't like/love him when you loose weight. As obese people we tend to have low self-esteme. He might also be afraid that you will try to pressure him into getting the surgery. You have to decide to do this because it's what you want to do and not because someone else approves or disapproves. If your relationship is good, it will survive. If it's not good, this might be the excuse he needs to leave or for you to leave him. Only you can answer that one. My DH was afraid for me because it was surgery and he didn't know how WLS worked. He went with me to my appointments and a seminar and learned what there was to know. He still sweated the surgery but he is so happy I'm finally loosing the weight and active again. He's been so supportive. Sit down and write out why you want to loose weight. Put on the list how it will affect your kids lives as well. Then do a list of why you shouldn't have the surgery. Then compare them. I'm so sorry about your friend. I am so happy that the lapband was an option for me because I think GB should be put in the category of only to be done if nothing else can help. It scares me. PM me if you want. I know how frustrating Kaiser's programs can be from first hand experience. They are so slow because they are so overwhelmed with the number of people wanting WLS. There are only 3 Kaisers in No. Cal doing the surgeries. I think there is less in So. Cal. Until they get more hospitals on board they will be buried. Good luck and whatever you do, do it for you.

Lying awake in bed due to reflux caused by attempting to eat steak earlier tonight and I get this "revelation". ( Nothing like the clarity that comes in the middle of the night) My mind must have been thinking over some of the stuff I read earlier today and I suddenly realised that the symptoms in this article describe what used to happen to me in my early 20s. There were a number of occasions when I would feel hot, cold, nauseous,shaky have ringing in my ears and want to pass out. In fact the once I was at the pub with my BF who is now my DH and I literally dropped. I was fine 1 minute and passed out on the floor the next. It was so embarrassing as everyone must have thought i was extremely drunk when in fact I was on either my 1st or 2nd drink. At the time my GP said that it was probably a hernia but reading this dumping seems more likely. It was usually brought on by alcohol especially any type of clear spirit such as vodka. Luckily I haven't had those symptoms for years