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Here's a weird one. I often heard after getting WLS, that alcohol can be this really slippery slope and transfer addiction is real. It's funny because I was simultaneously worried and not worried at the same time because alcoholism runs in my family and I've seen it ugly, up close and personal which has made me incredibly reflective on my alcohol use, always checking it and monitoring to make sure it wasn't something I was doing out of habit and only in moderation. Basically, I've never been really into alcohol but don't get me wrong, I had my party days in college and I remember being able to drink soooooo much for a long time when I was partying with friends. Fast forward to today, I'm a year and like 5 months post op from bypass and I've found a couple things with alcohol and want to know if anyone is having the same experience: Getting drunk now is horrible, a surefire way straight to my head in the toilet, and not because I'm too drunk but because alcohol makes me incredibly nauseous if I have more than 2 drinks. I also don't drink sugary drinks either - I do usually a hard liquor like vodka and soda water. I find now though that I don't even feel drunk like I used to. I'm incredibly cognizant of everything, don't feel "silly" or "loose" like I used to, then I just get sleepy, and then I just hit a wall and get really nauseous and want to puke. If I have a drink then I eat later, like I've been in a situation where I am going to a dinner, have a cocktail like a couple hours before my meal, then I eat and the food makes me so nauseous and almost dumping. It could be that I'm just older now and drinking is different but I barely drink now since getting my bypass because it just makes me feel like crap. I don't miss it, I think drinking is really bad but I will admit it has taken a toll on my social life (but ultimately it's good to know who wants to actually be friends and who just wants a drinking buddy) But I've always heard that drinking can be a problem after, but now that I have had WLS, drinking is not fun like it used to be and I just don't want to do it at all. Anyone else experiences this? I think it's an interesting topic.

1. Are full liquids eating, i.e. no drinking for 30-90 minutes after? Ask your doctor. 2. Is Jello considered eating? No, its a full liquid believe it or not. 3. Can I drink broth all day? Is there a difference between chicken and beef? Yes, and nothing. 4. I don't like artificial sugar for the sugar free diet. How can I compensate? You can't. Although you have had a sleeve. You can still get dumping as you do with gastric bypass if you eat sooo much table sugar. But you won't have the cramps...you will get diarhea...trust me. 5. How do I keep the momentum going with the weight loss? I'm starting to feel hunger, but can't eat. I'm worried about going into starvation now that I'm actually feeling hungry and it working backwards for me. I'm also afraid that when I do start eating it will either stop the weight loss or go backwards because of the previous "starvation". Momentum, momentum, momentum, I want to keep it rolling. If you wait to each until you get hungry. Make sure you are eating every 3 hours at least (3 meals - Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 Protein shakes) It the protein that is most important as it contributes to healing and more "filling". 6. I'm having a hard time watching my family eat. It grosses me out the food intake not so much with my growing boys, but especially with my husband who is going to have the surgery also. I feel like....."hey do you realize how much food you eat and I'm over here drinking broth all day long! Get control of yourself." Yikes, I know. So sorry, but it's true. This is emotional. You don't realize the emotions that you will go through in this life changing journey. Don't know if anyone told you but when you lose a lot of fat, your body will release a lot of hormones into you rsystem which give you mood swings like crazy. I felt the same way about my family but I remembered that my husband did not have the surgery and I didn't like it when someone told me that I ate too much so I usually talk more at the table or sit down at the table 10 minutes after everyone else does so that we all finish at the same time. My husband has decided to go forward with the surgery so soon he'll know what I went through. 7. TMI Warning!! I am on the Depo shot and I have been spotting ever since the surgery - 12 days. I never have a period if I do it a day or two of lite spotting. This is every time I wipe, not fresh but old if you know what I mean. Sorry again. Could something in the surgery have messed with my shot or what are your thoughts on this? I do not want to get pregnant! Again the hormone release do to the rapid release of fat can do this. Call your doctor to besure. 8. I'm starting to feel normal and that scares me a little. When I could feel the soreness and restriction (no hunger), it made it easier to not eat and be great with it. Now, it's like appetite is coming back. I'm scared of gaining. Other diets have worked opposite for me and I don't want this to also. I'm scared of any change or move! I feel like I have to starve myself to keep this going. :-( Remember this is a tool to help you adjust to a new healthy life style. If you try to eat something fried or full of sugar you will get very sick. You will only be able to get 300-500 calories in the first month or so then you will need to get 800 to keep your hair from falling out. And it will be a challege to get 800 in. I am at 3 months and I'm struggling to get 600 calories. Also measure, measure, measure your food. I can't stress this enough. Normally, leaks occur 3 weeks after surgery because patients feel better and use the sleeve to gage fullness. But remember, it take 20 minutes for your mind to get that signal that you are full so by then you would have consumed to much. Besides, if you do eat to much or too fast, you will thowup and believe me, it's no the same as throwing up before you had surgery...it's worst! Not to freak you out but it is painful and sometime lasting. You will also plateu that will sometimes last for a week. You may gain a little when drop the following day. These are all normal things. I used a calendar to write down my weight everyday and the total lost. Then at the end of the month I figure out how much weight was down for the month. One month I gained 5 pounds but had at total weight loss of 13 pounds. My husband has been very supportive. He is having his surgery in August. We have already change what we eat when we go out and what I cook for the family. Being obese is just as much of a mental battle as it is an emotional and physical battle. Everytime I was tempted to eat bad or eat fast or stuff my face or felt sad that I can't eat what everyone else was eating, I would redirect my mind to think " in 3 month I am going to look HOT!!!!" Now, I am the envy of every woman at work! I can fit in to a Small Shirt!!!! i have never fit into a small shirt!!!!!!! 9. Life evolved around cooking, eating out, social eating, etc. I've halted all of that and feel a little trapped. No one except immediate family, i.e. husband, sons, and girlfriend who went to hospital with me know that I have done this. I don't lie and would have a hard time explaining why I'm not eating, drinking alcohol, participating in the activities this early in my post surgery. So we are using our workload right now as a reason for staying home, etc. There's so much there for me right now. My husband is extremely supportive and wants me to do the same for him when he has the surgery. Sorry rambling but trying to get through the emotional/mental part of it. I like to cook too. It was a real adjustment to cook healthly things. I have discovered new foods as part of the process and that has been fun. As far as explaining why I don't eat to colleagues, I told them before the surgery. For colleagues I haven't seen in a while, I told them the truth if they ask and answered their questions. I have had only one person treat me bad but she was a big B to begin with so I was prepared to handle it. As for anyone who had past judgement on me to my face or behind my back, that just doesn't bother me because I did this for me and my family and for my health and that is all that is important. I think you will surprise how supportive people can be. Most people are just curious. And again don't get sorry about rambling because you are emotional...it's the hormones talking. 10. I'm still bloated and tend to bloat throughout the day. Is this normal or what can I do to alleviate this? Yes, this is normal. I was bloated for 5 weeks. This is because of swelling. Also there may be gas still trapped inside. Walking makes a big difference. 11. I know I don't get enough liquids in as I can't drink Water. Any liquid suggestions would be great. Frozen sugar free popsicles, warm tea, and sugar free gatorade were my friend. I also had sugar free jello and broth. 12. I can already tell that my absorption rate is super sensitive and high! Within seconds of trying something, I either feel sick, lightheaded or full or all of the above. Does this stay? When food is introduced will it be one bite at a time? You may need to eat slower. Take a bite, chew 25 times, swallow, then count for 10 before taking another bite. This does going away...sort of. You will get sick, lightheaded if you eat too fast. As far as full, you will have to figure that part out on your own but my Doctor told me to start with 4 Tbsp. (2 tbsp of a protein, 1 tbsp veg, tbsp fruit - in that order) but be prepared if you can only get 2 tbsp down. I started with 2 tbsp but now I am up to 1/4 cup. 13. I think protein shakes make me sick?? You tastes with change over time. I liked my protein shakes before the surgery. Then could not stand them for about 6 weeks after surgery but now I like them again. I would try a bunch of difference one. I like the Unjuy and nectar brands. The nectar brands taste like fruit juice with not after taste.

I think Libbe and E-Girl did a great job of answering your questions, but I had a couple things I thought I'd add. 3. Can I drink broth all day? Is there a difference between chicken and beef? Yes, you can drink as much broth as you want, but you need to be careful of the sodium content or you'll puff up like a toad. (Sorry.) I made broth with whatever I had on hand when I was in this stage and it agree with me a lot more. Leftover rotisserie chicken or any chicken bones, beef bones or bits, veggies. I throw bones and etc. into plastic bags in my freezer until I have enough for broth then throw it all in a big pot and make broth. I made hubby some wonderful onion Soup with beef broth I'd made when I was still on my liquid phase and I sat there and had my broth with him for dinner. It made it easier to eat together when I was on the liquid diet. 5. How do I keep the momentum going with the weight loss? I'm starting to feel hunger, but can't eat. I'm worried about going into starvation now that I'm actually feeling hungry and it working backwards for me. I'm also afraid that when I do start eating it will either stop the weight loss or go backwards because of the previous "starvation". Momentum, momentum, momentum, I want to keep it rolling. You won't keep losing as fast as you have been. You should drop to about 8-10 pounds a month and sometimes it will be less. This is better for your skin adjusting anyway. 6. I'm having a hard time watching my family eat. It grosses me out the food intake not so much with my growing boys, but especially with my husband who is going to have the surgery also. I feel like....."hey do you realize how much food you eat and I'm over here drinking broth all day long! Get control of yourself." Yikes, I know. So sorry, but it's true. This is emotional. You don't realize the emotions that you will go through in this life changing journey. You'll get your revenge when he's had the surgery!! (Insert funny, evil laugh here.) He still has all his ghrelin hormone making him hungry, so you could cut him a bit of slack. My hubby was eating things like chicken-fried steak in front of me, but he's not overweight. 9. Life evolved around cooking, eating out, social eating, etc. I've halted all of that and feel a little trapped. No one except immediate family, i.e. husband, sons, and girlfriend who went to hospital with me know that I have done this. I don't lie and would have a hard time explaining why I'm not eating, drinking alcohol, participating in the activities this early in my post surgery. So we are using our workload right now as a reason for staying home, etc. There's so much there for me right now. My husband is extremely supportive and wants me to do the same for him when he has the surgery. Sorry rambling but trying to get through the emotional/mental part of it. When you get to real food soon, you'll find that there's normally something you can eat on every restaurant's menu, although I do still avoid Italian restaurants and I'm four months (and two days) out. Smelling garlic bread makes me crazy. We went out for tapas last night and I was able to eat every dish we got (all Protein and veggies.) Main dish salads are my best friends, although I can't eat much of the lettuce. I just tell people like my 87YO mother who doesn't know I had the surgery that I'm on a diet, and she says, "Good for you dear, you're looking great." My other best choices are grilled salmon or fish and I totally love seared scallops. I also eat the middles out of sandwiches and if I get any weird looks, I just smile and say, "Dieting." If they say anything else, I tell them I've lost (fill in the blank) pounds. Works every time. 10. I'm still bloated and tend to bloat throughout the day. Is this normal or what can I do to alleviate this? Heck, I still have tons of gas at four months. I try to fart discretely. 11. I know I don't get enough liquids in as I can't drink Water. Any liquid suggestions would be great. I drink 32 oz. of Powerade Zero before breakfast and then the rest is a breeze. My favorites are the zero or low-calorie versions of Sobe, Fuze or putting Crystal Light in my water. I'm not wild about drinking plain water. 12. I can already tell that my absorption rate is super sensitive and high! Within seconds of trying something, I either feel sick, lightheaded or full or all of the above. Does this stay? When food is introduced will it be one bite at a time? This will get better. Eat teensy, tiny bites SLOWLY when you start eating regular food. Hang in there. It will get better!!! Carol

Hi, I was on Effexor prior to surgery and quit right before my VGS surgery and stayed off for a week after. When I went back to them I went back to my regular dose and threw it up almost immediately. It made me so sick! Even after I cut my dose down to a quarter of what it was, I was still nauseated and sick after taking it. I wound up giving it up. Its been hard, not having them, alcohol or food to help my mood, but I am doind ok. Some days are better than others. Im trying Kava powder and exersize. I hope that you will have a better tolerance for the meds, but if you don't, I wish you the best. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

From a medical standpoint I have to agree with your nutritionist. Alcohol is a poisonous liquid that has no real nutritional value on its own. Also, WLS patients are more likely to suffer from transfer addiction which includes alcohol. From a WLS patient perspective, one drink isn’t the end of the world and if that’s how you choose to spend your birthday then that’s your business. Just choose a really good drink and just have the one as alcohol can affect people different after surgery.

Avocado. The taste & texture of it seems gross now. I don’t really enjoy alcohol like I did. I have a glass about once a month but often don’t finish the glass.

I agree with the others about it likely being the shakes. Check the artificial sweetener they use in the shakes & the yoghurt. The sugar alcohols are renown for causing bloating, discomfort, diarrhoea, etc. Wouldn't hurt to try the plant protein shakes & dairy equivalents to ensure it’s not a lactose issue but if you didn’t have issues with dairy before you shouldn’t now. (After surgery some people do develop a lactose intolerance but it usually is temporary.)

yes and no When I was in high school and thrown off the football team for chewing out the coach I went through a huge weight gain -- coincided with drinking tons of soda and such Normal weight was 180, but shot up to 240, but easily lost it within a few months doing tons of situps, pushups, and eating nothing but a couple Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches a day. Weight was fine for years until a post-relationship depression went on (when you work hard for years to keep a relationship going then decide fuck it), in my mid-late 20s, a bunch of health issues arised and shot up again but instead of from 180 to 240 in a matter of a year or so, went up to 360 in 5 years. So I'm here in my early-mid 30s with newly diagnosed stage 3 fibrosis and type 2 diabetes. I'm not accustomed to weighing a lot so the changes I went through were all debilitating to me. Apparently after MRI's and such I had fractured my spine as a kid but never knew it until I had this weight gain, then moving to another house caused me serious injury to where I need facet injections in my lower lumbar (soon to be some sort of ablation) as simply taking out the trash caused extreme amounts of pain to my back. In the US, we're not educated enough how utterly useless carbs and especially sugar are in the diet, and how easily we can get into dangerous territory without thinking about it. Given how it's turned into a serious societal issue where kids in their 20s are having fibrotic/cirrhotic livers without even being alcoholics or drug addicts, it really points to an education being necessary. Since being in Canada, I've noticed the education is a little better, but still needs improvement. It's definitely a western problem, where we're taught to be good little excess consumers with little regard for our health. It's up to us to change that. My surgeon decided on a 12 week pre-op liquid diet that I started Feb 1st, far longer than I see anyone else with, already I went from 350 pounds to 314. I'm thinking if I really have to go all 12 weeks (OR date already confirmed April 20) I'm likely gonna be in the 200s before surgery. Some have said why not be on this miserable diet for so and such amount of time to get back down to normal weight, but sometimes for us mechanisms of hunger (satiety) we can't control are required to be corrected. In my case, the surgery should accomplish this. Also, a very important point, that for many of us who "become" this way, it's up to us to recognize where we screwed up and work to change it. Personal responsibility is a must.

Girl, you and I are in totally the same exact boat!!! Down to the same day of the surgery! I started the same clear liquid restricted diet on tuesday and my mouth is doing the same thing. Also, my sense of smell is really really weird. I was cooking my family their dinner and as the chicken was baking I seriously thought I was going to be sick. It smelled like rotten chicken. And the brocolli...blech. And I love my veggies. Weird. Are you getting that way around food? And yes, I'm so tired. I went to bed at 10 last night and that's not like me AT ALL. Then today I cleaned the house and decorated for Christmas and I was exhausted. I fell asleep on the sofa while my son was watching TV for about 15 mins. I was exhausted. Just a few more days is what I keep telling myself. Just a few more days. Did you notice you feel fine about an hour after you drink a shake and then the hunger pains start up? I've never had hunger pains like this. This really hurts to where I can't think what so ever. As for your headaches...yep, yep, yep. I notice that if I drink a big glass of Water the headache goes away. Did you give up caffeine cold turkey? That might be it. My morning shakes I've been putting 4 oz of cold coffee in a vanilla shake. It's pretty good and I get a little caffeine. Please feel free to PM me anytime if you need to chat. We can help eachother out. Oh! And gum, I've been chewing the heck out of sugar free gum. Even though my doc said no to sugar alcohols like what is in SF gum. But good grief. :eek: I did the broth one day and I can't do it. I'd rather have a shake.

I'm 18.5 weeks pregnant. I won't have any issues losing the pregnancy weight. I'll just low carb it again until I get the weight off. I gained a few pounds over the holidays and dropped those pounds in a little over a week just by cutting alcohol and carb consumption. As for the breakdown of weight gain with a pregnancy, this is what they've outlined for my weight gain: Maternal Fat- 7lbs Baby- 6-8lbs (average is 7.5lbs) Increases Fluid (blood volume)-2-4 ( a mother's blood volume typically doubles during pregnancy) Amniotic Fluid- 1-1.5lbs Placenta- 2lbs Breast tissue/mammary system weight increase - 1-2lbs Watch out for the ROSE procedure, it has an 85% failure rate. This is also discussed heavily on the obesityhelp.com Revision forum. ERNY (extended RNY, where they remove more intestine to start malabsorption again since intestinal adaptation has taken over at this point for you) is also an option. They will shorten your common channel by another 50-100cm. You definitely want to know before you agree to a revision if you have a pouch or stoma dilation because if you have actual mechanical failure with your RNY even a band over the pouch isn't going to do much because once the food passes through the band pouch into your RNY pouch, you will still be able to more food, and your malabsorption is gone. As for Jerusalem clinic, honestly, out of over 3 years on weight loss forums, I have never read of one patient having a RNY take down and revision to the VSG being performed there and honestly that is possibly why they are recommending the band over the bypass pouch to give you restriction again. Seriously, I can name 4 surgeons worldwide that are experienced with these surgeries, and with self-pay patients the cost just for the surgeon run upwards of 20-30k because it is such a complicated and exhausting surgery to take down an old RNY. I promise I researched revisions for months once I knew my band had to come out. The risks for complications especially leaks from scar tissue and adhesions literally quadruples with revisions vs. a virgin, unaltered stomach/intestinal tract. I had a leak with a band revision to VSG after only having the band for 8 months, and actually lost more stomach tissue because of the damage the band had done. My surgeon was experienced with revisions, and I happen to be a statistic of his that I'd like to take back. I was his first and only VSG leak so it can happen even with really experienced surgeons. I'm not slamming Jerusalem Clinic, but revisions are super tricky, complicated, and I would hate to see you fork out the money, get a surgery that is as high maintenance as the BOB procedure and then continue to struggle with your weight and be looking at or for another surgery. There have been RNY to VSG revisions performed due to reactive hypoglycemia symptoms and diagnosis after RNY, but again, it's a very complicated surgery with high risks. Just choose carefully, and continue to research your options.

Perhaps addict isn't a fair description for everyone but for me it is. First thing my counselor said is that I will always be a recovering food addict just as a alcoholic is in recovery the rest of their lives even when they stop drinking. And so yes, the surgery doesn't stop you from being an addict and I think that's the whole point. I didn't get to 326 pounds because I was eating like an "average" person. So if I don't deal with the addictive behaviors upfront then the surgery, for me anyway, is nothing more than a quickie diet. I may lose the weight but I will eventually gain it back if I fall into old patterns. Learning the surgery is only a tool to aid in the weight loss and not a "cure" for obesity has been key for me. And my counselor has been great. We aren't necessarily spending the hour bemoaning a bad childhood, etc. We are just figuring out why I turn to food and then she brings every single thing I say back to the food and my control issues (or perhaps lack thereof).

From: Chapter 5 - How It Works (Higher Power Version) "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest. ******************************************************* No part of the Big Book is more beloved or oft quoted "in the rooms" than "How It Works." I am now applying these concepts to my personal experience with Food. I am thinking about the difference with Alcohol, if there is one. OA bases its program on the same Steps and the Big Book with an adapted form as well. One can live without drinking, but not without food. The portions I am trying to resolve are: "People who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program" refers to the 12 Step program process. How does it apply to the Weight Loss Surgery process? Certainly one "gives themselves" to it. "they seem to have been born that way" Many find it impossible to overcome their genetics for obesity. Some are able to overcome them through dieting, and/ or medication, some through WLS and the remainder are, unfortunately unable to do so. It is Higher Power intervention that acts to bring these folks through, but failure does not mean they are wrong or that the Higher Power is incapable. What is the answer for these people? I am still unsure about this, as I am about children who die in Africa etc. it is one of those great unanswered questions. "They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty." We know that the success of WLS is dependent on 100% effort, when it comes to managing food and exercise properly. A lifestyle change = a "manner of living," I believe. "...grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest." Honesty must be a very powerful factor indeed, if it trumps the incapacity of mental illness. As a person who has survived alcohol and drug dependency by taking appropriate medications, i must believe that "honesty" also means getting the help you need, no matter what it takes. Medication also falls under "manner of living." to be continued

:clap2:Well today is better. I went for my first office visit since my surgery on Sept. 27,2007. I was glad to see my doctor. I was not so happy with him. I was hungry and felt I had left 2 messages and no one returned my calls. I wasn't in the state of emergency, no fever, nothing I felt I should call him on his cell about. But all in all I had left 2 messages. Sweet as he is, He turned it all around and said u know no matter what you can call my cell !!! Well I couldn't give a response so...He is very likeable and cute so what's a woman to do. I had lost 10 1/2 lbs so he was pleased wth me. I go back in 3 weeks for my 1st fill. He really shoots from the hip, no playing around kinda guy. Kinda harsh buts says he can't sugar coat any part of this or we run with it. Simple we use any excuse in the world to make adjustments for our crazy life style. One thing that he told me the day before the surgery, which I have to say kinda made me stand up and take notice was... He was talking to 2 other women besides myself, all getting the surgery & says look all three of yall ladies are wearing slip on shoes. So you can just throw them on and throw them off. Saying yall have made adjustments for your obesity. Which while thinking kinda pissed me off, but I had to be real or I will never get to the bottom of why I was ever over weight in the 1st place. Like he mentioned grabbing a chair without arms. I guess things we never really take notice of. My thing was seems like every time I went there everyone was larger than me. Yeah like me being 257 lbs. was small. What a joke, so I was justifiing me being severly morbitly obese. Just another excuse to excuse my lifestyle. Like a drug addict, well I only smoke a little weed or alcohol, I drink only on weekends, I'm not on the streets making an a$$ out of myself or beating my kids or the cops being at my house cause someone was out of control. Just all excuses to justify why we do what we do. By the way I do not do drugs or drink alcohol, lol So I know 1 thing for sure I have to get down to the real facts of why I seemed t not be happy , which I have loads of fun, or just seem to want to destoy my life. One thing about all this surgery, yeah I want the fine body, but my health was falling so much, I just want to be lighter & live so much longer !!! Now there I said the real TRUTH!!! :clap2:

That does sound like it is a bit on the low side. One time my mom was lying down on the couch, my daughter called me and said there was something wrong with mom. She was white as a sheet. She couldn't talk. She tried but no words came out, only a few whispers. She couldn't move. She looked like she was dying. We called an ambulance, they came in and measured her blood sugar and I believe it was in the 30's. So 58 is too low. So I think you are right about reactive hypoglycemia. Here is a link https://www.stjoes.ca/patients-visitors/patient-education/f-j/PD 7972 Reactive Hypoglycemia after Bariatric Surgery.pdf According to their webpage: How can I prevent reactive hypoglycemia? You can help prevent reactive hypoglycemia by following your diet guidelines for bariatric surgery. • eat 3 healthy meals and 2 healthy snacks each day • space meals and snacks 2 to 3 hours apart • eat protein at each meal and snack time • avoid skipping meals and snacks • avoid or limit alcohol depending on what stage of diet your are at • avoid or limit caffeine depending on what stage of diet your are at • avoid sweets like cookies, cakes, candy, pop, juice and sweet drinks Instead of sugars and simple carbohydrates, eat complex carbohydrates because they release less sugar over a longer period of time. Having a complex carbohydrate with protein will slow this release even more.

You said it right in there this in an addiction as powerful as any drug or alcoholic drink. Just because we have the band we are still addicts which I think makes people with the lap band the bravest, strongest people in the world. Not only do we make a choice to permanently put something in between us and our addiction we make the choice through bad and good to not let food beat us. Be proud of all your accomplishments this is a journey and you'll be a better stronger person for traveling it. Good luck :wub:

How many days post op are you? Are you on solids yet? If you are allowed mushies you could try pulled pork or chicken since that would be the right consistancy. I would not feel bad about pulled chicken but I would about beer. One my doctor says no carbination, two it's empty calories. Personally I would rather have 150 cal. or dessert than alcohol.

Yes liquids are a funny thing, I can down a 44 oz drink now in a few mins as long as no food is with it. Some foods like a ribeye now I can eat 4 oz and other softer foods I can get 6-8 oz. The restriction is still there a year out. As long as the surgeon does the work correctly you can expect long term restriction on solid foods, Liquids you have to be careful and stay away from any high calorie drinks or alcohol as they can run right through the sleeve.

Im sorry to hear that hope all gets better. Thats exactly why I dont understand people when they say my doctor said not to drink soda but can I. He said to not drink alcohol can I? He said not to do this or that can I? If he said not to do it then dont test your band. Its for a reason people. No one realizes also when you over eat you are forcing the band into the wall of the stomach which equals erosion. If he tells you drink decaf then do it. I dont miss coffee, alcohol, or soda. You have to learn its not about what you want but what is best for you. We all need to take a lesson from this and do what the doctor says to do and not ask everyone if its okay to do this or that when your doctor told you not tooooooooooooooo

Last month I was all cleared for surgery and then 7 days into the pre-op diet, I freaked out and cancelled the surgery. I started thinking of all the things I would have to give up ALONG with the food and I started feeling depressed. The 7 days that I was on the pre-op diet made me feel like I was getting a glimps of my future without food and (I'm not going to lie) alcohol. I was highly irritable, short tempered, and hated that everyone around me could eat what ever they wanted and for the rest of my life, I would never be able to do. My husband and I LOVE (and make it a point) to try different kinds of food and drink from different cultures and such. For example, we traveled to Jamaica and made it a point to eat jerk chicken from a street vendor (always the best way to go for authentic)and had to, in the spirit of Jamaica, drink a Bob Marley. Went to india and of course had to have authentic indian food, went to mexico and (well you get the point.) I'm 31 years old and am a newly wed (2 years.) I'm afraid that if I "can't" eat, we'll never have fun and my husband will think I've turned into a "skinny brat." It's been a little over a month since I cancelled my surgery and I feel guilty about it every day. I am really considring rescheduling, but I am afraid I am not over my initial fear of losing more than food. I'm afraid that down the line my husband will not like me. What's a girl to do? I'm so confused.

My doc recommends at least 3 months, the fact is if you don't want to tell people, you can hold anything in your hand and not drink it. So if they do a toast raise a glass Cheers them on and don't drink it. The other standbys are you have been feeling a bit under the weather or that you are on meds you cannot mix with alcohol. For me, my family and friends all know but that doesn't mean I want to announce it on a billboard. I would probably just stick to water, mostly cause I think water downed Gatorade would really seem odd ha ha!! Have a great night!

So my good friends wedding is tonight... I am now 18 days post op and I feel great. Food and liquid goes down easily with not much trouble at all. I was wondering if I should stay away from alcohol tonight... I'm not a drinker but I do have alcohol on special occasions like tonight. Should I sip some wine or completely stay away? Only one close friend knows about my surgery so I don't want all of my other friends to ask why I am not drinking. I know the alcohol hits faster after being sleeved and I know to be very careful with it... What does everyone think? I need some opinions.

I'm a month post op and I've always had a ritual of friday night bar hopping with my girlfriends. I've drank that last couple weekends and have been absolutely fine. I eat well and work out, and I'm losing slowly but surely. So I don't feel the need to sacrifice the alcohol.. just like the others said, avoid beer and carbonation.. i prefer vodka and will usually have it mixed with something light.

Hey Sunny Day, red wine (as it's known for being healthy) or vodka and Water, then add drink mix (bring your own no sugar drink mix, i.e., Crystal Light, Hawaiin punch etc.). Yep, stay away from the regular mixed drinks...way too much sugar on top of the alcohol calories. I'm newly banded and on two occasions, I've had this. Right or wrong, there's lots of social occasions and that go to drink just makes sense for me (or, of course, abstain w/water and lime/lemon) Good luck to you!

Well there is a huge history so thats why im concerned ... I don't and didn't drink alcohol anyway. It was prescription. But I guess these days you can have transferred addictions to anything! Just because you take the food away (substance) doesn't mean your problems are solved! it allll centers in the mind!!! Thanks for the feedback guys

I don't know anyone that has had the problem but I have read about it. Like kmiller said, transfer from one addiction (food) to another is the most commonly cited cause. Realistically, I don't think you should even think about alcohol until you're at least six months post-op. If there's no history of alcohol abuse (with yourself or your family), I really don't think you have a lot to worry about. Other types of drugs could be a whole different story and I know nothing about that.