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I think there's so much conflicting information because we all hear different things from our surgeons, nutritionists, etc. We're also individuals and that counts for a lot of variations. 1. I was told never any NSAIDS mainly because they can cause ulcers. I'm a bypass patient, but I've heard some sleevers say that they can take NSAIDS occasionally with an acid reducer. I don't know if that's true or not because I didn't get the sleeve done. 2. One of the many reasons I was encouraged to get bypass instead of the sleeve is because of my GERD. I'm almost 3 months out and so far, so good. 3. This varies highly! I was a carb addict before surgery and I was really just starting to phase bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. out of my life during the pre-op diet phase. I still don't trust myself though. I don't think I can personally eat those kinds of things in moderation, so for me and my team, they’re off limits. Also, I've heard that for some those types of foods can expand in the stomach and cause discomfort. 4. I've heard the statistics about addiction transfer. I've also run across posts (all across the Internet) from various people talking about how they got addicted to alcohol after surgery so I think there's at least some truth there. 5. Not everyone experiences dumping. Or some do early out, but then they're able to eat or drink anything once they're further out. I don't eat sugar except in dairy, so I don't know if sugar will make me dump. But greasy foods (even things that are lower in fat) don't agree with me at all. Overall, there are a few things that seem universal (eat Protein first, drink your fluids, take your Vitamins, etc.) But this journey is so individual and you never know where you'll end up on the spectrum until you have the surgery.

I'm a drug and alcohol counselor. I really hope you understand that even though you've quit drinking, it doesn't mean you're automatically cured of the issues that made you drink in the first place. Now you seem to be transferring your addiction back to food. You're dealing with your depression in very self destructive ways. I hope you're seeking treatment, a 12 step program or counseling. Without getting to the bottom of the reasons why you continue to abuse alcohol and food, there's a very high chance of relapse, both for drinking and for putting the weight back on. Good luck to you!

So glad you were able to talk to someone and get that all out in the open!! I've heard a lot of Gastric bypass patients end up having issues with alcohol. :-( I honestly can't drink more than about 1/2 glass of wine or I get sick. I'm too busy with work/nursing school/ kids to fit drinking in there, LOL. That's probably a good thing! Wednesday nights are my only evening I "allow" myself to not do homework/studying and I usually will have 1/2 glass of wine too. It's like my treat for getting through classes for the week. Then Saturday evenings we typically go on a date (if you call going to church and then grocery shopping a date!) You can "talk" to us anytime!! It's never too much info for me. :-) Gotta run! I'll try and check in more often!

Hi I am 4 months out (uk) and when I had my pre op appointment the surgeon asked me what I drink which was usually a glass of wine with evening meal 3-4 x per week and one or 2 more at weekends. He was happy with that. I have had a drink on occasions since my surgery, don't bother with wine now as don't fancy it much but have had shorts but only one or 2 at once and am fine. I have not felt alcohol affects me more now since surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey!! I never saw this post back in December!? I'm so happy for you that you're doing well!!! But be careful with that drinking girl! :-) You don't want to drink your calories, especially alcohol since it's chocked full of sugar. I find myself wishing I still got "sick" easily, LOL!! Although, I just ate half of a cookie from Panera and I'm totally nauseous, so I'll take that--now I'll be turned off from eating those Cookies, at least for a while! :-) I had a breast lift 4 weeks ago and am VERY happy!! Congrats on your surgeries too!! I didn't have implants done (much to my fiancé's dismay, LOL) so I'm actually a little smaller than I was before. I'm a 34, large C, small D right not. I used to be a 42DDD!! I wouldn't "mind" a tummy tuck someday, but I'm not set on it. Only one person sees my belly besides me, and he's totally ok with it. He was ok with my boobs too, but wow--I didn't realize how much the way they were affecting my self-esteem/ confidence. I'm not fully healed yet, so I'm anxious to really see the final result. I've creeped up a bit more since the last time I posted. I'm at about 155-157 now. But honestly, if I could tone some areas up, I'd be pretty happy. I'd still love to lost about 6-8 pounds before my wedding (May 20th) but I can't exercise, other than walking (and it's too cold out for me now!) for another month I think.... I've really been watching my food choices and being really careful, since I can't exercise right now. But I can really tell my hips/stomach/thigh area is getting "loose" :-( Dang it! My blood work all came back normal. My B12 was just a tad low, but she said I'm absorbing it, so that was good. I wasn't taking any B12, so I take 1, every other day now. Be careful with your iron levels!! If you're too low for too long, it can do permanent damage!! :-( My typical food daily is: Breakfast, wheat toast with Peanut Butter, or 2 eggs with cheese/ veggies. Lunch: Either a sandwich on whole grain with turkey, cheese, veggies...or a salad with turkey & ham, or grilled chicken and tons of veggies. Dinner: Some kind of meat, veggie and small amount of carb(Potato, rice, etc.) Snacks are typically string cheese, hard boiled egg, pop corn, dried fruit/ nuts, yogurt, fruit, raw veggies....those are my go to's. :-) Not to say I don't have an occasional glass of wine, a few cookies here and there....I can handle about 4 pieces of candy (like starbursts) then I'm sick, LOL. Absolutely no ice cream. I get VERY sick, quickly. NOT WORTH IT! :-) I have developed being hypoglycemic. Ended up in the ER twice before we figured out what it was. I just really need to make sure I eat enough, often enough and don't get low on my Water. I'm so sorry you and your hubby are not doing so well. :-( That makes me so sad. Would he/you be open to counseling? I am so thankful for the man I'm marrying!! He is my rock, for sure. I'm in nursing school and he has pretty much taken on all my "duties" at home, LOL. He "makes" me go sit down and study while he makes dinner, does laundry, etc. Plus, we work together, so while I'm at school, he does my stuff at work too. He's truly a gem. And I wish everyone was as blessed as I am. ♥ On that note---I'd better get off my behind and do something!!

I think there is a healthy, reasonable medium between eating hostess cupcakes as a meal (no judgment from me on that one man, been there done that!) and never even looking at a carb again LOL. I think everyone in this thread is right that you would do well to see your dietician and your psych, too. you don't have to go this alone. this is for life and you need to find something you can live with, and pinballing between extremes won't serve you in the long run. I'm all for having some dark chocolate after dinner or sweet crepes for Breakfast once a month, but it sounds like the concept of moderation is giving you a hard time here. that's okay. it's not a moral failing, it just... is. you've gone through a major life change and you're trying to find your new equilibrium. you know you have a history of abusing alcohol, and it sounds like after depriving yourself, some part of you wants to move on to abusing food instead. even if you don't gain back all the weight you've lost, it doesn't mean that's healthy for you physically or mentally. real talk? you may have lost some weight after overdoing it on the empty carbs... so far. but that doesn't mean empty carbs are the key to weight loss or health. don't take this as a sign that you have miraculously become one of those people who eats junk all day and still gets to maintain a normal BMI. the surgery does a lot of things, but I don't think it's quite THAT powerful LOL. although I imagine a lot of us wish it was. and even then... the scale is not the only measure of health. plenty of people with normal BMIs can be unhealthy if they're not adequately nourishing themselves. you know being extreme low carb doesn't work for you. that's fine, it doesn't work for a LOT of people. this is where some sensible guidance from a professional dietician becomes of use, because they can help you re-introduce carbs into your diet in a reasonable way that satisfies and nourishes you, but doesn't go overboard in the complete opposite direction. you know?

Alcoholism is more common with Bypass patients... less with Band and Sleeve..

Do look up the increased rates of alcoholism in wls patients. Transfer addiction is real. Whether they are doing it because they can't eat much so they drink or it's because our bodies metabolize it differently after surgery is still a little unclear. For some it can be a very slippery slope.

My best friend's new boyfriend's wife had bariatric surgery in 2015. She drank a fair amount/fairly often before surgery and, according to mutual friends, became depressed after surgery/weightloss and kept drinking at the same rate. He came home from work one day and found her dead. The coroner's report listed it as a result of alcohol consumption. I don't know all the details (alcohol poisoning, a leak, etc?), but I personally have been terrified to chance it after knowing what happened. I like libations, but not that much. :/ But, I have another friend that's now 9 years post-surgery and she drinks pretty much whatever she wants, whenever. *shrug* Stick with the most conservative option I guess?

I've been losing weight throughout the approval process, and I'm down about 40lbs, with my surgery 3 weeks away. I know that sounds great, but I'm getting very frustrated and disappointed. This past month, I only lost 10lbs, the least so far. I'm pushing myself hard - I'm going to the gym 6-7 days per week, adding time/speed/weight to my workouts as often as I can handle. I'm eating 1300 calories or less, including at least 80 grams of protein and very little sugar or fat. I gave up coffee, alcohol, and soda right away. I'm craving all the time, and I'm feeling cranky a lot. I'm trying to ignore the voices in my head that are trying to tell me that the surgery won't be effective. Obviously, I'm seeking surgery because conventional weight loss doesn't work for me. What I'm having more trouble doing is managing my expectations. I know I should be happy as long as I'm losing and not gaining weight. What strategies can I use to cope when I plateau or my weight loss slows down after surgery? I don't want to keep repeating this pattern of getting frustrated and feeling like what I'm doing isn't working.

I miss drinking alcohol and I'm 2 weeks post op. The only risk I heard (because I'm planning on drinking in May when I go on vacation which is 3 months from now) is alcohol too early might mess up any medication you're on (I'm on medication for 6 months to prevent gull stones & ulcers) & it will make you more hungry like you'll eat beyond the 4oz you're supposed to eat with our small stomach. So, I only have the answer for you with # 2. Not sure if it causes leaks. Height 5'0" Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs. Surgery date: 2/13/17 Goal: - 71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs). Current weight: 188 lbs My profile picture is not me. It's my "FitSpiration" body.

Yeah...think I'd be a bit irked if I heard that from a doctor. So, what, wait a few more years until you do actually have comorbidities and then it'll be okay? I really get tired of people that say "oh you just to diet and exercise more." Sure. Just tell somebody dealing with alcoholism to stay out of bars and all their problems will go away. Well, in the end you're the one having surgery, not him. It's ultimately up to you. Man this burns me up reading this...lol. Put this in your pocket and break it out the next time you need it.

The stomach still has open wounds until 8-9 weeks out. Personally I wouldn't pour alcohol into an open wound! Granted stomach acid is more caustic, but still... why take a chance?

I have had luck with some sugar free candies. You have to look at the sugar alcohol content and gauge it. I started with sugar free life savers and did ok. Some Russel Stover's sf chocolates are fine, others make me feel yucky. I'd avoid sugar free licorice, gummy bears, and Reese's. I'm 10 months out and don't have these items at all anymore. 1) because I don't want to really on artificial sweeteners for sweets so I fruit instead, and 2) because they seem to make me constipated and that's a tricky balance at my phase. Good luck, dear!

You increase your risk for ulcers with alcohol. I'm 4 months out and took a few sips of alcohol the other night and each sip burned. That's the last time I will do that for a long time. Alcohol is not worth the risk of damage.

I am 1 month post-op and I celebrated Mardi Gras but stuck with only vodka Water with crystal light packets mixed in. I was never drunk out of mind (not even close) but slowly sipped on drinks adding water and crystal light to each one to keep filling. Then once my crystal light packet and bottle of water were out I'd get another vodka water drink. I'm NOT looking for feedback or advice on the following: 1) Cheating that soon is just empty calories (I'm aware of that and already regret it so let's not beat a dead horse) 2) Beating a food addiction can lead to alcoholism 3) Follow what your surgeon/NUT says. I have been following it perfectly until the vodka so back on track with their guidelines for phases What I DO want advice on is the medical standpoint and everyone else's experiences. I have left my surgeon's nurse a note about it just in case 1) Will the vodka cause a leak? 2) Are there any other medical risks, besides delayed weight loss? 3) Has anyone else drank this soon and what happened?

Knowing what I do now I will say that going through WLS is more mental than anything else. Yes, I struggled with the same issues: what if I want to go to Buffalo Wild Wings and pig out every once now and again? What if I do want to go to a AYCE Chinese buffet? What if I want to snack and eat all day on Thanksgiving? Problem is those "few" exceptions will become the norm. You will have to accept and come to terms that there are some things you will not be able to do again. When I quit smoking years ago I couldn't fathom doing some things without the ability to smoke. Going out to eat, to a bar, or just working in my garage seemed like they'd be impossible to do if I couldn't have a cigarette in my hand at the same time. And guess what? Life went on just fine. We need to look at food like any other addiction. If you're struggling with alcoholism you can't try to justify going to a bar only on big sporting events. It's a door you open that leads to more excuses of indulging yourself when you know you shouldn't. I'm as guilty for thinking of ways on "well, how can I get around having a smaller stomach and still do x, y, and z?" Now I realize what a mistake thinking like that was. WLS is a tool - it's not a magical pill. I'm about 4 1/2 weeks post-op now and yes it is still strange to take half an hour to eat half a cup of chicken salad. Each day it becomes more of the norm and I'm simply adjusting for it, but it hasn't been a bad thing. I'm down 30 lbs and feel better in these past few weeks than I have in years. There are going to be things that I miss, but that's what got me overweight in the first place. By all means take your time in making this decision. Things will be different but you have to be honest with yourself in what is best long term. Keep talking with people and don't let those that are unhappy with their decisions to scare you away from doing what you think is best for you.

I waited six months after RNY. Thing about alcohol is yes, you can feel the effects more quickly, but you also experience them going away much, much faster.

Hello Hello! It has been many months since I last posted here. The last time i posted was concerning me developing a problem with alcohol after the sleeve. Well, that problem has been resolved and I no longer abuse alcohol. I admit it was bad and I was drinking whisky literally as soon as I got up, sneaking it at work, and all through the night. I managed to wean myself off after not quite 2 months. I feel great and my liver feels great too. (Used to get pains in my abdomen after drinking but they are gone.) So this is what I'm here for now. For the past 6 months I've been eating crap. I used to be so good on my low-carb diet. Then I started to allow the carbs back in. I was eating everything that I knew I shouldn't. You name it, I ate it. Ice cream, Cookies, cakes, candy, Pasta, mashed potatoes, bread, rice, take-out, I ate it all. As a result I gained 6 lbs. I became horribly depressed and didn't even try to stop from eating this stuff. I simply chose not to weight myself anymore. These past two weeks were the worst. The other day my supper was 2 Hostess orange cupcakes and a pack of Hostess crumb mini donuts. My belief that I was gaining weight was so strong that I convinced myself I could no longer wear the new clothes I bought and was considering buying larger sizes of clothing. I felt so fat. Then one morning I decided to weight myself before showering. Not only did I lose those 6 lbs I gained but I lost an additional 4 lbs on top of that. I'm now at the smallest I've been post surgery and only 10 lbs shy of my goal weight. So should I go back to my low carb diet or should I continue eating crap?

I abstained for about 9 months (my 6 month pre-op diet program and 3 months post-op). Now, I have some red wine or whiskey and Water occasionally. It hasn't hampered my progress in the least bit. I talked with my NP about it before I had any alcohol. On days where I know I will have drinks, I usually have Protein shakes to meet my protein goal while keeping the calories low to accommodate the alcohol. I don't like not eating, so I don't do this often. Right now, we are in the middle of carnival in New Orleans, so I'm having a little more, but I've still lost half a pound since Thursday, so everything is going as it should. Good luck!

Hi. I just got a prescription for CBD, cannabis. I tried an alcohol based tincture, and "ganja glycerin". My main malfunction is pain, then insomnia. I don't think I'm feeling the CBD at all. Is it an absobtion issue? Anyone tried it? You can PM me. Supposedly under the tongue it absobes, entering the blood, affecting faster than inhillation. Of course higher CBD is less THC, so I obviously didn't feel high, but I am not out of pain or soo sleepy, either. Drinking alcohol since my surgery hits hard and fast, and then leaves fast. I don't know I thought I'd at least be sleepy.

Do NOT drink until at least 9 weeks out. It would probably be best to wait 3-6 months or more. Type.. is whatever doesn't make you deathly ill. Keep in mind that 1 drink post surgery equals 2-3 drinks before. People have died from relatively low consumption, and plenty of patients end up transferring addictions and become alcoholics. Please be extra careful.

I don't drink beer (no carbonation). I don't tolerate red wine anymore. Liquor gives me ferocious heartburn. Postop all I can have is white wine. However, alcohol has plenty of carbs and I am on carb restriction for life so I have to budget my carbs if I'm going to have wine.

What is the best alcohol to have after the sleeve? Former whiskey & diet drinker. Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal