Search the Community

This reply is after the fact, I would have asked your surgeon. The preop diet, in part, helps shrink the liver. I don't see how alcohol consumption prior to surgery could have no effect on the liver (maybe very small amounts of alcohol wouldn't, but why risk it without asking your surgeon's team?)

The OP is talking about drinking alcohol BEFORE the liquid diet starts. Seems to be a bit of confusion there. If your surgeon gave you no restrictions for prior to the start of the pre-op diet, then I don't see why you couldn't drink alcohol.

I went through the first few months on such a high from my weight loss, I did not have time to grieve. Now, as the loss settles down, there are times when I miss eating "normal" (Normal, meaning the way I ate before, and likely the way most Americans eat all the time). I do miss biting into a big hamburger, or having a big plate of food. For me, I think it is the sensation, not the flavor. I can eat anything (almost) in reasonable quantities, as long as there are small bites, well chewed. But, a big bite of a double-decker burger, with cheese, lettuce, tomato onion and bacon, with a sourdough bun... I couldn't take that big bite... and in reality, it is not the same sensation as taking that little pee-pee bite I take now. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. So, no, food is not my life, but like anything else you give up (smoking, coffee, alcohol...) you will have times of feeling withdrawal, at least I do. But, you know, when I look in the mirror, stand on the scale, bike 10 miles, or just not get winded going up a flight of stairs, I don't regret it one bit. Hmmmmm... I think I'm making burgers for dinner tonight.

Carlene: You are a gorgeous wonderful mom to take on your grandchildren for your DD and in all probablity giving the children an upbringing they so richly deserve. My bro in law is an alcoholic and a bi polar now in his 70's. Has been sober pretty much of of the time with a few slips. AA helped him and today he is in his 30th year. My sister went to Alanon for support. Somehow you wonderful woman must make time for yourself. All the baby chasing etc is tiring, but nothing like a little time off for yourself will revitalize you. You need that aqa walking. Is there anyone you know that could take the children for a 1/2 hour. In our community centre, they have day care for single moms while they take the exercise program. Any around your area? Just a few thoughts.

Omg, Tina, that is GREAT! Didn't realize you were dating! You SO deserve it. What would be BETTER is if hottie could take YOU for a date to the same place and you bump into the ex. Yes, I like to grind the knife when I stick it in. And then pour alcohol on the wound.

The hyprocrisy in the Catholic Church has always been a problem. Now that the Pope himself has been shown to have put the church before its' parishoners health and well being is almost unthinkable! If any of these priests had been teachers in a public school, the uproar and anger would have been played out in the news media and in our communities to the point that Americans would be calling for public lynchings. There's nothing much worse than for someone who has influence over a child, for them to sexually abuse those children. Children look to adults for guidance. They consider adults the ones who are there to teach them to do the right thing in all ways. We have a friend whose son attended a Baptist Church elementary school in Tampa, Florida. They didn't find out about their son's sexual abuse by one of the male teachers until after he was grown and had been in the Army (in a bomb disposal unit) for several years. He came home from the desert a wreck. It took many nights of drinking alcohol, hand wringing and support by his parents before he could unburden himself of the horrific things that happened to him when he was a child at the hands of that teacher. Can you imagine that scenario? Can imagine that happening to your child? They did their research and learned that the same teacher who abused their son was still a teacher at that school. How many years did that vile human being commit disgusting acts on boys who relied on him? How many other parents learned what that man did to their own sons over the years? Anyone who didn't report it and anyone who swept it under the rug is just as culpable as the pedophile himself as far as I'm concerned. John is still in therapy - too many years after his first discussion with his parents about the sexual assault against him when he was a child. The Pope and everyone involved need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Otherwise when will it ever cease?

Just a thought of you who are planning or going to Halloween Parties you pretty much know how to handle being around the alcohol or sweet wouldn't it be a treat to take a cake or food or something that is Sugar free or healthy no one else has to know but since it will be about Halloween why not make ants on a log you know celery with penutbutter or make and a few raisins. or deviled eggs with sliced green olives with pimento in the middle for the eyes or what version ay be , now that we have these options, have fun and not worry or your favorite kind of dip modified your way , besides you dancing , talking and mingiling and moving not to even think about what can I have , that these next Holidays will be even more enjoyable than they have been in the past.

Hi there, I hear you on the worrying -- I am really trying to learn how not to bank anxiety for the future and just to live in this day only (there's a beautiful George Harrison song about that, by the way). food is complicated. I used to use it as an anchor but also at other times to transport myself and escape. Now I need to staple myself to the moment in other ways. I still have much work to do on old habits and of course the holidays put all of that into sharp relief. So many get-togethers, so much food, alcohol and people, people, people. Stress is stress, whether it's good stress or bad stress, and my initial reaction to stress is still to turn to food. I don't have to turn far because it's always there but never more so than at this time of year. My old dieter's mentality gets turned up high and I have to fight off thoughts of being "on" or "off" of a diet and just keep meeting myself where I am. Meanwhile, for the last couple of months I've wondered if I need a fill. I've had sinus issues, though, and that can make me tighter so I've been waiting it out. But I feel like I'm losing ground, that I haven't made as much progress as I'd like. I'm up a few pounds when I'd like to be down a few more. This worries me and I don't want to fall into complacency. I don't want to go back to old habits, like nibbling, grazing, etc. I called the other day and made an appointment for next Monday -- the soonest I could make work. It will be good for me to re-boot. I need to go back to having a full meal with dense Protein then counting four-five hours before having more food. Let's not forget to pat ourselves on the back for all we've accomplished this last year. And now on to the next. Another thing that comes to mind is the HALT -- never letting myself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. When life is a swirl of activity and there's so much going on I really have to watch out for that. Especially the Tired part. Best wishes, every one -- for a great day.

Because use of tobacco and alcohol is a CHOICE and I am not going to shed a tear over those who willingly and knowingly take part in an activity that is known to cause death or disease. My priorities are perfect where they are and I am right in their order. And I think the anti-tobacco forces have done a great job against the tobacco industry. And with education. Fewer people smoke. Non-smokers rightfully demand not to be exposed to second hand smoke. Smokers are now piranhas. Not welcome where they used to be (restaurants, workplaces, etc). Thankfully. And lawsuits against the tobacco industry have been successful in many cases. Now it's time to take on the big health insurance industry. And we will win in the end. It's going to happen.

Oh, you help every time you post. This thread in particular has been an anchor for me. Real life, real people, real problems, real solutions. I need to get honest about the self medicating I am doing with food and alcohol and "occasional" pain pills for arthritis. It's been an escape. A way to numb out. No, not at crisis level or even noticeable by anybody except me. No binging. Just hiding out in the movie theater every week, sometimes twice a week, because they serve food (crapcorn by the bucket) and wine. And taking a pain pill mid day not because I've walked a 5k or climbed hills and stairs at a state park, but because I want to feel relaxed and not anxious by evening. It's time to get real. These behaviors are keeping me stuck and they are dangerous. I've shared this with my OA and CODA groups and now with you here. Other travelers on the path to wholeness. I can't get better in my isolated bubble. I'm watching a dear friend lose a little more of her 20-year old son each day to severe alcoholism. It's smacking me upside my head. Just be who you are. And I will do the same. You all inspire me.

Pat, funny you should mention alcoholism. I've been sober for 19 years. Addicted to food and shopping, but not using alcohol anymore. I have been comparing this in my mind to alcoholism and recovery. The lapband is my antibuse. Right now I am in detox. After my banding I will be in rehab. Once I can eat solids, I will be out of rehab and into the scary real world. Thank God for my antibuse, because if I use my "drug" I'll get really sick! If I start eating around my band it means I stopped taking my antibuse so that I could fall off the wagon intentionally. This board is my meeting. You guys are my support group. Jaime, I'm glad you shared what you did. I wasn't thinking it would be so hard right away. I'm still on the pre-op. It's not being hungry that bothers me. That passes. It's the emptiness. I feel empty. When I feel stuffed then I am a little numbed. I remember telling a co-worker a long time ago, "I don't care what happens during the day. As long as I can go home, sit in my chair and eat my Oreos and Diet Coke, I'll be happy." I had a very stressful job, but I got through the day by thinking of the moment that I would sit in my comfy chair, all alone, with my stack of cookies and my huge Diet Coke. That would make everything all right. Is there a section on this board that deals specifically with sharing these kinds of issues?

This is what works for me and were all different so I'm by no means telling you to do this just sharing my journey. I really don't think i do anything special and there's some areas such as exercise that I still need to get into a better routine of but here is what a typical day looks like for me: 80 oz of fluid- Water, tea, crystal light 60-80g of Protein Approx. 1200 cal. per day Each meal consists of 3-4oz of lean protein, 1/2 c veggies, and 1 starch serving I ALWAYS eat my meals in the following order, protein first, then veggies, and lastly the starch (if I have room) I never drink anything while eating or for one hour after. NO CARBINATION NO ALCOHOL I NEVER DRINK MY CALORIES Below is where I may be different in some areas than others: Limitation of Carbs- Not Elimination but Limitation:-) I told myself when I had this surgery that bread was a no no (the doughy kind), so, the only bread I've had has been whole wheat toast for a sandwich. I've had Pasta twice and while I did fine with it, I chose not to eat it because it really didn't fill me up and I decided I would rather spend my calories on food that keeps me fuller longer with better nutrition (with less calories and all the other stuff). Same with rice. So basically I limit the type of carbs I allow in my diet. They either come from Veggies, or when I cook sometimes I will roll my chicken breast in bread crumbs or if I have a sweet tooth craving I buy the skinny cow chocolates or ice creams which of course are heavier on the carbs (15g or so), or I will have a 1/2 of a flour tortilla for a wrap or 2 corn taco shells, but typically I limit my actual Starch servings to once a day. I've also never been a real big fruit person, so I rarely eat it. My surgeon told me about the sugar and carbs found in fruit and while they encouraged eating them in moderation they did warn me not to overdue it so if I have a fruit with a meal or as a snack I will not have a starch etc. There are some things I knew I wanted to eliminate all together because there's no nutritional value and it's a trigger for me so I made a mental list of all of those foods and I'm not going to try it not because I think the band will have issues with it but that my head will have issues with it. For instance pizza, I haven't had a slice of pizza in over a year and I don't miss it a bit, If/when I do get an urge for it I know theres a healtier version; I have a recipie that uses cauliflouer crust when that urge arises I will op to make the healthier version. Don't get me wrong I don't deprive myself, I made this a lifestyle change so I made it to include the things I CAN AND CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT. Like if I want a cookie, once in a while I will eat a cookie, I just take it off of my calorie intake for the day, you just can't make this an every day occurance so if you know this food is a trigger for you to binge then learn to live without it or make a healthier version. If I want chips I get the individual bags of Special K Sour Cream and Onion. 1 package has 110 cal and I get by with just 1/2 now:-) so for 55 cal, 1 g sugar and 11 carbs I feel like I've had a cheat:-) There's a tradeoff for everything and for me it's all about balance. If I can find a healthy alternative for something I love and it's good then I'm all for it, if there's not then eat the real thing in moderation (as long as it's not harmful to your band), count it off your daily calories and move on:-) Some examples of food are: Breakfast Dannon light greek yogurt with 3tlb hy vee trail mix- 212 cal 16g protein 2 eggs with 1 piece of farmland low sodium bacon crumbled with some onions and mushrooms sprinkled with 2% shredded cheese and salsa. Approx 250 cal 16g protein. lunch 4oz deli turkey 100 cal 18g protein 2slices slim cut kraft cheese colby jack slices. 70 cal. 6 protein 1 tlb okios greek yogurt dip 13 cal, 1p 2 Romaine lettuce leafs 8 cal Total approx 226 cal 25 g p Detour low sugar protein caramel nut bar. 340 cal, 5 net carbs 2g sugar and 30 p (Only eat maybe once a week in a pinch) dinner Parmasean crusted tilapia (can send you recipie if interested) with green giant just for1 cauiflouer with cheese sauce. Approx 300 cal 35 p Smothered chicken with cheese oniins & mushrooms with salad with homeafe ranch dressing. Apprix 369 cal 30 p I have a couple of Snacks throyghout the day, some options: Okios yogurt dip with veggies or 1-2 oz of colby jack or pepperjack cheese with 5 townhouse reduced fat crakers 70 cal 180 cal - 280 cal 7- 14 g p ( if I eat this 2 oz I will do one if the lower cal snacks later) SF fudge ice cream bar 35 cal 60 cal sf pudding Skinny cow choc. 3pcs 130 cal Skinnk cow drumstick 160 cal I always make sure that I have quick and easy things laying in the fridge for those days when I don't feel like cooking or am in a hurry so for me that means deli turkey meat, and kraft sliced cheese (love the slim slices 35c each) so I weigh out the meat throw it in a baggie and eat it on the go. I love it;) As far as motivation goes these are the things thst keep me going: I have a strong faith in God, my family, I have a great support system, I love being able to do things I haven't done in years, LOVE walking into a store and seeing something i love and not worrying about if it comes in my size. Oh yeah and all those peple who thought i was crazy, doubted me or waited for me to fail, being able to prove them wrong:) Any time someone thinks I can't do something or discourages me you better watch out because I fight like hell to prove them wrong!!! So I guessI should thank them;) I hope this helps and if anyone has any recommendations please share I'm always open to better options. Thanks!

Thank you. I just ordered the last one on there cause it said no sugar alcohols. And saw they had orange breath mints too. That were the same. That I’m gonna get for my apron at work. Cause I always worry about my breath. Thank you so much. This sounds like a great fit. Fixes a craving why staying on track. They also have a ginger ale one I found. With actual ginger extract. So it might help the stomach. Without the soda and sugar. Thank you. I can’t say that enough.

Depends. I can remember being advised not having alcoholic beverages for about 4 months or so and that we should try with caution because one can get drunk really quick. For me, it can hit like a hammer, depending on the beverage. However, this is only the "technical site of it" so to say. That one can have alcohol after some weeks or months doesn't mean that one should drink alcohol regularly (WLS or not).

I was given the following reasons to refrain from alcohol: (1) empty calories (2) can contribute to worsening GERD (3) metabolization of the alcohol may have undesired effects with your new digestive system (4) risk of transfer addiction. I was not told never to have it again, but to use caution before proceeding. I rarely had alcohol during weight loss phase, I would guess probably less than 10 times the entire time, and these times wouldn't even be an entire regular "serving". It was always dry red wine or gin/vodka with soda (less calories and less carbs). I once had a couple sips of a flavoured soju like 2 months post op and ended up on the bathroom floor for over an hour. Not pretty. I can get tipsy/drunk reeeaaalllly quickly (and on much, much, much less than pre-op). But I also sober up astonishingly quickly as well. 1 drink and I'm def affected. 2 drinks and I'm drunk. But about an hour later I'm totally back to normal again. I'm almost 2 years post op now and I drink fairly regularly (particularly since COVID started!), though I still stick to red wines and spirits with no sugary mixers for the most part (with the exception of Kahlua, an important ingredient in espresso martinis) P.S. I am NOT advocating drinking to all, especially if your team advises against it. Everyone is different and should aim to know their limitations and stay within them. Some may have more trouble with this, which is probably why lots say to just stay away. It can become a slippery slope.... Edited to add: I just realized the title of this thread was for bypass. Oopsies, I'm a sleeve, and I think it may be a bit different, between the two: alcohol will bypass a portion (or all?) of the small intestine in by-passers and go directly to the the large intestine, which results in different alcohol metabolization rates...

Congrats on the 8 lbs! I know we are supposed to be concentrating on just healing and not loss right now, and the scale will probably go up for a bit when we start introducing more foods into our diets, but for now it's nice... I just had my staples removed yesterday (one week after OR-a bit early, but they were making me NUTS) and the nurse had to help me find my port. Don't worry, it's in there. Sometimes it is above the port incision by a couple inches, sometimes it's off to the side, and sometimes it's right under the incision (mine is). I am completely numb above my port incision and the one closest to it. They must have gotten a nerve during the OR and I'm glad for now, but I'm dreading the return of feeling! But tbeing numb is the only way I was able to push on my belly and find the port. Here's a link to a thread I started a while back about what folks were closed with: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/what-were-your-incisions-closed-31852/ The glue eventually falls off, you can trin the edges that are lifting with little nail scissors or clippers (wipe the blades with alcohol first, jut to make sure they are clean, though). I had very sticky stuff all over my belly, it is from the sheet of film they put over your skin in the OR to keep the site sterile. It's usually yellowish (called Ioban). You can try a variety of things to get it off. Goo Gone!, nail polish remover, any adhesive remover (but those are so expensive) or my favorite, baby oil. It takes a while to work it off with anything, so I smeared baby oil over the whole stick area and then slowly worked at it with a cloth rubbing back and forth. I did have to scrape it with my fingernails in areas. I have some stuff we use in the hospital (Detachol) and that worked NO better than the baby oil did on the Ioban. After you've finished, just make sure you gently wash the area with antibacterial soap (Dial, etc) and pat dry.

No dreams that I remember! Or nightmares as of yet... I have had a beer, margarita & martini in the last few weeks...my doctor says it is fine to imbibe in moderation. I will tell you though that my hubby is excited that I am a "cheap" date all of a sudden...boy, it hits you hard! The beer tasted so damn good! I took baby sips to eliminate some of the fizziness! I haven't tried wine which is supposedly the easiest for lap-banders to tolerate. Melissa--are you not allowed any alcohol?

I haven't had dreams but I did have an extremely horrible day a few weeks ago and I drank some alcohol but surprisingly, I didn't get/feel sick! Not that it means it's good for me, I know it isn't but.. it was just a really bad day! lol

I can only speak to my experience,,, most alcoholic drinks and beer,,, will be off limits,,, for at least a few months after WLS... I know my doc said wine would be a good thing to start back with if you wanted,,, beer has lots of carbonation,,, sounds painful,,, just thinking about it,,, im 4 yrs post op,,, any way,,, I decided after ,,, to forgo,, so Ive been sober for 4 years,,, BEST decision of my life,,, please take this endeavor seriously,,, this is not a cure all,,, if you dont change your habits you will go back,,, and re gain the weight,,, I decided to take this GIFT and use it to its fullest,,, sounds kind of fruity,,, but im dead serious,,, 4 years of maintained weight goal,,,, lots of gym / great nutrition , exercise and SOBRIETY I doubt I will ever go back,,, you can and will fall into old / BAD habits,,, I wish you luck,,, WLS is just a head start,,, but ya gotta change your eating / drinking / active habits !! best of luck

Thanks for the advice guys. I dig y'alls passion and commitment! It's evident that y'all are winning the battle of obesity. I should have made my question a little more clearer. I totally understand that alcohol equals useless calories and can lead to poor choices in general, namely food consumption! I was referring to the sleeve itself, and the potential harm that alcohol could have on the healing sutures and such. As of now, I am self funding my revision (appeal in progress), so I am in no way planning to waste my hard earned money and sabotage my potential success. But having said that, I still want a life! I am a very light drinker and may go months without nary a drop. There are times and occasions that I like to be social and partake in the "party". That's all. Thanks, Ray

Get Dr. Jason Fung's book, "The Obesity Code." He does a very good job of explaining that insulin is what really makes us fat. Every time you increase your blood sugar with simple carbs, sugar, alcohol, your insulin shoots up to drive the sugar down, and send the calories to fat storage. When your blood sugar crashes, you get hungry and crave more sugar. This yo-yo stuff can go on indefinitely. The only way to break it is to stop the simple carbs and sugar. The fact that you have cravings after you drink alcohol indicates the same thing is happening. It takes about 3 days for the cravings to go away, and just a tiny taste can bring them raving back. The same pleasure receptors in the brain that are activated by sugar, are the same ones that activate for cocaine. Sugar is highly addictive - that's why it is in so much processed food that doesn't even need to taste sweet. An extra bonus: when I gave up wheat and sugar, ALL my joint pain went away! My brother experienced the same thing. These are such inflammatory foods. Once you see how good you can feel without them, and how bad (tired, achy, cravings, depressed) you feel when you eat them, it is much easier to "just say no." "It's just not worth it."

Agree. Vodka or Tequila soda. Go slow. It hits you fast. Avoid drinking liquor by itself. I've made cocktails with less mixers and more soda water so I can still have a cocktail but less Alcohol and sugar. Sent from my SM-G975U using BariatricPal mobile app

i stopped drinking in the first day of my 2 week pre-op diet. And no, i didn't have to take a blood-alcohol test at any time. Had my first drink (2-3 sips of red wine) at around 3 weeks post op. Had my 2nd (partial) drink around 2-3 months post which gave me one of the worst dumping experiences i have had to date (it was a sugary soju-sake cocktail). I had maybe 4-5 (partial) drinks during weight loss phase: vodka sodas or very dry red wine. Now im just a normal regular drinker for the most part (but i still try to stay away from overly sugary drinks). Im 4 years post op.

Were you fasting for a full 12 hours? And no alcohol for 36hrs? You can sometimes have a falsely elevated reading if you were not fasting. Sometimes it's just heredity and not your diet. Don't get too worried! (I work in family practice as a nurse)

It is not feasible to never have a piece of chocolate or a glass of wine again. None of us got to where we are from a glass of wine or a piece of chocolate. We all still have lives to live, we just need to make smarter choices along the way. Saying we CAN'T have something is how a lot of us got here in the first place! Enjoy your wine and husband and live life to the fullest. P.s. My surgeon NEVER mentioned being unable to consume alcohol, only to not over consume and to wait until I am fully healed. Let's all support eachother here because not one of us is perfect and we should not expect others to be either.