Search the Community

I had my first bit of alcohol 6 months after surgery. I wasn't planning on drinking but witnessed a traumatic event right before diner. I had less than an 1/8 of a cup and felt it way hard. I don't think I'll be drinking again anytime soon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The shrink says its the same tx as for alcohol or other addictions. We did fool around once trying to imagine not drooling over a hot pastrami sandwich (on rye with mustard!!) But i purposely aborted that one. EMDR does work,though for trauma andi wholeheartedly suggest anyone with ptsd try it. I need to accept that i am seriously addicted to simple carbs and must avoid them for life. No magic or surgery no mantra or mindfulness has been helpful in dealing with this issue. Still working on the batch of supplements the holistic med doc gave me but am getting thrown off schedule because i developed an unrelenting upper respiratory cold that stubborn ly kees getting worse no matter what i throw at it. Am grateful i did not have it the whole time i was in Israel.

It's all well and good that some people decide to ignore their doctors orders and their post surgery diet prescription but it's not useful or helpful to post your experience when someone who describes themselves as a "big drinker" says they are CRAVING and is needing support to NOT drink so soon after surgery. @@Bulldog51, Is marijuana legal in your state? You should not smoke it but you can eat it or use tincture. It isn't the same as alcohol but it will blunt your cravings I'm not a big drinker but with holiday parties I'd like a drink as much as anyone but I weighed the immediate risk to my health against a 30 minute buzz.

Interesting. Of all the things my doctor and nutritionists stressed, not drinking alcohol ever again, was THE most critical according to them. My clinic team is more on the side of better safe than sorry with most things (they also say no caffeinated coffee ever again), but on the point of alcohol they were very specific. They cited cases of those who had occasional drinks and felt fine but ended up back in the hospital a year later with serious stomach issues. My understanding was that alcohol was the table forever once you make the decision to get sleeved. They very specifically said no sip of champagne on New Years, no drink on birthdays, no sip ever again....literally not a single sip ever again.

You have great advice here. The only thing I will add is to watch out for sugar free junk food. (No nutritional value). Artificial sweeteners like acesulfame-potassium (in virtually every diet pop and many sugar free products) cause a noticeable spike in insulin. If you are insulin resistant (very likely if you are overweight) this will only compound the problem. Saccharin (sweet and low, pink packets) will also compound problems with blood sugar regulation. Xylitol and maltitol (sugar alcohols) cause gastrointestinal distress for many people (Google "Amazon reviews Haribo sugar free gummy bears" for some very entertaining recaps). Powedered Splenda is usually blended with maltodextrin, which also causes raised blood sugar and insulin spikes. Ditto for powdered stevia. liquid splend and stevia are your best best, but good luck finding packaged junk food that contains those relatively expensive formulations. The bottom line is that there are multitudes of ways these frankenfood products can be thwarting our best efforts. The simplest and cheapest way is to just cut them out. Deal with the cravings short term (buy some L Glutamine supplement to help, if necessary) and suffer through. You'll be better off long term.

If there was booze in the pie it is possible. LOL! It takes very little alcohol for me to actually feel drunk. Like I cannot drive drunk.......really drunk. Sugar, no......I just feel really crappy if i eat something with too much sugar. I had a very small piece of wedding cake at my friends sons wedding. It had a boozy chocolate mousse in it. I did not get drunk but could seriously feel the liquor.

I am limiting my alcohol consumption to holidays. Thanksgiving Day, etc. I am not drinking alcohol at football parties, etc. It has to be a "real" official holiday. Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

I had my sleeve on September 14th and had my first drink about 4 weeks later. I also enjoy an occasional cocktail, and know all about the empty calories so I switched from my regular rum and coke to vodka and diet cranberry juice - which has become my new drink of choice. I still enjoy a cocktail or 2 about once every 10 days or so. My surgeon had told me that I had to be careful with alcohol because l would be feeling the effects sooner that I expected. I didn't experience that but think it was because I sipped the 2 drinks over a period of 3 hours. On the benefit side, the alcohol helped my bowels move as I am constantly constipated from all the Protein I am taking in.

Be careful indeed, especially if you used to have cravings for it before. Nonetheless I enjoy a glass of wine or liquor (with a ton of ice), but I try to keep it as occasional as possible. I was sleeved on February the 25th and had my first glass of alcohol at the end of June when friends from abroad visited and we celebrated, it went down fine.

Hello all, I had my gastric sleeve surgery on November 15th. It has been such an adventure. I use to be a big drinker before surgery. I stopped about a month before and didn't have any cravings. Now I'm starting to have a craving for a drink. I know and completely understand it is empty calories and it's not healthy. I'm not looking to be criticized. I want to know when people have had drinks how it went and how soon it was. Thanks all. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't tell you the following to freak you out, but to reassure that, even if you can't control the nausea the way you want to, it won't do you lasting damage, and it will pass! So here's what I learned: You may not be able to help it, even with good drugs. I was sleeved on the 16th of last month, and I had epic levels of nausea. (Anesthesia always does it to me.) As I was lying in recovery, they had to hit me three times with anti-nausea meds, AND they put a little alcohol swab under my oxygen thingie next to my nose in case the scent helped me (it does help some people. Not sure if it had much impact on me, though.) Overnight in the hospital, they gave me the anti-nausea stuff as frequently as possible, but it was still rough. I managed to keep some broth down. I had great hopes for the banana popsicle, but two licks into that my stomach went, "Oh, you really don't want to do that," so I stopped and stuck with the broth. A couple of hours later, I ate TWO ice chips, and immediately threw up. And of course, there's not much in your stomach at that point except blood and mucus, so that's what I threw up. Fortunately, I was on enough pain meds that it didn't hurt, but throwing up is never fun. I almost grabbed that bucket in time, but still got a lot on me, to the point that they had to change my gown. (I looked like a CSI crime scene, lol.) Later I tried to take a GasX strip to help with the shoulder pain and incessant belching, and it hadn't even dissolved on my tongue before I threw up again. Tried the next morning to brush my teeth, and threw up. For real, if it's going to happen, it will happen. It didn't damage me, or even hurt that much. It's just gross. However, I think maybe I paid my "nausea dues" at the hospital. I haven't been sick at all at home, and if I was going to be throwing up a lot, I'm glad it happened at the hospital. Let them give you what they need to, and if your doc gives you some stuff for before surgery, great! But if you are as sensitive to the anesthesia as I, all I can say is, "Brace yourself. You'll get through it."

You have to make a permanent change to your mindset or you will regain. I am focused on my health period. Everything I think and do supports that. I changed my mind, the sleeve was a tool. I am 2.5 years out and down 118 lbs. permanently. My hobbies are cooking healthy foods and being active in dozens of ways. I don't have any unhealthy habits as I have determined to eliminate each one step by step. I got honest with myself about what made me fat to begin with and fierce about changing mindset. I do not self indulge on food, alcohol or negativity. I am a different person. Tackling the mental/emotional is the real key to success but without the sleeve as my tool I would have lost hope and incentive. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I was 264 and now am 146. I had the sleeve 4/14/14. I have had zero weight gain, however, I am the type to make a decision and stick with it. I made permanent changes and never backslide. I will eat something naughty at times but always stick to the overall plan. I don't drink alcohol and do not focus on food. I did the psychological work to permanently change my emotions. I have done serious work as health us a serious business. I no longer have any medical issues. Diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney and liver problems are gone. I only take an allergy pill, rather than 12 pills and 4 shots. The surgery is not a miracle, it is a tool. Your mind is the key. If you are the type that gives yourself permission to self destruct, you must take care of that. That was my approach. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I was just banded yesterday and this was one of the first questions I asked my surgeon. He told me that alcohol is an irritant, but that safely I could probably sip a glass of wine after about 6 weeks. Which is a hell of a long time since my husband and I are normally hosting some kind of party or another. In my own opinion (and take it from someone that likes to drink often) I would take it easy if I were you. Like you, I have chosen to NOT tell the majority of people I know. So if you choose to go out with your friends, you can always get out of drinking by stating that you're not feeling well, and just sip Water and be the DD if necessary. I think your new stomach will thank you for it in the long run Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Dear OP, I had guilt for a long time too. It took a while for me to accept that obesity is a disease. I was ashamed of my size. Embarrassed by my lack of self control. I saw myself eating larger portions than skinny people and hated myself for it. I didn't realize the biological factors, such as how the body defaults to maintaining weight so I had 300-lb hunger that my 150-lb friends had never experienced. I don't think that overeating or being slightly overweight is a disease, but obesity is. And to the people who just say "put down your fork and go to the gym" I reply with this: "That is like telling an anorexic who has been battling their disease for decades to the point of almost death that they should just 'eat more and exercise less' -- clearly there is more to the problem." (Otherwise... alert the media: I just cured anorexia! LOL) I think that the development of obesity is a complex combination of genetics, upbringing, environment, and triggers. I accept personal responsibility for poor choices at the outset that set me down this path. But I also know that I have done 100% best effort to fix this on my own and I need help (I counted calories and exercised and worked with a nutritionist and lost 91 lbs back in 2012-2013.... but since then I gained when I was put on a certain medicine, then when I underwent trauma, and then again during a period of horrific stress...but when I was losing I devoted my life to the endeavor and gave it my all...it was heartbreaking for me that despite losing 91 lbs I still was in the Obese 2 category....and now I gained 60 lbs of it back). Just like alcoholism or an eating disorder like anorexia, the causes are complex and the recovery takes dedicated effort. That is why insurance and the clinic requires us to meet with a psychologist and take classes and work with nutritionists and why we need to find a support group and a community such as here on BariatricPal -- we have the best chance of success which a support system to help us learn new skills, recover from obesity, and maintain our success. I think that I will always be an "obesiac" -- just like someone who is 20 years sober is still an "alcoholic" and still goes to meetings and doesn't take their sobriety for granted.... I need to learn to find comfort outside of food and develop and maintain healthy habits for a lifetime. That might be easy at times and challenging at times of stress or upheaval, but I have faith that after I have my bypass and with the support of my friends, I can succeed. And I feel very proud of that. :-) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

College was fine. I had no issues, my professors all let me keep Water and Snacks with me, everyone was understanding, it was actually very easy to maintain my weight there since many college folks are so health-conscious. I stayed away from alcohol for a full year though. It simply wasn't worth it to me to risk permanent damage to my body. Now, I can go out for a night of drinking, but I must give myself lots of time (1.5 hours minimum) to digest food. Mixed drinks take forever because my stomach capacity is small, so I end up pretty much just drinking straight shots, but I pace myself carefully with plenty of time between drinks (and I NEVER MIX CLEARS AND DARKS). If I try to drink too much, I'll vomit. If I mix, I vomit. My sleeve is very good at telling me when enough is enough. Unlike many people, my alcohol tolerance didn't really change, and after all the weight loss, I still don't really feel much of a difference in the amount it takes for me to get a buzz. But enough people have expressed a lower tolerance, so be careful anyhow! Lastly, drinking is seriously overrated. I wouldn't do it too often, sleeve or not. Campus culture can be nuts, and it's not good for your health overall to drink so much. I definitely feel the pressure, so I just limit the nights I'll drink, and encourage my friends to take part in activities outside drinking (bowling, trivia, dancing, etc). Learning to have fun and participate in social activities outside of food/drink has been really helpful!

One think to watch out for is alcohol. My Dr said not to drink for 1 year after surgery due to risk of bleeding ulcers. Your tolerance changes dramatically after as well Sent from my SM-N920G using the BariatricPal App

You can't detox your liver, it doesn't work that way. And you can't strengthen it, it isn't a muscle. The best things you can do for your liver are to avoid excessive alcohol and lose weight. Also, limit tylenol and don't do stuff that will give you hepatitis.

Hi! I'm 37, 5'4 and currently 255 - starting weight/highest weight was 270. I'm getting the sleeve at the OCC with Dr. Ortiz on December 19th. I'm doing well on the pre-op diet, but have struggled finding a Protein shake that works for me because I am allergic to all fake sugars and sugar alcohols. Unfortunately, pretty much every shake mix has those in it. My nutritionist said for now I can stick with lean Proteins and low carb veggies, but I'm wondering how to get my protein after. I am excited for a new phase in my life. I have been on every - and I mean every diet, ever - even when I competed in triathlons I could not get below 200 lbs. I thought there were no choices left for me and that I was a failure and destined to be fat forever. I'm really inspired by other peoples' stories and it's helping me be distracted instead of eating. I'm feeling nervous and hoping I can make a friend or two and maybe even find someone headed down to the OCC at the same time as me. My family is supportive (so far), but honestly, they don't know too much about the process or understand "the struggle". Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Starting mine tomorrow! 2 protein drinks and one meal. Very low carb, sugar and fat. I get all the non starch veggies I want including some broth. Absolutely no fruit, juice and no alcohol. The meal consist of 3-6 Oz chicken, fish or pork tenderloin. 1/2 cup starch (potato, corn, peas) and unlimited non starch veggies.

I was always a drinker...not as in alcohol, but in regular drinks. I always had a Water or something with me. I was sleeved on 11/7/16 and I am missing the ability to really get a good drink. The little sips just aren't doing it and I feel like I am constantly thirsty, but can't quench that thirst. I mentioned it to my doctor and he kind of shrugged- not much help. I know I can't guzzle down a glass of anything, but I hope that this passes soon. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can and WILL Do this!! First, drop the alcohol. Maybe go back to the very 1st part of your journey: Protein drinks, counting and writing down everything that you put into your mouth. Move more and keep coming on here for some support from like minded peeps!! We are all here to help you. You know what to do because you have already proved that!! Welcome

You know where to start to get back on track, your health is more important than anything else, alcohol only makes things worst, you did it at the beginning of this journey and you can do it again, stay strong and focused, whatever happenes in your life wont get back to the way it was by drinking, its only 50 lbs to go you can do it Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App

Started 309 Sw 273 October 2015 Current 225 Gw 175 Bypass Hello all...... this is my first post ever. I started this journey with so much fuel and raring to go. Somewhere down the line in the beginning life changed for me as for many of you (life events) and I lost my way. What are some things that you have done to get back on track? I have lost my MOJO, motivation, you name it! I feel as though I will never get these last 50 to 65 off. I know that I have failed, but somehow I feel like it's too late. I will say that I know where a lot of my empty calories come from (alcohol) so I know that is the FIRST thing to go- which I never should have started again, hence my recent life changes. Please only constructive criticism..... I have beat myself up enough. Thank you in advance! Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

Are you just adding your GENEPRO to plain Water? That could be why ou can taste it. If you drink coffee, tea or something hot it works great!! But...add it to a little hot water and whisk it a little before you add it to something. My hubby adds it to his chocolate Almond Milk, do the same thing with a whisk. I have done that also. But I have to shoot it like a shot of alcohol. LOL