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My surgical team recommends no alcohol for 3 months after surgery and it hasn't been three months for me yet, but I haven't had ANY pain or nausea since surgery. I'm attending an event tomorrow night and would like to enjoy a glass of wine but I don't want to get sick or jeopardize my new pouch in any way.

Hi Shell, Im still here lol. Just been super busy. I can understand your guy's frustration with your eating routines as I feel it too. But I am way more undisciplined than both of you. My weight loss hasnt stalled its stopped at 31kgs. This is entirely my own fault and its due too two things. Back working night shift which results in me eating around the clock as I dont know what is breakfast lunch or dinner and an increase in alcohol consumption. I dont worry too much what I eat when I do as its not much but I think I have got into a habit of eating every couple of hours. I need to restrict myself to a few drinks once a week and as a means to get to sleep during the day 3-4 times a week. Some exercising would also be s good idea. You guys willbe pleased to know though thats its actually hard to put weight on, even when you are as undisciplined as I am. I might put one or two kgs on but it comes off again and hasnt continued to go up. But time I took this all a bit more seriously as I would like to lose another 20 odd kgs. So lets see what I can do. Sent from my SM-G900I using the BariatricPal App

I'm a little over a year post op, and I was about 10 months when I tried my first drink. I've never been a big drinker, but I have always been curious. I drank one shot (2 oz) of fireball over the course of 10 minutes or so. Like @@Djmohr, it affected me quite strongly and quite quickly, and was gone very quickly (maybe half an hour). I did count the calories. I have not had any alcohol since then and I don't really have any desire to. Perhaps a little glass of wine at Thanksgiving, little glass of champagne at New Years, etc. It's just not really worth the calories without some kind of special occasion to me.

I just had my first glass of wine about a month ago. I am 23 months post op. Seriously, I am shocked at how quickly and completely it effects me. Half a glass, I am buzzed. A whole glass and I would definately not be able to drive. I could have had alcohol 1 year post op but I was on medications and couldn't. The thing is, it doesn't last very long though. It seems to go through my system fairly quickly. I have yet to have more than one drink.

I'm 19 weeks post op. Some people in my monthly support group meetings have said they've started to drink alcohol about 6-10 months post op. I have absolutely no intensions of doing so but I don't have the guts to ask those people how they feel after drinking. Anyone here started drinking alcohol? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The effects of alcohol on weight loss? Negative. Alcohol has no nutritional benefit for weight loss. It is empty calories. Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

There is a recent thread on this subject with lots of responses. You can search for alcohol to find it.

@@_CRYSTALLITE_ I work in insurance and have obtained prior authorizations before from all types of BCBS plans. From what I have seen, most of the plans that require documentation from a PCP only required "clearance" from them, meaning that they will document that you are physically a good candidate for surgery based on your medical history and you don't have any health issues that would cause higher risk for complications. With that said, I think you should be fine with a letter from your PCP clearing you for surgery and whatever documentation your surgeon sends over to them. Sometimes they will ask for more records to base their decision on, but I haven't seen much more than that. Also, I don't think your PCP can document your smoking/drinking habits because the PCP only goes on what you say. They might just be able to state that you don't have a history of smoking and/or alcohol abuse according to their records. Fingers crossed that you have no trouble!

It’s pretty widely known that chronic over-indulgence in alcoholic beverages can play havoc with one’s liver — in extreme cases ending up with cirrhosis and a non-functioning organ. But non-drinkers can also have liver problems. In particular, there is one called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, which is a risk factor for chronic liver disease and cardiovascular disease, according to the authors of a recent report in JAMA Internal Medicine. NAFLD is a condition in which triglycerides (fats) accumulate within liver cells. If the accumulation is extensive enough it can trigger inflammation and a condition known as steatosis, which can then progress to irreversible cirrhosis. The authors of the report conducted a randomized clinical trial to investigate the effects of different levels of exercise on NAFLD in obese Chinese adults. Led by Dr. Hui-Jie Zhang from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China, they randomly assigned 220 adults (40-65 years of age) with abdominal obesity and NAFLD – documented by MRI – to one of three exercise conditions. They were particularly interested in ascertaining whether vigorous versus moderate exercise differently affect NAFLD. The three groups were: VM: vigorous exercise for 6 months followed by moderate exercise for 6 months. M: moderate exercise for 12 months C: control — no exercise program. The authors concluded “Vigorous and moderate exercise were equally effective in reducing intra-hepatic triglyceride content; the effect appeared to be largely mediated by weight loss.” http://acsh.org/news/2016/08/23/exercise-could-save-your-liver/ So I guess the bottom line is that if you lose weight and exercise, you can repair some of the damage to your liver, prevent cirrhosis and live a longer healthier life.

I have the bcbs fed basic and didn't have to provide a letter from a pc. I just self referrer straight to my surgeon. The drug and alcohol question was included in my psych evaluation. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T817A using Tapatalk

Everyone's plan is different, and I would recommend that you stick with whatever your plan states for you. If you are unaware, ask your surgeon or NUT and I'm sure they'll have an answer for you. For me, it was at about the 60-day mark when I had a few sips of wine. I didn't try to push it beyond that, and I don't drink very often at all. My nutritionist labels any alcohol the same as refined carbs -- "empty calories"...and they are just that. When you can't eat very much nutritious foods during the day, you learn very quickly to become stingy with the calories that you can consume, and so I try to opt for things that are nutritious and will actually feed my body. Alcohol just isn't one of those things, no matter how much I wished it was. I do believe that there are some very real antioxidant qualities in red wine though, so I will have a sip or two now and again, but only after I eat and only on special occasions...it's never really been a regular thing for me. But best advice would be to speak with your NUT/surgeon to your specific plan and be stingy with those calories! Make sure what you do consume is nutritious! Best of luck!

When will it be ok to have alcohol particularly wine Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I feel we all have to compromise somewhat for the gift we have been given ( and worked hard for ) of a healthier life. Some here want hair, some want pizza, some want alcohol. I guess we must be willing to take what is handed to us and deal with it the best we can. In my heart, WLS is worth a lot of compromise.... (Considering what obesity can do to many as we age)

I was never told that I can never have alcohol again. I was advised to not have any for a while after surgery but not even given a time line. I turned the big 4-0 about 6 weeks after surgery. Did I have a glass of wine. You bet I did! I was turning 40! Have I had many drinks since...? Um.. yes. Yes I have and no I have not had any problems. At 11 months post op I am down 118.8 pounds and only 4.6 lbs from goal. Don't care what people say - I'm gonna have a damn "adult" drink whenever I want. I've worked very hard to get to where I am - in life and with weight loss. I'm 40 years old. I can make 40 year old decisions and if drinking alcohol is one of them, I'm gonna do it. Lol I have even had a forbidden beer or two. I'll admit it - I don't feel great after a beer because of the carbonation and it filling me up so quickly, so I don't drink them very often at all. We are all adults and know our own bodies best. I get that the doctor and nutritionist knows a lot about the effects of alcohol but not ever drinking again is unrealistic. In my opinion.

My surgeon knew that I like to have the occasional cocktail, she advised that after 6 weeks I could have a beverage and warned about Sleeved patients are likely to become alcoholics due to ease of getting drunk. She was cautious and informative. Its nice to know that I can have that drink and its not something I'm not allowed to have.

Just a question for the group. I had my surgery 1 year ago. I am down over 100 lbs. So I am not complaining in the slightest. I have experienced some slip ups in the last couple months or so and I am not losing like I was before (like not at all). I do however, still exercise (run 2 miles a day 4-5 days a week). Bread is creeping in, as is an occasional alcoholic beverage. Are y'all the same ? I am 20 lbs. from my goal weight and need to refocus my efforts !! Mike A/K/A - BigHarleyGuy1 (although not so big anymore)

@@_CRYSTALLITE_ I don't know if a PCP will attest to that - particularly alcohol (how would they know other than by your word). I've also never heard of that requirement before. Maybe to say you haven't had any drinking problems to their knowledge. The PCP records should document smoking history and be able to confirm that (or submit your records).

I finally got my letter of support from my pcp(I had to jump thru hoops to get one). Well the insurance lady told me that the letter needed to state that I haven't smoked or drank alcohol within the last six months or something like that or the insurance will deny it. Of course My doctor didn't put it on there. It took me forever to get the letter and I don't want to delay them submitting my paperwork because I'm trying to hunt down my pcp. And I certainly don't want to get a denial because the statement isn't on there. My question is for anyone with BCBS federal, do you really have to have this statement on there? Was anybody denied because they didn't have it on there? Do you think I should have my pcp to add the statement? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm not much of a drinker of any kind of alcohol. When I did drink, it was only to get a buzz. Did you get a buzz? I hear we get buzzed really fast.

Fyi- had my first drink of alcohol last night (3 months RNY post-op) red dry wine. Before surgery I was a wino lol. You know, it was a little disappointing.... I was expecting it to hit the spot and more. But to be honest I'm glad it didn't I don't need those extra calories Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations on overcoming your Diet Coke obstacle. I started tapering off of them July 5. Now, I will only have one when we are out of the house or I am traveling for work. I know I will have to give it up completely after the surgery, but in all likelihood, that will just have to happen then and I will have to deal with it. I can give up alcohol; I can give up carbs; I can even give up cable, but giving up Diet Coke is the hardest challenge of all!

Hi everyone, I have been reading posts for a little while now, but this is my first post. I am a 40-year old guy, and I live in New Orleans with my partner of 7.5 years. I have battled my weight for entire life. When I was 21 years old, my parents and I went on Phen-Fen together. That was the first time I lost 100 pounds. I have yo-yo'ed ever since, losing 100 pounds another two times in my life, and 30-50 pounds more times than I can count. Last year, I had to travel a lot more than I have had to in the past many years for work. (I am a Delta Diamond if that means anything to any travelers out there.) All of that travel meant eating for convenience and drinking more wine than I would if I were at home. I was already heavy before (370 pounds), but by December 2015, I weighed 397 pounds. My family had been encouraging me to have weight loss surgery for about a year. (My dad had a gastric bypass many years ago; my mom had the sleeve about 3 years ago, and my brother got the lap band about 2 years ago.) After seeing the nearly-400 pounds looking back up at me from the scale, I agreed that it was time to do something about my weight once and for all. And my partner was ready to deal with his weight as well. (He started at 316 pounds, so he wasn't in quite as bad a place as I was then. For the record, he has lost about 70 pounds himself, so I am super proud of him!) I was finally able to get in to see my PCP in February, and had my first of six consecutive monthly appointments with the surgeon's medical staff that is required by my insurance on March 3. I had two weeks of filming work in California right after (something new for my team and full of stresses), so I didn't begin my weight loss journey until March 21. In the past 5 months, I have lost 83 pounds while going to see the surgeon's staff once per month. This morning I weighed 314 pounds. (In case anyone is interested, I have done low carb/high protein/high healthy fat. I keep carbs below 20 per day -- usually below 12 per day. I have reduced my calories from 2000 to 1800 to 1500 to now 1200 for the past many weeks. I have cut alcohol out completely for now to conserve the calories. I walk 5 days a week, involving inclines and such for a majority of these 45 minute sessions. The surgeon's staff did give me a phentermine prescription, so I have been taking that since early April.) Now, I'll get to the point of my post if anyone is still reading... I had my sixth diet visit, and I am waiting on insurance approval now. It's been about a week so far, but they say it can take up to 30 days, so the surgery will likely be sometime in early October. I have been reading everyone's posts about the surgery itself, the pain (or lack of), the changes, etc., etc., etc. Some days, I wonder if I should really go through with it, or just stay the course with what I am doing. But, then reality sets in -- I still need to lose at least 100 more pounds, and really, I'd like to lose more like 125-135 more pounds, so I need to have the surgery. I am worried that since I have lost so much weight on the front end that I will lose weight slower after the surgery and then be disappointed (especially after putting my body through all of that trauma and altering the way I will have to eat and drink for the rest of my life). Can anyone offer any perspective on this? Specifically, can anyone speak to losing a lot of weight pre-op, and how you transitioned to weight loss after the surgery? The surgeon has already said that I do not have to do a liquid diet before the surgery because of all the weight I have lost. I just have to fast the day before. Please forgive the length of this post, and I hope to hear from some of you soon.

I recently had seltzer and lime j uice in a bar since I gave up alcohol. I didn't think much of the carbonation issue but then I noticed the same shoulder pain I had post-op. I sure didn't expect that 2-1/2 years after banding. Thankfully it didn't last long. No more bubbles for me. JustWatchMe

Not sure of the date yet, but it'll be sometime in October. For now I'm working on eating well (high Protein and veggies/low carbs) and moving my body more. Also cutting down on caffeine little by little (I'm down to one cup of half caff for now) and cutting back on alcohol (down to once a week or so - I wasn't a heavy drinker before but I usually like a glass of wine with dinner). Here we go! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi everyone, I have been reading posts for a little while now, but this is my first post. I am a 40-year old guy, and I live in New Orleans with my partner of 7.5 years. I have battled my weight for entire life. When I was 21 years old, my parents and I went on Phen-Fen together. That was the first time I lost 100 pounds. I have yo-yo'ed ever since, losing 100 pounds another two times in my life, and 30-50 pounds more times than I can count. Last year, I had to travel a lot more than I have had to in the past many years for work. (I am a Delta Diamond if that means anything to any travelers out there.) All of that travel meant eating for convenience and drinking more wine than I would if I were at home. I was already heavy before (370 pounds), but by December 2015, I weighed 397 pounds. My family had been encouraging me to have weight loss surgery for about a year. (My dad had a gastric bypass many years ago; my mom had the sleeve about 3 years ago, and my brother got the lap band about 2 years ago.) After seeing the nearly-400 pounds looking back up at me from the scale, I agreed that it was time to do something about my weight once and for all. And my partner was ready to deal with his weight as well. (He started at 316 pounds, so he wasn't in quite as bad a place as I was then. For the record, he has lost about 70 pounds himself, so I am super proud of him!) I was finally able to get in to see my PCP in February, and had my first of six consecutive monthly appointments with the surgeon's medical staff that is required by my insurance on March 3. I had two weeks of filming work in California right after (something new for my team and full of stresses), so I didn't begin my weight loss journey until March 21. In the past 5 months, I have lost 83 pounds while going to see the surgeon's staff once per month. This morning I weighed 314 pounds. (In case anyone is interested, I have done low carb/high protein/high healthy fat. I keep carbs below 20 per day -- usually below 12 per day. I have reduced my calories from 2000 to 1800 to 1500 to now 1200 for the past many weeks. I have cut alcohol out completely for now to conserve the calories. I walk 5 days a week, involving inclines and such for a majority of these 45 minute sessions. The surgeon's staff did give me a phentermine prescription, so I have been taking that since early April.) Now, I'll get to the point of my post if anyone is still reading... I had my sixth diet visit, and I am waiting on insurance approval now. It's been about a week so far, but they say it can take up to 30 days, so the surgery will likely be sometime in early October. I have been reading everyone's posts about the surgery itself, the pain (or lack of), the changes, etc., etc., etc. Some days, I wonder if I should really go through with it, or just stay the course with what I am doing. But, then reality sets in -- I still need to lose at least 100 more pounds, and really, I'd like to lose more like 125-135 more pounds, so I need to have the surgery. I am worried that since I have lost so much weight on the front end that I will lose weight slower after the surgery and then be disappointed (especially after putting my body through all of that trauma and altering the way I will have to eat and drink for the rest of my life). Can anyone offer any perspective on this? Specifically, can anyone speak to losing a lot of weight pre-op, and how you transitioned to weight loss after the surgery? The surgeon has already said that I do not have to do a liquid diet before the surgery because of all the weight I have lost. I just have to fast the day before. Please forgive the length of this post, and I hope to hear from some of you soon.