Search the Community

I would definitely check with your surgeon before consuming alcohol. I realize it's before your pre-op diet, however, the entire point of the pre-op diet is to reduce the size of your liver as much as possible to give the surgeon easy access to the area he or she needs to work within. Alcohol effects the liver directly, and could certainly have an impact on your success during the pre-op phase. Nothing would be worse than going in for your op and having the doc close you back up because your liver was too large to proceed. Obviously that's worst-case, but probably not worth the risk tbh... Even with your doctor saying it's ok, I *personally* would probably opt against it just for the fact that alcohol directly impacts the organ in which the entire pre-op diet is geared to address. Obviously you spoke with your doc and they are fine with it so the choice is up to you....best of luck!

If you are an American, HIPAA law prevents your employer or future employer from being able to access your medical record. No medical practice would go giving out that information unless they want to get sued. It is against the law. Sent from my Nexus 10 using the BariatricPal App Ummm, Horse S**t. Sorry, HIPPA was wiped out in 2009 when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was passed. One of the provisions was an automation of doctor and hospital records via federal grants to state hospital associations. The public reason was "well it will make it easier for people's medical records to be shared with other medical providers in case of emergency." And that is a dang lie. If you want more information than you ever want on this, I am very sure I can prove that assertion. For the purposes of this discussion, if you have serious drug/alcohol or psychiatric problems and you think the government, law enforcement or big pharma doesn't know it, you are wrong if you have third party coverage. What this means is even though you think your attempts to get help won't or can't be used to keep you from purchasing a firearm in the future, hurt your job prospects, create difficulty getting insurance and professional licening et. al. YOU ARE FLAT OUT WRONG. That patient privacy/HIPPA form that you sign is not worth the paper it is printed on. I self pay and have to work very hard to keep my information out of that system. NOTE: you might ask, why do I care? I really don't give a rip about being one more data point in a government data base, but my ex-wife is a government employee (and bi-polar) and she has access to the whole dang database. She illegally tracks everything I do on the system and let's my kids know everything about my medical history, with the hope of embarrassing me. I don't want her, or anyone else to know. So I work very hard to keep it private. I switched to a non-ObamaCare insurance plan. My doctor is not on the state electronic record system. Most of my pharmaceuticals are purchased from other countries because its cheaper, and no one has a record. So the assertion that it's ok to get help with drug and alcohol problems because "the government will protect your privacy" is VERY, DANGEROUSLY wrong. Sorry. That's a fact and I will gladly defend my position to anyone who wants more info. But this isn't a political site,so I don't want to get too far afield on this, so please if you disagree or want more info please PM. You need help. Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App

If you are an American, HIPAA law prevents your employer or future employer from being able to access your medical record. No medical practice would go giving out that information unless they want to get sued. It is against the law. Sent from my Nexus 10 using the BariatricPal App Ummm, Horse S**t. Sorry, HIPPA was wiped out in 2009 when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was passed. One of the provisions was an automation of doctor and hospital records via federal grants to state hospital associations. The public reason was "well it will make it easier for people's medical records to be shared with other medical providers in case of emergency." And that is a dang lie. If you want more information than you ever want on this, I am very sure I can prove that assertion. For the purposes of this discussion, if you have serious drug/alcohol or psychiatric problems and you think the government, law enforcement or big pharma doesn't know it, you are wrong if you have third party coverage. What this means is even though you think your attempts to get help won't or can't be used to keep you from purchasing a firearm in the future, hurt your job prospects, create difficulty getting insurance and professional licening et. al. YOU ARE FLAT OUT WRONG. That patient privacy/HIPPA form that you sign is not worth the paper it is printed on. I self pay and have to work very hard to keep my information out of that system. NOTE: you might ask, why do I care? I really don't give a rip about being one more data point in a government data base, but my ex-wife is a government employee (and bi-polar) and she has access to the whole dang database. She illegally tracks everything I do on the system and let's my kids know everything about my medical history, with the hope of embarrassing me. I don't want her, or anyone else to know. So I work very hard to keep it private. I switched to a non-ObamaCare insurance plan. My doctor is not on the state electronic record system. Most of my pharmaceuticals are purchased from other countries because its cheaper, and no one has a record. So the assertion that it's ok to get help with drug and alcohol problems because "the government will protect your privacy" is VERY, DANGEROUSLY wrong. Sorry. That's a fact and I will gladly defend my position to anyone who wants more info. But this isn't a political site,so I don't want to get too far afield on this, so please if you disagree or want more info please PM.

Good Morning All, I met with the dietitian for the 1st time yesterday. She was awesome! She gave me a list of goals that I have to have met before I meet her again next month. No more carbonated beverages (goodbye to my BFF, Diet Coke), no alcohol (no problem), work toward eliminating caffeine, 1 Protein shake a day and DIET, DIET, DIET! She told me I need to lose around 10-15 lbs before surgery but I can't lose more than that or I'll be below 35 BMI. This is going to be tricky! The diet is very strict and I don't see how I will only lose 10-15 lbs. I feel completely motivated! What a great way to break the Diet Coke and sugar habit! I know it won't be easy and I already warned my husband that I may get cranky, but I CAN DO THIS!

The details of why you are seeking counseling can not disclosed to the employer. Many people see mental health professionals. Now if you are worried about a "good job", they may will ask you about any substance or alcohol dependency or abuse. If you lie on that, that could cause you a good job, as possibly coming to work while under the influence of alcohol. What is more important is that you receive help. If you do not want to see a mental health care professional, please start with a support group like AA. You are too young to ruin your life and health. Wishing you the best.

I have quit twice in the past 2 yrs.. Both times cold turkey. Between pregnancy and nursing I was not smoking for most of 2014/15.. My second quit phase was right before the Sleeve surgery in March. Had my last ciggie week before my op. My wife smokes (heavily) and so the first few days is always rough on both of us..I'm sensitive to the smell and her always going for a cigarette just irks me! Lol. But, it gets better. I just redirect my attention - thank goodness for toddlers! Going out can be hard (alcohol n cigarettes are a match made in heaven).. But luckily, my alcohol consumption in general has drastically reduced... Again.. Could be the toddlers! So my advice is have very exhausting young children in the house at all times! Lol On a serious note though - don't be nervous, you will be ok. It so commendable that you're even starting early. You're planning for success. Even without WLS, quitting is always the best choice for your health. Good luck Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Everyone is different. Believe me I miss food so much. I play tricks on myself. Sunday dinners I keep myself busy and sit down and eat when people are almost done. Alcohol is not a problem. I don't drink as much as I did but I still go out and have a good time. The smoking I quit but sometimes I have just a puff or two. It is all in your mind. I still sometimes think what the hell did I do to myself when I am craving a hamburger or deli sandwich and know if I eat the bread I will throw up. It bugs you in the beginning but when you go from a size 20 to 12 and feel 20 years younger than it is worth it.

@@Alex Brecher - good post, the only thing I would add is when I am posting to someone's question, I try to differentiate between "facts" and "opinions." For instance there are some accepted best practices on alcohol. I feel obligated to say this is what we know, but IMHO, this is what I have experienced. I think when people make clear when they are sharing but not claiming absolute certainty, it makes it easier for everyone to keep their reactions in perspective. IMHO

I don't believe half of the people responding lack comprehension to what you wrote. There is a liquid diet (typically 1-2 weeks prior to the surgery) but surgeons also recommend losing weight from the initial consultation until the surgery date too to shrink the liver, lose fat which gives more room for them to work, show that you are committed to losing weight, lowers your chance of a complication (due to hopefully improved health/fitness, lower weight, smaller liver and more room to perform the surgery, etc.), amongst other reasons. Also, most medical plans require a 3-6 month doctor supervised diet prior to the surgery. You would be in that phase, even though you were not in your liquid phase. I know my surgeon recommended not drinking any alcohol during this period due to wasted calories, bad habits, etc.. Why did you ask this question to people on the internet, most of whom don't have any medical experience, also, criticize them when they answer your question to the best that they thought they understood what was being asked?

I should have never posted this since 50% of everyone who responded lacks the comprehension to understand my question. I did not ask about consuming alcohol ON the liquid/pre-op diet. This was directed strictly to PRIOR to starting the diet. Reading all of the posts of food funerals and last hoorahs I'm sure no one on here is perfect, otherwise why are you even in this situation to begin with? I have stuck to my 1600 cal diet religiously over the past few months and my doctor said as long as I stayed within my daily caloric limit she had no problem with me drinking responsibly PRIOR to starting her official pre-op diet. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's more common than you think. So many people hooked on alcohol and drugs are in that boat because of terrible pain! Have you taken care of your dental issue? It's a priority to take care of the pain you are medicating with alcohol. Go to the source and fix the actual problem instead of placating the symptoms. Not sure what your best path is with the alcohol withdrawal but a detox/rehab clinic may be the perfect answer. Best of luck to you. You've been through a lot. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow. I never knew alcohol did this. I'm quitting completely. Had no idea it enlarged your liver for a 2 weeks. Though I don't drink that much, I'm sure to have at the very least one or two drinks a week, so that means I've never ever had a normal liver since I was 19??? Yikes! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just wondering if many people experience that alcohol affects them less after surgery? We have all been warned it will affect us more but clearly in this case that is untrue.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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?)

Just a quick comment. Anyone who suffers from an addiction and goes through a twelve step program with AA, NA, OA etc is given tough love. They are also given experience, strength and hope from other 'vet' recovering addicts. They are told to 'stick with the winners'. As a recovering alkie, smoker and glutton (hence being the recipient of WLS) I can only speak from my experience personally from AA and my alcoholism. The tough love and vets from the Fellowship of AA served me well. I would probably be dead by now if I hadn't taken the cotton wool out of my ears and listened, and shoved it in my gob so that I couldn't spout excuses and crap!!! I got very ruffled feathers when I was a newby as I thought that I knew better on many occasions. I was given some tough 'suggestions' as to what I should be doing to get sober. I equate this site as the WLS version of AA. I love the fact that there is so much humour (we laugh at ourselves, not at our disease of overeating) and I also stick with the winners here. You know who you are. For heaven's sake, stick around and carry on giving me the support that I have had (in shed loads) over the months since my surgery. If anyone offends me I just form an opinion and share it through private messages. That's when you discover like minded folks. I'm sure that there are people who are upset by what I post but they have the facility to have a private moan to their like minded chums. So, the long and the short of this rambling post is that if you don't like my forthright comments, go away and have a moan or just ignore me. I'm not going anywhere by the way and I remain, a miserable, b!tchy old git.

Quit several times during the year before my surgery, as my date got closer I just said that's it no more. It's been 9 months now. I could probably pick a cigarette up and smoke it with no problem but I really don't ever want to go back there. I did have to quit coffee and alcohol too at the same time. I started working out a lot too. Smoking and exercise don't really go together.. Good luck, you got this, it's so worth it!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't doubt anything you've said, but I have to say my experience couldn't have been any more different. I felt like I was on a fairly strict diet for 6 weeks before surgery, but it was easy because I stopped drinking alcohol. After surgery, I had no pain, no side effects, and no hunger. I followed the 30 day post opt diet to a T and by 6 weeks out, I eased back to a normal life, just ate less. Oh yeah, never had a second thought, mood swing, or anything but joy over the new me! The only thing I wish I'd known was how easy it would all be. I would have done it 20 years ago!

Our Program was very thorough and made it clear that we are at risk of replacing one addiction for another. That many find they have issues with alcohol, gambling, shopping addiction now that they can no longer "feed" their feelings. If anyone has any plans of WLS - I would certainly hope they research enough to know the possible concerns post op. I recommend this book which deals with the emotional aspects of living after WLS. https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical-ebook/dp/B0054RXXS0?ie=UTF8&btkr=1&redirect=true&ref_=dp-kindle-redirect

We were only told that carbonation is not our friend and that we can become drunker quicker. Obviously also, alcohol has calories in it that we don't need. And once you have a drink, food choices may not be as good as they should be. In future (if I am ever well enough lol), I wouldn't be afraid to have watered down drinks. But so many alcohols can cause stomach acid issues. Red wine is really low in calories, A flattened slimline (diet) tonic with a bit of vodka in it is low in calories. But my bet though, is that alcohol is the last thing on your mind in the first three months. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've been lurking on this site for a month or so now, thinking of surgery in January after my insurance changes.....like a lot of posters on this topic, my biggest challenge is with powerful cravings that I can't seem to fight. I don't have out of control hunger, I'm not an emotional eater, and aim not a binge eater. I track my food, and can see patterns of these cravings ruining days/week long string of healthy eating. I'm worried surgery might be futile if the cravings are still with me.....or if they return 2+ years into maintenance. As a last ditch effort while I wait for January, I started taking naltrexone (which is used in the diet drug Contrave- I can't take Contrave because of the Wellbutrin in it, so my dose of Naltrexone is usual dose they use for alcoholism).......and it has been amazing. I don't crave sugar/fat *at all* and also kicked a diet soda habit. I lost 10lbs this month with the same diet minus the crap I used to eat to satisfy the cravings. I've never been a drinker but I do find it interesting to read that there is a link between WLS and alcohol abuse. It's only been a month, so I can't speak to long term results....but so far I am enjoying being free from those cravings.

I just spoke with a doctor who works in an addiction clinic. He said stay away from alcohol as bariatric surgery patients become highly susceptible to becoming alcoholic. Don't know any statistics on this... Just may be one person's opinion. I've never been much of a drinker and certainly don't plan to start.

I don't feel my personality changed but definitely my outlook on life has changed. I used to be a eat drink and be merry type of person. Always had a glass of wine (or 2) with dinner and weekend cocktails and basically ate whatever I wanted. I'm 8 months post op now and don't eat whatever because I have to make sure I get my Protein in. As for the alcohol, on a rare occasion I will have 1 glass of wine that I will sip on for the evening if I'm at a special occasion party. I once was forgetful and drank 3 glasses within a shorter period of time and the hangover was so unpleasant I will never do it again, it's not worth it. I was very nervous before surgery about my life changing, and reassured my friends it was just for a few months while healing then I'll be able to go out again and enjoy a few cocktails. Truth is, I don't want to go back to that life, I am so much happier in my healthier lifestyle now. I have lost 84 pounds and have so much energy now that I'm enjoying life in so many different healthier ways. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Written communication can be easily misinterpreted since there are no vocal inflections or facial expressions. Other times a person's response is as subtle as a sledgehammer so there is no misinterpretation. Some people are practicing in behaviors which could be counter productive to a successful weight loss, weight maintenance or could have an impact on their health. Coddling is not always the best answer but having compassion is important. We all have read about behaviors here (ex. eating foods that are absolutely wrong for that early of a post WLS stage or drinking larger quantities of alcohol extremely early on) that could have dangerous consequences to their health. In those cases sometimes "tough love" gets the point home. If they knowingly are going against what their surgeon or every respectable published article says not to do, perhaps "tough love" is not the answer and some of "Darwin's theory" should be allowed to prevail. A few of those people complain the loudest to replies that don't condone their behaviors. For the ones that are misinformed or were not provided detailed plans (although they can search on the internet for reputable sources of information by healthcare professionals or ask their surgeon's nurses) they are usually more accepting of the feedback. In some cases the person replying is just an a$$hole and all they want to do is be cruel. I guess the block feature can come in handy when dealing with them.

Firstly I am delighted that I have found this forum it has really helped reading about the diverse views and experiences. Thank you all for being so honest. Here is my story so far... Moment of truth. Decision made..... I live in UK and have a job I love, but it can be a huge pressure. My work takes me away from home quite often, in the UK to the US and the Far East. Over the years that has taken its toll eating the wrong food, at the wrong times. (And maybe a tipple or two) For a big guy I am quite fit but over the last years have found more aches and pains, to the point I felt the need to visit my doctor, something I don't normally do. I did this 10 days ago. Long story short he gave it me straight .....lose weight or die young....I'm 43 and heading towards an illness crisis .....and his opinion, diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems and that early grave. I've tried lots of things I've had my ups and downs but now the time has come for something more drastic. The wake-up call I needed had arrived! I don't want to wait to go through the process and however fantastic our national health services is (and it is fab), it will take and age. I don't want to be diabetic or have a heart attack. So...... By 10 AM the following morning I was sat in a consultants office having the various options explained to me. My choice, the sleeve. Within a further 24 hours I'd booked my date with destiny September 13th (and it's not a Friday for the superstitious amongst us!) I have gone from being petrified to super excited I see a future me, doing things that I've not enjoyed for number of years... fastening a seatbelt on an aeroplane....going on the trampoline in our garden writhing rolling off! walking into a normal shop and buying clothes from a normal section. Don't get me wrong I don't want to be mega thin, I like being me but I want to be a me that has longer to live and can enjoy my family, my children, my future grandchildren and actually my work too. Mentally I've got this.....! My concerns....... Personality: I don't want to change my personality has anybody out there experienced that over the long term they change? Food: i've got my head round that it is going to be a nightmare for the first 3/4 months but after this.... Is it truly normal food but obviously in smaller portions and healthier options? Alcohol: now then..... my biggest enjoyment and my nemesis ....my consultant asked me? do you drink a lot? I said no ....however when I go out I'm always known as the life and soul of the party and the last man standing.... response you can still be a life and soul of the party but expect to be the first one falling. What have people experienced with alcohol? How much on a night out? What type? Rightly or wrongly , I've created a bucket list of things I wish to eat or drink before the pre-op diet....my son made me laugh yesterday when he said 'Dad make sure you don't die while trying to complete your bucket list'... Point well noted! If you have got to this point thanks for reading I'll be keeping in contact via the forms. I'm sure as I need the help on the journey.. You, the Warriors that have gone before me will offer the support and help needed! Ollie x

UPDATE: We stopped in Vegas on our way to Utah to go riding. Didn't drink alcohol because we still had driving to do. We had an amazing time. He laughs at my portion size. We did eat out just about everyday. We chose his meal together from the healthier options, then he allowed me to take my share. Commenting along the way that he won't ever miss 2 oz of his meal. I think the biggest part of my dilemma was I thought he wanted to lose weight with me and I was supper frustrated that he wasn't willing to change. I am coping much better with the advice that I chose this surgery, My life will forever be changed. He didn't have this surgery so he doesn't have to tool. I was getting all stressed out trying to help him eat healthy, reminding him to not drink. SCREW that!! He is a big boy, if he wants things to stay that way, why should it stress me out. I now say "I am heading to the gym" and off I go. If he tags along fine, if he watches TV fine. Eventually he may get on board but for now it looks like life as usual at least for him. I am down 30 lbs!!!!