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Keep to the doctors guidelines and don't go back to old habits! My granny is against the surgery bc one of her friends have passed away but why did she pass away bc she drank alcohol a lot!! It all depends how you take care of yourself Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm almost two years post-op. These days I can eat (comfortably) a cup of food at a time. I eat three meals a day and a couple of planned Snacks daily. I've lost 100 pounds and have been maintaining at 135 pounds for the last 6 months (and at or below my original goal -- 150 pounds -- for 14 months). I typically eat 1700 - 1800 calories/day to maintain my weight. I'm 70 years old. At six months I could eat 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of food. It's slowly increased since then. Very early on (a month or two post-op) the restriction is much greater because your newly built and badly traumatized sleeve is swollen and inflamed after surgery. The reason why your eating program is so restrictive for the first 2-3 months is because your stomach edges (where it's stapled together) haven't knitted together / healed yet. If you do have WLS, you will REALLY want to follow ALL your surgeon's eating phases so you don't spring a leak. Here's the deal -- after losing your weight you can regain a lot of weight by "grazing" (nibbling) foods that won't challenge your sleeve. The foods that will flow right through you, leaving your sleeve empty and awaiting more food, are things like chips, crackers, Cookies, ice cream, starchy foods, sugary foods, and, of course, sweet and alcoholic drinks. Dense Protein and fibrous vegetables stay in your stomach longer than anything else. (You'll learn all about "the rules" if you go forward with WLS.) Oh -- and sleeves seldom cause "dumping", although it does happen for a few folks. Sleeves usually let you eat all the sugary foods you can slurp up. Whatever you do / decide, good luck!

You could say... i am on a new health kick and have quit alcohol/sugar/carbs for a while... thats what i have been saying.. usually people leave you alone after trying to convince you to at least have one...

That's true @@LipstickLady and I know it's silly. Really it is. I have indulged in the past with a few of the couples at various times so I guess it just seemed odd that I wasn't drinking and I didnt want to have to explain so I just pretended to drink. We were supposed to hang out until all the alcohol was gone. Every couple had a bottle... next time I'll probably just say no. It's really silly to go through all that.

So I'm 16 days post op. I was out last night with a group of parents. Our 15 and 16 year olds were in baseball tournaments for the past 4 days. Last night coaches bday its our time. Some of the parents went out and bought drinks. No one knows I had the surgery. I poured a 8 oz cup of grey goose and pineapple orange juice. I pretended to sip until someone called me out. I started sneaking and pouring my drink on the ground we were on the hotel patio. Finally i quietly walked over to my hubby and begged him to drink it for me. One of the moms imitated me to a tee and jokingly accused me of telling my husband to take one for the team. I was embarrassed... but didn't take one sip. To each it's own. That's my personal choice NOT to drink at this time. Do you! Just be careful and very mindful that alcohol can be a barrier during weight loss. I'm sure an occasional cocktail at a concert or a night out should be ok take it slow and keep it at a minimum.

@@TYRey12, Yes, that sounds about right! Your body metabolizes alcohol faster, and a little goes a long way. Good for you for noticing and for adjusting your intake to stay safe.

Hey Team BP, Macronutrients are the theme for the next two weeks. Have been working on a lot: Wednesday's class—the counselor actually had me speak about Bariatric Pal, and the support network/informational opportunities that I've see so far. Maybe some of my class members will join in the future! Kitchen overhaul happened on Friday night; tossed everything that was even remotely unhealthy, and totally cleaned out the cupboards. All alcohol was also dumped down the drain. I'm not a big drinker by any means, but people gift lots of liquor and wine to me...it is something I would love to move away from. The six month program has a VERY specific list of foods recommended for consumption, so I bought my groceries online for delivery with Von's. Didn't want to have any bright ideas in the store and add non-recommended foods to my cart. Made my hearty vegan crockpot chili, and meal prepped through Tuesday—I'm a lily when it comes to food, so my leftovers have to be relatively fresh. I can't prep for more than 3 days at a time. This morning double fueled because I just got back from an awesome hike, and it was incredibly smart...burned off everything I consumed and then some. (2) GF everything bagel with avocado, uncured turkey bacon, whipped cream cheese; 1/4c. cottage cheese with fresh blueberries. The trail I discovered today is a little gem! They have signs everywhere that talk about the benefits of exercise hidden around, little reading nooks, playgrounds, AND it's on a lake. This week, my goal is to climb all over the playground bars and such. Misfit had their Shine activity trackers on sale for only $39.99, so I purchased one. It syncs with My Fitness Pal, and doesn't need to be recharged so I can wear it 24/7 for six months. I don't carry the phone with me everywhere, so really needed a solution for food to activity ratios. Onward! ❤️ —FGS Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi all! I'm playing D&D tonight and fighting temptation from pizza, donuts, Munchies, and alcohol. It will be a little easier tonight because I'm still on liquids, but it's still hard to be around the familiar smells. I packed Water flavor drops, a diet Snapple, and a chocolate Fairlife Protein milk for the night. I am trying to do my best, but this is my first challenge. I would appreciate your words of encouragement, as D&D is where I made my worst choices. Thank you! Xx Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Jenns did you try one of the drinks yet? Positive - I'm glad that I could help regarding the alcohol...I'm trying to steer clear for the most part for a little while. I take 3000 mcg of B12 daily, the sublingual tablet and my energy is typically ok...it may be linked to you not eating enough calories and Protein (especially since you are working out 3 days a week) ....I would start with the b12 and upping your calories and protein, u may have to force yourself to eat something every few hours...I really try not to eat things that don't offer me some protein just to ensure I'm getting in as much as possible....if that doesn't work, you may need to follow up with the Doctor

And to even further complicate things, there are surgeons out there saying "yes, you can drink alcohol after 6 weeks", or putting people back on solid food mere days after surgery... based on your experience I have to wonder if they aren't just giving in because of the huge numbers of people who don't want to change their lifestyle at all. I recently weighed in on an alcohol thread, because as a nurse I don't want people thinking that because this person drank soon after surgery that it's OK. I haven't had the surgery yet, but I do know from a medical perspective that it's risky behaviour. I guess we can't save people from themselves.

This whole thread went in a totally different direction -- so much so I have to go back to the original post to refresh myself it was NOT about vets v. newbies and the various definitions of each, which I don't care about anyway. FWIW, I *think* if I remember correctly, the gist of the original thread was a bit of frustration that newbies/recently sleeved people asking questions about risky behavior very soon after surgery and getting bent out of shape if they are having their wrists slapped. Then there was the usual brouhaha about "vets" being snobby, rude, and unhelpful to the put-upon newbies. Whatever. I mostly lurk and read and try to absorb the knowledge of everyone on here; newbies AND vets. I have been very surprised at a few posts regarding, basically, people insisting they can eat/drink/smoke things off plan very soon after surgery or blowing the pre-op diet. Honestly, I thought a lot of these were trolls in the beginning, but at the informational seminar I went to for WLS -- the very first one -- they told the group within 30 minutes that, if they proceed with surgery, they will have to quit smoking for good, and quit caffeine, pot, recreational drug use, and alcohol for 60 days before and after surgery. Seriously, half the (large) group got up and left after that. The people remaining, several engaged in arguing with the NUT running the informational session who wanted to be the exception and still use pot/smoke/drink the whole time -- and who wanted diet pills to help them lose lbs before and after. IDK what the answer is. I used to be defensive and kinda pissy about telling people I was considering WLS and it seemed that EVERYONE *knew* an uncle's brother's wife's cousin's friend who died or regained 200+lbs after surgery. I THOUGHT it was BS and just ambulance-chasing mentality, but after the informational session and seeing people asking about bacon, booze, steaks, etc., I guess there ARE people out there doing this crazy stuff -- and they are ruining it for the people who are very serious and are paying big bucks to have this done. As well, they are truly risking their lives, and if someone gets their feelings hurt by yet another person who has insight telling them, no, young grasshopper, you really shouldn't do X when you are Y days post-op -- too bad! These are the people who regain and DO die that the rest of the WLS population has to defend the surgery from -- the random people who don't follow any guidelines and get horrible complications and regain or are in serious trouble for the rest of their lives. And I have seen some posts from people who haven't had WLS yet, or who are VERY post-op, basically saying, yeah, I did X/harmful thing and didn't die. Go ahead, you should probably be fine. Buyer beware.

Many have difficulties with creamed soup. You may have had a reaction from the sugar alcohols in the fudge pops too. Take it slow and see how things go.

It takes time to heal from a MAJOR surgery. Alcohol does not aid in the healing process. Besides the possible surgical complications, there's also a risk for transfer addiction. Everything in moderation sure, but seems to me like if we were all experts at moderating ourselves we wouldn't be here in the first place [emoji848]. I'd much rather see the vets, supposedly mean and sarcastic, stick around than have to coddle people who just want to be enabled.

Can I just be clear, Look at my profile and check the posts and responses I make, they are all positive, uplifting, supportive and coming from a warm place. I come on to this forum to build people UP and share this experience with people going through a similar circumstance. Now I don't know if years after the surgery you become jaded, and a little bit sick of the same questions on this forum but this is new for us, we are learning to walk and find our feet again with this whole process. I will not tolerate this behaviour, vet or not it's bullying in my eyes. I was told by my doctor I could drink at 6 weeks, I have not deviated from my meal plans, I have lost 43 pounds in 7 weeks.. I'm doing something right. The original poster asked a question about alcohol consumption, I shared my personal experience and said that I haven't had any problems.. Everyone is different, but this is what a forum is about. What I will not tolerate is newbies posting a question or response and then fearing one of the vets will attempt to embarrass, humiliate, or ridicule them for being new to the process and inexperienced.. We all appreciate your personal journey, and your story.. But it's just that, YOUR story, there are ways to express your concerns without upsetting others. I'm here to support people and spread positivity, it's a shame I can't say the same for a lot of others. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think this forum is giving me an ulcer. Some people seem so angry, like chill out. The world is not coming to an end. I don't see anything wrong with someone making a post about their experience with alcohol. I don't see the person asking for advice or tips, but some folks just don't have enough self control to keep scrolling. If u don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. Its their sleeve!!! Did u pay for it??? Well zip it!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My instructions said no alcohol for 3 months. At about 3.5 months I had about 3 ounces of Bourbon over a couple hour period. It ended badly. Safe to say I won't be doing that again for another few months or more. Not that I'm a huge drinker and had plans to start drinking regularly, but it was a major deterrent.

My doctors written instructions say "No alcohol for one month". That seems a bit strange to me and I plan to hold off longer than that as I'm not sure I'll be ready but to each their own.

I've been to two functions with alcohol and even though I was dying to pour up, I restrained myself. My plan says no alcohol for 6 months and I plan to stick to it. When I had my lap band, I did not follow my plan and ended up with horrible eating habits and slipped band. This time around, I want to do things right. I get it, we're young. My friends like to get tore up drunk lol I wish I could have me a Maker's Manhattan, but this Protein shake will do. Besides, I like greens more anyway Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This isn't a judgement, just a comment I think 4 weeks out is too soon to drink alcohol. You're not even on the life time sleeve diet yet and I believe your stomach is still healing up. I don't thinking youre hitting solids yet are you? I'd give it some thought before I hit the crown and coke. Also, your body I'm guessing hasn't metabolized liquor for a bit so you're a kind of lightweight in that regard. Best wishes to you.

I can't resist, but maybe it's because I haven't had enough newb outrage directed at me yet? Not even taking into consideration the fact that it can impact healing and might be bad to do just from an overall "you just had surgery" standpoint, to me, this is the equivalent of saying "Well, I just had a few cupcakes and only one glass of pure sugar, and I didn't get sick, so I'm fine!" Alcohol is empty, useless calories. You are not just risking your health, you are adding back in bad for you food/drink and risking your long term progress towards losing weight. Is this a habit that really needs to be reestablished so early? One of the big things that WLS allows is the time needed to kick out all of your former habits and learn to eat and drink healthier, because you can't hold nearly as much as before AND you lose the tolerances for fatty, sugary foods and experience low hunger for some time. If you're not willing to wipe the slate clean and restart during this short time this happens, well, your body may lose weight in the first 6 months to a year just due to the sleeve restriction and shock of low calorie eating in the early days, but it will eventually stall out and then regain if you eat and drink the same way you did before surgery. But I do agree: y'all doing all the drinking so early after surgery are adults, and if you're not willing to deny yourself things that you know aren't good for you even for a few months, that's your decision. Good luck with all that.

I went to SILs funeral yesterday and I have to say it was the most amazing funeral I have ever been to. It really was a celebration of her life. The eulogy, given by her eldest daughter was amazing, the number of people who attended was beyond belief (approx 150 couldn't even get into the church!) and the wake went on until 3 am. We had to leave, without consuming alcohol cos we had to drive home and be up at 6am this morning. Pictures and video on FB showed that the rest of the family really partied and I'm sure Cathy would have approved. I thought it was going to be a really emotional and tiring day, and it was, but it was uplifting too. RIP Cathy Manley - you was one amazing lady.

I was vaping 6 mg in February when I started in my program. I immediately switched to 0 nicotine because my surgeon requires a nicotine test if you smoke, and will not do surgery on anyone with nicotine in their system whether it be from smoking OR vaping. I quit vaping completely by the time I had surgery, but I have since picked it back up and I still use 0 nicotine. I just really enjoy it. I have vaped for 4 years, and never had another case of bronchitis or barely even a cold since I switched to vaping from cigs. Is it harmless? I don't know. All I know is my personal experience which has been completely positive. I had to have a vice--no cigs, no alcohol, no junk food...so I vape, but only when I want to, since I am no longer addicted to nicotine. I just like it!

OMG. I wasn't going to reply to this because people around here get their underwear in a bunch if you say "wow, that wasn't the best choice" about anything. No one here said anything about drinking being evil. One person rightly said that y'all are really fresh post-ops, you need to be careful. That's nowhere near saying that drinking is evil or people shouldn't enjoy their lives. As a nurse, there is no way I would advocate anyone drinking "some wine and a few Crown & Cokes" less than 2 months post-op with a GASTRIC surgery. That's a lot of alcohol for someone who HASN'T had their stomach cut on. I'm going on record right now as saying that wasn't a great choice. If that makes me a bitch, so be it.

I had a drink a few weeks ago for a concert (beyonce).. I was 7 weeks out, had a bottle of wine... I was able to tolerate alcohol just as easy as before, and I'm still standing. People like to Put the fear of God into new bariatric patients to try and get you to live a holy life of Protein and veggies... I'm young, I like to enjoy my life. Drinking is fine, of course in moderation. Glad all went okay! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 11 weeks / 3 months post op and I can say that at this point I've tried everything I've craved. I do track every bite. I don't dare to try bread, pasta, tortillas or rice. I just feel it will be very heavy for me and I'd rather pass. I'm not a alcohol drinker so that's no biggy for me. I feel very normal with family and friends just takes me longer to eat a tiny plate/bites (I've adapted very well to my sleeve) loving the results.