Search the Community

I can speak to this question from experience... I'm eight months post-op and have had an occasional beer since about the third month. To be able to drink it at all I have to pour it into a glass and allow all of the carbonation to escape. I tried a couple of times drinking one from the bottle and could only manage a few sips before the carbonation basically locked me up with an uncomfortable full feeling. I used to be a weekend warrior, spending weekends with friends at the lake and consuming large quantities of beer. I suspect this was a large contributor to my weight issue. I've found that post surgery there is no way I could return to that sort of behavior as I tend to be affected much sooner and stronger by alcohol than I was pre-surgery. Alcohol gets metabolized in the intestines, and for a normal person the stomach holds it and meters it into the intestines. With a sleeve it hits much sooner so the effects are magnified. Also, for me alcohol consumption to any degree greater than one occasional beer just stops my weight loss in its tracks. Overall I think it is something better left for maintenance.

I've done that with the protein shakes! Lol. Ice cream was just one of my favorites before sleeve and probably was a huge contribution to my diabetes. I don't crave sweets yet and I think it would make me want more. It's an easy "treat" to not get full on but not enough nutrition for me and too much sugar (even sugar alcohols count to me as sugar). Good things come to good people.

Then it would be a good idea to say that in your question, wouldn't it? Speaking only for myself, the dealbreaker for me is the presence of sugar alcohols. My sleeve doesn't have a problem with them but my gut sure does. I've lost my taste for sweets, anyhow, so seeking out sugar-free, lactose free ice cream isn't on my radar. I mean I did say can we? And ahhhh ok thank you

Then it would be a good idea to say that in your question, wouldn't it? Speaking only for myself, the dealbreaker for me is the presence of sugar alcohols. My sleeve doesn't have a problem with them but my gut sure does. I've lost my taste for sweets, anyhow, so seeking out sugar-free, lactose free ice cream isn't on my radar.

Follow your surgeon's post surgery plan. Beer has empty calories. You may feel the affect of alcohol much sooner post surgery. Some people could have a cross addiction to alcohol post surgery. You may make other poor food choices if drinking. Old behaviors that helped us become obese need to be watched closely. In time, on occassion and in moderation. a beer, if you really want one, shouldn't be an issue. You know what is best for you, your strengths and weaknesses, what medical advice you received and will make the appropriate decision for you. Thankfully you will not be drinking it through a straw!

I was a big beer drinker preop. Actually took cross country road trips to sample microbrews and made my own beer a few times. Attended beer fests in several states (just missed the second largest one in the US only 60 miles from my house yesterday) and drank no less than a 12 pack/day on river trips and when camping. But postop my sleeve does not like carbonation. I could manage a couple sips here and there, but the carbonation is pretty uncomfortable. Fortunately my sleeve does like bourbon, tequila, vodka, wine, Apple Crown, twisted tea, and the random, hard to find non-carbonated hard cider. Ok, pretty much anything cold and non carbonated. (Ok, warm stuff too, like peppermint schnapps or baileys in hot chocolate). But if I do drink too much of any alcohol (like I did last night) I will get gastritis. A couple Rolaids or famotidine usually knocks it out, though.

I used to drink wine. I can't now because it is too acidic and gives me horrific heartburn. I do like a vodka/diet cranberry or diet pomegranate or a whiskey with Coke Zero. Now that it's summer, though? I love a cold beer or three. Sometimes the carbonation is uncomfortable, sometimes it is not. I do have a much better time of it if I pour it in a glass to allow some of the bubbles to some to a head. My doctor cautioned against alcohol for two reasons. First, it's empty calories. Second, people tend to eat more with less inhibition when they are intoxicated -- and usually not making good, healthy choices. Good thing about beer for me? After even one, I can't eat for at least an hour. I'm totally full. Two, I won't eat for several hours. Three, I won't eat for the rest of the day. A bonus? I burp like a sailor and it's quite awesome.

This is absolutely just me saying this, and I'm definitely some random stranger on the interwebs, but what I was told and my research has born out is that the whole "if I do X, I could stretch my sleeve" stuff is complete BS. My doctor is a nationally certified training doctor for bariatric surgery. He said that many doctors use scare tactics on their patients that they feel won't listen to actual logic/facts like "your stomach will not stretch out if you overeat/drink soda/whatever, but you shouldn't do it" because all most people hear is that it is okay to do whatever (it's not, but mostly folks don't listen or they don't take to heart what the doc is actually saying most of the time). So they say things like "you'll stretch your stomach or cause a leak or kill yourself if you do X!!" hoping that the patient actually listens to them and doesn't do things that are discouraged. Scare tactics work, because most people unfortunately do not listen to doctors' advice unless they think it will seriously harm or kill them. All you have to do to prove that point is check out the numerous threads on here about never drinking with a straw because according to my doctor it can cause a leak/blow up your stomach/you will DIE...AAAAAAHHHHH! panic crap. A straw. Seriously. (granted, this is anecdotal evidence, but still) Carbonation is just gas. Gas can cause discomfort. If the gas gets bad enough, it can cause you pain and you'll probably feel bad and want to burp or take some gas pills and feel bad for a while. But it is biologically impossible once you are healed for it to stretch out your stomach from drinking a few sodas of beers. Which is not to say you should do this, just pointing out the logic fail there. What will likely happen is a person develops a tolerance for the carbonation and starts drinking regularly again? They'll be introducing lots of carbs, sugar, high calories, and caffeine in the case of sodas, and a fast ticket to dehydration (since both alcohol and soda can dehydrate a person easily). And you're wasting precious stomach space on empty, addictive junk basically. So yes, you shouldn't drink them, but not because you will cause serious damage; because they are not good for you. And if the doctor just told you that, it would be much easier for a person to ignore their "advice." Which is why some resort to scare tactics. So totally understand if you steer clear of them based off of what your doctor told you, but other doctors do actually say differently regarding the reasoning behind avoiding things like carbonation... and often differ on other hot button issues as well. And it never hurts to be aware of some doctors using scare tactics to keep their patients in line one way or another.

No it doesn't. Nothing stretches the sleeve. The stretchy part of your stomach is gone. It will eventually relax somewhat as the months go by, but it will never stretch out to the size of the old stomach, and you'd have to eat a seriously insane amount of food to hurt your stomach's size (and you'd feel sick and be throwing up way before that happened). Gas build up will not cause the stomach to stretch; it causes burping and a feeling of being very uncomfortable until the gas is absorbed. There are probably hundreds of threads on here discussing drinking alcohol. So you might want to search around to get some older opinions as well. Carbonation (soda and beer both have it) is a hot topic - some can't handle the bubbles after surgery as it makes them very uncomfortable and can cause pain from the trapped gas. And alcohol of all types will hit you MUCH harder since you have little stomach to filter it so drinking can be a bit unnerving after surgery. But mostly, drinking is empty calories and beer especially is very high carb, so it's discouraged. There's a reason they call that spare tire guys get a "beer belly" you know? What did your doctor tell you? Because that's the voice you most want to listen to regarding your own health and well being. Thanks, dr. Advised against it due to carbonation. But I suspect they say that partially because drinking is not great for you. I am not near that point yet but I will probably have a couple socially. ..not often at all.....and see how I do. Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

No it doesn't. Nothing stretches the sleeve. The stretchy part of your stomach is gone. It will eventually relax somewhat as the months go by, but it will never stretch out to the size of the old stomach, and you'd have to eat a seriously insane amount of food to hurt your stomach's size (and you'd feel sick and be throwing up way before that happened). Gas build up will not cause the stomach to stretch; it causes burping and a feeling of being very uncomfortable until the gas is absorbed. There are probably hundreds of threads on here discussing drinking alcohol. So you might want to search around to get some older opinions as well. Carbonation (soda and beer both have it) is a hot topic - some can't handle the bubbles after surgery as it makes them very uncomfortable and can cause pain from the trapped gas. And alcohol of all types will hit you MUCH harder since you have little stomach to filter it so drinking can be a bit unnerving after surgery. But mostly, drinking is empty calories and beer especially is very high carb, so it's discouraged. There's a reason they call that spare tire guys get a "beer belly" you know? What did your doctor tell you? Because that's the voice you most want to listen to regarding your own health and well being.

I'm going to say something I've never heard anyone say so I guess I am weird. The only thing I'm not worried about after surgery is the eating and drinking thing. Normally, I actually don't eat and drink at the same time unless it is alcohol or coffee. I drink coffee while eating Breakfast or a dessert. I've been known to go to the movies and eat a whole large tub of popcorn and drink nothing until I am finished and then I only take a few sips. I have always had a problem with feeling full after drinking so I developed a habit at a young age of not drinking so I could eat more. I guess that is one reason why I am fat. I do drink a lot of Water in a day but I drink that outside of my meals.

I'm from a Swedish background but live in Los Angeles where there are many Mexican grocery stores my husband and I love. Their butcher sections have fresh seasoned carne asada, carnitas, fajita meat, and other yummies he loves and that are very low-carb and healthy. One of the stores has an eatery inside, and you can get just the meat and vegetables without rice or tortillas. I also stock up on cheese, vegetables, and crema Mexicana that I use on everything from scrambled eggs to red pepper Soup. All of us have foods that we adore but know are unhealthy for us. For me, not completely eliminating foods but permitting myself to have them sparingly has helped me to not feel deprived or to obsess over them. I had chips and salsa, enchiladas, and other goodies (but no margaritas because alcohol hits me too hard now, so I avoid it entirely) on Cinco De Mayo, but wouldn't consume them on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. I think you'll be able to still have foods that you enjoy post-surgery. Just pick out the ones that are the healthiest for you, and focus on them. Have the less healthy foods as rare treats once you're healed rather than staples.

Hi Bchas, this journey is all about the mind/emotions. It is because we have not been able to cope with events or reactions to life that we have eaten the pain away. Your body will become healthy with the weight loss and your confidence will increase BUT you will still have the issues which caused this food addiction. Some people swap addictions and go from food to alcohol for instance so you really need to seek help in addressing the triggers for your eating patterns. Your parents sound wonderful. It can be scary facing your issues but it can also be surprisingly easy to let go whe you face your demons. Eating became an overwhelming focus in my life, I still obsess that I am eating too much, it takes up time that could be spent living your life. Deal with it now honey, you have a wonderful future ahead of you.

I lost 100lbs in 5 months and none of the doctors/surgeons were concerned. The only time you need to worry about it is if it's because you physically can't eat (vomiting, nausea, etc), are an alcoholic, drug addict or have an eating disorder. According to my surgeon, that is! [emoji4]

I dont know if this reply is too late, but I only just had my staples removed. The nurse put some kind of glue and then some steri-strips. That night, I was itching like crazy. It was so bad that I got up and opened each one, cleaned it with alcohol and put some new strips in. The nurse did a terrible job anyway. After that, I stopped itching. I think it's the glue they use to keep the strips in place.

I think you should stick with the band..yes..the band requires tweaking. I have had my band for 14 years now..we love and hate each other..all the time..I lost 130lbs..stayed stable for years but when I decided 2 years ago "hmm..maybe I should just have a routine check since it has not had any followup for years..it has spiraled a bit..turns out my very last fill years before had been too tight and I learned to compensate by packing my esophagus..stretched it..complete unfill..50lbs quickly packed on me in a few months time...thousands of dollars in new wardrobes later.. I learned my lesson of going to local surgeons for follow up fills and they did me in. I should kept going back to Dr Kuri for follow ups. Doing fills under flouro instead of blind fills that started the spiral. I started getting refills..the last one 3 months ago from a local surgeon infected my port..I just went back to Mexico to have my port removed for now as my body heals from the infection. I have no band erosion thankfully..all goes well I will have port put back in. For now I am filled to where I have restriction but not back where I was too tight. Dr Kuri topped me off before he removed the port. Now...here is my take on the unfill/refill cycle. This is my own opinion based on having this band this long and my recent unfill and refill history. I think this band puts our bodies in an abnormal state of starvation mode. When we first get the band and start getting fills and that hunger gets satiated and you get used to only being able to eat a meal the size of a tennis ball..your body adjusts to this abnormal state. Once the band did its job of helping you get the weight off by basically a self imposed starvation diet..the band now needs to do the job of KEEPING IT OFF. Again..still in the state of abnormal starvation mode..my body is used to the limited calories in per meal..I can handle less calories because my hunger signals were less intensified..I could go all day without feeling hungry! Okay..so now..you take that abnormal state of being..for me it was almost 12 years..and then you unfill the band..wham..you just changed my abnormal state of being my body was used to for 12 years. The volume went back up on my hunger signals. I could get in more calories in each sitting. My body rebelled and I quickly gained 40+ lbsin 3 months. I STARVED myself..I was watching every calorie in and would still gain back 5 lbs overnight. It was brutal. My local surgeon's dietician swore that I must have started gorging on all the things I couldnt for years..eat a pizza..bread...etc..I actually craved salads because those have always been hard to eat for years..they didn't understand it was no longer a simple equation of calories in/calories out. That's for normal humans who were not put into an artificial state of being with a band. On what I was eating and GAINING..a mere mortal would have been dropping 2+ lbs per week. Thankfully I did watch my calorie intake closely and perhaps more of the 130lbs I had lost would have come back on. THANKFULLY only 50..uggh..hate to say that..but 50 is better than 130 back on. So now...I have to try and get my body back to this abnormal state of being with refills. I am also asking my body to get off the 50lbs I quickly gained after unfilled..at the same place I was when I was maintaining my weight for years. Won't be as easy the 2nd time around for sure. I will most likely have to really DIET to get off this last 40lbs and THEN my band will be back to doing what is doing now..maintaining me. While I was maintaining, I always stayed within a 5lb range up or down. I knew when it went up, I was having more liquid calories..more alcohol..more chocolate milk..not necesarily Meal Replacements but extra calories. When I laid off the extra liquid calories..my body adjusted back down a few lbs. This is not normal for unbanded humans who lose weight and then slowly eventually gain it back without a ton of diligence to keep it off. The diet cycle. The band helps stop this diet cycle of lose-gain-lose-gain. I don;t think any doctors can really truly understand what happens physically to your body when banded..being it is an adjustable surgery..we change mechanisms in our bodies and messing with the delicate balance changes how the band works for us.. This is my amateur opinion backed by no scientific research..just my gut and my personal experience. I will work hard if I have to to get this last 40lbs off and I am back to maintaining where I was happily maintaining for years and I can get rid of all these size 12-14-16 clothes and pull out my 6-8-10's again!! The band was totally worth it..130lbs off..gone for 12+ years?? yes!!! Just know you will have quirks along the way!! Rather deal with quirks than the burden of 130lbs!!

I recently started eating Protein bars, and even though I changed nothing else they sent me into a complete tailspin. Constant cravings and hunger. I'm actually close to where you were, 64lbs down, 204lbs in weight. Once I removed the processed stuff (bar replacements etc) back out I was able to get a grip on my headstuff again and weed the cravings out. I have a Protein shake to supplement my intake every day (I've just switched it to adding some unflavoured protein to a green smoothie) and the shake mix doesn't give me those same cravings, I think because they are very low carb rather than starting higher with fibre and sugar alcohols to cut down to the 'net carb' level. The smoothie has taken my carbs up to 35-ish grams a day (usually 20-25) and even with the extra carbs they're not driving me crazy, so it's definitely a case of where those carbs are coming from that affects me. This may be something to consider when you look over your food logs. A friend of mine recently did one day of all liquids and it brought the restriction right back, so you could try that, but you have to get the grazing under control (something I think you know). I think if you can stick to dense Proteins and away from protein 'snacks' (bars etc), you'll find it easier to keep your intake down.

Thank you for your nice comments. I do what I can, and it is not working too bad for now. For the smoothie, I take some watermelon I put in the blender, some ice (a few cubes) I add light cranberry juice and voila! I also do it with unsweetened peach ice tea. I like the combined flavors. Sometime I add a full peach in it. I try to avoid high sugar content fruits such as cherries or grapes. Mango juice was not a good idea as the flavor overtakes the watermelon completely. I tried to mix pineapple and light coconut milk. That makes an awesome alcohol free cocktail. Something else I do in the morning: I put an espresso shot in my chocolate shake with skimmed milk. Awesome Cappuccino !

Sweets and high fat don't make every person sick after the surgery, and most of the time it is a short term effect for those that do get sick from them. I couldn't touch high sugar for about 6 months, but guess what? That effect wore off and I could eat anything now with no serious repercussions other than gaining weight. I know that, so I don't eat crap foods all the time. I do eat stuff like a cupcake or a cookie for special occasions, but I plan out my day so I know I have room in my calorie count and I eat healthy 90% of the time, so eating something "bad" occasionally doesn't derail my whole life. Relearning how to eat healthy during the honeymoon period is what the surgery is really all about. You have to throw out everything you used to do and establish good eating habits while the restriction takes care of the portion control. That is what everyone is supposed to learn how to do during the honeymoon phase after surgery. It is really sad that the doctors don't explain this part better to every single patient before they have the surgery. If you don't do this, then the weight loss will happen in the beginning just because you're not able to eat as much, but likely will slow down sooner, and also regain is very likely once your metabolism adjusts in a year or two and all you still eat is crummy foods. Anyway. You definitely need to try doing the 5 day reset. It will help remind you how your stomach feels and feel the restriction again, and should help you detox from the sweets/crap food cravings - eating high carb usually makes you crave more carbs - it is a vicious cycle. You made some mistakes, but the sleeve is still there, ready for you once you're ready to recommit to eating correctly. You lost the best time to make fast and easy changes, but if you put in the work, you can still make it happen. But you have to be willing to do the work. Start tracking every bite of food and sip of drink. Get your Protein and Water goals figured out, keep your carbs low (under 100 definitely but if you can push it down to 50 grams/day that would be even better), and get your calories for the day down to around a 500 calorie less than you burn in a day. Throw out all the junk food in your house. Tell friends and family to not tempt you with foods like that and don't go places where you'll feel weak until you get control of yourself. Think of it like being an alcoholic or trying to quit smoking. You don't go places where you'll feel tempted and you ask friends/family to be supportive of your struggle and not offer you things you shouldn't be having, and do your best to remove the temptations from your path. Exercise - find something you enjoy doing and then do it a minimum of 5 days a week. Even if it's just walking a 2 miles around your neighborhood after dinner, it's something if you're currently doing nothing. What seems to work best food wise is whole foods, that you cook yourself. If it comes in a box or frozen package, it probably isn't a very good choice. Learn to read labels REALLY well, and figure out things like net carbs, sodium levels, etc., and check out both here and bariatric recipe sites like http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ Proteins should be the main part of each meal and every snack: things like fish, chicken, lean cuts of beef, cheese, yogurt, even Beans and lentils. Healthy vegetables - leafy greens, red peppers, squash, zucchini, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower... watch the ones that are high carb like corn and green peas as even healthy veggies can have high carbs sometimes and you need to be aware when you eat them. Should also be including healthy fats like coconut or olive oils and things like nuts or avocados have fat too, but it's a good fat (just watch the amounts and calories). Watch things like lunchmeat that are usually high sodium (again, read labels!) and be aware of times of day that you might be weak and have healthy Snacks on hand to prevent the quick stop at the drive thru or dropping by the office vending machine. MEASURE everything. You can't rely on eyeballing food amounts. Get a digital scale, and weigh your food so you get accurate calorie counts. It is way too easy to guess and over-estimate your food portions. And you might need to see a counselor that deals with eating disorders if you can't get control of your eating and get your head in the right space to succeed at this. Please don't take this as being mean, but worrying over what others did and comparing your lack of success while eating bad foods isn't helpful or realistic. But here's the thing. You aren't a failure unless you give up completely. Don't give up, and you will succeed.

Whats your food look like each day?that is a good question.I usually wake up at 6 AM, I take a protein shake or a bar (Quest). Then I go to the gym from 6h45 to 8h15. 15 minutes elliptical to warm up, a 30 minutes weight lifting with 80% of max weight and high rep until failure of the muscle group. I usually do 3 x 10-12 reps of different exercises, then 30 seconds rest and another set of 3. 30 minutes running to finish. Once I get to work I have another bar / shake. At lunch I usually take a salad (2 boiled eggs, some chickpeas or beans, couple of cherry tomatoes, green. No dressing) and a fat free yogurt for later. no snack in the afternoon. If I am hungry, I go for another yogurt. in the evening I usually go for scrambled eggs (2), or sea food (shrimps, squids, smoked salmon) and a smoothie (Watermelon, light cranberry juice is my favorite). no late snacks. During weekend I usually take lest protein shakes / bars and eat poultry, fish, etc. I don't have any cravings or things I want to eat. I select food I know will work for my sleeve, but I don't miss anything...yet. it may change later. I don't know. I don't enjoy eating as I used to (which is a good thing because that is the reason why I am obese), even if I still cook for my family during the weekends. This is a good thing as I want to move on with my life and have other objectives. Hope it helps. Awesome post. I love it when members detail what they eat and their activity level- it's very helpful and I always get some good ideas. Can you share how you make the watermelon smoothie? I'm convinced I'm part fruit monkey- can't get enough. Btw way to go!!! You are on fire!!! Love your attitude. Thank you for your nice comments. I do what I can, and it is not working too bad for now. For the smoothie, I take some watermelon I put in the blender, some ice (a few cubes) I add light cranberry juice and voila! I also do it wiith unsweetened peach ice tea. I like the combined flavors. Sometime I add a full peach in it. I try to avoid high sugar content fruits such as cherries or grapes. Mango juice was not a good idea as the flavor overtakes the watermelon completely. I tried to mix pineapple and light coconut milk. That makes an awesome alcohol free cocktail. Something else I do in the morning: I put an espresso shot in my chocolate shake with skimmed milk. Awesome cappuccino ! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My doctor didn't advise against it at all because that was also one of my concerns so I'm right there with you. I was advised to wait 3-6 months and try alcohol again in small doses and at home. He said you'll get drunk faster and no need to test the waters out in public and not know how you will react to it. Personally, when I am back to regular food and have all of that figured out I intend to try alcohol again. Good luck!!

We go to Disney most every year - I had surgery in November 2014 and we were at WDW in May 2015. So, about 7 months. It's just as fun as before, only with less emphasis on alcohol and food. We still ate great stuff, but split everything, obviously - and I drank tons of water. Seriously couldn't get enough water, because Orlando in May is brutal. I was thirsty the whole time we were there. You can find protein/veg options in many places at WDW - just gotta look also, a treat here and there is to be expected - you'll be sharing them and walking about 10 miles a day, so it will be ok. Just make good choices within reason and you'll be fine!

The program I started says no alcohol at all. Besides the calories, it can dehydrate you and people that have had Bariatric surgery are at a much greater risk for developing alcoholism, even if you never had issues prior to the surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon says no alcohol again ever as well. The nutritionist in his office disagrees with him. She recommends holding off for at least 3 months and then being aware that it may metabolize differently when trying it at first after surgery.

What does your doctor say about alcohol consumption? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App