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It sounds like you are doing great. I am in the US and I did gasp when I read your NUT recommended you drink carbonation and alcohol, especially so early post-op. My insurance didn't cover my surgery, but my surgeon is excellent and has performed thousands of successful surgeries. You didn't mention Protein at all. My primary focus was and is getting AT LEAST 100 grams protein and 64 oz of (non carbonated, no caffeinated, and nonalcoholic) liquid a day.

I am 27 months out and the biggest side effect is that I lost over 100% of my excess weight. And my blood pressure is normal. And I no longer take tramadol and ibuprofen every day for my foot, ankle, back and knee pain. Seriously, the only "negatives" are I can't do carbonation and I get a tummy ache if I drink too much coffee or alcohol or sugar. I do eat all these things, but if I consume large quantities for several days in a row (when I'm on vacation or over holidays) I will get a bit of gastritis. Nothing a few days of abstinence and Rolaids can't fix. I'm living a totally normal life like a regular thin person. Never one regret for one minute. I feel great and my PCP is thrilled with how healthy I am now, including all my bloodwork.

I am one month out. I can tolerate one beer just fine. Grain alcohols are a no. I love red wine but haven't tried yet. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My doctor said no caffeine for 8 weeks and no alcohol for at least a year. Believe me it was at least 12 weeks before I could even consider coffee. And even then only diluted with quite a bit of vanilla protein shake. Alcohol was also tough. I wouldn't even try it till about 3 months out as well. And even then like 1/2 a glass. 2 glasses of wine and I get pretty lit. Just be careful because it hits you a lot harder than it used to. Lots of bariatric patients develop a cross over addiction to alcohol. It's easy to overdo it because we have lost the main crutch that we used to stuff our feelings with (food). So it's important to try try try to learn "healthier" ways to deal with stress. My ex just moved in with my one of my best "friends" two doors down. And I really tied one on over at a girlfriends. It was a one time incident but I cannot let it become a habit. I'm going to move but in the meantime I have to learn to deal. Also I never ever ever drink alone.

I'm guessing the answer above is relative to alcohol. What did your surgeon and/or NUT say about this? I do know from posts on these boards that some folks have been enjoying their coffee since shortly after their surgery, though most of them have been told to limit caffeine to 8 oz/day or less. Some surgeons say "never" to alcohol for a number of reasons. Some say otherwise. It appears (again, from posts on these boards), that six months or more seems to be the average for those who have had alcohol postop. I used to absolutely love my coffee. I'd gradually decaffeinated in the past couple years, but I still loved my coffee. I haven't had any in the month since my surgery and I have to say, it just doesn't sound good to me right now. Will I go back to it? I don't know. I loved my wine (a glass with dinner most evenings, sometimes two on weekends). Obviously, I haven't had any in the month since my surgery. I don't miss it right now, but then I'm not eating anything close to "normally" these days yet, so that doesn't surprise me. Will I go back to it? Probably, but I haven't really thought about it. I don't know whether you're preop or postop, but just from what I've read on these boards these past few months, questions like these are most often from individuals who haven't had surgery yet. It's a part of trying to learn what post-op life is like, and thinking of the things we think we'll miss most. All I can offer to that is that postop life differs for everyone - but for me, I'm not missing anything just yet, I'm still getting used to my new me.

How soon can I have caffeine or alcohol?

#3 on a day to day basis...no tracking, mindful of my protein and water intake, abstain from nothing but indulge in moderation. However, I tend to leap with both feet firm in the #2 camp over holidays and when on vacation. But afterwards my tummy usually hurts so bad from all the sugar and alcohol, I'm more than happy to return to the #3 camp.

I am 5 1/2 years out and the only down side for me was that i have to take omeprazole every day to prevent ulcers. I was hoping that my sleep apnea would go away after loosing all the weight, but I still have it. Also, I was pre diabeticc and had to use a CPAP nightly. My surgeon did a little something that most surgeons don't do. He put in a pig valve in between the new stomach and the intestines to help prevent the opening from stretching over time. that is why a lot of people regain their weight. i have not and have no problem maintaining. food is no longer a big concern for me. you do have to stop drinking alcohol and drinking carbonated beverages. i can't eat real spicy hot foods but I never cared for them anyway. I have lots of energy and look and feel better than I ever have. Also, my bloodwork is perfect. Before I had had high cholesterol and was pre diabetic. I was taking all kinds of meds and supliments to no avail. Not anymore . It was the best thing that I could have done for myself and I am sure that I added at least 10 years to my life. I struggled all my life with weight issues and wish I had been able to have this done about 40 years ago.

My daughter was sleeved on 4/4/16. Has been having nausea dry heaving. The recovery nurse showed her a trick with alcohol prep pads. Just rips one open sticks it under her nose. Works wonders. Hope this helps some one else. Good luck every one

No, binge eating doesn't just hit after a few years. And yes, indulging in that behavior is our fault. Sure, there are biochemical components that perpetuate the behavior, just like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol or any other behavior that becomes obsessive like gambling, cleaning or shopping. But it IS a complex behavior that involves choices and active participation on our part to occur. Obesity is a mental illness and mental health professionals are needed to help us change our behaviors. No surgery will cure us and it's unfortunate that so many people try to shift the focus from the mental aspect to the physical and try to say it's "not my fault". It's not the size of our stomachs that made us fat, it's the behaviors.....including binge eating. With appropriate support and professional intervention, our behaviors can be changed. In the meantime, be accountable for your actions and stop being the victim of your choices.

I had to have diagnosis of morbid obesity for 2 years prior to surgery, do 3 month supervised diet with dietitian visits ( it was actually 4 visits since first visit didn't count as a month), psych eval, prove that I complied with post op diet and exercise from previous surgery, prove that I have not been treated for controlled substance abuse within a year and that I don't consume alcohol in excess, I think that's about it. Now I have bunch of appointments to go to In the next 4 weeks for surgery clearances. Have to do nutrition class to learn how to eat post op, then abdominal ultra sound, meet with pulmonologist and see if they need anymore tests, then blood work, ekg at the hospital 2 weeks before surgery, get surgery clearance after the results are available from my primary care dr and then pre op apt with surgeon... Lots to get done, I am nervous if I will have enough time to get blood work and labs sent to my primary care dr for him to give me clearance ( which has to be before I see surgeon) ugh... I am really trying to keep the date as I am already planning around it.

@@beinghappy2day Transfer addictions do happen, I believe. My point in writing this article is in relation to the governing body's recommendations. My point is not about being absolute or overbearing... it's specifically related to the bariatric professionals who are the "leaders of the pack." My position is that this governing body needs to have a more definite RECOMMENDATION, based on the fact that alcohol is a toxin that can have deleterious effects on the absorption of essential nutrients, in addition to other possible negative effects. Thank you for posting!

@@Babbs I definitely agree that the bariatric team need only give patients education and information. As I keep reminding people, my issue is about the governing body of the bariatric team not making a sound medical recommendation. My point is not about being absolute or overbearing... it's specifically related to the bariatric professionals who are the "leaders of the pack." My position is that this governing body needs to have a more definite RECOMMENDATION, based on the fact that alcohol is a toxin that can have deleterious effects on the absorption of essential nutrients, in addition to other possible negative effects. Continue making the healthiest choices for you!

Thanks! I did call about the chest pain. They said it was all normal. My pills are sometimes getting stuck in my throat. That's why I can cough them up. I would love to find a Calcium chewable that does not contain the sugar alcohols. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This thread makes me feel better! The only people in my life who know is my husband and my neighbor- who just happened to be in the same group nutrition class pre op as me! Not my mom. Not my college aged kids. Not my staff at work. I'd prefer not to discuss my medical issue or explain myself. I have been very public about my efforts to get healthier. And that I am doing shakes. Social events have been hard- no eating and no alcohol. That's been tough. I had a drink at two weeks out (1/2 a drink) and literally passed out. Crazy. Paid the price for that one and learned my lesson. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello there. This is a tough journey and is never over. My best suggestion would be to stop where you are now. Go get some of the Protein drinks you used when you were first out of hospital and for a good 5-7 days do protein and water/non carbonated non caloric beverages only. If you are consuming alcohol, carbonated beverages, etc., you will need to make a committed effort to stop so you can turn this around. Just my .02. I found that when I could eat more, if I went back to liquids for a few days and as low carb as possible, the restriction was such that it was a great help. Also keeping carbs as low as possible really curbs the desire to eat, at least for me, anyway. I wish you well on this journey! Kim

One of my dearest lifelong friends and her husband both died in their 30s after gastric bypass because their lives became very stressful after surgery (which was unrelated to their surgery). They both became raging alcoholics because they could no longer overeat in they way they previously would to cope with their stressors (not specifically related to surgery) so they turned to alcohol and quickly became very addicted (very indirectly related to surgery as they had absorption changes with GBS). Their surgeries affected their bodies in ways that accelerated their deaths, but their deaths were caused by choices they made that were completely unrelated to their surgeries. Anyway, all of that to say that the jump from the surgeries to their deaths is not a big one to make, but at the core, the two things are entirely unrelated, and it's probably the same with your granddad's friend. I'll admit watching them on the downhill slide made me nervous about going under the knife myself, but even moreso, it made me respect the process and while-person healing that happens after surgery. Though I drink socially, their experiences make me respect the power alcohol can have on a transformed body, and it makes me aware that healthier coping habits are VITAL on this side of the knife. I loved and I miss my friends, and I wish things would've been different for them, but I am SO thankful for the health and vitality I now have as a result of my own weight loss surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Sallo! Before surgery I was on a 2 week Liver shrinking diet. I was allowed up to 40 carbs a day so I basically just ate lean meats and veggies since a piece of bread would be 20 carbs of my 40 allowed. After surgery, I was on a liquid diet for a little over a week, then a pureed diet for another week, then soft-mushy foods for almost 2 weeks. At 4 weeks post-op, I was allowed to transition to regular foods. Soda pop or anything carbonated is out forever they told me, because it could stretch out my pouch and alcohol is not recommended but allowed in moderation they say! I'm about 9 weeks out and although I had a stall for a few weeks, I've still lost 40 lbs. so I'm pretty happy with that! Before surgery I'd be lucky to lose 2-3 lbs. in that time!

Hi all, I had my 8 week visit with the Dietician today and have been progressed onto 'normal foods'. Yayyy! I've lost 12.5kg (28 lb) since my Op & feel good. She was happy with my weight loss, but slightly concerned how quickly I'm losing and queried whether I have been eating enough. I assured her that I have and don't let myself get too hungry. I've only been walking 2-3 times a week and she doesn't recommend upping the ante just yet as I'm still recovering. She said I can try toast, crispbread, soft drink & I alcohol (keeping in mind it will affect me more). I also told her how I've eaten chocolate and wasn't scolded- just told it's a 'sometimes food' and to know my limits. It was pleasantly refreshing because some people in the bariatric community talk like it's the antichrist lol I can hear the US weight loss patients collectively gasp at how much free reign I'm allowed. I have faith in her professional advice as she works closely with my surgeon, who is well regarded in my state & has trained most other GB surgeons in the city. What I am wondering is whether other people have been given the same advice. I don't really have much contact with other GB patients in Australia, so can't compare. I wonder whether pre & post op diets are that much stricter in the US because insurance companies fund the surgery costs, therefore want the patient to drop weight super quickly? I might be way off....I don't know much about US insurance. I just know that I paid hospital cover for 12 months and was instantly approved for surgery, whereas it seems like the process is much more complicated in America. So glad to be progressing on to the next stage in this journey.

Hey y'all! It's good to see how much progress everyone has made. I can't say that I've lost as much as some of y'all, but I didn't have as much to lose as some. My Type II diabetes has been in remission since two days after my surgery, and that was my whole motivation. I haven't been able to stop my high blood pressure meds, but the diabetes meds are a thing of the past. Cold. It was a cold winter. I'm hoping I'll find summer more tolerable, though. (And in my part of Oklahoma, it is most of the year!) I don't get hungry unless I go without eating for six hours or so...which I try not to do. I became sensitive to protein shakes, so now I use a flavorless protein powder in my coffee or food, as I would never get enough protein otherwise. I can't drink cold things very well, as they cause my stomach to spasm somewhat. I drink coffee now. I didn't before surgery. I've had dumping syndrome once. I have had an upset tummy on several occasions, mostly if I tried to drink something cold at a meal. Veggie and fruit skins are hard on me for some reason. No al dente veggies. Everything has to be cooked to death or I can't seem to chew them enough. I don't exercise any more than I did before...I walk with the dog a mile or two three or four times a week, but I'm naturally more active I think. I have more endurance--although the first two or three months left me really tired. I am down to a size 34 jean from a 42. This means I'll have to buy some new clothes, as I'm wearing my son's jeans now. In a medium to large T-shirt. In women's I'm at about a 14 as opposed to the 22 from a year ago. Lots of vitamins/minerals here. I can do some things I couldn't earlier, such as capsules, but not softgels. I bite the softgels and just tolerate the taste of fish oil and the like. As for medicines with alcohol content? Yeah. I'm a lightweight. Geritol makes me tipsy. And, while Nyquil doesn't have the alcohol, I'm much more sensitive to it than I once was. Two ounces of wine put me under the table. And that's it in a nutshell!

Positive it happens, I agree with MxKitty you acknowledged it don't beat you're self up. I wasn't the best at food choices this weekend as I traveled as well but I was unsuccessful in my alcohol attempt as it did not sit well with me, trial and error Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend

Well Connie, it looks like you disrupted the masses. It would be much easier to post an article telling people what they want to hear. Congrats on doing the right thing by telling us the Truth instead. More than a decade ago when I had my gastric bypass surgery, patients were led to believe that they'd be normal weight, if not thin, after weight loss surgery. I guess that falls under the realm of education and awareness that you speak of in your article. We all know what a lie that is today. As for me, I don't drink alcohol anymore. That includes beer and wine. I haven't for years. I also don't eat processed foods, smoke cigarettes (never have), or watch TV either. It is a lifestyle. You're either in or you're out. There's no dipping your toe in the Water. Choose health or choose anti-health. More than a decade ago, I was a processed food junkie and couch potato on ~10 prescription medications for obesity-related illnesses. In 2003 I made a decision to chose health. Had I not done so, I would not be alive today. Today I choose health. Today I choose life. Today I choose me. Here is My Story of reclaiming my life. Climbing down from my soap box now...

I am 3 years post surgery, lost around 150lbs. I have settled on a meal plan that is not overly neurotic about all the stuff they said we must do at the beginning. I eat 2 - 3 meals a day. I try to eat mostly Protein - meat, fish, chicken. I don't eat much vegetables and I eat no fruit - it upsets my stomach too much. I will eat carbs when I feel like it, including sweets, and when my weight moves I adjust accordingly. I gave up all alcohol completely. My weight has gone up a max of 10 lbs, but I easily got it back in line. The whole attraction to the sleeve was that it simply gave me a smaller stomach, hence smaller ability or need to overeat. Supposedly us sleevers don't have to worry about all the mal-absorption issues of bypass surgery. Supposedly we can eat like normal people and as long as we eat a balanced diet, we should get all the nutrition we need. Which is why all the obsession over tons of protein, tons of Water, doesn't make total sense to me. I am not sure how much protein I get every day. If I had to guess my protein intake, I would probably say 40 to 60 g/day. I just eat my 2 to 3 balanced meals and I watch my weight, which has been relatively stable - certainly more stable than any other period of my life. By the way, I do aerobic exercise (elliptical) 45 min x 5 days/week. I do drink the required daily water. All seems good, except for uncontrollable heartburn, but that is another issue - maybe related, but all my doctors have given up on the heartburn. Anyway, my hair all of the sudden (last 2 months) is seriously thinning. I figured that this was probably just my time to lose my hair - I am a 58 year old male. But I have always had very full hair and never had any signs of receding or thinning. I didn't have any hair loss after surgery. In just two months, my hair is falling out rapidly and my hair thickness is visibly different. I'd hate to say I was wrong about my laid back approach to my eating - because, I really found it tedious to obsess so much about every little thing I ate, but I do like having hair! I guess what I am saying is that I would go back to the obsessive diet route prescribed by all the Sleever experts if it would get me back and keep my hair, but if there is no way that 3 years post surgery my new hair loss is from my diet, I'd rather stick with a diet that seems to be working for me. Could this be about too little protein? Or is it wrong to say that us sleevers don't need to think about mal-absorption and not sufficient for us to eat like normal people is smaller portions. Thoughts? Thanks

Erik, I don't know your age, (I'm 55), but I know where you're coming from. Although I do weigh 400, my healthy weight (muscle mass/fat percentage) is around 250 to 270. Oh I forgot I'm 5'9 as well. Obviously I need surgery, but as far as yourself, I can see the concern. When u say belly, are you talking fat? I'm guessing u are. As far as eating habits, do u eat clean? Alcohol use? I know what the charts say, we shouldn't weigh over 183, I believe. As far as BMI, you know it doesn't take muscle mass into account. Are u self paying? If not, and insurance is paying, then obviously they're in agreement. I'm guessing you've done the research on the surgery. Only you can decide, it's your body. Do you yo yo a lot? You will lose weight, so it's a positive move. I do hope you make the right decision for yourself, and your journey. Keep me posted. Good Luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is a hotly, hotly debated issue. Recommendations from surgeons and counselors are all over the place on this one and range from: (1) avoid all alcohol post-op forever (complete abstinence) to (2) avoid drinking for [3-6-12-18] months post-op (time varies greatly, depending on the surgeon) to (3) educate yourself about the dangers of transfer addictions, the potential for ulcers, how alcohol could (?) reduce nutrient absorption, and (because of faster absorption of ethanol) expose you to dangers from dis-inhibition, accidents, and even alcoholic poisoning. My own experience with alcohol was that I didn't waste empty calories on any alcohol until after 6 months post-op. At that point, my surgeon's practice recommended I raise my average daily calories to 1,200 and I felt I could "afford" an extra 100 cals/day on a glass of wine. I've 19.5 months post-op now, have lost 100 pounds and am maintaining easily at 135 pounds. I am a "social drinker" -- defined (for women) as having no more than 1.5 ounces of spirits or 5 ounces of wine per day and no more than seven drinks a week. It's working for me, at least so far. I do keep an eye on it, though, and would be willing to change what I'm doing (drink less or not at all) if alcohol were to cause me any problems. If you feel like your need / desire to drink is growing, you may want to take a step back and consider (with or without the help of a therapist) what's going on and whether you're developing a pattern you don't want to continue. You would know that better than anyone else.