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Just stay away from carbonated beverages and recognize that any alcohol you drink is going to slow down your loss for that period of time.

Anybody have issues with alcohol now that they cant eat? I find myself struggling with alochol now. So sad anout this. Sent from my SM-J700T using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok so is it ok to have a drink 6 weeks after surgery?

I'm waiting for six months because I have never stuck with anything and I need to do this... Also alcohol is going to be SO strong at that point of having nothing. It's gonna be a great party lol Sent from my iPhone using VST

I have had it once and it is pure misery. Sugar alcohols triggered mine. I stay away from them like the plague.

Just wondering what everyones docs said about drinking alcohol?! I was never given a specific timeframe, so just wondering when its safe...

You'll notice that the trend for those posts are: I don't eat properly anymore I don't seperate eating and drinking I snack or graze all the time I drink too much alcohol I don't exercise I got stressed and gave up I don't go to support groups I don't see my surgeon or NUT anymore Let their mistakes teach you ...

I second what you are saying here!!! too suffer from binge eating disorder, as well as alcoholism. I'm scheduled to be sleeved in February. I went through intensive outpatient therapy later last year as I got closer to being cleared for surgery for exactly this reason. Dysfunctional eating will not be cured by getting this surgery. You need help. You've been given a physical tool, but you haven't been given the mental tools and resources to learn how to cope with the urges and the emotional eating that you have used in your life. I just want you to know you are not alone. This is not your fault. You sound like you're beating yourself up. This is a genuine disorder. You need help. What's great is once you get the emotional support you need, you have a fantastic tool in hand, or in abdomen ????, to help carry you through to your physical goals. I wish you all the luck. I don't know where you're located but if you look for eating disorder programs there are a few around the country. Best of luck. You aren't alone. And this isn't your fault.

My nutritionalist says alcohol, carbonated or surgary beverages, and caffeinated beverages are a forever no no....

Seriously?! Pepsi is a NO NO for bandsters lol! And I think 18 is a good age to decide to oneself if they can drink alcohol or not. It's unrealistic to assume 18 year olds aren't drinking. We're all friends here, loosen up. Actually, There's a few situations where it is LEGAL for an 18 year old to drink, depending on the state they live in. So, just wanted to say that...pepsi is a really easy way to sabotage weight loss goals, since this is a lap band talk website...I wanted to point out that was a really bad suggestion. Anyway, back to the costume talk, sorry you kinda got crucified for admitting you go to parties and drink alcohol Hollie. Hollie, I've seen your pics before and I can only hope to be as succesful, congrats!

1- I have only been able to get down a couple of bites of non-mushy food, is this how its is now or is this just because its a new fill. With my second fill I went for about a week, maybe 10 days where my limit was 3 bites...but it did relax. It did not go away, I am still working with that second fill 18 months later! 2- Whats a typical day like for you with good restriction, what do you eat? Drink? Exercise? I know there are similar threads, but I don't think with a combination of all things.. I have what I consider WONDERFUL restriction, it is not really like a shock collar for me---when I get to the point of hurting, it is toooooo late! The reason I feel so good about my restriction is that is seems to be working more on my hunger than on being tight. I am not starving all the time, so, I don't care to eat much. When I do eat, my portion size is still extremely reduced compared to what I used to eat. It is also a lot more than what many on the site eat. But I feel like what I can do now is get proper nutrition. I can eat enough to feel like my Vitamins and mineral needs are being met---my blood work up and overall health is great, and soooo much improved! I eat pretty much everything. I eat much less of it. And I eat it in different ways than I used to. I concentrate on nutrition in my meals a big majority of the time--I mean I still have things that are not always good for me---but not as often anymore. Where before a large part of my big plate would hold starchy foods, now they are only a bite or 2 max---it mainly consists of Protein, and veggies. But since I DO pay attention most of the time, then when I go out, or have something I really want---I eat it. I do not have problems with food, because as I say I am NOT tightly restricted. I can eat bread, just very little, and very slow....same with Pasta or rice---it is not a food that makes me comfy eating it anymore. Where it used to be THE comfort food---now it causes discomfort enough, I just don't care for it often. Drinks---I drink mostly iced tea---decaf, because my DH cannot have caffeine. But juices, Water, chocolate milk, occasional shake--protein or not. Since banding I have had the occasional Diet Dr. Pepper....but I could probably count them on my fingers. I have had alcoholic drinks---no beer, just have not been brave enough to try---it isn't a biggie to me! I have not found anything I cannot drink. If I do not drink enough water/tea---my weight loss stalls. It is something I push--to keep above 64 ounces a day. Exercise---not as much as I should---or will when summer gets here again! I joined Curves---when I was about 6 months out. I also lift light free weights with DH---and when the weather is nice I walk---and play with my grandkids....I mean play---run, swing, go down the slide....fun stuff! This winter I had to have thyroid surgery, and have slacked in my exercise--but Spring is comin' and I have Spring fever to be outside doing something!!! As for being overfilled. My SIL who is banded, stayed so overfilled she could not get in even enough water and ended up with permanent kidney damage caused by continued dehydration, and she was drinking, but not enough, and not eating. Overfilling can be very dangerous....I would not suggest it for anyone, for any length of time at all. I would prefer it to take a little longer and my band last me....it is my understanding that being too tight is linked to slippage, as well as erosion. Leather---I personally would not worry too much with a first fill, if the Dr. is not super aggressive with fills. If it was not the first I would highly suggest waiting til after the trip---it might still be something to consider. Have you ever been air sick? If so---do NOT get the fill. If it will be close to your TOM, do NOT get the fill. It is not unusual for fills to kick in several days after receiving them---and to be so remote with no pre selected medical help available---I would be very cautious. Fluoro shows how the fill is reacting at that time, it does not help with swelling caused by the fill which is usually the few days following the fill. How long will you be gone? And can you get in to get your fill soon after returning? Are you dealing with serious Bandster Hell? I am of the mind----better safe than sorry...... Kat

thanks.. good luck to you to. Bunnydee.... Also, are you allowed to drink alcohol after everything is healed?

Hello Everyone, So much to say, where to begin? Hmmmmm. Ok, so I had RNY Gastric Bypass surgery back in 2013 when I was topping the scales at 289 at my heaviest. Having been on every diet under the sun by age 16, being approved for WLS was the greatest thing to ever happen to me. At the ripe age of 23, I had the idea that if my weight was under control then my life would be great, my life would have meaning, I would be happy. Growing up hating yourself because of what you look like is so lonely, it's so painful, and a prison that nobody can set you free from. As I have grown and matured over the years since my surgery I have gained a greater understanding of the why behind the what. What was the issue? I was obese, but why was I obese? The why is not addressed when someone signs on the dotted line after being approved for WLS. I am 7 years out of surgery and I had to learn the why through grueling life experiences that ran me face first into, well...ME. I will forever be grateful for the tool that was given to me through my surgery but I have come to realize that if the why isn't dealt with then my tool will be of no use to me. After my surgery I lost 132 pounds from my heaviest weight going from 289 to 157 and I loved it! I was on top of the world fitting into my size 8 jeans and able to wear whatever I desired but soon my life started to spiral downwards. Since I was no longer able to overeat, I substituted that for an unhealthy relationship, drugs and alcohol. To the naked eye my life seemed great because from the outside everything looked wonderful. The reality is that I sold myself a lie when I convinced myself that when I lost weight my life would automatically be great. Don't get me wrong, losing weight is wonderful but in my case it was much deeper then the extra pounds I was carrying. I needed healing from a life long battle of rejection, abandonment and emotional wounds that shedding 132 pounds didn't cure. I maintained my lowest weight of 157 until 2015 along with my out of control pain pill and adderal addiction and emotionally abusive relationship but it all came to a head when I found God (don't tune out if you don't believe as this is my truth and my experience) in January 2015. In surrendering my life to God and with His power, I was given the strength to leave that relationship and leave the drugs behind and thats when the real work began. In the last 2 years I have gained about 50 pounds and have come to realize that I never dealt with the real issues that caused me to almost be 300 pounds in the first place. I am in a really good place in my life right now as God is helping me tackle the root issues of my brokenness that manifests itself in self destructive behaviors like compulsive overeating or substance abuse. Emotionally I am at a place now that I wish I would have been when I had my surgery, in a place that I can appreciate the tool that has been given to me but more importantly having an awareness of what is going on within. I believe that I had to gain this weight to really appreciate not only what I have but knowing that my weight can't make me or break me. I no longer live in fear that I am not good enough like I did for my whole life leading up to WLS. I allow myself to feel and not numb my emotions with outside things which has been a constant in my life. So unlike most stories of feeling like a failure after regaining weight, this is a success story and one that is still being written! I want to document my journey to losing the regain and hope to encourage, inspire and open the dialogue to similar stories like mine. This is life peeps, if we aren't growing, we are dying. I started on Tuesday going on walks and getting back to the basics and am down 5 pounds and my goal is to get to 150. I know I can do this and would love the support from my fellow WLS community. My first time around, I did it alone but i know that there is power in unity and community. Be Blessed family. I have attached a progression picture of me at my heaviest, my lowest and now. -Mari

YES…I’m going on 5 years post and have had 50 lbs of regain. For me it was significant increase of alcohol during Covid, stress, and inactivity. I weighed in on January 1 and was NOT happy with the number. I’m doing dry January, have exercised 6 days per week and have gone back to the basics. I’ve only lost 1.2 lbs which is very discouraging. I’m almost questioning if I have metabolism issues. Either way, I feel GREAT getting back on track. I’ve upped my water, have been eating Whole foods, and am moving my body again. I’m just hoping I can get the weight off!

Dear Wiley, For once, I agree with someone who is at a plateau and thinks they dont need a fill! Well, that being said here's my advice for what its worth. I totally know what you mean about the snack foods, they go down pretty easy and they are not good. I have mentally told my self that I can have anything because any restrictions or dieting is just no good for me and it leads me to the snacks. So I instead have foods I MUST eat and those are the proteins. For me that is mainly beans, tofu, and fish but you get the idea. I MUST eat those at the beginning of every meal (or whenever I want to eat regardless of mealtime or even hunger) and then usually after that I cant eat very many snacks or whatever else. I just mentally cant have no-no foods - it just makes me want them more! So now I have MUST-HAVE foods and they keep me out of trouble for the most part. Also (for what its worth) I have a glass of wine after dinner and it really curbs the snacking...I think I would be a skinny alcoholic! But for a lot of people, any alcohol lowers their ability to say no, to snacks or whatever else! Good luck...you posted a very interesting situation and I will be interested to see what others say... PS: There are two ways to turn on your metabolism in the morning: eat (not an option for me either) or exercise. Even a 20 minute walk will do it.

I nursed a mixed drink at about 3 months while I was on vacation, some sort of blue coconutty conconction, didn't impact me any differently. I didn't finish it because I couldn't hold it all and, like Kindle said, not worth the calories . TBH, I haven't had any alcohol since, so I don't know how my tolerance would change with time.

And what rules do you NEVER break? To be brutally honest, I break the "no caffeine" rule (I drink a coffee every morning) and I break the "don't drink liquids with your meal" rule. On occasion I'm even known to consume an alcoholic beverage. These are my sins! That being said, I adhere firmly to: daily Vitamins, supplements, Protein intake, exercise (cardio and strength), calorie limit, no carbonated drinks. Is it fair to say we find what works for each of us? Compliance 100% of the time to 100% of the rules seems unattainable. But I like to think I comply to the vast majority of them most of the time. Disclaimer: This post is not intended to encourage rule breaking, and please don't admonish me or anyone else for being honest! I wish everyone success on their journey, whether they are rule-breakers like me, or not.

The only "rules" I was given were: Don't wash your meals down - I adhere to this one as drinking with meals tend to make me uncomfortable anyway. Get your Protein - Yes. In maintenance 1 year now and still put a scoop of whey in my (real) coffee every morning. I avoid caffeine the rest of the day now. (Previously lived on diet coke). Stay compliant with supplements - Yep. Still do that too. Vitamin deficiency is a real risk with us. My Iron sat was down a bit even while taking iron supplements as directed (outside any other supplements) so I changed to a chewable with C. Hopefully I'll absorb it better. Don't know if it's helped, but I have more energy now. Guess I'll find out at my next physical. Other than that, I eat high protein and pretty clean during the week, exercise every weekday and party on the weekends including alcohol in moderate amounts. I don't consider it "rule breaking", but living life as a fit person in maintenance!

Rules I "break"..... I drink alcohol. I eat pancakes, muffins, Cookies, cake, candy, Pasta, bread and rice I do regular sugar stuff...not low cal/sugar free (yuck) I drink with meals I don't count calories, track or measure my food (except Protein and water-see below) I usually drink decaf, but won't hesitate to drink caffeinated if that's all that's available I graze and snack I have no formal exercise program or plan (my regular life is active enough) Rules I follow... The first two rule breaks above are done in moderation (I guess this is MY rule) No carbonation (tried it....ouch) Take my Vitamins every single day Drink at least 64oz water/day Get 60-80g protein/ day Get bloodwork done regularly and adjust vitamins accordingly My personal #1 rule..... Eat a healthy, balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains every day.

How are you with the alcohol? My brother's wedding is at the end of this month and while Im not going for tipsy or drunk i'd like to share a toast with them.

Thanks. Definately better. Applied for a few jobs. I will wait and see what happens. No biggie! Nothing a nice alcoholic drink couldn't fix. LOL! Hilarious story Laurend. Makes you want to tell him, "Sure sir. I would be happy to do that. Would you also like me to permanently stop the rain and cease all annoying bird chatter since I am obviously Mary freakin' Poppins?"

Two women close to us, one a family member and one who was with my wife and I so much, that we called her our daughter (that we never had), both became crack addicts. Without going into what skeletons were in their respective closets that drove them to the need for the numbing (drugs) to forget, both went through rehab. One learned the lessons of the 12 step program, is clean since 1992 and is raising a beautiful 10 year old daughter (my God-child) that she had a few years after leaving rehab and one is now dead. I bring this up because our battle against overeating and weight is so similar to the battle against drug/alcohol addiction. We must learn to take one day at a time. Maybe "one meal at a time" says it better. We must learn to be grateful each meal and then each day that we succeed in our battle, and maybe most importantly, we must learn to get right back on the wagon anytime we fall off, and without hating ourselves for our momentary failure. Setting far reaching goals is so important, but setting a goal for the day or for the hour or even minute is just as important. I used to argue with the women who is still alive and doing well when she was using that overeating is a harder nut to crack than crack or alcohol addiction. An addict can keep postponing that first drink/usage for one day or one minute until the minutes grow into days, the days grow into weeks, the weeks grow into years, etc. We as foodaholics must eat everyday. We can not postpone eating indefinitely. When a drug addict or alcoholic breaks down and uses, they fall apart, but if they put using off day by day, they can succeed. We must give in and use, but we must not fall apart in order to succeed. I wish all the members here the best. If you have lost 100 pounds or more, congratulations. If you have lost ½ pound so far, well you are on the right path. The man, Tim Montgomery, who recently set the world record for the 100 meter sprint started off about 26 years ago by crawling and then eventually took a halting step. If he can make it from one step, fall, get back up, take another step and then another to running 100 meters in 9.78 seconds, then we can start on the path, fall off, get back on the path and lose our desired amount of weight. Oh, yeah, I used to be 5'11", but now I am 5'9". I used to look and feel good at 180 pounds and even though I am now two inches shorter, my goal is 180.

Hi Syd. We were sleeved the same day. Currently I've lost 80 pounds! Congrats on your success so far. I've been out a few times for cocktails since surgery and haven't experienced the burning you have. It does take much less alcohol to get a buzz now though. Maybe try a different drink? I know that some favorite foods from presurgery don't settle well now so maybe it would be the same with the alcohol. Good luck!!

I was sleeved Sept 18 th and have lost 70 pounds!! I feel great and in size 12 jeans???????? I have tries to have a sip of a cocktail and it still sets my stomach on fire!!!!!! You would think 6 months out it would not burn. Any body else doing this?!??? Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm young(ish) and my wife and I like to drink. We'll have several glasses of wine or cocktails at dinner (esp. at a restaurant or with friends). We go to SEC football games a good bit and drink beer or whiskey there with friends. We have bloody marys and mimosas on mother's day and Easter, etc. We go to music festivals (Jazz Fest, Memphis in May, etc.) and drink there while enjoying the music. It suffices to say that our lifestyle has involved alcohol since we were college kids, albeit much less (and more responsibly) now that we're 30. Do any similar social drinkers have advice about how to juggle VSG with light cocktails/wine/beer? Will my VSG prevent me from drinking at all?