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I'm with @lifeofblair... chocolate is a major trigger food for me so I choose to just stay away from it. Sugar alcohols upset my stomach as well, so I'm not going to even try the NSA chocolate. I do eat chocolate pudding, but that's not even close to the same thing. I haven't had real chocolate since I was pre-op. On a side note, I bought a bag of chocolate covered almonds as my last treat before I started my liquid pre-op diet. I never got to eat if because we ended up buying a puppy that night and I was too distracted with her. Best decision of my life getting her

After RNY gastric bypass, there are two problems with traditional chocolate candy: sugar and fat. During RNY the part of the stomach that processes fats and sugars has been cut away. If you eat several chocolates, it can lead to dumping syndrome. Eventually your intestines will figure out something is wrong and will step up to the plate and begin to process these foods. This can take about a year. You are within the "weight loss" phase for such a short time, it is important to maximize the weight loss. Once you transition into the "maintenance" phase, the strategy is different. Fats are a useful tool during maintenance because they take away hunger. Maintenance is about hunger control. But I would recommend you avoid sugars during the maintenance phase. Natural sugar (fruits and milk), artificial sugars (such as splenda), and no calorie natural sugars (such as stevia) are fine, as well as sugar alcohols. So if you have a craving in the maintenance phase, it is fine to consume Adkin's treats. Or enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, only make sure it is the "no sugar added" variety.

When did you have your first alcoholic drink after your surgery ?!

I am 4 months post VSG and down 50 lbs but have had unreasonable sugar cravings in the past week that I have given in to - eating hard candy, drinking small amounts of alcohol, part of a bagel, and today I got a frozen yogurt with crushed up butterfinger in it and ate about 1/2 cup and got so sick - vomited multiple times. Why am I doing this to myself? It's almost like I am testing the limits to see what I can "get away with" which is ridiculous since I KNOW that this isn't good for me long term. I am so close to being under 200 lbs for the first time in over 10 yrs. am I intentionally sabotaging myself? WTF is wrong with me?

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20130118/alcohol-sleep http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-2/101-109.htm I didn't believe it but I found it to be totally true. I fall asleep much easier in a completely dark room. Once I close my eyes I sleep very deeply, rarely dreaming that I can remember. I wake up naturally in 8-8.5 hours, fully refreshed. Like I said it is almost freakish for someone who has never slept well in their adult life.

@@needtorecover I have a friend with sleep apnea. They don't wake up, but they sound like they are dying over and over during the night. It is terrible to hear, and every time we go on vacation it keeps me up because they refuse to wear their cpap thing. So you can have it and it won't wake you up. Sleep is one of those things I fixed before surgery. Because of my work and the fact I have a pretty open schedule, I can pretty much work whenever I want as long as I meet my deadlines, I used to nap in the afternoons often. Once I stopped napping in the afternoons, went to bed at a decent hour, in a completely dark room, with no electronics in it, my sleep greatly improved. I sleep around 8 hours a night and it is a deep sleep, my eyes close and then they open. It is actually freakishly deep for someone that has never slept well at night before. I wake up and hit the floor ready to go. I am so relaxed and refreshed. Make sure you have the nicest most comfortable bed you afford, a dark quiet room, and don't drink before bed. My Dr told me years ago that drink to sleep, actually interrupted your sleep and I didn't believe him but since I gave up alcohol a few years ago, my sleep started improving. If you drink before bed, you never get into deep REM sleep.

I thought of several things as I was reading your post. I've been battling chronic depression and anxiety since I was 14 years old. You have done an awesome thing getting yourself through college while dealing with depression, anxiety and weight loss surgery. You deserve a round of applause! When I was your age, I was chasing that "high" or any good feeling with a lot of self medicating with food, alcohol and other things. I don't suggest going that direction because it just made me more depressed than ever. I went through some therapy but that didn't really help much either. I finally sought help from a good doctor. He explained that some people have severe chemical imbalances in their brains that cause depression. I started on antidepressants at that time. I was really really really lucky that the first one we tried worked well for me, we have adjusted medication over the years when needed. The truth is that science does not know enough about depression yet, as in doctors really have to guess what medication to start you on and sometimes it can take a while to find the right one. Another thing that came to mind is that I always have to carefully watch myself during February because I also have Seasonal Affective Disorder. The theory is we get less sunlight during the winter months which affects our brain chemicals. During the winter months, and especially February, I can't watch movies about anything depressing. Like I usually enjoy movies about World War II but I do not watch them right now. I started watching a movie about civil war in Liberia during the '80's and started crying in the first five minutes. I watch comedies in February. I go outside several times a day when the sun is out and just stroll around with my dog. Or sit out in the sun. It doesn't take long for these things to help me. So, I'm just relating my experiences here. Not trying to be an expert, just saying what has helped me. I hope and wish you the very best and that you will find something to help you through this time.

Three years out and my posts have started to shift to living and observing life as a thin person and not focused on what to eat/not eat, what I weight..etc. Yesterday I had an encounter that would have meant nothing to someone always thin, but reminds me constantly that I am not the same person I was. I don't mean that my moral compass has shifted, or that my personality is vastly different...or possibly it is. I was at the market yesterday and bumped into another shopper. Happens all the time in NYC markets...they are very tight as is everything in NYC. I apologized and the woman laughed and said, 'hey, this in Manhattan...nothing we can do about it.'. I agreed with her and moved on and then realized this would not have happened when I was obese. I would have still apologized but my eyes would have been down and I'd have scurried away as soon as possible.....because it would have been my fault that we collided. How does an obese woman not get in other people's space when she takes up more than her share? Now times that by a thousand because of how we live here in the city. The old Liz would have been so embarrassed but this new, normal sized Liz wasn't even thinking that way...I was only apologizing as anyone would have done. And then I allowed a bit of small talk after that encounter that would have never happened before either. We really need to admit that when we lose so much weight, we do become different people. Both internally and externally. I was on a girls weekend recently with long time friends and likely due to the amount of alcohol flowing, we got silly and sentimental. I heard many times, how inspirational my story is. How I changed my life around. How I was always a great person before, but I simply glow these days. I found it embarrassing but I understood it was complementary and I just had to suck it up while they went on and on. Don't tell me that doesn't change a person because it does.

Welcome to the site and thank you so much for sharing your story. I am really impressed you used "gruntled" in a sentence, that doesn't happen very often! I am so sorry you have had to deal with some much life stress but am glad you are dealing with your transfer addictions. Unfortunately, unless we deal with our underlying eating issues it is all to easy to transfer to other things like: alcohol, gambling (day trading), etc. I hope you have found s good therapist and/or recover program Glad to hear you like your Fitbit. I have started a misfit shine because I swim and really like it. Again, welcome to this site. I hope you stick around and share the benefit of your experience.

I just joined this Forum a few minutes ago. Take a look at my Post under "my story" section where I discuss my use of alcohol. It might be instructive.

This is the first time I've visited this forum. I was looking for a place to share my story with other RNY patients, and here is where I landed. So, first off, the basics. I had bypass surgery 6 years ago at the U of W Hospital. The surgery was straight forward and I suffered no complications.My pre surgery weight was 355. During the first year post op I shrank to 217 (which contrary to all obesity tables was thin for my build). I was 60 at the time of the surgery. During the first year, I ate whatever I could tolerate, and drank no alcohol at all. I was pretty gruntled over the results. I tossed by CPAP, as the decrease in fat around my neck cured me of the obstructive aspect of my apnea. I was on a low dose of blood pressure meds, and I no longer needed to continue that med, as my BP dropped with my weight loss. I never could tolerate sugar after the surgery and found I really needed to limit any carbs a couple of hours prior to doing physical activity to prevent lightheadedness--although, I continued to eat a lot of high carbo foods. After the first year and the highly satisfactory weight loss, I started reintroducing alcohol. I had, for over twenty years, been a daily drinker-- usually a couple of cocktails in the evening with friends. I found that alcohol after surgery was different. I got drunk much faster, sobered up much quicker and never suffered a hangover, no matter how much I consumed. This was great fun, as I'm by nature a happy drunk, pleased to make people laugh and enjoy the company of friends and alcohol together. This behavior went on and I started to gain weight. I wasn't overly alarmed by either my alcohol use or my weight gain, as I had been told that studies indicate that RNY patients suffered a 10% weight regain after reaching their highest weight loss. Well, pressures of life mounted, I daily traded in the Stock Market, and found with the advent of the Fed's QE programs and the advent of ALGO trading, my trading strategies suffered considerably. Over the course of the next 3 years I lost $10s of Thousands of dollars in the Market. So, I sat at the computer 14 hours a day watching the evaporation of my money as it went to money heaven. It was disturbing and depressing--to say the least. My alcohol consumption increased, as my activity level decreased. In fact, I started adding a daily bottle of good red wine with dinner to enjoy and make me feel better. This escalated over the months. On top of my own Market disasters, our Family suffered some terrible tragedies and losses in the course of an 8 month period in 2014. My Wife, of 46 years marriage, had suffered clinical depression bouts and hospitalization a number of years ago. With the family loss, I constantly worried about her mental health, and as she increased her wine intake (she is on Wellbutrin), I viewed it as not a bad thing, as it helped her cope with the immediate pain and depression. My weight gain continued. I found myself back on my BP meds. and, back on the CPAP machine--which I hate with a passion. Finally, towards the end of 2015 we had a discussion about our health and what to do about it. On Jan. 1 we both stopped drinking and started dieting. At that point I had ballooned up to 278! I was embarrassed by my weight gain and felt I had failed myself and my Wife in my presurgery promise to get healthier in order to have longer and happier life together. So, on Jan 1. I got the Fitbit App and went on a 1500 cal. a day eating plan. I cut out alcohol, all starchy foods, most meat and very little fried food prep. I take a couple of Premier Protein drinks a day and eat a lot of raw veggie salads. I have to say, I couldn't be happier. Since Jan. I've lost 32 pounds and have a goal to drop another 30 pounds before Fall, I've put away my CPAP machine, I sleep better and have less aches and pains in my joints. My wife has also lost weight, although only 8 pounds, which is very visible on her, as she wasn't overly sized to begin with. I have to admit that I have an easier time with the diet, as I don't experience hunger pains, and often view eating as necessary rather than desired. My activity level has markedly increased. I've started woodworking again (just finishing up a stunning dining room table of solid black walnut) --I had stopped for about 6 years. And I am currently building a deck on the south side of the house that I had been putting off for the last twenty years! I wanted to share this with others in the hope that it might inspire anyone that fallen into a similar situation and despaired of regaining their health and happiness. So, my first recommendation is the Fitbit App to monitor and track your food intake. And, to be honest, the first week of big change like this is a bit of a hurdle, but, put your head down and power through this period and you'll find it will be easier going forward. Life will get better. Best wishes to all.

(Repost from another board--I wasn't sure which was the best place to post!) Hello! I'm new to the community and wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I had my WLS consultation yesterday, and have decided to pursue the gastric sleeve. I am fortunate that I have already gotten insurance approval, and upon completion of all of my pre-op tests/obligations, should be able to schedule surgery for sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. I've struggled with my weight my whole life, and am ready to get a handle on it. My BMI is currently 41. I'm a married mom of 2 young girls, and it is so important to me that they see me as a role model for a healthy lifestyle. Now is the time for me to get this under control. I'm anxious, but very excited about what my future holds. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all, and finding support here! Some questions I've thought of--if any of you have an insight, I'd love to hear it: -My FIL had gastric bypass several years back, and ended up with quite an alcohol problem afterwards (he is now going to AA and doing much better). This is one of my husband's main concerns for me about getting surgery--trading one addiction for another. I'm not a big drinker, so I don't see alcohol as being problematic--in fact, I plan to give it up entirely for the forseeable future, but perhaps shopping, or something else that could replace food in my life, is his concern. -I'd like to try and keep my surgery journey private for the time being. I'm worried about how to respond when people start noticing my weight. I have some ideas, but feel like I'll crack and tell people, then wish I hadn't. -I'm a straw drinker. I guzzle drinks quickly and am going to have to learn to sip. But I'll admit that I'm already in mourning over the loss of my straw. Is this forever? -I'm a Diet Coke addict. I look forward to breaking free of the hold it has over me (man, that sounds absurd--but it is true!) But I'll admit I'm mourning idea of that loss too. I'd like to think maybe someday I could have one occasionally (my surgeon seemed ok with moderate amounts of carbonated beverages after 6 mo out). But maybe it's time to cut the cord permanently. -I am afraid of the hair loss. My surgeon said its pretty inevitable, but should be temporary. My hair's pretty fine & thin anyway, so it concerns me. I'm hoping I'm able to keep it a minimum. Ok, I'm just rambling now. Thanks for taking the time to read this! I look forward to getting to know you all!

Hello! I'm new to the community and wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I had my WLS consultation yesterday, and have decided to pursue the gastric sleeve. I am fortunate that I have already gotten insurance approval, and upon completion of all of my pre-op tests/obligations, should be able to schedule surgery for sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. I've struggled with my weight my whole life, and am ready to get a handle on it. I'm a married mom of 2 young girls, and it is so important to me that they see me as a role model for a healthy lifestyle. Now is the time for me to get this under control. I'm anxious, but very excited about what my future holds. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all, and finding support here! Some questions I've thought of--if any of you have an insight, I'd love to hear it: -My FIL had gastric bypass several years back, and ended up with quite an alcohol problem afterwards (he is now going to AA and doing much better). This is one of my husband's main concerns for me about getting surgery--trading one addiction for another. I'm not a big drinker, so I don't see alcohol as being problematic--in fact, I plan to give it up entirely for the forseeable future, but perhaps shopping, or something else that could replace food in my life, is his concern. -I'd like to try and keep my surgery journey private for the time being. I'm worried about how to respond when people start noticing my weight. I have some ideas, but feel like I'll crack and tell people, then wish I hadn't. -I'm a straw drinker. I guzzle drinks quickly and am going to have to learn to sip. But I'll admit that I'm already in mourning over the loss of my straw. Is this forever? -I'm a Diet Coke addict. I look forward to breaking free of the hold it has over me (man, that sounds absurd--but it is true!) But I'll admit I'm mourning idea of that loss too. I'd like to think maybe someday I could have one occasionally (my surgeon seemed ok with moderate amounts of carbonated beverages after 6 mo out). But maybe it's time to cut the cord permanently. -I am afraid of the hair loss. My surgeon said its pretty inevitable, but should be temporary. My hair's pretty fine & thin anyway, so it concerns me. I'm hoping I'm able to keep it a minimum. Ok, I'm just rambling now. Thanks for taking the time to read this! I look forward to getting to know you all!

Based on my experience, food-wise, by 7-9 weeks I was out of the liquid/soft phases and cleared to try most (if not all) foods. Personally, Intake the no alcohol rule vey seriously. Even if you are someone who doesn't, 7-9 weeks post-op would be way to early. You are still healing. As long as you are able to get in all of your Protein and fluids then you should be fine. The challenge will be not getting behind, especially with your fluids. But, you are going to have to do that whether you are on a cruise or not. As long as you don't have any complications, or have any other issues, I would think you would be fine. By that time your incisions should be healed so you will be able to swim, etc. Just to be safe, be sure to let your surgeon know of your plans. Also, take his contact info so that if you did wind up in a hospital, you can loop him in on what is going on. Whenever you decide to go, I hope you have a wonderful time!

I did flip I was convinced the wine burnt a hole my my new stomach and I was dying. ... yes a bit extreme but so is blood. I was a mess till they told me I would be okay. Said it was like pouring alcohol on a fresh cut... causes it to bleed more and it hurts.

TMI. Warning: I had blood in my stool and urin. Went to the doctors and they said I was bleeding and asked if I had consumed alcohol. Lol My consumption was mindless.. and it hurt when I drank it.

AHHH! I just found out today that my surgery date is March 16th. 3 weeks from tomorrow. It all seems so fast. I just started this process with an all day appointment at Mayo Clinic in November, and the time has FLOWN by. I had my last visit with the psychologist on Friday and she signed off/discharged me then. I got the call from the surgical scheduler today and, I'm not even going to lie, started freaking out a little (okay, a lot). Anyone else with March dates? My birthday is March 10th, so I can't think of a better way to usher in 33 than a new me. I'm starting to get more nervous, but I keep telling myself that it's all for the better. One preop visit, one lab visit, one bypass diet visit and then surgery. I don't know if anyone else has gone to Mayo Clinic, but they do not mess around. I've had to keep a significant food log (with pre and post-meal feelings) since November, had to cut out any alcohol and most caffeine and had to significantly increase exercise in order to be discharged. Sorry, I'm kinda freaking out here. All of the forums here have been a massive help thus far, and I hope to post/contribute more as I go through the process. WHEEE!

I had surgery 2/2/16 so I am in the same spot as everyone here. I have been eating soft fried eggs every morning for like 4 days now. No issues whatsoever. My HW is 390 my Pre Op Weight was 365, CW is 328!!! Im male, 5,10 (single lol) I'm feeling great! Also I've had a couple servings of alcohol, one whiskey sour and sipped one shot of Patron tequila. All went down smooth. Tried wine once but it was too acidic going down. Alcohol will def be a once in a great while thing tho. I was two lbs lighter on the scale the next day if you can believe it! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So--- on March 1st of 2015 I walked into the introductory meeting on WLS. I walked out of the meeting and immediately gave up caffeine, soda, & alcohol. Started tracking and doing my pre-op diet. Fast forward to today...in exactly one week I will be at my one year "I'm going to do this" anniversary. As of yesterday I have lost 99 pound! (Of course I am HOPING I will lose at least one more pound in the coming week so I lose 100 pounds in a year.) If someone would have told me that I could even be 50 pounds lighter in a year I would have been jumping up and down. 100 seems unbelievable. I have never experienced the "honeymoon" phase of WLS. I just went back to all my weight records and see that I am the consistent turtle--- trudging along. But I have consistently been losing about 8+ pounds a month. These sure do add up! I am 2/3rds of the way to my goal. I feel fantastic now and everyone tells me how fantastic I look- who am I to argue with them???? Thank you for being a part of my journey. I don't really understand what "clicked" this time but am so glad it did and so glad I have the opportunity to share this with each of you.

Gastric bypass equals malabsorption of everything including alcohol. I'm having trouble with malabsorbtion of my anti-anxiety meds and it's torture. But, this too shall pass.

I personally have decided to severely cut down my alcohol consumption because it causes me to eat. I drink a few drinks and then I don't care about what I eat. I drink too much and need grease the next day to get rid of my hangover. To me a couple of drinks isn't worth the calories. That's just me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow there are some real judgey people. Use your own common sense. A drink now and then is fine if you want. That your thinking about it being a red flag is proposterous if you are talking about 1 or 2 social drinks. They have some alcohol hang ups to say that. Good luck!!

Hi everyone! Does anyone else experience a high tolerance for alcohol after gastric bypass? I have a completely difference tolerance now than before surgery. I don't get drunk (not a bad thing). I can feel just a tiny bit tipsy for a very short period of time - maybe 20 minutes and then goes away. I even put it to the test this past week on our annual all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean when rum punch was flowing freely all day. Not that I need to be drinking and wanting to get drunk, but sometimes that relaxing fun feeling would be fine. Even my surgeon was stumped and said this is the first he's heard of a high tolerance as it's usually the opposite. So...just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same?

I am doing extremely well, i was just moved to solids today, i am down from 276 to 242 in a month. i even emailed my doctor to see if i can have a alcoholic drink cause i had a party to goto last night, and he said its fine, just dont go over board, i had one cocktail and i was fine, but its funny, i used to enjoy a cocktail or two, but i was hesitant lol. My insurance approved it rather quickly from the time the office put it in, the office handled it all, after my first surgery the insurance changed the 6 month to 3 months, but i was consistently going to the doctors so they used my reg visits weigh ins as the month requirement diets, also he made me do the minimal doctor visits like i didn't need to see the nutritionist, just had to go see the cardiologist, pulmonary, and get medical clearance, and i just called my psych from last time and she revised my note, this all went rather smooth, probably cause its the same surgeon as who did my original. Good Luck, let me know how it goes.

I waited about a year, until I got a good handle on my weight loss and new lifestyle, and got to know my band and how to "Listen" to it. Then once I understood and was comfortable with everything, I began to reintroduce many things, including alcohol.... I also drink beer. and other carbonated drinks...but i understand how to do it now. There were more important things to deal with than alcohol within the first year.