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Tina and I visited a friend in the VA hospital in Brooklyn about 10 years ago. He was in the ward where the cancer patients who got cancer from cigarettes are and it was disgusting to see people who had had their larynx removed smoking cigarettes through the tube that they breath through in their neck. Tina quit smoking a little while after that. Our friend died shortly after also. A coworker who had his larynx removed because of cigarette induced cancer had to keep a damp scarf around his neck to keep the breathing hole area moist. One day I noticed that it had turned brown from smoking cigars through his breathing hole. I know a dozen people who have kicked coke, crack or heroin, and stopped drinking alcohol, but can not stop smoking.

Let me elaborate on what I mean by "metabolic support" (as described by my surgeon). I was referring to the concept that only with VSG do they remove the section of the stomach that sends hormones to the brain that make us hungry. Nothing is removed in band surgery and in gastric bypass, the stomach is left behind and continues to produce the hunger hormone. That said, bypass patients do great in weight loss because they also have their digestive system "shortened". My issue with bypass was that I was uncomfortable with all that organ rerouting. Also, my surgeon said no alcohol or NSAID'S for life after bypass. Here's one link that touches on some of the differences: http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/gastric-sleeve-surgery.html#The_Difference I do know that lots of people have done great with the band, but I also know a lot if people have failed and then gotten conversion surgery to VSG or one of the others.

I am now past the 6 month mark and I'm down close to 60 pounds. (55 to be exact) I am starting to get comments from people about looking like I've lost weight and I'm down to a size 16 on bottom and a 14 on top. I tend to struggle the most with stopping when I'm starting to feel full and also not drinking calories...must remember to stay away from high calorie alcoholic beverages and to keep my Starbucks drinks to a minimal amount of calories. I tried eating more protein as my doctor suggested which prevented me from losing and stopped the hair loss...as soon as I stopped eating as much protein then I started loosing again and my hair started falling out again. It's a Catch-22... I am looking at old photos to see the difference from now to then and I do see some but not as much as I'd like to see. I really don't think I'm going to be really pleased until I get below 200...17 more pounds. My goal is to lose this by my birthday...July 28th. I am a little concerned because I'm up to 8.3 cc's in a 10 cc band and I've barely just gotten to the point of restriction. I still can and have always been able to eat more than the 1/4 cup so...I am the proof that you have to use the tool correctly because it is only a tool and not a be all end all. I also started going to a local support group so I can remind myself to stay on track and give back to other people who are just starting out. Aside from that...I'll check in next month.

I am now past the 6 month mark and I'm down close to 60 pounds. (55 to be exact) I am starting to get comments from people about looking like I've lost weight and I'm down to a size 16 on bottom and a 14 on top. I tend to struggle the most with stopping when I'm starting to feel full and also not drinking calories...must remember to stay away from high calorie alcoholic beverages and to keep my Starbucks drinks to a minimal amount of calories. I tried eating more protein as my doctor suggested which prevented me from losing and stopped the hair loss...as soon as I stopped eating as much protein then I started loosing again and my hair started falling out again. It's a Catch-22... I am looking at old photos to see the difference from now to then and I do see some but not as much as I'd like to see. I really don't think I'm going to be really pleased until I get below 200...17 more pounds. My goal is to lose this by my birthday...July 28th. I am a little concerned because I'm up to 8.3 cc's in a 10 cc band and I've barely just gotten to the point of restriction. I still can and have always been able to eat more than the 1/4 cup so...I am the proof that you have to use the tool correctly because it is only a tool and not a be all end all. I also started going to a local support group so I can remind myself to stay on track and give back to other people who are just starting out. Aside from that...I'll check in next month.

I was not consuming alcohol at this event nor have i had alcohol since before my 2 week pre op diet I mentioned I've consumed alcohol at this event in the past before i thought about having surgery just to give some context on how much things have changed for me now that I’ve had RNY I’ll make it a little more clear in my OP 😊

So today I’m 4 weeks post op RNY by the date. I passed out today (Saturday) at an outside, pretty physical, 3 mile walk/dancing event. I’ve frequented this event plenty of times in the past before surgery & while drinking liquor in 82+ degree weather (1-2 years BEFORE surgery) This is the first time in life I’ve ever passed out. It was kind of scary when my friend told me I was out for about 3 minutes…. The morning of I had 2 protein shakes and hit 80g before heading out. I had plenty LiquidIV supplements to make sure I stayed hydrated but it seems like that contributed to my downfall according to the EMT. I have not and did not consume alcohol while only 4 weeks post op. But mainly I had no solid food since Friday thinking that i could hit the protein & just stay hydrated but hell no… With the physical activity & no carbs to replenish the energy my body was way deprived so…eat your carbs

I'd agree with Arabesque that it's probably too much activity too soon after surgery. Your body's still healing, and you're not taking in enough calories to support strenuous activity yet. And low blood pressure/low blood sugar are issues with some of us the first few weeks. It was probably a combination of things. about alcohol (and I know you said you weren't drinking. but just because the other commenters addressed it...), we were told to wait a year. I waited more like three years. The first time I drank it slowly and in a "safe" place since I didn't know what kind of effect it would have on me. I remember getting really buzzed really quickly on just one glass of wine - although the feeling left more quickly than it would have pre-surgery. I do drink now (eight years out), but it mostly consists of a glass or two of wine (and usually only when I'm out with friends) about once a month. But then alcoholism runs on one side of my family (two uncles), and with my addictive personality and my re-arranged digestive system, plus the fact transfer addiction isn't uncommon among bariatric patients, I never wanted to risk it.

Great article. Great find! What people don't understand as they gleefully exclaim in these threads "I'm 6 months out and I eat or drink XX all the time and I'm still losing weight!" is that their bodies are on auto pilot for the first 6 months to a year. The sheer lack of calories results in weight loss, and you could be eating mini chocolate donuts for Breakfast every day and still lose some weight because your overall caloric intake has decreased drastically. Then our metabolism catches up to us. That's why it's so important to cement healthy habits while that glorious honeymoon period is still in full swing where the restriction is great and the hunger is low. Once we get to our goal and are comfortably in maintenence, it's really human nature to want to push things. Dip our foot in the pool so to speak. Having that ONE cookie turns into 2 or 3. That ONE alcoholic beverage every week turns into every day. That one rare fast food hamburger you have on the run because you were ill prepared turns into 2 times a week. Some can moderate to those things. Most can't (otherwise we wouldn't have needed surgery, right?). We have to learn what each of our individual limits are and go from there, because the further out we get from surgery, the more the weight wants to creep back up on us, even when we're towing the line pretty well. It's a cold, hard truth that most don't understand.

I have been plateaued right around low to mid 150s for months. I have been letting bad things creep into my diet. A couple bites of potatoes, mac & cheese, some alcohol, a little rice, hit the vending machine at work for a candy bar and what was once only occasionally is a bit more constant. I haven't really gained but I have not been losing. I have not yet hit goal and I am 20 months out from surgery. My surgeon's goal for me was 130 pounds. I can do this. So Sunday morning I was at 157.6. (I had female surgery on Friday so I spiked a bit due to the IV and sodium chloride they loaded me with). I had been hanging more like 153-156. I went back to a couple of protein shakes a day and protein/veggies for dinner. I had 1 egg + spinach & tomatoes for breakfast and a cheese stick on the way home from work. I am now down to 152.6. My mom is coming to PA from AZ Oct 14th so I figure I will be strict until then. I can eat a little more like a normal person while she is here. Normal meaning real food instead of protein shakes but I will still avoid the simple carbs like bread, rice, pasta, potatoes. I want to be below 150 when she gets here. I want to be at 130 to ring in the new year. Once Mom leaves I will start going back to the gym. I have a bunch of saved up personal trainer sessions. Maybe I will use 1 a week for a month or so to keep me on the straight and narrow. I ride my horse about 4 times a week so get some exercise. Yes, riding is exercise. Last month I took him on a 15 mile trail ride. We trotted for probably 13 miles of that and it took just about 2 hrs and 50 minutes. I ride English so posted for the majority of that. For those of you that don't ride posting is standing then sitting every other stride of the horse. So think 2 + hours of squats. Then we did 9 miles the next day. Yes, baby those quads were on fire come Monday. However, I do need to get some weight training and some aerobics back in. I work full time and have an hour commute each way. Finding time to exercise can be tough. Now that the weather is cooler I am going to try to walk at lunch. I don't see why I can't lose 22.6 pounds in 3 months. That is only 7.5 pounds a month. I am 5'3" so 130 is really the high end of "goal". I need to touch base with my NUT too. I know my surgeon set my protein at 62 grams. I need to figure out if that is still a good number or would going higher help me lose a little better.

I, personally, would suggest another place. That atmosphere tempts me too much. Post bariatric surgery you have an uber low tolerance for alcohol. I'd be afraid I'd be tempted to have "just one" or even a sip and feel it too much.

@@judyoz careful! Alcohol is drinking your calories. Your surgeon or dietitian should've gone over that with you. Abstaining from alcohol is a small price for getting thin and healthy.

In the first 3 months, I wasn't given a specific calorie count, just portion size guidelines and macro distribution. It was supposed to be 50% low carb veggies, 25% protein, 25% starches with meals being 1/2 to 1 cup depending on how far along I was. With that said, I chose to do my own thing (and told my team so...and they had no real objections): I prioritized protein and went ultra-low carb. Weeks 1-2 (400 cals a WEEK...this was not on purpose, it just happened this way). Weeks 2-4 (300-400 / day) Months 2-4 (500-600 / day) Months 5-7 (600-800 / day) ...and tried to stay below 25g NET carbs day (I didn't count fibre nor sugar alcohols in my official carb count)

My Dr says NO alcohol again, ever?!? I wonder why??

Most stories from bypass patients that drink will be similar. After surgery the alcohol moves much more quickly (and pretty much all at once) into the small intestine. That's why it hits you harder and more quickly than it did before. It also moves out of the shortened intestine faster than it did before which is why you sober up more quickly. My surgeon said no alcohol for a year and I followed it to the letter and still wound up with an ulcer at the anastomosis. It healed fairly quickly but I'd be cautious about pushing the time line. I very much enjoy a glass of wine before dinner (pre-op and post-op) but you want to be sure that the surgery is completely healed before alcohol. Pre-op or post-op, alcohol is still an irritant.

I have a family member who fell apart so quickly after WLS it was mind boggling. Currently doing a 90 day rehab after 3, 28 day rehabs did not work. She was fired 9 months before being fully vested and eligible for retirement. She missed her daughter's prom, graduation, and basically the respect of the entire family. Her health was rapidly declining, vomiting blood, jaundice, etc....from a 38 year old woman. She rarely, if ever, drank before the surgery. I don't post often here and not on the "how soon can I drink alcohol forums" as this rapid addiction isn't going to happen to everyone. I quit drinking completely after watching her rapid descent. Comes back to us in mid-July....praying that she can find peace and embrace sobriety.

So here is something I just discovered after going to an AA meeting. The way non-WLS alcoholics talk about craving alcohol all the time is how I felt about food pre-op. However, that's not at all how I react to alcohol post-op. Since I stopped drinking last week, I have not craved alcohol once. I've found other ways to deal w/ my anxiety, and I'm also on additional anti-anxiety meds right now. I'm really thinking that the alcohol has to do with my previous anxiety meds not being at full strength due to malabsorption. Fortunately, I found a psychologist who works w/ bariatric patients with alcohol and anxiety issues. And I'm meeting with my doctor Friday to try to straighten out my anxiety meds.

I had my surgery about 5 years ago and now when I drink alcohol it seems like I go straight from tipsy to not feeling well. Anyone else feel that way?

I agree that your portions don't look too big, just not the best choices. I've not heard that about waiting for 1 year for alcohol. I'm not a big drinker but do love wine! I just have to be careful because it can aggravate my GERD sometimes. You can eat mussels but not fruit? Aren't mussels super rubbery? As for the fruit - you can blend a few berries in milk and make a smoothy. You can bake apples with a little cinnamon and brown sugar. You can squeeze oranges and have fresh OJ. Most people do ok with melons. As long as you add more veggies, I wouldn't worry *too* much about the fruit part. A woman should get a minimum of 60 grams of Protein a day but most docs suggest at least 70-80 grams. Do you think you are getting that? Protein really does keep you full longer and carbs just make you want more and more and more ...

I am 5 weeks post op. I bring crystal light sticks in my purse, and add those to water. It looks like a cocktail and tastes like a lil bit of a cosmo. I went to a wedding last weekend and asked the bartender to make something with no sugar, carbonation or alcohol. So he made a mojito mocktail- water, muddled mint & lime. I hardly noticed I wasn’t drinking. I’d say try to avoid alcohol and bring provisions to help you - like a lot of things, you may not miss it as much as you think you will. Otherwise, maybe add a lil booze to a crystal light type drink.

Yes, I know all about transfer addiction. I know about watching the sugar content. I know that MOST docs suggest NOT drinking while in the losing phase (if ever). I know we shouldn't have carbonated drinks. I know we have to watch with how quick drinks hit us. I know we should try a drink at home before trying one outside of the home. Etc, etc, etc. I get it! But for those of us/you who HAVE had a drink or drink on occasion, what is your go to? Since surgery I have missed out on several parties, anniversaries (including my own), birthdays (including my own), holidays and even a wedding. I knew it was too soon to celebrate any of those things due to where I was in my food stage, mostly. The alcohol I could avoid if I have to. But now I am on regular foods and 7 weeks out and soon I will be having a family reunion with several family members I may not see again for years, if at all ever (as they live across the country). Anyway, I would like to have a drink or two with them during their visit. BEFORE surgery I would drink occasionally. Maybe once or twice a month on weekends, around a fire or dinner out. My drink of choice before surgery was the Bud Light Out Of Office seltzer drinks. But I DO NOT see them as a go to now cause of the carbonation. I'm trying to think of some OTHER drink choices ahead of time so that I can try it at home before this reunion. I DO NOT like Whisky, Gin or Tequila. I also DO NOT like drinking the alcohols I do like (i.e., Vodka) straight. So, having said that, IF YOU DRINK or HAVE HAD A DRINK SINCE SURGERY, what kind of drink did you have? I am DEFINITELY looking to avoid anything sugary. I made a HUGE mistake over the 4th weekend and has a small milkshake and thought I was gonna puke, die, something. LOL MY heart was racing and I got all clammy. Ugh! I'm assuming it was the high sugar content that got me/spiked my sugar. I have not had sugar like that in about 4 months. So yeah, NEVER AGAIN!! LOL I USED to drink (just to give you an idea of my tastes so that you may be able to better suggest something to me)........... Wine (the sweeter the better, sadly)/Sangrias Bloody Mary's Seltzer Drinks (some) Fruity Drinks (pina coladas and the like) Beer once in a while I recently had a SIP of a drink my husband bought to try. It was called BeatBox. It wasn't bad at all but seems kind of expensive. Especially if I won't be drinking often (but they do have singles you can buy). https://beatboxbeverages.com/collections/zero-sugar Either way I'd like some other suggestions too. Oh and, I'm that person who DOES NOT like to taste the alcohol in their drinks. LOL Which is probably why I can't drink anything straight or even just mixed with plain water. Anyway, if after all of that you still have suggestions, lol, please let me know! Thanks!

It is my understanding that the brown fat on the liver is the first fat your body burns when starting to lose weight. It doesn't matter how you lose the weight just that you do. Many surgeons like the liquid diets for whatever reason but not all do that. I merely had to lose 10lbs in the 2weeks prior to surgery (actually just had to do my best). At his request I stuck to an 800cal per day diet. Let me tell you pre band that is hard! I was so hungry, but I didn't want to risk surgery being more difficult because of my fatty liver so I did it. I fyou can eat sugar alcohols and still lose what your surgeon wants you to then go for it, unless he tells you not to for some reason.

I had my RNY revision for severe GERD (was causing intractable hiccups) on 8/11 and eat a pretty normal diet now. My portion sizes are definitely small but my sleeve was made into a pouch so I expected that. Very early on I did dump on some weird things though- whey protein blends that aren’t 100% isolate or collagen (not sure of plant-based ones), a couple broth based soups can’t remember which ones, and jimmy dean egg white scramble cups which has made me leery of trying real eggs. All the pain I had post-op is pretty much resolved aside from some random shoulder pain if I skip meals. (Surgeon was super confused! 🤷‍♀️) As to the alcohol, I don’t drink so no clue what that’s like or when would be ok.

Take it from a former diet soda queen. Remember TAB, the first diet soda EVER to come out in the 70's or 80's. I used to drink SOMESTIMES 6-12 of them daily. Now, I am perfectly content with my decaf tea & crystal lite. I, personally, do not drink alcohol so I don't really know about BEER. I guess BEER is carbonated, right. When I went to my information seminar, I'd never seen so many FAT people in all my life! One table in the front row was vacant so I took a seat there. You'll be fine.

I Love this post.. Not banded don't even have a date. But very happy when I do get the band I can have an alcoholic beverage once in a while

I have late dumping , hypoglycemia , Triggered by large amounts of processed sugar or alcohol sugars. Very symptomatic / scary but treatable and avoidable . Glad I still have my old blood glucose monitor ! Best wishes.