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Thank you all so much! I'm not looking to start drinking as soon as I have my surgery or anything at all like that. I just wanted to be sure that there would be options later if I so wanted to. This whole surgery is so scary and seems like a finality and there's certain things that I definitely want out of my life but I've never had a problem with over drinking so alcohol is not one of them. I'm glad to hear that if I want it I can have it still in small doses.

Hi, I was sleeved June 8th 2016, have lost 140lbs, so far I can drink sliver rum and do okay whereas sparkling wine, wine have a harder time the sugar dumps into system to quickly. Anyway no one anywhere endorses drinking alcohol post surgery but just be smart and for me I waited until I hit major goals to partake. I am on a bocce team plus work in the wine industry so its hard to not be tempted. Now I weigh exactly 140lbs lost 1/2 of my body weight, now maintaining. Again, be smart they do not want us to hurt our new pouches and to get alcohol poisoning or have transfer of addictions. Good luck

I guess I think of the surgery as a huge change in my life. Something that I'm sharing with family and close friends. I can't imagine not telling someone that I'm dating. When to tell them, I'm not really sure. I do wonder though if the guys she was dating were really shallow and were worried that she was going to gain weight or if it would just be too much baggage to deal with? There's a whole game show called baggage about the junk we we carry from our past. We've all got it, when you bring it up is always a huge question. When do you tell them that you have a mental illness? When do you tell them that you've got an alcoholic mother? When do you tell them that you've been divorced or have children? I think it's really all a matter of your own preferences. Tell your friend to keep trying. A respectful and worthy man who will appreciate her is out there!

My band has made my stomach very sensitive to irritants... acidic drinks, coffee, alcohol etc irritate my band area and make it hard to eat or drink at all (I learned this after a weekend of lemonade). I'd be hesitant to drink something potentially harsh before that band is fully healed! And... Happy Band day today! Hope the surgery went well!

I consider myself a successful loser because I'm 4 pounds away from my goal; eat normally but less. But...and this is a big BUT...I don't think it's recommended to eat the way I do...I know it's not. I'll get blasted for telling you...but here it goes. Mt. Dew packed w/ ice 32oz Fruty Pebbles w/ skim milk about 1/4 total continue sipping the Mt Dew lunch is Applebee's, Subway...or whatever I want. Today I skipped lunch because I'm just not hungry. Throw out the 3/4s left of the Mt Dew I didn't drink Get another Mt Dew...packed w/ ice Afternoons I make dinner around 4 and eat 2 tsp of everything...rice, potatoes, pie...whatever. The band for me wasn't about giving up fast foods or delicious stuff...it was about giving up potatoe chips/ice cream/pasteries- - - it worked as I've lost any desire for them. And it's about decreasing the quantity I eat. I go to maintenance in about 2 weeks by getting an adjustment. Controlling my emotional (binge) eating may be a forever thing for me...but over time I am certain it will get easier. Once an alcoholic, always.... 'recovering alcoholic' once an overeater, always....'recovering overeater'

I've always been told no more alcohol. sorry.

Last night I attended the bariatric support group meeting of my local medical group. There were 35 people in the room including a staff nutritionist and the Procedure Scheduling Coordinator. The attendees fell mostly into three groups. The first group were people going through the process of being approved for surgery. The second group had received surgery recently and were in the first few months of reducing. The third group were people who had surgery about a year ago and had lost a substantial amount of weight. And then there was me. I was the only one there who'd had WLS more than a year ago (2003 is certainly more than a year ago!). As I listened to the discussion, what struck me was that the main voices in the room were those in the honeymoon period. Most speakers were less than a year out from their surgery, had lost a tremendous amount of weight and were very euphoric. The theme that dominated the session was that it is smart for the prospective patient and those in the first few months post-surgery to surround themselves with people who have only positive things to say about their WLS, only read positive message boards and blogs, and keep away from any 'negative' perspectives. I make a point of spending time on message boards where people are struggling with their weight-loss surgery. I need to be able to understand their challenges in addition to those I have personally faced. As a Life Coach I need to see why and how people struggle and how they get beyond it. In addition to benefiting me professionally, this helps me on my own journey to maintain my goal weight when my old thoughts and behavior patterns re-appear. I spoke up to the group last night because I think it's important for all of us to focus not only on the positive, but also to acknowledge the land-mines that anyone can experience after weight-loss surgery. Otherwise, the opportunity is lost to learn from the struggles of others and avoid avoidable pit-falls. Weight loss surgery is an amazing tool for change, but it isn't good for everyone. Attention to some peoples' bad post-surgical experiences is an opportunity to balance the information given (or not given) by the those with an economic incentive to sell surgery. For example, at last night's meeting there was a woman (who has been approved for surgery in November) talking about how she looked forward to the end surgery would bring to her desire to eat in stressful situations. The professionals in the room were silent. I said to this woman, "Many weight-loss surgery patients still battle the tendency to eat when stressed." I told her that she shouldn't expect the surgery to eliminate the desire to eat when stressed and that it would be wise to begin to create strategies now for dealing with her stress after surgery. I told her that in my experience and in the experience of many of my clients, the stressful situations that triggered the desire to eat in the past are still very present after weight-loss surgery. With the loss of food as an ally and a slimming body that can feel vulnerable and unprotected in the world many turn to drugs or alcohol or force unhealthy foods down their throats looking for a de-stressor or comfort. Last night's discussion leads me to ask you, the BariatricPal veteran, the following questions: What were you told prior to surgery about life after surgery that was not entirely true or was not the entire story? What do you wish you had fully understood prior to surgery that you did not and what do you believe would have put you in the best possible position to succeed after surgery? What information, if any, was missing in the lead-up to your surgery that gave you unreasonable expectations or that led to disappointment in the months or years since surgery? I don't pose these questions to be negative, I want as many people as possible to succeed with their surgeries! I want to clear the air and "add to the record" about what weight-loss surgery does and what it will NEVER do. So, those of you who have had surgery, what do you want those considering surgery to know?

This was the topic of coversation with my lunch group today (who knows nothing about me being banded by the way). We all know of 4 people within our work system who have the lapband. They ( the lunch group) ranted and raved about what addictions our co-workers were going to have now. About how we're going to see alcoholics coming in now instead of fat people. Thye were all laughing hysterically. :cool: This is EXACTLY the reason they don't know about my banding.

I drink red wine about 1-3 days a week (depending), without issue. I do however feel the alcohol much quicker, and on smaller amounts. Although, that doesn't necessarily stop me from drinking 2 glasses The biggest issue for me, is my lack of control around food when alcohol is involved. I can't eat what I did pre band, but I will eat too much of the wrong things.

Took a sip of wine and my wife's drink with dinner. Felt it burning all the way down. I am not sure when I will try again. Anyone else experience this after tying alcohol?

I am 6 weeks out and I haven't drank anything yet. My doctor said no alcohol for 6 weeks...but I am continuing because of the empty calories!

I have to ask -- why do you keep doing all of this to yourself? Your posts are really memorable. Pretty quick after your surgery, you were asking about eating chicken wings while you were watching the Super Bowl. When you were on vacation in New Orleans, you asked about alcohol. A week or so ago, you ate onion rings and they made you sick, and now you are eating too fast and eating bread. I mean absolutely no judgment -- for instance, I'll have a drink or two occasionally now that I am this far along -- but it seems like you go into things knowing that they will produce an undesirable result or discomfort, but you do them anyway. And then you regret it later. Just an observation. Definitely stay away from the bread, though. Nothing good can come from it. Good luck!

my dr said ok to an occasional drink. i dont like beer, wine, or hard alcohol except for strawberry margaritas.mmmmmmmmmmmmm....... any hoo, keep this story in mind, i only have 1 -2 margaritas a month (or less) but i found out the hard way that the type of tequila can make a huge difference, really good Jose Cuervo tequila=no problems, cheap tequila at a mexican resturant=major reaction !(i threw up every thing!) Before being banded i had no problems with the cheap kind. Good luck !

Okay, I have 56 hours until my surgery. Not that I am counting the minutes or anything. :smile: So, I have this wonderful family. My folks live very close by, in the house I grew up in. My sister & her family live 3 blocks from them. I am married to an incredibly sweet man and have two sensational children! I know, it's sickening. :wink2: I also have a crazy, abusive, alcoholic Aunt, so it ain't all butterflies and rainbows! Anyhoodles, my daughter is my buddy. She just turned eighteen and I couldn't be more proud of her. However, the last few weeks I have noticed she hasn't said a word about my upcoming surgery. Hasn't asked any questions. I was begining to interpret her lack of interest as her not loving me. Even when I would bring up the subject of my surgery, she wouldn't comment. Finally, after school as I sat listening to her tell me all about her day, I decided to get to the bottom of the issue. I started off by asking her if she was worried about the actual surgery. To my surprise she broke down in tears and told me she was scared to death for me! Holy cow! This whole time the child has been so scared, she refused to acknowledge the subject! What I realized is that yes, I am begining a journey. However, I made the choice to take it. The rest of my family did not. They just kind of got dragged into it. I really need to remember that while I will most definitely need support during this process, so will each very special member of my family!!!

That may be a little soon to be testing out alcohol.. You are still in the healing mode. May be you should Celebrate without alcohol the month then in a few months have a party to celebrate your first drink and how much weight you will have lost. Enjoy"

My biggest advice - banded or not - take it slow and eat before you go out. Your first big drinking experience will kick your butt if you go too fast. At 3 weeks, you will most likely still be on your post op diet. Ea something heavy to help soak up the alcohol. If you're on mushies, tuna would be good. If still on liquids, I recommend only 3 drinks all night so you don't get wasted. You do not want to throw up as it can dislodge your band. Definitely talk to your doctor. Mine didn't say anything about alcohol specifically, just to watch empty liquid calories. Good luck and happy birthday!!

Although I have not regained any of my lost weight, I can answer this question. Here's a hint...regaining weight is never really about the food itself. Many people undergo weight loss surgery without resolving pre-existing psychological issues. Many bariatric patients are emotional eaters who have always used food to cope with stress, grief, boredom, joy, pain, and life itself. They lose massive weight after surgery, but regain once the next crisis occurs such as a death, job loss or divorce since they self-soothe with food. Many bariatric surgery patients are hardcore food addicts. They lose significant weight after surgery, but regain once they add addictive trigger foods back into their diets. Many bariatric surgery patients have undiagnosed binge eating disorder. They lose significant weight after surgery, but regain once they start binge-eating again. Many bariatric surgery patients experienced childhood trauma such as growing up around domestic violence, alcoholic patients, or drug-addicted parents. A large number of obese people (especially females) were sexually abused in childhood. Those with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) often drown out the bad memories of their upbringings with comfort food. They lose significant weight after surgery, but regain once they revert back to food to deal with the uncomfortable memories and flashbacks. So when someone posts she's regained all her weight after experiencing some emotionally traumatic event, she often asks about getting "back on track" to lose the regain. What she really needs is counseling to adopt healthy coping techniques that don't revolve around the comfort of food. Success with weight loss maintenance after surgery is 90 percent psychological. Those who fail to address underlying issues will continue the regain/loss cycle. After all, it's never really about the food. Regaining is a symptom of a deeper problem.

I'm actually amazed. Lost 90 lbs, down to fighting weight based on weigh-in at gym using one of those machines that measures body fat + weigh- in at doctor's with clothes on a day later. Went from 40 waist to 33 (American size), can now fit into clothes I could not wear for quite a while, work out 4 times a week at a serious gym, most sessions with a highly experienced trainer. I haven't done one sit up yet- it's about balance, step up, step down, with kettle bell, 12 reps, 5 sets, squats with a dumbbell, 12 reps, 5 sets, then next exercise, etc. I do my warm up 1/2 hour in advance of the trainer session so I don't waste time--it's all exercise when I work with the trainer. I drink a 30 gram protein drink before and another after, so I'm finally building some muscle on what is now a diminutive appearing frame. I can't quite press my body weight yet, but I will. I have long hair for a guy, and yeah, it was coming out when washing it (not every day, more like every 4 days unless I get sweaty) but that seems to have finally stopped. I have no cravings for foods that I cannot have because I get sick if I eat a slice of pizza with toppings or eat more indigestible foods. So I just stay away from them. I have developed a fondness for medium rare lamb chops and roasted potatoes with rosemary salt. My wife is a good cook but we still eat at restaurants and I'm careful. I found out that alcohol just doesn't work- a beer is too filling and carbonated, for some reason wine doesn't taste good; I'm a high proof whiskey man and it doesn't metabolize. I'm on my ass with far less than what I could normally consume, so I just stopped altogether. (Good because I have Barrett's and alcohol is inflammatory). Punchline- this surgery really turned me around. Trade-offs to be sure, but I feel so much better and look far younger. I can walk fast and not get winded as easily. I'm in my 70th year and don't look like a geezer-- more like a ruffian in rude health. I had targeted 185 as a goal weight and reached that but I still have a small roll of fat around my middle. I figure that I can continue to lose a little more given the surgery stats, and tighten up my core as my work-out regime continues. I'm gonna start swimming this summer-- where I am in Texas it is 3 months of summer and 9 months of hell. Hell is just starting here. The really hardcore stuff is pilates. I used to do that with a women's class and they kicked my butt. I'm planning to advance to that as well. I think the "whole picture" outlook is optimal for me- I don't check the scale at home, I do my thing and get routine blood work done. Though I have a few health issues which come with age, I'm in pretty decent shape now, physically and mentally. Thanks to all you kind folks for your advice and support.

Thanks. I plugged in "alcohol" and got nothing. Searching thru the maze of forums and posts is not practical for me at the moment. Thanks again for the link.

I've found myself drinking more and more in the last year or so, sabotaging my weight loss. It has always been nice to have a beer now and again. The carbonation has never been a problem for me. But I have found that alcohol might be taking the place of food in my life. Has anyone else found this to be the case? One bad habit takes the place of another? How do you give up something that never seemed a problem before? I know this is the reason I am not losing weight. There's about 4000 calories a week (at least) in beer! Anyone else out there looking to get out of this trap? :shades_smile:

I haven't had a surgery date set, yet, because I am still 2 nutrition visits away from going forward to approval with Medicaid...but I totally get what you mean about the smelling things, and feeling like an alcoholic! The first 3 weeks of my new guidelined diet, every time I passed by a restaurant or fast food joint, it was all I could do not to drool on myself because it all smelled so delicious AND STRONG! Now, 4 months in, I only get the drooling sensation if I haven't had anything to put in my stomach all day, and I've been running around for appointments...or chocolate/ice cream commercials on TV. TV is evil: it will put a Reese's commercial on during every break in a show for 3 hours...and then it stopped, and 2 hours later it was KitKat bars! And it's not even Valentine's Day, yet! Stay strong, hun! If you can't follow the pre-surgery diet to the letter, then there is a high probability that you won't be able to follow the post-surgery diet to the letter, either (which will be much worse for you than before you get snipped). You've got this! I believe in you! Best of luck on your surgery and recovery!😊🤗🤞💪👌💐🐳

I am down 45-46lbs. We were at the pool yesterday ( shirt still on) and people are saying wow you look good! I really wasn't expecting that yet but I guess it has started. Questions like what are you doing?...Answer---Not eating much and not drinking alcohol which is true. I have the right tool to get this done!

Sounds like a wonderful vacation you have planned! I had my band to bypass on October 24 and I am already on normal foods as long as I feel like I can tolerate them well, so I think you will be okay on being able to eat what is served, just in the appropriate quantities. My program does not want us drinking any alcohol for at least a year. I think that is partly because of the unneeded calories, but they also are very serious about transfer addiction at my practice since it is a very real thing. And I'm sure you know it takes much less alcohol to feel the effects in a bypass patient, so you may not be able to do every tasting, but I would think you'll be okay to have some. I personally wouldn't have my first glass of wine in public just in case I get sillier than I might think. 🤣 In regards to visiting your mom, my bypass surgery was about the same pain level as my band. I did not use any narcotics and I was allowed to drive as long as I was not taking narcotics. Even if I wasn't allowed to drive, I think I would have felt well enough to sit with a family member the day I left the hospital. Your mileage will vary of course, but I am sending out lots of good thoughts to you and your family so you will be feel well enough to be with your mom as quickly as possible.

I'm only 6 months post op. There are times I think my surgeon is an ass, but nothing compared to what you explained. I knew going in that I had/have an unhealthy addiction to food. One, I am an addict/alcoholic and food for me has always been another addiction. I also know but don't really think or remember it, but sometimes it's just head hunger and not real hunger. But when I "feel" hungry I eat and that's where I go wrong. I know that it is my fault I haven't lost more than I have. ( Sorry about the italicize writing when I take it off it automatically starts writing like that)

The thing with all WLS is that it is a tool and we have to choose to use that tool and show it who is in charge. With bands and sleeves they are both restrictive only procedures so they can only help control quantity not quality. There are many foods that are sliders as they are high calorie and easy to overeat but when the calories come from liquid there is nothing the surgery will do to help. I love wine. I don’t do hard alcohol or fizzy sugary drinks but a glass or 2 of wine at night helps me relax and sleep. But I also recognise that in terms of weight loss/ maintenance it is not a good habit. If you have a dependency problem then obviously you need to quit and get support from a group such as AA. If you don’t then there are other things you can do to cut back . Choose dry wine rather than a sweet wine. Have half wine and half soda water ( if you make your own you can control the amount of carbonation) Start by drinking only every second night. Then try to stick to only drinking at weekends. Dont buy the wine or buy less wine Hope some of this helps and that you get back to losing again