Search the Community

I just had a drink this past weekend. (Sleeved 1/25/10) I sipped very small sips and I did not finish but probably 1/3 of it. I ordered a lemonade type drink with vodka. I told them to keep it light on the alcohol and they did. I couldn't stop thinking about the lemonade having so much sugar, so I just didn't finish it. I never even felt buzzed. Vacation is next week and I will probably do it again but under the same limitations.

My nutritionist wants me to stay away from alcohol for 1 year, but I was on vacation and I made that exception. I was also told to stay away from soda, so I didn't have any cocktails that have soda in them. I'm almost 5 months post-op and stuck to Blue Hawaiians. I did have a mimosa before breakfast one morning and the bubbles felt weird/uncomfortable in my stomach, so I stopped drinking them.

Hi Johnny, we're here to help. I was sleeved in Feb. 2018, then revised to RnY in Oct. 2018 due to reflux. I think it was worth it. 1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain? I took 2 weeks to return to a desk job. Pretty much the same as the sleeve and similar pain level. 2. How long before you could work out again? I had other complications that skewed this one, so I won't comment. 3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted? No, I still had about 20# to goal and it took me 4-5 months to get there. 4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)? Absolutely and immediately. 5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family. What does a normal meal capacity look like at a year out? I have less restriction with my RnY than I did with the sleeve. I am eating 1-2 cup meals now (10 months out). 6. Are bowel movements normal at some point? No problems, in general. 7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal. I enjoy the occasional 1-2 glasses of wine. I can't handle carbonation, though.

I had VSG on 11/30/2012 and have kept off about 110# in the 6.75 years since then. I am ~ 25# overweight but right about at my original goal. I'm 5'11" (male), 195#, 34" waist, very fit and active, etc. I was down to 175# when I ran marathons but have had a few hip issues that are now resolved and had a minor regain. I actually really like how I look / feel at this weight as I looked a lot older at the lower end. I'm pretty happy with my weight loss. But since about 2 weeks out I've had ridiculously bad GERD. I get an annual endoscopy (familial cancer syndrome) and ever since VSG, I have had erosions show up from the reflux. This last time it was diagnosed as Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous syndrome. I cannot control it fully with meds. I either take 5-6 PPI (200-240mg esomeprazole magnesium) or 6-8 extra strength Zantact (900-1200mg ranitidine). These are of course way above the recommended limits and in the case of the PPI there are long-term risks associated with it they don't want for me as I need good bone density for my hip implant. The bariatric surgeon (University of Wisconsin) has recommended for years that I convert to RNY and after the Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis, my PCP and the genetic cancer team both strongly recommended it as well. So I'm going to do it despite not really wanting to. I have been approved by my insurer and have an early November surgery date. I have several concerns, most notably that I don't really have more than 25# to lose or I drop to the < 18 BMI range and I don't want to be there. The surgeon says he will make a larger pouch and a smaller bypass portion but it's still there and I work out all the time so I already know I will lose more than I want in the beginning. I guess I have a bunch of questions. Feel free to answer any and all if you've had this type of revision: 1. How long did you take off work? I'm told 2 weeks. I usually work from home at a computer. Was there much pain? 2. How long before you could work out again? 3. Did you lose more weight than you wanted? 4. Did it resolve your acid reflux (if that was the reason)? 5. Were you able to enjoy good food at special meals (holidays, etc.) with RNY? I'm terrified of losing ability to have a nice meal with family. What does a normal meal capacity look like at a year out? 6. Are bowel movements normal at some point? 7. Could you drink alcohol again? I'm fine going months without but at some point would like to enjoy a glass of champagne again. I can't right now as carbonation is brutal. I'm just reluctant even though I know I have to do this. Any re-assurances would be helpful.

I've always been conceided even when I was fat so I didn't think it was "that bad" but now I can truly see the difference and it disgusts me. I also get disgusted at the amount of food and type of food that people eat. I promised that although I was going to have this surgery, I would remain a fat girl inside for ever but I honestly get grossed out by the amounts of food that certain people eat. I feel like a hypocrite but can't help my feelings ... does anyone feel this way too? OMG YOU SOUND LIKE ME!!! I'm getting my sleeve next week, and I tell people now that I'm just your average VAIN FAT GIRL! My best friend ( who weighs 135 pounds) is constantly getting onto me because of my comments towards "women of size" who just don't seem to have MIRRORS IN THEIR HOMES! I'm really not trying to be a snotty B***H, I just think that if you are going to cram all that food into your body, at least cover it up. I cover everything! And Probably will for a very long time, EVEN after I loose all this weight! You look AWESOME, and yes, you should probably limit the alcohol use a bit, but you have still done a great job and have a lot to celebrate!!!

Many people find that the sleeve has a shockingly-sudden positive effect on almost every aspect of your health. The doctors cannot even explain all of it, but your blood pressure, blood sugars, lipids, and liver enzymes all get really good really fast. No to mention things like sleep apnea and so on. With your fragile health, it seems pretty likely you will see a lot of big benefits. Also keep in mind that people who have problems post a lot more than people that don't. Most sail through this procedure effortlessly. I am one of those. It was absolutely not a big deal. Minnimal pain, and a few weeks of restricted diet. I am 9 weeks post op and living a pretty normal life (67 lbs lghter). I love food. I love to cook and I love eating with people. I can eat almost anything in small quantities. Since the surgery I have eaten stingray, and satay on the back streets of Singapore. At home I have eaten Creole, Sushi, Italian, Tapas and more. In the next 6 weeks I will be eating in Spain, London, Jordan, Chile, and Panama. I plan to eat well. I can't eat the carbs for a while, but I get in everything else. I am holding off on the alcohol, but I might get just a little of that in while I hang out in my favorite underground blues club in London. The sleeve doesn't control your life, you do. Make your decision on the facts, and then make your new life the way you want it to be. It is all about taking control of those voices in your head and moving on with your life. You will be OK.

Carbs-fiber=netcarbs some people also subtract sugar alcohols.

Married? How long? Is there support from your family? How long have you been at your current job? Anyone else in your family obese? Are your parents alive? Are they a healthy weight or have a drug or alcohol problem? Do you have a drug or alcohol problem? How much do you drink? Do you have children? Do you binge or purge? What do you think this operation is going to do? Have you thought about after the surgery and the restrictions and "rules" you are going to have to follow? Typical questions and I answered all of them honestly and as short as I could. I've never been to a psychologist so I was a bit nervous. I think they are just trying to see if you are in a stable frame of mind and have the support of family or friends. Good luck and don't sweat it!

I'm only 2 months out, but I have a few things to contribute that I feel are appropriate. I stressed a lot over which surgery to have. BMI 40 at the highest. I wanted something reversible. I was scared. My mother had early bypass in the 90's and she suffers terribly now from mal-absorption, cant swallow important meds, can't eat. I got lucky with a rep for a travel surgery company over the phone who spent time with me discussing sleeve. Thank goodness she was insistent. I'm having an experience that seems not typical, but I am believing one thing from research and limited experience. Gastric sleeve makes the most logical sense as a concept when you break it down. Individuals vary but logically . . . It does not actually change the flow of the human body, or digestive system, it just keeps the natural flow, but reduces the pouch of your stomach size. It does not leave foreign objects like the band, port, etc in the body. Scarring is minimal, invasion is lower, recovery is faster. For me the recovery has been so fast it's almost unbelievable. It simply restricts you from overeating and presents you with a nauseous reminder to STOP, or SLOW DOWN constantly. Recovery seems to be the fastest for a general observation, Side effects for me have been nearly non-existent. I had a home made seltzer yesterday as an experiment (I do NOT call that "soda") and surprise, I did not die, explode, tear out my staples. Like all things in life, be smart, listen to your body. Seltzer provides an oral stimulation I enjoy within reason, and a squirt of some taste also can happen. Vitamin effectiveness is too early to gauge at 8 weeks, but at least taking those larger pill presents no problem like the eternal suffering my mother's radical bypass endures for 25 years, causing non adherence to vitamins, which then causes more problems. My anecdotal research tells me men have a vastly different easier experience when compared to women overall. ANECDOTAL. I'm just 2 months out, and of course years of a journey lie ahead. Oh by the way, I'm also HIV positive, 35 years healthy, never needed meds until proactive treatments started recently, and even those I have no problems with post surgery. Negatives I'm becoming aware of . . . you can find unhealthy high calorie foods that can slow or stop weight loss and slip by the restriction process. My personal example is Low Sugar Fudgesicles. I'm craving chocolate, I did not used to. I used to binge eat popsicles in general, now regular popsicles taste weird, but the sugar free chocolate products like Peppermint Patties, dark chocolate, in general also help because they have a laxative effect. I ate too many "Outshine' fruit low sugar popsicles last night watching Netflix (with no chill unfortunately) - and I vomited in my sleep, which strikes me as a bit potentially dangerous. I hope the negative reinforcement works. Tastes seem to change a bit. Cravings change. Whiskey/Scotch/Vodka tastes gross now unless it's an expensive super high quality bourbon. That may seem minor to you, but taste and craving changes can seem bizarre. I can sense a long term danger that mentally, I will "figure out" how to outsmart the surgery when I'm stressed and resorting to old eating behaviors and patterns. Last week I went to support a friend who is a cabaret theater singer, and there was pressure to order food and drink to keep the prime seating location we were in. I felt guilty for the waiter with me milking an appetizer and one drink for an hour and I pushed it ordering more food, and more alcohol, ill advised. I gained 2 pounds just from that stupid exercise. Thankfully avoided vomiting, but perhaps that would have been better mentally. My weight loss was so slow at first I was genuinely scared then angry. Then I resumed cardio exercises and teaching Zumba, which is twice as much exercise as just taking Zumba. Then the weight started falling off. Muscle tone is weird. I need to lift weights as I did when very overweight. It feels different. Hope this contributes and helps.

I found that I needed more and more calories to be satiated as the months passed. By 6 mo post-op, I just couldn't maintain a very low calorie diet without becoming ravenously hungry. And, my weight loss progressively slowed down each month until the weight loss petered out at 9 months post-op. I reached my goal weight, losing 100% of my excess weight. I currently eat 1800-2000 calories a day and have maintained my final weight for five months so far. While my hunger has returned, it is nothing like it was pre-op. I feel very much in control of my hunger, and I find it difficult to overeat... even when I want to. And my body generally craves healthier, cleaner foods vs. the garbage fast/junk food that was the staple of my diet pre-op. I suspect the reason people regain is they increasingly indulge in slider foods... crackers, chips, cookies, etc... and start drinking their calories... sugary drinks, alcohol, ice cream and such. I think it would be very hard for me to eat enough "real" food to regain. My restriction is still very present, but it's easy to defeat it by "eating around" my sleeve.

Went to the Kansas Games yesterday KU and KSU and both won so today they will be playing each other. Yes I have a ticket for that as well. In the box seats you get fed as well as drinks. I was kinda scared of what I would be facing since this is week 3. I know I should not hit any beer because of the fizz. However, I did have a Jack over Ice and took very little sips and was amazed that it did not effect me at all. I also had some barbeque pork that did not effect me either. I did notice that it took a whole game (KU) to have approx 1 inch of Jack over ice. As the ice melted the drink seemed to keep refilling itself. So the 2nd game (KSU) I tried a Captain Morgan with a diet coke very little diet coke because of the fizz but I knew that alcohol would reduce the fizz. Again no issue and it took the whole game to get it down. But it was very enjoyable. I thought this would impact the weight loss but when I weighted this morning another 2 lbs down. I know this was probably wrong but I have not had a drink in 6 weeks kinda felt good. by the way you only need a few sips to start a buzz on.... seems it goes to the small intestine quickly and then well you know. Just thought I would share that with you. Later today I get to go to the big game here in Kansas both KU and KSU are a big deal fighting it out, The place will be a mad house. And the power and light district will be party zone central.

Hello aloudwhisper, A Paleo diet cosists of meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, butter/ghee, olive oil, and coconut oil. You are not supposed to eat grains, legumes, dairy, processed food, alcohol, and starches (including potatoes other than sweet potatoes). Sugar-substitutes, honey, agave nectar and the like are a gray area. I personally think they are bad for us and keep us eating dessert-like foods which is a psychological habit we need to break. I am trying to break the dessert habit now, but I find that instead of icecream, I'll go for nut butter, dates, or oranges. Grrr...it is a hard habit to break. Some people who eat Paleo limit their carbs from fruit and sweet potato, and other watch fats and limit nuts/coconut products. Others don't worry about carbs or fats. -Hilary

I'm 10 weeks, haven't been craving anything really. Heavy carbs or fatty/creamy/buttery things are too much for me, can't handle more than one bite or two then I feel ill. I'd mentally love to eat pizza, but the thought of actually eating makes me feel ill. Wish I could get more veggies down. They agree with me (cooked ones at least), but I just never get more than a bite after my protein, too full. I have found that ice cream, roasted pumpkin seeds, and alcohol (all no-nos) go down just fine I can't stomach carbonation at all, not even the tiniest sip.

I think there's tons of support on this board. I truly do. I give it, and I get it. There are a lot of people here looking for help and support through what is a challenging adventure. Some of them are sincerely looking for information they didn't get from their surgeons or are confused by some of the goofy information they've read here and elsewhere online. There are also a few (not many) dimwits who want to know if it's OK to smoke after surgery, eat ice cream during the soft food phase, drink alcohol the first month post-op, and eat potato chips instead of Protein because protein is so yucky. I'll readily admit that supporting dimwits is not my superpower. Therefore, somebody else here needs to pick up the slack and take care of the dimwits. Thank you.

Like my sister said once, we are all addicted to something, be it food, alcohol, nicotine, drugs, and so forth. I am from a family of many alcoholics, so I have seen what alcohol can do to lives, then drugs affected my family. I never drank until I was almost 50, and I can tell you it was a great mind numbing drug for me when I was dealing with my son's drug addiction problems, and then he died, and I still numbed my pain and sorrow. . When I went for the sleeve, I was not so sure I could quit my nightly 3-4 drinks, but I wanted this sleeve so bad that I did it. I do not know how I did it. I am just thankful that I did. I often felt I could never stop the nightly drinks, that I was an alcoholic too. You have said I have a problem, and I know from things I have heard that that is the first step. Please call a local AA, or find a meeting. I believe they appoint mentors to talk to you. Or talk to a therapist. Or talk to me, to us. God Bless you. We will listen and we will not judge you. Here's a big hug!

I have extensive experience with alcoholic/addicted family members. Attended AlAnon/Adult Children of Alcoholics for 12 years and still declare they pretty much saved my life and sanity. Ask away.

This is me thinking about how I sometimes react to alcohol...I never know when it will make me feel queasy which could then possibly lead to getting sick or dry heaves which in turn could lead to somehow damaging the band...but sometimes I don't know when to say when either so I guess everyone is different.

The only reason they say 6 months is the calorie intake. That being said, alcohol will be okay. Try to stay away from carbonation though. Also, keep in mind you are not eating as much. You may find that you get buzzed more quickly. Good luck.

hi everyone, i just wanted to know if alcohol effects the band in anyway other than the calories does it harm the band?

I like martinis - lemon drop, cosmo are types of martinis that are delicious. They are basically straight alcohol and there fore best consumed very slowly..and you only have one. My friend makes a great martinis and on the rare occasion we have one, we share a single serving. Advantage is minimal highcarb mixer I first discovered fireball a year ago - my gfriend introduced me. I hate whiskey, but fireball is all cinnamony and warm feeling. poured over alot of ice.. the ice melts... it becomes a whiskey Water the way we drink it. and again - no high carb mixer. haven't had one in ages, but I think when we do our monthly happy hour (which was disrupted by my going into training for plastic surgery and now recovery from Sept-Nov) it will probably be our Dec happy hour drink. again, we have one My favorite summer drink for ourhappy hours is gin tonic. She orders vodka collins but I dont know what is in the collins mix.

My rule was that if the ingredients had any kind of sugar, corn syrup, or sugar alcohol it wasn't for me. It works.

Sugar Alcohol will upset peoples stomachs easily for some. You might be having problems with the whey Protein and might need to take lactose pills to help digest it. Ask your nutritionist about this. There is egg white Protein powder that you can ask your nutritionist about if that could be substituted instead. Jay Robb makes that. All of Jay Robb products use Stevia as their sweetener. I use Jay Robb products and have no problem. Read labels carefully. This could be a temporary problem and might go away as you progress. I would really discuss this with the surgeon's office and most certainly with your nutritionist so you can get the right nutrition in you. Good luck and feel good.

I had my band removed and sleeve revision done ten days ago. My wife and I are going on a 7 night Carnival cruise from New Orleans to the western Caribbean in October. After I had the sleeve surgery, I freaked out realizing I may not be able to eat and drink and enjoy a cruise anymore. My doctor told me at 4 months out I'm going to be healed sufficiently to eat normal foods and even have a drink here and there, just don't overdo it. That made me feel a lot better. I plan to have a few sips of wine after I get to phase3 and do a trial run from home in case it hits me pretty hard. Dont want to beta test my new alcohol tolerance in public. Lol

I do think there are many people who have problems down the road. When asking my surgical team about this they were very up front with me about the statistics which you can find on line for your particular surgery. Those that gain back most or all of their weight revert to old bad habits like drinking soda, alcohol and not eating properly. Remember this really is a tool. In terms of people dealing with nutrient issues, many stop taking their Vitamins and do not go in for their regular labs. Ulcers happen for many reasons, some of which come from taking medications you are not supposed to. I too have read many of those threads and usually that person will say, I didn't take my Calcium or I started taking ibuprofen for my arthritis. This type of surgery is a life choice. Once you make it, you are in it for the long haul. Some people think it is a quick fix to lose the weight and revert to old habits. You have to decide who you are going to be 10 years down the road. I know that I am never going back to that unhealthy place with multiple comorbitities an almost unable to walk. I for one will follow the plan that includes taking my vitamins, getting all my Protein, and going to regular doctors appointments. I hope this helps but more importantly you must follow up with your surgical team and better understand the statistics for your type of surgery. Know exactly what you are getting into because you are making a life choice. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

Thanks everyone I appreciate the support more than you'll know. My wife noticed my bad mood and asked so I told her I felt like a recovering alcoholic babysitting friends at a bar supping a water. She understood and cuddled so doing a bit better now. I ate about a teaspoon of creamy peanut butter and that seemed to stop the cravings