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30 days post op I added coffee back! Have not had wine yet, I am 6 weeks out, but I am dying for some alcohol!

Your reticence is understanding, this is a huge surgery, a giant step. I had to take it to live, with severe diabetes, high blood pressure, urge incontinence, severe edema, all of which are now virtually gone at the 3 mos post bypass timeframe. I had hundreds of attempts to lose the weight but slowly over the decades crept up to over 422#. I, too, used the NSAID pain killers and Tylenol is a hoax, does nothing for me. The good news is that I don't need it anymore. I have already lost 80#, and look forward to a long life. I don't mind the supplements. Having said that, I think you should be solid about why you are doing this major surgery. You seem to think you might be able to make it to health without it. Go for it if you can. In alcohol treatment, addiction counselors frequently tell people who are unsure if they are alcoholics to go ahead and drink and see if there are any negative effects...

Here's my experience. Others' mileage will surely differ: My surgeon allowed me coffee at 10 days post-op. Thank God! I heat half a cup of skim milk and have that with half a cup of coffee. Nearly a year later, I seldom have more than one of these homemade skinny lattes a day. As someone with longtime insomnia, cutting down on coffee has really improved my sleep. Re wine -- I didn't start drinking alcohol again until 5.5 or 6 months post-op. These days (nearly a year post-op) I have 4 ounces of wine most (not all) nights. For those of us with GERD / acid reflux / heartburn issues, there are some well-known foods / drinks to avoid, and coffee and alcohol are both on that list. In other words, don't over-indulge in those foods if you suffer from GERD.

I did have decaffeinated tea on day 2 and since then a small one each morning, apparently it settles my stomach. I know you didn't mention tea but I am English - Enough said As for wine, I will try a very small glass on Christmas day and not before. Although I will be happy not drinking alcohol again, I am soooooooo glad I can still have decaff tea.

Post-op is worse in the variations that different doctors and NUTs have: 1. coffee 2. NSAIDs 3. Alcohol 4. Water before/during meals 5. Ability to stretch sleeve 6. Carbonation These are just a few of the various items that vary depending on who your medical team is. There are many more if you keep reading here.

So this is just my random experience, but I thought that it might conceivably help someone else. I'm pre-surgery, and as instructed, I started all the best practices that you're supposed to do to get used to post-surgery life. I switched to very low carb, ate tiny little bites, gave up caffeine and alcohol, started taking my Vitamins, stepped up my exercise, etc. About a week into this regime, I developed horrible Restless Leg Syndrome. If you've never had it, count yourself lucky. It's a particular type of nerve damage and it makes you want to jump out of your skin. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't sit comfortably. I had the urge to run up and down the stairs constantly just to make the pain/crawly sensation stop. (I did in fact run around, went to exercise classes, yoga, etc.) It barely made a dent. Could it be the low carb, I wondered? Lack of alcohol? Was I really so addicted to a couple of glasses of wine per evening that I couldn't give it up without nerve pain? Yikes! I started reading RLS forums, and learned that there's often no solution, but some people get help from supplements. So I went to the cupboard to get my bariatric vitamins, looked at the bottle, and thought "Wait a minute! This started when I started the vitamins! It's the vitamins." I dumped the bottle in the trash, and within about four days the problem was mostly gone. By the end of the week it was entirely gone. So obviously this is an anomalous response to the vitamins. (They were the main Bariatric Advantage daily vitamins, FWIW.) Most people have no problems. But I did, and since it only takes about 15 minutes to type this up and might possibly help one or two other people, I thought I'd put it out there.

It sounds like you are getting enough exercise. In my case I made one change prior to surgery that caused me to lose some weight. I knew that after surgery I had to give up carbonated beverages and caffeine. I had a 6 diet coke habit so I decided to go cold turkey. It was hard because after 50 years of drinking cokes I was addicted. I suffered severe headaches for a week by withdrawal syndrome from the lack of caffeine. But because of that one change I lost 20 pounds. I suspect that it has to do with the carbonation. I feel that the microscopic bubbles exploding in my stomach expanded my stomach microscopically which enlarged my stomach over time and caused me to gain weight. Stop the bubbles and some weight is shed. Now that I am 29 months post-op from RNY surgery, I might offer a couple other suggestions. When you eat, concentrate on eating Protein foods. Go easy on the carbs and almost complete restrict yourself from processed sugars. Use only artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda, and sugar alcohols), non-nutritive natural sweeteners (such as Stevia) and the sugars found in fruits and milk. To curb your hunger use fats.

@@brilemons, I came across some information today, in the Big Book on gastric Sleeve that states the folowing about alcohol intake and the sleeve: (All this said, I think a sip will be okay. ) Alcohol and the Vertical SleeveWhat about alcohol? It’s not an essential nutrient. Moderate consumption of red wine may have some benefits for your heart. It may raise your levels of healthy HDL cholesterol and help protect your blood vessels against damage.29 Alcohol also helps you relax. However, drinking alcoholic beverages can throw off your weight loss and cause health problems. Calories, Alcohol, and Your WeightAlcoholic beverages are high in calories. Each gram of alcohol has seven calories, and that’s not even counting the carbohydrates that are in some alcoholic beverages. A 5-ounce serving of wine has 130 calories; an 8-ounce cup has 200 calories, or about twice as many as a glass of juice. A 1.4-ounce shot of vodka has 103 calories, or nearly 600 calories in an 8-ounce cup. A 12-ounce can of beer contains 164 calories. Drinking alcohol can cause you to take in more calories than you wanted to. Beyond the calories in the alcoholic beverage, the alcohol relaxes you so much that it makes you lose your inhibition. That means that you’re less able to resist high-calorie foods and more likely to give in to temptations. You’re also more likely to eat without planning for it or writing it down. Drinking alcohol may not be worth it after the sleeve because you don’t want to work so hard to lose weight and then end up taking in way more calories than you wanted just because your judgment isn’t good. Other Concerns with Alcoholic BeveragesAlcohol, even in moderation, can cause problems in addition to interfering with weight loss:30 It can make your blood sugar levels spike. It interferes with memory. It can increase blood pressure. It can damage your liver. Alcohol Metabolism and the SleeveYou may be more susceptible to the effects of alcohol after the sleeve gastrectomy than you were before it. Your blood alcohol content may get to higher levels than before, and alcohol can stay in your system for longer than it did before the sleeve. Although not all studies have found that the sleeve changes your alcohol metabolism,32 it is best, based on current knowledge, to avoid alcohol with the sleeve. Source: 2013. Alex Brecher & Natalie Stein, The BIG Book on the GASTRIC SLEEVE: Everything You Need to Know to Lose Weight and Live Well with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

I'm 2 1/2 years out and haven't had a drink since surgery. I really, really miss alcohol. I quickly lost 150lbs, but at about the 2 year mark, the weight loss stopped and I have gained back 10 lbs and I now feel like I did before surgery where everyday is a struggle to watch my diet. Now eating at levels where 1 year ago I would lose 4 lbs a week, I now gain weight! It is very unsatisfying and scary. It feels like I now gain weight at calorie levels where before I would lose. That all said, I just don't see how I or anyone can fit in the extra calories of alcohol and have any hope of losing or maintaining weight. Of course you can have a sip or a drink or two, but if you are like me, a sip or a drink will soon turn into a few, and then you'll have to cut back somewhere else, and then the whole struggle starts all over...? Maybe that is too pessimistic, but for me that is what I had to do, and I am learning even that is not enough. Good luck.

I decided to give up alcohol 2 1/2yrs ago which was when i started the process, until this day i have no desire to drink alcohol . Im a much happier person w / no alchol & wilk continue this way, but i was a serious drinker before surgery process..

I found out that Smirnoff Ice is sparkly at least in Europe. Good thing that I'm not a huge drinker. Sometimes months go between me having a glass of alcohol.

@@robinsmj it may be the erythritol (a sugar alcohol) in the Quest bar that is making you nauseous. I don't have a problem with erythritol but I tried something with maltitol (another sugar alcohol) and it made me nauseous and gave me a seriously upset stomach. Perhaps try a bar without sugar alcohols and see if that makes a difference?

I follow all the rules given by my surgeon (don't drink 30 min before/after eating, log all my food into Myfitnesspal, exercise like a crazy person, eat 4 - 5 times a day and measure all my food, no carbonation or alcohol, etc)...... with the exception of: - I do find I eat slower if distracted by the TV or computer, so that's where I eat!! - I had trouble at first getting all my Water in (even though I'm a big water drinker), it's because I like to use a straw. That's a no-no..... but after 3 weeks, I started using a straw. Now I'm getting all my fluids in and haven't had any adverse effects from it.

I: Exercise at least 3 times every week Chew chew chew Drink as much water as I can every day(usually well over 64 Protein always first Virtually no carbs, although I'm not a sugar nazi No sodas to speak of, no alcohol Basically eat clean and good food

I think the main reason you should not drink alcohol is the same reason I shouldn't drink cokes. They are empty calories that got us fat to start with.

I had my surgery on July 9th at/around 800-900. I was terrified! I had read a lot of horror stories on the pain and discomfort and almost had myself psyched out the night before. Thankfully, after meeting the anesthesiologist (day of surgery), he gave me a Xanax and something for acid reflux. I remember being carted off into the operating room. The sterile smell was unlike no other, and the coldness even worse. Once inside, they moved me onto the operating table. I had 2 nurses helping with my transition as well as my anesthesiologist. I remember the anesthesiologist placing the mask on my face. The feeling of huffing the gas in was nostalgic. I felt light and airy and without a care in the world. I could hear the nurses making the sweetest comments to me for encouragement and well wishes, but obviously could not reply, thank, God! That was the last thing I remember until waking up. Then and only then do I remember being nauseated, which is to be expected. My anesthesiologist brought me an alcohol prep pad and had me inhale deeply. Wouldn't you know it worked!! I do not remember much about being in recovery, but I vaguely remember my family and I being on an elevator going up to my room. Fast forward to around 1pm and I had gotten out of bed, on my own, to use the bathroom... DO NOT DO THIS. Not everyone recovers from anesthesia the same way. This is according to the nurse who busted me and almost scolded me for my own safety; however, after she realized that I was fine, she gave the clearance for me to begin walking. As most others have informed you, WALKING is key! Walk, walk, walk. Every time you walk, walk a little further or for a little while longer. This will help not only with gas, but help to minimize your soreness. One thing that I held onto like a life saver was a pillow! When you begin to walk, use that pillow to press into your stomach. It makes a world of difference. Also, use a pillow to prop you up on your side. I was lucky and had very minimal, if any, gas this time; however, I learned with my gallbladder surgery two years ago that this trick will help move it around as well. sleep in a reclined position, but not straight back. Its unGodly to have to get up from a prone position! With all of this being said, all I was given post op in the hospital was Tylenol and even then I didn't want it. The pain isn't a PAIN, its more of discomfort. I didn't use the hydrocodone I was given once home. Now, that's enough about my surgery day and what I experienced. Here's a list of things to take with you to the hospital: - Wear loose clothing. I wore a pair of comfy sweatpants and a t shirt. Upon discharge I wore the same home and even wore a bra with under wire and had no discomfort; I also wore flip flops with good tread to prevent slipping. You won't want something to have to bend over and put on. - Chapstick - Tooth brush and tooth paste - Travel size shampoo, conditioner, and soap. The hospital does give you their own, but it wasn't the best. Thankfully, I was allowed to shower the next day. This too helps greatly throughout your recovery. A warm shower ALWAYS works wonders - Pillow. Take that thing with you every where you go. Its an aid to get up, down, and to get you walking and make you comfortable on the ride home (place it over your stomach prior to buckling! Hold onto it going over bumps and rough terrain) - Cell phone charger At home recovery: - Pillow - I upgraded to my body pillow. The first few days I used two(stole the hubs') and put one on both sides of myself and slept in a recliner. - Keep Water nearby. Sip. SLOWLY. Do not try to sip too much as you will end up with esophageal spasms and those are the devil.. Seriously! - Do not let anyone force you to eat too quickly. And by eat I'm obviously meaning drink Protein or soups. Your body is healing and right now you should only be worried with water consumption. I also recommend a low sodium, low sugar sport drink for electrolytes! - You know your body so listen to it. If you feel as though you need to have a bowel movement, get some Miralax. This was recommended by my physician and I've used it. Don't wait till it gets too bad. - Your pee will stink... BADLY.. Mine is finally beginning to return to normal, but I have concentrated a lot on water consumption. You should too as this will prevent dehydration. - Us women get thrown curve balls time to time... Be prepared for a yeast infection. Its quite common. Stock up on yogurt! - Walk. Walk a lot! - Don't over do it. You've just had surgery so don't push yourself beyond your means. Be prepared to nap a lot in the week. After week two, I began feeling almost normal. Here I am 20 days post op, back at work, feeling almost like myself. I get tired, but it's nothing unbearable. If I think of more, I will surely post it here. Good luck and best wishes!!!

My surgeon says no alcoholic drinks for 1 year.

I was never told I could never drink again, but not to drink for the 1st month. I'm not a big drinker to begin with, so I didn't try alcohol for 6 months. I've had no trouble drinking wine and tequila, or anything with carbonation - like Mike's Hard Lemonade - I pour over ice to get rid of some bubbles and I sip very slowly and carefully. At 30 moths post-op, I drink wine with my girlfriend on a regular basis - 1 or 2 glasses, 3 days a week (our date nights). The good news is that I'm a cheap drunk. :-) 2 glasses of wine - sipped slowly over 2 hours - keeps me feeling happy all evening.

I am 13 months post op and just had my first alcoholic drink a few weeks ago and did fine. I am on vacation right now and have had two glasses of wine this week. I tolerated it well. I just am not a big drinker- I would rather eat my calories. LOL

I would say once in a while, once maintaining would be okay (for me). Each to their own though, some give it up and some continue and have issues with it and stop and some continue and don't have issues. I love champagne but won't even try it ever again because of the bubbles. I will try a small glass of red wine on special occasions but if it causes one second of issues it will stop. I was advised by my NUT and team to give it up for good, as its using up space in the pouch and not of any nutritional value. If you do a search for this topic there are lots of posts about alcohol/carbonated drinks after surgery. Hugs Kate

Hi, Can you consume alcoholic drinks after surgery? My Co workers wife had a VSG a years ago. She was told by her pcp that she couldn't drink anymore or it could be serious complications. Anyone told otherwise?

Net carbs is basically total carbs-fiber and sugar alcohols. So my quest bar has 25g of carbs but 17g of fiber and 5g of erythritol (sugar alcohol). Therefore, it only has 3 net carbs.

Funny!!! I've tried a few drinks here and there also. I cannot do the "sweet" drinks anymore! Whew! And yes, I got crazy drunk very quick, but it also didn't last long for me. My metabolism is so fast, it just went right through me, LOL! Last weekend we took our 21yr old daughters and their guys out for dinner and drinks. Had a blast! The one guy had a chocolate stout beer. I tried a little and was delicious!! I always have liked beer, just not the cheap stuff, LOL. I like the local made stuff, or imported "fancy" beers. I drank the WHOLE big glass of this beer and didn't get nauseous at all! I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, LOL!! My surgeon says no alcohol, like EVER....but I figure maybe once a month I can indulge in a little bit! I get so drunk so fast too, and it seems that it goes away just as fast lol..not good! The last time I tried to have something tho, it hurt my stomach so bad... I was dumping. It was just a half a shot of fireball. I've had it before, so I'm not sure what the issue was. Probably my body reminding me it's not supposed to have it lol. I stick to my wine now :-)

Funny!!! I've tried a few drinks here and there also. I cannot do the "sweet" drinks anymore! Whew! And yes, I got crazy drunk very quick, but it also didn't last long for me. My metabolism is so fast, it just went right through me, LOL! Last weekend we took our 21yr old daughters and their guys out for dinner and drinks. Had a blast! The one guy had a chocolate stout beer. I tried a little and was delicious!! I always have liked beer, just not the cheap stuff, LOL. I like the local made stuff, or imported "fancy" beers. I drank the WHOLE big glass of this beer and didn't get nauseous at all! I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, LOL!! My surgeon says no alcohol, like EVER....but I figure maybe once a month I can indulge in a little bit!

Ummmm no sarcasm intended, seriously! I truly wanted to clarify! Everyone's plans are different. Everyone is here seeking and sharing information. You came on to a thread where someone offered info and said no thanks it didn't fit your plan. I wanted to clarify to make sure I didn't miss anything before suggesting for people who didn't mind the sugar alcohols might want to try these. Believe me, if I disagree I will disagree, read my other posts! I don't use sarcasm on the net much because without tone of voice it tends to be ineffective.