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I'm kind of glad to hear that other people were disappointed that they hadn't experienced dumping. I was actually kind of hoping to because it would be a really effective deterrent - I'm a glutton, not a masochist. But I've tried really hard to stay away from anything over about 10 grams of sugar. The only exception is my Protein shake which I put a whole banana in, which, depending on the size of the banana can have as much as 20 grams of sugar in it. Like @@Djmohr, I also can't do artificial sweetener, or at least, I can tolerate only a very small amount. The only time I've experienced anything close top dumping was when I tried a sugar free maple syrup from Whole Foods that was made with Maltitol (a sugar alcohol). I was in the bathroom for an hour! I use about a teaspoon of SweetLeaf stevia in my tea in the morning and I've discovered I really enjoy the Enlightened ice cream bars which have Eryithritol in them, but that's really it. I do sometimes put dark chocolate chunks in my plain greek yogurt but the total never exceeds 10g of sugar. I also made a really good pumpkin zucchini bread with unflavored Protein powder and I used dark chocolate and honey in it. A slice had 10.9 grams of sugar in it.

I have heard wls compared to Antabuse for alcoholics. It stops the Problem initially but the hard work takes place after that but at least the person is dry. I think that's probably a good comparison for me. I'll update you all after I visit with my psych later this week. Thank you so much for all the words of wisdom!

I've also been giving this a lot of thought so you are not alone I liked having a beer and beer is the drink I have when I go out with friends. But what to do.. Beer is the most inexpensive drink I think so it was easy to buy some I also love all carbonated alcoholic drinks, but no more ugh:( I think I will go for Smirnoff Ice. I like that drink. It's more expensive but it's refreshing

All things considered I am doing okay. I don't want to jinx anything but things seem to be going good. I haven't had a BM yet, but I figure that will fix itself soon, and I haven't felt sick at all. My left side hurts pretty badly, but because of the scar tissue in my abdomen they had to go in on that side and did most of the work there, the pain medicine is working really well though. I stopped drinking alcohol about 20 years ago, but I told my wife that when I am drinking stuff now I tell myself it is 20 year old scotch that must be savored, not chugged, it seems to make it easier to sip then, lol. My first follow-up appointment is next Monday, they have to take the stiches out, I had to have normal stiches put in one of the incisions. How are you doing?

You bet! We are in this together! Woo woo! Tonight when I have my alcohol-free glass of Water after dinner (ye GODS) I will toast you!

Well said, @WLWarrior and congrats to you on your honking weight loss! Yes, it ultimately comes down to the new lifestyle we build after WLS and the choices we make. Right now, I'm happy to be finding my way during early maintenance. Continuing to plan my meals and track all my food / drink intake is part of my new lifestyle that works very well for me. Thus far, I'm fortunate to be able to eat some sugar, alcohol, Pasta, and bread. I don't eat them every day, and so far they haven't turned into trigger foods. But if they were to start causing me problems, I hope I'd have the fortitude to hold myself accountable and avoid them altogether. I no longer wish to choose foods and drink only on the basis of its temporary taste appeal. I want to eat and drink MOSTLY those things that nourish my body. I had this surgery to become healthier and stronger and to improve my life. Those here who are further out post-op than me say maintenance requirements can continue to change, so I'm not blind to the fact that our WLS challenges will continue for the rest of our lives. I know that I will probably always need to adapt what I'm doing to remain healthy. For now, I say, "Bring it on!"

@@Hope41 Question: "How do we not drink alcohol?" Answer: You stop drinking alcohol. Honestly Hope41 I was in the same boat as you. Alcohol was my weakness, too. I loved (nay, FROLICKED) in red wine every single day after work. I had for over a decade. After stalling for 3 months at only 45 pounds lost, I was frustrated and needed to take a good long look at what the hell I was doing wrong. It was a tough wake-up call, but I realized it was my alcohol consumption. For you it's cocktails, for me, Merlot. I figured out that 3 glasses a night 6-7 nights a week equalled an extra 5000-7000 per week (HOLY CRAP) of empty, useless weight-fueling calories. I was eating right but de-railing my weight loss through my love of wine. I spent $16K on this surgery, and here I was self-sabotaging just because of drinking. Silly me. So I got hard with myself and said THIS STOPS NOW. And so 2 days before my 46th birthday (this past July 19th, 2015), I had my last delicious glass of red wine and polished off the last bottle of wine in our cellar. I have not bought any since. (Not having it in the house helps enormously). After a 3-month stall, the weight started coming off within 48 hours. After a massive stall where the needle on the scale had not moved, suddenly I was losing again. The needle went from 213 pounds... to 211 pounds... to 208 pounds... to 206 pounds.... In the past 8 alcohol-free days I have lost 7 pounds. I have kick-started my weight loss again and I feel terrific. For me, the only way to stop drinking those empty calories was to stop drinking. Period. If I can do it, I think just about anyone can, the exception being someone with alcohol addiction, in which case professional intervention is required!

If I could avoid my cocktails I would start losing weight again, my meals do last me 3-4 hours but they are still a good size meals smaller than regular but definitely not as small as they should be. Alcohol is my weakness as after a long day at work I do enjoy my drink How do we not drink alcohol?

Starting out at 198 (kinda) **** Hi folks. I don't have as much to lose as somebody who is, let's say, 302 pounds. I weigh 198 and have been at this weight for quite a while. I go to the gym once a week (it used to be more) and I eat an average of probably 1900 calories a day. My diet is currently free of most processed sugars and all soda, focusing on high Protein, low carb, and frequent salads with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I do have several cocktails each weekend. I have the band and want to get to my goal weight of 145. ***** Hi folks. That person above is me - today. I was actually banded 16 months ago. I started out at 302. I lost weight like crazy and dropped 100 pounds in 7 months. I got moving on a treadmill one day post op. I was super compliant with post op eating and dropped 50 pounds before my first fill. WLS saved my life. I got to my green zone. Fill level is optimal. Then I stopped losing. What changed? A lot, now that I think about it. Here is some of it. Some of you know that I filed for divorce four months post-op and left an emotionally and financially abusive husband. Moved out of my home. Took my college age daughters with me. Long story, but smartest thing I ever did. I got WLS precisely so that I would have the courage to leave. It worked. We moved in with my mom. Nuff said. I've been in this state for a year now. One year. NSETBEx (not-soon-enough-to-be-ex) is blocking every step of the divorce and financially cleaning me out. Won't pay bills, college, etc, without court intervention, and continues to emotionally abuse my kids from afar. Nuff said about him. He doesn't deserve another paragraph. Me. What's changed with me? I became more social. For all of my adult obese life I was hiding in my house with my food. Now I go out with my bestie on weekends and listen to bands and go to summer festivals and make new friends. I've joined Codependents Anonymous and go to two meetings a week there. I go to therapy every two weeks -- she started out as a divorce coach but we switched to regular therapy. I go to Overeaters Anonymous about once a week. I joined a gym a couple of months ago and just ended 12 sessions with a personal trainer. The divorce is stressful as hell. It is killing me to think I will still be married at the end of 2015. We haven't even started negotiating the house and assets yet. My kids are home for the summer and busy busy busy. One is working a good intern job and one is taking four college classes since she changed her major and needs to stay on time for graduation. We three share my car in the evenings. Nuff said. I can't buy a house until the divorce is final because except for my decent salary, I am now flat broke. He's draining me dry, and all joint assets are tied up in the divorce. I'm in "waiting" hell. Where does that leave my weight loss? I have been down on myself for not losing weight these last 7 months. Then today I had an epiphany. We all start out every day from exactly where we are. Not where we were. Not where we think we should be. Where we ARE. So where am I today? Today I am a 198 pound 5'5" 54 year old woman who goes to the gym once a week and walks a 5k on the treadmill and works out on some strength machines. I eat high protein and low carb. I don't eat between meals. I don't eat foods with sugar. I drink alcohol on weekends which messes up my sugar and calories. I eat buttered popcorn in large quantities at the movies at least once a week which blows my calories to hell. I eat too many fried foods. What would happen if I stopped treating myself as a failure who hasn't gotten to goal after 16 months, and treated myself instead as starting out at 198 with a LapBand to help me? The circumstances of my life today are in some ways very different and in some ways very much the same as they were a year ago when I left NSETBEx. Same: stressful with constant divorce crap. Different: just about everything else. *** Hi folks. I'm starting out at 198 and have a little over 50 pounds to lose. I have a LapBand and I'm looking for encouragement and support to improve my eating and exercise more. Can anyone relate?

I can say I do not miss alcohol at all

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery 26 months ago. I lost 115 pounds and maintained the weight loss. Before surgery hunger was constantly gnawing at my bones. While I was eating a meal, I was thinking about what I would eat for my next meal. After surgery my hunger was gone. It was not easy to lose weight when you are not hungry. This is very much different than a diet experience. There was no willpower involved. Not everyone who has a RNY loses appetite but many do. This may not be the case for those that undergo Sleeve. By consuming more food you can stretch you stomach and thereby eat more and regain the weight back. I asked my nutritionist why some people lose weight after surgery only to gain most of it back afterwards. She said grazing which I interpret as another way of saying snacking. I do graze but I have not gained weight. I think the secret is what you graze on. I graze on Protein and fats. Fats take away hunger. So essentially I am never hungry. I strictly stay away from all processed sugars. I satisfy my sweet tooth with artificial sweeteners (such as Splenda, sugar alcohol), non-nutritive natural sweeteners (such as stevia), natural sugars (found in fruits and milk). At 26 months out, I have a cup of coffee each morning with a large scoop of whip cream. I make the whip cream myself using Splenda so it has no sugar. I have around 3 Adkin's treats a day. I consume whole milk, real butter and real non-lean meat. I was diabetic before surgery. That went away right after surgery. I periodically check my blood sugar levels and they are normal. The weight is off and all my prior medical conditions are in remission: high blood pressure, diabetes, GERD, sleep apnea, frequent urination. I think why some people gain the weight after RNY is that they are confused. After surgery you body (stomach) can no longer process fats and sugars. If you take too much it causes dumping. But as the months go by your body adapts and your intestines change and begin to take up the role of the stomach and start to absorb fats and sugars. There are 2 phases to weight loss surgery. These are the losing phase and the maintenance phase. The same rules do not apply for the two different phases. I personally wouldn't pay $20K for the operation because I do not have that amount of disposable income. The 12 months would better be spent by preparation. Attend Bariatric Surgery Support Group meetings. Do exercises. Walking each day is very important. Cut out all carbonated beverages and caffeine. Prepare yourself for this important step in your life.

I think the drinkers are worried and those that don't indulge very much think it's dumb to be concerned about alcohol with such a serious and extreme surgery. I think you should be concerned about everything and ask but alcohol concerns are just as dumb as I can't give up my straw comments.

interesting post, and I applaud StephenHud forhis answer. It comes down to calories for me. I have never been a big drinker, occasional glass of scoth in a month, but thats about it. When I get maintenance mode, then I 'll consider reintroducing alcohol, but right now, its not part of the plan, so fizzy Water makes me look cool....

Yes my wine consumption led to me eating after dinner as well, and those calories ADD UP big-time! Since stopping drinking wine (the only type of alcohol I consumed on a regular basis) I've noticed no desire or temptation to snack in the evenings. ADDED BONUS: I've also lost an annoying and persistent eye twitch that started back in October 2014. 9 months its been driving me crazy. One week after stopping wine? GONE. Coincidence? I do't think so!

For me it just works itself out if I stick to my calorie goals. The first night that I was "allowed" to drink according to my nutritional guide, I had two drinks (which worked out to about 200 cal). I got a buzz but then I was hungry with no calories left for the day, which made for a miserable evening. Worse yet the alcohol definitely seemed to make my hunger worse. To avoid being hungry I need to plan my entire days intake around those two drinks in the evening, and its just not worth the hassle, so I rarely drink at all anymore.

@"OKC Pirate" - yes, I also had to give up alcohol and coffee. No more (neverending) glass of wine after dinner! Diet Dr. Pepper was hard, too, but if I didn't eat Protein, the sweeteners in diet soda made my blood sugar bomb, so that's a concern I don't have now. I have no problem with the pre-surgery diet - I have 3 more weeks to go on it - as I rarely get hungry until I START to eat, so it's no big deal. My Nut keeps pushing exercise - and I'm the least athletically inclined creature in the universe! If the game involves a ball, I'll take it to the face; if it involves Water, I'll sink like a rock (I nearly drowned during a drownproofing class at the Y cuz I have heavy bones). I walk and coerce myself to get on the stair stepper, but it's truly a chore. Thank God for mp3 players!

I also have no desire to drink right now... but I think most people are asking questions because drinking alcohol is huge part of most people's social lives... and we shouldn't judge people for wanting to have a social life and manage drinking in a effective way (i.e. asking for advice)... I haven't seen any one running around saying "I want to get plastered and drink everyday!" So I don't find it that big of a deal. People are going to determine their own success. Personally I won't drink until I'm at least 6 months out, and that will probably be 1 drink for 21st birthday... And then I probably won't have another one for a while. And I surely hope people don't judge me for asking the question when I do...

I am only 8 weeks out from surgery BUT I am so sick and tired of seeing posts (I have stopped reading them) about "when can I have alcohol?". For me, this is the farthest thing from my mind. I have yet to hit my calorie goal of 700 and some days don't get all of my Protein and Water in. So it baffles me that people so early out are worried about the alcohol. I do realize that this is a public forum and everyone has their right to post whatever topic they choose. It certainly seems like there have been a ton of them this week. Now I will get over it.

Yes, this is a drastic and permanent treatment. But for the first time ever, I don't feel like I'm on a "diet". That word brings up thoughts in me of what I can't have and honestly, I feel like I can have it all now, I just can't over eat any more. If I do there are consequences, (puking or dumping) and I'm not likely to repeat that behavior anytime soon which was my cycle before. When I fell off the wagon, I'd fall long and hard. I'll be 2 year out in October maintaining a 90ish pound loss for over a year, (longest ever). I exercise 5x per week first thing (stationary bike and some light strength training at home, not a gym rat by any means). I worry about regaining every day, but it doesn't control my life and neither does food anymore. If I gain a few pounds, I give up empty calories like treats and alcohol, eat a little smarter and bump up my exercise a bit till it comes off. I can MANAGE my weight now for the first time in my life. As far as a new metabolic setpoint, I kind of believe that, which is why I started exercising and building muscle and why I ate as many calories as my weight loss could bear, (about 1200 per day), because I wanted to land in a manageable place for long term maintenance. So far, so good. Good luck in your decision!

The appeal for Atlanta to me is primarily because that is the heart of promotion opportunities within my part of my company. I also like the office there. Ever go somewhere and feel like "these are my people?" The women dress up, it is multicultural, the average age is a bit younger - just an energizing place to be. i like any workplace that when I show up to visit I get hugs and kisses - there just isn't enough of that in this world for my tastes! I don't feel that way in our Boston office and in fact refused to move there. I have been part of the Seattle office for over 20 years and am just tired of it and it also has very little executive presence since the big reorg of 08/09 so limited growth opportunities. I had fun seeing Dan play with Austin Jenke on Wednesday. Austin is a hometown hero who was on the voice. More importantly he works as a profiessional songwriter and now lives in Nashville. He has "made it" in the industry even if he isn't well known outside of his hometown. He has a great voice and the show was crazy well received. It was insane to me how many people knew Dan too and he just plays Seattle based gigs with Austin. (he mostly plays with a variety of bands not just Austin) My anxiety went sky high earlier this week over my waiting forever for the mammogram before I can actually see specialists over my breast problem. Sky high anxiety - it has been amping up for weeks but this week became something I couldnt manage on my own. I drank too much one night (you know wine instead of dinner) and luckily only had a silly conversation with Dan which he thought was hilarous but that bad judgement could have been much worse. I talked to my EX who still knows how to soothe me and who coached me to get some short term anxiety meds and get some sleep. I did that from my new doctor and last night I slept the first decent night in weeks - no alcohol - just was able to sleep. I woke up paniced, took 1/2 dose and slept. I feel better able to cope with work today and feel more like myself since I am neither exhausted nor wound up or some horrible combination of both which has been my life the last week or two. Thank God. Now if I can just keep from "cycling up" again until I get my diagnosis.

@@Luvnme4eva the social events are tough. I just had an out of town party. Did good with not hitting the buffet at the party and I'm fine with no alcohol. Dinner with a big group was another story. I ended up eating salad. :-(. Then ran on the treadmill at the hotel gym because I felt so bad about it. You can do it. Keep your protein drinks and water and those snacks allowed on your pre-op diet within reach during the reunion.

I am 40, and I was sleeved June 3, 2015. I'm only 5'3" and started out at 366 pounds. After a few stalls, today I reached 60 pounds off total. I feel so much better. My insomnia and migraines I have had most my life are gone. I wanted to be healthier for my kids and myself. I have found the strength to leave my cheating alcoholic husband, and I'm ready to live my next 40 years to the fullest!

The only thing my doctor said about alcohol was that I could not have any up to 6 months after surgery. After that, I can have it, but within limits. But that is just like food. If you are not ready, then don't do it. You should be 100%. You will be supported here no matter what you do. I do think 1 meal a day is not good. I use to do that & my Doctor told me how that isn't helping me 'cause my body is storing what I ate once a day b/c it wasn't getting what it needed other times. Just be careful.

You can totally drink beer again after the surgery. There is nothing that you actually cannot physically have after about the 2 month mark. They frown on caffeine, soda, and booze, purely because they don't want you drinking your calories. I drink diet Pepsi everyday and while I'm not a big alcohol drinker, I haven't had an issue the few times that I've had a beverage (or five).

I guess another way to answer your question would be to imagine the rest of your life as you are now. Would you/are you happy in your body; do you think you will live as long of a healthy life in your present state as opposed to having the intervention?.............if NO is your answer to either question, then perhaps you are making the right decision. There is only one way to see. Don't let your "food addict" get in your way. Worst thing you could do is not try. I think statistics prove, WLS is no miracle weight reducer. If you regret having the procedure done, there are plenty of ways to getting back to where you are now. 65% of WLS patients go back to who they were all the time - it is called sabotage. I believe you will be happy once you see the results. Try not to overthink it. I am sure we all at one point or another will regret having it done. Particularly in the beginning stages. Withdrawal from any substance/behavior is difficult....from coffee/soda/alcohol or cursing to hardcore drugs/promiscuity/gambling and Eating for pleasure. Good luck. I know it is hard. I too am struggling with the "what if's". The longer we have to wait, the more time we have to torture ourselves. Some days are better than others. Just take it one day, one hour, one minute, one second at a time. Best wishes to you! I am desperately waiting for September 21st! My scheduled day.