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Am I crazy to think I can go away for a long weekend 5 weeks post-op? The trip is only 1.5 hours in the car. We will be staying in a rental with a full kitchen. I will have my kids with me but my husband will be with us to help out. We will probably be doing some lite hiking and swimming. We will be vacationing with another family and I'm sure that food and alcohol will be abundant. I am definitely prepared to abstain from drinking alcohol at that point and plan on bringing post-op friendly foods. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately most Stevia based shakes/powders also contain a sugar alcohol to help balance the taste (plain Stevia can have quite a strong aftertaste) . So make sure you check the full ingredients list of any Stevia sweetened one.

Arabian I don't think I'm wrong, I think Splenda is sucralose, and gasp, that's a sugar alcohol, look for Stevia instead. I believe Svelte is soy-based and stevia, the bad news. is it doesn't contain 30 grams protein but less. What can I say? 👈😝👉 Life just isn't perfect!

Ok guys thanks, I'm gonna try to make it till tomorrow and call my surgeon, I just set out my rubbing alcohol and put a washcloth in the fridge. It was so unexpected? I have only had liquids. I have been feeling so much better today. Then out of the blue it hit me. i ended up going out in the cold and just spitting out like ten mouthfuls of saliva. I wonder what the heck is going on.....

Some drugstores sell adhesive remover. If you can't find it your doctor may have some. It comes in the little packs like the alcohol pads.

I was sleeved on August 11th of this year. I had alcohol for the first time since July last night. I had an Angry Orchard Cider. It has a very small amount of alcohol, but I noticed that I got a little dizzy after drinking it. I thought dizziness was due to the fact that I was drinking it on a boat and the boat was rocking. I had another drink after I exited the boat, and I felt the same way. I don't think I'll be drinking again for a while.

I've only experienced dumping syndrome a few times, but I knew exactly what it was. I still do not know what I ate to cause it, but the abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea, was enough for me. My nutritionist said it may have been the sugar alcohols in a sugar free life saver. They will get you every time.

I know a girl who was banded 3 years ago. Now, I know she was pregnant during that time and take that into account. But she is still morbidly obese. ( and her babies are now two years old!) I was out with her once at a party and she ate a lot of deep fried junk and drank alcohol. If I didn't know she had been banded I would have never imagined it. When she found out who my surgeon was she begged me not to use him. He had been her surgeon and she had nothing good to say. But here is what I see...She claims he never told her how to live with the band. She said he would fill the band to a point where she could barely eat. Well, isn't that the point? I believe she blames him for her failure. I think she was one of those who thought she would get it and just keep doing all she had done, and that the band would magically make her thin. She switched doctors and now has one that obviously allows her to believe that. But I am getting off topic. I think you can live your life after WLS without giving up everything. You just have to be smart and make wise choices. We don't go through all of this just to maintain bad habits. If we do, then what is the point? Good job, continue to make good decisions!

I'm not sure I know what you're trying to convey here. Whenever someone has trouble finding a mate, people accuse him or her of being too picky or having too high of a standard. And I'm sure some people are too picky, but sometimes it's just that you haven't met the right person. Sometimes it seems like a miracle when it actually does happen for two people. I have a preference for certain things in terms of appearance--maybe that's shallow, but I can't imagine having a good relationship without some level of physical attraction. I also have certain parameters--the guy shouldn't be married or involved with another woman! He shouldn't be an alcoholic, a drug user or dealer, unemployed (unless retired or otherwise financially secure). Perhaps the hardest of all, he has to be someone I can talk to comfortably. Is that too picky? I don't think so, somehow.

I'm two years post op and have lost 140 lbs. My last fill was over six months ago. Recently, I find myself getting stuck at almost every meal. No matter what time of day I eat my first meal, I'm going to the bathroom or grabbing a cup because it's coming back up. This happens within a few bites of the meal. Today, we went out to eat after church. I had taken literally two bites of my meal and had to excuse myself to the restroom. Once I cleared myself out, I was able to eat almost all of the remainder of my meal. Then, we had family over for Christmas this evening. A few bites into the meal, and I was grabbing a Solo cup to spit up my food. Now, about two hours and a glass of wine later, I was able to consume two helpings of brocolli casserole with no problems. I have no idea what is going on. I do know that consuming an alcoholic beverage before my meal seems to allow me to eat, but I can't do that all the time. Any ideas on what the problem may be?

Well, we're all going to die eventually. We've reduced our risk of early death by tackling our obesity. But I suppose we could cut our risk further by rarely eating meat, not ever drinking alcohol, being celibate, not driving, not living in cities, not experiencing stress, not ever being poor, not crossing roads...you get what I mean I'm sorry - I know I'm being a bit silly and facetious - and I don't want to be disrespectful when you are making a valid point. I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that it's sensible to reduce big risks - like smoking or being very obese - but if we try to cut out minor risks too, we could just end up being miserable. 🙂

I just spoke with my bariatric coordinator. She has my PCP records and was concerned about my "6 months" of medically approved diet. Although I went to the doctor monthly (with minor exception) for the required 6 months, there was one month that I didn't make it within the 30 days since last appointmen. That was due to scheduling conflicts, etc. and I got in as soon as scheduling allowed. I guess we'll see what happens. I can go back 15 years documenting my weight and comorbidities, but I'm half way expecting them to deny and make me do it all over again. But that would have been my fault. I find it interesting that my insurance will pay 80% for 3 seperate treatments if you are a drug addict or alcoholic, but only 50% for obesity treatment (only once). Not only that, if you are an alcoholic/drug addict, your portion counts towards your out of pocket maximum for the year. For obesity treatment, it does not count towards your out of pocket maximum, but it sure does count towards your lifetime benefit! Just needed to rant for a moment.

Im a realist and don't belief in telling people alot of fluff so I will give it to you straight. 1) Scared about missing food - You are what you eat - period. I will not lie to you - The sleeve gives you the tool lose the weight - but its up to you to not eat crap and gain all the weight back. On ocassion I will eat things like pizza and other junk, but its only on occasion. Its a slippery slope though, especially with the carbs. If you eat crappy quality carbs you wake up the carb cravings and can get yourself in trouble. Do I miss junk food - not as much as I thought I would - and if I absolutely HAVE to have something I eat it - just not a whole box. 2) drinking beers - Im not a drinker but I can tell you this - Beer is carbs and makes you fat. You also will get drunk quicker with less beer. If getting plastered with your friends is a must for you I do not reccomend you endulge in that behavior too often. I know alot of bariatric patients who gain LOTS back due to alcohol. Its empty useless fat promoting calories. The sleeve will not stop you from drinking 8 beers - remember liquid slides right on through. 3) Can you lose the weight on your own - I'll say this much. The odds are against you. For me it was IMPOSSIBLE. I was a quantity eater and I like to be full. Now that I have a tiny stomach I can be full with so much less food and now that my hunger hormones are reduced I get much less hungry. But if I eat crappy carbs my hunger does return with a vengence so refined carbs are the enemy. Without the surgery I would still be an obese 377 pound 36 year old with who know what kind of health issues. 4) its irreversible - so what. Do you want your big bowling ball size stomach back that takes forever to get full and releases all kinds of hunger hormones. I don't miss mine. I still have a fully functioning stomach - just smaller. Your not getting a gastric bypass. Your body will work just the way it always has worked - just better. 5)Your going to die - I can say this - If you do nothing you will die. Also death from the sleeve is really really really low. Bariatric surgery has really come a long way and is very safe now. Worry about how unhealthy you will be without taking control of your obesity. That is the real fear. Your absolutely normal to be fearful of the unknown. I can tell you that I have zero regrets! I have had no complications and have never even thrown up once. I just had a tummy tuck and feel for the first time in my life - happy in my own body. No more looking in the mirror and wanting to PUKE. ALL my health issues went away - no more cpap - no more high blood pressure - etc etc. Its a miracle surgery. Good luck with your journey - Shayne

Like everyone else said I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. However I would be curious to know tomorrow if it causes any problems with gas or your pouch. My doc told me alcohol would irritate the pouch just like caffeine. Anyone had any experience with that and know if it's true or not???

I have had similar reactions from my overweight friends. One wanted my clothes, others it just made them feel bad about themselves. Makes them face the fact that they are also overweight and need to do something about it. When you start a diet your friends have seen you start many diets probably and are there to sabotage you too... We have eating buddies, just like alcoholics have drinking buddies.

Like @@jss1988 said, I had a pretest to take before meeting with the psychologist (basic psychological stuff, self-worth, family history). Then when I met with him, he warned me about some of the issues that can arise as we start to lose weight, i.e., you'll be getting more attention, how to deal with that,, also he warned that victims of sexual abuse may struggle with certain weights if the abuse occurred when you weighed a certain amount, there may be memories that you have to deal with along the way. He asked about my support network, warned that some WLS patients will look to replace food addiction with alcohol, answered my questions, and sent me on my way. It was pretty painless: mostly an informative meeting.

I am so impressed!!! alcohol, cigarettes and food. Every minute of every day, you should pat yourself on the back. I smoked for 25 years. Quitting is very hard. That advice about the first 2 weeks being the hardest is BS. It is hard for much longer so keep your guard up. It is not just the physical addiction but it was such a part of your life. It was a reason to take a break, it was something to do with your hands when you were bored, it was something to do with your mouth instead of eating. right? I promise it does get better. At first you will be preoccupied every minute of the day and think of nothing else. Gradually the time between will get further and further apart until one day you'll realize you went a whole day without thinking about a cigarette. It helps to remind yourself that never again will you have to go stand outside in the rain or snow to smoke, never again will you need to wake up on a Sunday morning and run out to the store because you ran out, never again will you have the awful smell on your breath and clothes, and best of all you will not develop those deep vertical lines on your lips as you get older. so proud of you!!!!

What's the chance of developing a substance abuse problem after surgery? If we don't have food anymore to satisfy our "fix", will we turn to drugs? Alcohol? I've been reading up on this, and I'm genuinely curious.

Didn't your doctor tell you that you shouldn't have any carbonation? Mine is quite strict about it. You certainly shouldn't be consuming alcohol - even in limited quantities in my opinion - while on your post op liquid diet.

So I'm the at Busch tour in STL, beer is everywhere...I'm on my liquid diet right now...I've taken a few sips from family and stuff, I feel fine (just burping) but is that ok to do? I'm not saying I'm drinking an entire cup, just like 20 sips on a 3 hour tour

Hi everyone, I have been reading posts for a little while now, but this is my first post. I am a 40-year old guy, and I live in New Orleans with my partner of 7.5 years. I have battled my weight for entire life. When I was 21 years old, my parents and I went on Phen-Fen together. That was the first time I lost 100 pounds. I have yo-yo'ed ever since, losing 100 pounds another two times in my life, and 30-50 pounds more times than I can count. Last year, I had to travel a lot more than I have had to in the past many years for work. (I am a Delta Diamond if that means anything to any travelers out there.) All of that travel meant eating for convenience and drinking more wine than I would if I were at home. I was already heavy before (370 pounds), but by December 2015, I weighed 397 pounds. My family had been encouraging me to have weight loss surgery for about a year. (My dad had a gastric bypass many years ago; my mom had the sleeve about 3 years ago, and my brother got the lap band about 2 years ago.) After seeing the nearly-400 pounds looking back up at me from the scale, I agreed that it was time to do something about my weight once and for all. And my partner was ready to deal with his weight as well. (He started at 316 pounds, so he wasn't in quite as bad a place as I was then. For the record, he has lost about 70 pounds himself, so I am super proud of him!) I was finally able to get in to see my PCP in February, and had my first of six consecutive monthly appointments with the surgeon's medical staff that is required by my insurance on March 3. I had two weeks of filming work in California right after (something new for my team and full of stresses), so I didn't begin my weight loss journey until March 21. In the past 5 months, I have lost 83 pounds while going to see the surgeon's staff once per month. This morning I weighed 314 pounds. (In case anyone is interested, I have done low carb/high protein/high healthy fat. I keep carbs below 20 per day -- usually below 12 per day. I have reduced my calories from 2000 to 1800 to 1500 to now 1200 for the past many weeks. I have cut alcohol out completely for now to conserve the calories. I walk 5 days a week, involving inclines and such for a majority of these 45 minute sessions. The surgeon's staff did give me a phentermine prescription, so I have been taking that since early April.) Now, I'll get to the point of my post if anyone is still reading... I had my sixth diet visit, and I am waiting on insurance approval now. It's been about a week so far, but they say it can take up to 30 days, so the surgery will likely be sometime in early October. I have been reading everyone's posts about the surgery itself, the pain (or lack of), the changes, etc., etc., etc. Some days, I wonder if I should really go through with it, or just stay the course with what I am doing. But, then reality sets in -- I still need to lose at least 100 more pounds, and really, I'd like to lose more like 125-135 more pounds, so I need to have the surgery. I am worried that since I have lost so much weight on the front end that I will lose weight slower after the surgery and then be disappointed (especially after putting my body through all of that trauma and altering the way I will have to eat and drink for the rest of my life). Can anyone offer any perspective on this? Specifically, can anyone speak to losing a lot of weight pre-op, and how you transitioned to weight loss after the surgery? The surgeon has already said that I do not have to do a liquid diet before the surgery because of all the weight I have lost. I just have to fast the day before. Please forgive the length of this post, and I hope to hear from some of you soon.

1. Dr. Michael Michel, he is a Major in the USAF, and stationed at and operates out of Eglin AFB. I've sent 2 of my close friends to him within the last month (he just returned from 7.5 month long deployment) and an "ex" friend of mine had her surgery performed by Dr. M last September. My secondary surgeon Dr. Riley, out of the same military facility, is amazing as well. Dr. R took over my care when Dr. M deployed. He's performed surgery on 2 of my friends within the last 4 months. 2. Insurance company first, PCP next, supporting letter from PCP and any other specialty physicians you may see. 3. I would imagine natural childbirth would be worse. I had a c-section (was awake for it), and the VSG was nowhere near as painful. I had a completely different recovery, and I'm not the norm therefore I can't comment on this one. I was a revision patient. Had the band first, then VSG. 4. Same as above 5. I've dropped 155lbs as of today in around a year. I started at 270 today I'm weighing in around 118lbs. My skin is wrinkly, but not sagging or flapping over. It's recovering nicely. Saw my surgeon last week, he looked at my skin, and said " considering how much you've lost, your age, and how fast you've dropped it, your skin looks amazing, I've had patients lose less, that are younger that have to have plastics. Don't do any other surgery for a minimum of 12-18 months". I moisturize like crazy. I exfoliate with a homemade sugar/salt scrub, I massage my skin. I do not wear shapers, girdles, or anything of the sort. I live in Florida, it's 99% humidity, and wearing spandex under clothes is self-induced torture. 6. Take Biotin or another hair/nail/skin supplement now, and continue taking it once you're released for meds/supplements post-op. It'll help with the regrowth. Nothing stops the shedding. I'm vain, I lost half of my hair, I chopped it off, and it's grown 4 inches in length since January. We measured the other day to find out how much growth I was actually seeing. I have new growth that is about 7" long that started coming in before the shedding stopped. For me, it last 3.5 months. It's temporary, it'll grow back. I used Folicure shampoo every other day when I started losing, and never took Biotin or other supplements on a regular basis. Interesting article: Telogen Effluvium: eMedicine Dermatology 7. I was released for alcohol at 3.5 months out. Was told to avoid wine. My surgeon doesn't forbid soda. He doesn't believe it causes sleeve stretching. It is empty calories/carbs, and if it's caffeinated, it doesn't count as a clear Fluid. I drink soda. No harm, no foul, no regain,no sleeve stretching. I'm not a beer drinker, but I drink rum/cokes and various shots on a fairly social basis. 8. Perfectly normal. Today, my 12 yr old son and I shared an order of beef fajitas with black Beans and rice at Chili's. Sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa, 8-10 tortilla chips, 3oz of fajita skirt steak cooked medium, and a huge amount of sauteed onions. I ate about 6 small bites of the rice, I skipped the beans, they put stupid pico de gallo in them, no flour tortillas. I ate about 2ounces of shredded cheese mixed with the beef, sour cream and salsa. I drank strawberry lemonade before my meal. We were in and out of the restaurant within 1 hour. We talked, laughed, and just hung out. I waited about 15 minutes after eating to take a few swigs of my lemonade because Mexican food tends to be salty. I needed to wet my whistle. I felt normal, and have for months. 9. Only puked a couple times and that was super early out. Nauseated only happened when on heavy antibiotics. Slightly dehydrated only once, but didn't require hospitalization/iv fluids. 10. Stick to your surgeon/nutritionist's post-op diet, don't reinvent the wheel, don't cheat, it's just not worth it regardless of other people's experiences, if you absolutely need to progress your diet call the medical professional that you trusted to staple off and excise 80% of your stomach and ask if there is a safe option that may get you through a horrible day, don't be negative nelly, your body needs you to be positive and encouraging it will have just took a major blow for you, be nice to it. Realize that some days might suck, you might be sore, you might not feel like doing much of anything, but the good ends up outweighing the bad 100 fold. Remember they operate on our stomachs not our heads. Our minds will beat us up if we allow it. Emotions will run high, you might be mad, angry, or feel like you're on a permanent PMS trip from hell, prepare your husband/family for this, it does get better, but it doesn't make it suck any less. Other than that, know that you are embarking on an amazing journey. You'll experience so much that it's hard to really wrap your head around all of it. Look for support when you need it, and know that whatever hurdle you may find in your path, there is probably someone else out here that's gone through or going through the same thing, don't be afraid to ask questions, have faith in yourself, your surgeon. Sorry for the ramble, run on and fragment sentences. Best wishes and keep us updated.

I think you will be the only one who can answer this question. I bet as you go through the classes/process it will become more clear to you what is best for your life. Like Coopersmama, there is no way I could have waited that long, once I decided on surgery, I wanted it like yesterday. As to being able to do all the physical activities (hiking, snorkeling, dancing, etc.), I had so much more energy at 5 months post-op than pre-surgery and would have enjoyed them more post-op. BUT that was just my experience. I'd suggest talking with your surgeon and/or nutritionist about the alcohol thing. I would think by that time you could have a couple/few drinks on your special day, but again you'd have to decide if that was enough. Good luck on your journey!

I agree with the addiction transference theory(ies). A friend of mine that had bypass transferred to shopping. However, I don't think it's only bypass-related. I'm sure that's why we also go through the psych eval - to make sure that we don't have a past with drug or alcohol abuse so we don't transfer to former bad addictions!

My nutrionist suggests 800-1000 calories for me. Following the protein and serving size rules, no alcohol, no snacking etc, it's pretty easy to stay in that range.