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I'm only 21+ months post-VSG, so understand I'm coming at this with that kind of WLS resume. Anyway, here's my take on your quarterly binge-drinking escapades. I will bet you aren't going to drink NEARLY as much as you used to drink at these events. You'll likely be more alcohol-sensitive, and I'm betting that your natural self-protective instincts will kick in and keep you from over-doing it, especially since you're not a regular drinker. However, and this is the good part, I don't think that drinking less would / could / should harsh your party buzz at all. More good news is you'll be with friends who won't be trying to harm you. Or I hope they won't. I think the important thing to ask yourself is -- could I still have a good time if I have 3 drinks over X hours instead of 12 drinks? Imma bet you could.

It is very very scary and happening more and more frequently. This is my personal opinion and I know it might start dramatics but here goes. My insurance company required me to go through a Bariatric center of excellence. I had to go on line and take an online class then I had to go and take an in person class where they gave me all the info in considering this surgery. At that time, they gave me a huge packet that I needed to fill out and in it was a test that I had to take and about 15 pages of information I needed to fill out. That included why I thought this surgery would work for me. After I sent that back in, then and only then did I get my first appt with a Bariatric nurse, nutritionist, personal trainer and a physcologist. My program lasted 6 months but took 9 to get through. I was given a binder with everything bit of information I could possibly need including every phase of the diet so I could refer back to it. It also kept a physical tracker and information about the different WLS surgeries. Once I jumped through every hoop and was approved for surgery, then I met the surgeon. Prior to that I worked with Bariatric Doctors that were a part of the team and helped me select my surgery. The day I met the surgeon I was asked to sign a contract that made me committ to no alcohol for at least a year, that I would not get pregnant for at least 2 years and that I would follow the diet. Without the signed contract, no surgery would be performed. I also had to take another test which consisted of everything I learned along the way. It was not a book test and they did not tell me about it ahead of time. I am sorry, and I am not saying this is perfect but it certainly forced me to know my stuff. If I were insurance company I would absolutely require this level of education before letting a person through the process. Now I get that it does not cover self pay but if I am a Bariatric surgeon here in the states it should be a requirement which in turn would help them have more successful outcomes. This is just my two cents. I think it helped me be successful from day 1 and for the most part I knew what to expect. I learned everything else from asking questions researching and leveraging the heck out of the veterans on this site.

Hi GwennyPenny, Thanks for asking, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner and it went pretty well. I stuck to Turkey and green beans and had a spoon on macaroni and stuffing and a small sliver of pumpkin pie but I felt guilty afterwards but I was able to control myself and stopped. I thought not drinking would be a challenge but I actually didn’t even desire any alcohol so overall I think it went well; Monday is right around the corner.

I was never told to not drink alcohol..... I keep it to one or two a night on the weekends. One now has me tipsy.... I drank a Lemond drop Saturday night and I felt it at the last sip. I don't drink beer (don't like it) nor do i drink anything mixed with soda.... (exp: jack and coke) I will drink a glass of wine or a mixer with juice or a margarita. Everything in moderation.....

I have a friend that drinks a lot after surgery, I am 5 months post op and at my doctors that I can have some now but I'm afraid of it lol what if I become an alcoholic.

I find it is not worth the calories for the short lived buzz I get do to gastric bypass. I also here that folks who have had RNY can end up alcoholics trying to chase that lengthy buzz. I just make do with the occasional drink.

My biggest issue that I am having, is my weight loss is kind of stalling because I have been eating crappy food like taquitos, enchiladas, pizza, etc. Granted only a slice or small portion, but I got a lot of mental hunger after being on a liquid diet for two weeks that I broke down and satiated. I also love to drink beer, and have been drinking some non-alcoholic beer which is about half the calories of light beer, but obviously still empty calories. Down 27 lbs 23 days from start of diet, 16 days from surgery. Right now I am shooting for being down 32 lbs 30 days post surgery as just an off the cuff number. If I assume I can lose 100 lbs in a year, that is less than 1/3 lb per day, and I am assuming the loss will be somewhat logarithmic, maybe a 1 lb/day up front, and 1/10th a lb/day towards the end of the year. I am guessing that I lost 20 lbs of muscle (another complete guess) since my peak fitness of 185 lbs 12 years ago, that hopefully I can put back on in the next year or two.

I have watched 3 episodes of that show, and I have to say that I am sick of it. It does nothing to help the plight of the super obese. I you ask me, many of the people on that show just defiant and the clinic is a big joke. They are allowed to cheat, the head physician does not believe in WLS and from what I have seen there is very little in the way of addiction counselling for these people. It just looks like a warehouse for the superobese where they are able to do what ever the hell they want. If you look at the rate of "relapse" it seems to be almost 100%. Why dont they try to get some real help for these people. At first I had sympathy for these people, but now when I see them milling about the front door waiting for thier take out i get frustrated. That Dr. that is in charge of the place is out to lunch. You dont see the Betty Ford clinic allow drug addicts and alcoholic to order out for more drugs/booze? I am looking forward to the show Big Medicine which starts monday on TLC. It is about Dr.s who perform WLS. Andrew

FluffyChix, Thank you so much. Yes, my Sleeve still works and gets restriction to food. As far as the fatty liver, it is Non-Alcoholic. I know without a doubt that I have a vitamin deficiency, and wanted to keep taking my vitamins until I can schedule an appointment to meet with the Doc. I just am not sure how long I should wait?? At the present time, I'm taking the OPTISOURCE Post Bariatric Surgery chewable tablets (& I absolutely hate them), but I force myself. I'm looking to make the switch to perhaps a 1 a day capsule (BariatricPal 1 a day Multi-vitamin).

I enjoy wine...a lot. Drinking to get drunk is not the point. I just think enjoying a glass of good wine (preferably with friends) is about one of the best things in life. That hasn't changed with the band. I prefer dry red wine which usually has less calories than whites (which are often sweeter). I drink slower and order a glass of water along with my wine these days, but "feel it" faster so I haven't had more than 2 glasses. Since restaurants/bars serve different amounts, I usually ask the bartender or server to let me know how many ounces are in each glass (usually 3-5 oz but sometimes 6; they have equipment to measure properly for you, so they may as well use it). It's not too hard to find a glass of wine at or around 90-100 calories a glass and not too hard to find those calories in a day. Alcohol converts to sugar (carbs) in the body, and will still be used by your body as fuel, unfortunately it's more likely to make you want to eat than make you feel full. But if you're deciding between a glass of wine and a 100 calorie pack, they're both throw away calories as far as I'm concerned. Just about what gives you most pleasure.

Although I was banded in 2010, my recovery seems like it was yesterday. If I recall, I really had no real pain after the surgery, but the gas in my chest was the most uncomfortable thing. While you had it go away quickly, mine lasted up to two weeks. For new bandsters, it is important to know that each person has a different recovery experience as well as a different weight loss journey. The first few weeks post surgery can definitely be annoying, and it may take several fills before you feel like you are restricted, but everyone has a different experience. A tip for those of you new bandsters, who are still learning the ways about timing while you eat, I found that setting a timer for 20-30 minutes on my phone, was the perfect amount of time to eat as long as you take one bite every 30-45 seconds. My doctor told me that it takes about 20 seconds for the food to pass through the band into the lower portion of the stomach. Also, by keeping yourself on schedule while you eat or drink, will fill you up faster and give you less of a chance of having the food get stuck (as you focus during during those seconds to savor and chew the food to a pulp). As you progress in your weight loss journey, you will have days when certain foods will go down, which others won't. My family who had the band, as well as others I know, refer to the band as a "fickle b***h" because how tight you are can depend on not only how much Fluid is in your band, but on stress, alcohol consumption (makes food go down easier because it relaxes your esophagus,etc.) I speak at the information sessions as a live testimonial for the NYU weight loss group in manhattan. If you have any questions on pre, post or cosmetic surgery, please feel free to ask me (whether here or In a message...)

Hiya all, I'm new to here and just was wanting to make contact. I am insulin dependant diabetic with sever insulin resistance, I am 1 week away from rny surgery and on day 3 of the pre surgical prep. From what I have seen I don't really have much to moan about, as I am still able to eat actual food, but wondered..did anyone else have extreme cravings, headaches, insomnia, low mood, and agitation when doing the prep? Also did anyone feel just generally really unwell? It's only day 3 but it's kicking the hell out of me. I am able to have the following each day (which I know is more than most), but am worried that I am maybe eating a bit too much to shrink my liver, or that I am just getting it all wrong. The hospital have me the following diet: Breakfast - 1 weetabix Lunch- small portion of lean meat or fish, salad (no dressing), 2 crisp breads or a slice of bread Dinner- small portion of lean meat or fish, 3 small potatoes or 3 spoons of rice, vegetables 1/2 pint of skimmed milk per day (to be used in tea or coffee and my breakfast) A sugar free & fat free yoghurt No sauces no alcohol no fizzy drinks I had a hypo today I am currently 106kg, I weighed 122kg at the start of my journey 2 years ago. I have gone from a 44 inch trouser to a 34/36 inch. Am having the surgery for diabetes reasons not so much for weight loss. Thank you in advance for any replies xx Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Everyone, I would like to know what are a few typical days of eating looks like after your are healed from your surgery. And I know alcohol should be limited after your goal. Can anyone tell be about their experiences with this too? Thank you for your help. Tami

I waited six months. I was cleared for alcohol at my six month appt. It just wasn't worth it to me to try it before my dr. OK'd it for me. Six months is a blink in the big picture. Lynda

I'm seven months out. The only goal that I had from this surgery was to reduce the amount of medications that I was taking. I didn't give a rip and still don't, about the scale. I've have met the goal that I have set in that respect, and I am now working on getting my weight to a point that I have not been before. I am not the fastest loser, but I really don't care that much as a slow loser tends to be a permanent one. I still have about 35+ lbs to go and probably will make that goal within the year I set out to do. I have really worked on changing my lifestyle. I eat healthy and I eat properly. I cut out the things that got me to the fat ass stage. (Soda, alcohol, carbs etc.). I don't eat white foods (flour, rice, pasta, etc.). I workout daily and I run almost every day. I don't miss eating anything. I still go out, I still have fun, probably more fun than before as I can be more active. I am thinking about a career change (I am a chef) and getting out of the food business. The surgery has given me the opportunity to really understand my relationship with food and eating. I really have a better idea of what my triggers are and how they can impact my eating and in turn, my life. For me, the decision to have the surgery has been one that I feel was proper. I have worked hard, and probably could have loss the weight on my on without the surgery, but in general I am glad that I did it. I think for the long term, it is a better approach.

+1 i had like 4-5 partial drinks during entire weight loss phase. Now, i am what one would call a regular drinker (some may even, dare i say, call me an alcoholic). I was a drinker before surgery as well. (Though before surgery I would drink lots in a short amount of time, every few weeks, now i drink less at a time, but more often). My increased drinking frequency had a lot to do with Covid lockdowns starting in 2020 though. From a weight-loss perspective, what little i did drink during weight loss phase did not seem to affect ME in getting to goal. Nor does the amounts i drink now seem to affect my ability to maintain my current weight (note though that i simultaneously keep an eye on my total calories - alcohol or otherwise- , so there’s also that) I get tipsy quite fast post-wls (and on small amounts), but I also sober up in record speed. As others said above, if you really want to, try it out and observe how you react, and then decide if want to again. Or, don’t. Up to you…you know yourself best. Sincerely, An alcohol-drinking-DRINKER (from Canada). (i also smoke, drive above the speed limit, and am late paying my taxes this year…)

My doctor pointed out that the band does nothing to the inside of your stomach. All restrictions, adhesions etc are from the outside. So the things we can't eat are affected by the shape of the stomach; tolerance for things like alcohol, caffeine, etc should be unaffected.

What's everyone up to today and tomorrow? Tonight our Xmas eve tradition is about half the family gathers and we have a casual dinner of tamales. Easy and yummy. We are not Mexican, but native Southern Californians, so are doing the cultural appropriation thing. I made individual flans for tonight. We will talk about going to midnight mass, but then never actually go (soo late, long day, early morning ) Tomorrow I head over to my mom's house in the morning. I make a traditional Xmas Nutmeg and Sherry cake for breakfast. We will open presents, listen to Xmas music, have mimosas, eat leftover tamales. Usually my aunt and uncle will be staying at my mom's but this year they aren't coming down, so it will just be the two of us. (I'm my mom's only child). We'll make my mom's assigned side together (Festive Onions, yum!). She doesn't know it yet, but she is going to help me make apple pie. peeling and coring all those apples is a b*tch . It'll be a dutch apple pie, because I don't have the pastry skills @Sosewsue61 has! I made pecan pie this morning. I always do one new dessert. I was going to do individual Zabaglione Tarts, as I fell in love with Zabalione in Rome. But the custard came out pretty wine-y. So I may have to go out and buy more eggs for a redo. I think I will cook the alcohol out of the wine this time. So it'll have the marsala flavor, without the alcohol burn. Then it will be Xmas dinner at my aunt's house. My uncle makes delicious smoked Prime Rib, so that is serious yum. But, can I be petty for a second? I like the traditional sides I serve when I do Prime Rib better, potatoes au gratin, creamed spinach, corn casserole, glazed carrots and most importantly, Yorkshire pudding. There is no Prime Rib without Yorkshire Pudding! I'm not sure what her sides will be, but I know there won't be most of those Ok, everyone else ... spill!

Not really. I really have only liked diet soda and alcohol pre WLS. Never really drank juice, or anything else that wasn't diet soda or alcohol, or alcohol with mixer. Now days, I get my fluids as a mix of water (ugh!), diet soda, La Croix & protein shakes. The diet soda and La Croix are the most appealing, but nowhere near enough to drink 64 oz without a lot of focus and effort.

The saliva breaks down carbs in the mouth. This is the first step of digestion. Alcohol is one of the very few substances that is absorbed through the stomach wall. If not, then it would take hours to feel the effects of alcohol. The food mixes with enzymes and Hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This starts to break down the proteins. The food then moves to the small intestine where bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas break down foods into simple building blocks. At this point the molecules are transported through the intestinal wall. Carbs start digesting in the mouth. Proteins start to digest in the stomach and most fat breakdown does not occur until it reaches the small intestine where it can mix with bile. Alcohol is absorbed first and the carbs, proteins and lipids are absorbed in the small intestine. Fiber (cellulose) is not able to be broken down by our digestive system and thus is not absorbed into the intestinal wall. Our digestive sytem is remarkably intricate. It is really a wonder isn't it?

:girl_hug:on my birthday in December. The nurse said alcohol will iritate the stomach lining in the band and cause increased restriction because it will swell inward since it cann't go out with the band holding it. ON December 20th it will just have to swell shut!!!LOL After all this diet and exercise I will definitely get loose on my birthday

If something has calories it must be a protein carb or fat. I believe alcohol is considered a carb. It is not a protein or fat. I am not sure what you mean by the body processes alcohol first. Could you explain?

Look, food can't replace real freinds and lovers, you just want it that much and that's an addiction. Just like an alcoholic or drug user the addiction drives you and controls you and all you know is you need it. Fear of failing or succeeding? Probably more likely afraid to take the first step on the journey you know you need to make, and that you can't come back once you make that decision. I had a lot of the same fears, but now I'm about 5 months out and I couldn't be happier. Now I control my relationship with food and not the other way around. I still enjoy many of the foods I love, but I can't abuse them, my sleeve won't let me. I'm still in the early part of my journey, what I didn't realize until I got here, is that the path behind me is darker than the path ahead. Good Luck to you.

Well......this question will certainly open a can of worms. I 'm going to get my comment in before the s**t storm hits. I'm in Texas. We do not have medical marijuana. We still have to get it from the trusty neighborhood stoner. Keep in mind that I would not be considered a heavy user. I'm a lightweight user. There has been no problem, no additional issues with acid reflux, and it has not been a gateway to more dangerous drugs. No transfer of addiction from food to drugs or alcohol either. It did not slow my recovery after surgery nor did it cause me to eat uncontrollably. Obviously your surgeon will warn you against using marijuana. If you try it post op and it causes you any problems then don't do it again. If not then light one up and enjoy your double chocolate Protein shake.

Many people don’t understand the obese person’s journey with food. Nor can they relate to actually being under the influence of the intense food cravings, but ask any alcoholic or drug addict what these cravings feel like, and a food addict will be able to recount a very similar craving. The substance most craved with food addicts is sugar, and anyone who has tried to remove sugar from their diet knows how incredibly difficult that can be. The majority of food addicts have been brought up with another addiction. Maybe their parents were alcoholics, abusive, gamblers, smokers or hoarders. The child learned it was safer to turn to food or some other substance for comfort, because turning to a human for a hug or soothing words was impossible. Many food addicts lose weight to get married, only to find that they don’t have the skills to communicate loneliness, boredom, or anxiety to their partner. They slowly begin to turn to what has helped soothe them in the past, which is food. Before long, communication is compromised in the relationship. There is severe weight gain, which begins a disastrous cycle of withdrawing from sex, and turning to food. Soon the partner isn’t happy and the food addict feels shameful and guilty. These feelings of guilt and shame lock the cycle of turning to food even more securely. Weight loss surgery can help minimize disease and help people become more confident and mobile, but if there is an underlying sugar or food addiction, the weight will be re-gained. Sometimes that is in excess of eighty pounds. How can you help if you are addicted, married or know a food addict during the holidays? The key is to plan now. Realize that your partner or friend has a bigger problem than just eating too much. They need professional help, and they need it now. Find out who is on your plan for insurance and what it allows for help with eating disorders. Begin journaling your intake and talk to your partner about journaling theirs as well. This helps you become a team and to feel supported. Encourage your partner to begin turning to you for comfort or if you are alone, have someone who can accompany you to the party. Stay close to them, and when you feel alone turn to them for conversation or hold their hand. This helps delay your sense of needing food. Help them join a food addiction group, and if they are your partner, go with them if they need your support. There are several in Houston, and “Over Eaters Anonymous” offers a 12-step program for food addicts. Your partner suffers shame and guilt every day. Try to remember this, and be gentle. There is a lot of secrecy in this disorder. If they let you in, respect that. Food addicts are hurt, and we as a society can become part of the problem or part of the solution. Most addicts of food (and other addictions) have an enabler. The enabler complains about the behavior, but also supplies the fix. People who are co-dependent or have a low self-esteem may derive their security from enabling an addict. If you live with a food addict, or you suffer a food addiction, the best thing you can do prior to going to the party or being with friends where a lot of food will be present is to have a plan. Set a time limit for yourself at the party and have someone you are accountable to who helps you stay on track. –Mary Jo Rapini *As with all addictions, interventions only work if the addict wants to heal. Harping, nagging and pleading will be met with resistance to change until the addict is ready to make the change.