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My program’s advice was to drink water in between each alcoholic bevvy to remain hydrated. I haven’t had a drink yet but will likely have a glass of wine in a couple of weeks at a social event and am keeping that advice (I’ll be 6 weeks post op by then.)

Hi there Started drinking 10 months after which immediately slowed my weight loss because of calories plus alcohol came with less control over chips and the like then discovered I was using it as a substitute soother for food - so felt needed to stop i found the effect of the alcohol very variable post sleeve. Sometimes I‘d have a single glass of wine and be absolutely drunk, other times several glasses with no apparent effect best to leave for odd sip for family toasts and the like in my experience

I've had a drink from time to time but nothing crazy. It hits you much harder than you'd expect. I can have half a beer and it's like "weeeeeee!!!" Which is fun but annoying as well. I don't drink often but love a good craft beer. It's near impossible to go out to eat and drink/eat at a meal. One time I went with some friends to BW3. Managed maybe half of a glass a beer and like 3 wings and I was done. Felt super full and miserable for the next hour. Other times I've spaced it out - drank the beer first (over the course of 30+ minutes) and then ate a little bit and felt fine. It's a crap shoot. Drinks with hard alcohol (like vodka w/ cranberry) are easier to drink, but again there's that risk of how hard and fast it can hit you. Definitely do not be the one to have to drive the first time you drink. Be at home or with somebody that can drive. As the others have said you really have to be cautious. It can become a trigger to eating things that you shouldn't or you end up getting a bunch of empty calories from drinking. I'm a weird one. I have anaddictive personality but can go 2-3 months without having a drink and it doesn't phase me. Yet when I was a smoker I couldn't go for long without having one and there's no way in hell I could ever be a social smoker where I only had one a few times a week.

9 years out and alcohol has come between me and my goal weight. I still am 100 lbs down from where I started but not where I wanted to be. My best advice is, if you want to drink at all...keep it to one or two drinks and drink something like vodka and light cranberry juice or red wine. 9 yrs. out

I was 264 and now am 146. I had the sleeve 4/14/14. I have had zero weight gain, however, I am the type to make a decision and stick with it. I made permanent changes and never backslide. I will eat something naughty at times but always stick to the overall plan. I don't drink alcohol and do not focus on food. I did the psychological work to permanently change my emotions. I have done serious work as health us a serious business. I no longer have any medical issues. Diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney and liver problems are gone. I only take an allergy pill, rather than 12 pills and 4 shots. The surgery is not a miracle, it is a tool. Your mind is the key. If you are the type that gives yourself permission to self destruct, you must take care of that. That was my approach. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

i was not into alcohol before surgery, i'm not fan of alcohol now as post-op.. i prefer some wine if i go out..

Thanks for posting. I will try to avoid these mistakes! The one about alcohol is pretty scary. I know a lady who had the gastric bypass around 7 or 8 years ago and later became an alcoholic. She lost custody of her kids (her parents are now in custody of them), and her life is in shambles. It can be so easy to transfer addictions. A lot of us are addicted to food- we need to be careful.

alcohol and caffeine do stimulate acid secretion in your stomach, as does decaffeinated coffee. Caffeine also blocks production of prostaglandins, weakening your stomach's cytoprotection........(what ever that means) ......probably why we shouldn't have caffeine

I agree with all of the above posters, know thyself. I am a vet at 3 yrs out and am now getting rid of the regain I experienced last year. That regain happened for many reasons but one of them was lulling myself into a sense of security with the "only in moderation" approach. Some people can do that, some can't. I can't. I couldn't before the sleeve and I can't now. I consider myself a food addict, in the past I have treated food in exactly the same manner as a druggie or alcoholic, self-medicating to ease internal pain. Some people out there can have one drink, one sniff of cocaine, one spoonful of chocolate and Peanut Butter Haagen Daz, and not be particularly interested in having more. If that were me, I would never have needed the sleeve inthe first place. My choice is to abstain with a caveat; someone mentioned pizza, I won't have a slice of pizza per se, but I will take all my favorite toppings, put them on a cauliflower crust in a muffin tin and make a low carb high Protein gluten free mini pizza. I may not have Pasta noodles per se, but I will jullienne zuchinnis blanche them and make low carb high protein fettucine. You see where I'm going with this? Also as someone said, your tastes do really change, there are things I loved before that I can't stand now and vice versa. One last thing - if you are still in your honeymoon period and already scheming on ways to eat bad/trigger foods, you might want to consider adding therapy to your recovery, I personally consider it essential.

1. How long did you go before having your first drink? 3 weeks - a small glass of wine for my friend's birthday. 2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol? None at all. 3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol? No, still losing. 4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before? No. It certainly effects me differently. I feel like I get the buzz from the first sip, but I don't get tipsy, just that lightly buzzed feeling then I feel like I have to stop.

How long did you abstain pre-opt? I quit 6 weeks before surgery and I'm glad I did. Not only did it help me lose 30 lbs per-opt and accelerate obtaining my goal, but each week I abstained, the easier it got. By the time on went on a liquid diet, alcohol was the least of my fond memories.

Obviously, the surgery is the biggest part of the weight loss...no way could I have done it without being sleeved. I REALLY followed my nutrition plan, religiously, for the first year. No 'cheating' or whatever you want to call it...I buckled down and did my program. I pushed Protein like crazy that first year, and ate very few carbs. I lost mostly body fat and not much of my muscle due to eating that way. I was very lucky, having the surgery put my fibromyalgia, early arthritis and psoriasis into remission; it also lowered my blood pressure so much that I left the hospital off all meds. Those changes in my inflammatory pain made it so much easier for me to exercise, which in turn made the weight loss go faster. I lost about 50 lbs in the first 3 months, 25-ish the next 3 months and the remainder of my loss was slow and over the rest of that first year. I only exercise moderately, I'm just much more active than I was at 262. My fitness level is much better; for example, we just went to Alaska and I was able to hike over 15 miles a day for days on end, without any preparation. Now I'm moving into the time when my restriction has eased up a bit and my stomach is more tolerant of foods. I had quit tracking and have been just eyeballing portions, and I gained 4 pounds on my 2 week vacation. We drank beer or wine daily, and I had dessert several times, so the gain wasn't a surprise but it did remind me that I have to put in the effort to track, watch my alcohol intake closely and skip Desserts. I've already lost 2 of the 4 I gained, which is a relief. It's a life long effort, aided by the restriction of my sleeve, not a miracle cure...and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself <3 Thank you for all the details! You’ve done so great, congratulations!

My starting weight is the same! I’d love to be 160 at the end. I’m only about 5-6 weeks out from surgery and have lost almost 30 pounds... I’d love to hear about your journey. Do you feel like some things were an extra help to you? Do you exercise a lot? Do you attribute it to the surgery, or other important variables too? Obviously, the surgery is the biggest part of the weight loss...no way could I have done it without being sleeved. I REALLY followed my nutrition plan, religiously, for the first year. No 'cheating' or whatever you want to call it...I buckled down and did my program. I pushed protein like crazy that first year, and ate very few carbs. I lost mostly body fat and not much of my muscle due to eating that way. I was very lucky, having the surgery put my fibromyalgia, early arthritis and psoriasis into remission; it also lowered my blood pressure so much that I left the hospital off all meds. Those changes in my inflammatory pain made it so much easier for me to exercise, which in turn made the weight loss go faster. I lost about 50 lbs in the first 3 months, 25-ish the next 3 months and the remainder of my loss was slow and over the rest of that first year. I only exercise moderately, I'm just much more active than I was at 262. My fitness level is much better; for example, we just went to Alaska and I was able to hike over 15 miles a day for days on end, without any preparation. Now I'm moving into the time when my restriction has eased up a bit and my stomach is more tolerant of foods. I had quit tracking and have been just eyeballing portions, and I gained 4 pounds on my 2 week vacation. We drank beer or wine daily, and I had dessert several times, so the gain wasn't a surprise but it did remind me that I have to put in the effort to track, watch my alcohol intake closely and skip desserts. I've already lost 2 of the 4 I gained, which is a relief. It's a life long effort, aided by the restriction of my sleeve, not a miracle cure...and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself <3

Well I exercised yesterday but, not today go figure lol. I had a hair appointment today so got home too late plus had to write an annual self-evaluation for my annual review. Man oh man I HATE writing about myself like that. I feel like I'm always so freaking busy but, to put it on paper...ummm why is it I can't remember squat! Pat I broke out my Wii board yesterday...did the hola hoop OMG that's a workout, did the step aerobics and the ski jump hee hee did that for about 30 minutes, walked on my treadmill for 15 and the eliptical for 5 and I was wiped! I'm going to biotch again....LIQUIDS SUCK, LIQUIDS SUCK! OMG they suck! hahaha I'm hungry and getting biotchy about it. I still have another week :wink2: Ya know we were told no straws from now on......but I'm liking the sound of anything that would fit through a straw is ok to have lol. I'm trying to hold out. I ordered some new protein drinks, bars and snacks from that Lindora program I'm doing but, man it's taking a LONG time to get them! I want to behave but want something different. At least today I had egg drop soup for dinner. It was pretty good considering it wasn't a protein shake lol. We're suppose to have a nice Northeaster storm tomorrow 6-8 inches of snow. We had a dusting this morning. DH is going to drive me into work...doesn't want me driving yet because I still occassionally get light headed especially in the mornings. I hope we don't get too much snow...it's pretty but, man what a mess with traffic. We're having a quiet New Years here at home. I'll watch the Dick Clark special and go to bed lol. Although alcohol is technically liquid huh? lol. Won't be such a hit at the docs though so I'll behave again. One day at a time. Tomorrow I'll create a new thread and make it a Jan-March thread if everyone is ok with that? I figure we don't use enough pages to warrant one a month anymore. I'll post the link to it here so folks know it's ready. I'll create the exercise challenge thread too at the same time and post the link. thoughts?

Alcohol use is exactly why Carnie Wilson re-gained her weight after her bypass. She was supposedly up to 10 mimosas a day! You've taken a brave step by admitting it on here. I know you don't want to waste all your pain and hard work. We are here for you whenever you feel the temptation!

I was told that I would for sure become an alcoholic after surgery during my pre-op psyche visit. Here I am at 10.5 months out and, while I do drink alcohol sometimes, I'm not an alcoholic. I am working very hard to transfer my addiction to exercise instead!

Last night I attended the bariatric support group meeting of my local medical group. There were 35 people in the room including a staff nutritionist and the Procedure Scheduling Coordinator. The attendees fell mostly into three groups. The first group were people going through the process of being approved for surgery. The second group had received surgery recently and were in the first few months of reducing. The third group were people who had surgery about a year ago and had lost a substantial amount of weight. And then there was me. I was the only one there who'd had WLS more than a year ago (2003 is certainly more than a year ago!). As I listened to the discussion, what struck me was that the main voices in the room were those in the honeymoon period. Most speakers were less than a year out from their surgery, had lost a tremendous amount of weight and were very euphoric. The theme that dominated the session was that it is smart for the prospective patient and those in the first few months post-surgery to surround themselves with people who have only positive things to say about their WLS, only read positive message boards and blogs, and keep away from any 'negative' perspectives. I make a point of spending time on message boards where people are struggling with their weight-loss surgery. I need to be able to understand their challenges in addition to those I have personally faced. As a Life Coach I need to see why and how people struggle and how they get beyond it. In addition to benefiting me professionally, this helps me on my own journey to maintain my goal weight when my old thoughts and behavior patterns re-appear. I spoke up to the group last night because I think it's important for all of us to focus not only on the positive, but also to acknowledge the land-mines that anyone can experience after weight-loss surgery. Otherwise, the opportunity is lost to learn from the struggles of others and avoid avoidable pit-falls. Weight loss surgery is an amazing tool for change, but it isn't good for everyone. Attention to some peoples' bad post-surgical experiences is an opportunity to balance the information given (or not given) by the those with an economic incentive to sell surgery. For example, at last night's meeting there was a woman (who has been approved for surgery in November) talking about how she looked forward to the end surgery would bring to her desire to eat in stressful situations. The professionals in the room were silent. I said to this woman, "Many weight-loss surgery patients still battle the tendency to eat when stressed." I told her that she shouldn't expect the surgery to eliminate the desire to eat when stressed and that it would be wise to begin to create strategies now for dealing with her stress after surgery. I told her that in my experience and in the experience of many of my clients, the stressful situations that triggered the desire to eat in the past are still very present after weight-loss surgery. With the loss of food as an ally and a slimming body that can feel vulnerable and unprotected in the world many turn to drugs or alcohol or force unhealthy foods down their throats looking for a de-stressor or comfort. Last night's discussion leads me to ask you, the BariatricPal veteran, the following questions: What were you told prior to surgery about life after surgery that was not entirely true or was not the entire story? What do you wish you had fully understood prior to surgery that you did not and what do you believe would have put you in the best possible position to succeed after surgery? What information, if any, was missing in the lead-up to your surgery that gave you unreasonable expectations or that led to disappointment in the months or years since surgery? I don't pose these questions to be negative, I want as many people as possible to succeed with their surgeries! I want to clear the air and "add to the record" about what weight-loss surgery does and what it will NEVER do. So, those of you who have had surgery, what do you want those considering surgery to know?

I just want to share my personal AL knowledge and experiences. Please, hear all of my message. I had my VSG on 11/30/15. My surgeon specifically made me promise never to drink again. Well, except champagne toast at my upcoming wedding. Both of my parents and my younger sister had the gastric bypass almost 15 years ago. My dad rarely drank before, but is now an alcoholic (struggling with recovery). My sister first had prescription pain medication addiction. Once she got that addiction under control, she began drinking. She is currently in an alcohol recovery program. Of course everyone is different. Not everyone that drinks becomes an alcoholic, but statistics DO show an increased risk post weight loss surgeries. I guess I just don't understand choosing such a drastic procedure to improve quality of life, then knowingly possibly choosing a life of addiction.

Thanks for all your responses (both here and via PM). Although I'm months away from venturing into social drinking waters, I'm thinking about how I'll proceed when that day comes. I have been enjoying (greatly) a spicy Virgin Mary around "Cocktail Hour" and I'm thinking that when I'm ready to give alcohol a test drive, I'll start by adding a little vodka and seeing how it goes (I'm thinking a half shot or so). Any bloody mary drinkers out there try this this approach?

My surgeon has the same advice. I was was an avid wine/beer drinker pre- surgery (especially around the holidays). I am only 4 weks out, so no alcohol yet, but man do I look forward to a glass of wine someday lol I have family members with a sleeve and RNY and they both drink post-op. Aside from not drinking as much to getting drunk much faster they have had no other "complications"

1. How long did you go before having your first drink? Probably about 3 months 2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol? No 3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol? No. But if I've drank, I do retain Water the next day. Have to drink lots more water to flush it out 4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before? No, though you only know you. I know a lot of people do develop transfer addictions to replace the food. It's something to think about.

1- I waited about 6 - 8 weeks 2- I have had no medical issues at all. And alcohol do not effect my surgery. 3- I have not gained any weight attributed to alcohol, I'm down 75 lbs. And still loosing!! 4- I'm not an alcoholic! And have not developed alcoholism.. lol I'm not addicted. I enjoy spirits. And I drink coffee too!

1. How long did you go before having your first drink? Three weeks- I had a few sips of champagne at a dinner to be polite. After that, probably about 8 months until I had a tequila night. 2. Have you had any MEDICAL complications with your surgery that were attributed to drinking alcohol? Nope 3. Have you gained back significant weight from drinking alcohol? Nope 4. Have you developed an alcohol addiction post VSG after having been able to control your drinking before? Nope..I developed a shopping addiction, lol.

Your not completely wrong with you first judgement, before I had VSG, I drank beer and tequila 5 nights a week, I have been very good staying away from it till yesterday, I know not to drink beer and thought, to get rid of my tension I would have 1 or 2 shots, thing is I thought from all that unread I would have had a very nice buzz, but did not, only paid for it this morning, massive headache . I agree, alcohol is as bad as the worst drug out there. I have learned my lesson, no more being an idiot Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My co-workers made me a bag of goodies for the hospital and one of the best things in it is a product called Quease Ease. It's a little smelly thing you peel the lid off of and inhale to relieve nausea. It's the same premise as the alcohol pads (which also works great and nurses have done this for years!). They are a great smell--very minty! You can order them off of Amazon.