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I think the goal of getting drunk with friends is probably problematic, but just in case you're wondering, you probably will not be able to drink as much if you have a RNY. One, alcohol irritates the heck out of your stomach. Two, you may end up throwing up - also not great for your stomach, throat and teeth. Three, alcohol makes you more likely to make bad food choices. All that said, you will also likely get a buzz or drunk off much less alcohol. Even a "girly" drink like a margarita may prove too much. - Ask me how I know Try to focus on what you have to GAIN. The things you have to lose may seem big right now, but write a list and do a comparison. What do you have to GAIN if you are successful? What do you have to lose if you DON'T have the surgery? And like others have said, this is a great conversation to have with a counselor or therapist.
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Amanda, I've had a similar experience & can completely understand and empathize. I was banded in August 2010, I was desperate, had been battling my weight for 15 years. I didn't really prepare myself mentally for it & thought it would be a quick fix. For the first year I did ok but then I didn't listen to my body & started eating bigger portions & all the wrong foods, I was constantly being sick because of binging, got to the point I couldn't even keep liquid down but I thought this was good because it would mean I would lose weight!! Finally after not being able to cope with the discomfort I got it emptied, blaming everything on the band! I then tried every fad going......lived on shakes for months until I got to the stage normal food made me wretch & I didn't want to eat. I was so depressed I then went to the other end of the spectrum & starting binging in secret.....even taking food to the bathroom to have in secret......disgusting!! I realized in October 2013 I had issues & went to my GP he referred me to a eating disorder specialist......this was the turning point......I saw her every week together with a psychologist and managed to get to the bottom of my food issues which weren't actually food.......it could have been any addiction, drugs, alcohol anything I could use as a crutch. I have now been discharged from their care and have taken the first steps to lose the weight (I'm now 50lbs heavier than when I was banded).......I got my first fill 2 weeks ago & have been patient and sensible & now realize it's simply a helpful tool but you need to work with it and change your eating habits & mental attitude to succeed. Good luck Amanda I wish you well xx
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I had a sweet tooth before i had WLS, i am 4 months post op and have no desires for unhealthy food. I enjoy watching others eat it more than i would actually eat it. After you work for something as hard as you do before and after WLS, you really become a new person and have different perspectives about many things.. Ask far as drinking goes, you should stay away from liquid calories.. So the best option might be vodka and a no calorie mixer.. You also are affected much differently by alcohol after weight loss surgery. Hope this helped!!!
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Interesting article - Top 10 Post-Op mistakes
Lolo~t replied to Keeper's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I like all of them except not drinking alcohol for a year ???? -
Psych Evaluation on Monday
mclorrie replied to lele109's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was a little nervous for my psych appointments too! I was required to have two appointments by my surgeon. My first appt. he asked about my past - was there any physical abuse as a child, or did I ever abuse drugs or alcohol? He also wanted to make sure that I have good support at home. It wasn't bad at all! My second appt. went very well! He told me that I'm right on track with everything I'm supposed to be doing for surgery, and told me that he was going to write his letter giving me clearance for surgery! Hope this eases your mind! And good luck! -
Calling all Veterans......
Kindle replied to lele109's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You're right, the surgery won't do that AT ALL. The mental preparation and your commitment plays more of a role in your success (or failure) than the physical surgery. Have you ever watched my 600 pound life? It's actually quite easy to fail. But it's also easy to succeed. Sure, you will have daily struggles with food choices, emotional battles and cravings, but it's easier to win these battles with a tiny tummy to help. Knowing what your weaknesses are and learning how to move past them is something you have to do. It's easier for some than others....most WLS patients get professional counseling and therapy to help with the mental part. I never thought I wouldn't want to drink to deal with life's stresses, but it happened. I now find satisfaction and happiness from things other than food and alcohol. I know it's a corny motto, but the "eating to live, not living to eat" really can become a new reality. -
Calling all Veterans......
Kindle replied to lele109's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I followed the good ol "Protein first, then veggies, get all my fluids and take my vitamins" rule until I reached goal. I then added in more fruit and whole grains and still lost another 10 pounds. My weight has stabilized and I've maintained for 7 months. And Like Michiganchic, I basically just eat like a normal thin person. Nothing bothers my sleeve so I pretty much eat whatever I want, making good, healthy balanced choices 80-90% of the time, and Desserts, sweets, bread, Pasta, and alcohol the other 10-20%. I can't tell you what I typically eat, because it's different every day. I do drink a large 24-32 oz smoothie everyday with 30-40g protein. This helps me get a big chunk of my protein, fluids and Fiber all in one so I'm free to eat a variety of other stuff throughout the day. I eat when I'm hungry, usually 5-6 times/day and never overeat. I don't track or measure my food, I don't count calories and I don't obsess over the scale. I nibble on most everything at parties. I ate a shit ton of sweets and all my moms great home cooking over Christmas. Yes, I gained weight because of it, but just went back to protein/veggies basics afterwards and lost it again...pretty much what my thin friends do after the holidays or a vacation. I go out with friends and order whatever looks yummy. It's just now I always have leftovers to take home. I have an occasional glass of wine or cocktail. Alcohol doesn't affect me any different than preop, and unfortunately I am NOT a lightweight...it takes a LOT for me to get tipsy, so I really don't bother drinking much anymore. I was pretty much a functional alcoholic before surgery, so this is probably the biggest change. This has actually been a very easy transition and a lifestyle I can easily maintain. Sure, lots of changes from a nutritional standpoint, but I don't feel deprived in any way. I look back now at all the crap I ate and think Yuck...no wonder I felt so lousy for so long! -
Accepting yourself loose skin and all!
Onyx999 replied to amz85's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I too am brutally honest, so thank you for not sugar coating. But i didnt realize last night that a lot of post op ppl have a problem with alcoholism so i wish now that id used better examples. No ive had drinks in the past and never been a "drinker". I was worrying about limitations that WLS would give me, simply so that i would know about them. I already have limitations from being fat! Haha so naturally this isnt really a problem for me, but if id have to be vegan bcuz of WLS id want to know. Ya know? I don't watch TV, so i'm not sure what a dear me is? -
Thank you all for replying! I just wana say that im not an alcoholic lol i didnt realize last night that ppl had probs with alcoholism post op. I probably couldve used better examples, but what i meant was that i was worried about irreversible effects that WLS will have because to me, despite the fact that this weight issue is so important to me, long term effects are something to think about. They should be considered, especially since im a natural worry wart But one thing ppl could not say is that im rushing into it or not considering the rest of my life and potential limitations.
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I'm 27 and pre-op. I'm having gastric bypass on 4/6/15. I have all the same concerns you are, but I'm beginning to weigh the potential positives over the potential negatives. Your first year will be difficult. You're going to have to relearn how to eat and drink and maintain your new lifestyle of Protein, Vitamins, exercise etc. My doctor's post op instructions ban alcohol for a year. Others have had alcohol within their first year. Every body is different, but my doctor boasts a low number of patients with post op complications and problems if they adhere to her instructions. The things I worry most about are being isolated from my friends. They love to eat, and they're not against an all day Mimosa Sunday Funday. Then I think about what I was doing that caused me to gain so much weight. The bulk of my weight was gained after I turned 20. I had a boyfriend who worked in fast food/nightlife industry. Then I turned 21. I went out to drink a lot. After drinking, we ate greasy food to end the night. The next day you eat shitty food to nurse your hangover. It was cyclical. I attribute a lot of my problems with food to the social aspect of it. We eat to Celebrate, we eat to catch up, we drink to destress from the work week etc. I won't be able to do that anymore. Food for me has to be nutrition only; not to celebrate, not to cope, not for boredom. You'll have to learn to eat to live, not live to eat. And it's going to be really hard. And if your friends are your age and not dealing with the same struggles you are, it's going to be harder because they aren't going to be able to offer the type of support you'll need. I agree with @@Djmohr, you need to express all of your concerns to a therapist or psychologist. And you should find a support group for WLS patients and see if you can't find a WLS buddy or mentor, especially to get you through the first year. Good luck with whatever you decide <3
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I am one week post op gastric sleeve and am doing really well. I am 66 years old and on the opposite end of the lifecycle. My reasons for wls were improving health and mobility in order to enjoy the rest of my life. I was wondering what methods you have already tried and also if you already have medical issues.? Your fears are normal for sure. The alcohol issue is a moot one for me as I do not drink but if you have problems with alcohol would address that ASAP. Wish you well on this journey.
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I'm 47 and all I can say is I do it ALL as a postop. Most of the time, I eat what I like in very small quantities. Beer with dinner? Errr... no. Can't do that anymore, but get drunk with my friends, ya, occasionally. I almost always REGRET it afterwards and I'm a bit of a "light weight" (literally) now, but alcohol is not a problem in general. I DO have to work it in around food since eating\drinking together are a no no. It makes me uncomfortable, so I just don't anymore. The calories... are a different story and will still catch up with me if I indulge too often. I HAVE made major changes, do get that wrong. I exercise regularly now, make sure I get my 70+g Protein, all supplements and weigh once per week, (no more). I can't over eat anymore period. If I eat too much sugar, (it has to be WAY too much), I'll dump painfully, (just not worth it). My relationship with food is forever changed. So you don't have to change EVERYTHING, but everything will change if you hope to be successful. I'm definitely NOT sorry I did this and wish it was available when I was in MY 20's. Maybe I would't be trying to relive them now!
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I think you are wise to be "worrying" about these things. It means you are considering the long-term consequences of the surgery and not deciding impulsively, which is commendable for a 20-year-old! Life will definitely be different for you than someone who doesn't have WLS. You will miss out on crazy nights of drinking 28 shots (I wouldn't recommend it anyway!) or drinking 12 beers while gambling all day in a casino in Vegas. I've had alcohol a couple of times now post-op (I'm six months out). And my experience is that I get drunk on VERY LITTLE alcohol now. Like one drink and I am sloppy drunk. However, I seem to sober up a lot faster than I used to too. What I would be concerned about at your age if you do drink post WLS is making sure you are doing it in a safe environment and are not in a position to have to drive. Because you will get drunk on so very little alcohol, it would be easy for you to get to a level where you are very impaired and could be taken advantage of. And I wouldn't trust any of the normal "rules" about when it's safe to drive. You should make a rule for yourself right now that if you have ANY alcohol at all, you shouldn't drive, period. It would just be far too difficult to judge how much alcohol would put you over the legal limit and how long afterward it would take for you to fall back below the legal limit. Be safe!
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eventually you will be able to eat whatever you like to a degree, yont be able to eat as muchby a lot. what you have to do is adapt, you need to find things that replace food, and alcohol, can you go drink 12 beers and get trashed? no, good luck getting one beer in, unlesss you nurse it and since most beers have a huge amount of carbs and sugar and calories you really wouldnt want to. SO what about hard alcohol, well with a smaller stomach alcohol is moving into your intestines faster than normally which means it hits your bloodstream a LOT faster and harder, I have heard it said sleevers absorb alcohol into the blood at a rate 5 to 7 times faster than a non sleever would. Even more so for a bypass patient. so you have to be careful i did a half shot during the superbowl, and really felt it, and not only did i feel it, it also put me in a stall for 4 days, so i dont advise it. besides be the sober one , its easily worth the weight loss.i wish i had done it in my twenties id trade drunkenness for being thin and not being the fat one in the group anyday.
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Well, you definitely are not alone. I was just as worried as you are about life after the sleeve. Even before I started losing a significant amount of weight, I was anxious. I had been overweight for 40 years. I knew how to be fat. Now I had to learn to be thin. I don't know how to be thin!!!!!!! But I'm working on it. Plus, after being overweight for so long, losing weight was a dream I had given up on. So for the longest time, I kept expecting something to go wrong and I'd gain the weight back. I'm 48 and over 2 years post-op. Life is very normal, pretty much the same as it was pre-op. The major change is that I have control over my eating. I don't have food cravings that are out of control anymore, there's nothing I CAN'T eat (it's just in smaller portions) and I can still drink alcohol (but I get drunk much quicker). It took me many months to embrace the idea that my weight was finally under my control and I was finally at a normal weight. Take it a day at a time and eventually the dream will become reality.
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@@Onyx999, have you talked with the phsycologist about your worries. They can really help you work through some of your feelings. I do think the idea of going out and getting drunk with friends might be a bit concerning and I understand that it is a part of life however you will have to be very careful with this. It is a known fact that many bariatric patients trade one addiction for another and ultimately become alcoholics. It is one of the things your surgeon will warn you about. My surgeons office actually made me sign a contract stating I would not touch alcohol for the first year. They figure by that time you have built healthy food and drink habit. Also liquor has a lot of calories so it could cause you to gain if you drink a lot of it. You are not crazy for thinking about all of these things, we all do it. The reality for me so far is that your taste changes and most of those things are not even appealing anymore. I started getting heavy in my 20's and now I am 51. I wish I could turn back time and do this in my 20s. I feel like I gave up so much of my life being obese. If I had to do it all over again, I would make the decision to do this in my 20s so I could enjoy more of my life. That of course is easy for me to say as all of those experiences are behind me and I realize that they just were not important. I think if you talk through some of your worries with your phsycologist it might help you. Good luck to you, please keep us posted on your progress as you move forward.
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Thats definately comforting Thank you Im not an alcoholic or anything, but i turn 21 next month and the thought of not being able to go out drinking like a normal girl my age seemed like id be missing out on life experiences that maybe one day id regret not doing. But as of right now im missing out on everything because im too self conscious to really enjoy anything, and i know it probably sounds crazy but half the time i dont even want to leave my room. Part of my reasons for surgery is because im tired of being the fat girl and tired of missing out on my life just because im too imcomfortable to live it. Does that sound nuts? Lol plus im not sure which WLS to get. Thinking either RNY bypass, or that gastrectomy where they just remove excess stomach without bypassing anything. What are you getting and why did you pick that one? Thank you for Replying by the way maybe its a self conscious thing, but i always feel like i annoy ppl or talk to much cuz im paranoid about everything haha
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Does your sleeve tolerate xylitol?
mrsbailey921 replied to LumpySpacePrincess's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
i can't tolerate ANY sugar alcohols or alternatives. only regular sugar. i am not sure what the reasonings are, but after having horrid reactions to every artificial sweetner and gum with sugar alcohols in it...i RUN whenever they're around LOLOL. -
This is a life changing surgery, not life stopping! Life includes eating things that fuel your body with healthy eating....it also includes overeating, indulgences and joy. I don't eat the sugar free candies cuz the sugar alcohol makes me gassy. If I want something, I eat a bite or two and I'm done. You're allowed to be kind to yourself. That's why you had the surgery in the first place. So allow yourself a treat and pick healthier the next meal. I used to obsess over then strictest plan imaginable, and I was healthy but miserable. I finally can take a sip of a milkshake, single bite of cake/pizza/chocolate and put it down! It's amazing to be able to say NO after 1-2 bites!! It's so satisfying seeing other people jealous of my "discipline" when I've really just been "bad"!!
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October 2014 sleevers check in please!
Jen - a work in progress replied to Jen - a work in progress's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I've been doing pretty good and met my original goal I set for myself. I had surgery October 23rd and was at 238lbs. Today I am at 178. My goal was to get back to 180lbs. Since I'm still in that 6 month window of loss, I'm sure I'll continue to drop and be closer to my dieticians agreed upon goal for me of 150lbs. I'm not really following any diet now. I still eat healthy like I should - that's a permanent lifestyle change I've had even before I embarked on this journey. I do drink alcohol more than I'm willing to admit but in social settings which also happens to be often. I'm working on getting toned up now to try and pull everything back together again. I know my weight will go up as my muscle increases since muscle weighs more than fat. Overall, I am very happy with the surgery so far and my results even tho I have a long ways to go being only 4 months out. -
Some more insurance questions
Katie Loesch-Meyer replied to Katie Loesch-Meyer's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I believe you are correct that they are looking for people who abuse alcohol. Your couple of drinks should have no bearing on your being approved. The nurse who took my history found it extraordinarily amusing when I told her that enjoyed a wine cooler every year during the Super Bowl! Haha! I'm not against alcohol, I just have been pregnant or nursing for the past 5 years, so that limits things quite a bit. And when you are chasing the kids, turn around, and your drink is now warm and flat, you have no desire to finish it. Plus, I'm always dieting and it is too many calories. The only indulging I have had is special occaisions, and man I regretted the champagne I had, felt like crap the next day. My husband had the same amount and felt fine, I just don't do well. I'm too darn old for booze! -
Some more insurance questions
samuelsmom replied to Katie Loesch-Meyer's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I believe you are correct that they are looking for people who abuse alcohol. Your couple of drinks should have no bearing on your being approved. The nurse who took my history found it extraordinarily amusing when I told her that enjoyed a wine cooler every year during the Super Bowl! -
Some more insurance questions
Katie Loesch-Meyer posted a topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Hi all, I'm new here. I am investigating surgery, probably roux-en-y because I have pretty bad reflux already and that's the surgery that is supposed to help fix that. I've called my insurance several times, and finally, after 5 different people have a printed list of what the qualifications are! And, I meet them! It says BMI of 40 or 35 with comormidities. I have a BMI of 40 and GERD, which they specify as one of the comorbidites. Then is says, "documentation of weight management attempts, and inability to sustain weight loss." I am printing out past weight watchers billing reports, and Jenny Craig is sending me something as well. I'm thinking that should work? It doesn't say it has to be medically supervised, or give a length of time. Then it just says I have to have a dietary consultation, and a psychological evaluation, which sounds pretty standard. And "No history of drug or alcohol use, or drug and alcohol free for greater than one year." I have had a few drinks, but honestly, other than one or two occasions haven't had a full drink in at least 3 yrs.....not because I hate alochol but when I'm supervising my kids I don't have time for booze, lol. Would it be unethical to say "no drinking" when I've probably drank once in the last few years? I can't imagine it counts that I've had a sip of my husband's drink, or 1/4 glass of something here or there sporadically. I imagine they are just ruling out any chances of alcholism. -
My 600 pound life
melhach replied to holliwood1980's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
We can still enjoy alcohol after surgery! -
Does your sleeve tolerate xylitol?
gal friday replied to LumpySpacePrincess's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Yup! I can have large amounts of sugar alcohols with no effect on my GI system. My dad, however, who has the band, has never tolerated sugar alcohols of any kind. It really varies from person to person. I would get a product and test it out, see how your body reacts, and then buy more xylitol based products.
