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My best friend died about 7 moths after RNY. It still isn't clear the exact cause but I believe that it was partly due to alcohol and drugs. She moved out of state right before surgery so I wasn't there all the time, but prior to surgery she had some serious alcohol issues that she was in denial about and also used a lot of recreational drugs. Before she died, she was having trouble regulating her blood sugar due to drinking so much at night. I still miss her all the time. When I went into surgery, it was on my mind but I just figured that if it was time to punch my card, dying while under anesthesia wouldn't be a bad way to go, all things considered. I could think of a lot worse scenarios. I trusted my team and told those I love that I loved them and reassured them that I was in good hands. I have made a firm commitment to do everything my surgeon tells me to do, even when I think I know better or when it's hard. I selected him because I believed he was the best and getting out of my own way and doing the work is what will make all the difference.

... sort of? About 2 years ago I had what I and then ER people thought was a gallbladder attack. I had eaten terribly (chicken fajitas, the onions and peppers cooked in butter and oil =x on top of over eating) and started feeling sick. You know that, 'if I could only throw up I'd feel better' feeling. Well, I started throwing up and couldn't stop. So we went to the ER (which at the time was 20 miles away, before they finished building the one in my town, not that this is a necessary detail). They gave me morphine, IV fluids, contrast solution for a CT scan, and other exams. They told me my gallbladder looked "sludgy" and told me to have my PCP make me an ultra sound appointment. My PCP at the time (I have a different one now) said that a CT was more accurate than an ultra sound and wouldn't schedule me one. Fast forward to last week, Wednesday. The supposed GB attacks I had didn't last long (10/20 mins each), but we figured going to the ER couldn't hurt just in case, so we went. It was a surprisingly pleasant experience. The ER doc said it seemed like it's most likely my gallbladder. I told her that my old PCP wouldn't schedule me an ultra sound, so she scheduled me one for the next day. Since it's been a week since the ultra sound and I hadn't heard back from the dr, I called them this morning and my PCP called me with the results: my gallbladder is fine. My liver is huge. Over twice the size it should be. I can't remember what she said the size of a normal liver is, but I'm pretty sure she said mine is 21cm (I could be wrong, but I do remember then twice as big as it should be part). I fought off a panic attack and losing it at work. I saved that for when I got home. My PCP ordered blood tests, that I got then done after work today (apparently 4th times a charm). I should get an email with the results by Monday (hopefully). Once the results are in, we'll go from there. If the tests don't show anything, a biopsy may be necessary. Today I also called the dietitian at Kaiser for pre-op meal plan advice. This feels like my 'scared straight' moment. My PCP said I should eat healthy and exercise. That they are vitally important at this point. So maybe I'll dance around (and cry) a little before bed. Being the person I am, I googled 'enlarged liver.' And because I'm such a medical expert (I am so not!), I'd like to think a few of the pages I've read apply to me. And if they don't, that's fine. It just gives me peace of mind. Like, I've been feeling this way, liver problems can make a person feel this way. Oh, ok, I'm not going crazy, there's a reason for the way I've been feeling... for example. Plus I don't drink. There's non-alcohol alcohol like liver disease. Most likely cause from being fat. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Still, knowing that is relieving, though. Guess this means I can't get trashed on my birthday next month. Haha. Said the non drinker. When I do drink, if I do drink, it's an average of 4 times or less a year. Even if you double that in case I'm lying, I doubt that's enough for alcohol related liver problems. A fatty liver makes a whole lot more sense to me. I don't think people believe me when I say I could go the rest of my life without ever having another drink again. I just don't like drinking. Like how people don't believe me when I say that I don't watch tv. (which is different from watching shows I like on my computer.) Either way, though, it puts a damper in my surgery plans. Surgery or no surgery, I have to lose weight. Period. In all seriousness, they won't operate if you've got a fatty liver. It could break in half and that could end very badly. I'm not terribly concerned right now since I'm still processing what having surgery really means. I just wouldn't want to be on the table, cut into, my time off work all arranged, and no surgery b/c of my liver. That would be incredibly frustrating. I wonder if they can test for that to avoid this scenario. Really, I just need to stfu and wait for the results. I should go to the gym after work tomorrow. Uh... wat? 4th times a charm? When I was in the ER last week it took them 4 tries to get the IV in for blood tests and fluids. I still have a bruise on one failed spot. Apparently I have hard to get to veins. The first nurse couldn't find a vein to use, so they brought this other nurse in who stuck me 3 more times and did a super tight double wrap (makes you realize how hard it would really be to cut off your own arm; 127 hrs) and had to hit my hand pretty hard to get a vein to show. Today wasn't as bad, but the guy did try 4 spots before finding one, but at least he only stuck me once. Cry? It's like I can't handle happy. A couple hours ago when I was warming up my dinner I danced a little to a song I liked and I felt like crying because I was happy to be dancing to a song I like. Like the happy is too much to handle so tears come out. If that makes any sense. I tend to over-explain things. AND Isn't it kinda fucked up that I can be having a panic attack and no one can tell? I'm so good at looking fine when I'm not. That just seems so wrong. ... sort of? Like I said earlier, this was kind of like my come to Jesus moment. So even though this isn't necessarily good news, it's good that I now have a sense of urgency to take care of my health. Sooner rather than later.

What we did on our cruise to Alaska and our 14 day one to the Caribbean is use Water bottles for clear alcohol and diet coke plastic bottles for rum or bourbon. In each port of call, leave with the water you need to drink anyway and then stop at a liquor store and pick up your beverage of choice. I usually had a six pack of bottled water and then carried in my hand my refilled vodka water and walked right through the scanner with it. Never had a problem. We also brought coffee type mugs with lids so we could mix our drinks in our room and then wander around the boat, sit poolside, etc. Saved alot of money and NO we are not heavy drinkers. I actually lost 5 pounds on the cruise. ALso, it is much cheaper to not book excursions ahead of time with the cruise line. We waited till we got to port and usually if there were 6 or so of us it would cost almost half the price. And comparing at dinner, we usually saw and did so much more than the others. They bent over backwards to show us a great time. It also makes it nicer when you don't have to spend so much money and then tip after. If it was half price you don't mind giving them a generous tip. FYI -- Our cruise director on the Alaska trip told us about the alcohol tip and on the caribbean cruise our cabin guy told us about the excursions. I will see if I can arrange time to make it - sounds like you will all have a blast. 'HUGS Carol banded 12/29/03 269/167/147 PS - LBL 06/06

I used to drink Diet Coke/Coke Zero a lot - at least 16oz a day, but often twice or three times that amount. I had that habit for about 20 years. I gave it up cold turkey 3.5 years ago and I haven't missed it since (this was long before I ever decided to have bariatric surgery). Yes, I did have some cravings in the first couple weeks afterwards, but I was able to overcome them, unfortunately with other sweet things, like chocolate. I've heard from people that giving up soda also curbed their sweet cravings, but that wasn't the case for me. In fact, my sweet cravings went into overdrive. But eventually I was able to deal with that too. Based on what I've read, here are the reasons why any kind of carbonated drinks are not recommended, at least for the first six months (or ever): while it does not stretch your stomach, it probably feels like it does, and can be very uncomfortable for you you should be trying to keep the acidity of your stomach down, not increasing it empty calories - do not be fooled by the "sugar-free" label. Yes, you may not be consuming calories, but the rest of your body (your pancreas in particular) still thinks you are and will secrete more insulin to deal with the anticipated sugar rush. Of course, there is no sugar, but what happens over time is that you end up becoming more and more insulin-resistant and/or pre-diabetic/diabetic (if you aren't already). if your stomach is full from carbonation you won't have room for the food you really need soda, for many people, often accompanies other foods they shouldn't be eating, like pizza or burgers or fried food or chips or...You may have trained your body for years with those kinds of associations. It may be a slippery slope to start drinking soda again and not want a bite or nibble of something to accompany it. most people who admit to drinking soda weekly or somewhat regularly again have lost most of their weight and/or are in maintenance. That's a much different situation than being within 6 months of major abdominal surgery. In the end however, it's up to you. To the OP: I noticed that your profile says that you are pre-op. Like so many other habits (coffee, smoking, alcohol, etc) this is one addiction that you should probably get a hold of before surgery. The more you can deal with these things beforehand, the better.

Name, real or screen~ Lindsay Goal weight for May 31st~ 207 Weight on May 1st~ 214.8 Age~ 30 (31 on May 18g Dietary goal for May~ vacation and 4 birthdays including my own so keep to moderation on alcohol! Exercise goal for May~ 3x per week Personal goal for May~ get more sleep Date banded~ 13 oct 2012 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ appx 58.5 lbs Favorite Springtime Flower daffodil

@@cbonet I think therapy pre-op is so important. Obesity is a disease - there's no reason to beat yourself up. It's important to get emotionally ready for WLS. It's often more emotionally challenging than physically challenging. You won't have food to deal with your emotions and certainly don't want to turn to alcohol or prescription drugs as some family. Also - this is your journey - take care of yourself! We all have similar issues with food.

Well, now that Im 2 months post op I guess its good to revisit this thread .... What's working for me is journaling ... I use my fitness pal ... if i don't journal then my calories will get away from me. I try to stay under 1200 calories a day ... sometimes less. Its very hard as I only have 4.25 cc in an 11cc band. I exercise a lot more than I ever did before. I try to walk/jog a few miles a week. I also know that I need to stay away from alochol, even if its only 2 small drinks. Alcohol slows my weight loss and even makes me gain weight. I also don't count my grams of Protein a day. If i have too much protein, I gain or stall. Lastly, Im reading a book called "The Beck Diet" ... its helping work on my addiction to food and overeating. Its like $10 on Amazon.

By the way, I do not count fiber and sugar alcohols in my total daily carbs.

Yes!! And I truly believe this is yet another reason to try to avoid alcohol (at least for me); I tend to pay no heed to the signals of fullness if I have had a cocktail or wine.

Lissa - You are awesome! Congratulations on all your success! You mentioned having a drink to celebrate and I had to smile. It reminded me of what the NUT said at our preop meeting - alcohol is frowned on, but we'd be "cheap dates" cuz it would take so much less to get a buzz. I quit drinking many years ago but found that interesting....

Good advice riggins - also, what are you eating, are you drinking calories, are you tracking your food /water(or drink) intake, - this is the number one BEST way to be sure your remain on track - also do you drink alcohol - obviously all of these thing will vary your results - at the end of the day it's still about burning more than you consume... Lots of luck - keep your chin up, be active, make every bite count & be true to yourself ! - you can do this !

I did have a couple slime incidents when I was sick. Had a couple coughing episodes that ended with a messy suprise! The first time was not long after I had eaten and thought for sure the food was coming up, but not a bit a food. It was odd. Other than that, I've never thrown up and the only food issue I have is when I eat spicy things. I love spice! I try to keep it to a minimum, cause I pay for it with acid upset and heartburn =( Otherwise, my stomach hasn't really rejected anything. Got a little upset about a Burger King burger I had eaten...at a time that may or may not have been just a little to soon after surgery =) It's all trial and error and different for everyone. OH! I almost forgot! I totally CANNOT drink alcohol!! I really don't drink anymore, so it's not a big deal to me. I used to drink...a LOT!! But I got bored with it and decided to have a child instead! SO GLAD I traded!! Anyway, on New Year's Day, we had a bottle of champagne. All it took was 3 drink/sips, over the span of about 20 minutes and I was good!! Then one night I actually agreed to get out of the house and go to a comedy show with my BFF. So I go and decide to have a drink...cause you know...I'm out! Long story short I drink about 95% of a (I'm guessing) 12oz drink. I drank it over the course of the show, which was an hour 1/2. I felt buzzed while drinking it. By the time we left, I felt fine. I wasn't driving, but I didn't feel buzzed by the time we got to the car. My tummy was slightly queezy but not bad. Got home, decided to have a drink of water...and...well...I didn't get to keep what was left in my stomach. Wasn't much, but still not fun!

Yikes, anyways to OPs question, I’d recommend against it, if for no other reason than it has a reasonable chance of making you sick. No way to spend a fun event. If you do decide to do it, do a practice run at home first to make sure you know if it makes you sick, and if not how much you can drink now without taking an express train to embarrassingly drunk. 😅. Remember you won’t have food to “soak up” the drinks, and you just absorb alcohol different now. Also think about sugar content in drinks (more likely to make you sick at this stage) and carbonation. If you do decide to drink you might try a dry white wine, or a Bloody Mary, or something similar. Trying to think of low carbonation/lower sugar drinks. But yes, after a few months I’d say to your question on the regular gatherings there is no reason you wouldn’t be able to join in again. Again, I’d give it a few months, but if you want to start sooner that’s obviously up to you.

Not sure if it’s too late to chime in to be helpful but I’ll give you my experience and advice. I was not given much guidance by my program about alcohol other than to avoid it for the empty calories aspect. As a Jew, wine is part of our holidays, rituals and celebrations so it’s hard to avoid. Yea, I could do juice but I don’t want to, I like wine and I’m an adult, damnit. I had a small glass at home a week or so post op and noticed that it feels a little funny when it hits my stomach but that goes away quickly and I drink a lot less than I used to. I feel it sooner, but once I stop drinking the buzzed feeling goes away sooner too. So overall for me a pro. I drink 1-3 glasses a week (still much less than I did before) and do not binge cause I don’t want to get hammered in a hurry. If you’re going to drink at an event, I’d recommend trying it at home to see how you handle it. That way if you have a problem, you’re in a safe place. I can’t speak to the dumping as although I drink sweet wine, I haven’t had an issue. I just treat it like any other liquid and don’t chug or take big sips. This way, one glass lasts a lot longer too. Another bonus in my opinion. If your program specifically forbids it, I’d recommend following that recommendation just to save the hassle of having to tell them what you did lol. And I agree that if you chose not to drink then it shouldn’t be a problem. If you need to lol like you’re drinking you can always have the bartender mix up a cranberry and water cocktail or similar mixed drink minus the alcohol. If you chose to drink, you can nurse a glass of wine for an hour or more at a time and ask the bartender to pour you a weak cocktail, should you desire you a mixed drink. Bartenders are like hairdressers, they’re good at keeping secrets 😉

the death rate is very low, but it is normal to be scared. I wrote letters to my kids and made sure my basic affairs were in order. I don't personally know anyone who has died from WLS. I do have two relatives who died from obesity caused heart failure. My niece was 40 and my sister in law was 64 - they both dropped dead instantly; both were very heavy. I also know someone who died too young several years post gastri bypass. She was a diabetic and became an alcoholic / drug abuser. She died in her sleep - not from WLS, but from her addictions combined with the diabetes. I don't think anybody was trying to be flippant.... people just get brief in answering questions.

I like sweet drinks like pina coladas, where you can't taste the alcohol. One of the major reasons I don't drink is that I hate the way I feel afterwards. I get major hot flashes if I drink any alcohol, and I do mean any. I start sweating, my face turns red, and I honestly feel like I'm about to either puke or faint.

My nutritionist said wine is okay eventually. Just have to develop healthy habits first which takes a few months. The concern is that alcohol can cause you to make bad food choices as well. But I must confess (whispering) I had 5oz. of Merlot today...shhh. But I included it in my food journal and the nutritionist will see it Monday. Ohhh I am gonna get it! Haha! But I walked 29 city blocks everyday this week, so there.

Ok So i'm almost 8 day's into liquid diet Pre-Op. I actually made it through the weekend yay! Caffeine withdrawel headache has subsided compeltely but sunday i had a total meltdown and had a cup of caffeine FREE coffee with fat free skim and a splenda.. so if that is cheating then i'm sorry but it was heaven and really helped me throughout the day . I've not had any food thats not on the list of liquids and i don't plan to, but my weekend needed that ! I have givin up smoking from 2 packs a day to zip 0, alcohol, and food and caffeine. I think i'm doing great! woot woot.. surgery next monday 9/20/10

Here’s something my dietician provided me for the pre-op diet, the basic and alternative if you can’t do all liquid. The Diet: 1. Drink at least 64 ounces of fluids per day (all must be sugar-free, calorie free, and non-carbonated) 2. One multi-Vitamin with essential minerals per day. 3. Consume 1000 - 1200 mg of Calcium per day 4. No Alcoholic beverages 5. Drink 4 - 6 no sugar added Meal Replacement shakes each day (recommends Adkins Advantage even though it has 1 gram of sugar. They taste great and have 15 grams of Protein and 24 essential nutrients plus calcium and no trans fats) Sample Day: Breakfast: 1 shake Lunch: 1 Shake 4pm: 1 Shake (optional) Dinner: 1 Shake Bedtime: 1 Shake (optional) What if you break the liquid fast or just cannot follow a liquid diet for 2 weeks? Plan B - A shake and food meal plan that will keep the fat extremely low. The goal is still to lose as much weight as possible before surgery. The Meal Plan: 2-4 8-11 ounce high Protein Shakes a day 1 meal a day, composed of 3 oz seafood, turkey or chicken (no skin) Or 1 cup Non-fat/low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese or ricotta cheese And Non-starchy vegetables - up to one cup No corn, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes or baked Beans Fresh Fruit - 1 piece (1 cup) per day Olive oil - 1 tablespoon a day, no salad dressing, no mayonnaise Eat only 1 meal a day. Limited to 20 minutes per meal. Sample Day 1: Breakfast: 1 Shake Lunch: 1 Shake Dinner: Stir-fry 3 oz chicken ? cup broccoli ? cup mushrooms 1 tbsp Mrs. Dash 10-minute Mesquite Marinade 1 tbsp Olive oil Snack: 1 Shake Sample Day 2: Breakfast: 1 cup 2% Cottage Cheese 1 cup fresh peaches 1 cup Lettuce Lunch: 1 Shake Dinner: 1 Shake Snack: 1 Shake Sample Day 3: Breakfast: 1 Shake Lunch: 3 oz shrimp Lettuce 1 cup zucchini 1 tbsp Olive Oil Salsa 1 Pear Dinner: 1 Shake Snack: 1 Shake Hope this gives you some alternatives. Hugs, JoAnne

Can I have zevia sugar free root beer soda, if I let the carbonation go flat? As far as I can tell there is no sugar or bad substitutes that would be harmful. Unlike some of the ice creams I’ve seen suggested it doesn’t have sugar alcohols in it that I can see anyways. I was told to watch their intake with gastric bypass by my surgery team. I know carbonation is bad. So do any of you drink sugar free drinks like Coke Zero or zevia once in awhile - as long as it goes flat or at least sits a bit to lose some carbonation. I miss the taste of the stuff and the bubbles too. But I’d settle for a few sips as a treat. Just don’t want to hurt myself or Stretch pouch.

*trigger warning if you are scared about gastric bypass this is not a good post to read also it is a long * (admin if I shouldn't have posted this please delete) I debated long and hard about whether or not to talk about my dad and how he died. I never want to scare anyone and tbh his death wasn't so much because of the gastric bypass he had but rather the prejudice and malpractice of his primary care Dr and the hospital he went to for emergency care. My dad came into my life when I was 28yrs old. I didn't know I needed a dad honestly. He started dating my mom and considered me part of the package. He protected her, he protected me...no strings attached totally unconditional regardless if I wanted him to or not he was going to be there for me. Turns out even at 28 I needed a dad. He was 6ft 5", almost 500lbs, tattoos, beard, and a biker. Dad never talked a lot, he preferred actions. If he agreed with something he'd say "No doubt". If he didn't well he'd just shake his head and turn away. He had had 4 heart attacks by the time he had his gastric bypass surgery in 2009, He went down to 190ish lbs. Everything was great. He did everything he was supposed to do. Crushed his meds, no alcohol, watched his food ..he followed all the rules. Fast forward to July 2021. Dad and mom had split a few years back but he was still my dad. Around July 30th, he started having abdominal pain and couldn't go to the bathroom. He did something he hated to do.. he went to the Dr. The Dr filling in for his Dr took one look him..biker with tattoos wearing a leather jacket and on Medicare and immediately ignored him. He told dad if it was so bad go to the emergency room. So dad did. Hospital er looked at dad...biker with tattoos, wearing a leather jacket and on Medicare and assumed..drug seeker! Told him there was nothing wrong with him. They did no test and sent him home. About 2am on July 31, Dad was in horrible pain and call EMS, they weren't part of the hospital he had gone to earlier, in the ambulance they did an ultrasound on the way to their hospital. One of the paramedics picked up his cell phone and called the first number on it...my mom. They told her to meet them at the hospital, it was bad real bad. She and his biological daughter got to the hospital about the same time. Dr told them there was 3 options...1 take him into surgery immediately ..he would most likely died on the operating table 2. try to get him strong enough to have surgery he would most likely never wake up or 3 give him morphine and let him die. They chose option 3 and less than 30mins later he was gone. So what did a simple ultrasound find? Dad's large intestine had twisted so badly that while he ate, food couldn't get past the twist. Imagine making a balloon animal and twisting the balloon then keep blowing up one side.. the inevitable happened. The food side popped filling his body cavity with food and stomach acid. He didn't have to die. Had the Dr listened, they could have found it and done surgery to fix it. The hospital and the Dr, naturally, claimed no responsibility it was obviously the 12yr old gastric bypass that killed him. I wish I could say they were sued til they cried but dad's biological daughter refused. Me, I wanted their heads on a silver platter but I don't look good behind iron bars. My mom isn't very happy that I am having bariatric surgery less than a year after my dad died. She is trying to be supportive but she is scared. I often wonder what advise would he have given me. I got my insurance approval letter in the mail today and said to myself "so this is really going to happen". I swear I heard "No doubt" Sorry this was so long.

I've had some alcohol, a little beer and a little cider. I'm not much of a cocktail drinker (except for gin and tonic, I could kill a pitcher of those by myself!) and I've been hesitant to have wine, since it always gave me heartburn pre-surgery. My doctor is very much a 'think about it and watch how it makes you feel' kind of guy about foods and/or alcohol. I don't have any 'can't ever eat' restrictions, like some docs seem to give to their patients. It's working for me, I'm finding myself making good decisions without having someone give me tight right and left limits on what I can do.

My hubby and I were sleeved, he is not a drinker, i am a social drinker. He said that in his last class with the NUT someone said that they took 1 sip of wine and had to be helped home. The NUT also said that you have a higher risk of addiction when you are sleeved. i told him it that the research I did said that was because people trade one addiction (food) for another and i really don't think that will be me! I just REALLY would like a nice margarita dammit, LOL. Any suggestions would be welcome....anyone know anyone that turned into an alcoholic after the sleeve??

My hubby has a bypass. Half a glass of wine, and he is drunk. Is this true for sleeves as well?

I was looking at the nutrition info on Breyer's no sugar added ice cream (not sure what brand you were thinking of) and for no sugar added, they pack a lot of carbs in per serving! 13g. Most are sugar alcohols, specifically Maltitol, which can spike your blood sugar if you're diabetic because your body processes it similarly to sugar. Other sugar alcohols like Sorbitol can give you digestive distress, which I'm sure you don't want right now. So this might be one of those label reading learning experiences that sometimes they say sugar free, when it's a near fib and that it takes a lot of laboratory machinations to make fake food taste real. Maybe some ice chips for the cold you crave and something else you know is on your list would be better? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App