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I was cleared to drink alcohol at 6wks.

Depends, are you talking water or alcohol? Water, the next day after my first leak test. Alcohol, about 4 months out. Just a couple sips of wine, no beer cause of carbonation.

I had my first drink at 6 months. Doctor and NUT recommended we wait 3 months and to ease into it. Alcohol may affect you differently as a post op. It might be a good idea to drink on occasion or in moderation if you are going to as calories add up fast. For me, 1-2 drinks a month, mainly as a social thing.

Working Out: I was encouraged to do up to 60 minutes a day of "brisk walking" immediately post-op and cleared to do more intense exercise at 2 months post-op. Water: Hydration is SUPER important post-op. You top priorities will be getting in your required Protein and Water every day. It is tough at first for some people to get all their water in, due to the swelling of the sleeve, but you will ultimately be able to drink water just like normal. You will only be taking small sips in the beginning, but likely will be able to take several large swallow at a time. The only catch is that you will not be able to drink before, during, or after eating. Every surgeon has different recommendations for this. Mine told me no drinking for 5 minutes before eating or until 20 minutes after eating. I find that I really am not comfortable drinking until about 40 minutes after eating a full meal. I can drink sooner after my Snacks. Alcohol: Yes. I have had alcohol several times post-op. It's not a great thing to do frequently, because there are a lot of calories in alcohol, but it is fine to do from time to time. I have found that post-op, I get "buzzed" or "drunk" from much less alcohol than I did before, so be cautious if you do decide to drink post-op. Make sure you do it in a safe environment and don't have to drive anywhere. Restricted Foods: I was eventually cleared to eat all foods, however, I have steered clear of rice, bread, Pasta, and starches for the most part. I am very strict about getting my "protein first", and have not had any room in my sleeve for anything other than primary protein sources. If I were to eat some of these other foods, it would be at the cost of not getting all my protein in and I don't feel they are worth it. Also, no carbonation, as you mentioned. Recovery: I live in the eastern United States and had my surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. My surgery was on a Monday and I returned home on that Friday. I could have returned home on Thursday, but I couldn't make the flight schedule work with the border crossing, so I had to stay an extra night in San Diego. The point is, you shouldn't have an issue flying home 4 days post-op, barring any complications of course. I can't answer that last question for you, but I will say for myself that I wish I'd had the surgery sooner. If you continue to put it off for the "right time", that time may never come.

Am on a two week vacation in Europe. Had a first cocktail last night - Campari and tonic. Didn't feel the alcohol but I felt I had a pre-dinner cocktail vs the typical iced tea. Thanks for all your answers. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have introduced alcohol back in a few months ago. I have 1.5 oz vodka in 32 ounces of Water and a squirt sugar free package. Very tasty and no issues. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh and about the alcohol: 1 fancy drink during the whole cruise was enuf for me. Now I have nowhere to store that fancy monkey-head coconut I got my fancy daquiri in!!! I'm not a huge drinker and they're quite pricey onboard...

Quick question, I was just banded a few days ago on Friday and this past Sunday, I went to Mass. I received Communion and took some Wine as well (tiny amount to help the host dissolve). I wonder if I should have done that so soon since I am obviously still on liquids. Do you think I could have hurt anything by doing this? I know I'm not supposed to have solids or alcohol. How soon did others start receiving Communion after surgery?

I know alcohol is a subject all on it's own and some people don't drink with the band. My dr never said not to drink. I like to binge drink occasionally and responsibly (I'm 23). I will only have a drink while I'm out for dinner or something but last night I saw friends I haven't seen in awhile and we partied. I drank a significant amount of alcohol and was okay but this morning I ended up puking all morning. I rarely vomit from alcohol. Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has been able to drink, be drunk, and not vomit with the band

I used alcohol.

So now that I have "officially" accepted responsibility for my weight gain over the years, now I'm trying to figure out what led to this roller coaster life I lead! My last blog, I talked about being on phen-phen and loving it... then getting married and 2 kids later - poof I'm topping 259.6 lbs! But there is a lot in between that time span that I need to reflect on! So - in my late 20's and early 30's - newly married, fabulous job, living in DC - smoozing with the politicians, climbing the work latter, away from my mom.... hmmmmm - can't think of a single reason emotionally that I should have gained weight... I think I stayed a size 10ish - wavering between an 8 and 12 probably - so not too bad. Though, again, I thought I was HUGE! But honestly, other than eating out, and enjoying an adult beverage (oh and not working out) - I'd say life was even for me during this time! Moving into my 30's - 2 kids now! Moved to Atlanta - lived in the burbs with the white picket fence (literally, a white picket fence)... hanging in the cul-de-sac in my sweater sets.... I gained about 40 - 50 lbs with each kid - though I lost "most of it" each time - but stayed in the 170s - 180's for the most part. I played tennis on the neighborhood tennis team - and in my late 30's, started running... I got down to a size 8 - 10 again and looked and felt good! Then BAM! It hit! My daughter is in kindergarten - teachers think something is "not quite right"; tests begin... nothing unusual - but still something "is off".... she enters 1st grade... and now the fun begins.... without going into the details of how we got there... we found out my daughter was dyslexic! The end of the world!!! We thought we had to brightest (her IQ by the way is 1 point below Genius), most perfect child... oh my god... what are we going to do? What did I do? I went into Mamma Bear mode.... started looking at private schools that specialize in dyslexia, started taking her to special tutoring sessions (driving an hour home from work to pick her up, then driving another 45 minutes to the tutor, waiting an hour, then driving an hour back home (rush hour). We started eating in the car - snacks on the way there, dinner from Mickey D's or Chick-fil-a on the way back... 3 x per week!!! I stopped running - who has time for that when you have a full time job, 2 kids, and this new "the world has ended" weight on my shoulders? My daughter was accepted in the top school - whew!! but that meant commuting 1.5 hours each way every day... but I was willing - because it was only supposed to be for 2 - 3 years (a transition school, where there is remediation and you go back to the "real world"). So we ate in the car...ALOT!!! My daughter isn't gaining weight because she is active (see a pattern from my mom here?)... but she is also on ADHD meds with acts as an appetite suppresent. I however, am gaining weight... not on the tennis team anymore, and definitely not exercising! Now add in my son - the pre-schools are saying he has some issues too - oh here we go again - at least we know what to look for this time - right? But we have him in a pre-school that is for advanced kids - and he is falling behind - and the teacher is bullying him - yes bullying a 4 year old. He went into a depression - 4 year old!!! He was the happiest kid - every day is a good day - and then boom - depressed! We pulled him out of that school and went to another school - he was happy, but not learning - but happy :-)! In Kindergarten - we decided to nip it in the bud - have him tested and boom - he is dyslexic too (it is hereditary and I probably had it but overcame it with my intellect and my dad is). We enter him into the same private school as my daughter - and now have $50,000 in tuition plus uniforms... plus the commute... and eating on the go! But - it was only temporary - right? So we did it... and then.. came the time for my daughter to be retested (every 3 years) and to start thinking about the next school..... I remember it clearly... I had just started a software development leg of my company... I was 30 minutes from walking into a board room filled with CEO's and CIOs from major companies (7 of them) to pitch my latest product.... and the psych called.... "Hey Krista - just wanted to let you know I'm coming up with some "weird" results for Natalie".....pause...."I'd like to run some additional tests"....pause...."I think she may be on the autism spectrum...and by the way I think she comes by it from her dad"! THUMP!!! OMG!!!! Did she just say AUTISM? OMG!!!!! So I compartmentalize that, and do my presentation... them come out and just CRY!!!! Turns out... after the initial testing and 2 second opinions... she is on the spectrum... and my husband is accepting that he may be too - but what is he going to do about it at almost 50 years of age?... Now my world is crumbling... AGAIN!!!! I have to find a new school, I have to put her in a "social skills" class (she was "shy" all this time - not autistic), I have to rearrange my life... AGAIN!! My world ended during this time - how can this be? So I started taking Lexapro to "deal" - and I probably drank way more wine than I should any given week... and I most definitely ate out every meal and did not exercise! OK - so, I found a school - only it is 2 hours from our house... my son is still at the dyslexia school - the complete other direction... so now what? Oh - sell our house and move closer! We also decided to go ahead and move our son to this school as it is a school for all types of learning differences! So - we move, move schools, and I also decide to sell my businesses.... I had to make changes - I had to do something!! But selling my business turned out to be a VERY bad idea (I'll write more on that another time)... and turns out, my son has Asperger's too - OMG - TWO KIDS on the spectrum!!!! Though actually with my son, they don't know how to diagnose him - so they just gave him that DX - he really has more working memory issues and his IQ is on the low side! So - moving from my past - I think I did very well overcoming my mother and childhood stuff... I did very well with moving up the corporate ladder, and I did well early in the childhood raising area.... My weight gains - major weight gains started when trouble hit my perfect little life! I turned to food (and alcohol - though I wouldn't call myself an alcoholic) to solve my problems - to comfort me! Food was the one staple that was there - no matter what - I could count on a drive-thru... I could count on a good sushi meal (I mean like $50 - $60 of sushi for me alone)... I could count on a bottle of wine! I can see the crisis that hit - I can see how I used food - but what I don't know yet, is how will I overcome the "next" crisis?????? More to come as I figure out this journey! Look for my scary boss story coming next - this is when I hit the top of the scales!!!

Carbonation is BAD!!! Alcohol might not feel like it's effecting you but the alcohol registers in your blood and breathilizer as if you are drunk if you drink to much. So my suggestion is your stay away from it.

I am so upset right now. I had an alcohol problem in the past in which i went and got help back in 2008. i haven't touched it since except for last night and i drank a little too much at a Christmas party. My husband got very upset and called the hospital , i guess to see if they would take me in, and he told me we were going home and instead took me to the hospital for them to detox me.They kept me till this morning and told me I could go home. I am already all set for the gastric bypass and am now waiting to get my pulminary test done on Dec. 30th, everything else i have done. Supposed to have the surgery on Jan. 27th. Now I am afraid they will deny me. Anyone know anything about this? Thanks

Some people do become a bit fanatical after their surgery. They take the "living a healthy life" path and run with it (literally) and never get off. I see people in a group called VSG Gym Rats!!!!! and I just think "Good for you, but I don't see that being me." That said, I do exercise. I am embracing better food choices. But I didn't have this surgery to be on a diet for the rest of my life. I can get my requirements in with foods that I enjoy, and part of my emotional health may require that I have some chocolate or enjoy some pizza (when I get there!) when I want to. I feel bad for the people who think there's no other way to be, who think it's okay to badger someone on the same path they are on simply because they don't want to do it. Reminds me of (some) reformed alcoholics or (some) Christians. DO YOU!

My wakeup call was finding out that the co-morbidities I had: diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver were *progressive*. That prompted my next question, "So where is this heading?" Even though my blood sugars were well-controlled, the doctor said that I would wind up with an insulin pump. I also have sleep apnea. The doctor told me that my weight would shorten my life by 10 years. Holy smokes! That's a LOT of time! Then I thought of my kids and their marriages and potential grandchildren. Didn't want to miss everything OR have my husband and kids hurt big time for 10 years longer than would have been necessary.

Just curious, what triggered you to take that drink last night? I am not certain that anything will happen but it might be important for you to understand why suddenly after all this time you took that drink and then took it too far. I have several family members including my son who are recovered alcoholics. I know that it is a fight everyday and understanding your triggers are as important in fighting the war with food as it is with other addictions. It might be worth it to talk to your psychologist. Good luck, I am praying that everything goes well for you!

Would any of you compare food addiction to alcohol or drug addiction? If you know you are addicted to food and want to change, then you have various groups to help you control your addiction to make your tool work, just as an alcoholic or a druggie has their group. It is only when you have hit rock bottom, whatever your bottom might be that any any type of weight loss procedure will work, because that will be your main goal. It has been proven these tools do work, as long as you work them. Maybe the simiplist suggestion is once an addict always an addict no matter what the addiction is. You have to be honest with yourself and fight the battle until the day you die or nothing that they have now or in the future fo help with WL is going to work. Just my opinion and thoughts.

I have read (on this site and others) that for those who's excess calories are coming from sweets, alcohol etc. the band can't really help because liquids and chocolate slip through. Maybe this was the problem?

I am 29, I had by-pass about a year ago and have since gotten married, and started college again. I also have two daughters, 6 and 8, and work a full time job as a nurse's assistant. Since the holidays my alcohol consumption has increased dramatically and I am worried that I am becoming an alcoholic. I do not want to fail at this weight loss and I have too much going for me to ruin it with an alcohol addiction. Please I need some reassurance and encouragement to get through this difficult time. Thanks!

You have to do more exercises that tone muscle so you burn fat. Cut out the sweets, chocolate and chips. Your exercise routine should be at least 45 min cardio and 30 min weight training. Hope this helps. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Also cut out the cake, pie and alcohol. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Glad to find this forum and really appreciate all your feedbacks and support! Last couple of days that I found this forum, kept me busy to read most of the topics and feedbacks and really boosted my energy. I am 41 and in my 18 months post op period and started my journey at 209 lb and lost 50lb and presently at 159lb! I dropped size from 1X to 10 and wearing medium size but still what I see in my body is lots of fat specially on my hips and legs! My nutritionist says I've done very good but I think I should lose another 20 lb as I am not satisfied at all with my body right now! She said in August that I've lost 75% of my excess fat which she thinks it would be the max for me as my weight losing got very slow or non at this point! Do any of you have any suggestions for me that how I could start to lose some more weight? I do exercise but not that much! 30 minutes 3-4 day per week! I use to walk for an hour a day but she told me try to work on your muscles! I feel that I dont drink as much as most of you say 64oz, at my best maybe i drink 24 oz per day! I am on Protein but still take some carbs, max a toast in a day or half a toast and half a cup of rice and some sweets, like dark almond chocolate pieces and dry fruits and dates, sometimes a small piece of cake or pie! No juice or carbonated drink for 18 months, i dont drink with my food and dont eat soups, no potatoes, no pastas, sometimes few chips to satisfy my crunching craves! Alcohol small glass once in awhile (in 2-3 months)! Any suggestions will be appreciated as I think I am in need! I am getting so obsessed with my weight now and is kind of depressing! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I found another article about wine and alcohol and health benefits. Raise a glass! Wine's health benefits - Health - MSNBC.com

there are different types of carbohydrates. Fiber is a carb, but is not processed by your body the same a sucrose. Alcohol is a by-product, along with gas, from the fermentation of carbohydrates. Take sourdough bread for example. True sourdough does not require yeast to make it rise. It's the bacteria that consume the flour that makes it rise. The result is alcohol (what gives the bread a sour taste) and gas (which causes the bubbles and rising. The only digestible carbs are starch and sugar. As far as what order food is digested, alcohol goes first, carbohydrates are digested next, protein is digested next, and fat is the last to be digested. Digestion starts in your mouth. Your saliva starts breaking down food first. The food goes to your stomach where it is mixed with digestive juices and then the stomach proceedes to store the food and digestive juices begin to work. Alcohol is not digested, it passes through into your intestines. Carbohydrates (that are not alcohol or fiber) are processed faster than protein and fat. Protein takes longer to process than carbs, and fat takes the longest of all. :bolt: probably more than you wanted to know!

A 5 oz. glass of wine has about 5g of carbs. The fruit sugar is broken down as the wine ferments and the bi-product of the fermentation is alcohol (and gas) Since wine isn't distilled like hard liquor, there is some remaining carbs. Alcohol is not a carb, btw. Here's the thing, though. That 5 oz. glass of wine is going to have at a minimum 110 calories and 13 grams of alcohol! Your body processes alcohol before Protein, carbs and fat, which is not a good thing. Think "beer belly".

Alcoholism and drug addiction are the most common addictions and these are considered as illnesses which needed serious treatment. Alcoholism is an uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic drinks which affect the brain but with proper treatment, the damaging effect to the brain could be stopped. Drug addiction on the other hand is a complex disease which also affects the brain, it is a drug seeking behavior regardless of the obvious fact that it has negative consequences. But with the help of expert psychiatrists and psychologists as well as with a tranquil and beautiful residential treatment center , it will be successfully treated. Residential treatment centers are often called rehabilitation centers where patients will be staying in for the treatment process. These residential treatment centers have different structured programs designed for the patient’s needs which will help them in gaining back their balanced control of their lives. Treatments inside the residential treatment centers are very effective because they will be guided and will be given special attention by the professionals. One of the most reputable residential treatment centers is the Serenity House in Costa Rica, it started in 2007 as Casa Serenidad and have branched out as Serenity House in 2012. The Serenity House was founded by Dr. Francisco Jimenez, M.D, he was appointed as the Chief of the Department of Rehabilitation with the Costa Rican Institute of Alcoholism and Drug dependence. Dr. Jimenez is also a Medical school professor, a published author, and a prolific researcher. The Serenity House has a twelve step program with Cognitive Behavioral therapy and they believe in a holistic and integrated approach to wellness which includes traditional medicine and alternative therapies. The Cognitive Behavioral therapy used by the Serenity House can be a very effective tool which helps their patients learn how to successfully manage a stressful life situation. The Serenity House’s Very Effective Therapies The Serenity House has various types of therapies, it includes the Art therapy, the 12 Step Groups, Structured Groups, Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan, AcoPhysical Activity and Physiotherapy. The Art therapy uses art as a primary method of communication, and many people find it very enjoyable. The 12 Step Groups are primarily based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. The Structured Groups refer to a group therapy with a wide variety of therapeutic approaches which are employed by highly trained specialists. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual disciplines which will produce an internal heat, sweating and relaxation. The Tai Chi Chuan is meditation in motion which practices the mind and body and has a great value in treating or preventing various health problems. The AcoPhysical Activity is a widely adoptive and a planned repetitive movements which will help improve and maintain the body in a good condition. And the Physiotherapy is a service oriented relaxation therapy which includes Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Relaxing Massage and Deep Tissue Massage. The programs of the Serenity House run from a 90 day program to the 30 day Awareness and Stabilization program. www.serenityhousecr.com