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odd question about smoking and drinking...
BetsyB replied to CurvyCat's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I don't think that the alcohol will be an issue at all. As long as you stick to real moderation, you don't have to worry about it affecting your weight or impacting your liver in any lasting way. The smoking is a bigger issue. It really is strongly, strongly recommended that you not smoke for at least four weeks before surgery. While even a couple of days of not smoking produces some benefits (reduced carbon monoxide levels, for example), quitting for less than 4 weeks before surgery may actually increase respiratory risk from anesthesia. I know this sounds insane, but it makes sense if you consider that when you stop smoking, your lungs increase their production of mucus as they heal. These extra secretions help you hack out the crud from smoking----and in the long term are beneficial. But they're not beneficial if you are combining them with anesthesia, abdominal pain that prevents coughing to clear the secretions, and so on. Smoking 2 weeks before surgery really ups your risks. Quitting for 2 weeks before just isn't enough. I'm a former smoker, and know that drinking and smoking often go hand in hand; when I quit smoking, I had to give up drinking for quite a while. If you can't separate the two, that'd probably be the safest route for you to take. -
What to drink for the first 2 weeks?
joatsaint replied to jacee's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I pretty much drank EAS carb control Dutch chocolate drinks from Wal-Mart and Crystal Light lemonade. I wasn't able to eat anything for the 1st 4 or 5 days and then moved onto chicken broth and then Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom soup. By the 3rd week I could handle (very finely chopped) chicken and chopped boiled eggs. I didn't need a lot of variety, so when I found something I could handle, I stuck with it. Don't buy too many of any one sugar free thing. I found out the hard way that my stomach does not like things with sucralose and sugar alcohols, but aspartame is okay. -
wishing you the best of luck on your LB journey! My sister had a gastric bypass and also lost a lot of weight and then gained it back and became an alcoholic. I'm so worried about her. I asked my Dr if he would band her and he said no b/c she didn't have her head into it. I think she messed up b/c she never went to support meetings. Be sure you post often here and get the support you need for success. Best wishes to you!
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I went for an endoscopy before the band, and was diagnosed with severe gastritis. The doctor said that I need to wait at least 6 months and possibly a year before I get the band. But definitely 6 months. The scary thing is, I used to feel the acid reflux, but after a year off meds and a c-section, my stomach went numb for almost a year. I mean, I thought I was cured. The Dr. said that my gastritis is so severe, there's a possibility it will never heal. Is anyone else dealing with something like this? What does it mean for the Lap-Band? Also, what kind of diet are you on? The dr. told me no caffeine, no decaf coffee, no alcohol, no spicy foods and told me to look up diet stuff on the internet, under severe gastritis. But I really wasn't able to find what I was looking for. Most of the entries were about dogs. Anyway, I have another endoscopy scheduled for January, and then (possibly) the lap-band.
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I have drank a couple of sodas here and there with zero issues except a little belch after I drink. My surgeon said that sodas are just wasted calories, and just take up space. He is not a firm believer that the stomach will stretch out just from having a soda every now and then. As for alcohol, I was cleared to drink alcohol at the 4 month post-op mark. Some surgeons say 6 months, some say wait until you are at goal. From what I hear, alcohol does not taste the same after this procedure, and I haven't even attempted to drink anything. Some people say they get drunk on a small amount then sober up quickly. Apparently, there isn't a "happy medium" with our new tiny tummies.
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Alcohol as a social activity / Cash pay patients
AvaFern replied to joshwah's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I was a cash pay patient and I have been successful. I would much rather be cash pay because you don't have to jump through all of the hoops that insurance requires. I haven't been to a single appointment after my 3 week follow-up, I saw a dietician once before surgery, I haven't been to any support meetings, and the point between deciding I wanted surgery and walking into surgery was 2.5 weeks. Paying cash gets you in faster and if you are self-motivated is far less of a hassle than dealing with insurance. If you need tools that are provided through insurance, then perhaps that is something to consider. I tend to be fairly do-it-myself oriented, so I had no issues. As for alcohol, after the first six weeks your stomach is pretty much healed, so nothing wrong with drinking a bit. I had a few sips of champagne at 4 weeks and in the last year I've had a few nights that involved a couple shots, or a few glasses of wine, or a few cocktails. I'm not a huge drinker, so I was already a lightweight. I have not had any issues with the sleeve and drinking but I also tend to drink slowly and/or pace out the shots over the course of a night. -
It's been a month, when can I do a shot of whiskey? Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App
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I didn't have alcohol until 6 months out. Warning - it will hit you faster than before!
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I took a two week cruise 2 months post-op and just made serious choices and conscious decisions on what to eat at meals. I don't drink alcohol, so that wasn't a problem, but I read that if you do drink alcohol you have to be careful because with our smaller stomachs it'll get us drunker faster.
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This Is The End
OleHippieGal replied to Butterfly66's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Couldnt have said it better myself, FOOD IS EVIL!!!!! it is not your friend the devil puts it there for temptation just like alcohol and drugs. got to make that stiick in your mind, and yea me too. lol please let my next addiction be exercise and cleaning. much more healthier -
Old photos..Now I'm questioning everything.
Kindle replied to Healthy_life2's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Not sarcasm at all. I was just pointing out the difference. Your past is hard for you while mine is the opposite. I was a strong, confident fat person and fir the most part, life was good. I only became a blubbering mess after losing weight and I no longer had my emotional crutches (food and alcohol) to back me up. My best friend committed suicide 17 months postop and it was then I discovered I had no constructive coping abilities. I stayed drunk for the 18 months following my brother's death prior to my VSG but I couldn't do that this time. The illusion of my mental health went out the window and i realized what a wreck I really was. My therapist, antidepressants and testosterone replacement are my new crutches that keep me from joining my friend at this point. So you are right, we all have certain mental issues. Being obese is simply one of the symptoms, not the cause. And unfortunately surgery only treats that one symptom. It's a lot harder to find and treat the cause, But it sounds like you have made great strides in that department. All I'm saying in response to your OP, is that like it or not, the past is a part of who you are. You already said it, you conquered and overcame so much. Forgiving and accepting a past that you can't change is just a part of that and definitely better in the long run than hating a stack of photographs. -
Drinking... Alcohol anyway...
NurseGrace replied to lovemyself2012's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I agree, we can still do alcohol we just have to be careful about when and how we go about it. Personally, I have sworn if off for 18 months. I made a pact to myself to follow ALL my guidelines to the best that I can for 18 months, and then after that I told myself that I can loosen up but for once in my life, I need to take something seriously. But I know that's just me... I don't judge people who still have a drink here and there, as long as your not telling me your one or two weeks out of surgery trying to do that. -
Drinking... Alcohol anyway...
It's all new replied to lovemyself2012's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
It's interesting that you "couldn't make it" through your birthday 1 month out without drinking and that you find drinking "Awesome!". Those are words to evaluate and consider. It's pretty irresponsible to encourage other people down the same path IMO, but not atypical in the case of people who have addictive issues - whether with food, alcohol, or substances. Perhaps you have none of the above. It's not that I think everyone with the sleeve must give up ETOH 100% - but those whose doctors have told them to abstain ought to, as should those who have addiction issues - and those who find that it affects their weight loss should probably consider it. Several other people have made very good points about the problem of crossover addiction and health issues (like liver damage). My guess is that most every reader of this will know better - but some are just looking for someone to tell them that it is a good idea to indulge their urges 1 month after surgery. -
Drinking... Alcohol anyway...
GypsyQueen replied to lovemyself2012's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Psych told me Thursday (I'm still pre op) that not only can you be legally drunk on just 4oz., but statistically, 30% of WLS patients become alcoholics. It replaces our beloved food as the new coping mechanism. That is very scary and a word to the wise... So please be careful! -
Can we have an occasional alcoholic beverage?
RestlessMonkey replied to Melisa1's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Your best bet is to call and ask your doctor. Most say no alcohol for a certain period (for one thing it can impair healing)...so follow your doc's advice, like ckelly says! :Dancing_sorry: -
74 Days Post Op...ok To Drink Alcohol
amr2393 replied to rizabonita's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Wow, I was cleared for alcohol two weeks post op. But I gotta tell ya that first sip of alcohol it felt like my entire sleeve was on fire. That's when I knew that perhaps I needed a little more time before going there again. -
Some surgeons recommend no alcohol at all post-op because of the risk of addiction transference. Many WLS patients are at a high risk for developing other addictions post-op, once they can no longer maintain their addiction to food. If you find that it is hard for you to control your drinking or stop drinking, that might be some cause for concern. Physically, there's no real risk to your sleeve from alcohol. You may get drunk faster and your impaired judgement might cause you to eat more or eat the wrong things. Plus, as you pointed out, it's empty calories.
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This is a hotly, hotly debated issue. Recommendations from surgeons and counselors are all over the place on this one and range from: (1) avoid all alcohol post-op forever (complete abstinence) to (2) avoid drinking for [3-6-12-18] months post-op (time varies greatly, depending on the surgeon) to (3) educate yourself about the dangers of transfer addictions, the potential for ulcers, how alcohol could (?) reduce nutrient absorption, and (because of faster absorption of ethanol) expose you to dangers from dis-inhibition, accidents, and even alcoholic poisoning. My own experience with alcohol was that I didn't waste empty calories on any alcohol until after 6 months post-op. At that point, my surgeon's practice recommended I raise my average daily calories to 1,200 and I felt I could "afford" an extra 100 cals/day on a glass of wine. I've 19.5 months post-op now, have lost 100 pounds and am maintaining easily at 135 pounds. I am a "social drinker" -- defined (for women) as having no more than 1.5 ounces of spirits or 5 ounces of wine per day and no more than seven drinks a week. It's working for me, at least so far. I do keep an eye on it, though, and would be willing to change what I'm doing (drink less or not at all) if alcohol were to cause me any problems. If you feel like your need / desire to drink is growing, you may want to take a step back and consider (with or without the help of a therapist) what's going on and whether you're developing a pattern you don't want to continue. You would know that better than anyone else.
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74 Days Post Op...ok To Drink Alcohol
rizabonita posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I just saw my doc and Nut for my 3 month post op appt (actually 2 1/2 mo. out) Although I have been a really slow loser (-37.8 lbs from start) I have lost inches. They were happy w my progress, more than I was. Anyhow they assured me I was doing everything right and to keep at it. I now have to start with Calcium chewables to help w my teeth and bones to prevent losing teeth or getting bone fractures (scary thought)... The best part was getting told that I am now cleared to go ahead and consume alcohol! Yay! Perfect for this holiday weekend. Has anyone here had alcoholic beverages and felt sick? My NUT told me to b careful because my body would feel the alcohol super quick. keepin it real -
5 fills very little weight loss and frustrated!!!
NMSunshine replied to dragonfly34's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have had trouble with losing. I've been banded for 2 years and lost only 10pds the first year. The first part of 2nd year lost nothing. Then I decided that I was getting too many calories from wine. I drink 3 sometimes 4 glasses of wine almost every nite. I quit and lost 23 pounds over 6 months. Started back a few months ago and gained 3 pounds. Now I am going to quit for good. I think liquid calories are the weight killer. Liquids like alcohol and pop just go down the band so easy. Also try to remember when eating it's protein first. -
5 months out and have a question to those over 1 year out
LilMissDiva Irene replied to I Made It's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I don't see where anyone mentioned alcohol. Yes, you will be able to eat and drink at the same time in the future, if you so choose. -
Difference Between Lap Band and Gastric Sleeve
BayougirlMrsS replied to JThompson72's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
im going on year 7 with my band. Knock wood i have had no problems. But if for some reason i would have to have it removed.... and i have thought long and hard about this... I think i would do the GB. Not that there is anything wrong with Sleeve. I just think i would do better with the GB. My friend and mentor Paula had the band done a year before me and had great success. But she is a heavy soda drinker and smoker (don't know if that had anything to do with it) but developed problems and was sleeved about this time last year. She loves the sleeve. She has had no issues at all that i know of. Her wife Maia had her band done the same day and me by the same dr. and has done great, but is thinking of removing it and getting sleeved also. For me, i hoping that the Band Gods keep smiling on me. Weight loss is still at 85-87lbs... depending on how much alcohol i drink over the weekend... lol.. Couple note: Im never hungry, sometimes is late in the evening and i think... Damn i didn't eat today. Sometimes i do forget and eat too fast and have to uneat food... but, that's my fault. I would have a serious talk with the dr..... discuss why the band and you didn't get along. Im sure he/she will point you in the right direction. Good luck -
Thanks Jayme! I need to hear that. I am sure I will need the support. Just like an alcoholic, we must take one day at a time!
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So on friday I'll be 2 months post op... and I'm going to the beach with some friends for the weekend. What do you guys think I can drink? (alcohol) just a little bit.
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74 Days Post Op...ok To Drink Alcohol
Sassygirl06 replied to rizabonita's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have been able to handle alcohol....but it does hit me a lot quicker then before. I also find myself wanting to drink more now. Be really careful, im not saying that you will turn into an alcoholic or anything...but we are at a higher risk of developing other dependancies after this surgery. I know that I crave it more then I ever did before. plus it will slow down the weight loss due to the extra calories that goe down all to easy. good luck! and have fun! just be carefull
