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Up at the top of the forum; Type in the little search box "Soda" and "alcoholic beverages". . . I'd type out my usual response and if you have issues finding topics I'll come back and post some links, but there's 100s of topics on here regarding this 2 subjects. It depends on what your surgeon mainly. BUT, I drink alcohol (not now in my pregnancy), and I've drank soda for 18 months with zero issues with weight regain and/or change in my sleeve capacity. There are varying opinions on soda/alcohol, you'll have to decide how you want to manage that post-op. I didn't have either in my losing stage.

What kind do you take are they soft chews? If so are there sugar alcohols in them or dairy? Maybe that's it?

I always eat a little bit before taking mine. I've never felt gassy. But you might check to see if it is sweetened with sugar alcohols or sucralose. Both of those sweeteners cause me cramps and gas bubbles.

You can do this. You cut out tobacco and alcohol. After plenty of years. If you can do that you can do this. You just have to do it now and not look back. Don't procrastinate. Do it now. Good luck.

I have not been sleeved yet and am nervous that without food, I will have to be extremely vigilant so that I do not relapse with alcohol or pain killers. I am also nervous bc I do not intend to use pain medicine after surgery, again bc it may trigger a relapse. I was 207 pounds when I got sober...got down to 163...and now I am 253 (was 267 before I began pre-op diet)I need to be able to finally live life on life's terms!

Are there any sleevers in recovery from drug addiction/alcoholism? I am a recovery and would like have somebody to discuss cross addictions and the additional problems posed w being sleeved for somebody in recovery, such as no longer having food to help me manage my emotions. Thanks!

Here is my plan as I start this journey. I am enrolled in a 90 Day program to acquire insurance approval for the gastric bypass surgery. During this time I have to prepare mentally and physically to accept and adhere to a 600 calorie diet after surgery, learn to excercise regularly, stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol. All of which are very positive life changes that I am ready to welcome. I don't expect it to be easy, in fact I try not to think about how hard it is really going to be. Here is a short summary of how I envision the process. Starting this week I am adhering to a strict 1500 calorie diet, June 1st it will reduce to a 1200 calorie diet, July 1st to a 900 calorie diet. Right now I do not see how this will be possible but that is the plan to be ready for a 600 calorie diet by August 1st. Bad habits to correct are smoking and drinking. I plan to stop drinking as quickly as possible so I can focus on stop smoking. I plan to begin the stop smoking process on June 1st by stopping the drinking first I will eliminate one of the motivators to smoke prior to starting this process. I hope to be smoke free before July 1st. This will give me a month to really focus on being prepared mentally and physically for the surgery. I would appreciate any ideas, thoughts, concerns, or suggestions to my plan that could help me be successful. Thank you! "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

underage drinking is bad ..y0our parents will be upset and alcohol has lots of calories...bad bad bad but do go out and hang with friends and have a great time....

I can relate to this. I knew when the surgery was coming I needed to quit drinking. I did self assessment and realized I had been drinking regularly for a long time. That meant there was the risk of sudden alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This article was helpful on tapering off without a problem: https://hamsnetwork.wordpress.com/2010/10/09/more-on-tapering-off-alcohol/ If you are going to drink, but still want to lose weight, you need to have a plan. I like this site, it is a middle ground between the AA model and "who cares." http://www.hamsnetwork.org/ a128blo drinking this much may mean you are like me and can't relax. That is an area you might want to explore. Figure that out and see where you are.

Pre op tips? Follow your surgeon's instructions for any pre-op diet. If you have one, it will likely suck, but remember it's only temporary! Also, you will likely have moments of panic and anxiousness leading up to your surgery date. Have faith that you made the decision to have surgery while you were being logical and rational. Don't let your emotions get the best of you. What to expect for days after op? You will be uncomfortable at the very least, if not in real pain. It might be hard for you to get your Water in (if the internal swelling is bad), but it's incredibly important to stay hydrated. Just take tiny sips and try to get in an ounce of water every 15 minutes you are awake. You'll likely want to nap a fair amount. It's VERY important to get up and walk a little every hour or two. Even if it's just marching in place. The moving will help you avoid blood clots and it can also help with gas pain. Also, don't be surprised if you are moody and emotional and crying a lot. That's very very normal. What should I have organised at home? Whatever "food" you will need for the first couple of days. If you are on Clear liquids, you will want broth, sugar-free Jello, and sugar-free popsicles. You should be able to go shopping within a few days, so you won't need to stock up for your later food stages just yet. Shopping is a good way to get some walking in. Just make sure you don't try to lift more than a gallon at a time. How to manage with three kids under 5? Prayer? Seriously though, if you have friends or family members who can help wrangle the kids, you need to get them on board. Don't try to manage that yourself in the first couple of days! Pain rating? Seems to vary drastically. I didn't have any real pain, except gas pain. Some people seem to have a LOT of pain associated with their ab muscles and incisions. I didn't have any of that. Malnutrition? As long as you start working on getting your Protein in towards the end of the first week post op and follow all of your surgeon and nutritionist's recommendations for protein and Vitamins, you shouldn't have to worry. Dehydration is a much more immediate risk in the early days post-op. Sip, sip, sip! Excess skin? Not something you should be worrying about this early on. If you have more than 100 pounds to lose, you will likely have some excess skin. What you feel you need to do about it is up to you. There are a handful of things you can do that *might* help some, but it mostly comes down to things like age and genetics. Stay well hydrated, take your vitamins, moisturize daily, and do some strength training once you are cleared for it. Alcohol? Not that I do this anymore with kids but wine, can you still have it? I was cleared for alcohol at 3 months post-op. Some surgeons recommend never having alcohol again, because of the risk of addiction transference (WLS patients are more prone to alcoholism). Just know that if/when you do drink alcohol again, it will likely be very different than pre-op. In my case, I get DRUNK off a tiny amount of alcohol, but then sober up super quickly. Exercise? Can I still do weight training? Once you are cleared for it by your surgeon. I was cleared at 2 months post-op. Some surgeons clear for it sooner. You will definitely at least have some sort of lifting restriction for the first couple of weeks post-op. Energy levels? Mine were VERY VERY low for the first several weeks post-op, until I was back on solid foods and could get more calories in. The fatigue was a real issue for me. I was napping a lot while I was off of work. When I returned to work at 15 days post-op, I really struggled to last through the day. I ended up going straight to bed after work in those early days. Once I was cleared for solid foods at 40 days post-op and was able to eat more, my energy level got back to normal. How has your experience been? I'm 20 months post-op now and I consider my sleeve to be one of the best decisions I ever made! It was hard, especially in the first couple of months, but now I am completely adapted to it I reached my goal weight right around the 1 year mark. I've been maintaining below goal for 8 months now. I ran my first half marathon a little over a week ago. Life is amazing!

Drinking 4-5 days per week, 2-3 drinks sometimes 7 or 8.......certainly sounds like an alcohol problem to me.

I am waiting for these 3 months after surgery to be gone so that I can have a glass of wine. Any idea of how a life in Italy without wine is? White in summer, red in winter, that's my motto. Anyway, I do know how to match wine and food. I am just waiting. I promised myself I am never going to open bottles at home and drink them here without guests again, but it's a torture to go out and not being able to drink. I am so ready for wine (and still have 7 weeks of sobriety in frontin front of me)! I am so going to tolerate it! Personally I am not worried about it! I must have written it somewhere else, anyway when I told my friends I wouldn't be able to drink alcohol for a few months, they were like: "Ok, no alcohol. But wine is fine, right?". It isn't ignorance, it's just that wine belongs to meals as much as water does!

I've done quite a bit of personal research on the topic. That doesn't make me a Puritan. That makes me informed. But you are correct in that you do not have to be in ketosis to lose weight. However, regular consumption of alcohol will have an impact.

I haven't had any alcohol yet (I'm 4 months out), but I am not much of a drinker anyway, so it really hasn't been that hard. Not sure how long I will wait, definitely 6 months, but I can honestly see waiting until the 1 year mark.

Wow, it feels so good to know that sometimes people mess up, as weird as that sounds. I have been doing EVERYTHING correct from pre-op to post op. I'm 27 days after surgery, and I feel like the last week, I have been blowing it big time. I haven't been eating steak or anything like that, or drinking carbonated drinks, or even having alcohol. But, today, I had 3 pieces of wheat toast, and two small pieces of soy Protein chicken breasts in one sitting. I feel uncomfortable, and like the biggest loser. I feel so stressed out about everything. My hair thinning out, getting laid off, to the surgery. I've dropped 10 pounds, and I feel like I should be further along. In regards to the soup, I have been wanting to drink a lot of it, but have been putting 4 oz in a cup, and putting 6 oz of low sodium broth in it, to cut the thickness down. Trader Joes has some great Soups which curb your appetite. Sometimes, I put a tablespoon of Greek yogurt in the hot soup for protein. Hang in there. I just found this site, and now I don't feel so alone!

Not true, according to my surgeon. Any bariatric patient, including the bandster, will absorb alcohol faster than someone who has not had surgery. We were cautioned that 1 drink could easily put you over the legal blood alcohol content for driving. He emphatically told us all that he will not write letters to law enforcement to intervene in any DUI cases which may happen as a result of not heeding his warnings.

I believe this could be true. My half brother had gastric bypass several years ago and became an alcoholic. He's clean now, but he definitely had several years of struggle. Doesn't help too that our father is an alcoholic.

"Hi! My name is Lynn B and I am a Diet Coke-aholic!" They say that the first step to overcoming an addiction is to admit that you have an addiction? Well, I am addicted!! A full fledged addiction. I'm an addict! I absolutely LOVE the feeling of the sweet taste complimented by the extra ordinary fizzy bubbles, which go through the body... the feeling of the fizz rushing throughout me, is a high in itself. I'm in heaven. It all started years ago when with just 1 can of Diet Coke. Ironically, I disliked the taste and the fizz. But, it was a 0 calorie drink - a way to lose weight. (It worked - for a while.) One can grew to approximately 1-2 cases a day of 12 oz cans. I admit, It's horrible, but at that time the taste grew on me with each pound that I lost. I quickly graduated to the "hard stuff" ... the 20 oz icy cold bottle of pure fizz! One sip is so exhilarating - only the bottle can give you this immediate rush! That first sip the fizz is so extreme, I can feel it coursing throughout my whole body. I love the feeling and, cant do without. I can identify with an alcoholic or drug addict... I am a Diet "Coke" addict!!! I admit it, I carry my 20 oz bottle with me everywhere I go. I even carry it in my pocketbook for a quick fix! No matter where I am I have access to my 20 oz bottle... And when I run low, I rush to the nearest store for more. My surgery is in less than 8 days... Yes... E-I-G-H-T Days!!! I've actually weaned myself down to only one 20 oz bottle a day. I actually thought this was such an accomplishment! But, the reality... I'm sweating with fear! I'm in panic! My gastric-by-pass new "tummy" will not tolerate this drug of choice. I will hurl over in severe pain with just a little tiny sip of fizz... I will have to go "Cold Turkey"! HOW!?? And, then comes the withdrawal. How will I survive?! How do I get through this? I need help! I need suggestions! I have to do this! Where is "DCA" (Diet Coke Anonomous) when you need it most? Help me!

My daughter had a partner who ditched her the same week her cat of 14 years died. She was really down in the dumps until a friend suggested that she join up with the roller derby crowd. What a great way to get out agression and get exercise at the same time. Yeah, being abandonned hurts...badly....but at least there is a new way to keep her mind occupied and her feelings in check. If not now, this may have happened sooner or later. Whatever the dynamic of a partnership is, weight loss surgery changes relationships as well as bodies. This surgery still needs to be about you and improving your health. One thing that happens unexpectedly is that when we go through the physical changes, we find the "real" us that has been hiding behind years of fear, shame, and loss. I hope that you still will have at least one person (parent, sibling, friend) that can be your support through the medical process. Then you can hope that on the other side you will find a new life that enhances who you really are. Please do not give alcohol any power over your health and happiness. Here is a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Hopefully it will give you the courage you need to follow through with your surgery and begin your new life. "Whatever you can do, or dream you can.............BEGIN IT! For boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."

Here was my pre-op diet starting 12-days before surgery: The patient may have one Protein shake for Breakfast and one Protein Shake for lunch. At dinner, the patient may consume one Lean Cuisine. Protein shake = 1 scoop Iso-Pure Protein powder with up to 2 cups of skim milk. 1. No alcohol for two weeks prior to the surgery. 2. One Chromium Picolinate 400 mcg per day can be taken for fat-burning purposes. 3. One Metamucil capsule can be taken at 10:00 am and one at 3:00 pm for hunger pangs. Drink with a lot of Water. 4. 1-2 diet drinks a day are allowed, but not to be taken to excess. 5. A green salad (no colors other than green!!) may be consumed. A zero to five calorie dressing may be used, but not to excess. (Example: Wish Bone Salad Spritzer)

If I were going by total carbs and not net carbs, there is NO way I would be in ketosis. But, I pee on the stick that measures ketones and it is as purple as it can be (160+ present). So, I think there is a lot of good research and science to back up how the net carbs affect your glucose levels differently via sugar alcohols/fiber/etc. it might be controversial, but it seems to work. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was banded on Oct 31st too. Today is the first day I have had no pain other than a liitle tenderness deep at the site of the port. I am surprized at all the different diets. My center has a 3 phase post op diet. All three phases include Multivitamin and Calcium supplements Phase 1: Blended-Smooth, lasts for the first 2 weeks and includes a primary focus of getting in 64 oz fluids, and Proteins of 60-70 grams per day...foods up to 1/2 cup of blended/smooth such as yogurt or pureed cottage cheese, apple sauce, ect.. No lumps no chunks no pieces no strings, everything must be blended. Phase 2: lasts thru week 6 and is called the Soft food stage. Fluids and porteins remain priority. Can consume up to 1 cup per meal ( or less if feeling full). Foods must be moist and soft. avoiding red meats, shellfish, pork, bread, Pasta, rice, and most raw fruits and veggies Phase 3 is week 7 and beyond... continue with Fluid and Protein guidelines, add in foods with normal textures, at week 12 you can try raw fruits and veggies . Avoid foods with added sugar, alcohol, high fat dairy products, most pastas, rice and untoasted breads, tough skins on fruits and veggies, stringy-fiberous veggies, creamsauses or cream Soups, tough-stringing meats, poultry & seafood, grilled fried or microwaved foods, sticky foods such as gum, corn, mashed potatoes

At 7 weeks out, I can take 3 swallows of water at a time but not anytime near eating. (I was a huge water chugger before.) Have not tried any alcohol.

I had a biopsy when I had my band surgery. They said I have non alcoholic Steatohepatitis. Has anyone had this same diagnosis. They say you have to loose weight slower... Boo Hooo

And many an alcoholic and drug addict have probably said the same things. Why should I go to AA? I'll just stop going to the bars. Or I'll avoid person X & Y who want to get high all the time. WLS is not a magical pill that fixes thing. It is a tool to help long term. It's easy to say that I'm going to stick with my diet this time. This time it's going to be different. All those other hundreds of times I tried and failed were practice, but this time will be different! Not saying this to be a smart ass. It's just easy to say this time will be different. I'm sure the idea of surgery has scared some people away, they did stick to a diet, and were successful. It's no different than those that were so sure this would finally be the fix they needed but then end up gaining all their way back. I look at WLS like I would going to an AA meeting. Ultimately it is up to me to make the right decisions in leading a healthy life, but the WLS is a tool to help me be successful. It's not an easy decision, and yes, I went through all the second guessing as well. I had complications with my surgery. Did it suck? Yep. But I don't regret my decision. I worry about things like the loose skin too, but in the end I was more concerned about having a heart attack within the next 5 years because of the extra weight I've been carrying in additional to the other health problems I was facing. I'll take some loose skin over being dead before I'm 50.