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I've been told I'm a cheap date lol Has anyone tried drinking with the sleeve? I hear alcohol poisoning is a big concern??

Looks like there are many things to consider and reconsider from everything I read in here... was hoping it could be a quick one but looks like I'm gonna have to keep it till December (my next leave for Christmas) and just keep dieting until then. I've already been dieting for a week now btw since last Saturday until date. As for my regular lifestyle diet, I'm vegetarian and I don't smoke at all (quit in 2006) and I don't drink alcohol at all (also since 2006) and I don't have any medical issues so far neither diabetes nor cholesterol nor blood or heart pressure thankfully nothing as such... my initial Dr's visit is planned for sometime next week during my leave and will see what he will advise then on the preparations and the recovery part too. Oh and btw no my work doesn't involve any lifting I'm a "fat banker" lol I sit on my desk all day and boss around a team of 33 people lol. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey all, so I was sleeved on 5/23. I am so grateful for everything I've learned from this board just by reading people's stories, so hopefully, someone can benefit from mine... My surgery was at 9:15 am this Tuesday. On my way to the hospital, I was complaining to my sister that I wish my surgery was outpatient instead of I day inpatient stay because I was so sure I'd be fine and just wasting my time in a hospital... boy was I wrong! Apparently I don't tolerate anesthesia well at all. I woke up in the PACU in horrible pain and severe nausea/gagging/abdominal spasms that were almost nonstop. The last time I had surgery was when I was a kid and I just remember waking up and feeling a bit of pain then.. I thought it may be the same. I was transferred to my unit for my first night and every few minutes I was calling the nurse for pain meds or nausea meds, or both. They had me on 3 different types of medications for nausea, 2 different pain meds. Despite this, I was still having significant breakthrough pain and nausea. I couldn't get out of my bed at all, let alone walk a few hours after surgery. The entire time I kept thinking what the heck did I do to myself and I wondered whether I'd be sent home feeling this way. I didn't get more than a few minutes of sleep the entire night. All of the nurses on the floor did everything they could to help me out and I could not be more grateful for such a wonderful team caring for me. The next morning I was still on max doses of all the same medications, but I was starting to feel better. Started walking with the nurse's assistant and took a few more laps around the floor throughout the day. I had lots of secretions in my lungs that was keeping my oxygen saturation down, so I had to clear them out. By evening time, I was more stable, but I still had not peed and was not passing gas. This may be TMI but they had to catheterize me 5 times I had to stay inpatient for another night so they could monitor my urine output. This morning I woke up much better, just trying to take in all of my fluids, but I'm getting small bouts of nausea from just one 1oz of liquid per hour. It's slowly getting better, but I'm still behind on my fluids. Anyway, I'm so happy to finally be home. I'm gonna keep drinking fluids like it's my job. I also wanted to add a couple of things people may find helpful: First, if you are out of surgery and having trouble tolerating plain water, try a flavored water. I never was much of a fan of flavored water pre-op, but it helped me so much after surgery. Second, if you are having bouts of nausea, ask the nurse for some alcohol prep pads (the ones they swipe you with before you get an injection), place it under your nose and keep inhaling. This may seem strange, but it kills nausea and worked great while I was waiting for my IV nausea meds to be administered. I hope my story didn't scare anyone off. Everyone responds to anesthesia differently, I guess I'm one of the unfortunate people who have a hard time with it. I also hear for most people the first night is by far the worst, and that was definitely the case for me. I started feeling much better by the next morning. Good luck to everyone!

I was sooooo irritable last night, especially around dinner time. I had a bowl of green salad with lemon juice and an Optifast shake while my family ate lamb casserole. I really miss meat and cheese. I tried going caffeine free but by the end of Day Two I capitulated and decided that I would have one skim milk cappicino in the morning and then be super strict the rest of the time - it's working so far. I'm following Optifast intensive phase - replacing all meals with either the soup, shake or bar plus the 2 cups fo free vegetables (they've never tasted so good). I woke up at 1am this morning with stomach growls - I reassured myself that this was only temporary and that some people in the world went to bed hungry every night. Still I feel dreadful this morning, hungover withouth having had any fun!! Still, countdown is on, 10 days until surgery on July 31. Stay strong everyone! Cheers (an alcohol free one), Melanie:confused_smile:

Does anyone know when it's okay to have alcohol again? Just like a glass a wine or something?

Superbowl Sunday breakfast- protein drink lunch- low carb tortilla with ham and skim mozerella rolled up Will be taking a crockpot of teriaki meatballs to the party later. I figure 3-4 meatballs and something off the veggie tray should do me for supper. The alcohol is a different story. Taking a bottle of Merlot with me, empty calories but oh-so-good. Yeah right~~~I ate so much crap today. chips and dip, brisket, beans, tortilla chips and guacamole, etc... Gotta getta grip tomorrow.

I'm actually having. A bourbon now out with a friend, he went to the bathroom I checked in here and saw your post. It's the third alcoholic beverage I've had since my sleeve, but I felt if ever I deserve one, it's now,

Yea I suck I know. I went from food addiction to alcohol. Goes to my belly. I'm trying so hard to get a grip. Thanks for the responses lol Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

L2L: Oh No!!! I don't wish it on anyone! Too tight does not mean more weight loss! I've learned that for sure. You will find you'll just eat around it...shakes, mushies, etc. I did lose 2 pounds while on vacation, but trust me...it wasn't because I tried! I had at least 2 Starbucks Fraps a day, plenty of alcohol and lots of yummy food!! The only thing I can say for myself is that we walked and hiked everyday!!!! My clothes are looser despite my attempt to sabotage my weight loss! It's okay though...I went into it with no plans of losing ANY weight so the way I see it, I WON!! LOL Okay, sorry...back to you. I hope you can get in today. I think just the slightest unfill would do wonders for me, so I'm sure you'd feel the same too. It's been a while since your fill, so I'd venture to say that any swelling should be gone by now. How much do you have in your band? ~Carol

People are going to judge with me saying this, but I drink probably a few times a month. I entertain customers and as much as people say you can fake it, it makes things awkward in my industry if you have always drank and all of a sudden stop. I haven't had any issues - just take it slow because it hits harder and faster and goes away sooner than before (for me). I haven't lost as much as I thought I would have and I'm sure drinking had something to do with it. But so do the long hours and the travel and other life circumstances. I'm following my diet very closely but still have problems with hydration (yes I know alcohol makes it worse). Hard liquor had been a bad idea. wine has been fine. Good luck and you do you.

I entertain clients often and have found if I tell the server ahead of time and in private that I'm going to order an alcoholic drink but please make it a virgin Noone even suspects that I'm not drinking alcohol

Hey guys so I'm a month plus after surgery, was just wondering when I can start drinking again... Moderately, but still. You gotta live a little, right? Already lost 40 pounds in like a month!

I've only had the first situation you describe where I get "drunk" very quickly, on very little alcohol, then sober up just as quickly. I haven't pressed my luck, so to speak and drank enough to get any worse than that. I'm not a young person anymore (I'm 36), so my days of drinking more than a couple of drinks in one evening are well behind me now. I don't think I'd ever have any desire to drink more than a couple of drinks, especially when I start feeling drunk so quickly now.

I am 10 days post op and asked my surgeon about drinking, post-op. His feedback was: beer...pretty much never, due to the carbonation/fizziness factor...and it can stretch your stomach out. Regular cocktails/liquor; 6 weeks post op and after. The alcohol inhibits the healing process and can lead to improper healing of the staple line. (He said it much more eloquently than I am). Plus, a lot of spirits/cocktails/mixed drinks, are high in calories and can derail your weight loss efforts. So, beyond the 6 week point, the stomach should be able to handle moderate imbibing. I would guess when the time comes to drink again, it would be better to not do it on an empty stomach...to see how the tolerance is.

Ya it's not that alcohol is going to dmg it somehow. It's just empty calories and the risk of drinking too much and get sick. If you know you're gonna drink on the rare occasion just don't drink enough to puke your guts up.

Alcohol is fattening but i don't know of any reason why you can't have a glass of wine.

It is like telling a Alcoholic not to go to AA or a drug addict not to go to drug rehab it is a illness so is obesity. They could not stop on there own they needed some help this is no different. Maybe if they tried and go with you to a support meeting to see what it is really all about to get a full understanding they would not be so quick to judge. People need to walk a mile in other peoples situation before passing judgement. And Beside love ones are suppose to be the least judgemental of all they love you and should stand by you and be understanding! When I told my family they were like when where which surgery are you doing they were on it and I am getting a revision from lapband to bypass so this is my 2nd and last surgery!

Today is my last day before I start my pre diet and I'm feeling Very afraid and cranky. Alcohol and food have always been my run-to's when I'm stressed. Reality is settling in Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I do not remember it being painful to drink, it was slow at first. But if you are curious about the effects on your band, use common sense, lots and lots of carbonation could cause your band to slip, stretch, or just in general cause problems with the band and your stomach. If you are going to be drinking mixed drinks you will be fine, even ones with soda. Once the ice melts a little and the alcohol diluting the soda, a drink becomes flat enough to drink easily. Obviously you don't eat as much anymore so be conscience of the effects of the alcohol, you won't need as much. And at the same time, too many drinks on a full stomach will lead to bloating and you will be very uncomfortable. Oh yea, I figured it would be worth mentioning, and this is probably not for everyone, but I get really gassy when I drink a lot of beer!! Heads up on that.

What is the earliest anyone had a sip of alcohol? Not a lot, I know all about the calories. Going on a cruise in three weeks, just curious.

It's been 10 weeks. I'm down 28lbs since surgery and 38 total. I'm loosing slow and steady. Should it be more by now? I can eat almost anything but not a lot. Milk upsets my stomach still and I stay away from sweets. I started exercising 3 weeks ago to kick start my metabolism. I'm looking and feeling better. Yet I feel impatient about my weight loss. Also alcohol is easy to get down so I'm staying away from that too since it's empty calories. What's going on with you?

I could echo most of what everyone else is saying; I'm now 5 days post-op banding and because I've been surrounded by the mental attitude of staying on the liquid diet thru this period, I made some good soups and have juices, liquid supplements etc, food begins to fade just the tiniest bit. Not something you'd think would happen to someone who did all the typical "last supper" days. Shit, 2 days before surgery, I'd gotten rid of all my junk food, but like a maniac, scrounged thru the kitchen, found a box of brown suger, boiled it into taffy and ate the whole pan of it in one sitting. Did I feel bad? duh...Yes, us food addicts have it bad; it is not an easy thing to come to grips with, but acknowledging it, like an alcoholic does is a good place to start. Stay in touch with the support group, read up on compulsive overeating and if need be, find a good eating disorder therapist to work with. I'm reading something my therapist recommended called, "Eating under the light of the moon". It's very gentle and reassuring. Keep the faith! You've been led this far so I think the band is a great tool that will help us. warmly, sufina:cursing:

I have been thinking about LAP-BAND®® since 2007, yet I still havent made any moves towards having it done. I was about 240lbs then,and 3 years later I am now 270 lbs. so, I need to do something asap....What's your advice for someone contemplating surgery ..... -pros and cons? -what was your diet like in the begining and what is it like now? -how often do you exercise? -did you have anyd difficulties? -can you drink alcoholic beverages (not a big drinker, just curious)? -did your insurance cover surgery, and if so what did you have to do for them to agree to cover the surgery? -what has been the hardest part with having LapBAND? Any extra info you would like to offer would be great! THANKS!

All plans are different. My docs told us/my class, not to drink alcohol after surgery. I am not a drinker, so it doesn't affect me.

Yesterday was my consult and things went great! I had, proactively, scheduled my PCP surgery clearance, baseline labs, X-ray, EKG, upper Gi, and support group meeting... All to be done before July 16! At the office visit I was scheduled for the Nutritionist and Psychologist. The psych appt isn't until August! No BUENO! Lol, I think I can handle waiting a month. The Dr. Wasn't as bad at this visit as I heard he can be. He was actually pretty nice... We'll see what he's like further down the road. Well today is my Bday and I still get to indulge in alcohol so I'm heading to Margaritaville! Just wanted to write my update before I start drunk-texting!