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All things considered I am doing okay. I don't want to jinx anything but things seem to be going good. I haven't had a BM yet, but I figure that will fix itself soon, and I haven't felt sick at all. My left side hurts pretty badly, but because of the scar tissue in my abdomen they had to go in on that side and did most of the work there, the pain medicine is working really well though. I stopped drinking alcohol about 20 years ago, but I told my wife that when I am drinking stuff now I tell myself it is 20 year old scotch that must be savored, not chugged, it seems to make it easier to sip then, lol. My first follow-up appointment is next Monday, they have to take the stiches out, I had to have normal stiches put in one of the incisions. How are you doing?

I'm an RN so you know I HAVE to say you should see your MD. That said, I do not think your incisions look bad or infected. As you heal, it's natural to see the red color along the suture line as well as some "puckering" of the skin. It's also natural to "itch" as you heal. Clean the incision with alcohol or betadine and then apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream/ointment. Shower daily and clean the incisions after your shower and apply the antibiotic cream/ointment. You're suture lines looked well healed so you might want to consider calling the MD to move your appt. up so you can get the staples out.

TNT, does the fizzy-ness of the beer effect you as well as the alcohol? I've read on other threads that a lot of bandits have trouble with fizzy drinks. What is the consequence of this? Is it just gas or PBs?

Hi All, I'm pre-op, but this question is for everybody. Is anyone here practicing a way of eating, like Paleo or Wheat Belly, that eliminates grains, gluten & sugars, and focuses on high-quality Proteins (no hormones, no antibiotics, no steroids, grass fed and free range) + organic veggies and fruits? I'd love to get to know people who want to eat this way. I have a lot of inflammatory and gastric issues that I want to heal from (all of which help me qualify for the surgery). Health is my #1 concern and my main reason for wanting to lose the weight. I know from experience that grains (even whole grains), sugar, and junk make all my conditions worse, especially the arthritis, inflammation, gastro issues. I'm already feeling better. I believe that for my best health for life, I'm going to want to stick with Paleo style eating, even after my surgery. I've already spent a lifetime failing at dieting. I believe that everything I put into my body has an impact, good or bad. I'm done with just counting calories. Most diet foods are full of junk, too. Bariatric Protein drinks & products: I see a lot of ingredients that I don't want, including sugar alcohols, other artificial ingredients, and whey. Do bariatric patients have to use these pre-packaged Protein Drinks that the doctor's office is promoting? Does anyone know of healthier options? The issue for me with WHEY as the primary ingredient in a Protein Drink is that whey is dairy from milk -- and the dairy industry is pumping their cows full of hormones, antibiotics, steroids, and feeding them with genetically modified grains. However, it seems that most NUTs say that whey protein is better than plant-based protein for bariatric patients. I've found and have started using an organic whey Protein Powder that's made from the milk of grass-fed cows (organic pasture) and given no steroids/antibiotics/hormones. This product contains just the organic whey protein and nothing else (no added sugars, etc). It's got 100 cals, 1g sugar, 2g carb, and 21g protien. It's the best organic brand I've found. I've been using it in green smoothies. It has no taste at all, so I can add it to anything. The stuff my NUT recommends, Premier Protein, not only has protein but a lot of other Vitamins. Is this what we are required to drink especially during the fasting pre-op and post-op? Or, can we take pure organic protein like the one that I like, and just take supplements for the other vitamins? I'm going to ask all these questions at my next appointment in a few days, but I'd love to get info and thoughts from you. thank you!

uhm...the fast answer is: cookie yes. Wine no. The long answer is I understand a bite of a cookie once in a while or something sweet, but don't let it become a habit because after all, you're doing this surgery to lose weight, right? Why put crap into your body at this point? Wait until you're at the maintenance stage of the game, then worry about Cookies LOL Sleeve patients don't experience "dumping syndrome" like the DS or the RNY so it won't make you sick. Wine or any alcohol is going to be really hard because you'll have a very small tummy and so you may absorb alcohol (and medications) at a faster rate. They advise you not to drive after even a SIP of alcohol because of this. It's not worth the risk. If you're home and not driving? Try a glass of wine. The worst that can happen is you're crocked and your hubby takes advantage of the situation LOL Renee`

I am told not to eat anymore than 10 grams of sugar per serving at a time to help avoid "dumping". As far as wine, I have already indulged in a few ounces a few times and did not have any problems. Sorry, but the "you're never gonna have alcohol again" doesn't fly with me. But that being said, I am going to put weight loss over wine any day, considering I just had 85% of my stomach cut out Good luck to you!

Hi, i have sleeve surgery planned for the 15th of feb 2018. I have a few questions to the lovely post op members. 1. I want to give up or at least massively cut down on alcohol post op. However I love going out and socialising. What do you drink on a night out with no gas, no alcohol and no (very few) calories? A night out on water is a bit boring!! 2. I have been active in the past running 3-10 miles 3-4 times a week. I have done very little exercise for the past 6months. But I really want to get into ultra fitness post op (obviously not the day after!!) Iron man, ultra marathon that kind of thing. How long did it take before you could do any kind of fitness training? Are there issues with getting the right nutrients for that level of sport? 3. How do you deal with situations where you get offered food and drink? I find I eat and drink stuff I don’t really want sometimes because I can’t stand the “what you pregnant or something” “don’t be boring” “ why you not eating? On a diet or something? You don’t need to go on a diet what you need to do is...(que rubbish advice that you don’t want to discuss)” I don’t want to tell people about my surgery so how will still be able to go out socially without all the questions? Thankyou in advance. :-)

As a couple, the Edward's have agreed to seek a bid for the White House. Being in the medical profession and having read the proposed treatment plan, I don't think the cancer issue should be a factor. For now, it's a chronic illness that will lead to death in as little as six months but projected to be a few years. For THIS couple, a decision was made to not let her illness change the short and long range plans. My vote would not be effected by a candidate's cancer diagnosis. Betty Ford was an alcoholic and many other presidents have had very personal issues to deal with while in office. Some were public and some we'll never know about. If the presidency were a dictatorship as opposed to a democracy with bipartisan houses, I might feel differently. How do YOU feel about it?

Drinking with meals, avoiding alcohol and fast foods.

For the most part I don't usually comment on these "alcohol" post, because quite frankly I just don't get it. I've never been a drinker but maybe once in a great while.....and I really mean a "great while".....I haven't had a drink in well over 2 years....haha I'm not against drinking it just doesn't take drinking in order for me to enjoy myself.....I have no problem turning down alcohol when I'm out with friends or at a party....once I get to my goal weight I'll go back to the way I used to be....once in a "great while" I may have a mixed drink....but while I'm in the weight loss phase it is not even a consideration! I have a hard time understanding people who have gone to the extreme of having most of their stomach surgically removed in order to lose weight and within a very short period of time begin drinking completely empty calories....I just can't wrap my head around that. I'm sure folks think "of course she doesn't understand. She's not a drinker.".....But I relate this to me like this; prior to surgery I loved loved Cookies and ice cream! But after letting the surgeon remove most of my stomach because I was so desperate to lose weight I would not even take a small bite of a cookie or ice cream while I'm in the weight loss phase!...but I guess that's just me. I'm also a believer in do whatever you feel is best for you....so if that includes drinking alcohol, more power to you. Good luck I wish you all the best.

I think it's not so much the drinking in it's self but the fact that you didn't realize it until you had three glasses down which is the scary part. It happened. You can't do anything about it now but stay away from alcohol if you can't get a grip on your willpower in its presence. I am three months out and I had a white sangaria the other day that ended up being too strong for me. Prior to the surgery, I would drink a little once in a blue moon so I don't have the tolerance for it in the first place. Did you drink it all in a short period of time or through out the night?? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I went out with my husband last night with the mindset of not drinking . Then before I know it I realized I had 4 glasses of wine . I'm almost 3 months post op .. I'm so mad at myself! I feel like I didn't care enough about my surgery and let the crowd get to me . It was almost like I left my brand new life style behind and started falling into my old habits. I feel ok besides the hangover but I'm scared I have jeopardized my weight loss. What is everyone's experience with alcohol after surgery ? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

HW 333 LW 170 CW 220 Surgery date was 6/2000 i am 21 yrs out and a daily exerciser. My step are always over 10k a day. Very active. My pouch has stretched for sure. In July 2020 I had a stomach ablation done where they go down the throat and zap the pouch to try to create some scar tissue to try to shrink the pouch to give you a feeling of fullness as if he just had surgery. I was on liquids for two weeks and lost 12 pounds. I went crazy not having solid foods. I’ve gained six of those pounds back over the holidays. I’m currently sitting in about 221 I want to be at least 180. My biggest challenge is I can’t seem to stick to any food plan. After the ablation the doctor had me doing 800 g of fruits and vegetables a day. No he’s a gastroenterologist and he supposed to know that we are to eat protein first. He disagrees. I’m in a major metro of San Diego so it’s not like he’s a fly-by-night doctor. About 10 years ago I had a metabolism study done at Scripps hospital in la Jolla and they said metabolism had really slowed and my resting metabolism was about 1486 cal a day. I’m not sure what that equates to but they said I should eat under 1200 cal a day. I’m just really struggling getting this weight off I keep starting the five day restart pouch thing and then I’ll eat pizza… Chocolate seems to be in the mix every night. I am extremely frustrated and can’t seem to get any of this weight off on my own. About five years out from my by pass I turned alcohol and became an alcoholic. That was crazy! I am 8 yrs sober and 59 yrs old! Help please! I wish I could get the surgery all over again !

Five weeks ago, banded and hopeful. Today, I'm down 23 lbs and so happy about that! Not a super fast loss, but I'll take slow and stead and PERMANENT any day over fast and yo-yo! I'm finding that summer time is the most challenging time for me - although there are many fresh fruits, veggies and healthy options out there at this time of year, for me and my husband, there are many social engagements including barbecues, outdoor concerts, farmer's markets, weddings, and other really wonderful events. The events for me are not a challenge, and I'm finding that the food at the events is not the problem, but I am one to enjoy a glass or two of wine or a cocktail with friends at these events. While I'm still losing, I'm thinking that I'd do myself a bigger favor if I stuck to non-alcoholic beverages and watch the weight come down faster. But like I said above, it's not all about losing it fast - I am learning a new way of living right now, and if that life involves an occasional cocktail or glass of wine, so be it. This week has been full of festivities related to a dear friend getting married tonight. I haven't exercised as much because work has been insane busy and we've had engagements every night this week. But isn't that what life is all about? Some weeks are busier than others, it's all about having balance and taking care of myself. I feel like I've been doing a pretty good job in that area. Will I have a glass of wine tonight at the reception? YEP! My daughter turned 18 on Thursday and headed out to Denver (about 4 hours away) for the weekend. As life would have it, she ended up in a fender bender, wanting to come home, not sure about her future move to Denver for school, and so upset (poor baby!) My old mode would have been to hit the pantry since I couldn't be right there to help her. But this time, (luckily her dad is over there), I was able to deal with the problem, feel the emotions I was having, and not stuff them down with a bag of chips. I just talked them out, and I felt better than the food would have made me feel. Again, life happens. So the ups and downs can still happen without dousing them in food - I am learning a whole new way of being, a new way of dealing, and I feel good that so far I've been able to take on stress (good and bad stress) in a healthy way. Hope all of you out there are doing well, remember it really is a JOURNEY and our bands are helping us physically manage hunger while we learn to deal with the other habits and head issues that have made us obese. It is so much easier to understand old patterns, look at them for what they were and change them when I'm not constantly starving. I LOVE MY BAND!!! My best - D

Just now 3 months out from my bypass, I had to wait a year after getting my band out to get the bypass.. I learned a lot in that year (wait time was a combination of healing and insurance requirements). The big difference is you won't feel "stuck"... just full with a small amount. I did have a drain and after they removed it they didn't tell me it "MAY" leak for several days, some do, some don't. Have some pads available just in case. The other thing they warn you about is sugar. Now I have not tested the sugar/dumping syndrome thing because I don't want to dump. However, watch those sugar alcohols you know in the different shakes and protein bars out there I have found I am very sensitive to even Spleda and all the like. Other than that I wish I would have done this first... I don't know why I was so scared!

Nothing about alcohol was mentioned before my prep diet which was only 1 day before surgery Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Could it have been the sugar alcohol? We're not suppposed to absorb it so it it doesn't officially count in the carb count. Hence the "sugar free", but I know it's always affected my gut even without the sleeve so I avoid the stuff.

I can't believe anyone would think of asking you to sign that. You are getting a lap band, not moving to Mars! Of course, we all recognize that alcohol is just empty calories, but really, as adults can't we decide what we choose to consume? Alcohol will not hurt your band. It will merely impede your weight loss, as do lots of other poor choices. Maybe I should sign something to indicate that I won't eat pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. As for drinking with the band, I'm not a big drinker, but I do have a glass of wine every now and then. I've tried beer, but the carbonation makes me sick. Since, I lost half my body size, alcohol does effect me much quicker. You do need to be cautious, but you don't need to avoid it for the rest of your life. I really think that the secret to success with the band is to live as normally as possible. Crazy rules like this, just make it harder to think for yourself and make good choices. Information is useful, arbitrary rules are not. Cindy

Mine was yesterday no test just asked questions like how long over weight, meds I'm on any history of drug, alcohol abuse what wax childhood like. What am I trying to do now to prepare for surgery. It was a nice visit and I was nervous too. He asked if I eat due to stress or emotions as well. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yup. Me too. I gave up smoking, alcohol (pretty much) to have this surgery, so you'll take my coffee from my cold, dead hands. lol exaactly hehehe

yeah, for the wine. ha ha. Been scared to drink any alcohol yet because of eating so little it will good straight to my head.

Hey...we were almost done at the same time ! I have had some stalls too! I noticed when I was not eating ENOUGH I stalled.....how many calories are you eating? I had cut out carbs all the way and apparently my body did not like it. I did not do it on purpose....I was just full when I had finished the protein and was not getting them in. Also...I noticed when I did not take calcium I loose slower???? Weird. I also switched acid pills (not on purpose) and that broke a couple days of stall. When I drink more water that helps also. Just some ideas! Lay off the alcohol. Your poor body is not healed enough for a hangover yet....lolol....too hard on your liver too which is already working overtime to process all that protein. Try to stay OFF the scale and think positive, happy thoughts and when you feel the urge to drink go do something positive like take a walk and breath deep. Sending you some happy energy! You can DO THIS....take it one hour at a time!

<<I was trying to give everyone a full picture of what I'm going through, in my eyes/mind. My struggle is solely that its getting harder and harder for me to support this and be supportive to him, when he is quickly becoming cold and callous towards me. Like I said, this is not solely about his WLS as some started when he moved in and that I will deal with 1:1 with a therapist. I'm simply here to TRY to further understand what I can do, if anything, and how to do it.>> I think everyone here has given you a lot of good advice and you don't seem to want the answers. 1) this is HIS journey and you have no business trying to advise him what to do or what to eat. If he asks your advice on something, you can offer your opinion; otherwise, stay out of it. 2) Your weight loss and his have nothing to do with each other, except that you both possibly eat for emotional reasons and since you are not getting the emotional support from each other that you want, you may use food to blunt those feelings. You both probably need to be seeing a therapist to deal with that, alone. 3) Neither of you seem to be getting your emotional needs met; why would you want to marry and make this permanent? You do seem to want to control things. I'm not criticizing you; I have been through this for the last 24 years of a bad marriage. I ignored all the problems in my rush to get married. Now I'm getting divorced but it took gaining 100 lbs and 2 years of my own therapy to get to this point. I have many things from my childhood that impacted my relationships with others and I did not realize for a long time that I had subconsciously chosen a clone of my cold, distant alcoholic father. yeah, psychobabble but it's true. I tried to control so many things in my life b/c I could not control whether my husband (or my father before that) loved me. Food was my control item and also my anesthesia to numb those feelings. I think couples therapy is great, but only after both of you work on yourselves alone. My husband and I did some therapy together and it was great at first but it was a bandaid. As soon as we delved below the surface, he bailed and wouldn't work on anything serious. Now is the time to love yourself, before loving anyone else. Have him move out and get his own finances in order and his weight loss, work on yourself and then see if there is anything there besides food holding you together.

I have been stalled since day 14, so I feel ya. But stopping doing the right things guarantees this is not a stall but a permanent stop. So get off the alcohol. Get out your diet guidelines. Get back to eating "clean" and trust in yourself and your body. The suggestion above to see the dietician is a good one.

You are not alone! There are several people on here who are "slow losers". It is also normal to enter a stall around week 3 or so. From what I understand, when you start eating normal foods again, it is also normal to enter another stall. Drinking alcohol this early out isn't a good thing - it is just empty calories, plus it could potentially damage your new and healing stomach. My surgeon's office says to not have alcohol for the first 6 months because of this. Have you talked to your surgeon and/or dietician about your stall? You really should. They can help you figure out why your not losing anymore. Make sure you have food logs to show them as they won't be able to be as helpful without those.