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Every surgeon seems to have a different opinion on the subject of alcohol consumption. My surgeon said 6 weeks. Some say 6 months and some are firm on never. I would highly recommend you do not do that right now. You are way too soon post op. Your stomach is not anywhere near healed and no good can come from that right now. You must concentrate on hydration this soon and wine will only hurt that goal.

I have the occasional small glass of wine that takes me an hour to drink or a 1 oz. shot of vodka (which I sip over 1/2 hour). No adverse effects and I haven't gotten tipsy from it. That small amount once a week or so is fine for me and I figure it into my daily calories, too. I'm dying for a cold beer, but even a sip of carbonation makes me ill now. I don't recommend alcohol for everyone.

I got sh*t faced 7 weeks out by accident, it for sure hits you A LOT harder than you would imagine. If you're going to drink, try a small sip first, I also tried drinking a shot at 5 weeks and it burned waaaay too much. everyone has different opinions on alcohol

Hi sleevers- I was wondering how long after surgery did you have any alcohol and what the experience is like. Thanks

Wishing and PRAYING for ALL of the NEWBIES going for surgery... THIS is your FIRST STEP! THE REST IS UP TO U!!!.. Literally, YOU are the one that has to FOLLOW THE RULES TO SUCCEED!!..... WIshing ALL of you the success........ DO NOT COME BACK in 1-9 weeks and say OMG I am gaining, you have GAINED the last 2-5-10-15 YEARS,.... YOU have been GIVEN the TOOL work with IT........ Drink YOUR WATER, get in your PROTIEN. YOU did NOT gain this in a MONTH, DO NOT EXPECT to lose 50-250lbs in a WEEK!!!!..... if you follow the DIRECTIONS.......... YOUR body will shed the POUNDS~~~~.DO WHAT YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO DO!!!.... HOLLER IF I CAN HELP YOU..... REALLY ONLY SERIOUS HELP! STAY OFF THE SCALE........ Drink your water., get in your protein and NO you CANNOT DRINK ALCOHOL, 4 weeks after surgery!!!!!!

I waited until 6 months. I noticed anything with sugar alcohol was causing cravings.

Weight Loss surgery is NOT A MAGIC PILL. You will HAVE to follow the rules, you will not lose 25 lbs a week, you will GAIN and you WILL LOSE, but you have to give your body TIME to HEAL.... Get in your WATER, and AS MUCH PROTEIN as you can.. do not come back in 3 weeks and say when can i drink Alcohol...........etc... you either WANT to do this (lose the weight) OR you Really just THOUGHT you DID....... Holler if I can help you!!!!! DO NOT COME BACK IN 2 4 5 12 weeks and say YOU are GAINING, THERE IS NO WAY.... you are gaining...... you are not drinking your water....... COME BACK in a year and THEN CRY you have gained weight, if SO , YOU are the reason........NOT the surgery!!!!!! Please if I can help ANYONE. Let me know, been there DONE THAT and some!!! ROCKING SIZE 8P... and FEELING & LOOKING WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Must remember I was pushing out or Women's 18P

I am not annoyed with them at all. Quite the opposite, actually. I remember the demons of wanting to eat the way I wanted to. I still battle those demons as I mention in a recent post regarding a cruise I just went on. It is difficult to make these changes which we developed over a lifetime. But you have to know some folks are looking to validate behaviors down deep they know they need to change. If you were at an alcoholic's anonymous meeting and someone who was struggling walked in with light beer asking if it was OK to drink it, how would you respond? Sometimes it's tough love.

There is absolutely nothing that I can never eat again. Grapes, citrus, pineapple, soda, sesame seeds, fibrous veggies, alcohol -- all things that were restricted for me for a time, but once I was fully healed, no issues whatsoever. The only thing I don't eat is any wheat products.. but that's due to an intolerance unrelated to the sleeve.

U guys r crackin me up!! Lol I also quit soda back in May. It's actually not bad!! Broke down once or twice since then. Pretty proud if myself. But I too am eating as much as I can lol. Making dates with friends for one last hoorah lol. I think the one thing I will really really miss is alcohol!!!!!!!!

For the hospital, I wish I knew about the nausea after getting out of the procedure, it was horrible and for me lasted 2 days. A small pillow is a must so you can hold your stomach to cough and blow into the spirometer thing. Everything else is just the lifestyle changes that come with surgery and are second nature to me now. I don't think about them too often, except when I go out with friends. I vowed not to drink alcohol until next March because I don't want to introduce that sugar and extra calories until I am at goal or close to it. When going out, it is difficult because I enjoy a glass of wine with friends. With that said, nothing is more important to me right now than getting to goal. I have discovered that I have something in me that I never knew was there.....self monitoring and self control. With the advantages the sleeve gives you as a tool and the right mindset, we can do this. I'm not saying it is easy because it most certainly is NOT. Most things worth working for are not easy. It is achievable though and I hope to keep my mindset moving forward and take all that comes with the surgery in stride to a successful finish line. Good luck to you on your research journey.

This is one of those topics that get a lot of debate. Some say never, some say a few weeks or months, some are given straws in the hospital. I started using a straw about 3 weeks post op. I get more air without one than with, that's just me. Here's how I look at a lot of the different surgeon's instructions on everything from post op diet, some people are on soft foods from day one, some, it takes a month. Also, caffeine, alcohol, straws and grapes. Yes, some are told to avoid grapes. I don't even get that one at all. The list goes on. In my opinion, first our surgeons give advice and instructions based on medical fact, medical opinion, covering their asses and lastly serving the lowest common denominator. I think we need to take everything in and make the best decisions for us. Hope that helps.

I had bad experiences with the LapBand, I'm totally unfilled. I am 99% certain I will try the RNY. Still researching for information, experiences, etc. * I'm doing it for ME, but my husband is not so sure about it since I failed the Band. He is worried because 1. I'll be hospitalized. 2. I'm having major surgery 3. ( I think) He was traumatized by my past surgeries and doesn't want to feel that way again. 4. He's afraid that I will fail the RNY too. 5. (I think) He doesn't want to go through all the "food" changes again, 6. ( I think) He's afraid that I'll succeed. He is an alcoholic, seeing me do my thing with the RNY just magnifies his addiction. * There's tension. I KNOW I can succeed at RNY (even though I question, question, question) but how can I help him be on the same boat as me? How can I assure him it's the right decision. The only decision? He's not selfish, he's very supportive, except on this issue. My soul knows RNY is the way to go, how can I get him to see that? Have any of you experienced someone that's not so supportive of your decision? * It won't stop me from having the surgery but I'd like to help him out.

OMG I am really excited to have found these! I'm sure a lot of you know about them but I just discovered them. For those who haven't tried them, they are protein bars that taste good, are extremely low in sugar (2-3 grams), very satisfying and 20 grams of protein! Best of all, the original line has NO sugar alcohols whoo hooo! I really dont want to have two shakes a day forever and, I wanted something I could travel with when necessary. Awesome!

I honestly haven't had any bread, pasta or rice yet. I am 3 1/2 months post op and I don't think I will even have any of it for a long time. A lot of people eat them with no problem and yet as many do have problems. I think you will have to try this to find out if you can handle it. Please keep in mind when you start adding carbs back into your diet they make you crave more of them. For me they are like alcohol to an alcoholic and I have to stay away from them. If you can handle them more power to you!

September has been a crazy busy month! I am actually looking forward to my surgery, so I can rest. I am a person that strives to do everything, even when there isn't enough time. I had to admit defeat this month and miss out on a family wedding. I was disappointed that I didn't get to celebrate my cousin's marriage to his beautiful bride and spend the day with family. However, I spent the day out at a little airport with my husband and a group of his students. Although it rained most of the day and the days plans were ruined, it was still a good day. Watching how passionate everyone is about aviation was quite a sight. There was a group of atleast 50 people that sat around inside just waiting for the weather to clear for about 6 hours. Optimism was abundant and the pure passion they all have for aviation was abundant. My husband’s passion for aviation is unwavering, job losses, uncaring bosses, he just keeps driving on. Recently he said to me, “If you loved being an engineer half as much as I love being an aircraft mechanic, you would have so much fun.” Where does my passion lie? Sure I am an engineer, mostly because I was good at math. Did I choose to be an engineer? No, my dad thought I would be good at it. There are days that I absolutely love my job and many where it is just a job. What I really love is helping people. Last night when I was walking back to my hotel from dinner, I gave a dollar to an older gentleman in a doorway. I know, you shouldn’t give money to beggars as they usually buy alcohol or drugs with it. It really wasn’t about the dollar, I was nice to him, told him to have a nice evening and his face lit up. I had just watched a man and his children completely ignore the older gentleman. Amazing how a bit of kindness can brighten someone’s day and your own. I do love helping people when I do my job, just need to find more days where I love it. My surgery is in 9 days. One class to finish, a Piper's Barkery event at a dog fair and one work day to survive! I know I can do it! Ready for the next chapter in my life. I will then have 3 ½ weeks off from work to recuperate. Hope I can do a little self-reflection and rediscover my passion in life.

Hello! My surgery was on 8/6/13 and I am currently down 27.4 pounds. I am not sure if I am on target but it seems slow going. I lost most of my weight early on and have only lost a little over 4 pounds in the last month. Is this typical? Im being honest here, I have struggled with the Protein and the Water intake, even though I love to drink water. I just cant seem to get it all in. I have been experimenting with just about any kind of foods and seem to be able to eat most things, just not too much of anything at once. I have had some foods I shouldn't, but even though I dont think I have consumed more than 1000 calories any given day. I have had drinks containing alcohol a few times. It doesnt seem to bother me or affect me different than before. My family are big beef eaters and so I have ate ground beef a few times, I havent had issues with that. I havent exercised much due to the fact that I am prepping my house for moving and that is a lot of physical activity. I am tired as can be at the end of the day. So, looking at this, there are many areas I can improve on, but I am just living my life as normal as possible and not constantly thinking about the sleeved stomach or when to eat. I would appreciate any feedback and advice. Thanks All, Joan

Army of me: Reversal isn't an option as there's no viable tissue left. It's all just one giant ball of scar tissue. Eventually they'll end up having to do a radical gastrectomy and take out everything above the small intestine and he'll end up with a J-tube. Unfortunately, this will not do much for the pain because of all the scar tissue that's built up and the damage to the liver from all the acid leakage. One doctor told him his liver (or about 1/3rd of it) looked like that of an alcoholic....All necrotic and nasty and green but that he knew it couldn't be alcoholism because it was only on the 1/3rd portion. He's putting that off as long as he can bear to because he is so upset about the notion of being thirsty and not being able to even take a drink of water. He tells anyone who asks him about the surgery to either lose the weight on your own or just enjoy being who you are now because he can guarantee that regardless of how miserable they might be overweight? It's NOTHING compared to what he goes through on a daily basis. Oldoneyoungagain: I sincerely hope it comes fast. We're constantly one paycheck away from being homeless and while SSDI is no lottery win by far it would at least make sure we're never on the street between what he'll get for that and what I make. The last thing: IDK how many of you have been through or know someone who's been through the provess to get SSDI but based on our experience? I don't understand how so many people are on it. You're treated from the get go like you're some sort of burgler who's trying to break into the USA's safe and they're doing everything they can to keep you out of it. Tony made between high 5 figures and low 6 figures when he was able to work. Would someone PLEASE tell me what sense it makes for him to try and "make out like a bandit" on less than 1/4th of what he was making while he worked? It just makes no rational sense but I'm telling you.....You're treated like you're trying to get away with something from the get go. Tony was a workaholic and loved his job. He would give anything to be able to go back to it. Again....Much thanks for all the well wishes. It's cathartic to have a place like this where you can just vent and no one judges and is so supportavie....

I had strange cravings for me personally. Spicy food though I'm allergic to peppers (assuming all kinds because I have had reactions to bell peppers, jalapenos and hot sauces). The next craving was alcohol, especially wine. I didn't drink much before hand, and wine was the last choice on my list if I did. And lastly a burger. I was never one to eat red meat but for some reason I just wanted to go to Ruby Tuesday and eat one of their new burgers they had on the commercials. Then I realized all of my food cravings were related to commercials (Burger King with new boneless wings, wine tastings in the Finger Lakes, and Ruby Tuesday pretzel burgers). I'm not one to watch much TV but I couldn't believe how much it was influencing my thinking/cravings. I am much better now, but those first few weeks were tough. I just don't understand why those certain foods, especially when we all know there are a million other food commercials out there. It wasn't something that I craved or desired before hand so why was it after surgery.

Hello - I was sleeved on 9/10 and so far my recovery has been right on par. Everything I expected to happen, happened (THANK GOD FOR THIS WEBSITE!!) and every day I saw drastic improvements in how much Protein I was able to get in, fluids, etc. Small victories, but exciting nonetheless. In addition to quitting medicine for Diabetes Type II and Hypertension (yea, kicked them in the a**)... I've quit smoking and quit caffeine (I am also a recovering drug/alcohol addict with almost 3 years sober). So, I have a LOT to be grateful for and proud of. But, I have a lot of fear and anxiety that "it wont happen." Anyone else have this post-op? I even gained 3 lbs when I switched from Clear liquids to full liquids. I'm still getting less than 600 calories a day, 70+ grams of protein and as much Water as I can. Is this normal? How can I not focus on the # glaring back at me from the scale? Thanks!

At 4 weeks I don't see the harm. Just try one and see how it goes. I had to be careful with sugar alcohols at first (like in some SF candy). It had me running to the bathroom.

My nieces and nephews always know I have a bowl of candy on my dining room table. Well, since I have had RNY 1-week ago I haven't had candy around in about a month, maybe two months. Does anyone have any recommendations on sugar-free candy to keep in a bowl? And can RNY patients eat sugar-free candy due to the sugar alcohol? If there is a way to keep some of my old "perks" as an aunt, but tweak it so that I am also helping the kiddos with sugar-free candy. Thank you.

I completely understand your fears. Like you, I looked forward to the movie popcorn (and junior mints) more than the movie. Sometimes I couldn't tell you what I saw, but I could tell you what I ate...! I had surgery on 8/22. Here is what I can tell you about it. The surgery itself wasn't bad at all. I had the worst time the few weeks leading up to surgery. It was a real mind f--k. Soooo many fears (similar to yours). After surgery, it was really easy for the first couple of weeks to follow "the plan." You don't feel good enough to not follow it. Now, at 4 weeks, I feel great and I am struggling with my "food issues" again. Last night, I was at a party and there were all my favorite foods there. I grazed some on Cookies, which then awoke my carb monster and I got pretty miserable because I wanted to eat more. But... I look at it this way: Before, if I would have grazed on some cookies, I would have followed it up with a couple bowls of Cereal and then a PBJ to top it off. A "binge" these days isn't much food even when I make a bad choice. And, today, I'm back on track. I'm doing things now that I NEVER would have/could have done before surgery. For example, today, I am spending the day cooking my meals for the week, creating 1/2 cups of healthy, Protein rich foods. Then I will do what I said I would NEVER do -- track it all in My Fitness Pal. Again, don't let these things overwhelm you - I never thought I would be able to do this. My fear was: If I were able to diet and exercise, I wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. Surgery DOES help with it. I hope you will reach some peace with your decision, whatever it is. Only you know what is best for you. That said, given you have insurance approval, I'd think long and hard about it (I had to self-pay...with insurance coverage would have been much more incentive for me). One more thing I will add: I am in AA. I don't bother myself too much with the question of whether I am a "real" alcoholic. I have a desire not to drink, which is all that is required for membership. The 12-step program has helped me SO much with all of my addictive behaviors (I quit smoking for surgery). Like you, I can get addicted to pretty much anything. And after surgery, you aren't going to be able to drink for a long while and, when you can again, it will be in limited amounts. AA has been a real life saver for me. If you don't go with AA, you could also consider OA, which is another version of the 12 steps. Each of these programs costs $1 per day - much cheaper than one-on- Good luck to you!!! -Angela

I think it's funny that we were all worried we couldn't do this...and now we're all pretty much at 100 pounds lost, give or take a few. How many of us have tried alcohol? I ask because we have the 50th annual wine fest next month. It would be nice to sample a few. But I don't know. I'm fine without it and I wouldn't mind drinking water. :shrug: I'm not a dumper. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. :X I've been keeping busy with exercise classes and taking classes. I took 12 hours over the summer...and I'm in 9 now. After this semester I'll finally be a senior. I'm sorry if it seems like I haven't been following the boards. I really have been, I just haven't been posting much.

the only thing i really had a funeral for was alcohol. a week before my three week pre op diet i went out with a bunch of my friends and had two drinks. and after not having alcohol for like two months i was on the FLOOR. i also ate some fried foods, but the next day I was back on the horse. i NEEDED to lose 20lbs before surgery otherwise i felt like my surgeons were going to be angry. they're very intimidating lol. just remember that after surgery you're allowed to eat whatever you want, it's just making the right decision not to eat those things that is harder.