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I'll be three weeks post op on Monday and my weight is all over the place. I weighed 246 at my consultation and 243 at my nutrition appointment. My surgery was less than eight weeks after my consult, and I wasn't given a diet to follow, other than clear liquids the day before. I was encouraged to practice behaviors like tiny bites, chewing and not drinking with meals. I also tried to avoid sugar and alcohol. But during the last two weeks before surgery, my mind played tricks on me, and I told myself I would never, ever eat sweets or drink again (my diet mentality rearing its ugly head.) So I indulged. No bingeing or anything, but I ate what I wanted. So I was 248 on my own scale on surgery day. I've weighed myself at home every day since and the lowest I've been is 231 (233 after I moved the scale.) I've been getting in 60-64 ounces of water, but at my support group on Thursday our NUT said we have to drink more than 64 ounces. She said an extra cup for every 25lbs you're over your ideal weight. That made sense so I drank over 90 ounces yesterday, and this morning I was 236.5, then 238 (I have to stop moving my scale.) I didn't go the bathroom that often yesterday and feel water bloated and my weight has always fluctuated due to water. But man, I'm discouraged! I'm also somewhat constipated. It doesn't hurt, I just don't go every day. I walk briskly every other day, although I walk the dog every day. I'm definitely getting in plenty of protein and have no problem eating. I'm starting to think I'm not having drastic losses because I finish everything I eat. I don't stuff myself, I just mean I'm not only taking two or three bites. I've been drinking coffee almost daily to help move things along, which is dehydrating, so maybe that's it. I can stop the coffee. Thanks for listening!!

Oye ... 9 to 5 at this time in favor of having height displayed. I don't see how any good can come from this and only gives folks another method of comparing themselves ... something I feel strongly about. It's like giving an alcoholic and empty bottle of booze. The only thing they can do with it is beat themselves up with it. *** Removing my height information from the profile ***

I was told 6 months for hard alcohol but could maybe handle a really small glass of wine here and there. Haven't tried anything yet though.

4 weeks is plenty and yes, you'll be able to have a drink or two- just know that the alcohol might hit you a lot faster after surgery than it does now.

It's safest to follow YOUR doc's instructions regarding alcohol! That said, I think I tried a bloody mary about 4 months out, (yes I drank against medical advice). It was HUGE, (probably not but felt that way) took me all night to sip down and became "dinner" it filled me so, but wasn't a problem. I haven't found that 1 drink will knock me out or anything, but now that I've lost almost half a person, I def can't manage it like I used to. Moderation in everything now, food and alcohol and its all good.

MissTxDiva, I have no advice on what not to say! I told my psych that I have tons of addicted family members (food, drugs, alcohol), that I knew I had a food addiction, what my behaviors were, and what I had done to overcome them. After she told me that I am guaranteed to become an alcoholic post surgery, she still gave me approval! LOL I think they're trying to weed out people who would do something stupid like eat a whole pizza the day after surgery. I think 99.9% of us are smarter than that! Good luck!!

Calories in Alcohol DescriptionServing SizeskCalFat(g) Calories in Best/Premium BitterPint187 Calories in Draught MildPint136 Calories in Gin & Slimline TonicSingle56 Calories in Gin & TonicSingle120 Calories in Red Wine175ml Glass119 Calories in Regular BitterPint170 Calories in Regular Dry CiderPint204 Calories in Vodka & CokeSingle120 Calories in Vodka & Diet CokeSingle56 Calories in Vodka, Lime & SodaSingle76 Calories in Whisky & LemonadeSingle82 Calories in White Wine - Dry175ml Glass116

gonnabethin - your post scared me! I was trying to figure out how one drink could have 1150.0 calories - but the 0.0 means something else. DUH Bettina: Try vanilla vodka with a diet vanilla coke and a cap full of vanilla extract. (I really like vanilla) It tastes like a really vanilla delight. And if I'm feeling especially naughty I'll add a shot of vanilla rum. Cabana Boy. LOL But I thought we were supposed to give up alcohol post banding? My surgeon was adamant about that. So was the behaviorist, matter of fact. I wonder if that's fact or if that's judgment! Mmmmmm booze. I'm going to dream about buttery nipple shots and tequila shooters. Nathalie

Haha! That is what I totally say about alcohol - too much sugar and calories and I am planning my end of summer vacation. Works like a charm. I like the soup ideas so long as they're not chock full of extras or creamy. I hear you on enjoying life! That's important to me! Great ideas everyone - thanks!

You may not want to tell everyone, but why is it a secret. If these are your friends then they will support your WLS and efforts to do better for yourself. I just got back from vaca - if my family or friends were eating something I couldn't I found an alternative or just didn't go out to eat. My husband and friends drink, but I don't. I'm still social- but no alcohol. I think your friends could be a great support. Low carb dieting could be a valid excuse but in this case when they see u losing fast u could be caught in a lie.

I am here to tell you that it can be done. I started the process for the sleeve in October 2011. I quit smoking December 26th. (over 5 months now) stopped drinking any alcohol or caffienated drinks six weeks ago and I was finally sleeved on 5/29. I found quitnet.com to be a very helpful site on my quitting smoking journey. I have learned a lot about myself in the process. I am looking forward to the next year to see my transformation. You can do this! When I first quit smoking i was not happy about it. I thought I would just go right back to it once I had my sleeve done. Not anymore. I have ZERO desire to smoke now. I want to be healthy 100 percent. Good luck in your journey! Lori

No difference in actual eating (but i did/do) burp an awful lot. Fullness felt different…it was/is a pressure in my chest instead of a bloated feeling in my lower abdomen. further…when drank alcohol the first time (about 3 weeks post op) for swear i could feel it travelling down my intestines. After a few months (can’t remember exactly when) alcohol no longer produced that sensation.

On the nausea part I had it right out of surgery and my nurses told me of a trick they said they used with cancer patients that have nausea ... They gave me alcohol wipes so anytime I would start to feel the nausea I put one at the end of my nose and breathed it making the nausea go away I was amazed on how it worked for me.

I had a little trouble figuring out correct forum to place this topic so it goes here in "Rant and Raves" because it is a bit of a rave. My MIL was an RN before retirement and likes to keep up on medical studies. She and I were talking about (WLS (VSG) last night and she said WLS (VSG) changes the DNA. My first response was "what....?" and then " how is this possible?" She explained that there was a medical study done in Iceland where they said WLS (VSG) changes the genetic coding in a person's DNA such that the genes responsible for a predisposition of obesity are no longer present in future generations (read: children). Wow, that is powerful! Effectively it means you can expect to have beautiful and athletic children if WLS (VSG) does the same for you. All the genetic precursors like ineffective BMR are effectively reprogrammed. Now I am wondering if the results of this medical study also apply to alcohol, drugs and other addictive predispositions that are passed through DNA.

if you are and adult child of an alcoholic you may attend meetings. the death of parents cant change that. my father has been in recovery for 30 years. he sponsers and goes to many meetings. i never saw him drunk, but i go to meetings. the status of your parents, sober or deceased does not change anything.

Well I was about your age when my dad first had to go to detox, actually he still worked then and they made him. There are five kids in my family and most were extremely angry at him. We did an intervention once and that was the craziest thing ever, no professional, just 5 very angry children and one alcoholic confused and laughing parent. I hope you don't have to deal with them on your own even though I know how family dynamics can be and you could have 10 brothers and sisters and still being the only one dealing with them. So good luck and if you ever need to get it out and share I'm always here, take care brandyII.

Tommaney, Good thread cuts to the core, my father started detox facilities in 1986 after his father died and I can't count how many programs we put him in between then and 2006 when he died. Good luck to you I know how hard it is and can't imagine how it must be to have both parents alcoholics and be living with them, if you can survive this you can survive anything!! brandyII.

I think it's good if it gives you the strength to deal with an alcoholic parent(s) without letting them control your life or bringing you down with them as they normally do. I don't know if those meeting would have helped me while my father was alive maybe I just went to the odd few and still suffered from depression and anxiety myself. Now I go to therapy and it helps along with medication. I guess I needed support but didn't know what kind to get when I was younger or maybe couldn't put it into action as my father was such a powerful force in my life. Now I don't have to worry about him anymore and hope that I don't have to deal with any of my children or siblings in that way in the future.:smile2: brandyII. I would never knock a group like that as I know it helps a lot of people, I guess with me it just wasn't what I needed. I'm better in a one to one setting like therapy.

I started eating in maintenance mode when I hit my surgeon's goal (BMI 26). I dropped another 22 pounds ((BMI 23) before my body finally stopped losing. I can gain 4-5 pounds by eating a lot of carbs and drinking alcohol (ie. holidays and vacation) but can lose it again just as quick going back to protein and veggies. I don't go to the gym or exercise, but I have a very active, physical job and lifestyle, so I didn't lose muscle mass. You can control what and how much you eat and how active you are, but in the end Your body is just going to find its new normal.

It is strange how I struggled for years with losing weight and keeping it off yet I have been able to maintain my weight for the last 5 months. Yes I have a balloon in my stomach but it doesnt so much for me as I can drink and eat whatever I want ( sometimes too much like alcohol ooops ). I am actually surprised I didnt gain any weight as the last few months have been easy. These last 20 lbs will be hard though for sure. But trust me it is possible :bored:

FORGIVE THE LENGTHY MESSAGE. NEED TO GIVE CONTEXT I am wondering if any one experienceD this my starting weight was 139kg before surgery on the 15th of January 2023 on day of surgery it was 131kg 2 weeks post-op i was stalled for 8weeks which was not a bother to me at the time i healed quite quickly with no complications and was moved to solids within 3 weeks by the dietitian too. between January and April i lost some weight down to 111kg Since april i have not lost anything. I have gained and lost 3-4 kg since April till date which is September 6th 2023 I do everything many people say on every platform which had never been a challenge namely Monitor what i eat: I eat between 88 - 1200 calories I have more protein than anything eggs, lean meat, chicken, fish, shrimps carbs are mostly bulgur wheat. which i have sparingly 2ce a month. Plantain i have daily to balance my protein intake but not as much as protein. I prob have more grams of protein a day and that includes protein water. I work out 4-5 days a week for up to 1:30 - 2:00 hours each day In April i worked out more 4 days a week 2ce a day 2day time cardio 1:30 hours night time strength training. no weights heavier than 25kg I take 2-3 liters of water throughout the day no compared to 3 months ago. Up to 1liter during my work out and the rest throughout the day. mostly sips. I do get hungry but try to drink water to quench or use the plantain (carb for the day) to satisfy myself i take my vitamins biotin and all recommended as well as powdered collagen Recent bloods shows everything within normal range. I am going into my 5th month and i am still 111kg Since April. My dietitian is numb on what is going on, the nurse recommended liquid collagen ( which makes no sense) and have said hormones.... but hormones cannot affect this 5months straight. I did bloods to check my thyroids and it showed elevated parathyroid (no idea what that means)..... not gotten an explanation as my vitamin levels and calcium levels are normal my nails are very soft and brittle and my hair falls like the weather ( only blessed to have a full head of hair but cant say it is helpful soon) No ...... the clothes i wore in April are still the same September. measurements are the same..... the only win i am getting from this is that my knee and ankle dont hurt as much when i workout. i dont burn out as i used to and i work out more than i used to before which was walking up to 50k-70ksteps a day. I have never been one who drank alcohol and haven't started post surgery. I have never been one who ate junk food like crisps, tacos, burgers. I have not been diagnosed diabetic nor with PCOS i noticed when i had no carbs in my diet i lost fast but when i introduced carbs as suggested by the dietitian everything came on hold I NEED SOME SIGN THAT I AM NOT IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE OR A LONG DREAM!!! Cos it feels pointless having done the surgery not to be an effective tool Anyone in a similar predicament before

My Bariatric nurse is a bypass patient several years out from surgery. She does the three month checkups and discussion groups before we see the doctor. She admitted she fell off the wagon and gained 45 lbs last year. She described how she went back to the basics and started with the routine we all went through post op - liquids, puréed food, soft protein, 4oz solid protein, 1/2 C veg, 1/2 C fruit, no snacks, getting in her water, eliminating caffeine and alcohol to reset her body and her mind. She admitted it was very difficult because the rest of the family was eating a typical diet and she had to adapt what they were eating to her own needs. I guess it might be helpful to get back into a support group or visit your nutritionist to help reset your motivation. We all know we have a tool for weight loss but we have to allow the tool to work and to get back on the plan for a healthy reset.

I'm a year and 10 months out and gained 5 outside my goal of 145 that I'd been maintaining for 1 year. I've returned to basics... journaling food and exercise, cranking up my exercise intensity, (I never stopped exercising, but let the intensity fall). Cut back on the alcohol and treats, etc and I'm finally back to the top end of goal. Now working on getting of 10 pounds to put me a bit below goal (still well withing normal BMI) and allow for some wiggle room. Cutting out as much processed crap as I can, trying to keep between 1000-1200 calories per day, exercising 5x per week, getting my 75+g of Protein every day. It's working, but it's slow. Fix my head and my relationship with food? Nope. It's still a fight. Every damn day.

They are a treat. The "net carbs" crap in nonsense and will stall weight loss. Maybe best avoided till maintenance. Lots of people get diarrhea from alcohol sugar. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

"During an interview with Good Morning America, Williams explained that falling back into alcohol abuse was "very gradual." "It's the same voice thought that… you're standing at a precipice and you look down, there's a voice and it's a little quiet voice that goes, 'Jump,'" Williams told Diane Sawyer. "The same voice that goes, 'Just one.' … And the idea of just one for someone who has no tolerance for it, that's not the possibility." When asked why he relapsed, Robin answered: "It's [addiction] — not caused by anything, it's just there… It waits. It lays in wait for the time when you think, 'It's fine now, I'm OK.' Then, the next thing you know, it's not OK." Replace "alcohol" with "food". Addiction of any kind is so hard. We just have to go day by day and learn new habits and try not to think of the old.