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thanks everyone! I never asked or was told about the alcohol rule...not for a whole year...that's do able!!!!

I was told no alcohol in the first year.

Ask me tomorrow! I am going to an engagement party tonight! Not sure if I want to try alcohol in big amounts but I will have one.

I think it is a good idea to differentiate between foods you "can't" eat post VGS, and foods that don't agree with you or you choose not to eat. As for the "Can't" list (from my doctor and nutritionist) 1) Anything with carbonation (soda, beer, champagne) 2) Alcohol for the first year post surgery 3) Chewing gum (concerned that if you swallow the gum it will block the stomach). That was it on the "must not ever eat again list". I am 3 months post surgery and have only had one food "disagree" with me. That was a chicken and apple sausage. I felt yucky, and my stomach was upset, but it wasn't a horrible experience, I just wouldn't choose to eat it again. Then there are the foods that I don't eat anymore - this is purely my choice! I try to avoid most simple carbs - white rice, bread, Pasta. I am ok with the whole grain versions, but getting all that Protein in my meals doesn't leave a lot of room for simple carbs, veggies and fruits. I'm eating about 1100 calories a day and losing 2 pounds per week. If I truely crave a food, I will have a mouthful, and then the craving is done and over with. As for a prohibition on grapes, maybe in the first 2 months, but after that if you chew it well, it should be fine. I hope this helps.

In the short 4 days since my WLS, I've had no desire to share my news other than with immediate family. Everyone has their own issues, ie, being in therapy, alcohol/drug/food dependencies etc. that they don't share. I've basically told a few folks that I had hernia surgery. Similar pain and recovery time.

Yesterday I signed consent papers and was instructed on the diet that will in effect "detox" my liver. Limited carbs, no sugar, avoid alcohol (gulp) and tons of protein. I can do this (I keep telling myself) but have some events coming up in the next 1 1/2 weeks that will be challenging. If I can get past those hurdles, I should be ok. Last night I spent time with a friend that had the sleeve 4 years ago. It was encouraging to have the support and she joined me in one last round of cocktails and chips and salsa to celebrate. The one thing she said that stuck out was how she wished she had journaled her experience so she could look back on it. I'm committing to doing that on this forum so I can remember the big and small things. I also came home with 3 huge containers of protein shakes, vitamins, etc. from the Center and filled my prescription for some surgery day meds I will be taking. Now counting the days until I check in - 10 days to go.

I never said they were bad per-se. Did I not say everything in moderation? Eating them is probably no different than taking a laxative with a high fat content. Should you eat them all the time? Definitely not. Personally I would rather have a weensy bit of sugar over the sugar alcohols but that's because I'd rather not have the laxative effects.

Haven’t blogged in a month, so this will be long. Today marks 12 weeks since surgery and 14 weeks since the beginning of the pre-op. I’ve lost 43 lbs since surgery and 53 lbs in total. I’m damn happy with that! How funny….at the end of that last sentence, I made a typo, and instead of an exclamation point, I typed a question mark. If that’s not my subconscious peeking through, I don’t know what is! No really, I’m happy. No way would I be at this point if I hadn’t had the surgery. I am impatient. I am dismayed that the weight loss is slowing a bit. But, I do find hope in knowing that if I apply myself, the losses will continue and time will pass and every little bit adds up to a lot. So much of weight loss is a mental game. This is the true test. To make sure that I stay the course, not just because eating healthfully is actually good for me, but because I cannot – will not – comfort myself with the wrong kinds of food. I will lose weight at exactly the rate that I am supposed to. Now, I take this time to analyze what I am responsible for. I believe that I am eating the proper way and that I am getting a balanced diet. I am tracking my food, another plus for me. I will be downloading my sparkpeople logs and submitting them to my NUT so that she can review and give feedback. I am taking my vitamins. I am definitely reaching my protein goals. I do not feel that I am under eating nor do I feel that I am overeating. What could I be doing better? I probably am not getting my fluids in. I am not tracking that, and how would I know for sure if I don’t track it? I am hiking 6 evenings a week, up the hills behind my house, for at least 30 minutes & sometimes longer. That is waaaaaay more than I used to do, so while I applaud myself for that, it is time to step it up again. And I have not been doing the strength training I should be doing. I do sometimes have the fear that I will be someone for whom this surgery only gets me half way to goal. Or that the weight loss will stop altogether. I remind myself frequently that there are still things that I am responsible for, and I have no choice but to take responsibility. I have this sleeve as a tool, I have been lucky that my body has taken so well to this surgery, and I also have a tremendous source of support in the resources my surgeon’s team provides. I can contact my NUT and exercise specialist any time I want. For the rest of my life I have these tools. What has changed for me since surgery that seems to be a Forever change for me now? Well, like I said, I am much more active. I am much more mobile and my balance is better. I love that because I can see evidence of things to come! As far as intake, I am still following a pretty pure, unprocessed, paleo type diet. I have had bread on about 2 occasions, in the form of ½ of those whole wheat skinny buns. Other than that, no bread, no rice, no pasta. No sugar! I am having fruit once a day and more vegetables than I was eating at the beginning of my diet progression. The sleeve has certainly relaxed, so I am being careful to do the protein first thing. That definitely does the trick for filling me up, and it gives me peace of mind that I have the ability (for the rest of my life!) to be in control of my appetite. I got the sleeve because there have been times in my life that I felt insanely hungry. Now I know that I just need to eat some good dense protein and I will not feel that way! No doubt if I ate slider foods (and I could now if I wanted) I could eat and eat and feel that out of control hunger and keep eating. So I love that I have that control measure. I ALWAYS eat the protein first. And often I find that one last bite, the one bite that would be the One Bite Too Many, I discretely spit into my napkin. I will not push myself and make myself sick. I’ve gotten over the whole clean-my-plate thing. I’ve had alcohol on a couple of occasions and have been fascinated to discover that I have become a one-drink-nurse-it-all-night kind of gal. I was never like that before. I always felt driven to be gluttonous with food and drink in my previous life, and I no longer feel that way. I am so happy about that! This is an amazing journey indeed. I am so very grateful to have been given this opportunity. Onward!

Sugar alcohols are chemically engineered laxatives = why

okay, but none of this says *why* they are bad. i have been buying and eating met-rx pure protein bars... 20 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar. i cant tolerate the protein drinks. so i eat half in the morning, half in the afternoon. no ill effects i can see. but i notice the builder bars i also got have 20 grams of proteinand 20 grams of sugar and say "no sugar alcohols."

Manufacturers that make "sugar free" products with sugar alcohols usually compensate by doubling the fat content. You eat a lot of fat - you won't lose weight, sugar or not. Everything in moderation. I too can't tolerate them! Talk about an afternoon bathroom marathon. No thanks.

I can't tolerate those different sugar alcohols personally.

what is the scoop with sugar alcohols? are they bad for you? okay in small amounts?

I just turned 21 on the 26th of July. Im about 8 1/2 months out. i think it just depends on the drink and how much alcohol is in it. I drank 3 smirnoffs and was feeling a little buzzed i also tried a shot of patron on a different night and was completely drunk. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I had this surgery to live a normal life. I'm about 4 months out now and can eat basically anything. I've had fast food, I've had chips and candy, I've had alcohol. Nothing has caused me much problems. Obviously it's all in moderation. I eat well, make good choices, and make sure my Protein levels are where they should be. I work out a lot. If, at the end of the day, I have a couple hundred calories left, I'll allow myself a treat. I'm down about 45lbs now and have another 30ish to go. I still lose 1-2lbs a week steadily and I'm happy with that! I'm happy that I can eat what I want, but less of it. That's exactly what I hoped for from surgery.

I come from a wine family, father was a vintner, wine was pretty much a staple at dinner. I didn't having any alcohol for the first two months post-op, then went back to my normal habit of wine with dinner. I rarely ever have more than two glasses because of the effects, and always count the empty calories...

Amberley, what did u do for the itching? Ive gone thru an entire bottle of rubbing alcohol in one night? Welcome Wilo! Im 12 days in. The gas has subsided walking was the only thing tht relieved the pressure! Good luck with everything!

Don't know about anyone else's experience, but after the band I'm just not big on alcohol anymore...not that I ever was, but I could drink one or two cocktails. Now, I take a couple of sips and don't want anymore.

Docs will say alcohol can increase GERD symptoms and the acidity of the stomach. So you definitely want to wait until you have regular solid meals at bare minimum. But consult w/ doc on his preference.

It would be best to ask your medical team this question, as this may vary by physician preferences. I was advised to wait for an entire year post op to have any alcohol. I almost made it a year before having a glass of wine, and did not have any adverse effects. You should be aware that it may take less alcohol to experience the effects from it, so judge accordingly. My surgeon warned ahead of time that he would not be writing any letters to assist patients who got stopped for DUI because they were not monitoring the effects of using alcohol post op.

Ask your doctor. Some restrict alcohol the first 6-12 months after surgery. Others allow it after you're fully healed 4-6 weeks after surgery. It all depends on your surgeon.

I'm not sure there are any restrictions. May want to wait 4 weeks just to be on the safe side? Just remember that alcohol can cause some dehydration making your band feel tighter afterwards.

T-minus 14 days and I'm starting to freak out a bit! I apologize in advance if this thread gets a bit graphic. I plan to regularly post post-op pics to show the good, the bad and the ugly! There aren't as many pre and post-op pictures of black people showing scarring, bruising, etc, so I hope others will find these useful. Pre-pics are a bit low res b/c they're from a webcam, but hopefully my surgeon will provide his copies afterwards. I finally worked up the courage to schedule a brachioplasty and mastopexy. It's been dreadfully hot and humid in the DC area this summer and I'm tired of being too self-conscious to even wear short sleeves, much less the sleeveless ensembles everyone else seems to be enjoying. I find babydoll cut shirts are particularly obnoxious! I'm 29, black, 5'7", 177lbs (as of this morning). Pre-Op Arm Pics: I'm totally flexing in this one! lol but it helps show where the dangling skin is. According to my surgeon, I still have enough breast tissue to be a large C or small D when he's finished. I really wanted implants, but I'll heed his advice to at least give them a chance. If I still want more volume and a better profile, I can always add them during my next surgery. I'll admit my boobs look great in a full coverage bra, but they have an amazing ability to escape their confines. Seriously, I'll bend over to put something into the oven, and by the time I stand up, half my boob has managed to ooze out of my bra! Awkward. Pre-op Boob Pics: Well...there it all is! Now I'm busy scrambling and over-preparing for surgery. To those brave souls who have gone before me, in you post-surgery recovery did you use: - Vitamedica Bromelain wth Quercetin Nutrients with Anti-Inflammatory Properties - VitaMedica Arnica Montana - Biotin I'm going to ask my surgical staff, but I've read plastic surgery forums that have recommended them. Also, I live alone, so I'm hiring a nurse to stay with me for 2 days and someone to walk and feed my dog for a week. Is there anything you wish you'd had on-hand for your recovery that you didn't? So far I've purchased: - 2 long icepacks with sleeves - bed/sleeping wedge - 2 strapless dresses - Protein drinks - bathing washcloth wipes - 2nd compression garment (surgery center provides first one) - getting my hair braided so I don't have to worry about that! Yes, I'm a bit of a psycho, OCD, over-preparer... Upon the advice of the pre-op nurse, I've started taking a Multivitamin and Vitamin c twice a day. I'm also going to stop drinking alcohol today (well...tomorrow. lol). Thanks for your help!

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

It can also depend on your personality. To some people certain foods are like drugs or alcohol. To an alcoholic there is no 'moderation' and abstinence is the only policy. It's kind of like soda. If soda or bread are your addiction or your weakness and all it takes is one little drink or bite to get you hooked again you are better off just staying away. If you can keep it at just one slice, then go for it. I doubt many of us in here got this way by moderation though. Lol.