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Hi everyone, I was sleeved on 4/6 and pre op wt was 266, and I'm down to 242 today, 5/26. I think I'm 7 weeks out. That seems slow to me, but admittedly, I'm not following the diet 100%. My food quantities are very low, but I'm maintaining the no alcohol, no carbonated drinks, no caffeine rule. I am feeling weak though and lack of energy.

So, super long story short...I had arthroscopic knee surgery 2 weeks ago for a torn meniscus that I've had for years, and finally fixed because I couldn't handle having my knee lock up on me all the time. Surgery and recovery went remarkably well, then suddenly I noticed a large lump in my calf. I showed it to my dr during physical therapy, and she told me to go to the ER right away. I got an ultrasound which showed I had deep vein thrombosis reaching all the way to my hip! They admitted me to the hospital, I had to stay there for 4 days until my blood was thin enough for me to be safe enough to go home. Now I have to take cumadin for the next 3 months! This drug is very complicated, and I've never taken it before, but basically I can no longer eat most green veggies, which is a majority of my diet, and everyone is telling me I need to take a break from losing weight, and focus on managing the cumadin. Of course I intend to do so, but I'm so overwhelmed because my weight loss has been so successful, I've lost 90 pounds in 6 months, but I still have a long way to go, and apparently I gained 3 pounds in the hospital, which blows my mind!? I cannot mentally handle gaining weight, but this cumadin is so damn sensitive, that it says any changes in weight could throw the drug off and put me in the danger zone again. I just can't handle this, I absolutely can't smoke or drink alcohol anymore now, and I find my thoughts, and actions drifting towards unhealthy food choices...this is a mess.....is anyone else on cumadin? I'm so sad and just had to vent. Thanks

To me, sugar is as addictive as alcohol and drugs. I can totally lay off sugar rather than tell myself I will only eat one or two mouthfuls. If I can't have three cupcakes, i don't want any. I feel so much better mentally since I am not eating them. I finally feel in control of myself. I truly understand how people feel in trying to kick the habit.

Your entires are great. What normal eating! Do you still measure everything or are those guesses? When you were still losing but at te point when you could stomach most foods, did you allow yourself rice and alcohol and all? Or do you ink eat that now that you're on maintenance? I ask bc I find myself stuffing to just eat Protein and want rice and fruit and all as well. Thanks and awesome work!

If you saw one of my earlier posts asking the removal of the drainage tube and how that felt, surprisingly that was the biggest thing I was concerend with in this surgery; not the possibility of risks, not the posibility of no weight loss. Had my surgery on Tuesday morning. Took the nurses quite a while to find find a vein to start the IV. The told me that most overweight people have this problem so I shouldn't worry. I was little upset because I drank so many Clear liquids the two days up to it and still they had problems. The IV going in hurt like a MOFO. I can't stand needles at all, or any kind of pain. I'm a 32 year old male that screams when I see a tiny spider in a corner. Yea, figure that one out. Then came time for the surgery, I actually started to cry as the nurse came in and said the doctor is ready. I was crying because it was finally happening - all the waiting, insurance approval, 2 week Protein diet, everything had come down to this. I remember going into the OR and they moved me from my bed to the operating bed. The anestesiologist put an oxyegen mask on me and said to take some deep breaths and that I should start to feel sleepy soon. I vaguely remember having my arms and legs strapped in? But that might have been my imagination. I also remember there were two attractive nurses in the room with me, and then I zonked out. Next thing I'm waking up and the anestesiologist is talking to me, saying things like "Jason...can you hear me?" "Jason, are you awake?" I'm rolling around in the bed all groggy, not really in pain or discomfort, but just trying to figure out what the hell is going on. He asked me what I remember and I said the oxygen bit and that there were 2 hot nurses in the room and he laughed and said "That's why I keep coming back!" He asked if there was any chest/shoulder pain and I said no. The first few hours of the surgery were the worst. My abdominal muscles were tight as hell, and I kept dosing in and out of sleep for the next 6 or so hours. By the evening the nurses were getting me up and having me walk to the bathroom to see my urinary output. Some of my friends visited me which was nice. I had an extremely hard time falling asleep that first night - strange hospital, only 12 channels on TV with stupid shows and infomercials, pain for the most part was non existent because I was on a comination of tylenol drips and morphine. The next morning they did the final blood draw, had me do my barium exam and I was discharged. I've got to say, before I continue, the nursing staff and the surgeon, as well as the anestesiologist were of the highest professionalism, care and bedside manner. I could not have asked for a better team. In fact, overnight I was the only one in recovery and I had both nurses to myself! Then I was being discharged. My dad was driving my car, and I rarely ride passenger, I'm normally the driver. His driving has always made me groan a bit because he just doesn't drive like me....I'm a little more agressive. I started to get naseaus right away and thought, am I having motion sickness? Getting in the car hurt like hell, bending those adominal muscles as well as getting out. My parents let me stay with them for a few days to recover and immediately I decided to lie down. I slept hard for about 2 hours. Here is an outline of the pain/discomfort I have had since surgery - Surgery day - Not much because of the morphine and tylenol drip Day after surgery - Not much until I got home. Sipped on a Protein shake and took another 2 hour nap. As I was sitting up I started to feel naseaus and there went the protein shake. It was dark in the room and I thought for a second I vomitted blood. Thankfully is just a light brown color reminiscent of when I drank too much alcohol and bile would come up. Called my surgeon to let me know and they said that was common after surgery but not to worry. Started feeling sharp pains in left shoulder/chest area. Worried I had a leak. Thursday - Off and on discomfort - still feeling sharp pains in left shoulder. Occassional naseau. Friday - Off and on discomfort - still sharp pains. Went to surgeon for first followup to get the drainage tube removed. Ok, I'm going to digress here, but that was the most unfomfortable, oddest, strangest sensations I have ever experienced. It was quick, but honestly felt like he was rummaging around my organs. I pray I never have to feel that experience ever again. Sharp pain in chest IMMEDIATELY went away. Who knew it was the drain causing it??? Saturday - I took 2-1 hour naps today, much imrovement from the days before. Had a lot more energy. Very, very little abdominal discomfort, only when changing positions from seated to standing, laying to standing, standing to seated etc. It's not as bad as it nearly was. Either I'm getting used to the pain, or the muscles are finally healing. Now here is a diary of my liquid/protein intake - Day after surgery - Got 30 ounces of liquid...if I was lucky. The one protein shake of 13g of protein was lost when I vomitted up. Thursday - Got around 30 ounces of liquid. Finished one protein shake for 13g. It is so difficult to get in the required 64oz and 45g for the first five days. Friday - Got around 40 ounces of liquid. Finished one and a half protein shake for 20g with skim milk in both, so around 25g of protein. Told the surgeon I would like to extend the liquid diet past day 4, as he had originally planned, because I want to make sure I'm up to 64oz liquid and 45g protein before moving to stage 2. He said I can stay as long as I want on each stage, just don't end it early. Saturday - Got around 55 ounces of liquid. Had Jello, half cup skim milk, popsicle, about 30g of protein. I'm getting there. Tomorrow, Sunday, I should be starting the 2nd stage of purreed foods. But I don't want to yet, I really want to get up to the 64 oz of liquid and 45g of protein for a solid 4 days in a row before I got to stage 2. I owe it to my new stomach to get used to all liquids and actually completing a stage before moving on to another. Plus, I think in the long run that will help to heal my stomach better than by forcing myself onto a new stage when my stomach isn't ready it. Each day gets better, and I'm hoping I can get the 64 ounces of liquid and 45 grams of protein tomorrow for my first official day at that mark..... .....as much as applesauce, cottage cheese, and refried Beans sound right about now! LOL For everyone that has said it before, as soon as that drainage tube was removed, so much discomfort IMMEDIATELY went away. My only concern is right now I'm developing a cold, and my ears are popping and I have a slight cough. I am sure this is due to not eating and staying hydrated. I am taking my required multi-vatamins and supplements daily. Finally, I have not had any stomach or head hunger. I'm watching tv and I will see commercials for Steak and Shake or donuts and think, "Hmmm, I remember how good those tasted" but I am very happy with the decision I made. The hardest thing for me is just sipping ice cold Water, because I'm so used to chugging ice cold water, especially when I'm thirsty.

I too have only had sips of pop (sorry, can't call it soda lol) and had no negative side effects. That being said I think overall it is not good for you regularly or if you are drinking full servings. As for alcohol, I have never been a big drinker but like to sip something when i'm out with friends. Again, I'll probably sip the same drink for the whole time and yes I do then count the calories in myfitnesspal and I HATE wasting calories on my beverages, but they are few and far between. Hope this helps!

My alcohol tolerance is almost zero. I drank a glass of wine, and I am at my limit. And drinking that glass takes me a while. Kindove sucks, miss going out and taking a couple shots with my friends. Beer no way, I have had zero carbonation so I dont drink it. Im pretty sure hard alcohol would get me so drunk that I would be on the floor. Maybe all this happened becuase I have not had it in while, so my tolerance is lower, or maybe because it absorbs in my tiny stomache faster... Either way I hope thier comes a day when I can drink at least one drink without feeling so buzzed...

I'd like to know about people's experience with alcohol post-op. How much do you drink? Last night while I was on a plane back home to LA I ordered a mix drink with my dinner, after 4 ounces I knew I'd reached my limit, I felt very sleepy lol.

I drink coke zero everyday, multiple times a day, no issues at all. Doc said it's up to you some people can handle it some can't, apparently I can. Alcohol is okay too you just have to remember alcohol turns into sugar in your system in order to be processed. And that sugar for some reason hangs on a little longer than normal carbs or simple sugars. Just my 1/2 cent worth.

Butterflyhigh, From what I've read, you can still drink a little wine 1+ year post op but not everyday, just very occasionally, and not a whole glass. I drink only very occasionally and don't intend to give up alcohol completely. Vix, Yeah insulin resistance is usually cured when you lose a lot of weight. The thing is, it's hard to lose weight when you're insulin resistant. Catch 22 right? I have no doubt that insulin hunger has contributed to my weight today, although it's definitely not the sole cause. It's hard though because the one symptom I can't stand is nausea. If something makes me nauseous a few times, like a food, I'll never want to eat it again. Sadly, it has made it so I am not compliant with any Metformin dose over 500mg. I've never been able to get through the sweating, shakes, and nausea that I feel on that dosage. But metformin has not caused me to lose much of any weight anyway. I can't wait to kick this insulin resistance. For me it's truly the worst part of PCOS. Sent from my DROID RAZR using VST

My surgeon didn't tell me how long to wait before drinking alcohol. He did tell me to say goodbye to Margaritas! :-( He said they have way too much sugar. I think the trade off is fair. I can say goodbye to beer & Margaritas in exchange for a better body & better health. Maybe you could start off trying some wine...

No to carbonation...works OK flat if you must have the taste. With Alcohol you should always count the calories as they add up, and do impact our resistance to food.

My dr said no carbonation or alcohol for 6 months and even THEN, open it and let it sit got a few minutes. The alcohol is due to dehydration too early after surgery.

No carbonated drinks - EVER. The gas plays havoc with the band, and can cause issues you probably don't want to experience. Alcohol is another story, but certainly not early in the post-op phase. You have to take into consideration that there is zero nutritional value in alcohol, and it also tends to bring down our resistance to eating in a way that we shouldn't. I know for me, eating a lot of finger foods goes hand in hand with drinking. But if you do decide to have a drink or two, make sure & count the calories in your daily allotment.

Are you allowed to have these after the lapband? ~Jodie

My surgeon's rules were NO DRINKING FOR ONE YEAR FOLLOWING SURGERY. But he also admitted it was the rule most commonly broken. However, I did it. I went 1 year and 1 week without ANY alcohol. Yep there were social events where normally I would have had a drink or two, but during that first year post-op I did NOT have any. I'm not saying you should follow in my footsteps, just telling you my experience. When I did have a drink (glass of wine) at 1 year 1 week post-op it hit pretty hard and pretty quick. So if you plan to drink early out be ready for it to affect you differently than it did pre-op.

I followed what my surgeon said to a certain degree. The fact remains, the sleeve is a lifestyle change. I adapted it to fit my needs, and I am seeing results to this day. I think to each their own. Obviously I don't advocate eating a burger 2 weeks out and then freaking out about the ability to do so. But certain touchy things, like alcohol, are something that you will have to make your own call on. I think of them as post op guidelines, not rules. Plus, being 100% strict will only hit you that much harder when you slip once vs allowing smaller portions of things. I've had different types of foods than what I am suppose to, though I am almost 6 months out. But, how would I know what I can tolerate and what I cannot without trying them? I think the basics, protein first, water, exercise, track, vitamins are a must. after that, its your call.

Ate those in the skinny girl brand?? I used to drink the skinny girl margaritas. They come all mixed up. Haven't touched alcohol in about a year.... I seldom have a drink but would love a skinny girl margarita when my 6 months comes... Just one drink but I'm afraid of the dumping... So anyone who dumps to sugar please let me know if this is a tolerable drink !!!

I know here lately I've posted and sounded down and maybe I am, I've got a lot going on in my life. Tonight I was watching an episode of I think it's titled "my 600 lb life and where are they now", well I live with my mom and have lived with her for the past year for several reasons, one she's 74 and needs me but for the main reason, I can't find a job and I need her as much as she needs me because I can't make ends meet on my alimony alone since my divorce 2 yrs ago and live by myself. Well, while watching this show I could really relate to these people who had had gastric bypass and their eating issues so I paused the DVR and said to my mom "you know I really need help with my eating issues". Just yesterday or last night I posted on here that I crave something sweet after meals and it is an awful feeling and I didn't know how to deal with it. Her reply was harsh, guess I wasn't ready to hear it and wanted her support. She basically said to deal with it. My feelings to the issue is, this is a real sickness, people are addicted to food as some are addicted to alcohol or drugs. I need to learn how to channel those feelings of wanting to eat at non-eating times to something else. I am paying for my own health ins and it costs a lot over $500/mo for me and my deductible is $2500 and I've had to stop going to my psychiatrist because each visit was going towards my deductible and I couldn't afford to pay out of pocket. I'm crushed, I've been a patient of his for 7 yrs. I did find a psychologist here where I live but she keeps pushing me to do things that cost me, like hobbies and although that is fine and dandy I can't afford it. Now lets talk about exercise: Mom says tonight "I'll pay for a membership to a gym if you'll go", great I say but she doesn't understand that I can barely walk around the block here at home before I have to walk in the door and take a pain pill to kill the pain in my knee that I've had 2 surgeries on. I just feel like she doesn't understand or I feel all alone in this right now. Yes, I've come out of the closet yesterday on here that I'm Bipolar, I take meds for it and they leave me hungover the next day so I usually sleep in till 10:30 and cause insomnia so I'm up till the wee hrs of the night/morning going to bed and the one drug that knocks me out causes some weight gain and cravings but its the only thing that will put me to sleep at night and control my moods. Going back to my psychiatrist, he kept a close eye on me and my bipolar and all my meds, now my reg dr handles all my meds. I have a feeling some of this is mild depression going on, but I just don't have the money to make an appt with my old dr right now. sheesh. My Lap Band dr has me come in once a month for fills and that has been costing me over $100 a time, I'm up to my eyeballs in medical bills. No wonder my hair is falling out. Going back to exercise, I tried to do a Burpee, omg, I couldn't even accomplish that, couldn't squat because of my knee. I thought I was going to have to call the fire dept to get me up. Thanks for listening. Donna

I don't see what the big deal is. I tried wine at 4 weeks out. It didn't sit well so I stopped. Just take it slow and see how it goes. Be careful because you do get buzzed faster and make sure you've had plenty of water! Not everyone who enjoys an occasional drink is a raging alcoholic.

I'm really afraid to have any alcohol. I do not like being sick so I don't experiment. There r times I'm out and want to have a drink, but I don't. I understand being young and wanting to have fun. I'm soooooo glad I got the partying out of my system when I was young. Be safe whatever u decide!!! (HUGS)

I JUST asked my surgeon this question this afternoon...he is a board certified surgeon with over 1,200 sleeve and bypass surgeries with no leaks amongst his patients and he is fine with "moderate alcohol starting 4 weeks post-op"...now, every surgeon is different and every patient is different, and that is from a post-op medical perspective...has nothing to do with the empty calories or the change in the way your body likely metabolizes alcohol after bariatric surgery.

I don't think people are being judgmental at all. As for harshness...sometimes it TAKES harshness to get through to people. That said, I do NOT think this thread has been harsh at all. As for someone's leisure time or lifestyle being "not our business?" When you put it out on a public forum, then yes, that poster is "inviting" commentary on their lifestyle. In addition, alcohol is VERY much a lifestyle choice that often DOES impact others. So when someone says that they're like to go to a graduation party, one month post op, to do vodka shooters, I can't help but wonder how many of the other people at that party will be drunk that night? And of those, how many will choose to drive because they're not "that drunk?" And for this particular poster, it makes me sad. She's taken a HUGE step toward being healthy the rest of her life and instead of making plans to make the most of her surgery, she wants to drink enough to "feel it." There are so many other ways....and yes, in my opinion, BETTER ways, to enjoy life.

Wait until you get there. If you can get your 60-80g Protein and 64 or more ounces of Fluid at one month out by all means enjoy yourself. Personally, I think you're going to be more interested in moving out of softs and into real food than getting blotted. I'm just passing my second month and many in my cohort (including myself) are still not getting everything in. The thought of alcohol just really does not appeal

1 more thing.... I do not believe at all that your first bit of alcohol consumption should be at a college grad party.... Uncontrolled environment with college kids just wanting a kick ass party for their accomplishments.... People no surgery have died at these types of things from alcohol poisoning... If you should vomit or be sick you might just party through it and is their any one really going to safely help you monitor yourself and reactions???