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"When to start drinking alcohol?" It's not mandatory that you start drinking. :-) But I would advise you to start immediately before the surgeon starts cutting! I know it made me feel less tense. :-P

I Just filled out questionnaire and was approved for self pay sleeve in Mexico with Dr. Illian sometime this summer. Would like some valuable input from those who can help me decide to pull the trigger or not. 1- I'm a 67 year old male who is 5 ft 7 in and weighs 240. I now live full time in an rv and enjoy the travel lifestyle very much. I'm not overly obese but enough to make me think about it way too much with both the way I perceive myself and somewhat how others perceive me. I put most of the lbs on in the last 20 years. According to what I've read about seniors having the surgery is that they will not shed as many lbs as a younger patient. For those seniors reading this please let me know how it worked out for you. Also, did it take you longer to recuperate? I can continue to live my life as is but would certainly like to live out the rest of it feeling better both physically and mentally. 2- I have borderline high BP and slightly elevated levels of cholesterol for which I take daily medications. For any of you in a similar situation were you able to eventually stop the meds due to the weight loss? 3- when fully recuperated from surgery did you find yourselves with an increased energy and activity level or the opposite effect? 4-As far as the mental aspect did you adjust to the severely diminished food intake? Do you still enjoy food in the limited diet or do you now perceive eating as simply fuel intake? I would think one of the reasons for surgery is that we overly enjoyed food to begin with so this must be one of the hardest obstacles to deal with post surgery. How much do you get cravings and are they hard or easily dealt with? Please give examples. 5-For those who enjoy an alcoholic beverage once in a while (3-4 times per week) how has this affected you? Thank you for those who have read this entry and I look forward to hearing from any and all who can help me in this serious decision making process......................

I haven't had one since surgery which was on January 8, 2010. Although I wasn't a chronic drinker(maybe a couple in a week) I don't enjoy tea, coffee or many things besides a diet soda(I like a few but if its brown it has to be a diet coke because diet pepsi is way too sweet) Every day I probably want one especially if we are eating out. I love Water and all but get bored. Fruit drinks and fruit-flavored drinks are carb-ridden so I drink Powerade zero, Fuze low carb or flavor packs in bottled water. I make a pitcher of sugar free koolaid, like Crystal Light. Every day I want a soda and think about it, I just remember well I've already gone this long without one, why break the streak. It's more of a competition with myself. I have fought my willpower all my life and it is just one more area in food where I will triumph and not live to eat rather than eat to live. Now icecream is another story. Plus I have something to brag about....."so your not drinking a soda", "no, I haven't had one in over 6 months", "oh that must be why you are glowing so much", "thank you so much". Plus now that my sugar is stable, I am not as thirsty as much and completely hydrated due to all the water I inhale. Weird...since surgery, no sodas and weight loss, I don't even have a desire to really drink alcohol, I think I might have had a beer or 2 in six months and one or two cocktails, it all has just left me.

My NUT says look for SF with sugar alcohol under 5 grams

Last time I posted a lot of bad stuff was going on with me health wise..here is the link to my last post to catch you up with what i'm talking about. http://verticalsleevetalk.com/post-operation-vertical-sleeve-gastric-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/7593-help-has-happened-anyone.html Now the good news! This is day 4 of me really trying to get in Protein as well as Fluid since I have been feeling better. I have not thrown up during these 4 days. The only thing I do notice is first thing in the morning when I wake up I feel really sick. But once I drink/eat something, about 30 mins after I feel better. I've never had this before so I don't know if the sick feeling is my body telling me I need to eat or what. I have been doing really well with the eating protein part. I am now getting anywhere between 60-100g a day! I have 6-7 small high protein meals a day. I think my tummy is stretching a little bit (which the doctor said is good) because I can be comfortable after eating half of a turkey sandwich. For dinner I had a turkey burger patty and was able to finish all by two bites of it. But everything seems to be going well I am not dizzy/ light-headed like I was before and I am still loosing. My Questions: 1. When do you think I will be able to have sushi? I AM DYING HERE! HAHA 2. They doctors told me to stop drinking 30 mins before my meals, not to drink during my meals, and to wait 30 mins after my meals before drinking. I have been doing this, but i find it annoying and hard to do at time. Is this something that I will always have to do? Or is it mostly in the first X amount of months that I have to do this? 3. Will I ever be able to have Sprite or 7up ever in the future. I am not much of a soda drinker at all, and I realize it does stretch your sleeve. I'm talking a soda every once in a while. The only time I had soda was when I would go out to resturaunts or something. Lately I have been craving sprite (it's wierd), but do any of you down the road (6+ months post op) have soda at all? Also wondering for New Years about the soda thing cause I usually mix alcohol with soda, by then i will be almost 7 months post op. My surgery date was June 11th,2010, I am down 80 pounds. Thanks everyone

I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and the other things you are going through. I had my revision in Sept my weight at surgery time was 213. I also had severe GERD and a fistula,which is why my BMI didn't really matter. You and I are the same height so you may not have any issues getting a revision at your current weight. As far as the Alcoholism goes have you tried talking to your regular DR? Most bariatric surgeons also have you see someone, and they may be able to help. I also agree with the diversion therapy that AJ talks about. I wish you all the best!

I was doing great with the sleeve. Then my husband started beating me, my autistic son became a "teenager".... insert dramatic scary music here.... and my mom died on Dec 21. Oh, and I have an amazing 4 yr old girl. I have been hitting the bottle. A lot. In the last 6mo I have regained 15lbs. I'm currently waiting for insurance to approve a revision surgery for my sleeve. I went from 287 lbs to 215 and now 228. My restriction is still pretty good, but I am so stressed out that I have to believe my excess calorie intake is my alcohol intake. I'm not sure what I am even asking, but does anyone know a good way to battle alcoholism and a good type of doctor that is knowledgeable about bariatric issues as well as alcohol issues? Not specifically looking for a particular doctor, but any ideas would be great. Sent from my moto e5 supra using BariatricPal mobile app

I am also a Alcoholic and have not found there to be any ties between the two WLS and Alcohol abuse. This is a nasty hard addiction no doubt and staying sober is very hard. I am by no way clean and sober but i have cut it way back by focusing on my health, my dog, and activities like fishing and females. I found AA to be a freakish cult but it does work for some, My suggestion is to use a aversion approach, it is a common way to divert you away from the use of the bottle. Simply put when you reach for the bottle Drink a glass of orange juice, when you crave the vodka go for a walk, you are diverting yourself away from the addiction by other things. It does work for me, For example wanted to drink last night, so instead i took the dog for a long walk, rented a movie and played clash of clans! But i have been warned by my doctor it will tear the hell out of you little stomach quickly - so the fear of being dead has me alot more sober

I am 8 mos out and I eat everything. Popcorn and nuts. I eat beans, pasta and bread sparingly. It fills me up too quickly. I've posted before and I've received negative comments about my eating habits. But it works for me. I started at 200 and I now weigh 133...and I don't fluctuate much. I eat many times a day, but 4 or 5 bites. I don't log my food or count anything. Maybe I'm being naive or getting cocky...but I've counted and logged food my whole life and I feel free now. I can definitely eat more now. I don't think I've stretched out my stomach. I can eat very little in the morning, but as the day goes on I can eat more. I never drink alcohol, carbonated drinks, or juice. I eat chips, tacos, English muffins and peanut butter. Turkey jerky, nuts, cheese, pizza, Sweets aren't my thing, and if I do eat them, it's a few bites. Don't eat ice cream. I love cheeseburgers (half with one bun). A taquito. Half a piece of chicken and four bites of salad with ranch. A few fries. Sweet potato. No fruit really. I eat what I want when I want...just four or five bites. I would really have to work at it all day and make myself uncomfortable to gain weight. I don't know if this is bad advice, but it works for me. Good luck.

Finally at home. I made it through the Block Party/BBQ. There was all sorts of food, sweets and alcohol. I sat through it with no problem. I had my Protein shake I sipped on. My gf made me crystal light and Jello. I am just having a small cup of broth.

//Also, there are places to purchase these things online where they will send you samples much of the time. That is how I knew I would be able to enjoy my protein "shakes." My sister, who had gastric bypass, has found that there aren't any protein powders she can take, but I want her to try mine. I can't drink milk or use soy products. I found a kosher certified powder that is whey protein but lactose free, and I use rice milk with it. (Chocolate - Yummy!)// Amy - can you share that kosher certified powder with us? I'd love to try it. My Myoplex is good but I am always looking to try new ones. //I did ok during the HH this year. I get my fills on Thursdays, and only passed on challah once (I don't consult a Rabbi on this, sorry). I'm pretty good at liquifying challah in my mouth, even on the second day after a fill. Growing up my Orthodox rabbi, who was very well known, always told us that if you couldn't fulfill a mitzvah or law because of a health issue, that your health came first. I take that to heart.// I find there is a lot of variability in what Rabbis will say. I guess it depends on your own personal stats. My friend and I were banded within 3 months of each other, and we each consult a rabbi, and we get very different responses. I think that my friend who has a lot more weight to lose than me, and is also pre-diabetic with PCOS is considered more of a health risk, whereas I am very healthy and fit, just FAT. so I tend to be told not to do things that she is told to do. Staying hydrated on YK is one example. //Has anyone started to think about what to do during Pesach? I know I can go a couple days without the protein, but don't yet know whether I will be able to eat enough to get sufficient protein for the full eight days. Now THAT is a concern for me. I can live without a vitamin or calcium supplement for a week, but am not yet sure about the protein. I may be anticipating a problem that doesn't exist, but it is something I'm thinking about now, well ahead of time // this is a real concern. I know a friend of mine uses Dr. Ren and she says that in NYU before Pesach a lot of ppl come in for an unfill. My strategy - and I don't know if it will work is - I am planning on cooking a lot of meat and chicken and pureeing it, to be sure I will get in enough protein. I probably will be low, but it will be OK for a week. I DO NOT PLAN ON GETTING AN UNFILL. for one, I'm private pay and that's pricey, and for two, my friend gained 10 lbs over Passover last year and I work WAY TOO HARD to lose each pound to do that. In terms of vitamins, I believe Maxi Health makes a Kosher for Passover liquid vitamin, but it tastes NASTY. I probably will use it though. I am going to ask my Rabbi about 4 cups of wine. I find that since being banded my tolerance for alcohol has dropped, and I may just stick to grape juice if he says that's OK. Check out the maxi health site - they may have stuff and call their 800 number - I find their nutritionists to be very helpful and knowledgable. According to my scale, I'm down another pound, but I don't "count" it unless it shows on a Tuesday. So I weigh 183.4 unofficially today! I'm so excited. I'm hoping I won't ruin it this Shabbos with the birthday cake my kids will "surprise" me with this Shabbos. Rdk

Just read a response of yours that I had missed previously. One thing I'd note: This statement is perhaps a little unfair to your daughter. It's kind of like saying, "If she'd slap someone, why wouldn't she also kill someone?" With something like pot, and something like crack, you're comparing apples to oranges. They're both illegal, and they're both classified as drugs. They're also night and day. Pot can be a gateway, so can alcohol and a host of other "baddies", but in MOST cases it's all the farther people go, especially in people who can be considered mentally healthy. Gen X- and Y-ers see pot as the "safe" drug - the one that can't hurt you, and it's the "cool" drug -- relatively cheap, easy to get, you're probably not going to overdose on it, its effects don't last hours, etc. They see alcohol in a similar way. I'm not trying to defend pot, or other drug use - not at all. I have no reason to, I never smoked pot. I was a clean kid, have never even been drunk, but I think every single friend of mine except 1 that I can think of did smoke it and/or drink. Around her age I had a very large group of friends, so we're talking 40 - 50 people that I saw regularly, at least 98% of whom smoked pot, and 0% of whom never did any other drugs.

Last night my fiance and I went out for my birthday dinner. I was a little nervous to see how me, alcohol, and my band would do...Also I havent drank anything in almost 2 years so I really had no tolerance to alcohol lol....The beggining of the night went well we had some drinks and everything seemed to be going good...Then we for some reason thought it would be a good idea to order some highly fattening appiteziers...After those were gone more drinks....I felt ok but major head ache when I left. Nothing really set in until I got home. As soon as I walked in the door I felt extremely ill....I tried my hardest not to get sick which made it even worse. I dont know if it was the alcohol or the crappy food choice that made me so ill but either way it was not worth it. I was down to 269 and today up to 271 so im not happy about that. Alcohol is wasted calories and then when you top it off with dip and many fried things it obviusly is not going to help with any weight loss. I am very excited for my fill next week and have been getting back on track today by having my protein shake for breakfast. Last night really made me realize that lapband wont do anything without your commitment to it...Feeling a little guilty...

EEsMom...glad you're going to talk to your nutritionist. I can't imagine you'll be the first patient that she/he has heard can't have sugar substitues. I"m sure they'll find something for you. Even if you have to make your own Protein shakes out of plain Protein powder. For me Sugar Alcohol sets me off and I haven't even had the surgery yet. Too much of that stuff...errr...is not a good thing for me. Good luck!

Hi there, We all seem to have very different guidelines for what we should eat and when. My program says no coffee for 6 months and no alcohol for 1 year. I’m doing ok with no carbs and no drinking. I am really struggling with no coffee and I feel it is actually affecting my focus and productivity at work. What does your program say about coffee? Thanks! (Not in Seattle, but couldn’t resist the title!)

Sorry to hear that you've been going through a lot. Likely the alcohol is causing the GERD and you'd have to detox completely before undergoing another surgery. Your BMI might be too low at this point to qualify for a revision. But you have the opportunity to work on both issues if you focus first on the drinking part, have you tried AA? I don't think you're going to get your weight under control until you get your drinking under control. My surgeon's office has behavioral counselors as part of the program, does yours? Perhaps you could talk to them.

An you drink alcohol after the band?

I've had the same exact issues, but decided not to get any fluid removed. I noticed specifically what I was eating was contributing to my band becoming inflamed (alcohol seemed to contribute a lot, ugh). But I know exactly how you feel and although I was able to get back to normal by changing my diet a bit, that feeling of sickness and reflux is one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever experienced. I would say try to eat more filling foods, such as oatmeal, and maybe incorporate small healthy snacks throughout the day (like fruits and vegetables) to keep that feeling of "full." I also understand your paranoia to get a fill and my advice is try to tweak your diet before getting a fill. Keep a diary of your foods, too, if you're not doing that. I hope you are able to keep going strong without a fill (or if you get a fill, that terrible reflux doesn't return!!). Try not to get discouraged, you've come so far! all the best! Theresa

Totally. That was a rebound relationship for sure and a hard learning experience. I was with my kids dad for 7 years and I never even looked at another guy. He was bad to me but I truly loved him. I tried so hard to make it work with him. It was a really tough decision to leave but I had no choice. After that I was alone 6 months. When I started dating again it felt sooooo good to be able to love someone again and be loved... But I was SO on the rebound. I wasn't looking out for red flags and I fell in love super easily with that guy the alcoholic. He was really funny, for one, which is a weakness of mine. I was vulnerable and high on the feeling of affection. Anyway that was a rough relationship too and now that I'm past it, I'm in a much better place. I'm looking for someone who is really worth it on multiple levels. My priorities are my kids and my career. If I'm going to invest time in someone they have to be the right fit and be able to contribute to my life, not take away. Dating is fun but I do want a boyfriend. I prefer to be intimate and close to someone. I want to be with someone who knows about my food issues and is supportive. But I'm not even going to settle this time. I'm happy to walk away from red flags. So yeah. I've learned something this year!! The right one will come along. )

I was being facetious. Good grief, is it a male thing that SO MUCH must be explained with charts and graphs and crayons on paper?? There was nothing mentioned about why I'm married to him or if I love him because my post isn't ABOUT that. It's about being with somebody who is as much a foodie as I ever was but doesn't have the weight issue that I do. I'm making changes, and he's almost acting put out that his eating buddy isn't going along with HIS program. It's frustration. Maybe you've never experienced that. Maybe you haven't been at this long enough, or you don't have somebody you've been with 17 years who can have a tendence to put his wants above your NEEDS. It's not whether I love him or not, this is an issue that I have had with him more than once that has aided me in falling off the wagon. It's like having two alcoholics and one chooses to abstain while the other remains an alcoholic and the change in those people's relationship towards eachother while they try to work out their relationship with alcohol. It's really no different. *Oh wait, I just looked -- hell, you haven't even been BANDED yet, so you have NO idea what I'm talking about. Figures.

... I've looked the list up and down several times and this is as close to accurate as I could get. I'm not ranting and/or raving... It's not a 'men only' thing... It's not a boy/girl thing... I'm not 100% certain that it's a 'success story' thing either because the story isn't over yet.. It's just a thing.. Anyway, here's the s**t.. My story is similar to many others here. Got fat... Got sleeved... Lost weight... Hit a "stall"... (I use the " around stall because technically, it wasn't all a stall. In the beginning it was. After that it was Christmas, New Years, holiday, drinking, not watching intake...) I've posted about my "stall" before... Unfortunately, the "stall" happened when I was floating around the 100kg (220.462 pounds) lost mark. I went from 98.5 kg lost to 96 then back to 98.7... This went on for four weeks or so leading up to Christmas... Once Christmas came, I knew it wasn't gonna break in the near future so I stopped weighing. So for a month, I stopped worrying about calories and carbs and all that stuff. Yes, I made sure to keep up the Protein and Water, but that was all. Then, once I was back at work and into my routine, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and weigh in. I was scared that I'd gained... Scared that I'd undone some of the good that I'd done... So with great trepidation, I stepped on the scales (first thing in the morning, straight after a pee, naked apart from my reading glasses). I could not believe what I saw... The scale hadn't moved... I was still within a couple of kg of my 100kg lost. Well, that got me going... It was head down and arse up for the next two weeks, making sure I watched EVERYTHING that went in, got right back into training and all that... No cake at work morning tea. No waffle fries at the baseball. No alcohol at the races... (I know, right??!??!) Protein, water, protein, water, good fat and carbs, repeat... Tonight, as I walked in the door, something told me to check my weight... I dunno what it was... The universe maybe... (Please don't make this a God thing... That's a whoooole other story...) Whatever it was, I listened... I weighed myself.. No fear... No trepidation.. And I'm pleased to say that, as things currently stand, I have officially lost EXACTLY 100.3kg (221.124 pounds) since Feb 25 last year. I still have approx 50 kg (110 pounds) to go and hope to have that gone by year's end.. But I'll think about that tomorrow... Tonight is for enjoying the moment... Please... If there's anyone reading this who is struggling or needs support - PM me. I'm more than happy to answer questions or give opinions/anecdotal advice. Thanx for reading... Kinda...

9 days, I probably wouldnt and I'm not one for strict rules, and denying yourself. But 9 days out from stomach surgery, alcohol really isnt going to do you much good. Also .... cocktail..... what sort? Some cocktails are HORRENDOUSLY high in calories. Personally, I'd stick with wine, something relatively low calorie like that. I think a healthy diet includes your fave tipple now and again, but its pretty hard to account for 700 calorie cocktails on a weight loss diet. Depends wht you mean by cocktain of course.

Nikki, I was self-pay as well, so I understand what you're saying about missing all the pre-reqs. I've been seeing a therapist since before surgery and we've finally found a topic that she can't help me with: body image. She's a tall, slender runner who has never had a weight issue, so she's thrown when I talk about how I see myself (still huge, even after losing 110 pounds). But, even though she's not a bariatric specialist, she has helped tremendously on my journey. I had a tendency to eat my problems and I'm learning to be more assertive. The first few times I had a problem after surgery, I was literally lost because I had no idea how to cope. I think a lot of folks here can relate to that. I think that therapy helps a ton with coping skills and helps us to not have cross-over addictions to alcohol and/or drugs.

Ok so obviously if you drink it must be in moderation, and the tolerance for it goes way down after surgery. I also know about empty calories and that alcohol should be avoided if possible for this and many other health related reasons. I know all of this. My question is specifically, after lap-band surgery, are there any harms that come from drinking alcohol that you wouldn't have had before hand (besides lower tolerance)? Such as "LB does such and such and therefore the liver blah blah". Any good medical reasons are what I'm looking for. I don't plan to have any yet, I'm really just curious. TIA!!!

Just be aware that you will get DRUNK off of much less. Your stomach size apparently helps with the processing/absorption of alcohol, so one drink might mean you'll be done.