Search the Community

I feel the effects of alcohol more quickly than I did before surgery, but I also sober up more quickly. Not sure why from a chemistry perspective, but that's what I have noticed. I waited until I was about 3-4 months out from surgery (my doc recommended between 3-6 months before drinking) and I do it rarely due to the empty calories. I think the liver thing has to do with your liver being strained during the weight loss process . . . if your liver is already working hard during weight loss, excessive drinking can put extra strain on it. I don't know all the particulars, though.

I tried about 2 oz of wine at 6 weeks out and tolerated it well. I am now at 8 weeks out and enjoy about 3-4 oz of wine every once in a while. Hard liquor, has higher alcohol content will make you a "cheap drunk" as my surgeon would say. A little goes a long way. I tried but it burned too much on the way down, so I don't think I'm ready for it yet. Carbonated alcohol drinks (and non- alcoholic) are also a no-no for at least 6 months. They expand the stomach, and can stretch it. Healing continues for a long time and you don't want to chance a leak. From what others had mentioned on this site, Treat yourself with a small drink when you reach a goal you've set for yourself. Eventually you will be able to have a little more,but, alcohol are empty calories. They can slow down your weight loss. Keep that in mind too.

Ahhh.. No one knows. Mystery to be solved. Maybe since your bodies are in a catabolic state your liver has an increased working load due to the fact that its processing and burning up your body's own fats rather just storing them. Alcohol consumption would increase its load and which may cause harm to the liver itself.. From a doctors perspective- Why create a problem too soon Yay go me (null)

I had my first alcoholic beverage at 3 mos out and haven't stopped since (i'm now into year 3) and I haven't died yet. I don't think one small vodka is going to kill you, just be prepared for that intoxicated feeling right away. . . it's really weird. . . good luck

I don't really see why you can't have any alcohol ever, unless you know you are prone to addiction or something. I do agree that drinking it daily would be stupid, since it's empty calories. Soda has carbonation, which some believe can stretch the sleeve and I'm not willing to take that chance, so I avoid it 100% of the time. But I have had alcohol several times in the last 9 months. Maybe once a month or so once I was allowed. Just at social occasions and I'm very careful about it, because I have noticed I get drunk much faster post-sleeve, so absolutely NO driving the entire night, just to be on the safe side. I'm generally opposed to drinking my calories, but I don't see the harm in drinking in moderation on occasion. My program is very conservative and my team also said no alcohol ever. As already mentioned the cross addiction & empty calories being the main reasons. I hardly drank prior to surgery anyways so definitely not a sacrifice for me. Regarding the OP, if you were to honestly provide a journal of everything you are drinking & eating to your surgeon, what would he or she think?

Yes! The sugar alcohol in the artificial sweeteners makes me so sick! I get a hot flash and cold sweat and super nauseous! Stevia doesn't do that to me just the ones with sugar alcohol. I think stevia is natural so that's probably why it doesn't make me sick. Good luck! It is awful! I can add a little sugar to coffee with no effect. I think that's better than artificial especially since I only only 2 packets and don't usually drink the whole cup Mich W Hw 223, SW 217 CW 191 GW 135

I have two bags of sour mix, and a bigger can of pineapple juice. It looks like I am an alcoholic too, instead of carrying it up to the third floor I have it at work. I have it in the back but people still see it when they get nosy!!

WOW! You seem like you've got this! All I did prior was cut back on alcohol. I think if you can manage those changes you'll be better off than I was and I'm doing alright! The only thing I can think of is to try out recipe's and new snacks that are post surgery friendly so that you already have an idea of what you like. Also trying to reduce your sugar intake (drink less juice, soda etc.). I actually found that I love crystal lite...

3 ounces OJ 16 ounces chocolate milk Half a Mc donalds saugage egg and cheese KfC chicken snacker small root beer float one peice chocolate easter candy Plain double cheeseburger 16 ounces 2% milk half a snickers bar Handfull of fries, mayo, ketsup.. hershey sunday pie Chocolate milk 24 ounces Gulps of OJ... who knows how much, didnt even pour it into my 8 ounce cup. NOTES: I am not even adding it up. Worked really hard in Water aerobics today though.. went a half hour early and swam with the kids, raced them backwards crawl ... its the only way I can swim fast enough to give them some competition. I won a few times. Some lady was holding "Margaretta night" and I said "on a wednesday, now thats alcoholism" I said it so only a few could hear and it was old ladies.. and i wonder why I have no friends. lol I also could teach that class so much better than she could!!..(In my mind.. not my body,,lol) I guess thats why college graduates dont teach water aerobics at the YMCA too often.. My daughter goes and cant even get a workout yet she is too lazy to work out for real.. oh well, she lost 12 pounds and is at 143# and I just want her to keep it off, so... shes the smallest and youngest girl in the place. AND I found out she wont get naked in frount of the ladies.. she uses a dressing room! Age 17.. thats just stupid.. and i told her so.. ok I will add up those stinking calories and stuff tomarrow. I hate looking at this but I hope it will ne nice to look back upon when I have restriction.!! Chins up girl!

I had a funny/ not so funny experience with alcohol. I had 2 drinks of Grand Marnier on the rocks over a 3 hour period. When I got up to leave it hit me.....I can't remember the last time I felt so drunk......it obviously sat in my stomach, and didn't "filter through". Since then I tried a mixed drink and it seems to be ok. I'm sticking with the mixed drinks, without carbonation...

@@aubrey222 -- I agree, a lot of the first week or two feels like rehab. I'm a recovering alcoholic (sober 14-1/2 years) and as I was going through the pre-op classes I could see that a lot of what they were teaching felt very similar to the first months of sobriety, and I use a lot of those same tools I learned when first sober now that I am newly sleeved (just under 2 months out). In AA we ask what has to change -- EVERYTHING and nothing. The point is we still have to live our lives. We have to get up, go to work, shower, take care of the family, all that. But now we have to take care of ourselves. This is MY responsibility, just like staying sober was (is). Just like it would be dumb to drink to punish a perceived slight from someone (what we called "drink at them"), it would be dumb to "eat at them" too -- I'm only hurting me. I don't really know where this came from this morning, lolol -- I just took the thread topic and turned it all inside out.

Selswick, your weight loss is ASTOUNDING--great job! It's really hard, though, sometimes--isn't it? I'm a stress NON-eater, but in the past have eaten in response to other emotional triggers, so I understand that it's tricky to know what to do when they hit post-banding. You're obviously very committed to finding good alternatives and continuing your excellent weight loss. And in this, I think the band can be a tremendous aid. The court sometimes orders repeat DUI offenders to place "governors" on their cars. These require that the driver breathe into the device. If their blood alcohol level measures too high, the ignition will not work. If they test clean, the car will start. I named my band The Governor. Just like the governors in cars, it makes sure that I can't eat beyond a certain point. So far, I have not tested its limitations. (This does not mean I never will.) Instead, I've tried really, really hard to find other things to replace eating. I write (here, in a journal, on Facebook, whatever....), I walk my dog, I go to the gym---when worse comes to worst, I pack it in for the day and go to bed! I am not burying my feelings---I think that tends to bite us in the behind (and if you look at the size of MY behind, you'll know that I mean this quite literally; stuffing feelings can have disastrous results, weight-wise. Now that I don't have the ability to overeat, I very much want to avoid cross-addictive issues). Rather, I'm trying to find substitutes. One thing I'm doing---that is surprisingly difficult (but it really shouldn't surprise me, given the lengths I've gone to to avoid it for four decades!) --- is taking the time to really identify the emotions I'm feeling and their sources. And then TALK about them with the appropriate people (or in write when that is not possible). OMG--it is SO FREEING! It's hard at first, but I feel like a more genuine human...like this band--this silicone device placed in my body by a surgeon with completely different intentions--is opening the door to a completely different relationship with myself and with others. Not everyone loves this, I have to warn. Some people prefer NOT to hear what I'm thinking! But really---it's a good thing. It feels healthy, and it feels right, and it feels true to myself. And you know what? I'm seeing positive changes extend to others around me. The way my husband and kids relate to me is subtly different. I can't quite pinpoint it---but if I had to define it, there is an element of greater respect, I think. It's NOT because of the weight loss. They really were quite blind to my body size---truly. It's far more in response to my self-respect, I think. I don't know if any of this made sense. I guess what I am mainly saying is that you CAN find alternatives, and they will make you feel good about yourself. And that good feeling will reap rewards that extend far beyond weight loss.

Drunk on a sip or two? Not unless you were seriously susceptible to the effects of alcohol pre-band.

Echoing what everyone else said, drinking in moderation is okay. Be sure to track your calories to make sure you don't overdo it. Alcohol can be high calorie with no protein payoff, and consequently I avoid it. My doctor also said both alcohol and caffeine are appetite stimulants as well.

I'm not dieting in the sense of counting calories, fat grams, etc. But I am trying to follow the bandster guidelines I was given: each meal should be 2-3 oz of lean Protein and some veggies. That's doing the trick for me now that I have fill in the band. I do get in at least one piece of fruit per day as a snack, too. No beverages with calories (except occasional milk), a multi Vitamin every day. At this point it does still feel a bit like a "diet" - I have to still make the choice not to indulge in junk food, no alcohol, staying away from Pasta, potatoes and bread. And it's not always easy, particularly at special occasions or when goodies are offered at work. I just try to follow "most of the guidelines most of the time".

As a couple, the Edward's have agreed to seek a bid for the White House. Being in the medical profession and having read the proposed treatment plan, I don't think the cancer issue should be a factor. For now, it's a chronic illness that will lead to death in as little as six months but projected to be a few years. For THIS couple, a decision was made to not let her illness change the short and long range plans. My vote would not be effected by a candidate's cancer diagnosis. Betty Ford was an alcoholic and many other presidents have had very personal issues to deal with while in office. Some were public and some we'll never know about. If the presidency were a dictatorship as opposed to a democracy with bipartisan houses, I might feel differently. How do YOU feel about it?

thank u for ur kind words and support...the center i'm going to offers individual therapy and group therapy..the individual therapist will get to the root of the problem...the group therapy is where the actual eating dis-order will come in2 play...my therapist has also suggested i go to support groups for over-eaters and not just bulemics....some centers handle all eating dis-orders....this one is specifically designed for bulemics and aneroxics...it's an in-patient/out-patient center...i've asked my new therapist if there is anyone else in there with a lap band...and like i've mentioned b4...she said "its very common"...i still have a hard time admitting i have an eating dis-order...but i fight with food...i fight to eat...i fight...i fight...i feel guilty when i eat..some go to drugs and alcohol when they r stressed i go to laxatives and now i find myself vomitting when i am stressed...i'm getting a grip on the mental part...starting to feel like myself again...losing my image...i feel like i'm waking up from a bad dream...but the other part has a strong grip on my mind...i'm scared to death of food

Hi Ang, I am frustrated too. I just got back from vacation and I don't think I gained anything, but I'm not sure if I lost either. I'll have to weigh at work to be sure. But I can tell you this. I have not allowed myself anything sweet since I had the surgery. No cake, cookies, ice cream, puddings, sweet drinks because I know I am like an alcoholic and if I start, I am afraid I will not be able to stop. This is really hard. I get full quicker, but no restriction yet. But then the other dayI was eating half a sandwich and I didn't chew really well and it got stuck and I had to wait a few minutes for it to go down. I was happy to know the band was there. I am not really hungry between meals, but have to work at not eating in the evening which has always been the hardest time for me. I think becuase in the beginning, right after we had surgery when we were all on liquids and mushies, it was easy. Now it gets harder. I hope when I go in for a fill on April 9th I will get more restriction. But I would not want so much that everything feels stuck if I forget to chew well. It definately makes you slow down and eat slower. I guess we have to remember this is a tool, not magic. And we still have to change our behaviors that got us here in the first place. I want it to come off fast too. But if it comes off too fast our skin will really sag. So, we just have to hang in there. Keep trying and support each other. Happy Easter. Diane

I did not mean to be interpreted as high and mighty in my response. I apologize if it read that way. As far as alcohol being fattening, no matter the calories, I would contend that's bogus. Let's use the Wine/Big-Mac example again. Let's say I drank 576 calories of wine and my best friend ate the Big Mac. Who just creamed their saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol for the day and who did not? Same calories; different nutritional results; same exact weight loss, if both of us stay the same below our BMR. What someone eats affects their overall health. How much they eat (caloric intake) affects their weight.

Trish it doesn't look good to me either, but I think your doctor needs to know about it. Do you remember him using alcohol to clean the area b4 giving you the fill? When I had my fill a couple of weeks ago, I was at the hospital and I was impressed my doctor was running around the room looking for alcohol, (his assistant wasn't there), and made sure he swabbed the area before inserting the needles. We'll all be waiting for your reply tomorrow, actually, we'd like to know if it's any better today. Hugs!

God, some people here are so judgmental. Weed has actually been decriminalized in many states. and just bc something is illegal doesn't make it morally wrong. you need to look at the historic reasons weed was banned while alcohol was not.

Great advice.....I fell off the wagon today....as I was upset that I only lost 3lbs in a month....but tomorrow I will start again.....food too is my drug.....and it only hit home when food was compared to alcohol.....as a drug.....I would not keep alcohol around an alcoholic....I need to find another fix.....to trick my brain when I am having a bad day.....food always = happiness = sadness.....I need to divorce junk food forever ....its just causing me to be unhappy

Ok, so I quit smoking. Not fun. Also quit drinking. not AS bad. and not a single carb for 7 days now. not-a-single-gram. I'm finding myself having energy crashes, which i guess is a good think cause the old carbo-bank in the liver is empty now. which was the point. My pre-op is basically 10 days of zero carbs (and alcohol, etc) and then liquids only the day before. I'm set for the 15th. did my preops, have clearance. it's a countdown now.

Congrats on getting your date. As a smoker, I can shed some light on the smoking thing. Other than the obvious anesthesia risks for smokers, due to the smaller size of our stomachs, it does increase our risks for ulcers. It's a risk with gastrectomies in general. As as smoker, I can tell you that I've quit and gone back to smoking 3 times since my revision. Yep, I smoke, I know it sucks, but I'm not going to lie here or anywhere for that matter. When my gallbladder was giving me hell, my surgeon decided to scope me to make sure I hadn't developed an ulcer as well because my pain was occurring any time I eat or drank anything including Water. He was damn positive I'd have an ulcer, well least to say, I didn't and my sleeve is beautiful. That was at 8 months post-sleeve. Also, the little respiratory therapist that I prefer to call the torturer from hell, likes you to use that little spyrometer to help your lungs "wake up", and prevent pneumonia. I can tell you with a cut up abdomen, CO2 gas inflated tummy cavity, gas pains, incisional pain, that whole hacking up a lung really sucks, and I imagine not being a smoker helps with that issue. You'll do great on the low carb, high Protein, the diet will shrink the slippery, slimy fat on the outside of the liver which makes it easier for the surgeon to move it out of the way to get to your stomach. I was specifically told it takes several weeks and sometimes months to actually shrink a true fatty liver, a couple weeks of low carb, high protein, or even an all liquid diet isn't going to do it. All that pre-op diet does is shrink , or help alleviate the fat deposits on the outside of the liver. Nicked livers kind of suck, but happen when it's in the way and slippery. I had a starting BMI of 50, had hoards of tummy fat, and was given 1 weeks of low carb, and high protein, essentially meat, cheese, eggs and salad. Think of all the "fat" in meat, cheese and eggs? ? ? It's not going to shrink a fatty liver, but it'll get the fat burning via ketosis. I was allowed to have a "last supper" night before surgery, and I did just that. I ate spinach/artichoke dip, an 8oz ribeye steak, loaded mashed potatoes, french fries, some corn and other veggies, and I shared a Cookie monster with ice cream, it's essentially a 3000 calorie brownie/cookie combo sundae with caramel and hot fudge, I did share a few bites with my then 10 year old son LOL. My liver looked spectacular day of surgery. Least to say, all that food coming out post-VSG was a total wreck, and good lord, it was NOT a pleasant experience. Sorry for the overshare, but most want the whole experience. Alcohol also thins your blood, you'll get standard anticoagulants to help prevent blood clots and they do not want any other additives, drugs (aspirin, NSAIDS, tylenol, alcohol, etc) to increase your clotting time anymore than the prescribed doses of heparin or lovenox. Congrats on getting your date, best wishes on your sleeve ! ! ! You'll do great. . .

Hey there, well of course there will be bashing going on here shortly after I answer your question, but here it goes. . it really doesn't matter Michael. . . my doctor didn't have me quit or do anything before my surgery. . .he said first off that it takes quite some time to "shrink" livers. . he doesn't believe that you should "stop" smoking . . . your just going to start up after anyhow. . he said it's good cause of the anesthesia, but it really didn't matter. . .the alcohol thing, well you really don't want to put something quite as harsh down there right off, I started my rum and cokes up again at 3 months out and let me tell you that was so good! I think in all reality, let yourself heal up really well, and continue to live your life as usual. . . we are given this great gift to help us and help it does! You will loose the weight some of us quicker then other some of us slower, but hey Rome was built in a day either. . . But don't go crazy over everything. . .life is way too short. . . . ok forum lets have it! :lol: