Search the Community

This may seem like a dumb question but... Why do you have to drink alcohol at all?

I need to figure out what I should drink at my brothers wedding. Suffer from acid reflux and of course can't have carbonation. The wine kills me, tried that already. Also unsure about beer due to the hops. Please help

So how long after surgery did you have your 1st alcoholic drink? What did you start with? Beer,wine,etc

I don't know how you feel about confrontation, or how much you see these gals, but if it were me, I'd speak my feelings at some point (better than eating them). A conversation when the time is right along the lines of "Hey, remember the other day when we were talking about weight an you made the comment about how I must of had been eating constantly to get up to 330 lbs, etc... well I need to say that that really hurt my feelings. I was dealing with a lot of stuff in my life, and food became my way to cope, just as some use alcohol and drugs. It was a ruff patch in my life. But your words really hurt me." Now she might respond rudely, or maybe, just maybe she'll apologize. Either way, you will have spoken your feelings, and that does lead to healing and keeps us from bottling that stuff up, and eating our emotions. Just be "REAL". I think this world would be a much better place if we all were. Sorry you had your feelings hurt.

I've really been focused on my diet bc is easier now. Fish chicken veg and fruit is basically all I eat. Gym so much and no no sugar are carbs. I will admit I've smoked a few cigs because I've cracked but I'm good now. so no cigs and Alcohol. not drinking was the hardest for me. Follow what the dr says and u will be good take all your protein I take 80g a day calcium, multi vitamin and b12

My husband has recently stopped drinking pops and the other day he said at moments he still had cravings and I told him, with almost everything that there is a study showing its bad for you theres another study showing it can be good for you (alcohol, coffee, etc..) but there are no studies that I know of that says pop is good for you even in moderation. I don't want to put anything bad in my body anymore :wub: . thats why my husband and I dont anymore, but everyone has to do whats best for them. Good luck!

cant wait I respectfully say that you must /should work on stopping drinking now - before surgery!!!! I'm sure you are not an alcoholic, but.......... IMO i would listen to what the dr. said - he is looking out for you after surgery you will have a lot to deal with its great that you've been diligent with your food - already loosing 45 lbs!!! good job!!!! keeping in control of food and drinking Water PO, can be/ is hard enough for many/most dealing with your alcohol at the same time would be extremely difficult kindof like a smoker all of a sudden going cold turkey immediately PO take care of any and all problems first, before surgery IMO having to put off WLS for a bit, i agree what a bummer you have your whole new life in front of you but you should/need to improve your health so once you have WLS - your health will only get better and better with weight loss whatever you decide - i wish you well good luck with everything

I love to drink but alcohol causes fatty liver disease. Being overweight causes fatty liver disease. If u r trying to shrink your liver pre op probably not a good idea. I have given up everything for this preop diet and after my class I didn't wait u til two weeks before my surgery. I started my pre op diet early as to shrink my liver to the best of my ability. Lol I've dreamt of martinis in the beginning and last night cake. Woke up with guilt over that. Couldn't imagine if I had a drink for real. Good luck

Yea my cross addiction is alcohol So I try to only drink occasionally Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Alcohol is just empty calories.

I had a 3 day interview in Spain (I live in the UK) in the middle of my 2 week pre op diet. As it was basically a 3 day interview, i didn't want to arouse suspicions by not eating the amazing spanish food and the great spanish wines. so i I was allowed to revert back to a normal diet and drink a few glasses if wine. I didn't go overboard and reverted back to the pre op diet as soon as I could. The pre op is to shrink the liver but you can also loose shed loads of weight so I would say if you don't need to drink alcohol during the pre op diet don't. Rather than seeing the pre op diet as a pain I would recommend it as seeing it as a great kick start to your new life

Hello my fellow May sleevers! I don't think I have introduced myself yet. I'm in Detroit, Michigan and I am a band to sleeve revision. I was initially scheduled for a gastric bypass in March but I chickened out the week of surgery. My sleeve date is May 16th! I feel so much better about this decision. My docs office was a bit irritated with me but I have to do what is right for me! I have had my crap band for five years with little weight loss and I have been taking off and putting back on the same twenty pounds for the last six months. I'm just sick of it and I need to do something different. I've been trying to get myself ready so months ago I quit soda, carbonation, and caffeine. I also gave up alcohol almost completely (never thought I'd be able to do that). I've also learned to love yogurt which, until two weeks ago I could not stand! I made a list of what I will need and posted in a thread. I purchased my Vitamins, belly band, ear plugs, and eye mask for the hospital today. My goal is to get to the gym everyday until surgery so that I go in in the best shape possible. My doc does not require a liquid diet but I would really like to try to do one for a couple of weeks prior. I figure there can't be any harm in trying to keep my liver out of the docs way! My surgery will include gallbladder removal, band removal, hernia repair (caused by the crap band), and my revision to a sleeve so I am anticipating being in a world of hurt or as the coordinator at the surgeons office put it a "hot mess"! She has assured me they will get me through it. I look forward to sharing this experience with all of you and wish you the best of luck!

The purpose of a pre op diet is to shrink the liver. Drinking alcohol probably won't add weight to your liver but alcohol will lower your inhibitions and you could pig out on a plate of nachos which would make you gain another 2-5 lbs of fluids. If you do, stay away from carb and sodium loaded margaritas. I'd stick with wine or hard liquor with no sugar additives. tmf

Well, many people drink a few times a month. do you drink alot when you drink? That sort of drinking - alot at once, is considered to be a major health risk. Trust me when i say that alcohol is different post sleeve - you do not want to drink quantities as it will kick your butt. Maybe they see something that is concerning.

I started my process in feb. Iv got everything done and iv lost 45lb since I started. Now they are telling me they want me to go to alcohol rehab because I drink. I only drink twice a month every other Saturday. I don't think I have a drinking problem by agreeing to what they want I'd be calling my self a alcoholic and I'm not I don't know what to do now

I know this probably seems ridiculous - and I'm really just inquiring if anyone did this??! I have a vacation in Montauk less than a week before my surgery - can I have a few drinks while on my pre-surg diet? My dr. Said it won't really hurt but I shouldn't. ... If I can't I won't - but I'm just wondering! Trust me I've been more than compliant and plan to continue to be... But I really want to enjoy my vacation and its bad enough I'll be on my pre-op diet! Lol

Hello everyone. I'm a band to sleeve revision scheduled for May 16th! Getting here has been a long and often miserable road. I am so excited to be beginning this new journey. I really messed up by not being prepared when I had my band put in and that is not going to happen again. So, I spent some time today compiling of list of things to get in the next month. It's suited to my tast so there is no pudding and only vanilla flavors (no chocolate or strawberry). Also, everything is pre-packaged (making it more expensive) because I have two kids who keep me extremely busy and a husband who works all the time. I quit drinking carbonated beverages and caffeine a couple of months ago and gave up alcohol (almost completely ) in January. I never though I would be able to do that (of course I am really fightin replacing with eating)! Anyway, just in case this may help someone here it is: For Day of Surgery Ear plugs Eye mask Chapstick Warm blanket Ear buds for TV Gas X (couple of different forms) Slippers or Socks Belly Binder Nightgown Belly bear or pillow Phone charger Milk of Magnesia For Weeks 1 and 2 May 16th – May 31st 21 Carnation Instant Breakfast Vanilla (Pre-made) 28 Fat free or low fat cream Soups (strained before eating)(see list at end) 28 No sugar added Greek Yogurts 3 Cartons chicken broth 3 Cartons beef broth 1 Carton skim milk 14 Jello snack cups 6 Cans crushed pineapples in Water or light syrup (for smoothies) 7 Bananas (for smoothies) 1 Carton OJ (for smoothies) 6 Mangos for smoothies For Weeks 3 and 4 June 1st – June 14th 1 Large box of quick Quaker Oats 14 Fat free cream soups (see list at end) 21 No sugar added Greek Yogurts 14 HMR or Healthy Choice etc. frozen dinners (to put in blender) 1 Spinach (to put in blender w/ frozen meals) 1 Broccoli to put in blender (to put in blender w/ frozen meals) 1 Box of instant mashed potatoes 14 Prepackaged snack cups of unsweetened apple sauce 4 Cans of chicken for chicken salad 1 Jar of Hellman’s low fat mayo Vitamins and supplements Mulit-Vitamin – Bariatric Advantage Convenient Daily Packs (30 day supply) Biotin – Nature’s Bounty 5,000 iu Protein – unjury unflavored, Unjury strawberry sorbet, and Unjury chicken Soup Vitamin D – highest dosage (I'm African -American (so my Vit D is always low) but with enough other stuff mixed in that my mom has osteporosis. Go Figure!) I also already have every heartburn medicine (both OTC and prescription) at home but if you do not probably good to have it on hand. Tylenol - liquid or chewables if I can find them. I get migraines so I am sure one will hit me. Cream soups may include from Campbell’s Brand – FF Cream of Celery, FF Cream of Chicken, FF Cream of Mushroom, FF Broccoli cheese, Healthy Request Cheddar Cheese Soup, Cream of Potato Soup (sparingly)

Alcohol is not really my thing. Glad I don't have to deal with this dilemma!!

Mine said... Never ever again! Kiss alcohol good bye! ~Leticia **HW: 259**PreOp: 216**SURG: 3/21/13 **Discharged @: 221**24 days post op. CW: 200.2 lbs<br />---THE WORSE PLATEAU EVER ---

I think the main reason most ask you to wait so long is to cut down on your chance of transfer addiction. Mine said he wants me to have the full year to overcome whatever 'food addictions' I may have before adding in alcohol.

VST is a forum for vertical sleeve weight loss surgery support. Those who have had the surgery, and those who are family, friends, and supporters of them are also welcome to come here, participate, learn, educate and be educated. Often, those who have never experienced being morbidly obese truly don't understand what it means to those of us who are, or what we have been through, both physically and mentally. They tend to be more sympathetic to the person who has an addiction to alcohol, smoking, or drugs. But the difference is, nobody needs alcohol, drugs or cigarettes to live, but we do need food to live. And, that alone makes our struggle that much harder. Momto6ix, in order for Rick to succeed, you need to be on his side, loving him and supporting him 100% of the way. I do applaud you for asking what foods are best to make for the party, and being sympathetic to his needs. Please refer to our food and nutrition forums at http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/7-food-nutrition/ for some great ideas on what you can cook and he can eat. He is going through a lot of changes right now, physically and emotionally. If, at this juncture in his journey he doesn't feel ready to face certain situations, then respect that and support him. He has to learn how to handle the different situations he is going to encounter in the future, and he will. But right now, he is still new to all of this. Allow him the time he needs to adjust to changing his eating habits, learning to exercise, dealing with the changes his body is going through, etc. Also, keep in mind when your body is going through such drastic changes, you also have a lot of crazy hormonal/chemical changes going on. Eventually, it will all level out. He will learn how to deal with social situations where food is involved and he will be ready to start going out and living life again. Just don't expect it to all happen overnight. Lastly, everyone please remember our forum rules, primarily the one which refers to everyone being respectful of one another. We are all here to both learn and educate. The attacks are unnecessary.

DOn't drink for two months after surgery as the alcohol can damage your healing tummy (picture pouring it on an open wound...and wounds inside heal slower) but that said, at two months and a second...ok not really it was more like three because I did have significant complications, I had some wine. It went down fine, though I do drink slower now. I will say that I don't have the issue of it hitting me harder. I drink slower because I just do...just like I eat slower, so I don't drink as much as I used to, but I can easily have two or three decent sized glasses of wine and it's no different than prior to the surgery....EXCEPT....I get sober very quickly if I do feel the slightest twinge of tipsy Which is just fine with me. I don't drink hard liquor so I can't help you with that experience, but my husband says he was hoping I'd become a cheap date (I do like good wine LOL) and it hasn't worked out for him that way heh heh

Hey I did that! This was the weekend I crossed over the line between overly cautious and eating what I'd really like. So here's what happened - Friday night was at El Fenix with the family. I ate a taco and drank 1/3 of a peach margarita. And a few chips. I was quite full and I discovered that it's true what they say about sleeves and alcohol. I didn't need very much at all. Saturday night - we went to a local sports bar. I ate 1 stuffed jalapeno pepper. Man was it good! Had 1/2 of a buffalo chicken wing and about 7 chili cheese fries. I was full and couldn't eat another bite. Had less than half of a frozen margarita and lost interest in it. i wasn't sick and felt fine other than being full. So now I know. I can eat some of this stuff from time to time and not become ill. It was an awesome discovery.

Here's what works for me. A piece or two if sugar free candy. Especially the Russell Stover chocolate covered caramels. Only take one piece. Works better than any laxative. Its because of the sugar alcohol.

My Dr told me the reason alcohol was more potent for bystanders was because it stayed in the pouch for a longer period before moving to your stomach where even more alcohol was absorbed. Makes sense I guess.