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Well it depends I definitely needed them while in the hospital (2 days) . I was sent home with liquid Lortab and "needed" it for a few days but it was not until a couple of weeks later (2nd refill) that I noticed that I was having an issue... I found I was using it only at night to relax and feel good. Kinda like I used food before... I never had a problem with drugs or alcohol. But my mother is an alcoholic (recovering) and my brother was a functioning drug addict. I'm glad you are thinking about this ahead of time, I did not.

Luckysmomma - Be patient, give it time. You'll be able to eat whatever you want soon enough. I am almost 5 months out and I can eat whatever I want. I haven't tried alcohol yet, but I haven't been a big drinker since I turned 25 or so. I've always been jealous of those tiny girls that can be happy with a slice of pizza or half a hamburger when I had to have half a pizza (or more!) and burger, fries and still be looking around for something else to snack on. Instead of going out and being sad that you cant eat, go out and be happy you have more time to talk without having to finish the bite or you can be generous and let someone else have the last bite because you are full. It's kind of like stopping smoking.. suddenly it's like you gained an extra hand because it's no longer having to always hold the cigarette. You don't always know what to do with that hand, but eventually you get used to having two hands again. You'll get used to the amount of food you can eat and space it out accordingly. I voted "other" in the poll. I'm not where I want to be right now, so it is hard to be fully behind it. I had no complications, my first 4 months were fast losing, even this last month I've lost weight faster than I've ever lost it before...it's just not as fast as I want it to be. I look at my hands or my legs and they seem smaller. I look at pictures and I'm still HUGE. Maybe I should have gone with the bypass or one of the other more extreme surgeries.. I think right now I'm just looking over all the other fences and deciding their pastures are greener though. I think overall it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I could not have lost (and kept it off) the weight by myself. I feel healthier than I've felt in a very long time. hair grows back, scars fade and loose skin is the reason Spandex was created.

Alright here is my secret to success! Exercise, follow the meal plan, stay away from breads and sweets as much as I can because my body loves to hold into carbs, and I treat the sleeve with the respect it deserves because it is giving me back my life. Everyone is different on how we process nutrients so here's what helps me stay fit and healthy. Your dr may have different recommendations, so find what works for you! My dr recommended 50-60grams of Protein a day. I normally stick to that. Sometimes, I will go into the 70-80 g per day range and if it is seafood, I can easily hit 100g per day. I do chose chicken and fish most days only because with pork and beef, I have a harder time getting in what I need before I feel full. Nothing is fried ..I prefer roasted, baked, broiled, or grilled meats...reason why is I slime and then promptly vomit when I eat fried meats...or it takes my hours to eat small bites here and there and to me...that's just too much work and not worth the effort. I eat fruit and veggies everyday...without fail. Now I will indulgent in an occasional piece of chocolate, cake, bread, ect. But I find when I do, I 1) don't feel as well, 2) can't eat healthier foods because all that other stuff took up my space. Honestly, eating healthier has become such a habit that I actually will crave those foods and I don't miss too many of the old foods. I still drink a Protein shake daily to help with protein intake, but I now mainly get my protein from foods. Now realize I am a year out and Protein shakes where the way I got my protein in for a long time. I also had lactose intolerance immediately after surgery so any milk or dairy was off the radar for 6 months. I lived on Soy milk and unjury Protein powder. Eventually my tiny tummy decided to start making lactase again so now I enjoy EAS Carb Advantage Shakes, milk, cheese without worry of horrible diarrhea. So for those of you wondering when the diarrhea will stop...check to make sure you aren't lactose intolerant. And now...constipation is on board...so that's a whole other discussion. Now onto exercise. I had a trainer in the beginning and it helped, but you don't need a fancy gym to become physically active. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise to do in the beginning. I walked but my favorite was yoga. I found a peace with yoga and my trainer informed me that yoga only burns 10% less than aerobics. And then proceeded to ask me do you ever see a yoga instructor that isn't fit? So, for the first 6 months...I strictly did yoga with the occasional treadmill and weight routine. Rodney Yee was my best friend and still is. Then once I got enough weight off to be able to run, I started the couch to 5 K app but due to incorrect form( thanks to a very special bud on here for correcting my form..you know who you are..many thanks to you!!) I injured my hip..so I am getting ready to start that back now that I have healed. So in the mean time, I got into Leslie Sansone's Walk Fit...love it. I exercise 5 days a week religiously...it's important for the success of your sleeve. Yes I have hanging skin...but I'd rather have sagging skin and less hair than diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. And I can always get plastic surgery. Now onto fluids, I drink the majority of my fluids as Water. I do indulge in a glass of sweet tea here and there. I do not partake in carbonated drinks or artificial sweeteners. It's not that I have anything against these..it's just my preference. I do get some artificial sweetener in my protein shake ...so like I said I am not against it...it's just a personal preference. I also do not partake in alcohol. Again...I not opposed to alcohol, I just prefer not to drink it. I drank maybe 4 cocktails a year prior to surgery so for me that wasn't much of a stretch to stop. I could take it or leave it. Same thing with carbonated beverages. I grew up with tea and water ...soda was a treat ..so that wasn't a stretch. Now I will mention one more thing before I end this...I drink from a straw. I get more fluids in. I asked my Dr and Nutritionist what the scientific basis of not using a straw was and they said there isn't any...it's just a recommendation. Ask your provider for studies showing that straws are detrimental to the sleeve...it's not there. So, if you get less air from a straw..I say use it. I gulp too much air without it. If you have anymore questions...please feel free to contact me! I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability, but remember your surgery team is your best bet! Good luck everyone! You can do it!

They said my symptoms are not severe enough to be bipolar. I am taking meds. For ml and doing great on them. I drink once in a while but I have never been a alcoholic.

You said you were being treated for a mood disorder and not your bipolar. Why not? Studies have shown that people will often turn to alcohol after weight loss surgery as a coping mechanism.

I am not necessarily on a diet....meaning I eat whatever I want and do not restrict any foods. I had a revision 1/25/13 but had my lap band for almost 2 years prior to the revision. I monitor my protein and know the best ways to get high protein and less calories but I do not have any food that is off limits. I have had soda, alcohol, and other junk food items (chips, ice cream, etc). I restrict the amount of those foods but not the type of food..... of course I can't have that junk everyday. I have lost 80 pounds and have not gained any back. Food doesn't taste the same to me anymore so I don't chose to eat a lot of the foods that I used to love. Soda burns, I have been off bread, rice, and pasta for 2 years so I don't even want it anymore, I can only eat about 3 chips, and sweets like cookies make me nauseous. It's really weird now that these things aren't tempting and don't taste good. I do have a small addiction to jolly ranchers that I am working on.

I know you are frustrated but the reason these psych evals are so important is to see how well you cope. Statistics show gb pts often turn into sex addicts or alcoholics due to the surgery. . You lose your vice. I'm not kidding and I've been very open on here about my experience this surgery was hard especially hard mentally. I was 60lbs down and having extreme irrational thoughts. I opened up to my surgeon and he immediately placed me in therapy. I consider myself a tough person I worked ems for years and saw some of the most traumatic things a person can and it didn't phase me. Then here came gb weightloss and all those imbalances started I thought I'd lose my mind but I came through it. I want to tell you its friggin awesome you went in there told the truth and didn't bs them I know a lot who has and has went on to commit suicide or bc alcoholics or worse sex addicts. You go to ur surgeon open up to him/her and say yes I had these problems I'm willing to do anything and everything to prove I'm no longer like that so please guide me on what I need to do to save my life from morbid obesity.. ... I pray what I've said has helped u. Don't give up it's a long mountain...u will get there I truly believe.

Wow I know mine drilled on my family history of alcoholism but realized I had a handle and other coping mechanisms. I would see about a second opinion. That's seems like an awful like to diagnose in one session.

I met with a psychiatrist yesterday and he said he wouldn't clear me for wls because I'm bipolar, have a history of alcohol abuse, and suffer from pts! First I'm on meds for a mood disorder not bipolar and I was 17 when I drank and it was on Friday or Saturday night at parties! I never blacked out or any of that! I'm almost 30 now and yes I have a drink every once in a while 2 or 2 times a mobth maybe... come on... think I need a second oppinion. As for prs really??? From the time I was 11??? Bull!

I totally agree with the 'billboard' analogy. I am 4 years post-op. About 2 years out, I decided I DESERVED to treat myself to alcohol. I have struggled since then with transfer-addiction, and put BACK ON 25 of the 110 pounds that I worked so hard to lose! My RNY testimony has been shot full of holes! I have finally decided that what I DESERVE is to WIN with this tool! Back on track! No wine, eating right and exercising again. Nine pounds off!

When I get a blister (last one was 2 days ago), I check and see if there is any fluid build up. If there is, I take a needle, clean it with alcohol then pop the blister and drain it. then I put Dr Scholl's Moleskin on it. It gives a layer of protection and I'm walking again the next day. I find it hurts like crazy if I leave the fluid in the blister. Hope yours heal quickly so you can get back to your exercise.

I'm not generally an ice cream person, but Blue Bunny makes a sugar free vanilla/caramel bar that is half covered in chocolate. It does have malitol in it, so if you're sensitive to malitol (or sugar alcohols), don't even try it!! Anyway, it's pretty good and 70 calories....doesn't taste like sugar free to me!!

Hi Syd. We were sleeved the same day. Currently I've lost 80 pounds! Congrats on your success so far. I've been out a few times for cocktails since surgery and haven't experienced the burning you have. It does take much less alcohol to get a buzz now though. Maybe try a different drink? I know that some favorite foods from presurgery don't settle well now so maybe it would be the same with the alcohol. Good luck!!

Thanks, I do understand re alcohol but I had this app for a couple of months pre op and I do know that stuff like alcohol & carbonated drinks are way off limit. Not sure if the op is slightly different here but nothing is off limits to us. In fact the bariatric nurse told me to have a glad of wine 1 week post op as I was convinced my op hadn't worked!! Lol that does not however deter from the fact that alcohol contain cals and I agree this is not something I do even weekly however my 2lb weight gain began a week prior to my having the alcohol so that has mystified (and panicked me) a bit. I have been so intrigued by the small differences is diet advice from both countries post op. it is rare for anyone here (I believe to suffer any gas pain!!) not sure why that is, however I was so grateful I didn't as it sounded painful. Anyhow I'll stay off the alcohol and continue with my 20 lengths swimming 3 times weekly and hopefully I'll move from my current hurdle to a more positive one soon. Thanks for your messages x

Hi Meg! Congratulations on your loss so far! When I was in weight watchers the leader explained it like this... Even if you count the alcohol into your calories for the day ( which they did not advocate), your body will burn the ethanol first, then any thing left from the carbs/sugar in the alcohol will be converted to fat. So while alcohol is is your system, you're not losing weight. I love a glass of wine now and then, but have sworn off until I get my weight down. I want to be burning fat as much as possible. But, honestly if I chose to have a drink or two, then I'll have to prepare myself for the scale not moving. Up your Water intake, see if that gets you moving again. Make the best choices for you, but be prepared for the reaction your body has. Good luck!

Alcohol is empty calories please get yourself back on track your weight will come off good luck

From the UK. I had my op 6/2/13 and was doing ok but last week I gained 2lb!! And this week I am at the same weight as my 2lb gain. I was doing ok till then having lost 26lbs in 6 weeks. Has anyone had experience/advice on this. I want to be honest with you all and say that I have been drinking alcohol as I was away for the Easter break with my family and managed that well but I did not over indulge by any means and also this does not account for the 2lb weight gain incurred prior to my weekend away. I'm a bit scared by it. Will I never lose any more. My start weight was 182lbs (13 stone) and I am now at 159lbs (11stone 4). Hope my calculations are correct I do everything in stones and lbs. I'm grateful for some support, advice or a serious talking to......x

That is true....I was at that crossroads myself, had to ask myself if food was all that important to me...(not for nutrition)...and in my mind, I decided that it was killing me and that I needed to look at food entirely different than before..... My attitude, is food is a necessary evil....like an ex-smoker looks at cigarettes, or an ex drug abuser..alcoholic...my attitude towards food has turned 180 degrees..... Yes, there are things and times I really enjoy a good meal....but I eat only to live...not live to eat.... When we go out to eat, I can't help but look around me, at what and how much people are eating, and I now find it disgusting and revolting.....even my own family....

I totally get what your saying! my mom was on the phone with me yesterday telling me that it was cruel and unusually punishment not to get the kids a basket and please just run out and get one! o_0. My children were fine I let them go across to the store and buy two Cadbury eggs each. I am a addict I cannot have that in my house. My mom doesn't understand, even though she is a recovering alcoholic.. I'm sorry that happened to you and I know how hard it is to take something away from your kids when they already have it..

And I always eat slowly and take 20 minutes at least to eat every meal... And I don't drink 1/2 an hour before or an hour after each meal... But my main problem is being 28 and going out drinking with my friends... I have never been so aware of the calories in alcohol... And I should probably start working out now since I haven't done that yet

After yesterday, I'm definetly adding Ice Cream to my 'I will never eat again' list..This is along with chocolate and alcohol - which I stopped drinking about two years ago (being a diabetic, it just wasn't worth the suffering for me). I know, also being a diabetic, chocolate shouldn't have been in my 'diet' anyway.. nor ice cream for that matter, but yesterday I gave in and after not being able to down the turkey, I wanted to feel part of the meal and went for the ice cream... this morning I realised my error.. its just way too much of a slide food - should come with DANGER on the side for us sleevers.. Has anyone else made any major life decisions this Easter?

My husband keeps asking me this. I'd the post-op lifestyle still involves a low calorie diet, exercise, no alcohol, no caffeine...why can't I just do that without the surgery and pretend I had it. Especially since the low hunger only apparently lasts 6 months or so even with the surgery. I know I can only go so long with a low calorie diet with my current body and metabolism. I did it with Weight Watchers (-35 kg) and Optifast (-20 kg). The problem is that it is such hard work and I am worming against my body so much, that after 6 months or so on such a restrictive diet I just lose steam I am hopeful that the surgery will give me that extra advantage that I need to push through it, and that at least I will have somewhat of a break from the physical hunger so I can focus on developing the good habits. I am already starting to develop them. I have cut back from 5-8 cups of coffee a day to 1. I have cut back to one glass of wine a week. I have completely cut out carbonated beverages (even though I love sparkling water) and have been drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. All of this before I even book my initial appointment. I figure if I'm not able to do at least this much now, I won't succeed after surgery. The next change I will make is to get my exercise going, starting with 3 times a week and hoping to work up to 5. I am serious about this. But can any of you articulate why we need the sleeve to move us beyond what we can do with diet and exercise alone? When I try to talk about it, I just get flustered and emotional!

This is a pretty controversial subject on this board. Some follow their Dr.s recommendation and wait a year. Some cut it out entirely (like me), some are hitting it weeks after surgery. Yes, there can be damage to the stomach since alcohol is hard on the stomach in general, and now you have 85% less stomach. Unless you are drinking beer or something carbonated, stretching the stomach is difficult (again a controversial subject on this board). Your best bet is to do what you feel like. Having a drink or two or what ever isn't going to kill you, but I do urge that you go very carefully. Some handle it well, some get pretty hammered after 1 drink. For me, I decided that if I was going to lie spread out on an operating table and let a group of strangers cut me open, I could let the drink go for the sake of getting healthy and living a better lifestyle. I have a fine time with friends without drinking and don't miss it a bit. Again, to each their own. Let us know how you do!

Hi- curious to know people's experience with drinking alcohol after sleeve surgery. Does anyone know if cider has a lot of carbonation? Can I damage my sleeve? Stretch it out? I won't have several drinks- just 1-2 socially for a friends birthday.

When I was first starting out my RN gave me the riot act over having surgery.told me that I would most likely become a drug user or an alcoholic. They do only see the negative parts....but remember a DOCTOR is doing the surgery! If they didn't think it was healthier for you then being obese then they wouldn't be doing the surgery in the first place!