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I recently posted the following comments on another thread and thought they were useful enough to live stand alone in a new thread: If it is helpful, my NUT at Swedish hospital in Seattle (yay Britney) recommended eating like the induction phase on Atkins for the pre op diet. I did not have any trouble with that as lots of practice there over the years. The Atkins Induction phase is essentially a very low carb diet, no breads, starches, caffeine, etc. You eat proteins as much as possible with some low glycemic vegetables. The surgeon stated that I had a super healthy and small liver because of doing this type of eating pre op. Most people will end up losing 10 lb. a week by eating low carb before surgery. For example, I switched my diet one month before surgery to be like Atkins induction phase and lost about 30 lbs dropping my weight to 335 lb., probably reducing complications that might have been present had I been 30 lb heavier and still eating junk. I felt it also gave me a good kick start on learning to eat better *before* post op physical and mental struggles. Really important!! Maybe this simple suggestion will help you or others who read this later. I also like the idea of drinking protein shakes before surgery. That will help you get used to the post op drinking of protein shakes. All we drink are protein shakes for up to 3 weeks post op (aka the liquid phase) so the more you prepare yourself for this, the better. However, I do have to warn you that your favorite protein shake flavor pre op may no longer be your favorite protein shake flavor post op. Our tastes often change when going over to the other side. For this reason, it is not a good idea to load up on tubs of protein powder pre op thinking you will be also drinking the same flavors post op. happened to me. MyBariatricPantry.com and other sites like this let you buy sample packets of protein shake flavors. Try some or all until you pick one or more that you do not mind drinking. Again, do this post op as your tastes may have changed after your stomach is removed. I happen to like Nectar sweets (several flavors) both pre op and post op, but did not like Nectar fruits post op where others really like Nectar fruit flavors post op. I used to be big on peach and banana flavors pre op, but hated them post op. Everyone will have different tastes. I still have 1-2 protein shakes daily. They are really helpful for when I need a low effort 1st meal and a recovery drink after working out. Still love to drink Nectar Cookies and Cream even today. I feel good that protein shakes are helping me get in an extra 40-50 grams of protein a day. I try and eat 150+ g of protein a day today. Water and milk will taste different post op, maybe even gross or cause GI issues. I could not drink milk again due to lactose intolerance issues until month 5 post op and plain water again until month 6 post op. You may find an alternative like light soy or almond milk will work just as well as nonfat/low fat milk post op; it will be smoother on your stomach and less trips to the bathroom. Everyone is different. As for water, I could taste all the minerals and it sat heavy in my stomach post op. I am still flavoring my water today at month 9 post op, but can drink bottled and tap water again without flavor if the need arises. Luckily, the need does not arise very often because I have water flavoring in my pocket most of the time. Try and drink as much water as possible to flush toxins from your system. As you are dropping weight, the stored toxins are released into your liver and it needs all the flushing it can get to keep up. I try and drink 100+ oz water a day today. An Atkins style diet without the higher fat foods actually works remarkably well post op to drop lbs month over month until you are able to add back in good carbs around month 5 or 6. For example, month 1 (45 lbs.), month 2 (45 lbs.), month 3 (15 lb), month 4 (15 lb), month 5 (15 lbs.) and month 6 ( 15 lbs). I am maintaining at around 180 lbs now for 2 months. This is only a suggested style of eating post op as it will not work for everyone nor will it be preferred by everyone. As an aside, I also added coffee back in at week 6 and alcohol at month 6. My remaining pre op vices, I suppose. Hey, I am a Seattleite and need my coffee! Today I have transitioned into a Paleo diet with supplementation (shakes and bars) to help optimize my running and cross fit activities. Up until month 5, my exercise was mostly walking / elliptical and I encourage everyone to really get good at walking before taking on additional exercise activities. Besides, your dog will love you for it! Hope this helps! Please add other tips that have worked for you so pre ops will have a smoother transition to post op with regards to eating and drinking.

I was told no alcoholic beverages for at least a year by my doc. They emphasize the fact that your liver is like the housekeeper and needs to filter so much junk out of your blood as you lose, that asking it to metabolize alcohol on top of that could cause serious damage. I've also heard through some other groups that I belong to that people have gotten seriously ill and died just from a couple of drinks after WLS because of the way their new system works. Totally not worth the risk to me. I love a glass of wine (or a mojito, or margarita...) as much as the next person, but I'm not going to chance it for at least a year.

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! It's not only the lifestyle change and surgery, but your attitude towards food and how you "use" it. People don't realize that food can be abused like drugs and alcohol, even severe addiction. It really sounds like you are making real progress in that department. Great work! Keep on truckin'!!

Yep. Definitely understand how foodies become alcoholics. Gonna have to watch that one and inform my mom and fiancé of the risk so I don't become a drunken pirate.

No hangover, never... I have a drink about once a month now post 6 months, just as a way to socialize when eating out. Seriously, over in 10 minutes for me...now driving home, just kidding. Wife driving home. I am surprised at how quickly the alcohol metabolizes. I just know my run tomorrow is going to be a b***h with this alcohol . Maybe not? It was Pre sleeve. I always suffered day after drinking when trying to run.

Well I guess it's a good thing I'm turning 21 in a few months and have time to get tipsy lol I don't really like alcohol anyways...with soda though cant you just let it go flat? Why does there have to be so many great tasting bad **** in America!

I am not "resentful" that a relatively thin woman is getting VSG surgery. I am sad for her because she has gone to DRASTIC lengths to stay thin/get thinner. She hasn't a frickin clue what she's in for. I also wouldn't even buy a drink in Mexico let alone have someone cut me open and remove part of my body there for a measly $5700. You'd have to be flippin nuts to do that, BUT that's just me, I know a lot of people here have had VSG in Mexico and been happy and successful as a result. However, I can remember my first few days after VSG and it was not the most comfortable. Could you frickin imagine taking a plane flight ACROSS THE DAMN GLOBE after having VSG???? Seriously post op'ers, think about that for a second. Also kiss your favorite junk foods goodbye, that ain't gonna happen anymore. A soda? Forget it. Oh, your mates want to go out and have a drink to celebrate something? Nope, NO alcohol if you want to continue losing or want to maintain that goal weight. I'd also be damned if I was going to do this surgery because some ****** bag on a plane or wherever made a comment about my weight. And this one: "I'm sick of people making comments and children laughing at me when I come out in my bathing suit to watch them in the pool." Man oh man, you seriously need some therapy because you have some serious paranoia and self esteem issues as well.

I was sleeved Sept 18 th and have lost 70 pounds!! I feel great and in size 12 jeans???????? I have tries to have a sip of a cocktail and it still sets my stomach on fire!!!!!! You would think 6 months out it would not burn. Any body else doing this?!??? Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm so very proud to say I'm on day 3 of the preop diet and I've stuck to it religiously. I haven't had 1 slip up. I even went as far as going to a crawfish boil at my best friend's house which was full of delicious foods and alcohol. I patiently drank my protein shakes and chicken broth. Sipped on water all night and still had a blast. My friends have been so very supportive and loving. I will admit I did bust into tears briefly from feeling a little overwhelmed. But the important thing is I'm sticking with it! I've found strength and determination I didn't know were there. I have to admit I'm feeling a bit like Wonder Woman. Lol

Yeah after I chugged NyQuil. By the way, true story. I drank NyQuil at week 3 because of a nasty cold and definitely felt the burn from the alcohol as it passed through my system. Kind of a weird feeling considering how little alcohol there is in NyQuil.

Took a sip of wine and my wife's drink with dinner. Felt it burning all the way down. I am not sure when I will try again. Anyone else experience this after tying alcohol?

Please let me know what's the rule for drinking(not) alcohol. Some say 5/30/30 Five minutes before then take 30 min to eat finally drink 30 minutes after...help.

I'd just like to add to this to whoever may be wondering.. I think u just have to test the waters yourself. When I was first reading about the sleeve and alcohol everyone had me thinking I was going to be completely wasted on one glass of wine. That may be the case for some but not all. The first time I drank wine I did about 2 glasses and felt pretty buzzed (so yes less did hit me harder but not quite as extreme as some ppl) last night I drank 3 glasses and felt drunk but it was a comfortable drunk not sloppy i wasn't stumbling around or anything.. So just take it slow and try it! I'm going to try liquor next because it has less calories and no carbs and such

Nope, and I was a diet pepsi soda drinker. There are GOOD reasons why the surgeons say to eliminate certain drinks, alcohol, straws, NSAIDS, medications etc. Although it may be hard to eliminate soda, in my opinion it's in our best interest.

I keep my sugar alcohols under 5 seems to be with the plumbing....

At my last NUT class, the gal talked about avoiding sugar alcohols, they're found in gum, among other things. She said that they can cause the same issues as eating something that has too much sugar...upset stomach, vomiting, etc. Here's a link to an article about them... http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=948 This could be why your pouch feels too full after gum..

In my life skills class they mentioned that sugar alcohols will give you dumping just like regular sugars. They would be processed the same in our old old stomach and cannot be broken down in the new. Going into the small intestine largely undigested and causing dumping. Be careful! HW 283. SW265. SD 3/22/13! CW 249

Has anyone tried the Supreme Protein bars I saw them in Sports Authority there made with Whey protein isolate 15 grams protein 200 calories this is 2 oz bar it shows 5 Graham's sugar but then it shows 14 Graham's sugar alcohol. This is Cael nut Chocolate & a Cookies & Cream the sugars sound to much

Definitly yes! Pretty much ditto what Lovethenewme stated. Easter last year praying for death to come because of the pain I was in. One year later, I feel so good. I have my life back. It is not an easy fix, but dedication and work, but well worth it. My sis had gastric bypass which takes just as much dedication and work and there is failure in that too, if you don't change your lifestyle. After losing her weight, she has now gained it back and became an alcoholic to boot. I am so excited about my future! I would do it again in a heart beat. I would also come back to LBT.com for my support too.

So before anyone gives me ****. I'm a 24 year old party promoter in Los Angeles. Its my job to go out and drink. So I can drink pretty normally I was sleeved 1/26/13. I know how many calories are in my choice of booze (jameson- 64 calories/ounce) so I drink jameson and water each one has two to 3 ounces of jameson. The calories add up quickly. But I still do it. There was a week where I didn't lose any weight because I was drinking to much. So now I try not to eat much on days I'll know I'll be drinking. The one amazing thing about the surgery. Is I'm never hung over. Its like my stomach is too small to hold the alcohol. I love it. So I say keep living your life and if you want to get snookie wasted one night then go for it!

Alcohol is calorically more dense than fats or Proteins. I was curious about the impact of alcohol on ketosis and did several different rounds of self-studies using keytone strips. You may want to do your own self-study and see how it impacts you. Just make sure you have a baseline to go by before you begin testing after consuming alcohol.

On my papers from my doctor it says you can have pop or alcohol after 6 weeks

I'm here! I'd like to see this thread become more active also! A little about me - surgery 2/1/13. No pre-op diet required. My Dr says he only requires them for people he feels will struggle with dietary compliance, seems like every Dr is different. I've lost 31 lbs so far and have been lucky to have very little hunger from day 1. I've also not has any alcohol since January - tough as the hubby and I own a liquor store/deli/catering operation and wine and food tasting are part of the job! I have 3 kids - a son who is married with a 2 yr old of his own, a daughter graduating college in May, and a 14 yr old daughter. My surgery coincided with my son and his family moving into their own apartment (they had lived with us for 2 yrs) and honestly, this has been the biggest help in my weight loss journey! Love them all but the stress of 7 ppl in the house was not good for me. Prior to surgery I was diagnosed with knee issues - arthritis and a meniscus tear. While waiting for knee surgery I developed a blood clot in the leg which scared me. While dealing with that, my decision to have the surgery was cemented - I just had to deal with the 3 denials from insurance! Finally got that resolved in early December. Other than the obvious appearance changes, I am very hopeful that the weight loss will help my knee arthritis/pain. I look forward to hearing other people's stories!

Don't go there. As Lander said, you'll still be healing, and alcohol is pretty rough on the system. Have water with a twist of lime to be festive.

Yes Most surgeons don't allow alcohol for at least a year. A few will say six month. None would permit it so soon as two weeks. Your stomach won't even be healed inside yet.