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Last night I had alcohol for the first time since August. I was cleared to have alcohol in Feb. but didnt really have an occasion to. I had staight raspberry vodka (mini bottles) and i took little sips of it with my peach Crystal Light. Over the course of 3-1/2 hours I had two mini bottles. I was pleasantly buzzed- not drunk (I was at a charity bowling event). I felt totally sober driving home after coffee and a piece if a protein bar...it was all good! yaaa! I was scared but it was fine!

Neither does alcohol lot of people on the site drink that.

I have had wine a couple times post op starting after 6 months. One glass of a nice chardonnay is all it takes for me to get sloshed. I thought this was a good thing until I started to think about why I was drinking the wine in the first place. To me, I was drinking it for the intoxication effects and taste, in that order. The more I thought about it, the less I wanted it. Why would I drink and increase the toxicity in my body when I have been working so hard to detox with clean food choices, water and supplements? Once I realized this, I just lost the motivation to drink any more. It was easy to let go. There are so many better ways to "have a good time" then with alcohol. I mainly get my party on now from running. This has much longer lasting effects and aligns with my health orientated goals.

Caffeine- I was given mildly caffeinated beverages (green tea) in the hospital. Was told to limit my coffee or black tea to two cups a day ..... exercise? 6 weeks out for anything more vigorous than walking ....drink alcohol? 6 months, and even then he said it's not recommended .... smoke cigarettes? ( I am sure the doctor would tell you not to start again.) Didn't ask .... smoke marijuana? Didn't ask ... anything else? Soda- was told none for the first six months Can't answer the question about when I started those things, since I'm only four days post op... but I'm a rule follower so I'm sure I will introduce these things according to my Dr's schedule.

First off congratulations on your tremendous loss! It is wonderful. I think it is difficult when you establish a relationship that is based off of a situation and then you have to change. I am not saying that you two necessarily have always had a "fat" relationship, but when we get comfortable in a situation, and then there is a change it is really difficult to deal with. I pulled away from my best friend after she got married, for a long time I tried to remain as close as before but the reality was, as much as we needed each other, they were seeking couples to do things with and I never fit that mold. I grew tired of being the fifth wheel (because I always was invited, but I was always alone) We are still friends, but not as close as we were. My brother and sister in law met in a bad situation, they both dealt with substance abuse issues and the first year of their relationship was completely surrounded by drugs, alcohol and partying. When the haze lifted and they decided to get clean and do better they had to establish a new relationship, nothing was the same, their friends were different, their fun time was different, but they found new friends and new fun times and turned it around into a lot of outdoor activities and have managed to turn it into a 3 year court ship and 4 year marriage. It doesn't have to be over, it may take a big fight from you. Don't let her get you down, don't let her comments get you down either. My best friend has always been quite a bit thinner than me. I have never come close to her size, and I thought the other day how weird the day will be that I can share her clothes, or even potentially be smaller. I think it is important to let them know we are the same, and how important they are in our lives.

Do what you need to do for yourself. I too have experienced this with my sister who is in rehab as we speak for alcohol and drugs. Don't feel selfish....

Be carefully I was told change that I had to sign an agreement to not drink alcohol for a least 1 year after surgery

shasta you're right... The food isn't tasting as good as I thought it would. I'm making ceviche, grilled oysters and having my last corona today. Mighy have 3 coronas to celebrate. I haven't drunk alcohol since July of 2012 while trying to lose weight but today Im going for it.

yes but like many things the factors are dependent on many variables. Protein has calories per just like everything else. This is the breakdown Fat: 1 gram = 9 calories Protein: 1 gram = 4 calories Carbohydrates: 1 gram = 4 calories Alcohol: 1 gram = 7 calories

I've just had a bit of upsetting news and am in shock. It couldn't have came at a worse time. My dad has been sober for 23yrs and my mum phoned to say he has lifted a drink......I am numb He has been having a few health issues for a while and the Dr keeps reassuring him he is fine but he is getting so worked up about it that he suddenly hit a depression last week. I think he is worrying about my op too. I was 14 when he found alcoholics anonymous, so for 23yrs hes been going and doing great I cannot believe he's went back on it. I am absolutley floored I am on my own with my little girl of 3 and rely a lot on my mum and dad we are close. They were planning on looking after Hattie when I was going in for the op. Now I don;t know what to do. Do I cancel? My mum says no but there is just no knowing what state he will be in by next week. My stress levels are through the roof but I don't want to cry on my mums shoulder she's got enough to deal with. I'm trying to be a grown up. One thing though the thought of food is making me feel sick Am totally devastated

My weight loss binder from my clinic says to avoid because of the empty calories, but once I'm on regular foods again my NUT (who works at the clinic) said the occasional small drink is fine. Just be aware, as kerbarrett mentions, that you'll get drunk on far less booze - probably good since we don't need all those extra calories anyhow! Additionally, because many of the people who have WLS are recovering food addicts at some level, to keep in mind that transference of the food addiction to something else (alcohol, drugs, etc) is a risk we should be aware of and monitor ourselves for. I don't plan to completely give up alcohol, but I'm already one who rarely drinks more than a few drinks a month (as in, usually 2-3 or so), so I also don't expect it to be a problem.

No...Alcohol very bad for your sleeve what did your DR. tell you when it's ok to drink...

If its alcohol your talking about get ready for negative , negative , negative comments !!!! What did you surgeon advise you? I was cleared at 3 weeks but admit cheated at 2. Nothing happened to me . Same as before . Good luck .

I too, have had the dizziness kinda thing happen. Usually when I get up to quickly, there is a moment where everything is a bit woozy. I recently had an incident where I passed out (broke my ankle somehow in the process), they did all kinds of tests on me, BP ok, bloods perfect. It does seem more common when I have had some alcohol the night before. *Shrugs*

There are new colors this year too! One look at the sugar content makes me quickly put them down. Even the " sugar free" is full of sugar alcohol. Orange jelly Beans are what I'm missing the most at Easter. Loved those so much but can live without them.

I just got my Nugo sample pack today and tried the Brownie Crunch. It is really good tasting and satisfied my hunger just fine. Each bar has 16 g of protein, 19 g of carbs (2 g are sugar carbs, others are sugar alcohols or something not counted in net carbs) and 7 g of fiber. After I finish the 3 bars in the sample pack this weekend I am going to put in an order for a box or two of my favorite flavor. I can see myself eating 1 a day or maybe not even that often. It depends on the impact of these on my goals.

A friend of mine got banded years ago....and she wanted me to follow suit. No way would I ever have WLS, there was no reason medically, I was healthy as a horse. I did feel down after I HAD to go shopping when I HAD to have something new. I did always feel like the biggest girl in the room, I did hate to have my picture taken....but I was healthy, I had a husband who loved me big or small. No way, hell would freeze over first. Well three years passed and my friend had lost 60 lbs and she had not died. Ok, positive things, but still. At 2 o'clock one morning, I got up to go to the bathroom and my tummy was in my lap.....right then and there, I made the decision to do it. Yes, I think clearly and come up with great ideas in the middle of the night, some times I'm in the bathroom, sometimes I just wake up and something comes to me. The next day, I told my husband I'd made this decision. I was firm about it, not wishy washy. He was not on board with fixing something that was not broken. I had no health issues, I wanted to have fun shopping and feel good about myself while I was younger (49 yrs) and while I was still healthy. Vanity and preventive maintenence, priorities rule!! That was Dec 2009, my DH wanted me to do research. I did, I read every single thing I could come across. I found a support group and started attending, and so did he. This guy became my biggest cheerleader!! He attends all my group meetings, even asking questions and taking notes when need be. I found a doctor in Texas, our 'home'. We were at that time living out of state, but I knew I wanted someone in Dallas or Houston to take care of me. I knew we would be moving back at some point. I first thought I'd get a band, but the more I read and heard, even though my friend did ok and did not die......it wasn't the best choice for me. I chose the sleeve procedure after days upon days of talking to different doctor's offices, and after obsessively reading everything I could find. I attended the seminar in Dallas in April and in June 2010, six months after that fateful 2 AM decision, I did it. I never, ever, ever regretted it. Not one minute of buyer's remorse. I've loved every single second since I woke up in recovery!!!! It is a wild ride and the most fun I've ever had!!! Clothes started falling off me, people started to ask if I'd lost some weight, which can be uncomfortable some times. A saleswoman called me LITTLE. LoL I have bones and my mom was wrong all those years, I am NOT big boned!!! I love my collarbone!!! It's my favorite NSV to this day. I'd wake up and all of a sudden have hip bones and my shoulders feel so boney now days!!! I finally got use to going to the Missy dept instead of the Women's. That was hard and it is STILL difficult to get a size that fits. I tend to want a size larger. It takes a long time for your head to catch up with your body!!! I'd read on this forum somewhere that we should get a disposable camera prior to surgery. Have someone take a picture the day before or day or surgery, then once a month on the date of your surgery. I did that, and then after my 1 year anniversary.....I got it developed. Wow, those pictures laying side by side from the previous year, I saw my transformation. I highly recommend doing this!!! I reached my doctor's goal in just under five months. My goal, five lbs less, a month later. My total loss is anywhere from 81 - 84 lbs, depending on the day. I lost 23 of those lbs prior to surgery. I have been maintaining for over 2 years now. I had a hard time stopping the weight loss....is this possible???!! Yes it is! I added calories and gained back to where I was comfortable. Would I do it again....in a New York minute! Forced portion control, that is what I needed. I still make choices, but I don't feel deprived at all. I'm not hungry, my new hunger is an empty feeling, which makes making wise choices much easier. I weigh myself every single morning, first thing. I've done this from the beginning. I log my food on line and I weigh and/or measure my food when I'm at home. This is part of my life, it's like a game. I love it, it also keeps me aware of what's going on with my body. Even if it isn't the wisest choice, I am aware of everything that goes into my mouth. No more mindless eating. I need 1150 - 1275 calories per day to maintain. I do not exercise, not really, so I knew that I'd have to make life changes I could live with, that would allow me to accomplish what I wanted. I get anywhere from 60 - 95 grams of Protein per day, almost without fail. It's all been pretty easy for me. I think I eat pretty much like a naturally thin person. This is my new life, it's fun. I feel good. It is possible to lose all you want, still enjoy food and maintain, but this is not a magic bullet. You can't have 85% of your stomach removed then eat chips, ice cream, drink alcohol, milkshakes and eat food from a drive through, and expect to be successful. We still have to make good decisions. 'Nuff said!!

Thanks for the advice on the soda...I really don't do it that much. If I have 1 Diet Mtn Dew a week I'm lucky. I used to easily drink 4-5 cans a day before my banding. Now I mostly drink Crystal Lite or water. As far as the alcohol I'm a social drinker and that's far and few between. I'll usually drink Vodka Cranberry to avoid the carbonation. I used to drink whiskey and seven up but I don't want the carbonation...especially in public. Again I don't do it often. I really think I am going at a good pace and I'm sure once summer comes around I'll be more active outside and that will help even more.

I think that it is natural to fear regaining the weight. We all have been in the endless cycle of losing and gaining and losing and gaining again. I think you have to take a different approach this time with the sleeve. Sure there is a possiblity of gaining weight, IF you fall back into the habits that got you to point of needed the surgery to begin with. Learn those good habits early on in your process and you will have a better chance of success. We are very much like an former alcoholic that is just one drink away from going back to being an alcoholic. We have to focus a little bit more, work a little bit harder. That doesn't mean we can enjoy eating and eat the foods that we love, but use the sleeve as a guide. It will certainly tell you when you've done too much. Getting in the mindset that you will not return to your old ways is also key. I haven't done it yet, but I plan to cleaning out my closets and getting rid of anything that is too big now. I've been up and down the scale so many times, that I have clothes of every size. But no more. I didn't sprawl full out on a cold OR table and let a group of strangers cut out my stomach to go back to where I was. Keep a picture of your former self somewhere and look at it regularly to remind yourself of where you've been. I don't think that you'll go back to that person anytime soon. Hang in there!

I was sleeved July 27th 2012 and I can honestly say that now I eat to live and not live to eat, life to me just feels "normal" now I can still enjoy the foods I love just in smaller portions, I have lost 83.7 pounds (37 kilos) and I am 6 kilos to the "healthy weight range" I was mentally ready for the life change and worked with the tool of the sleeve to change my life around, I can't tell you enough that NOTHING taste as good as how I feel both inside and outside so having to give up the little comforts like drinking with a meal or alcohol was a no brainier for me, I do not regret my decision one bit, in return for giving up those crutches I have my life back and it's a very happy healthy one. Lilly

how about tracking what you eat (maybe with myfitnesspal), eat less of it and exercise more? Knock off the junk food, the empty calories, the alcohol. Get plenty of water and try to walk about 1 mile a day (or 10000) steps. You should be in good shape by the time you have your surgery.

Just reading your story Scotty. My heart breaks for you. My grandfather was a functioning alcoholic for over 40 years. He quit drinking and smoking January of 2000 with AA. By 2004 he was facing stage 4 lung cancer and late stage cirrhosis of the liver. It was too late for him. I will never forget my last conversation with him a week before he passed. He told me, "the drink and smoke may have killed me, but G-d dammit, I quit. And no one will ever take that away from me." You started this thread saying that you needed fear. You are burning your stomach from the inside out. You are at serious risk for internal bleeding and stomach cancer if your ulcers are both left untreated and compounded with alcohol use. THIS is the fear you were looking for. Those are life altering and in a lot of cases life ENDING complications. I know this is hard, especially as a functioning alcoholic. Functioning so well keeps you from many of the immediate consequences that could come of your drinking but it keeps you from dealing with the long term consequences that are building up in your body. Keep going to the AA meetings. Use the resources around you. The recovering addicts that are reaching out to you. Don't let your massive weight loss be your grand finale. It is not too late for you!

I lost 100 lbs in 5 months and then another 10 lbs in the last 2 months. I have had more than a few dizzy spells from low BP. Hydration seems to help. Alcohol makes it worse. I am hoping for some improvement as time goes by. Sent from my iPad using VST

Good luck... cut out the sodas and alcohol and it will go faster! Try diet sodas or crystal light.

This is my first time posting on here..I had my surgery on December 11th. I started my journey at 417 pounds. The surgery itself went very well. I spent the night in the hospital and went home the next day. I had minimal challenges after the surgery itself. I did the liquid diet for a week, then the blended food, etc. My only difficulty that I have is first thing in the morning I have a hard time drinking Water when I first wake up. Having a C-PAP machine I tend to be quite parched when I wake up. I was told that there is a build up of mucus and it's usually best to drink warm liquid first thing in the morning to break that up. I'm usually not a warm liquid drinker but it's helped. Since the surgery I've had 2 fills. The first fill was challenging in the first week but after that I was eating normally but my intake was a lot less. When I got my second fill last week I've noticed it to be more challenging to eat. I've had more foods getting stuck than in the past. I've learned that I have to make sure I really cut my food smaller. (especially steak) I've been able to tolerate a soda from time to time. I pour it in a cup and stir out the carbonation and I've had no issues with it. I know that I should avoid it not only because of the carbonation but for the sugar as well. Once in a while I've just gotta have one. I'm tolerating alcohol pretty well. I haven't had a beer yet but I've been doing mixed drinks and I haven't had any issues. I haven't really exercised that much other than walking further in the parking lot to the store because I intentionally park further away. So far since I've started I've lost 42 pounds!!! My pants are falling off my butt...shirts are getting big. I'm loving it!! I want to lose another 10-15 pounds before mid May so I can go to Six Flags and hopefully fit on a roller coaster again and ride with my kids!! My goal weight is 260 and I know I can get down to that.