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My surgeon said no more alcohol. Period. I tend to agree with him: it's empty calories and bad for your health. This whole process is about making lifestyle changes to get you healthy. And despite what the advertisements and the "studies" will have you believe, alcohol is no health drink.

I don't buy that processed and fast foods are poison. No evidence (other than cheap movies) suggests that to be true. My mother and mother-in-law are both well into their 90's and both drink diet soda daily. That said, we are what we eat. I try to make most of my meals out of Whole Foods. I don't waste money on so-called organic foods. I do enjoy 1-2 In N Out burgers a year and 12 ounces of diet soda a week. We do not know that Type 2 diabetes is generally linked to obesity - not processed food unless that's all you eat. No own knows what causes cancer, but most of the women I knew who had breast cancer, were on birth control; lung cancer and smoking, liver cancer and alcoholism. Remember that the worst poisons on earth occur naturally; plan your diet, count your calories, and major in Whole Foods. You'll be fine!

I'm not sure whom you are talking to but here in Colorado it is legal, as well as Washington State. Currently there are 18 states plus D.C. that legalized for medical purposes, with another 11 states with pending legislation. During the economy crisis in 2008, the mmj industry kept our state afloat. I have done extensive research on the substance, and I use to disagree with it. I wanted to divorce my husband for years ago. However, it's better than any of the medications the doctors give me, that cost tens of thousands a year. ... I have CT Scans and MRIs of the brain showing the brain on no substances, legal substances and illegal substances. The Brain killers are listed as follows; #1 Caffeine #2 Nicotine #3 Alcohol #4 Methadone #5 Amphetamine Notice how all of those are legal. Now moving forward, #6 Cocaine (crack is a by-product of this) #7 Heroin #8 LSD/Psilocybin #9 MDMA Note that 6-9 use to be legal, some very recently. Cannabis, through the International Institute in Israel, has been proven to have NO, ZERO, ZILCH negative effects on the brain. The products classified as most dangerous per DEA include Cannabis, Heroin, LSD and MDMA. Why, because the government cannot control us when we use these types of mind expanding products. Heroine received its name from Bayer, and was first advertised as "Bayer Heroin". Yes, the same company that makes Aspirin. Cocaine and Heroin remained legal up into the early 1920s, cannabis until late 1930s. MDMA/LSD until the 1980s. Obesity is more of a health threat than cannabis is. Sugar is the worst! That’s why we are all here. Along with GMOs, preservatives, HFCS, etc. So when someone who claims it's bad, I challenge them to look at them their own self. Cause it's likely the people who smoke cigarettes and drink coffee and love Starbucks. I say those people are already missing half a brain (literally) and no longer can think logically. So, how many people drink soda/coffee and other caffeine products? How about those energy drinks and energy shots. Monster has a class action law suit right now against them for people who drink just one drink and have a massive heart attack. THEY ARE TEENAGERS!!!!! Teenagers are dying from Monster energy drinks. How about smoking? How many people smoke cigarettes here? Or drink alcohol? I can’t even count how many forums I’ve seen people complaining that they want their margarita or a cigarette, or even fast food. John 8:7 "Anyone who has no sin in their life should step forward and throw the first stone. That sentence is often cited as a reminder to avoid judging others when there are faults in your own life that need to be addressed."

Hey I resent that! Some of us are still here because we have transferred our food and alcohol addictions to WLS forum addictions. As dysfunctional as they are and as silly and idiotic some threads are, it's like a horrible car crash that I just can't help but stare at. Hello my user name is Kindle and I am addicted to online forums. LOL You and me both. I reckon this obsession keeps me fairly focused on my own situation. .. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

I finally felt "normal" at 4 months...that is I actually enjoyed eating again, all of my food intolerances had passed and eating and drinking wasn't such a chore. I had very severe restriction from then until about 8 months out when I could finally eat a little more. By 10 months my appetite significantly increased and I'm eating every 3 hours just to stave off that empty hollow feeling. At 14 months I can now eat about twice as much as I could at 6 months. I feel this is just normal loosening of my sleeve since I don't overeat, I've never vomited, and I've maybe done the "one bite too many" 5 or 6 times. And of course for me, head hunger is a constant battle, but I eat healthy and "on plan" 90% of the time (and chocolate, alcohol, and white carbs the other 10% ???? ). Fortunately I passed my goal weight back around 7-8 months and even with the changes in restriction and appetite, maintenance has been easy.

I started following Whole30 in June and cannot believe the change in how much better I feel overall. Now I'm mostly Paleo. I eat meat, veggies, fruits and certain fats. I avoid alcohol, grains, dairy and legumes. The only sugar I eat is from those naturally occurring in food, mostly fruit. I will have a rare treat if the occasion warrants it though. For example, my cousin is getting married next month and I may have a bite of cake. Ok. Maybe a few bites. ????

420 friendly here and i like my drinks as well. Smoked two weeks post op and loved it. My only concern is will it give you munchies & will you be able to handle that or will you want to binge. As far as alcohol. I've only had one drink cuz I'm still healing so I have no reference there. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ok, to give it to you straight, if you're snorting the coke and smoking the pot, it's your lungs and your circulatory system being impacted, not your stomach or your digestive system. The alcohol is the only one you have to worry about strictly as a result of the surgery. In terms of cardiac issues from the coke, that is a different kind of problem. Smoking pot is pretty much not going to hurt you, but skip the special brownies for awhile just to be on the safe side. Obviously avoid booze until your stomach is healed and after that understand your stomach is smaller and many of us have a reduced tolerance. Now, as a disclaimer, drugs and booze are bad for you. Also, while I generally say "ask your doctor" definitely do not do that until after you've had surgery or he might be ethically obligated to turn you down for the procedure. After you've had surgery, you're pretty much clear to ask him whatever you want because HIPAA keeps your records confidential and honestly, I would strongly encourage running it by him at a point when you can no longer be rejected for the procedure. Also, obviously lie about that part during your psych consult. Also, you don't find medical studies based on coke, pot, and other illegal substance abuse after WLS because no IRB is ever going to approve a study with human subjects that watches what happens when you give them illegal drugs after they've had major surgery. It would be a gross violation of pretty much every aspect of medical and research ethics. It's less because there is a huge issue with it and more because it's not something that can be legally or ethically researched.

I would be honest with your surgeon and ask them these questions. I know they have you quit smoking because it delays the healing process after surgery & can cause ulcers. I am not sure if marijuana has the same effect though but they would know. The other concerns I've read from other posters was the munchies sidetracking weight loss. Most doctors for drinking suggest 6 months to a year and some say never again. I am three months out and had two sips of a drink and was done not only could I not hold any more liquid physically I was buzzed, so your sleeve may force you to change your habits. There is actually a WLS Magazine article about alcohol on this site I would recommend it, it was a good read. http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/articles.html/_/healthy-living/bariatric-realities-%e2%80%93-medical-professionals%e2%80%99-guidelines-about-alcohol-use-wls-r601

Just an update for whoever wants to know. I had the surgery on March 28th and I went to a festival this past weekend. I ended up doing Molly and was 100% fine i just stayed hydrated. It honestly felt the same as it did pre-surgery. I also drank a lot (6-8 drinks) non carbonated Smirnoff filled with sugar (unfortunately) and was fine as well. The only thing was it hit me faster, and less alcohol got me drunk (also could of been because I did not eat). I also tried wine and was fine with that. A sip of beer did not sit well bc of the carbonation. I also ended up smoking about 2 packs of cigarettes in 2 days ( i was a smoker pre-op). But overall, I did not get sick, I did not throw up, I am back to normal, although it took my body a day to recover (which would of been the same pre -op). Everyone's body is different so please don't think you will have the same results. Just wanted to share my experience. The only bad thing was that I didn't really eat for two days trying to counteract the calories from the alcohol, and it messed up my weight loss progress and set me back about a week - because in addition I didn't make it to the gym. My ending point is, I had tons of fun, and I do not regret anything but for me, I will def stay away from that stuff again for awhile to continue on my weight loss journey!

I finally have my date Yehaaaaaa. :smile2: I attended a seminar way back in October (feels like years ago) and I was convinced that the band was right for me. I had to wait for my insurance to kick in and that doesn't happen until June 21 so I am doing all the pre op things at this stage and have been booked in for the op on the 26th June. I can't come soon enough. I feel about the lowest I have ever felt about my weight. It seems to have skyrocketed in the last few months. My surgeon Dr Cox asked if I had always been overweight and what I had tried. I told him I had been dieting since I was 12 with everything I could find. Shakes, grapefruit, weightwatchers, xenical, duromine, cabbage soup. I told him what happened and the best way I could explain it was that I could diet and lose weight but then something clicks in my head and bang it all goes on again. The best way to describe it is like an alcoholic who has given up - they cannot just have one drink the go on a bender. I am the same way with food - last year I lost 18kg with weight watchers but at my daughters 21st I though OK I think I look alright now and started eating a bit too much and before I knew it I just couldn't get enough and I am now 25kgs heavier. HOPEFULLY this tool will help me control this as I shouldn't be able to overeat

Hey gang, how is everyone doing. Louisianagirl - good to see you back online. Seems like many of us are down to our final 20-25 pounds, its the hardest to lose I have found! I have about 20 more to go I think, maybe just 15. I'm at 155 and would like to get to 135 or 140. I was thinking 145, but now I think I want to go slightly lower. I'm thinking about a tummy tuck too, maybe next year. :smile2: Confused - I know its sooooo hard to fit exercise in, I do great for awhile, then I slack. Right now, I've been slacking. I must get back into the grove of things! Now that spring is on its way, I'm going to start riding my bike and get some kind of exercise that way. I took a break from my HCG diet - its also called a "Planned interruption" for a week. Well, I was supposed to eat low carb, and I started out that way, but before you know it, I was eating everything in sight, and I had over indulged in some alcohol on my girls weekend. Put on 7 pounds!!!!!! Grrrrr. Well, I started back on the HCG again last Thursday (4/1) and have lost 5 of the 7 I gained. I learned my lesson, I'm planning another interruption this month on 4/22 thru 4/25 when I go to Puerto Vallarta, but this time, I will be more sensible and not eat just because its there. I'm going to stick to good proteins and EXERCISE and limit my fruity alcohol drinks on the beach! I plan on taking some crystal light and getting some vodka shots for my drinking. Anyhow, hope everyone is doing good and had a great weekend.

I just saw this....you're kidding, right??!! Where's the Protein you need? 60 - 65 grams??!! A Protein shake......alcohol (carbonated) Desserts.....I am speechless!!

Thank you!! I am having fun! But I really do stress out still when It comes to food. I have been getting online trying to look at menu's of the restaurants we are going to prior so I can have an idea of what to order. Like you said I didnt want them to think I was afraid to eat in front of them... so I have tried the taking small bites and moving things around on my plate. I just don't feel like these men that I am not that close to yet need to hear about my weight loss and band. I want them to know me first... for once in my life, i dont want a focus to be on weight. I'm sure if I get serious with someone I will tell them, but until then, no one needs to know. To me this is a personal journey that only a few people need to know about. But this whole dating thing is tough because it seems like most dates revolve around going to lunch or dinner or out for a drink (which I have given up all alcohol too). Hopefully with Spring here the weather will be nice enough so that a date can be putt putt golf or a walk in a park or something that doesnt involve food. I'm not complaining... I am loving my new lie just trying to figure some things out.

I have lost 53 pounds since surgery 9/24/14, 71 pounds since last March, and 94 pounds from my heaviest two years ago. I lose about 2 pounds a week now, my NUT (1/6/15) says I am ahead of where I should be, I thought I should have lost more! But slow and steady is how to go. Had a friend who was sleeved, lost her weight really quickly. At 40 she looks mid 50s. She looks like those pictures of what drugs and alcohol does to your looks! I really do need to drink more Water.

Since 3 week stall broke about 5 days ago, I'm down 8. I'm happy again. But hunger is always there between meals now. It's hard but I need to keep pushing water in and avoid temptation to snack. I eat three meals and two protein shakes. Meals are high protein low carb. My carbs are under 20g now. Under 50g / day when I was stalled so I think I need really low carbs. Regarding alcohol, my docs/nut says to avoid it the first year. Im assuming there are a couple of reasons for that: 1) alcohol is liquid carbs/calories and 2) people tend to replace one addiction with another (i.e. food with alcohol). I've seen some YouTube sleeve blog videos where they stated that they definitely have slowing started drinking a lot more alcohol post sleeve. That being said I don't have an addictive personality and if I want to have a glass of wine or a marguerita on a special occasion, I will.

There is a surgeon, Dr. Matthew Weiner, who has produced a very good series of videos on YouTube that provide a great deal of information about the surgery and weight loss. One of them discusses the changes that occur in our metabolic setpoint after weight loss surgery (can't remember exactly which one it was). If I remember correctly the videos all advertise his book "A Pound of Cure", but looking past that they are full of good information about the surgery, the body's reaction to it, and how to be successful with it. You can search YouTube for "Matthew Weiner" and go to his channel, where you will find all of the videos. In a nutshell, the sleeve resets our metabolic setpoint. Instead of your body striving constantly to retain fat, it now strives to lose fat to bring itself to it's new, more normal target. As long as we work with it by eating enough Protein, limiting carbs, sugar and alcohol, and provide some moderate exercise it works. This is why they say the sleeve is a tool... you need to make the behavioral changes to go along with it to allow your body to be successful. To understand why resetting the metabolic setpoint is important, look at the recent articles published about The Biggest Loser contestants. They all lost great amounts of weight through diet and exercise. Many of them have gained it back. Diet and exercise alone don't work long term because they don't change the metabolic setpoint. When your body loses weight it goes into survival response mode and does all it can to restore the lost weight. We must change the setpoint for long term weight loss success. Changing the setpoint is the equivalent of changing the thermostat in your house. This is the key metabolic benefit of VSG. Researchers believe your metabolic setpoint is controlled by the leptin-ghrelin-insulin balance in your system. VSG removes most of the stomach tissue that generates ghrelin (hunger hormone). This is why we aren't very hungry, except for head hunger, after surgery. Removing most of the ghrelin also affects the leptin (fat storage hormone) level, causing the body to want to reduce leptin levels and release fat. The change in both of these also impacts insulin levels, which reduces insulin resistance and in many cases immediately resolves type II diabetes. Endocrinologists don't know exactly why and how all of this works yet, but it does. In fact the ASMBS has reclassified the sleeve from a "restrictive" procedure to a "metabolic" procedure due to the impact it has on our metabolism. I believe those that have not been successful believed that the surgery was all they needed, and didn't change their lifestyle, food selection or habits. The sleeve should be a catalyst to change to a new, healthier behavior.

So I’ve watched so many you tube videos and that was a question. The doctor mentioned that the tolerance is very low so maybe a sip or 2 will do LOL my craving is not alcohol but sodas which I hardly drank before surgery 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hello from Toronto! I understand 100%. I was a smoker, quit LAST SUNDAY! I've been a smoker for 20 years, but have only been smoking 12-15 cigs a day for the last 10 years. I quit because it was time, and this was punctuated by my surgery date on the 15th of July. My Dr. wanted me to quit 2 weeks before surgery. I have quit in the past, about 7 years ago, but stressful events in my life had me returning to the nasty habit! I had quit for 6 months, a real shame to return after that period of time. Alas, we move on, and try, try again! My quitting this time is part of my overall change of attitude! I want to get healthy, so I can play with my children, and feel good physically again! It's a lifesyle choice, and I am now chosing to control my habits, like smoking and eating and lack of exercise, rather than letting them control me! It's rather empowering me...and I'm feeling like I'm taking back my life, step by step. I'm using the patch, and it's working well. Try taking it off about 15 minutes before bed...the dreams and restlessness should stop... Stay strong, and breathe deeply everytime the urge creeps up on you...seems to be working for me. Staying away from "triggers" like coffee, alcohol ect is important. I KNOW you can do this.... Best of luck!

I know it's a big no no.. but does anyone have any cocktail recipes that are tolerable?

Thanks Kay.... The Vitamins aren't a big issues for me I just worry as I'm looking for work I don't want to end up sick all the time.... Alcohol well id be lucky to drink once a year if that..... But yes hair loss is a worry.... Did you have a lot of hair loss!?!!! Hope you don't mind me asking..... Tamra

Well I don't know the scientific standings on the soda thing. All I know is that at 6months out I started drinking them slowly to the point I would have at least 2 a day. Well at my one yr check up, I had gained weight and I noticed that I could eat alot more than normal. That is when my Surgeon told me it was the soda and that it was stretching my sleeve/pouch. He said it was a bigger no no than alcohol. all I can say is I will never touch another soda again. Whether it's true or not I will not do it.

There is a book called "When food is Love" by Geneen Roth that I read many years ago. I still reference it sometimes and it discusses using food as a crutch to make ourselves feel better. I literally ate my problems pre-op and I'm now having to deal with all those issues, both internal and external, on a realistic basis rather than eat food to cover them up. It's very similar to an alcoholic, but my drug was food. I see a therapist regularly and I talk to her about the crazy urges to eat junk food. I do well so long as I keep myself busy and keep the junk out of the house. My splurges are that I allow myself chocolate flavored Protein bars for breakfast and I do allow myself one single serving bag of cheetos a month. For me, it works because I know that I CAN have something that meets my craving, but I can't have a ton of it. The sleeve definitely helps with that!

Hi everyone, sorry for the absence, had my sleeve 6/19, hardly knew it happened! I have been fortunate to have no pain, nausea, head hunger or other adverse outcomes. Saw my surgeon on 6/21 9 lbs lighter and he commented that it didn't look like I had just had surgery! Then he gave me the green light to travel for a few days, so I flew down to a warm, sunny beach and am enjoying just chilling and drinking (no alcohol of course) and recuperating if you can call it that. I am anxious to get home and weigh in. And you can bet I haven't said that too many times in my life! Looking forward to making the next meeting. Deb

It won't help in the long term, but sniffing rubbing alcohol will help nausea subside immediately. It is weird, but it works!