Search the Community

I was told 6 months to a year but I had my first drink 3 months out and was fine. I tried it at 3 months because about half the people on this forum said their surgeon cleared them for alcohol at 3 months while the other half said 6 months to a year. I figured it was just a preference dependent on your surgeon and when i asked him why he said so long when other said 3 months, he said it was just empty calories and I didnt need that. So, if it wasn't going to kill me, I was ready at 3 months! Not saying that is right, just telling my story. I actually tried my first beer on vacation last week in Mexico and I am exactly 6 months out. Beer made me feel a little uncomfortable, crazy burping and tightness in the chest. But I drank it nonetheless because of limited availablity of mixed drinks. I think I am going to steer clear of the beer for the most part and stick to vodka /water or vodka cranberry. You just had surgery, so you should probablly cool it for a while and give it time to heal. Just a thought.

I am 6 months post op and had my first drink 3 months post-op. Yes, it does hit you faster, but it certainly wears off faster too. I can have two vodka drinks and feel pretty tipsy, but one hour later I am stone cold sober. My surgeon said the biggest concern with alcohol is the empty calories and transfer addiction. I am pretty much a weekend drinker and I haven't had to change my lifestyle much, I just had to give it up for a while. I do stay away from beer though because of the carbonation, and obviously sugary drinks are too high calorie.

I have a Vegas trip 6 weeks after my surgery I'm wondering if I can have a drink. Obviously not carbonated but an alcoholic one.

I've heard that booze will knock you flat after the sleeve. I had little to no tolerance BEFORE surgery, so now I'm paranoid about trying any alcohol at all. My MIL gave me a teaspoon of Everclear with herbs in it when I felt like I was coming down with a cold and a teaspoon full made me feel like I was going to pass out. I think I'll just stay away from cocktails indefinitely. Besides, my fiance can't drink so I know he feels better when I'm sipping on Water with him.

It's a variable depending upon your surgeon's experience and philosophy. Some will allow alcohol after a couple of months or so of stomach healing while others not allow it as long as one is losing weight (and a few may say "never again!") My doc is in the none during weight loss camp, the concern being that our livers are already not in the best of shape from being obese and then they are more heavily taxed with their role in metabolizing all the fat that we are losing - they don't need any more stress from metabolizing alcohol. As my doc is also a liver transplant specialist along side of his bariatric practice, I tend to take his word when it comes to liver care.

Due to the smaller stomach you metabolize differently, actually faster so the alcohol goes to your blood stream (and your head) much sooner. Though it also leaves your system sooner which is why many sleevers don't have hangovers (hence the concern about transferring your addiction to food to booze). That said, wine does not effect me that way, but hard liquor bothers me. I actually start to get a little nauseous within mins of drinking it. I'm wondering if it wasn't as much the booze as the sugar that is getting to your poor sad skinny head today

Last night I had Alcohol for the first time since my surgery...Lawd Have mercy I was DRUNK not tipsy after 2 long Island Ice Teas....Can anybody explain to me why now after the surgery it does not take as many drinks for me to get hammered?

I'm so sorry you're struggling. I would strongly suggest finding a good counselor. The band is a wonderful tool but it can't fix our heads. food addiction is VERY real and extremely hard to combat. Unlike an alcoholic who can walk away and never have a drink again, we have to eat multiple times daily just to live. A good counselor can help you win the battles that the band can't- within in your own mind. Best wishes to you.

that has passed away from the laparscopic gastric bypass? I dont, everyone is so afraid, I think it is the going under part that scares everyone. but that can happen with any surgery. what do you know about the dangers? we need to know. all i know is what people say here and the old videos on youtube, and those are old. if your not honest with your surgeon about your meds and problems you having drug use alcoholism and smoking, well yea you may be in danger. dont hold anything back. so many are scared, and that scares me lol.

Since I have lost weight I am always cold. I was always the hot one. I seem to never get warm anymore. I wear a mink jacket when it gets below 40. Yes, I wear fur and eat meat. Maybe my husband is right, time to move down south. But then my grandchildren will be in MA and I don't think I could ever leave them. I find myself drinking hot tea all day and that isn't working either. ​Yesterday my husband and I went for our annual dermatology checkups. I was told to never use toner again. It either has alcohol or acetone in them. Never knew that after using them for over 40 years. The doctor did say rentol (excuse spelling) is very good for wrinkles. I bought CVS brand on sale. I am on the vein side but you wouldn't know that by me being so over weight for so long. I use to go to Cape Cod to a resort and the resident comic was gay and extremely large and made fun of decorating his large body. From the first time I heard him say that, I started dressing much better. It took a fat man to tell me that fat doesn't have to dress bad. Thanks for listening to me. Have a great Thursday. Time to go food shopping-how fun? Not.

-I read a lot of people saying sleeve doesnt work after having a lapband :/ is this true? I am SO scared of making a wrong choice I guess I already answered this one - some people don't do well, but many of us are walking testimonies that it can be done! -Is it possible to have a band and sleeve? You could not convince me that this is a good idea - never heard of it and I am suspicious of any surgeons offering experiments like that. -Why do more surgeons not offer the "net" around the stomach to help prevent stretching? I am also very suspicious about this idea. There are a number of people who have revised to the sleeve after having some weird mesh procedures from the 1980s and 1990s. Non standard stuff like this make it hard to do revisions etc later. I want to see evidence that something actually makes sense, I am not interested in testing some new ideas... -Weight loss aside; are you able to drink a small amount of alcohol (like a glass or two of wine)? I drink more like half a glass of wine everyonce in awhile. Alcohol hits you harder. -Do you feel like you get enough energy from what you eat? Yes, absolutely -Do you find yourself craving carbs or did the sleeve help kill that “I gotta have some bread and butter!!!”. Because even when I stuff myself with other foods, I still have that mental “but you didn’t have what you really wanted” feeling. You will still fight head hunger, but the surgery helps alot and I mean alot compared to the band. I think over time if you train yourself to eat a certain way that it helps reduce hunger. I gave you a link already to my post that covers this general topic - eat small quantities of high Protein diets and cravings are greatly reduced. -Since this is removing some of the stomach, do you feel like some surgeons are better than others? Like it’s an art? I think so. Ask your surgeon about results from his specific practice. I suspect that a good portion of the success ratio is determined by the follow on support they offer. I am curious why some people fail and some succeed. Could it be the surgeons don’t remove enough stomach or do it wrong? I also ask this because I would consider going out of state (not out of country for a surgeon more experienced with lapband to sleeve. Well, I am more worried about surgeons who make mistakes that may contribute to issues like "twisting stomach" or other defects with the stomach. I am not convinced that the larger stomach (withing standard recommendatios) means poorer results. Mine was a 38 bougie and I have lost just fine. -Do you believe WLS is like breast implants, where you should prepare yourself that you may need to have “maintenance” done on it? That isn't my mindset. Unlike the band, once sleeved you shouldn't need ongoing tweaking. I do however have the mindset that I will do whatever it takes to keep the weight off - so if that means I need to revise I wouldn't rule it out in the future. Whether that be revision or additional surgery to correct complications? Could happen. Most complications occur early on though, so once you are a few months out chances are that you won't have any additional surgeries. I explained to my boyfriend I always knew it was a possibility that I may need my band fixed or removed because I saw many patients with slips and port issues. -Can someone have the sleeve done 2x if they gain weight back? Some people get their stomach resleeved/made smaller but I think it is more common to revise to the rny or DS. -My lapband surgeon is charging 22k for band removal to sleeve. Expensive! I already paid 19k out of pocket for my lapband, and it didn't work out. And I REALLY did try. This would be a 41k investment-- sigh. Not to mention the heartache. This is one of the reasons I am so determined to have long term success. I work pretty hard at it.

Your body is being deprived of the vitamins that we would normally get with the food we eat. I know it's tough but you should try to eat. I am surprised that you are getting sugar free pudding. There is actually a lot of sugar alcohols in the sugar free stuff which typically is a no-no. Can you have soft scrambled egss? try that with a dab of cream cheese to make it smooth and creamy. You'd be surprised how good it is. Good Luck.

I had a two week pre-op diet of only liquids. It was the hardest thing ever!!! I had to get in 3-4 Protein shakes a day and 64oz of Water. I was allowed to eat sugar free Jello, pudding and crystal lights and Soup. I lost 12 or 14lbs. I did cheat also but it was on grilled chicken and broccoli! @ Badkness beer is not in your future. You can just forget about alcohol altogether for at least the next 6 months if not longer. The point of the pre-op diet is to not only jump start rapid weight loss but to also shrink your liver so it its easier to handle during surgery. If it's too big they will just sew you right up and be done without doing anything to your stomach and this will be all for not. After surgery the carbonation of beer will make you sick. Besides you will only be drinking 4oz at a time anyway. Start cutting down now!!

I start my pre-op on the 26th. I haven't seen the menu yet. I hope I can still drink beer. Stopping alcohol will be harder then food I think.

I am pre op but my Dr said 1 year! Did not really give why but I feel if I am ready after several months I will try a beverage here and there. I am an occasional vodka drinker. Which I hear by the bypass people ia the only alcohol they can drink. Guess it depends on the person

Sarah-lu1 You didn't fail right, the band failed. Food compulsion is not a conquer, fail dilemma. It's a curse, a constant fight, fight, fight. We have to eat. It's not cigarettes or alcohol that can just be stopped. You are fighting! Doing everything in your power to win the fight. But you have not Failed!

ABSOLUTELY! I am an addict and I will admit it. When I am off carbs (when I do manage to get there) I don't crave or desire extra food. But once I cave, I'm back to my addiction. I have a glass a wine with my evening meal, but to be honest.. I could really drink another and enjoy it. After reading the OP it's scared me into not even wanting one glass now. I'm being sleeved Dec 14 and no alcohol for me until I reach my goal... And maybe not even then Traceyh... Please don't go this dangerous route of thinking surgery will help you at this point.

Most surgeons agreed on drinking been very dangerous and yes even without a sleeve it damages your liver, you never cared about counting calories I bet like many of us. Otherwise we wouldn't have come to this so drinking your calories I'm not sure it will be as important to you. When you drink one glass of wine or anything you'll get the buzz faster but what's the point on getting a sleeve to safe your life from deceases like high blood cholesterol or diabetes but you'll kill yourself from Cirrhosis. I'm not sure if you know but your liver gets the absorption of alcohol even more when you're sleeved. So I guess you should reconsider your priorities because even a little alcohol will get you in trouble. Another thing, many people become alcoholics I read an article after getting a sleeve because they like getting drunk so quickly and yes at the beginning it happened to me too but now I decided to only drink on especial occasions because I decided to safe my life

You will absolutely have to get this addressed before surgery. ONE bottle of wine has approximately 500-700 calories (depending on the type). That is as much as most of us eat in food in one day for the first 6 months or more! (Some do eat a little bit more.) I don't see how you could possibly do what is necessary to succeed by drinking 1-2 bottles of wine a day post surgery. It has virtually no Protein at all. Alcohol also has 7 calories per gram, protein and carbohydrates have 4 calories per gram. Most of the nutritional plans that I have seen say alcohol after 1 year (after most of the weight has probably been lost).

im rarely on forum as im usually busy with other things, but if this is any help...............i was banded LAST December 13, 2011, and i cant believe it almost been a year ! Im down 63 lbs , feel great , get lots of compliments, and cant believe i have my life back ! I swim and walk , follow the Drs rules 95% 0f the time and watched the weight roll off. I 've gone from 225 lbs, frumpy size 18-1x clothes to 163 lbs, wear a size 14 skinny jeans, my sleep apnea is gone, i look and feel healthier and younger, and it just keeps getting better and better ! I still can eat 90% of normal foods , including thin crust pizza, steak, pineapple and celery. the only favorite foods i had to give up was broccoli and thick chicken and thick pork chops, and i can only eat a few bites of any potato item before they expand. i cant help you with the soda pop or alcohol problems as i dont like soda but have a margarita every month or two. Most wheat breads are fine, but depending on the type or brand of biscut i might have a problem. hope this helps you calm your nerves, getting banded was the best decision ever ! Good luck !

Ok guys thanks, I'm gonna try to make it till tomorrow and call my surgeon, I just set out my rubbing alcohol and put a washcloth in the fridge. It was so unexpected? I have only had liquids. I have been feeling so much better today. Then out of the blue it hit me. i ended up going out in the cold and just spitting out like ten mouthfuls of saliva. I wonder what the heck is going on.....

I came close to vomiting at hospital and nurse put ice cold cloth on my neck,chest area and forehead and had me sniff alcohol. It did work. Just until you talk to Dr.

Went for my 3rd fill today, .75cc's as she thought 1 full cc would be too much for me. Sadly, I only lost 1/2 lb in the last 2 weeks. That's the lowest amount since week 8. Quite disssappointed as I was starting to feel better about myself. We discussed what I was doing, and how I was feeling. I don't know about anyone else, but I've been having major gas issues lately, and I'm not referring to my car either She asked if I was eating a lot of protein bars. Well, not a lot, but almost once a day as a meal replacement. I guess those can give you gas because of the sugar alcohol content, I think she said. She also said I should try not to eat more than 2 soft foods a day (like cottage cheese & yogurt). Oh my! I always eat cottage cheese. What else? Oh, I shouldn't be eating more than 15 grams of protein per calorie, and keep the carbs down to 15/20 per meal too. I've been keeping track of my food intake on MFP, but I guess I need to re-think what I eat. On "paper' I think my meals looks OK, but .... Have to incorporate veggies in there too. I know, I know.. but I"m not a big veggie eater. The other thing she mentioned, which is o surprise, is that I need to exercise more. She suggested mixing up, and taking it up a notch. My hubby and I were talking about getting me an exercise bike that I can just keep in the LR, and ride while watching TV. The bike we saw recently was low to the floor. I'm thinking it's supposed to be better for you 'some how' being close to the floor. IDK??? Soooo, I'm going to try to mix things up starting tomorrow, and focus better on everything. I have to go back next Monday for my 3 month check up, and follow up to see how I did this week. I learned something today... and I hope to use my new-found knowledge!!!

I started putting coffee in my protein shakes after I was off of clear liquids (2 weeks). I just don't live on it. I have a cup every other day. When I do, WOW! Alcohol isn't the only thing that affects us quicker. I catch a buzz off one cup!

Hi Tracy: I'm about 2 and half years sober, meaning I dont drink any alcohol - not a drop. I will be sleeved in one week. Yes, as Cowgirl mentions above, there are cases of "transferrence" from overeating to problem drinking. I'm choosing words carefully here so as not to offend folks with the terms "food addict" and "alcoholic", but for me, that's the way I see it. Again, i am not saying that anyone here is an addict or otherwise. I happen to believe that I have a psychological compulsion to drink and once I start, I can't stop (when I was drinking). In many cases, its the same for me with food. For that reason, I believe that the are both issues/illnesses, however you want to call it are related and that they have to do with pleasure centers in my brain that look for any way to be "pleased", whether food or alcohohol or anything else. In eliminating the avenues available to seek pleasure, the brain still seeks them, thus the possible transferrence of addiction. Yes, this is dangerous stuff, and I'll soon be eliminating another possible avenue for my brain - but my brain will not turn off it's compulsivity just because my stomach is gone. Am I scared? Yes. But I know I need to do this for both my mental and physical health. I wish you the best!