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..... exercise?Walking the day I got home. Swimming and circuit training 4/5 weeks ....drink alcohol? I don't drink so never asked .... smoke cigarettes? ( I am sure the doctor would tell you not to start again.) I quit on August 27 and won't be starting back. .... smoke marijuana? It makes your body retain Water and slows the bodies ability to make more lean muscle and I don't do drugs so never asked. ... anything else? Fly out for business trips after two weeks. Caffeine after 14 days I did wait until seven weeks to start drinking coffee.

Exercise - he wanted me to start walking from the moment I came home, which I did. Anything more strenuous has to wait until week 6 which I also did. Alcohol - Dr said 1 year, I had my first drink on my cruise in October which was almost 5 months out. I didn't get any kind of buzz which tells me that the cruise ship drinks are really watered down. Caffiene - Dr said 1 year, I started up again in month 3 but only drink 1 cup of coffee a day otherwise my acid reflux acts up. Smoking - Dr said NEVER and since I quit in 2004 I have no plans to ever begin again.

..... exercise? Walk immediately, restricted to no lifting over 25 pounds for six weeks. ....drink alcohol? Six months out. .... smoke cigarettes? ( I am sure the doctor would tell you not to start again.) Pretty much "if you've gone this long without it, might as well not do it any more" though I quit years before surgery when I got tired of chronic bronchitis. .... smoke marijuana? Given the obvious side effect to this one I'd figure it would be one of the worst things I could do with a sleeve. Nothing like being rabid hungry and eating too much AND of the wrong things to undo the entire point of VSG in the first place. ... anything else? Well I ended up disregarding some of the "get back to normal eating" schedule and started eating certain things (Protein heavy like poultry/fish) way early.

I smoked marijuana almost immediately after because it was the only thing that would help with the nausea. It was a life saver for me. Exercise- I started on the treadmill or the elliptical a week after just for 15 minutes and gradually built up as I felt better. One month out I started doing any and all exercises. Alcohol- I started drinking wine again about two months out. Haven't had any trouble. coffee and Tea- I pretty much started on those as soon as I could eat regular food and was off my liquid phases. I think I am not a very good example but thought I would honestly answer your questions. Hope this helps.

Caffeine and full exercise at 6 weeks (by caffeine I mean coffee). I don't smoke anything so never thought to ask. I can have a alcohol as well but haven't tried. I'll probably have my first drink later on December at my work Xmas party.

When did your doctor say you could drink caffeinated beverages and when did you? ..... exercise? ....drink alcohol? .... smoke cigarettes? ( I am sure the doctor would tell you not to start again.) .... smoke marijuana? ... anything else?

I look at it as if my brother a recovering alcoholic can give up beer for the rest of his life I can give up diet soda.

I waited six months. I was cleared for alcohol at my six month appt. It just wasn't worth it to me to try it before my dr. OK'd it for me. Six months is a blink in the big picture. Lynda

How long post op did you drink any alcohol? I know it's empty calories, I'm band to VSG. I know the rules. Just wondering how soon you had a half a glass of wine or something?

Ok, quilty, so quilty. Popcorn is my one vice. I gave up everything else, soda, alcohol, sweets, potato chips, bread......... I have been able to eat popcorn the entire time. I can eat about 1-2 cups depending on how my band is responding. I buy the small bags, 100 calorie ones, pop them, spray, I can't believe it's butter on it and some fresh ground pepper. I do chew the heck out of it but it is the one thing I really enjoy as a snack, it satisfys my urge for salty snacks.

The holiday season is here and it’s time for us all to quickly gain ten pounds. What? Why would I say that? I say that because it’s written all over the place. Over the next few weeks, you are going to see and hear references to our tendency to gain weight during this time of year in every newspaper, magazine, website, blog and television news program. And while the opportunities to eat may increase this time of year and the kinds of foods pushed on us are often not the healthiest, you don’t have to gain weight. However, if you expect to…you will. The holiday season is here and it’s time for us all to quickly gain ten pounds. What? Why would I say that? I say that because it’s written all over the place. Over the next few weeks, you are going to see and hear references to our tendency to gain weight during this time of year in every newspaper, magazine, website, blog and television news program. And while the opportunities to eat may increase this time of year and the kinds of foods pushed on us are often not the healthiest, you don’t have to gain weight. However, if you expect to…you will. What do expectations have to do with weight gain? Think of expectations as a combination of predictions and learned patterns of behavior. Outcomes that have occurred in the past, we generally expect to happen again. Take Thanksgiving for example, or what I like to call “National Binge Eating Day.” Thanksgiving is one of those few days of the year where the holiday seems to be about overeating. Of course, Thanksgiving is supposed to be about taking the opportunity to give thanks for how fortunate we are to live in this great country and to count our blessings for what we have. However, if you ask most Americans what comes to mind when they think of Thanksgiving I’ll bet turkey, stuffing, pie and football come long before giving thanks. More importantly, it’s not only food and eating that we think of but overeating and overindulging. This is so common that it’s often parodied in television commercials. Companies that manufacture antacids run ads showing people with exploding pant buttons or slumped back in the big armchair following the big meal. Thanksgiving, holiday parties and overeating seem to be synonymous. Many of us expect to overeat on Thanksgiving and at holiday parties so we inadvertently mentally gear up for this to happen. With this expectation of overeating in mind, our behavior becomes less controllable…you’re psychologically setting the stage for a binge to occur by expecting a huge meal to be served and by recalling previous Thanksgivings when you overate. Similarly, this is the season of holiday parties. Holiday parties tend to include foods that are rich, highly caloric and plentiful. And let’s not forget the alcohol. When you attend holiday parties, many of us expect these foods and drinks to be available and we are more likely to overindulge if that has been our pattern in the past. You’re certainly not a drone who is unable to make change, but it is infinitely less likely unless you take active steps to make that change. What can you do to prevent overeating at this time of year and gaining those extra pounds? Change your expectations by planning what you will do ahead of time. On the morning of Thanksgiving, think about what the likely layout will be where you are having the meal. Have you been there before? Do you know what to expect to be on the table? If so, plan ahead. Make some decisions about what you will eat and how much. Promise yourself that you will not overeat. After all, it’s just one meal and ironically many people who overeat say they’re not particularly fond of Thanksgiving food. They just get caught up in the collective binge mentality and the rest is history. If you plan ahead and carefully consider what to do instead of binging, you have a much better chance of controlling yourself and feeling good about your eating behavior afterwards. Consider that while eating may be a significant and enjoyable part of holiday parties and gatherings, OVEREATING does not need to be. Try not to give yourself permission to overindulge. Let’s face it…eating is fun and enjoyable and is a large part of holiday merriment. However, there is no fun in feeling nauseas or uncomfortable just after the meal and guilty and self-deprecating hours later. Don’t starve yourself on Thanksgiving morning or on the day of a holiday party. This is one of the most common, yet foolish strategies people employ. The calories you give up by skipping breakfast and lunch usually pale in comparison to the calorie content of the evening binge at Thanksgiving or the holiday party. Instead, eat normally during the day which may actually help keep you from binging later. You are far more likely to control yourself if you are mostly full during the day rather than starving when you walk in the door of the party. Consider making some eating compromises. Who said you have to have turkey only on Thanksgiving? Is pecan pie banned at other times of year? Consider having the foods that truly are once a year items rather than loading up on everything. And even then, you don’t need five pounds of the special foods. If you only get to eat your grandmother’s special stuffing once a year, you certainly shouldn’t pass that up. However, I promise you that eating a ton of it will not make you happier than having two nice size tablespoons of the stuff. Again, plan ahead and make decisions earlier in the day. Watch the booze. Alcohol causes our judgment to get a little fuzzy. You are going to be more successful controlling your behavior if your brain is firing on all cylinders. If you drink too much too early in the day, you’re going to have a tougher time sticking to whatever plan you created. Also, too much alcohol causes us to make other foolish decisions. There are enough unfortunate tragedies that happen this time of year. Make sure you’re not a part of one. I’m not suggesting in any way that you be a killjoy and I certainly don’t believe that it’s necessary to avoid holiday parties or gatherings where food is available. By planning ahead, changing your expectations, and making a few specific eating compromises, you can truly have your cake and eat it too. Happy Holidays!

The holiday season is here and it’s time for us all to quickly gain ten pounds. What? Why would I say that? I say that because it’s written all over the place. Over the next few weeks, you are going to see and hear references to our tendency to gain weight during this time of year in every newspaper, magazine, website, blog and television news program. And while the opportunities to eat may increase this time of year and the kinds of foods pushed on us are often not the healthiest, you don’t have to gain weight. However, if you expect to…you will. What do expectations have to do with weight gain? Think of expectations as a combination of predictions and learned patterns of behavior. Outcomes that have occurred in the past, we generally expect to happen again. Take Thanksgiving for example, or what I like to call “National Binge Eating Day.” Thanksgiving is one of those few days of the year where the holiday seems to be about overeating. Of course, Thanksgiving is supposed to be about taking the opportunity to give thanks for how fortunate we are to live in this great country and to count our blessings for what we have. However, if you ask most Americans what comes to mind when they think of Thanksgiving I’ll bet turkey, stuffing, pie and football come long before giving thanks. More importantly, it’s not only food and eating that we think of but overeating and overindulging. This is so common that it’s often parodied in television commercials. Companies that manufacture antacids run ads showing people with exploding pant buttons or slumped back in the big armchair following the big meal. Thanksgiving, holiday parties and overeating seem to be synonymous. Many of us expect to overeat on Thanksgiving and at holiday parties so we inadvertently mentally gear up for this to happen. With this expectation of overeating in mind, our behavior becomes less controllable…you’re psychologically setting the stage for a binge to occur by expecting a huge meal to be served and by recalling previous Thanksgivings when you overate. Similarly, this is the season of holiday parties. Holiday parties tend to include foods that are rich, highly caloric and plentiful. And let’s not forget the alcohol. When you attend holiday parties, many of us expect these foods and drinks to be available and we are more likely to overindulge if that has been our pattern in the past. You’re certainly not a drone who is unable to make change, but it is infinitely less likely unless you take active steps to make that change. What can you do to prevent overeating at this time of year and gaining those extra pounds? Change your expectations by planning what you will do ahead of time. On the morning of Thanksgiving, think about what the likely layout will be where you are having the meal. Have you been there before? Do you know what to expect to be on the table? If so, plan ahead. Make some decisions about what you will eat and how much. Promise yourself that you will not overeat. After all, it’s just one meal and ironically many people who overeat say they’re not particularly fond of Thanksgiving food. They just get caught up in the collective binge mentality and the rest is history. If you plan ahead and carefully consider what to do instead of binging, you have a much better chance of controlling yourself and feeling good about your eating behavior afterwards. Consider that while eating may be a significant and enjoyable part of holiday parties and gatherings, OVEREATING does not need to be. Try not to give yourself permission to overindulge. Let’s face it…eating is fun and enjoyable and is a large part of holiday merriment. However, there is no fun in feeling nauseas or uncomfortable just after the meal and guilty and self-deprecating hours later. Don’t starve yourself on Thanksgiving morning or on the day of a holiday party. This is one of the most common, yet foolish strategies people employ. The calories you give up by skipping breakfast and lunch usually pale in comparison to the calorie content of the evening binge at Thanksgiving or the holiday party. Instead, eat normally during the day which may actually help keep you from binging later. You are far more likely to control yourself if you are mostly full during the day rather than starving when you walk in the door of the party. Consider making some eating compromises. Who said you have to have turkey only on Thanksgiving? Is pecan pie banned at other times of year? Consider having the foods that truly are once a year items rather than loading up on everything. And even then, you don’t need five pounds of the special foods. If you only get to eat your grandmother’s special stuffing once a year, you certainly shouldn’t pass that up. However, I promise you that eating a ton of it will not make you happier than having two nice size tablespoons of the stuff. Again, plan ahead and make decisions earlier in the day. Watch the booze. Alcohol causes our judgment to get a little fuzzy. You are going to be more successful controlling your behavior if your brain is firing on all cylinders. If you drink too much too early in the day, you’re going to have a tougher time sticking to whatever plan you created. Also, too much alcohol causes us to make other foolish decisions. There are enough unfortunate tragedies that happen this time of year. Make sure you’re not a part of one. I’m not suggesting in any way that you be a killjoy and I certainly don’t believe that it’s necessary to avoid holiday parties or gatherings where food is available. By planning ahead, changing your expectations, and making a few specific eating compromises, you can truly have your cake and eat it too. Happy Holidays!

Personally I look at it as another reason not to spend the money! I've never really liked alcoholic drinks but I've certainly had my share of Diet Coke. When you go out however a Diet Coke in my area will cost you 2 - 2.50 which I think is kind of outrageous.

Ast night I ate some apple slices with some peanut butter and 10 minutes later, I was full blown dumping. What gives?!? I have eaten apples before and was fine so I'm guessing it was the PB. The PB was the natural with 1 gram of sugar and no sugar alcohol. I miss my peanut butter

Ok, that was hilarious and completely believable. In my opinion, I would tell them so they're not shoving alcohol or junk food in your face. Let them razz you all they want, like a previous poster said, they'll be hating it when you're getting all the attention from the ladies. Good luck on your journey.

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.