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Ive heard no bubbly of course, as the carbonation is bad. Ive also heard keep the alcohol very light, as it effects your body differently.

No alcohol, no smoking after surgery. Alcohols gives you much calories without nutrients. Instead you should maximize nutrients, minimize cals, eat small quantities to match your new pouch. Smoking can cause ulceration of the stomach, as well as make you sometimes dizzy and breathless. Six months down the road, yo can do alcohol and smoke.

I've read various things that said no alcohol after surgery. What has everyone else heard?

Haven't had a diet Pepsi in 8 weeks tryed diet ginger ale flat it was nasty. And no alcohol. Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

I am struggling with the supervised diet also. I started out great and lost 12 pounds but I see the dietician this week and am sure I have gained some back. One thing the dietician does is ask me a series of questions: Are you chewing your food to mush? Are you drinking pop or juice? Are you drinking alcoholic drinks? Are you exercising? I think they are wanting to know you are starting to make the changes you need to make to be successful with the surgery. I have done it for three months and am sick of it. If I could lose the weight on my own I wouldn't need the surgery. Well I will just keep plugging along but I have been worried that if I don't keep losing i may not qualify so glad to read everyone's post.

Thanks for the great info! I'm sure gonna miss pumpkin beer with a cinnamon sugar rim this fall-- but next fall I'm throwing my own back yard Octoberfest- wearing my boots 'n jeans! (miss wearing jeans the most!) The alcohol will have to wait. What's up with a little weed? (ooops?). I like to indulge from time 2 time - I'm not a druggie, just like the mj. 

My doctor said no alcohol until six months out. Internal healing is considerably slower than external. So alcohol prior to you being completely healed is an invitation for an ulcer. Virtually all alcohols are also sugar and could result in dumping. And as we all know, alcohol is empty calories with virtually no nutritional value. You may also want to keep in mind that it will hit you harder and more quickly than before. Doctors often quote the ratio of three to one - one drink post-op is like three pre-op. If you do drink, very good idea to give the keys to someone else. There are some real nightmare DWI stories out there from RNY patients. I don't want to give you the wrong impression - I enjoy a glass of wine before dinner more nights than not. But I didn't touch it until six months out.

So, it's the sugar in alcohol that needs to be avoided? Does alcohol itself hurt the sleeve? I can imagine where before the op. I could do 2-3 shots of vodka or tequila- I guess maybe a small sip could do the trick, too.post-op.thanks for the info-my surgery is in 2-1/2 weeks (10/11/12) I'm starting to frisk out a little (the Pre-op diet is messing with my head!)

I am with Cheri, I have depression and have also been in AA for years. I would think most of us used food for comfort like an alcoholic uses alcohol. Now without the food, you may find yourself without the thing you turned to for years. I know that was part of my problem, when I got sober I started using food..then when I was banded I had to deal with other core issues & face why I over-indulge in everything. It might be time to talk with someone or see a doctor. I know I could not pull myself out of depression, I needed help. You are not alone. Patty

Gigi, Maddysgram, elcee and ajtexas.... First, I want to thank you for so kindly responding to my plea's for help. I'm in a bad place and I needed your ears/eyes. No, I am not in control of my life at the moment. I think maybe I am trying to take control of my life, even if it's deciding to sabotage myself and my journey. Sounds weird, I know, but it's easier to control with learned reinforced bad behaviour than with new, difficult behaviours like my dieting, journaling my food journal. It's easier to fail than to fight to succeed. (I'm coming up with this stuff as I write) Hm, something else to think about. Gigi_Girl, I'm so proud of you for quitting smoking completely, I hear cigarettes are one of the hardest addictions to quit! And good luck with your new Band. My therapist is admittedly stuck on this issue of why I "have" to eat bad foods. I mean, she has shed alot of light on the subject, as she has worked with many addicts. She just felt I should get some inpu by those going through the Band journey. Maddysgram, it was very, very hard to take in your kind words of wisdom, but a few things helped me. "Tomorrow hasn't happened yet..." "You're brave to come out..." "...me a complete stranger loves you..." have all been allowed inside, and helped me for that moment. My past has not made me a criminal, a drinker, a drug user, etc. I guess that's a very good thing! Elcee, I did walk away with major issues, but I consider myself a genuine, honest, caring individual in spite of my issues. I see that I have achieved very little in my life but be a survivor. I'm a fighter, which is why this whole thing about fixating on cheating myself and my diet, is baffling. I never give up, not for long anyways. Your positive comments embarras (how do you spell that!) me, but secretly it's nice to hear. ajtekas- I have a history of sabotaging things when they go well, and I was doing very well. Is it because of fear of success? Is it because of fear failure? It it because it's all I know? All of the above. I was proud of myself for adhering to the program and I think it was overwhelming for me. Didn't deserve it. I say the serenity prayer everyday, everyone should. I started Al-Anon four weeks ago, and I honestly feel blessed to have the kinship of those who share my experience with alcoholism and the family. And, yes, we members do beat ourselves up! Tomorrow is a new day. There are many success stories to help me along. I so hope I get more responses to this...every one of you makes a difference to me. My therapist would thank the four of you! And I thank you. (*bows down*)

Yes you can eat almost anything. But I choose not to in honesty. I eat so little and it takes me away from my goals (One more lb till 100 lbs lost, woop woop!). I generally stay away from fried foods now and olive oil though (fat content makes me ill). But have loved to go to Cracker Barrel (for catfish plate that I split with my hubby) and KFC (a leg and a wing or two legs and a bite of both sides is more than enough for me). I don't drink alcohol anymore, but I haven't been much of a drinker in the last few years. If you have a "love affair" with food, it is a hard adjustment.... I won't lie. I am a total "foodie." But what's more important to you? You will THINK more about food after a sleeve because you have less area to fill. So going out will be a planning event (planning what you will eat). Best of luck!

I still eat out, Usually at least once a week with friends or family. I can find something to eat on just about every menu ( i usually look at the kids menu but at most places everything on the kids menu if fried or pasta). I always come home with a lot of leftovers. Only thing i miss is going out for drinks, but my surgeon recommends no alcohol for 1 year.

I understand that the lighter, clear alcoholic beverages are lower in sugar content, so maybe you'd be better to try those.

Anything with alcohol is going to be bad for you, so moderation is the trick, vodka os no exception, the big trick w/vodka is watching what you mix it with. O.J & cranberry areboth pretty sugary.

I think acknowledging the problem is half the battle and you have done that. I understand fighting the sabotaging yourself, I do it anytime I get close to a goal. Why? I don't know. Fear of success? failure? or just wanting to make things hard on myself cause that is all I've know? What I do know is if I keep at it and meet that goal, the pride I feel is overwelming. It gives me the courage to keep trying. Those little voices in our head can really mess with us! But we CAN BEAT THEM! just do it one day at a time, or one hour, or one minute, whatever it takes to get through it, Remeber the serenity prayer it helps me get through a lot of tough times. I also had an alcoholic husband and spent a few years in al-anon. It's funny how us "co-dependence" seem to beat ourselves up more than anyone else. Take care.

So, I'm 9 weeks post op 75 pounds down! YA!! Well I'm going on a cruise next month. I'd like to have some drinks. Wine and Margaritas. Just wondering if that's okay. Does anyone have an experience drinking alcohol post op?? Advise Please....

What's the story with alcohol? Is vodka the liquor of choice as far as 'clear' is lower sugar/carbs? I'm not a big drinker but I love my tap beer and shots now and then! I'm sure my 'shot' days are over!

Hi, this is a topic that was requested of me to write this post and ask for help by my therapist. She believes many of you will relate to, even if you don't post back....I'm reluctant because: 1. It's a heavy topic for me to post on the internet, to people I will never know. 2. It's exremely painful for me to even venture in this territory. But it is something that is at the core of my where and who I am today, as a someone fighting to lose the psychological pounds I have put on over the years. I was brought up in a highly dysfunctional family (to put it lightly), and there was sexual abuse, emotional deprivation and abuse, alcoholism, parental fighting and divorce, self-harm, para-suicidal actions and more things that I can't access right now. I was raped and beaten repeatedly by a boyfriend in high school, my best friend comitted suicide, I married a wonderful man who is also an alcoholic, and last year, my Mother passed away from breast cancer. It was engrained into me as a child that I was fat (I wasn't even heavy or plump till a year after marrying my husband in 92) and utterly worthless. Most of me believes that to this day, but thanks to all of the therapy I'm in, medications and recently Al-Anon, I am learning that I might not be worthless. "might not". My reason for writing this...I feel majorly worthless right now (I'm in a tough place in therapy AND my go to, bad food, has been taken away from me, by choice) and am having a bloody hell of a time fighting all the negetive "voices" in my head, and adhering to my diet. I was banded 5 years ago, gave up on it 4 years ago and got unfilled, then found myself back in the Doctor's office wanting to try again, three months ago. For two months I did very well, losing 20 pounds. Feeling that I understood my relationship with food, eating very well. I thought I had it in the bag. But this month, I am deliberately buying junk food to sabotage myself. I want to "hurt" myself by eating junk food. Obviously I am not in a good place. My baggage got me to today, and frankly I am proud as hell to have made it to the age of 46. Albeit a confused 46. My therapist wanted me to ask of you how some of you overcame those negetive voices, hurtful relationships with food and became a successful Bandster. I'm not looking for "atta-boy"s or "you-poor-girl"s or "you-can-do-it"s...I'm down but not out. How do you fight the inner demons that make you reach out to bad foods for a coping mechanism? I mean, I know the tricks, but they're not working. I know that some day, I will know that answer, but it will take a long, long time. I want to be a successful Bandster like I was the last two months, now. You guys are doing so well, how do you do it? Can you even relate or am I just a freak? Bless you for reading my post, and I'm sorry if I annoyed you and please do not pity me. I'm just looking for support...

Hi I am having difficulty with the 'only 70 pounds' thing. I agree with Mz Elle only to the part where all of these surgeries are invasive and extreme. They are, and anyone who says otherwise is downplaying the risk. As a nurse of almost 30 years I know this. With any surgery comes risk - from the anesthesia, chance of complications - running from minor to life threatening, temporary to permanent. It is not a decision to be made lightly, and certainly not to be made without exploring all of your options and doing extensive research. Having said that, what do you do when you HAVE tried everything? I have tried many things and different combinations of diet, exercise, herbal preparations etc. but always in the parameters of healthy foods . I currently need to lose about 75 pound to be at my ideal weight. I am currently relatively healthy but I do have mild asthma and high cholesterol, controlled by medication. I know for a fact both of these will at least improve if not disappear if I can lose the excess weight, and I also look at my dear brother who 'only' has to lose about 80 pounds to be at his ideal weight - he has had a heart attack, 2 stent placements, asthma, high cholesterol, severe sleep apnea and non alcoholic fatty liver disease - ALL of these conditions would improve with weight loss. Do I have to wait until I am in the same boat before I do something about it? No, I am choosing to get the sleeve as a tool in my Quest to get and stay healthy. I am satisfied that I have tried all I can to lose and keep the weight off, and for me it just isn't working. For me it will be worth the risk, and I think everyone needs to look at their own unique situation and decide what is best for them.

Well, i'm out 3 + years, have been doing well and maintaining great. . however, (yes always a however) I've been drinking coffee, alcohol, and taking ibuprofen a lot. I work in a very high stressed job and even though i know i should probably quit before it sends me to my grave, i continue to do my "prison sentence" (yes, I realize it's all self inflicted). . .now in the past 1 month, I've notice daily nausea to the point of nearly vomiting, a horrible burning pain when i eat or drink anything except water. . . i have told my doctor and she has given me some meds, but they aren't helping at all. . . i have to call her tomorrow to let her know how things are going. . . well. . . they aren't. . . has anyone else had ulcers that probably needed surgery? What happened? I'll let you all know what happens with this. . . thanks for listening.

Hello fellow nurses! I live in Saskatchewan, Canada, have been an RN for close to 30 years now, currently splitting my time between dialysis and long term care but have worked everything from Surgery to Outpost, occupational, etc etc etc (I get bored easy!) I am not sleeved yet, likely not until January due to staffing issues (sound familiar to anyone?)' and will be self pay going to Mexico with Dr. Liza Pompa. My BMI is 37, and I am struggling with people who say that that's not too bad. Well, my brother 'only' has a BMI of 38' had his first heart attack at 38' has had 2 stents, severe sleep apnea, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and my whole family struggles with high cholesterol, asthma and depression. No, not 'too bad'. I need to do this to be healthy. I have done diets to deAth ll, I do enjoy exercising but it is obviously not enough. But, despite being a nurse for so long, I must admit I am scared of surgery! I had my tonsils out at age 4, and have been fortunate enough not to need anything else done (so far). Talk about ironic!

Im 11 months out. Alcohol hits me a lot quicker so i tend to have to take it slow. and yes we are all cheap dates after having the sleeve.

When I drank alcohol for the first time, drinking some yummy Hurricanes, I cycled in and out of feeling tipsy and feeling sober. Real quick, it was odd

Yes, alcohol is processed quicker so we're a whole big group of cheap dates now. I have read studies that alcohol addiction is a big risk for post-op wls patients. I have tried a little bit and it gets my tipsy really fast, but only lasts a short time, and makes me feel sick/dehydrated after. I really don't enjoy it at all anymore, and I used to drink a glass of wine or two a night. I'm actually glad for the change =p

Mmmmm, spicy hot V8 juice. One of my favorites before surgery, kind of like a Bloody Mary but no alcohol. Still have not tried one yet after surgery but maybe down the road a bit.