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If you are using whey protien, the protien is not the culprit. I also suffer from gout, Unfortunately, it is an effect that comes from rapid weight loss. It triggers a gout attack. You can get tart Cherry juice at your local health food store, it will help, but remember it is high in sugar so, don't drink a lot at one time. Also you can get a Uric Aid cleanse in capsulet form. The good news here is, with our new lifestyle and eating habits, once you flush the excess Uric acid from your system gout should just be a bad memory. Edit: just notice you are pre op, disregard the statement about limiting the cherry juice, and if you are getting protien from red meat that can definately be a contributing factor. But, whey contains no Uric acid. Also, are you a drinker, because drinking alcohol also contributes to gout.

Alcohol? Soda? Wow these things are excluded to me forever - I just can't imagine being given that advice by any doctor. How about eating some nuts? I think you really need to keep your choices healthy, just larger quantities.

So this can actually be a real problem? Losing too much weight? It never crossed my mind that I could lose TOO much. Doesn't the body have some kind of fail safe to prevent this from happening? 130 pounds sounds like an extreme amount of weight to lose in just 10 months. What was your starting weight? How much weight did you initially want to lose? Do you have any idea why this happened? I can't imagine that your surgeon's only advice would be to drink alcohol.

I did consult him and hes the one who told me that i should start getting some alcohol in my system bcos its loaded with cals

Babysteppin: I have less than a year before I'm sleeved but I've been forced into weight loss by excruciating pain caused by slipped disc! I'm only 25 and am on OxyContin (hillbilly heroin) twice daily! For years I've pretended I'm fine, no diabetes, no high bp (actually its normally very low!), no chol, etc... BUT I've suffered depression, self harm, sleep apnea, pulled hamstrings, back aches, and now this! 20pounds down the pain is still strong! I think I can do a lot of this myself, but to get the rest of the weight off I need surgery. I'm seeing a psych too and unlike some I'm not mourning food- I am learning to like it! I could eat an entire lock of chocolate or a pound of fries and not like a single bite! I hated myself for even having to eat! For me I need the surgery to undo the damage of a lifetime hatred of and terrible relationship with food!!! My goal with surgery: a do-over! Start from the beginning loving food, loving Soups, loving mush, loving salads and veggies, and nice cuts of meat and cheeses! Loving that food is nourishing my new body! I think if you can growto think of it like this too, and if you know you need this tool to help you with this, then go for it! Watch the gsleeve videos on YouTube, (you can really see how it should go, both how easy it is nowadays, but also the risks for staples slipping or infections), read these online forums for inspirations, purchase small kiddy sized eating things, practice eating differently around others (including feeding kids and/or hubby separate meals, and going out) try avoiding drinking calories in coffee, soda, and alcohol sometimes (mourn these losses now because they will be non-negotiable post-op!) If you can get into the post-op mindset now, think you will be able to do it afterwards, and KNOW for 100% that its worth the risk... Then go for it!

When people start noticing (the people i dont want to know bout my surgery) and asking How did i do it.... with me I am just going to say I have cut down drinking alcohol (used to b a big drinker), I'm exercising more and on a high protein low fat diet... And hey I'm not lying???

Hi guys I did my surgery on oct. 3rd 2011 and i have lost 130 pounds. I look ugly im too skinny now i wanna gain some weight i tried eating everything even drinking alcohol didnt help gain anything. Does anyone know a way that might help ?

I just volunteer to be the designated driver! I find that alcohol affects me more quickly now than when I was 63kg heavier and it's just not worth the risk of overeating due to lowered inhibitions, or to my driver's license. I still have a great time and I remember it all the next day!

Most doctors will ask you to not drink any alcohol for 6 months. Why? It lowers you inhibitions and you might eat too much or foods you shouldn't eat. Also, carbonated beverages will expand in your stomach and if you drink too much could cause the sutures around your stomach to tear away. However, we all live in the real world so here's what I do. I limit myself to 1-2 drinks per week. Occasionally I'll have a beer. Just one. Sometimes we have wine and I may have two glasses of wine. Alcoholic beverages are empty calories and should be avoided as much as possible. tmf

Would like to know ppls experience of drinking alcohol after lap band. I am normally a beer. Drinker but have had the lap band almost 1 month I haven't tried drinking any beer im scared it may stretch my stomach from the bloating that comes along. I have drank some daquari and margarita drinks which I still have some bloating aftr about 2 drinks any suggestion of what u post lapbanders are drinkin alcohol wise????

Well thank you mis73, that means a lot coming from you. I really look up to you! Food addiction is a very serious issue that needs to be accepted as an Addiction, just like alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc. Well, they're different, but they're an addiction none the less. If we could only get the professionals to recognize food addiction, then maybe people would come out of the woodwork, and maybe be less ashamed. It's nothing to be ashamed about! I can't wait to see me lose weight too! And it WILL happen. I am in control.

Great post DLC and patty. I was going to say that I was told the ratio as well is 1:3 so every drink an rny pt has is = to 3. My dietician and surgeon said that I could have a drink once in a while and there is some merit in a small glass of red wine now and again providing health benefits but we all have to be carefully and remember moderation. My rule now is any alcohol and keys go to someone else period. I havnt had a drink but am going to world EMS expo in new Orleans in October and will have a drink. Great post Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

I just want to point out, if you ask a question, your gonna get answers. Some you may like, some you won't. But you asked. That being said...I don't think NC was honestly being rude or nasty. Just giving her opinion, and looking out for the rest of us in the online community. What ever you decided to do about the Alcohol I wish you luck. We're all different and unique individual's. What works for one, may not work for another. I love beer, used to be a big beer drinker. But my surgeon is big on the carbonated beverages not fitting into the Lapband lifestyle, so I've crossed it off my list 5 months ago. I do love me some wine though and I look forward to drinking responsibly in the future, but not a concern anytime soon. Surgery is Aug 15th...happy Bandday to me:) Good luck to you!!!! And have fun regardless!

Impossible! All alcohol turns into straight sugar as soon as you drink it! To keep sugar as low as possible, drink it straight on the rocks! After bypass the alcohol goes straight to the blood, so be cautious as you really cant drink as much as before. The ratio is 3 to 1, for every 2 oz of Alcohol u consume ( 2oz is standard measure for a shot and for the other drinks) , your body gets the affect of 3 -2oz shots..... So be careful. Suggestion, crystal light has mix drink flavors, take some with you and ask bartender to make your drinks with it instead of the syrups they normall use, u can also ask for half the alcohol. Or, just have then give u just crystal light but in a mix drink looking presentation so everyone has the impression you are drinking right a long with them. That's what I do...I still have just as much fun and so far every bartender I've asked has no problem doing it, especially cause I tip as if it's n alcohol drink !

Hello Sleevers or Pre-Sleevers: I started my liquid diet on Monday, August 6th, 2012. I am NOT gonna lie, the night before, I treated myself to some barbecue ribs. Since I couldnt eat them all Sunday evening, I called myself putting them in the freezer to keep them out of harms way. I didnt make it. Monday night, I was consuming those ribs like a wolf who hadnt eaten in weeks!! LOL I used the excuse that I really could not go to sleep with that tremendous hunger and headache I was suffering from as a result of withdrawal from food, so I had to eat the ribs. However, to be successful with this permanent life change, I really need to stick with this liquid program and beyond. Therefore, Tuesday forward, I have been on POINT!!! . I have to be honest though, the first three days are killah days. I really thought I was gonna lose it. Especially at night, that is my weakest time of the day. I was always in the mindset of treating myself to a good, fast and tasty dinner after working all day...regardless of the calories, fat grams or whatever. I would start getting excited about dinner at 3pm in the afternoon!! LOL Ironically, tonight when I was coming home from my Cardiologist appointment, I felt like celebrating because I was cleared for surgery and my heart is healthy and deemed very low risk. Out of habit I asked myself, "Girl, what's for dinner?" Then I realized dinner is nothing but Protein Shakes, Sugar Free Popsicles and Sugar-Free Jello. I actually felt sorry for myself. That's no way to celebrate! TRUE celebration includes feast and alcohol....PERIOD!! Then I checked my attitude and realized that I am on this journey for a reason...various reasons and it is do or die at this point. So I snapped out of that funk and stopped feeling sorry for myself! I looked at the big picture and became excited and positive again. One thing I could celebrate was the fact that my acid reflux has been under control since I began this liquid diet!! I had to look at the positive results already to squash the negative thoughts. The mood swings have been pretty bearable until yesterday, when I thought I was going to lose it at work. A co-worker suggested I reschedule a meeting, (which had already been rescheduled multiple times in the last couple of months), to meet a deadline for a task which I was told was completed weeks ago. The sense of urgency came out of nowhere regarding this task and it angered me. How dare someone disrupt my workflow, my schedule, because they need THEIR task completed, which was supposed to be done anyway? I used a tone with my co-worker I had not utilized in a while. Why? I was hungry; weak and exhausted. LOL He got the point and left me alone. He let me act crazy and unprofessional by myself. His calm demeanor helped me check myself faster. I still made them wait and conducted my meeting, I just shortened my meeting. LOL Today really was not so bad with the hunger. It seems to be true that the lquid diet gets better after the first three days. The point is, you MUST get through those initial days to come out on top! I wish you all success with your pre-op liquid diets. GOD BLESS!!

Here is a snippet of an article that discusses a bit about the dangers for RNY patients and below it is the link so you can read more if you are interested. The article by Bariatric Times is very informative. ALCOHOL METABOLISM AND TOXICITY In the non-surgical patient, 60 to 90 percent of alcohol that enters the body is metabolized in the liver by the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) pathway. ADH is maximally activated by small amounts of alcohol but activity along the pathway can be reduced by an accumulation of end-products (i.e., NADH, acetaldehyde). Fasting and low calorie intake—such as occurs in the early postoperative period—as well as defects in hepatic mitochondrial function with obesity, per se, may reduce the metabolism of products of the ADH pathway, decreasing hepatic clearance of alcohol.[8-10] Furthermore, activities along the ADH pathway may be impaired by steatosis or fatty liver disease,[11] conditions that are relatively common among individuals with morbid obesity. The gastric bypass patient, therefore, may not only have higher rates of alcohol absorption, but at least in the early postoperative period, possible defects in alcohol clearance as well. Metabolic changes that occur with massive and rapid weight loss may also affect the amount of alcohol cleared by the liver via the microsomal ethanol metabolizing system (P4502E1).[9,10,12] Activities along this pathway are increased in association with obesity[12-14] and are induced both by alcohol intake, free fatty acids and, possibly, ketone bodies.[12] Alcohol metabolism by the microsomal ethanol metabolizing system substantially increases the risk for liver damage, while at the same time making an individual more sensitive to the toxic and cancer-promoting effects of pollutants in the air, industrial solvents (such as those in household cleaners), and certain drugs, including acetaminophen.[9,10,12] Alcohol use may cause hypoglycemia and, through reduction in the supply of glucose to neural tissue, cause possible neuromuscular and cognitive dysfunction, loss of consciousness, or even death.[15,16] To maintain appropriate glucose levels, the body stores sugar in the form of glycogen. Glycogen stores, however, can be depleted in a short period of time with fasting or a diet low in carbohydrates. Furthermore, alcohol reduces the process, glycogenesis, that allows sugar to be stored as glycogen.[15] The bariatric patient, particularly in the rapid weight loss period and if on a carbohydrate-restricted diet, may have low amounts of glycogen. Drinking alcohol could deplete glycogen stores and reduce glucose homeostasis. The body, however, has another mechanism to maintain appropriate glycemic status, gluconeogenesis, the chemical pathway that converts certain components of Protein, lactic acid, and other substances into glucose. Unfortunately, alcohol also reduces the production of glucose by this process.[9,10,15] A decline in blood glucose usually increases the production of glucagon and certain hormones of the autonomic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to restore blood glucose levels to normal by stimulating glycogenolysis or gluconeogenesis.[16,17] However, when someone drinks alcohol, the response of these hormones to a fall in blood sugar is blunted. To make matters worse, counterregulatory hormone responses to low blood sugar are also blunted or depressed in postoperative bariatric patients.[18] The bariatric patient when using alcohol may have a higher risk of becoming hypoglycemic than someone who has not had the surgery, particularly in the early postoperative period when calorie intake is substantially reduced and glycogen stores are likely to be low.[19] Since neural tissue requires glucose for fuel, low blood levels could adversely affect neuromuscular and cognitive functions, causing a loss of coordination and balance, slurred speech, poor vision, and confusion.[16,17] These are all conditions that mimic those associated with intoxication. The patient described in the introduction who appeared extremely intoxicated even though she had not consumed a large amount of alcohol may have been hypoglycemic. Hypoglycemia could also have possibly accounted for the loss of coordination and balance that some of our surveyed patients claim they experienced hours after drinking alcohol. The use of alcohol after surgery may cause irreversible brain and nerve damage, coma, and possible death by inhibiting the absorption of important Vitamins, including B-complex vitamins, such as thiamin (B1) or Vitamin B12. Alcohol inhibits the absorption of thiamin and other B-complex vitamins, reduces activation of certain vitamins, and stimulates the breakdown of Vitamin A, pyridoxine, and folate.[9,10] These vitamins may already be deficient in bariatric patients because of nutrient restriction, malabsorption, or impartial digestion of foods produced by the respective surgery.20 Alcohol use, then, could compound the negative effects that bariatric surgery has on vitamin/mineral status and increase the risk for associated health problems, including neuropathy, an irreversible loss of various cognitive functions, defects in metabolism, a decrease in the body’s ability to heal, low immunity, and fatigue.[20,21] Alcohol has numerous other toxic effects in the body. Not only does alcohol cause liver disease, but it also negatively affects other tissues.[1,8-12,22] Alcohol’s influence on the heart includes myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, arrythmias, and increased risk for sudden death. Skeletal muscle is particularly susceptible to alcohol toxicity with loss of muscle mass and strength. Alcohol causes inflammation of the intestinal tract, gastritis, pancreatitis, acid reflux disease, and increased risk for gastric and esophageal cancers. Alcohol also causes damage—often irreversible—to neural tissue. Link: http://bariatrictimes.com/2006/10/22/alcohol-and-the-gastric-bypass-patient/ Here is to being as educated as possible about our new bodies.

No pressure here! LOL OK, first let's make sure everyone understands that I am not a doctor, I do not have any medical training of any kind, and I do not work in the medical field. I'm just a plain old mere mortal that has done a fair amount of research into rny. So now that we have that clear... The question is - does gastric bypass increase the chances of death from liver failure? After several hours of research, I have not found anything even resembling a definitive answer to that question. I have looked at Mayo Clinic, the National Institute of Health, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Harvard School of Public Health, WebMD, and several others. Here's what I've found so far: None of the sources have listed death from liver failure as a known risk associated with gastric bypass. That does not mean that it doesn't happen. But it could be interpreted as an indication that the rate of occurence is either rare or, a link between gastric bypass and liver failure has not been identified. The existence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH) in folks of all ages including adolescents suffering from morbid obesity is well documented. The National Institute of Health reports a study done to determine if the presence of the disease increases complications following laparascopic gastric bypass. Their conclusion: "Despite the high prevalence of NASH among morbidly obese surgical patients, this condition was not associated with increased risk for postoperative complications." http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/21948267. Additional information on NASH can be found at http://www.digestive...ases/pubs/nash/. A study done in 2006 found that "The gastric bypass patient, therefore, may not only have higher rates of alcohol absorption, but at least in the early postoperative period, possible defects in alcohol clearance as well." The same study went on to say "Metabolic changes that occur with massive and rapid weight loss may also affect the amount of alcohol cleared by the liver via the microsomal ethanol metabolizing system. Alcohol metabolism by the microsomal ethanol metabolizing system substantially increases the risk for liver damage..." Several other sources emphasize avoiding alcohol entirely for at least six months, often referred to as the "rapid weight loss period", following gastric bypass. I know that my surgeon said absolutely no alcohol for six months following the surgery. Is it possible that the death mentioned by odiemom was a case where there was substantial and undiagnosed liver damage prior to the bypass? Maybe. Could additional damage have resulted from alcohol consumption following the gastric bypass which resulted in death. Possibly. The question is a good one and thumbs up to odiemom for bringing it to our attention. Unfortunately there does not appear to be a definitive, scientific answer - so far. I for one intend to ask my surgeon the question and I hope that others on the forum will do the same and post the information they receive from their doctors.

A lot really depends on the surgeon that you have. I know a lot of people complain of gas pains, however I had ZERO gas pains after surgery. My surgeon assured me up front that he works very had to get all of the excess gas that they pump in you out before he's done. He also put a drain in for 24 hours which was supposed to help and I felt great. Immediatly after I woke up in recovery I felt nauseous. The nurse was quick to help me out. she gave me some meds for nausua but first she put an alcohol swab on my nose... she said that it would help the nausea and amazing enough... it did. Who knew. I tried it a couple times at home when I had some nausea and it helped then too. I was on a morpine pump for the first day and was allowed to press the button every 10 minutes if I wanted to but to my suprise I probably only used it once an hour. Again, I think that had a lot to do with the surgeon and how good he was. The worst pain that I felt was when I first tried to get out of bed to walk... WOW... It was like my stomach was ripping open. My weight on the incisions really hurt, but I pushed though and it seemed that every time I got up to walk was a little better. I really didn't notice any internal pain until day 3 when my sleeve started "cramping" when I tried to eat or drink or really just about any time it wanted to. I was told that it was normal and would go away... and it did. Day 4 was better and by the middle of week 2 the cramping was all gone. Every day was better and better with the incision pain and I would say that they felt completely better by the end of week 2 post op. Hope this helps, feel free to ask me anything. Gene

It may be that they are concerned about transfer addiction. When you stop being able to turn to food you start looking for something else, and if you have drank in the past it could be alcohol, could also be shopping, hopefully it will be nothing! But they want you to understand addiction a little better in any case.

BTW I am not trying to lecture anyone or to tell them not to drink. Just to let you know that as an RNY patient you will not handle alcohol the same as before and it can be more dangerous and serious for you to drink. Just wanted to suggest that you do a bit of research prior to drinking to ensure your health and safety. Ok I was just a afraid I came off as if I was lecturing LOL.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most likely with your first fill you won't feel any restriction. Maybe for the first few days....but most times it takes multiple fills before you feel restriction. The fill itself has always been quick and painless for my. My surgeon places every port in the same place so there's really no "finding" for him. He has me lay on my back on the exam table, he draws up the Fluid into the syringe to fill my band with, then wipes the port area with alcohol. He gives it a minute to dry then has me get into a "crunch" position so the port is easy to access. He pokes into the port through my skin, adds a small bit of fluid then draws it back confirming he's in the port (if he's not, he told me no fluid would come back), then once confirmed he injects the rest. I have to wait 5 minutes post-fill in the office and drink a cup of Water. If it all sets well, then I'm good to go. liquids for 24 hours, Mushies for 24 hours, then back to normal. I've had two fills, have 4.5 cc in my 11 cc band and still don't feel any restriction. I go in for another fill Monday.

Can you go online and look at the nutritional stats for the drinks etc? I don't drink at all and honestly all that I have heard and the dangers of drinking with RNY if i did I would stay away from it as far as I could. You might want to research the dangers of drinking alcohol and death and serious issue for rny patients. Liver damage issues and death being serious consequences. (my friend's aunt died from liver damage due to drinking after rny and it was just wine a few times a week, not sure how much that is but does not seem like she was a drunk) On line they talk about how doctors just seem to ignore it and do not educate their patients, so if we are trying to be healthy we should at least research and educate ourselves if our doctors are not going to do it. Maybe someone has some solid info (betting DLCoggins does) to share? I just thought we should be aware and make educated decisions about our bodies and health. I would post the info I found I just don't have the info with me where I am currently.

My grandfather used to make liquor and the bulk of any alcohol is sugar. Not a professional but is drinking alcohol customary? I have a friend that goes out sometimes and drinks ice Water but tells people its vodka if they ask to keep the peer pressure down...lol Sent from my Nexus S 4G using RNYTalk

I really like the MIO idea... Can't stand Vodka but bet it would work with Bacardi. There is a liquor store around the corner and I'm hoping I can find "skinny girl" (as seen on TV lol)... I've heard they are low in sugar. Anyone ever tried them? I never realized alcoholic beverages don't have to have calorie, sugar, ect listed.

Alcohol I drink in the summer & that's only if we go out so like every 6 months. Piña colada with rum. Vodka with cranberry juice sounds good. Also it's not soda which has a lot of sugar.