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Sorry, I wouldn't do it, it is too soon. My doc recommends a full year before having alcohol. Plus, at three weeks out, I wasn't feeling even close to normal. I would pass.

I would stay away from carbonation especially that soon out. It will probably hurt. I had a couple sips of alcohol 4 weeks out and it burned. It was very uncomfortable. Your stomach is still healing so be careful! I would personally stick to nonalcoholic for now and no carbonation.

I was told to wait until six months post-op for alcohol in any form. I think I had a drink at 4 months out. If you're not back on solid food, I certainly wouldn't put any alcohol in the sleeve. Your staple line isn't completely healed and you might actually end up with pain or burning from the drink.

As AAAJJJ said, no worries about it - it's easy to mis-read some well-intentioned text sometimes. Or to write something and have it not come across the way you intend... Text can be tricky that way. Especially if you get in rant mode and people don't realise (I definitely support ranting, but I have had a friend once claim I was angry at THEM when I was just wanting to talk about how annoying something else was for a while. Go figure.) I thought that might have been why they made you wait. They had him on tv and everything - I know it's case by case basis (I didn't go nuts with alcohol when I was 18 and I remember you telling me you wouldn't when they had us emailing each other back then) but I suppose there's no way to prove you WON'T do something like that until after the fact, if that makes sense? I got the feeling that they were being a bit wary with me being on the young side and I'd just turned 20. That's what made me think of the teaching and some med scholarships (radiography at least) though. It's like you get the help because it's something that's needed (or will be a benefit to more people down the line, or whatever), but if you skip out on your bond early (ie don't follow the rules) then you need to pay it all back. Of course I think I'd still keep the requirements for getting it done publicly super strict anyway, but either way. I think too many people still consider it an easy way out and if people who think that way get it done publicly it'll take it away from people who would do better with it, so you'd still have to be careful. And because this is super exciting for me, I just got back from my Saturday running training group and I just had my first pain free run since October last year! Yay! Left knee is finally quitting complaining and letting me run (carefully/slower than normal) again without limping!

Checking in, day 5. Woke up another pound lighter this morning! 138 lbs. The size 4 capris that were kind of tight last time I tried them on in the fall before hell froze over are loose. I had a weird experience this evening, I went out to this lounge alone to have some of their steak tartare and beef carpaccio, which are both very good for this diet, and also ordered a glass of wine since wine is allowed in moderation. Some dude joined me, even though I was reading a book and not exactly broadcasting a need to converse with anyone - bought me THREE rounds of shots, without asking me - I felt compelled to drink them all. I flashed my engagement ring more than a few times, and then after he said he wanted to take me to the casino, I just plain told him I was married, but he said he was not after anything. Then he made all kinds of bizarre comments to me, like he was going to install some sort of home theater in my condo for me for free, then he insisted I meet his girlfriend of 9 years - called her from work and made her come by to meet me - etc, etc. Anyway, it was all very weird and then they drove me home (WTF?). Bottom line, I had 3 shots of sambucca on top of my regular glass of wine - I don't think I've had more than 2 alcoholic drinks in one sitting since I was a sophomore in college! Got home wasted, then ate a bunch of marzipan. So I had a bit of a totally random cheat this evening. Otherwise, things are going well. I didn't eat any other junk, of which I have lots in the house. Packed a good variety of primal-approved meals for tomorrow's 26-hr call shift.

Regarding the liquor - I think they meant hard alcohol like vodka, but sometimes a couple of sips of wine helps. Small sips though; as mentioned from the "exploder", too much liquid just comes back up (and UG that doesn't sound fun what you did!!). You can get the papaya enzyme at health stores like GNC and I've also found them at Bulk Barn (in Canada). Swiss Formula makes one.

Gayla, I think most docs do know what they are doing but it appears you got one that didn't. I have a friend who got LBS and her surgeon put it on wrong and shortly afterwards lost his medical license over his alcoholism. He moved to Florida I hear. She had to have her band removed. There are some bad ones out there that's for sure. And I do agree that surgeons may embelish results or screen the % of results. My only advice for you is to somehow try to find the enthusiasm you once had for the band and try to find those positive thoughts that have been crushed by a bad doctor. Can't blame you for being pissed but the band won't work for you till you can find the silver lining in the crap you've been dealt. tmf

...Alcohol is a liquid right? just kidding!! Find stuff to keep busy and keep your mind off food. A big step (most of us atleast) is getting past our "mental" hunger. Read a book, go for a walk, see a movie, shop for makeup or indulge in a message, etc!

I hear you girl !!! Every celebration there is always alcohol involved with my friends and family . This weekend my friend is having a house warming BBQ tomorrow evening of course with alcohol and next weekend my family and I are going out of town cause my little sister is graduating from college so I'm sure we will celebrate after with dinner and drinks . So I'm thinking to just have one drink at each event surely it won't be too bad. :-/ I went to church this past Sunday and went to communion and without thinking about it I accidentally took a pretty good sized drink of the wine it went down smooth but I did get a lil buzz a minute there in church but it didn't last too long haha !!!

Another interesting thing they had me do in the surgery center for nausea was to smell rubbing alcohol prep pads. I had never heard of it before, but it worked. So even at home if I felt it coming on I could smell the alcohol and it calmed my stomach. Hopefully you are feeling better today!

I have a problem. It's not a big problem. Some may say it's not a problem at all. However, I feel as though I have begun to let this little thing begin to take control of my life and I do not like it. What pray tell am I talking about? Is it pills? Illegal drugs? Alcohol? The scale (again)? Nope, it's none of those things. It's the one ounce cups they gave me at the hospital. You know what I'm talking about. Those cute little plastic cups that are so clearly marked with 1/2 and 1 ounce for liquids. Yes, those are the ones. I can't seem to drink anything with out using them. I even keep a running total of the number of 1ounce cups I have consumed on a nearby piece of paper. I don't understand why I can't look at a glass or a cup and figure out how much I've had to drink. I know it's not that hard to do but for some reason, I have become reliant on my little one ounce cups. I've even included a photo of my obsession. I don't need them when I am out and about. I can look at a 20 ounce bottle and figure out how much I've had from it. Same thing with my 14ounce Lean Shakes. But for some reason, when I come home and put my liquids in a regular glass or cup, I lose all ability to do simple math and I NEED my handy little cup. My husband is getting sick of my little cup obsession. He has even asked when I will be done using them. I had to be honest and tell him that I wasn't sure. I need to be careful with what i say to him or he's likely to go hid my little cups with my scale and only allow me to use them once every week. Actually, that may be a good thing. For the record, I felt very thin this morning but was unable to check my progress due to not knowing where my scale is. This is getting old VERY fast. LOL So, I have found my new crutch to hold on to for now. My little cups. I have thought about why I need them only at home, and I think I've figured it out. I have to keep a food log for the first two months after surgery (this includes liquids). I am not sure how many of you have to do this as well, but for the record it's a pain in my ever shrinking butt. Before I eat or drink anything, I have to put down the start time, what it is, and then when I am done, I have to fill in out much I've had and the end time. I can't just go get my mush for dinner and sit down and enjoy it. I have to go through all this documenting and by the time I get to sit down and try to enjoy my mush, it's not hot anymore. All I want is hot mush. It's bad enough I am having mush to begin with, can't it at least be mush to my liking? I am sure you are all aware that mush isn't that good anyway so to have to take the extra few seconds to fill out this form which in turn makes it lukewarm, only adds to my hatred or my food log. I don't get much to eat, let me enjoy what I do get. Ok, my rant about my food log is done for now. I am sure it will come up in future blog posts. So, back to my little cups. I know I have to give them up soon. I know there is no real need for me to hold on to them. I wonder if deep down I'm worried about taking in too much liquid even though I know my body will "let me know" if I do. Or it could be that I'm worried I won't get enough liquids in even though I know that's not possible with the amount I drink. So, I am going to make a pack. I am not going to use my cup after I finish with my current crystal lite drink. Just saying that has struck fear in my heart. My inner voice is even laughing me right now. "Come on Trish, you can do this. You drank just fine without these little cups before surgery and you can do it again. So, wish me luck and let me know if you are still using the little one ouncers as well. If so, maybe we can stop together. The good thing to remember is that relapse is part of recover. So if I slip up and use it again, I can just consider myself one step closer to recovering. *side note, I was a Drug and Alcohol counselor for years...not sure how good I was after reading my last few statements* Anyway, here I go, drink is finished and the little cup is going bye-bye. I promised myself I wouldn't cry, but now I'm not so sure. As I place the cup in my recycle bin, I can feel the emotions welling up inside. The only thing that is helping me through this (and helping me not take it out of the trash) is the knowledge that I still have a whole stake of one ounce cups in the cabinet. You know, just in case I need them.

I had to do a survey first. There were like 200 short statements that I have to rate on a 1-5 scale and a lot of the the statements were the same but worded differently. Like: "On a scale o 1 -5 do you feel like you have a support system in place?" Then later I'd read: "On a scale of 1-5 are you lacking support?" The Doc said they don't do that to trip you up but to see if you can read and comprehend. We are expected to be educated about this journey and we have to sign A LOT of forms for consent, etc. He said that for patients where the scores come back funky, he recommends additional "classes" to help educate them that may take an additional 3 months to 1 year. Also, like Lissa said, there were a TON of questions about drugs and alcohol and he said, seriously, NOT interested in ancient history. You'll be fine!! Have fun!

I'm not sure how I would feel about this, but I was also told you could take a shot of hard liquor. I know when I drink alcohol it relaxes the band somewhat. I've never tried a shot when stuck though.

It shouldn't be too big a deal. Don't tell them about your ancient history.. if you're 40 and you tried pot in college, you can leave that out. LOL My psyche consult told me I would be an alcoholic after surgery. She was wrong. Just stay calm and it will be okay. They're trying to weed out the people who won't be able to handle the changes to their psyche from losing weight. You're "normal", right?

Don't beat yourself up. Tomorrow is a new day. In my experience, alcohol allows me to eat anything and everything regardless if restriction. I have to be careful when I decide to drink. So occasionally we have to give ourselves a break. :-)

I tried some wine 4 weeks out and it burned, did not feel good. Waited and tried again 9 weeks out and was fine then. You feel the alcohol much faster, so be careful and sip slow.

Today I start my 7 day of living hell 1000 calorie diet... I'm dreading carb n sugar withdrawal! My plan is to take lots of sleeping pills this week so I'm not in my way or others way! Surgery is next Wednesday at 1345, WTF.... I have to wait u til mid day! Torture! And this doc makes u stay over night.. This doubly sucks! Hospitals are for sick people, I'm not sick I'm fat! I'm angry that I got this big again that I failed again! I'm angry that I have to redefine my relationship with food! I'm 39 no kids in a LTR we eat out a lot I go out with my girls a lot how do I be social? I loce wine, enjoy all elements of wine culture, hw do maintain that? fYI not an alcoholic I go weeks without wine but but I occasionly enjoy a robust glass of red! Grrrr so many things going through my mind can't sleep my anxiety is at 10+ can't wait til next Thursday when I'm home recovering so I can go back to work on Monday. Do you think it's ok to refuse morphine and other pain meds. I found out that I will leave the ER with morphine drip, but what I hear all of u say the pain is not that bad! I hatebeing180lbs! Can't wait to get my life back!

Hi thanks for your comments, what about alcohol does the sleeve tolerate this?

I'm 7 weeks out now and wanted to know when can you introduce alcohol into your lifestyle. Sometimes socially theres pressure to have a drink or 2 and i'm not sure if it's too soon for me to drink yet.

IMO alcohol or marijuana doesn't effect you any differently after surgery.

*typed as I sip my starbucks... Through a straw* I *think* the main reason they say no straws is because typically we use straws when drinking sodas and milkshakes and alcohol and.. and... you get the point. Sure there's a chance that it could cause you to take in extra air, but the amount would be so miniscule that it likely wouldn't bother you too terribly much. I think it's more just the fact that straws are associated with stuff on the no no list.

I travel a lot and find myself in a lot business situations like that. I'll order something, actually anything I might like, and eat a little of it and keep up on conversations, etc. Before long, the meal is over and I've got a plate of food left. Any questions and I just say that I got caught up in the conversations, wasn't really hungry, etc. They all work. Drinks are always the biggest issue because I eliminated almost all alcohol during my loss period. I'd order club soda or juice and just keep away from the empty calories. If the business situation called for it, I might have a glass of wine but probably nothing else.

@ Scentcy Girl-- Thank you!! I dont always work out in the gym, but I do get alot of activity in. I bought a house and have been remodeling the interior myself. I work on it almost everyday and seem to burn alot of calories. We also take care of and are adopting 2 boys that keep me active. Since the weight seemed to be flying off.. I dont do alot of cardio stuff. I really am just trying to rebuild and maintain muscle and get alot of protein in and lift weights. It seems like I reached my goal quickly, but I do not drink any sugar drinks or carbonation. If I drink alcohol I drink vodka and sugar free redbull. I eat almost anything I want but the difference is that I eat a small sample bite literally, and I am satisfied. I feel wonderful and have no regrets about this. I feel like I gave myself 20 more years of life!!

It is always good to lose some weight prior to surgery but I sometimes think that surgeons are a bit unrealistic when they require you to lose up to 20 pounds before WLS. Most of us are food addicts in the first place which is why we are seeking the surgery to begin with and I think that should be taken into consideration. We would never expect an alcoholic to go without a drink for 3 or 4 weeks before being allowed to go to rehab so why would a surgeon require so much weight to be lost? I understand that the liver needs to be shrunk just prior to surgery but that could easily be accomplished with the loss of 5 to 10 pounds in the last 2 weeks prior to surgery. Requiring so much to be lost causes those of us with food issues to go into panic mode and begin bingeing and results in weight gains not losses. In my opinion if you don't think this is something you will be able to handle in a healthy way I would advise searching out another surgeon who's requirements are a bit more reasonable and that will allow you to lose a minimal amount of weight without causing you so much stress that you end up gaining. Oh, and for the record I was only required to lose a few pounds the last week before surgery which I did and my surgeoun said my liver looked perfect because of it. I did a diet of liquids for breakfast and lunch with string cheese and cottage cheese for snacks and for dinner I had a low carb meal of a meat, veggie, and salad.

Hi dear, it is hard to find that perfect fill volume once you do that it becomes better...its taken me 5 years to find that... but I know others are luckier they have lost all their excess weight in less than a year. In past 10 days I have lost 5 pounds. things I am doing differently now are, 1- No water 30 mins before or after meals. NO WATER OR ANY LIQUID WITH THE MEAL. 2- alcohol consumption stopped. i will have it only on special occasions now. 3-I walk everyday for 30 mins. Try this. See if it helps. Keep us posted.