Search the Community

There has been other post on the forum about this. It's addiction transfer. Alcohol replaces the old carbs/sugars you once gave your body through food. You can try breaking the habit alone ( go to high liquid Protein diet, like the pre-op or post op ones) or make an appt to see the surgeon for advice. Be honest with the surgeon. I'm sure you're not the first one to tell them this. Good luck.

My opinion. I got my surgery Jan 14th. if I had to wait another 7 months, I WOULD DIE- LOL! I think you will enjoy your 21st birthday even more being skinny. And - what are your surgeons instructions on alcohol? I was told 6 months by mine, but every surgeon is different.

Honestly, you have to ask your team. And, is it worth to get drunk one night, to delay your surgery? That's all your birthday is, 1 night. I think I have been on the cruise you are going to take, and believe me, you could have bought an entire new wardrobe for your new body on the money you will end up spending on alcohol. But, that's just my opinion.

If I have calculated correctly I am in my 11th week post op. Gosh, it feels a lot longer than 11 weeks. I feel great! I don't miss my old life of over-eating. I do love that I eat regular food now. Nice to fit in the healthy foods rather than all that Protein drink, yogurt, mashing everything up and such. My body feels so much better and is operating as it should (no need to go into detail with that---plumbing is finally working well with no help). I am down 43 pounds, that was last week. My hair is still healthy. Taking all my Vitamins everyday religiously. People are now noticing. I really don't like the attention. There are three people at work that know what I did. Everyone that asks, "what are you doing?" I tell them the truth, "eating healthy, portion control, no alcohol, no chocolate and getting my walks in". I don't feel the need to spill my story. It is my own personal journey. I still continue to eat my tiny portion way too fast. I am pretty much done in a few minutes. Seriously, how in the world does one make a few tablespoons last 30 minutes??! After I finish I have gotten into the habit of setting my timer for 30 minutes, when I can drink. It is all working for me. I am determined. Yes, I get to that crummy part of the scale when it decides not to move for a week or so. I have learned not to let it bother me. I understand what is going on, so I just don't worry about it. Saw my doctor a few weeks ago. I am scheduled to see him again in four months. Since he is far away he was willing to Skype my visit, but I didn't want to. I want to see him, I want to stay on the band wagon. I feel if I keep visits every four months or so for awhile I will stay on course. I am sure most of us have that fear of regaining. I don't want to ever go there. I have no regrets. I love the journey I am on.

At one week post op every doctor will say no way!!! Your stomach is healing and alcohol very harsh to your GI track. Most patients will agree with no alcohol this soon out. As far as no alcohol forever that rule is so different among doctors. Mine allowed it later on.

@@bini120 Have a wonderful time! Does your husband have a single brother? ????. Alcohol can cause bleeding this early out so you'd best not have any. :-(

also, which fake sugars are sending you to the toilet? Sugar alcohols can have a laxative effect (bad for anyone having more than a few diet lollies or chewing gum), so you may be becoming more sensitive to those. I think I read somewhere that people suffering with irritable bowel couldn't tolerate sugar alcohols. Aspartame always caused headaches for me, and 10-15 years ago was about the only sweetener used in diet anything. Most protein powders and drinks still seem to be sweetened with aspartame. I am more sensitive to the taste of sweet things already as have avoided more sweet things since starting sleeve planning in February. I've adapted to using some powdered stevia+xylitol sweetener in my coffee and iced fruit tea with my protein water. I seem to tolerate splenda sweetened stuff so far too. Could the sweet TASTE be triggering a form of dumping for you? Or dairy or other ingredients in the artificially sweetened stuff? It's crazy how things can suddenly change 3 months out! My husband got the runs last week from drinking a small amount of aspartame-sweetened diet schweppes lemonade and never usually has any artificially sweetened stuff. He has the runs again today.. guess what he went and drank again last night even after knowing it likely caused the runs last week? I made him tip the rest out today lol. I'm making him protein water to take to work now, with bodie'z unflavored protein water powder, a brewed non-caffeinated fruit tea (his favorite is ginger and lemon) sweetened with sugar or honey and chilled before mixing. If you are adapting to prefer things not being sweet at all that could be a really good thing for long term maintenance at least?

Doctors seem to vary on strictness. Mine allows alcohol and caffeine after one year. I LOVE bubbles in drinks. I will miss that the most of anything. My Doc did warn me that some people can never have carbonated drinks again because it causes pain and others find it is no problem. But it is best to follow your Doc's advice... well at least for a year.. LOL Khy

Alcohol is recommended against simply because of the empty calories. I seem to be able to stand spicier food now than I used to (maybe because I'm pickier about quality??). Pardon the pun, but go with your gut!

alcohol swabs (like those sold at walmart for $2 in the pharmacy/diabetes section) will take take off permanent marker, just don't do it on open wounds. If you accidentally do, you will see/feel why...

I would definitely check with your surgeon before consuming alcohol. I realize it's before your pre-op diet, however, the entire point of the pre-op diet is to reduce the size of your liver as much as possible to give the surgeon easy access to the area he or she needs to work within. Alcohol effects the liver directly, and could certainly have an impact on your success during the pre-op phase. Nothing would be worse than going in for your op and having the doc close you back up because your liver was too large to proceed. Obviously that's worst-case, but probably not worth the risk tbh... Even with your doctor saying it's ok, I *personally* would probably opt against it just for the fact that alcohol directly impacts the organ in which the entire pre-op diet is geared to address. Obviously you spoke with your doc and they are fine with it so the choice is up to you....best of luck!

No alcohol. Sorry. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was told nothing with alcohol Sent from my 5054N using the BariatricPal App

As far as I know, other than a full blood count and liver function tests.. there's no way in knowing if you have a fatty liver.. it's really about your diet. If you know you eat a lot of fatty foods and drink a lot of alcohol then it's very likely you have a fatty liver. The pre op diet is just to eliminate the chance of it as it makes the surgery more difficult if you have a fatty, brittle or enlarged liver. When I had my surgery, my surgeon told me my liver wasn't fatty but enlarged which made it difficult to move out of the way to get to my stomach he actually nicked it because it was that big. My surgeon didn't mind if I did the pre op or not as he's very experienced but I definitely cut down on the bad food and stuck to salad and shakes 2 weeks before the operation, the last thing you want is to be woken up from being out only to be told they couldn't do the surgery.

Well, except the difference is that your body does have "leaks" in that you can burp and gas can also be absorbed. Still good to stay away from soda if you can, either too much sugar or too much artificial sweetener. Just like bread, chicken, Pasta, caffeine, alcohol, etc, carbonation is OK for some and unpleasant for others. Some docs tell you to avoid these things and some don't. I drink beer most weekends and never had any issue with it, my doc says no problem as long as I understand those are calories. My opinion is to always follow the advice of the guy you will turn to if you have a problem.

To each their own... I enjoy my glass of wine and I'm sure you have something that you enjoy. As we've learned, moderation is the key. You could say the same thing for a bunch of the foods that we've eaten that made us fat. Alcohol is a choice and I choose to drink it in moderation.

Hello! I'm new to the community and wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I had my WLS consultation yesterday, and have decided to pursue the gastric sleeve. I am fortunate that I have already gotten insurance approval, and upon completion of all of my pre-op tests/obligations, should be able to schedule surgery for sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. I've struggled with my weight my whole life, and am ready to get a handle on it. I'm a married mom of 2 young girls, and it is so important to me that they see me as a role model for a healthy lifestyle. Now is the time for me to get this under control. I'm anxious, but very excited about what my future holds. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all, and finding support here! Some questions I've thought of--if any of you have an insight, I'd love to hear it: -My FIL had gastric bypass several years back, and ended up with quite an alcohol problem afterwards (he is now going to AA and doing much better). This is one of my husband's main concerns for me about getting surgery--trading one addiction for another. I'm not a big drinker, so I don't see alcohol as being problematic--in fact, I plan to give it up entirely for the forseeable future, but perhaps shopping, or something else that could replace food in my life, is his concern. -I'd like to try and keep my surgery journey private for the time being. I'm worried about how to respond when people start noticing my weight. I have some ideas, but feel like I'll crack and tell people, then wish I hadn't. -I'm a straw drinker. I guzzle drinks quickly and am going to have to learn to sip. But I'll admit that I'm already in mourning over the loss of my straw. Is this forever? -I'm a Diet Coke addict. I look forward to breaking free of the hold it has over me (man, that sounds absurd--but it is true!) But I'll admit I'm mourning idea of that loss too. I'd like to think maybe someday I could have one occasionally (my surgeon seemed ok with moderate amounts of carbonated beverages after 6 mo out). But maybe it's time to cut the cord permanently. -I am afraid of the hair loss. My surgeon said its pretty inevitable, but should be temporary. My hair's pretty fine & thin anyway, so it concerns me. I'm hoping I'm able to keep it a minimum. Ok, I'm just rambling now. Thanks for taking the time to read this! I look forward to getting to know you all!

I was on track through the holidays, meaning, I always did Protein forward, no alcohol and maintained my exercise routine. I did indulge in sweets that I baked, which I never do. Since the holidays are over, no more baking, so that won't be an issue. I also added back in a 4th meal for. the day. I had cut back to three thinking I didn't need the fourth (my hunger hasn't returned). Then I noticed I was filling that space with candy, so I went back to my protein friendly Snacks, better it be that them sugar calories.

I went to Johnell, he's amazing. I am on depression meds for other reasons and its not an issue. They are, more than anything, looking for alcoholism ... it's bad to be an alcoholic and do this and Johnell is so thorough he doesn't want anyone in his office that will not succeed on the program and I love that about him. I'm in Broomfield! :party:

It was an encouraging thing to hear a message from my paster about his own personal weight and gluttony struggles. The message centered around 'do you want to be made whole' the example of many given when we go to the ER or hospital outside there are those with an IV pole, smoking with an oxygen mask. The obvious is they want healing but not wholeness. He was convicted by God about his weight when various health issues came crashing down on him. He elected to have a gastric bypass done a year ago. None but a few in the congregation knew. As Jesus said to the man at the pool, 'do you want to be made whole' who'd been sitting there for 38 years. He took up his mat and walked, was made whole. It takes courage to come forward and admit to this, I struggle myself with gluttony and it is sinful to willfully abuse my body in that way because, in the end, it's not being a good steward of my body, and I'm not able to live fully without being whole in every way. Potlucks, dinners etc. at church are a thing, and it's an issue that is swept under the rug a lot. The following are quotes from his notes: "I know this is an extremely sensitive issue. As a recovering obese man, and I purposely choose this phrase and terminology as it is an addiction, no different than drugs or alcohol. Eating sweet and high-fat foods releases dopamine in your brain, pleasure stimulants." "A recovering alcoholic should never take the drink any alcoholic drink, a recovering smoker shouldn’t partake of any tobacco product, a recovering gambling addict shouldn’t be buying lottery tickets! I can’t eat desserts, snack foods etc… It’s certainly permitted in the Bible but I can’t control myself with them. I needed an intervention. As most of you already know, with great conviction, prayer, prompting of the Holy Spirit coupled with the loving support of my family and the leadership of the congregation I elected to undergo Gastric By-Pass surgery a year ago, January 2017. 162 pounds later it's off! But its not over. " "I’ve had comments such as: “oh, you took the easy way”. First I can tell you that no surgery is easy. Second, I recently, much to my chagrin gained 8 pounds of which I immediately got off. Even though I had the surgery I can gain it back by eating the wrong things. The surgery just kicks started my weight loss, I must continue to exercise daily (a fit bit) and log everything I eat, and I mean everything. " His wife Barb has been doing low carb, high protein high veggies some fruit for the last year with him and has lost 60 pounds. She herself is short, but her testimony floored me. God asked her, 'What will you do when you say here I am Lord send me, and yet you are physically unable to be sent?' That stuck with me, and in tears, I repented and daily come to God for assistance. The Bible has a lot to say about taking care of our bodies: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 It was so encouraging to me that I went to my paster and told him I had the sleeve done in Oct. and he smiled and said congratulations, keep going you look great! As a couple that leads our church, I admire them for their honesty and commitment to God, themselves their family and us as a congregation they've been entrusted with. They both are servant leaders and I am thankful for them. I just thought that this would encourage others, for it says in the scriptures that we are to encourage one another with the very thing we've been encouraged with. Hope this helps someone.

I was told that carbonation can stretch your pouch, so steer clear. I have a daily alcoholic beverage with soda and an occassional beer and have had no issues. It has slowed weight loss down I am sure (but so has not working out)

You have great advice here. The only thing I will add is to watch out for sugar free junk food. (No nutritional value). Artificial sweeteners like acesulfame-potassium (in virtually every diet pop and many sugar free products) cause a noticeable spike in insulin. If you are insulin resistant (very likely if you are overweight) this will only compound the problem. Saccharin (sweet and low, pink packets) will also compound problems with blood sugar regulation. Xylitol and maltitol (sugar alcohols) cause gastrointestinal distress for many people (Google "Amazon reviews Haribo sugar free gummy bears" for some very entertaining recaps). Powedered Splenda is usually blended with maltodextrin, which also causes raised blood sugar and insulin spikes. Ditto for powdered stevia. liquid splend and stevia are your best best, but good luck finding packaged junk food that contains those relatively expensive formulations. The bottom line is that there are multitudes of ways these frankenfood products can be thwarting our best efforts. The simplest and cheapest way is to just cut them out. Deal with the cravings short term (buy some L Glutamine supplement to help, if necessary) and suffer through. You'll be better off long term.

Well, it's my opinion that it's unreasonable to ban everything enjoyable from one's life unless it's absolutely necessary. They say no carbonation then I say don't do it. But, no one is saying "no alcohol". And, if your dr is saying "no alcohol".....I'd dig a little deeper for the reasons. If it's life threatening to YOUR medical situation then of course---abstaining is key. But, if it's the calorie content then if you know that and choose to imbide, you have the information you need to make a decision. Like everything else---moderation is the key. I truly believe that each one of us has to figure out a way to make this work for our life. For me.....I love gin and tonics. Carbonation! So, I had to give them up and have made peace with that. I'm trying to enjoy gin martinis instead. Not straight up! Extra lime and extra ice. It's not so bad as long as it's a good quality gin. Thankfully, my husband has been a gin martini drinker for years and has mastered the blend. So, I didn't have to endure the misery of lousy gin!!! LOL!! Also, my husband and I belong to a wine club and take several wine trips a year. In fact, for his 50th B-day, we are going to Napa...can't wait to buy some new smaller clothes for that trip!!! For my husband, wine is an art form. He spends hours researching wines, exploring wine and food combinations and acquiring specific wines. Although I don't share his passion for the "legwork", I know that part of the enjoyment he gets from all of it is sharing it with his loved ones. That is a big part of our life. And, I get great joy out of all of it. Would I stop that? Absolutely not. I do not drink everyday except for when we are at the beach for 2 weeks every summer. So, I will find a way to do these things that makes sense for me. If I was told that alcohol would break my band---that might have given me some pause before I got banded. Not that I would not do it. But, I would have needed to really think about it in a whole new way. Getting our bands is about enjoying our lives. And, I say that each of us need to remember that and embrace those things that give us joy. Having said all that---I don't endorse getting totally trashed. Although I've been there, done that...LOL!!!! But, from experience---I know what could happen!!! Vomitting is not a good thing for our bands!!!! And, that morning after is not fun either. At my age....it's not even a "morning after"......it's the 2 days after!!!! LOL!!! Cheers!

Well, I don't know which kind of alcoholic beverages we're talking about here, but I love my liquor.

Thanks. It's been such a good journey. I'm in work today but did finally splash out on clothes last weekend. Felt so good!!! Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App What all have you done with your sleeve to help lose? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App Tbh I've just followed my food plan to the letter. I keep my calories under 1000 a day but I don't count carbs or Protein. I just have a varied diet. I still eat small portions and eat until I'm satisfied rather than full. I get around 2.5 litres of Fluid a day. I lost my sweet tooth and have had no alcohol. I admit I haven't yet done any exercise apart from walks with my dogs. I plan to start soon as I know the weight loss will slow down from now. Sent from my SM-G935F using the BariatricPal App