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I am post op bypass 13 months ( surgery was 10/07/2020) ) and am I now drinking alcohol every night . I have gained back a few pounds Like 8 and am scared to death. I feel like I am heading back toward terrible habits and need to regain back control now. I am working with a Psychologist that's not very good for PTSD issues and major depressive disorder. I have got control of that but I have now a new problem= alcohol! A year ago, I would never think of drinking on a week night or much at all but now it's become my new addiction and it leads to me over eating and then the dreaded weight gain. I have now drank every night for the past two months and I can't seem too let it go. This had never been me before as my family is filled with alcoholics and I could never understand it and now I do? It kills pain and drowns out so much. It definitely affects me differently after surgery and takes very little to have any affect at all. I am drunk or affected at sip 3. It is such a great escapism and good lord with Covid and the way of the world all I want to do is escape in a legal way and alcohol is legal. I am on disability and have a lot of pain issues and the doctors and psych's try to say its a lot mental / PTSD/ Stress related but they haven't lived in my body. I have had over 15 surgeries and have had many scars and all kinds of mesh - They don't live this body and don't feel my pain. They tell me I need to learn to live with it. Well hell , I am doing the best I can and alcohol does a great job of dimming that. But I know I need to find a better answer and am looking to my community as I know I can't be alone in my pain or journey. My New Year's resolution is to get back to that person that doesn't drink in response to pain. That learns to deal with it. That get's her weight under control in the meantime. Sending out an SOS to my community and asking for good advice or just shared empathy to know I am not the only one and that we do not travel on this journey alone.

So I ordered vitamin patches for the 2nd time through Bariatric Pal website only to later find this article....so what's true? http://www.bariatriceating.com/2016/06/faq-vitamin-patches-bad/ CAN WE ABSORB VITAMINS AND MINERALS THROUGH OUR SKIN BY USING ONE OF THOSE MULTIVITAMIN PATCHES I HAVE HEARD OF? Vitamin Use Tied to Lower Breast Cancer Death When we heard about ‘multivitamin patches’ that were being marketed to bariatric patients, we were skeptical because we remember the ‘spray vitamins’ similarly targeting us a few years back that turned out to be bogus – the FDA and Attorney General of several states thought so too. We consulted with experts regarding ‘patch multivitamins’, all of whom emphatically said that none of the claims made by the patch company were true. Not a single word. They even underscored that what these companies are proposing is biochemically impossible, as the skin is a very good seal against water soluble organics, which is why you can’t get drunk on alcohol through your skin. It’s also a good barrier against ion transfer, or else a few hours in the ocean would dehydrate and kill you. Think of all the things you come in contact with during your day – if these materials passed through the skin, it could in many instances mean death. Most vitamins and minerals fall into these two categories and anybody claiming nutrient absorption through a known protective barrier had better produce studies to back it up – burden of proof is upon the patch companies, as their claims go against widely accepted and well known medical facts. One pharmacological expert went further to say that the people responsible for the bariatric vitamin patches ‘are either willfully fraudulent or just plain stupid, but either way are a second away from an FDA Warning Letter or FTC action’. Use your judgement and please be careful of this kind of stuff. You cannot fit the entire world of nutrition in a single pill. It does not make sense that you could tape a packet of pulverized vitamins to your arm and have all that material magically move through your skin and into your body. You cannot absorb the amount of minerals needed after bariatric surgery through a ‘sticker’. People who have had bariatric surgery are often looking for something easy and defend this product because they want to believe. People cite nicotine, birth control and other medications used as prescribed treatments via patch dose – the difference is that the highly specialized transdermal medication patches available via prescription, are for tiny amount of drugs, not several teaspoons of organic minerals. There is no comparison. If you’d like to be compliant, there is no easy way out, you must swallow capsules or chew tablets. There is no magic pill and certainly no magic spray or sticker.

I am thrilled with my results, but I have also put the work needed into it. I work out regularly and watch what I eat. I dont let one slip up ruin the rest of my day/week. I also know that I am human and I'm going to allow myself a bowl of ice cream if thats what I want. If I'm out with friends, I am going to have a glass or two of alcohol.

When I first was new on this forum I got reamed by hundreds of people because I posted something about drinking alcohol post op too early. I guess it was the way I put it that people didnt like. I was called an arrogant b***h , a troll, and even got hate emails. Things like that don't really bother me. I'm still here !!!i get a lot of great information on here andI really like this forum .I'm not gonna let those people interfere with my life. Stick around and don't sweat the small things

Good for you! Mind over matter! Personally, I enjoy egg nog. I will have a little shot glass size of Southern Comfort Vanilla Spice eggnog (no alcohol in it) every once in a while at night. I'm not completely giving it up & a shot satisfies me.

My surgeons office has been amazing with providing information and walking me through this process. They are a nationally accredited center of excellence and I think they are wonderful. I've scoured the Internet and forums for real life experience. Based on all the research I've done I think I have mentally prepared for and could handle a certain amount of food disagreement, some possible throwing up/dry heaves/diarrhea forever. Never being able to eat quickly, without thinking, or while drinking liquids. I'm prepared for my hair to fall out, stalls here and there, emotional ups and down, not being able to turn to food for comfort, not eating the same as everyone else in social situations. No carbonation, drinking with straws, or coffee and alcohol for a while at least. I think I might even be able to handle a leak. What I don't think I could handle is more extreme complications that I have read about on the boards. Not being able to hold anything but liquids for years, having the wear adult diapers because of the uncontrollable diarrhea, not being able to tolerate any foods, having my esophagus destroyed from reflux and needing to convert to bypass, frequent hospitalization from complications, being too weak to take care of my 4 children. I am 34yrs old 235lbs and 5'6", so definitely obese, but I'm healthy otherwise and don't have a problem being fairly active with my children right now. Did you go into this process thinking whatever the outcome it would be worth it? Because there are very real outcomes that could destroy my life and the life of my family that I'm petrified of happening. I've read quite a few horror stories on hear and gone back to the persons original posting and they start like the rest of us. So excited for this process, they have done all the research, can't wait for their lives to change....and then one horrible complication after another and they wish they could go back in time. I know these complications are rare, but they happen to someone....someone's mother, father, sister, brother, etc. And I've been working myself into a tail spin lately. My husband told me to stop "Web MDing that sh$t and trust I've done the research and have a great Dr and those things are rare." He also said if there was a surgery for quitting smoking or drinking or any other addiction people would be doing that left and right, which I thought was a great point too. I just can't imagine doing anything that would hurt my family since I so desperately want this to be even better for them. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think that it is natural to fear regaining the weight. We all have been in the endless cycle of losing and gaining and losing and gaining again. I think you have to take a different approach this time with the sleeve. Sure there is a possiblity of gaining weight, IF you fall back into the habits that got you to point of needed the surgery to begin with. Learn those good habits early on in your process and you will have a better chance of success. We are very much like an former alcoholic that is just one drink away from going back to being an alcoholic. We have to focus a little bit more, work a little bit harder. That doesn't mean we can enjoy eating and eat the foods that we love, but use the sleeve as a guide. It will certainly tell you when you've done too much. Getting in the mindset that you will not return to your old ways is also key. I haven't done it yet, but I plan to cleaning out my closets and getting rid of anything that is too big now. I've been up and down the scale so many times, that I have clothes of every size. But no more. I didn't sprawl full out on a cold OR table and let a group of strangers cut out my stomach to go back to where I was. Keep a picture of your former self somewhere and look at it regularly to remind yourself of where you've been. I don't think that you'll go back to that person anytime soon. Hang in there!

Personally I have found that there are two groups of people here. Not saying one is right or better, I've just noticed two trains of thought. The first is people who are desirous to mold their life around their sleeve. The others are desirious to mold the sleeve around their life. The problem is that some from each group think that their position is the only "right" one. I craved "fast food" when I was first able to have real food. I headed for In-n-Out and got a Protein burger (a burger without a bun). I had that and some fries. It was good. But it hasn't appealed to me since. pizza on the other hand... I have about once a week. I also go out for mexican about once a week-I don't do the chips and slasa anymore. Nor do I eat the tortillas. There is no where that says we can't have fast food during the losing part of our program. I think with thoughtful choices or small portions almost nothing should be "forbidden" I have seen others post about how they chose this tool so that they would not have to be on a "diet" the rest of their lives. I have seen people who post that they still drink soda or alcohol. If that is how they choose to work their program than that is their choice. I opersonally choose to have a dessert almost everynight. A piece of chocolate, a scoop of ice cream whatever. I try to keep it around 100 calories. I figure that that means I will lost about 1 pound less each month. I can live with that. I figure I will be eating this way the rest of my life, so for me I chose to work my sleeve around my life. that being said-I have also decided that my purpose is not just to lose weight but to get healthier-So in addition to eating less, I am working on incorporating "clean" foods into my life. So that will seriously limit my fast foods in the future. But considereing pre-op I ate out about twice a day, I think my twice a week now is a big change already. So Rico-you have to decide about fast food-and if you choose wisely you don't HAVE to wait until you reach goal.

My dietician said you'll know if your pouch is stretch. I experienced hunger the first time last week and called I'm 6wks out and I should be eating 4oz every three to four hours I drink know but not too fast but I going to fulling foods.... This weekend I was very bad I had three boneless wings two bites of pizza and alcohol over the whole day sat and sun being out of town and I will never do it again I stayed so full for hours I got scared...I hope my stomach go backroad normal I took milk of magnesia this morning Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

With me, yes, at first it changed family/social gatherings and how I approached food at those gatherings. But those changes to me were not all that big of a deal. To me, it's more being mindful of the surgery I've had when I'm at these functions, such as eating the Protein foods first and not drinking with those meals. Other than that, I just enjoy myself and since I'm over a year out, it's almost just habit for me to get protein in and not drink with my meals. By that time, I'm so full that IF I do want a dessert and partake, I'll eat very little of it. It may be an adjustment for the first few months trying to keep these things in mind, but eventually it will be something you'll not even think twice about and can concentrate on entertaining your guests or just relax and enjoy yourself. For most, the benefits of this surgery far outweigh the mild annoyance from the minor adjustments we have to make after the sleeve. I had these same concerns before my surgery as I'm in these social situations a lot (parties, holiday gatherings, tailgating, etc). But I've had to sacrifice very little and I still party ALMOST as hard as I did before. With that in mind, just be careful with your alcohol and know that many sleevers turn to drinking as an emotional outlet to replace their past dependency on food. Also, there are all of those empty calories with alcoholic drinks, but I do have a glass of wine or a draft beer (lower carbonation) on occasion.

I had lovenox shots only in the hospital. I did end up back in the hospital 2 weeks post-op wirh blood clots. So I think taking them after you get home is a good idea. I am almost 6 months outing had to get my gallbladder out last month. I had to be on the lovenox shots for a month after surgery. It does give you some bruises but it doesn't hurt as bad if you let the alcohol dry before you give yourself the shot

I had my first drink 3.5 months post op. A gin and tonic that I sipped slowly and go about 1/4 way through. 3 nights later at the same bar I took an hour or more to finally finish one and then again 3 days after that. It was too much trouble so won't do that again for awhile. I am not sure if I could cross addict from food to alcohol but don't really want to try. I go to enough 12 step meetings and then with the bariatric support meetings I am never home. LOL!

I'm kinda bummed about the very minimal alcohol thing as I'm turning 22 next week and have definitely not lived out my partying days yet lol. I know it's a small thing to give up in perspective but it will be annoying not to be able to have a few drinks out with my friends and stuff. Guess I'll always be the DD from now on..

My husbands family is so overweight, but they all comment in my weight, up or down. My mother in law used to work for weight watchers ( oh the irony), and is now about 100 lbs overweight....she keeps asking me for my diet secrets. They don't know about my surgery; they've made their thoughts on that well known. The weird thing us, they comment about weight in a very shaming way, but they also make a ridiculous amount of unhealthy food, and then comment as everyone eats it. It's like a family if alcoholics having an open bar. Very weird and dysfunctional.

I just had my surgery 10 days ago and already had a few shots of Patron two different times (no preaching please I know its wrong) but what I wanted to put out there was I heard everyone(including research I read) say they get a buzz much quicker now but both times I was on an empty stomach (neither time bothered my stomach) and I could NOT get a buzz period 1st time I did 5 total shots over a 1.5 hr period..NOTHING and the second time same thing only 8 shots over two hours..NOTHING I was always a beer drinkier before not any more but 3 shots of patron would always give me a huge buzz now straight alcohol on a empty stomach has no effect on me. Again I dont need anyone to tell me how bad I am being please just let me know if any one else has experienced this tolerance to alcohol after the sleeve? Thank you, Jr

11 days out and I can't even think about a drink of coffee! I will say I had a band before this and in the beginning alcohol didn't effect me the same. I think I was so paranoid I'd get stupid drunk or vomit I tricked my brain to stay sober. But seriously. Alcohol is just sugar calories. What's the point?

Regardless of whether you "feel buzzed," after two hours of drinking 8 shots (12 ounces) of hard liquor (50% / 100 proof), your blood alcohol level was 0.34%. I used this blood alcohol level calculator, estimating your weight at 300 pounds: http://oade.nd.edu/educate-yourself-alcohol/blood-alcohol-concentration/bac-calculator/ At 0.25% - 0.39% blood alcohol levels, you will experience "alcohol poisoning; loss of consciousness." At 0.40% BAC, you will experience: "onset of coma; possible death due to respiratory arrest." Reference for these facts: http://oade.nd.edu/educate-yourself-alcohol/blood-alcohol-concentration/ You might want to do some more study about how massive amounts of alcohol can kill you. Or not. Your choice.

Well... I can't pass judgement as I had a drink or two around that time as well (maybe just at two weeks? can't remember). Anyways, be careful - you're eating much less, your alcohol tolerance will probably be lower. You really should have a DD. (yeah yeah yeah, you need to have a DD whenever you drive, but it's crazy how much different it is now). I like to do little wine tastings on the weekend at Total Wine. It's also interesting to keep track of how many oz's you drink and how many calories you consume from just a little tasting. While wine is good for you to a certain extent, it's a lot of empty calories. One event like this won't kill your journey but try to minimize what you drink if that makes any sense. Hope this makes sense. My surgeons notebook didn't really have anything in there about alcohol this close to surgery. If your doctor says this is wrong, follow your doctors orders above mine . Have fun.

I'm 3 weeks post-op, I have followed my diet as directed for the most part, but on average I get sick once a day. Last night my husband insisted on taking me out with his friends/co-workers. I was very hesitant but still went, it was at a brewery and my husband ordered me a beer, he said just hold it so that I looks like you are drinking. I couldn't contain my self and felt awkward and stupid for not drinking while everyone else was staring at me holding a full glass. I began taking little sips and my stomach began to grumble, I didn't feel drunk like I had heard from many people that had experienced very low alcohol tolerance after surgery. I finished my drink, didn't feel sick at all, but I didn't want to stay any longer as I felt awkward and out of place. I left while everyone else -Including my hubby- went to another bar. I cried the entire way home. I was angry at my self for putting my self in that situation and for possible jeopardizing my recovery. When I got home I ate some Soup and 5 minutes later I was in the bathroom throwing up. I'm so upset and worry that I may have done more damage than I know, but also for allowing myself to give in to peer pressure and for trying to fit in with a crowd of people that I really didn't care for -except my husband, with whom I'm upset now for making me go- At the end of the day I'm a grown woman and I should be able to make better choices. Has anyone had alcohol too soon? or had a bad experience to share?

So I had completed my bariatric seminar 2weeks ago, that is required prior to meeting surgeon that is more like an informational session. Had my first appointment with nutritionist and surgeon today! Had the run down of the entire process. Have my appointment for endoscope for April 13th. Walk in clinics for my labs, ekg and chest xray. Have my psych eval scheduled in April and my fist "medical supervised weight loss appointment" thisFriday. I'm so excited. Feels kind of surreal. I made a few changes in my life recently knowing this is all for a healthier me. I've started drinking ONLY water, at least 64oz a day. I've also quit smoking/consuming alcohol. Origionally I was stressed over the 6months thing but honestly I'm kind of happy I have that time to mentally prepare and make changes. Hoping for Sept surgical date! I also can't wait to havr new comparison photos to show progress! Sent from my LGMP450 using BariatricPal mobile app

Andrew, like thesuse2000 says, it is IMPOSSIBLE that the 2.5 lbs is fat! Especially as a man it is possible to easily go up and down +/- 5lbs just from normal fluctuations. Larger men (I'm talking body builder types can even fluctuate +/- 10lbs!)You cannot let the daily variances mess with your head- you'd have to do this for a week or so and then see how the scale is trending. Some causes of Water retention: 1. Salty food 2. Not drinking enough water 3. Alcohol 4. Menstruation (women only... obviously) 5. There are many more that I'm too lazy to type

@@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. :-(

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.

I blame beer for sure. I'm down almost 60 lbs. since January and I was banded just 6 weeks ago. What is the rule about alcohol after banding? I know no beer, but what about liquor (without pop of course). I have weddings to go too!!!! -Jason

Anything even close to carbonation causes great discomfort for me. It feels like a trapped burp. I stayed away from all alcohol for the first 6-7 months. Now I drink a glass of wine or margarita now and then.