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my surgeon said no alcohol until 6 -12 months after surgery

I used to drink 2 bottles of wine a week. I didn't get smashed, but I had some every night. I thought I wouldn't be able to break that habit easily, but WLS did break it. Now I don't drink at home - just when I'm out with friends for a special occasion. The last time I had alcohol was about a month ago, but this weekend is a girls' weekend, so I'm going to be making friends with a bottle of Prosecco. 😉 Really looking forward to it - it's a treat to have a wee tipple now!

I actually cut alcohol out during the second month of my six-month pre-op diet program (April). I dropped my calories from 2000 to 1800 to 1500 to 1200 (the last three months of it), and I could allot any calories to alcohol with my total caloric intake at those levels. I needed the food a lot more than I needed the booze. It's been over six months with no alcohol now -- something I never would have thought I could do, but I am glad I made that decision. I'll bring it back in very limited quantities later on (specifically in December), but right now, I don't have a place for it.

From what I remember, I arrived at the hospital, toting a small overnight bag and my CPAP machine. After signing in (I had pre-registered) I had about a 10-15 minute wait before they took me back. They weighed me, took me to a room where I changed into a hospital gown and they started an IV and asked questions and took vital signs. Then they let my husband come back to the room. After a short while the anesthesiologist came in to ask questions and started something in my line. I must have fallen asleep because I don't remember saying goodbye to my husband or being wheeled into the operating room. Next thing I know I was waking up in the recovery room with 2 or 3 nurses around telling me I was okay and giving me rubbing alcohol-soaked sheets for the nausea. I had nausea as soon as I woke up. After maybe 15 minutes or so they let my husband come back and one of the nurses showed me her before/after photos of her WLS. Then they wheeled me to my room, husband in tow. I was nauseas for the whole first day and half of the second day. Never had any pain.

Just curious if anyone has tried these bars. Let me know if you have and what you think of them. Paleo Protein Bars- Low Carb, Gluten Free, 2g Sugar, GMO-Free, Grain Free, 20g Protein (Egg Whites), Dairy Free, Soy Free, No Artificial Sweeteners, whey Free, Legume Free, No Sugar Alcohols, (Under 200 Calories) Monk Fruit Sweetened Bar! (Six, Delicious, Soft, Chewy Flavors) (100% Paleo)! (6 Different Flavors) (From 2 Net Carbs) (Sold Online Only) FREE Shipping ! http://julianbakery.com/paleo-protein-bars/ Thanks Theresa

Sue Magoo, I just had my first fill on Friday, under fluoroscopy. It was the coolest thing. I drank the contrast, and watched the Fluid go down and stop, then trickle through the band. Then the doc inserted the needle into my port (I didn't feel it, maybe they swabbed a numbing agent, I thought it was alcohol); he moved the needle a bit to get to the middle of the port, then pushed 4cc of saline. I swallowed some more contrast then felt like it was going to come up (nothing too scary). Doc said I was too tight, the band wasn't allowing anything to pass, so he withdrew 2ccs. Then the fluid passed through like normal. I was on 2 days of liquid diet, then yesterday soft food, today normal. I have read posts where without fluorscopy they simply have you drink Water. Be sure to be able to swallow normally with the feeling of throat still being full. I've seen that some people leave and are apparently too tight, they can't keep anything down, not a sickness just that it doesn't go anywhere and you feel like "tip me over and poor me out!". I feel great, no problems. Good luck to you!

Does anyone have a really good substitute for non-dairy coffee creamer? It's the one vice I'm completely unable to give up. I've tried several protein and whey powders and so far nothing even touches it. I'm ashamed to admit at work I use 8 packets in a 16 oz cup and our whole office runs on caffeine all day long. Nothing smells better than a fresh pot of coffee when it's being brewed and when that happens I'm just like an alcoholic ( I think ), absolutely unable to ignore the craving. I'd really appreciate anyone's input on this. Thanks! Susie313

My name is Rachael. I am a mother, a nurse, and a very fat person. I was given my first diet pill at age 10 by my mother... I couldn't take pills so I struggled to get the huge pill down. I don't know that I ever did or that it worked or if I even really needed it! I see pictures of my self and I am a bit chubby but not obese at all at that age. I remember being teased about being fat and large at an early age. I remember carving the word fat into my arm at around 12 years old. I remember hating my body and thinking my life would be perfect if I weren't fat. Years flow by I am in high school I am 5 7 my wt a HUGE 155. In retrospect that isn't that tall or fat but at the time I felt unattractive. I had a period at age 16 were I had a lot of dates no sex but boys asked me out and told me I was pretty....... I did have big boobs and a full soft figure. I think I undervalued myself in some respects but was a fun, gregarious person. I met the man I eventually married he seemed to think I was attractive. We moved in together 2 years later. I did my first "successful" diet at age 20 . It was a liquid protein diet run by a doctor. My dad paid for it and I achieved my ideal weight of 130 lbs. I bought a tiny bikini short skirts and tight jeans. I went to community college for 2 years then nursing school. By the time a graduated in 1983 I had regained the wt I lost plus 30 or 40 lbs. I married at age 22 wt 170 ish ....continued to gain year after year hitting 270 when I got pregnant for the first time. I lost wt during the pregnancy but regained during breast feeding. Rinse and repeat x 2 more kids over 7 years. At age 33 I was 300 plus lbs but active and healthy. Years flow by my life hits a snag or two my husband developed into an alcoholic and we have marriatal problems. We split for the first time when I was 38 wt 345 lbs 3 kids ages 12, 7, and 5. Living as a single mom for a year was hard we got back together kind of to buy a nice house in VA and be a family. The difference was we kept separate rooms. I had become used to sleeping by myself reading if I wanted to and did not want to hear my husband snore or reek of alcohol. I am tired that's the beginning of my history more soon. A few days later I added a second installment : Today I am thinking about why I decided to have the surgery. I have become increasingly UNABLE. I can not: walk up stairs, walk any distance comfortably, fly comfortably, ride a bike, get up from a sitting position with anything like ease, and take care of myself alone. I have a laundry list of things I want to be able to do a BUCKET list if you will. Chase my grandson walk up or down stairs without a rail fly to Africa on a mission ride a bike take a hike buy a small car and fit in it ride a motorcycle Meet someone and be attractive enough to attract them I sometimes want to do a skit like Jeff Foxworthy (not that its very funny) YOU MIGHT BE MORBIDLY OBESE IF you can't wipe yourself without hurting your wrist you can't climb a stair without a reinforced rail get up out of a low couch without assistance well you get the idea i have a million and they all make me want to cry life as a fat person in America is not much fun .....the ridicule is one thing ......the discomfort of chairs that bind you is another...... and the comments people feel free to make is yet another. Yes I am responsible for my situation I know that but it does not make me sub human or less valuable as a person. I know I have lost friends, one in particular that I relate to my weight and my inabilities. This makes me sad and mad. A few days and thoughts later........ I find out my surgery date next week. Today I hurt my leg walking into work. I did not fall I was just walking and my right calf pulled or charley horsed maybe my Achilles tendon. Whatever it was it has crippled me worse then I have been ever! I so did not need another obstacle to exercising sigh. I am ready to do this. I have a lot of questions about the surgery itself How long will I be in the hospital? How much recovery time will I need before I can return to work? How my much pain will there be? How will my body feel inside? Will I have control of my bowels and will I vomit a lot? I think I will visit the blue point website and attend a support group this week. I must get ready to get ready I am a disappointment to my children though they love me they worry about me when they should not have to. They miss being able to do things with me or having to do things for me. They want a Mom they can count on and not have to worry about. I want them to have that as well. That's why I am doing this surgery to be ABLE.

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.

I agree with restless. I think you should wait longer. Although a cocktail is liquid so there should be no trouble getting it down I don't think it is appropriate at this stage of recovery.It is also full of empty calories which is something I am sure you don't really want. I drink wine on a fairly regular basis and thought it would be difficult to go without. I haven't had any alcohol since I started my preop diet 5 weeks ago and its actually been easier than I thought. I haven't missed it at all. Its up to you what you decide but I am sure you will feel better if you stick to your Dr's plan.

Hello Everyone- Recently I've been reading through many posts and have been inspired to share my story. I started the VSG process about three years ago, however, got cold feet. I thought to myself, there's no way I can go through this, and that I could lose the weight myself. I was wrong! As a full time mom, with a full time career (and two hour commute each day), there was very little time for me to focus on myself. Three years and three co-morbidities later, I realized VSG was my best option to effectively lose the weight and keep it off! I started my journey in September of 2016 with a 6 month required nutrition based diet program by my insurance. I must say, I didn't do my best during these six months because I found myself in a shame spiral of "food funerals". I had so much FOMO that I doubled down on getting all of the things in that I would "no longer be able to have". I was so scared that I was going to fail at this. My weight increased to my highest ever at 310 lbs. (but everyone told me I didn't look that heavy because I carried it so well). Not really though. I was sore, my body ached daily and my knees started to buckle on occasion, which was scary. I couldn't muster the energy to keep a steady workout routine and when I did work out, I hurt myself. In the spring of 2017 I realized I couldn't keep it up and needed the change. That it was my time to get it done and do it right. I took a weekend trip with my husband, began meditating daily with Insight Timer and I sought professional help for the FOMO and food funerals and made great progress over three months time. Biggest lesson & light bub moment - Food is the fuel our body needs to function properly. It only has meaning, once you give it meaning. The decision was made and there was no turning back and failure is not an option. On 5/17 I began my liquid diet and on 5/31 I had my operation. I was able to come home that Friday and by Saturday, I was walking 10K steps and I haven't looked back or slowed down. I've kept up the walking momentum taking 30-45 minutes on my lunch to walk and if it's raining, I walk in our parking garage! I started the C25K program and just finished week 3 day 1. This week I will add strength training to the mix. I'm six weeks out from surgery and just celebrated 52 lbs lost - 254 lbs! It's been eight weeks that I've been without alcohol, added sugar, excess carbs, or caffeine and over 5 years since I've been this light (after having my second child) and everything from here on down is a bonus! I realized this truly is a lifestyle change for the better and that it's not an easy road. However, the things I had the most FOMO about, I haven't given a second thought or missed them in my life. I listen to my body now and it tells me when enough is enough. Even after surgery, you still have to make the choice to do the right thing which isn't always easy. But with every passing day, it gets easier. I'm so excited for these new beginnings and rediscovery. In the words of Jimmy Iovine - "When you're running after something, you should not look left or right. No. Go. Go. Go. Go." May you be well, may you be happy, may you have peace. Iconcinnity

I tried the cinnamon bar yesterday and it was tasty except I had the worst upset stomach from the sugar alcohols.. :party: I just can't win LOLOL !!! But yes, they are good :ban:

whenever ive had surgery they have come off before this. i would just ease them off with some alcohol?? or just peel them off if they come easily. it shouldnt bee a problem.. not this far from surgery.

Hi everyone, I have been reading posts for a little while now, but this is my first post. I am a 40-year old guy, and I live in New Orleans with my partner of 7.5 years. I have battled my weight for entire life. When I was 21 years old, my parents and I went on Phen-Fen together. That was the first time I lost 100 pounds. I have yo-yo'ed ever since, losing 100 pounds another two times in my life, and 30-50 pounds more times than I can count. Last year, I had to travel a lot more than I have had to in the past many years for work. (I am a Delta Diamond if that means anything to any travelers out there.) All of that travel meant eating for convenience and drinking more wine than I would if I were at home. I was already heavy before (370 pounds), but by December 2015, I weighed 397 pounds. My family had been encouraging me to have weight loss surgery for about a year. (My dad had a gastric bypass many years ago; my mom had the sleeve about 3 years ago, and my brother got the lap band about 2 years ago.) After seeing the nearly-400 pounds looking back up at me from the scale, I agreed that it was time to do something about my weight once and for all. And my partner was ready to deal with his weight as well. (He started at 316 pounds, so he wasn't in quite as bad a place as I was then. For the record, he has lost about 70 pounds himself, so I am super proud of him!) I was finally able to get in to see my PCP in February, and had my first of six consecutive monthly appointments with the surgeon's medical staff that is required by my insurance on March 3. I had two weeks of filming work in California right after (something new for my team and full of stresses), so I didn't begin my weight loss journey until March 21. In the past 5 months, I have lost 83 pounds while going to see the surgeon's staff once per month. This morning I weighed 314 pounds. (In case anyone is interested, I have done low carb/high protein/high healthy fat. I keep carbs below 20 per day -- usually below 12 per day. I have reduced my calories from 2000 to 1800 to 1500 to now 1200 for the past many weeks. I have cut alcohol out completely for now to conserve the calories. I walk 5 days a week, involving inclines and such for a majority of these 45 minute sessions. The surgeon's staff did give me a phentermine prescription, so I have been taking that since early April.) Now, I'll get to the point of my post if anyone is still reading... I had my sixth diet visit, and I am waiting on insurance approval now. It's been about a week so far, but they say it can take up to 30 days, so the surgery will likely be sometime in early October. I have been reading everyone's posts about the surgery itself, the pain (or lack of), the changes, etc., etc., etc. Some days, I wonder if I should really go through with it, or just stay the course with what I am doing. But, then reality sets in -- I still need to lose at least 100 more pounds, and really, I'd like to lose more like 125-135 more pounds, so I need to have the surgery. I am worried that since I have lost so much weight on the front end that I will lose weight slower after the surgery and then be disappointed (especially after putting my body through all of that trauma and altering the way I will have to eat and drink for the rest of my life). Can anyone offer any perspective on this? Specifically, can anyone speak to losing a lot of weight pre-op, and how you transitioned to weight loss after the surgery? The surgeon has already said that I do not have to do a liquid diet before the surgery because of all the weight I have lost. I just have to fast the day before. Please forgive the length of this post, and I hope to hear from some of you soon.

Maybe they were talking about alcohol? Because you do tend to get drunk faster. If not alcohol, I'm not sure why they would make that one of the big rules. I drink coffee, tea, water ...... all the time when I drive. I also live in a very rural area and do a lot of driving. It's nice to have something to drink on the way.

I must say that I am almost a year out and had my first drinks about 3 weeks ago. Never has alcohol hot me so hard. I've never been a big drinker. Maybe a beer once every 6 months. Well needless to say I went out with some friends after a funeral and after my third beer I don't remember much. I thought ok if I do it again I'll be able to just drink a couple...but again I drank more than I knew and as well blacked out. I've learned that if I am going to go out which will be fairly rare I need to make sure I have a friend with me to make sure I stop or ask the bartender to cut me off. This was never a problem for me before but after much stress lately I found it relaxing. Bad habit I need to break.

I don't want to say I didn't love food when I was a little kid, but the truth is that I was horribly picky. Like, sit at the table all night because I didn't want to eat my spinach, pea's in the couch cushions, slipped it to the dog when Mom wasn't looking kind of picky. Yeah, I usually sat at the table for hours every single night... so, to top it all off I was stubborn. Picky and stubborn eater. That is a bad combination. Now add to that immune compromised, with an extreme fear of needles, which I had to face every single week with injections, and it's no wonder food became my best friend. Especially milk with a little sugar or Molasses in it, which the Dr told my Mom to give me to get all my medicines down. (Thanks for that, you maniac.) Anyway - fast forward to present. I'm an adult. For years I have been saying, "grow up" "take responsibility for your fat butt" "watch what you're eating" - well, I've been watching alright, watch as I stuff it in my face that is. Oy... so a process of failure, hope, failure, willpower, weakness, hope, failure... you know the routine, anyone who is struggling knows this routine. But now I'm facing down the barrel of a gun called obesity and a surgical decision to save my life, and I'm saying to myself, "how the HELL did I get here"? Most of my friends, people that REALLY know me say that I don't act like an obese person. I don't really know what that means, and I've tried to get someone to explain that to me, and the only response that seemed honest was that I just seemed to not relate to my weight. To me that sounds like I'm in some advanced state of denial. Maybe I just didn't see my fat, because I wasn't paying attention to it. I have lead a pretty dramatic life - my Mom died when I was 11 and my Dad was an alcoholic, not a mean one, but addicted nontheless... so I was used to making excuses for why he drank. I could blame it on my Mom dying, but he drank before that, too. Actually, he lost me while trick-or-treating when I was 4 because he and his best pal were lit when they took a bunch of us out trick-or-treating. I will never forget the sound of my Mom's voice when the lady who's house I ended up at, took my home. My Dad caught holy hell, to boot. I remember thinking that no one could protect me like my Momma! Anyway, I'm getting off point. I guess I'm just trying to figure out how I got here. I don't want an excuse - I'm just looking for MY reason. And in the meantime, I'm getting ready to meet with several different surgeons. Thanks for reading.

I tried life chioce from walmart. They were ok at first, but now I can taste the sugar alcohols. Can't do protien drinks because they turn my stomach!!

FYI, in case you didn't get this info, "alcohol is dangerous because it has a more concentrated number of calories per serving than other carbohydrate. Carbohydrate has only 4kcals per gram. Alcohol is 7kcals per gram. Calorie content varies tremendously because of the other ingredients (sweeteners and such) and the concentration of alcohol." This is from a handout I received as part of a "behavioral slip" informational sheet at a support group meeting. These calories can add up really quickly, which is why, I believe, it is so frowned upon. Kind of a wake-up call!

You are doing fine. I know some people report they can't feel restriction at first, but do when they get past liquids and soft foods. I weigh myself daily, and I track it, but only count the weekly weight. Human bodies just do not lose daily, and often bump up along the way, even the trend is steadily down overall. You are doing the right thing by weighing and measuring your food, and tracking calories. Keep up the good work. One question - how can you be forced to drink alcohol? Just curious - we all have to do things for work we don't necessarily feel like doing, lol. I'd sure try to pretend like I was drinking it, though. Not sure what your doc's "rules" are, but that was off limits for me at 6 weeks.

I am not an alcoholic. I never had a drug or alcohol problem. But I've had plenty of other dangerous addictions and I also happen to work next door to a building where AA meetings are held. It's always easy to spot the newbies. They are the ones with their heads held down in shame refusing to make eye contact with anyone. The vets, if you will, some of who go several time a week, some that I've talked to for over 20 years, go in with their heads held high like they just can't wait to get the show on. I think it's interesting so I watch. I see this 3 times a day 4 days a week. Mostly the same people with new ones thrown in here and there. As an outsider I can tell you the only thing that goes through my mind each and every time I see a meeting about to start is, good for them. Because I know how hard it is to actively seek help and actually benefit from it. Get help. People really do care and it really does make a difference. No body will judge you. They will hold your hand and walk you through it. I've seen it and I commend it. I have nothing but respect for the addicts that go to these meetings. I think they must be the bravest people on earth.

In re reading the following posts I think I need to add to my earlier post. If addiction, to food, alcohol, drugs or whatever was an issue prior to being sleeved then this would certainly increase likelihood of cross addiction. My post was very much written from the perspective of a non addict and it was remiss of me not to make that clear.

Hi Brian, I don't think I'm really qualified to answer most of your questions because I am just getting ready to get banded myself, but from the research I have done I think you need to find a new dr who can help you figure out why you cant stop throwing up. I'm sure you already know that drugs and alcohol won't help solve any of the problems that you are having. Have you considered talking to a councelor as well, I know it has really helped me overcome some very difficult circumstances in my life. I will be praying that you find some answers and that you will be able to overcome all the obstacles that you are facing now. Try to look back and remember all the things that you have already overcome and how far you have come. I know that that is not always an easy thing to do, but it always helps me to think about where I could be compared to how far I have come. Take care and God bless you, Wendy

Just a question to anyone who has had a drink post op(i haven't) but with my birthday and new years eve approaching id like to know how long pre op did u wait and how'd you feel

JUST WANTED TO KNOW HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR YOU ALL TO HAVE WINE OR LIQUOR AFTER SURGERY ? I'M ALMOST 2 WEEKS POST SURGERY AND MY BIRTHDAY IS NEXT MONTH ON THE 25TH SO WONDERING IF I SHOULD HAVE A GLASS OF WINE THEN. PLEASE GET BACK TO ME WITH THE FEEDBACK GUYS !! THANK YOU :-)