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I am sooooo glad you posted this. I will bookmark the link and post it in every single "Can I cheat on my pre-op?" I was way too scared to cheat for that very reason. They told me if I don't lose and even GAIN weight before surgery, they will cancel, no ifs or buts. In general, I think it largely depends on how big you are - no offense. The bigger you are, the more important is the shrinking of the liver. There is so much mass in your abdomen at BMI of 53.9 vs. 43.9 vs. 35 etc., - think of the Biggest Loser whatever you want, but I think their X-Ray-like body fat scan image gives a good idea of what is going on inside. If you were "just" a 40, maybe they wouldn't have had to cancel it. Another thing I think they consider is the general discipline. After surgery, there is A LOT of discipline and self-control required for a few weeks. Discipline to drink your Water, drink your Protein - at least at my surgeon's office they said that they are simply worried that if you lack discipline before surgery, you will most probably lack discipline after surgery --- just after surgery, the lack of discipline can be FATAL and cause leaks. The other question would be, if there is no evidence that the liver shrinks - why do 98% of all surgeons make us go through the liquid or pre-op diet? Just to fcuk with our heads and torture us? I'd like to believe that's not the case from a medical professional. Maybe they all get together once a year, eat ribs and burgers and drink copious amounts of alcohol and chuckle about how they torture the fatties one last time before surgery, haha! You'll get there. I looks like your office is trying to work with you, and they sure as hell know they got you straightened out and you'll probably not do THAT again! Good luck and all the best - you'll get it next time and be 10x as good!

Yes, true -- diet change is the primary line of treatment for actually diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, in terms of treatment: gradual weight loss may improve the process in obese patients; rapid loss may worsen NAFLD. And just as with any obesity-related issue, not all obese people will have the problem. We read of so many people on the boards who were otherwise completely healthy, just overweight to some degree. Presuming that all fat people have a fatty liver is inherently prejudicial and not based on ANY EVIDENCE. Makes my effing head spin it does. So this raises two questions for me: first, was the OPoster even diagnosed? Or just "presumed guilty" as it were, by the very crime of being obese? Did they run her liver enzymes and know she had NAFLD? Second: A two-week crash diet -- which is precisely what liquid diets or severely calorie/carb-restricted diets are -- is every bit as likely to worsen the problem, if it's present, or to have zero effect at all. It's more of a compliance hurdle IMO -- which is fine, but don't dress it up and call it something else. Using very thin (disingenuous) science as a rationale for kicking people who are already down (often, way down) is the worst kind of sadism IMO. I think there are some seriously sadistic assholes working in the bariatric field -- some real fat-phobes. No kidding. I had such an outraged reaction to the OPoster's situation that I seriously will have to wait until later to do my BP check. I about stroked out reading that. What an irrational, asshole thing to do. Man of science? Neutral, objective god/surgeon? I think not. Punitive, petty, power-hungry, sadistic bastard, more like. Humiliate and shame her for gaining a couple of pounds or eating a few carbs?!? Does that seem like a reasonable reaction to ANYONE?? I'm completely outraged. I respect the fact that you said you couldn't lie, Infernored -- but I have to say, given the circumstances and the utterly biased and unfair nature of the entire situation, I would have sat there and lied right through my teeth, with a smile on my face. What an asshole. I'm SO sorry you were treated like that. You didn't deserve it. Even if you ARE completely and intractably "addicted" to carbs (ie, like 90% of your fellow humans), you STILL don't deserve to be treated like that. Yes, now you'll have to play along and jump through a few more hoops, but I really hope you won't beat yourself up over this. Feeling shitty and down on yourself and like a failure is NOT the way to start this new journey. Hold your head up high, and stick to non-white carbs and Protein as long as it takes. And if you don't lose weight again the next time round? Please, just lie. You don't deserve this. Hugs and good luck to you. (I'm going for a nice vigourous walk now, to try and calm down.)

Its really pretty easy. The first rule of healthy is variety. Dont eat the same thing day in day out. You need to decide whether the low carb thing sits well with you or not, for me I dont believe in it, dont have an interest in living that way and would have to relearn planning and cooking a healthy diet, so I just eat "normally". So..... eat a lot of different foods, try to include a few different coloured vegies on your plate with your evening meal, try to eat two fruit, five veg a day, dont overdo the bread, Pasta and rice, eat the wholegrain or wholemeal varieties where possible, dont add fat when cooking and definitely dont bread and fry things - the grill and the barbecue and dry roasting are best. Most nights of the week we do eat boring and plain - ie. a piece of Protein be it chicken, fish or red meat simply prepared, potato and vegies. We'll do a rice or pasta meal once a week. Home made Soup makes a good dinner and your family can have a bread roll with that even if you dont. Salads, yogurt, fruit and nuts, someting on crackers and some fruit makes good lunches, and I always stick with a basic good quality Cereal (oatmeal, muesli etc) for Breakfast, usually with some berries and a dollop of yogurt, or a piece of wholegrain toast with Peanut Butter (or vegemite, lol, I am an Aussie after all). I pretty much stick with 3 meals a day, no Snacks, no seconds, avoid sweet stuff nearly all of the time and dont have a lot of alcohol or liquid calories. I lost 130lb, and have maintained that loss unfilled for five months now, just a basic, sensible diet really does work - but I do run for an hour or so or go to the gym most days.

My doc said one year for alcohol.

The band has changed a lot since then. I think the truth is though, the band is a foreign object in the body. It only does so much. So if people are unhappy you have to see why. I had my band done, one incision through the belly button, I ended up with an infection, other than that, I have been golden. The band is a medical device that is put into your body, of course there are chances of complications. Having the Gastric Bypass you can leak and poison your body, the sleeve has complications, etc. I do not recommend doing something like this unless someone has tried EVERY OTHER OPTION.... Honestly, I hope to get down to a good weight, then I would like them to remove all the liquid from the band and give myself six months and see if I can keep it off. To me this is a tool, not the cure all. IF you read lots of posts, you will still gain weight if you make poor dietary choices, or drink alcohol (lots of empty calories) and don't exercise. Many people over restrict and cause trouble for themselves. Some people it just doesn't work for. In the end this is a very personal decision and one that should not be taken lightly. I believe if you have concerns about the media coverage, talk to your doctor. They can tell you the changes that have been made to the band, etc. Good luck, I did it and I don't regret it at all. I am nearly half way to my goal. To me that is amazing. I am in a size 16, haven't been there in 8 years, no matter how much I watched what I ate and exercised. I have medical things that were going on that once I put on the weight it is nearly impossible to take off. I think for me, it was the right decision, maybe not for others.

You can have juice in moderation. No need to panic. The concern is the sugar content with juice. I was allowed juice in moderation during my losing stage, and I drank juice here and there when nothing else tasted "good". As for alcohol consumption, there are 100's of topics here on the subject. Here's a link with many topics that include alcohol, beer, soda, carbonation: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1 I was released for alcohol at 3.5 months post-op. Tried Riesling wine the first time (after 6 months out and at goal), got drunk hard and fast, it wore off fast. I drink soda every day without any change in my sleeve capacity and have zero issues maintaining my weight loss. It's what works for me. As for alcohol, you'll need to check with your surgeon on their guidelines. Some surgeons release early, others say "None until at or close to goal". It's wasted calories, and can cause dehydration. My alcohol tolerance is just like it was before pre-op so I can drink just like I did before surgery without hangovers.

It will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself. In an attempt to stabilize my blood sugar, I eliminated all carbs except those found in low carb vegies (broccoli, green Beans, salads, asparagus, etc.). About a week or so after, I discovered that not only my cravings were gone, but so was my hunger. I no longer thought about food 24 hours a day. With a completely unfilled band (which is coming out tomorrow), I was eating 900 calories a day! It's completely realistic with a husband and 4 kids. First, low carb won't hurt them either, but if they have no problem processing carbs (i.e. they aren't overweight), then there's no need to restrict them. Just cook healthy meals in a way that allows you to avoid the things you shouldn't have. So if it's your normal mac and cheese night (for example), make sure there's a side vegie/salad to balance out the meal (which you can have) then it's a simple matter to throw a piece of meat in the Foreman Grill, broiler or pan fry, poach, etc. Once I got these bad carbs (at least for me) out of my system, I wasn't even tempted by them. Oh sure, like an alcoholic, I might think "yum that looks good" but I'm not driven to eat it as long as I consistently keep it out of my system...just like an alcoholic. .

I am not a big drinker but here and there I do like one ,When is it ok to have something and then what are the best choices?? I know we cant have any carbanation or juice anymore..So..... What are some of the better choices out there? What has been everyones experience with the first adult beverage since surgery?

Because I was usingfood for everything but nutrition. As a child I was never overweight. My mom was pretty strict on what I ate at home and I was very active so even if I had junk, I burned it off. In high school I thought I was heavy at 180lbs and 5'10. Funny since now my new personal goal weight is 200! Went to college and found new freedom and comfort in food and alcohol and gained about 25 lbs. Funny that I can rememberthe horror I felt when I went over 200lbs way back then. After I got married, had a couple kids the pounds just kept coming. Working nights as a nurse did help either, nor did the stress jn my home life that literally drove me to fast food at least once if not more daily. I got a wake up call in december 2010 when I went for my annual check up and tipped the scale at 317! My labs were terrible and I was put on diabetes meds and increased my BP meds. That was web I decided I ha to take control. I was banded feb 10,2011. I am down 38 lbs so far and off all my meds already. I feel so much better physically and emotionally. It was truly the best thing I have ever done.

Thanks for saying that Melissa <3<3 I worry that I didn't paint the picture clearly. I don't feel like i have to drink in my professional life, I don't think i have to be like a man in my male-dominated career (ever. Ever ever)... I just have one of those types of jobs, where that's what I'm surrounded by. That's the back story. What happened Saturday night is that I just had a couple of cocktails because i wanted to. I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a fun young completely healthy person, and I experimented because I feel awesome and back to normal, and just wanted to Celebrate and see how it would go. I'm not going to start going out every night, i'm not going to turn into an addict. I researched beforehand, I was incredibly cautious, I coupled the drinks with Water, and everything went fine, which is the point of my post. Everything's cool, I promise! <3

My dr peeled my off at my post-op appt 1 week out. Now I have a small rash near each one. Maybe a reaction to the sticky stuff. I have a slight allergy to latex. I was putting Mederma on them, but stopped because the rash was getting worse. Now I just let them be and they itch like crazy! The incisions all look good and I nothing oozing from them. Just a slight rash and a little irritation. The strips are only there to help make sure the incisions close. I used alcohol swabs from my dr's office. The nurse gave them to me. they are the ones that they use before administering a shot. Worked good to get all the sticky stuff off. Might also be what irritated my skin.

Holy cow Thin! 4-6 oz alcohol per drink! Thats stiff girl I have had drinks that stiff before, but would be a little afraid to do it now....

Good for you! Yes, I'm 15 months out and can only take in 2 drinks. . .however, my drinks are mixed 4 - 6 oz alcohol and 2 - 4 oz diet coke. . . i feel the drink very fast, but as soon as i drink it about 1 or 1 1/2 hours later it's gone. . .like nothing ever happened, But I don't want another drink after that feeling wears off either. . . just do like your doing, sip your drink and make it last, your doing good. . . I love the idea of no headaches, no hangovers, or anything. . .

I was told no alcohol 3 months out. Why do you want to test the waters? I don't know any profession or "boy's club" that would not tolerate NOT drinking - this is lent, this is the one time a year where you can easily say "I am cutting it out for lent" - how about trying out THAT Water? I know you don't want to hear it, and I won't say anything after this - but your excuses ring like "full blown alcoholism" to me, You are "testing if you can drink", worried about not being able to drink, very high tolerance for alcohol (considering you are 2 weeks post op), considering drinking an "unavoidable part of your life", considering 3 cocktails in 1 night "extremely light", and your hundreds of hours of research show that your focus on alcohol is taking a huge part of your life... Denying that you have a problem with alcohol even before anyone said anything is a clear sign that you have heard it before and thought about it yourself before. You may not be worried about yourself, but I am - and I am 100% sure that every single person who read your posts in this thread is worried about you too. Good luck to you Susanne

I drink mostly water and Crystal Light, but nearly every day I have some coffee with cream or milk, sometimes have iced tea and once a week or so a couple of alcoholic drinks. I rarely drink soda anymore, but will once in a great while.

I am 2 weeks out from surgery and am wondering when and if I can have a cup of coffee in the morning and perhaps an adult beverage? The nutrionist said you can't have an adult beverage for at least 18 months. Did anyone else hear this? I miss my coffee. Thanks!

Laura23, A few things, thank you for sharing your drinking experience and your history about the surgery. When others like you reveal their feelings on this site. It helps us understand ourselves as we figure out our future in dealing with WLS. Nevertheless, you open the door in your first post, when that door is open for anyone and everyone to comment, criticize, and express disapproval of your actions. You statement in your second post is very interesting; “this is an unavoidable part of my social and professional life”. Drinking is unavoidable; I don’t know about that and completely disagree. Most sleever’s live our lives one day at time. Experimenting with a new lifestyle and yes, most disapprove with you consuming alcohol (no matter how weak and what amount) so soon after your surgery. No one indicated you were an alcoholic; you seem like a party person who enjoys her work and like to drink. And that’s ok, yet on the other hand you just had a major portion of stomach removed and as a consequence that is something to consider. Take care and be well, Lash

Ok, I need to make a clarifying statement, it seems. I love everyone here. I appreciate every piece of input, it's all noted - but not anything I don't already know. I spent hundreds of hours researching, I have WLS patients in my close friend circle and WLS professionals in my immediate family, so I know what's up. Last night was a test run to see what was going to happen. I am not planning on boozing every night of the week from now on, or even again until I'm further down the road. I probably need to say it publicly so I can maybe stave off some of the assumptions and strong advisements and reactions. Note: I called it in the original post I am a healthy young professional out on the town, my life is just different, that's all. (What's happened in this thread is exactly why I am keeping my WLS private in my real life - I don't want "gasp, no don't do that" reactions to my decisions - My intent is to share my story on these boards - I would have given anything for a story like this when I was researching. I don't need counselling, I'm not an alcoholic, I just had 3 weak cocktails on a Saturday night with my homeboy.) Everything's cool, promise!

What she said!. From everything I have learned you are way too close to surgery to have three drinks. And for me it makes no sense to consume empty high carb calories when every single thing you put in your sleeve needs to count. I think you called it when you pinpointed alcohol as the source of some of your weight- so in a way it's too bad you experimented- finding out it slides right down. You know the sleeve is no guarantee you wont have a weight problem. Alcohol will pose just as much of a problem with your weight as it ever did, sleeve or no sleeve. And hey- I do NOT want to seem like a moralizer here as I enjoy socializing and partying, I just know I have to choose for my health now and I would love you to have long term success. To me choosing to have three drinks this close to your surgery is a red flag. Just the fact you felt hunger for the first time, probably from all that pure carb- well what a bummer! You sure you want to encourage that problem?

I have a few drinks a week, nothing wrong with that. But I very rarely have more than 1 - I'm pretty sure I've had 2 in a row before, but to be honest, I can't even remember the last time. I haven't had more than 2 drinks in one day since the surgery, but I've never been much of a drinker. Generally, the normal alcohol intake for women is limited to 2 drinks a day (4 for men). It sounds like you were venturing into alcoholism territory before surgery, so I think this would be prime time to seize the day and consider some counselling. As mentioned earlier, substitute addictions are quite common after WLS and without food to turn to, your tendency to consume too much alcohol may be more likely to spin out of control. I understand your work/social circle forces you to go to bars, but no one's forcing you to have alcohol - you can have a pop, non-alcoholic cocktail, or tea/coffee and still enjoy the social aspect of hanging out.

As a fellow partyer, this is good info! Im glad your first experience was a good one and it helps to calm whatever anxiety I may have had about trying for myself... But seriously, we can't hope to bring back every single thing we used to do before right after we get sleeved... U got this surgery because u wanted to make a change.. Sometimes that means just saying no for a little while... Don't jeopardize ur progress to hold on to a lifestyle that wasnt working for you before... Next time, order urself something non-alcoholic, sit there, watch your friends get sloshed and enjoy the crazy stuff they do... Hell, if it were me, I'd let them get drunk and play mind games on them just to get my jollies! LMAO!

Good for you Purple Flower!!!! I love low carb eating. It's sort of a challenge. The weight comes off without hardly trying. I believe that there are so many foods I had thought they were forbidden. When suprise!! No!!!! I can have that? Sweet!!!! The bread is hard too, but I have had altenative choices like sugar free bread and alwas a low-carb tortillas ect. It's very interesting how it all come into play. Keep up the good work. I also have a co-worker/neighbor who was going "Zero" carbs. I told her not to do that because if you do that your body just wants it even more but incorporate at least the <100 grams. Yeah, that didn't last long for her to quit her diet. Also what was interesting was the Sugar Free candy and ice cream. It looks like carbs but the Alcohol sugar take that away and you go with the net carbs. How interesting is that? Good Luck!!!!

Thanks all for sharing your experiences! Coops I haven't taken the bull by the horns, I had quite a few carbs again since last weekend (excuse being that it was my birthday) so I had a bit of cake and quite a lot of alcohol and that continued all week, the high carbs, not alcohol and cake though. So as from tomorrow I'm back to basics and tracking my food, we can do this!!!!!!!!!!

Well.... Im going to come clean and say that I have had about a 8 nights since surgery where I have consumed alcohol... one of those being last night.... I dont feel the need to drink alcohol but I find myself in my twenty-something social group going out to the clubs and buying into that lifestyle sometimes..... I am still in my losing stage and I know that this is not a great choice on my part.... AND i must admit ... when i wake up in the morning i feel a little pain underneath my scar in between my boobs... This is definitely a sign telling me that my liver is not appreciating the abuse and I know I have to chill out because I still want to lose another 23lbs to get to goal... BUT most importantly... i want to be healthy .. after all that's why we chose this surgery in the first place.... I just wanted to be honest... but also admit that I havent made all the perfect decisions when it comes to post op lifestyle.

I was quite a drinker before surgery and started to drink 3 months out, but only a glass of wine or a cocktail once in a while. Now, nearly 8 months out, I still have the ocassional drink when I go out (last weekend it was my 42nd birthday and I had quite a bit of wine and cocktails over those days) and I am stalled, I know alcohol is one of the main culprits, so please be careful, it WILL affect your weight loss.