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I'm not sure that friends that make you feel like you HAVE to have a drink are really friends. Eat what you choose. Drink what you choose. Why would a fried care if it's not alcohol?

You guys are lucky, my surgeon told me no more alcohol, ever. Not 6 weeks out, not 6 months out, never. I had told him about a couple trips I have coming up and how I wanted to reach my goal before them if possible. He'd asked if I drank, which the answer was yes... Occasionally... He said never again. Didn't ask what, but completely shut it down instead. Sorry for the rant, but even though I don't drink often, to have the option taken away was a surprise. Sent from my iPhone

LOL! For those relatively new to this site, every thread here about alcohol turns into a pissing contest. And this thread is well on its way to the same destination. Carry on ....

Can anyone she'd some light on this topic? I'm only a month in and I'm certainly not drinking any alcohol for a whole. I'm asking because I do like a cocktail every so often. What has been your experience? When did you dabble in alcohol again? Thanks. Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

I would def say test your new limits at home first before going out in public. I feel the alcohol almost instantly now. I only drink socially and I am a hermit so I don't drink too often

@@con con So by your own admission alcohol had nothing to do with your weight regain before? You chose to abstain. That's awesome. Some choose not to and embibe in moderation. That's awesome, too. What works for you isn't exactly what works for everyone else. You do you.

I'm 1 year 2 months since my surgery and have not really thought much about drinking. The only time it comes up for me is at special occasions, holidays, etc. I usually substitute something non-alcoholic and once the event passes, no one thinks about whether I had a glass of wine or a beer or anything. I'm not opposed to drinking, but it doesn't really come up very much. And the few times where drinking would be appropriate, there are usually substitutes.

I was allowed alcohol at 6 weeks. I go out probably every other week but my tolerance isn't what it used to be, I have about 2 drinks and I'm all set. As far as not making any progress while drinking, I've been steadily losing 2-3 pounds a week since my surgery in December. I just make sure my drinks fit in to my calorie goals for the day. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Unless you're drinking lots of wine each of those three times a year, I seriously doubt you need an AA meeting. I don't know what your surgeon was thinking when he said that, except that some surgeons are adamant about no alcohol, period. For all either of us know, he had a patient (or more than one) who developed alcohol problems after surgery. I also know at two months out (I was seven weeks yesterday), what messes with our collective heads is that we are still getting used to our new normal. Portions are still so tiny that one-item meals are still the rule rather than the exception, and we're still riding with our training wheels, so to speak. There is a real thirst to know what three-six-nine months out is going to look like, in purely practical terms. Refrain from asking your surgeon about wine again. You'll only get the same answer.

@@vogue Love this idea (my husband probably will too!) and I've already told some of my big drinker friends that I am getting healthy and don't like feeling the effects of alcohol (which they already know) and so am going to limit myself to one drink for at least the near future. So that goes hand in hand - if and when they try and push, my husband can save me! @@jenn1 thanks for all your thoughts - I know I'll feel a little strange at first (it will be a big change from the way I usually eat) and it's good to hear that it does feel strange but is still do-able. Shortly after solid foods is great - I'll probably put a 2 week buffer in and book something and hope for the best. thank you all!

I haven't had a drink in 20 years and I'm no buzzkill! I just don't drink. My husband does and so do most of my friends. They're happy to have a built-in designated driver! Just tell people alcohol is not allowed on your new eating plan and let it go. I'm confused as to why you would need to wait five minutes between bites of food. I've never heard of that. I just eat my puréed food in front of my friends. I don't care who knows about my surgery, it makes life very easy.

Try sparkling water instead of soda. All the bubbles but no sugar or artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweeteners in the zero sugar drinks could be what’s upsetting you @naynay77. The sugar alcohol ones (any ending in ‘ol’) are the usual culprits.

FYI on the champage: I posed the alcohol question, and one woman from France chimed in that they do allow her to have champagne among other wines 4 weeks out. Not to say you should follow other surgeons guidelines because you like them better than yours- but...it begs to stand that perhaps months and months down the road, a glass of champagne may not kill you.

Do you think it's possible that your bad eating habits might have anything to do with this post you made less than two weeks ago: "ppl are such prudes lol drink up ull be fine im about 6months out and i drink more now than i did before surgery and im fine lol well everything is fine so far since i STILL cant eat as much " http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/339715-call-the-bariatrics-police/?p=3932473 Maybe if you concentrated more on Protein than drinking alcohol, you wouldn't have to resort to Pringles and Snickers? Or am I being a prude?

Yes we certainly will be cheap dates...lol. I think being able to have a glass of wine with dinner occasionally will be the thing I miss the most, but hey, the odd small glass of low alcohol wine can now be dessert Thanks for the message, I have sent a request to join that group. The thing I am excited about the most is being able to take my daughter to the beach or pool next summer and not feel self conscious about my weight.

I just want to say for the record to anyone who will listen that I, at age 37, had TOTALLY OVER did it back in June. (I'm still pre sleeve). I swear I haven't been that sick since high school. I swore off drinking alcohol. It was over a month later when I tried again. Mainly to tell my brain that I'm overreacting. I wasnt. Lesson: pre sleevers go on a big bender and develop an aversion. Worked for me :)

No food bothers me and since I already tried it same with alcohol. I sort of wish it did. Now I couldn't drink it down like I normally would but still burn free.

If my husband told me that he specifically wanted any part of me to look a certain way because HE liked it like that, I'd kick him in the nuts, lol. That's for ME to decide and ME only, I dont look any way to please anybody but myself. My DH is overweight, probably has a BMI of 31, 32, pretty "normal" looking these days, but big beer gut. However he's also 40, works in a high stress, high pressure sedentary job, spends 3 hours per day driving to and from work and has had high blood pressure since his teens. He's reasonably fit, interested in exercise but the work of carrying his weight means he doesnt stand a chance of keeping up with me. I'd really love to see him lose weight so that we could run togther, etc, and I really really really dont want to be a widow at 50 when he has a massive heart attack. I dont push because like I just said above, I would find it offensive if someone told me they wanted me to lose weight, I just try to encourage. He's going to ask the doc for a referral to my lap band surgeon this month when he goes for his blood pressure check. But I doubt he'll follow up, he's seen how well its owrked for me, but he knows how weak stomached and bilious he is compared to me, he gets heartburn, he'll pick up any stomach bug going around and its just kind of assumed that he'll be the one with restriction issues, pb issues etc. He's afraid of that and I think he's afraid of being less of a "bloke" because he eats like a bird and doesnt want to guzzle 10 beers at the pub on Friday night. I think banding is much harder on men in that regard, there's a certain expectation about hearty appetites, alcohol consumption and business lunches that just isnt there for most women.

I am just over a week out, and I would do it again in a red-hot second. My doctor has allowed me to eat whatever I can tolerate as soon as I got home from the hospital on Day Two, and honestly I am just breezing through the whole thing. I think one thing that has really helped me is that I am 51 years old and have had a LOT of time to do diets and exercise and everything known to man to get this weight off, and it is clear as day to me that (a) it is just plain impossible for me to keep up the willpower and time commitment required to stay slim on my own, and (:redface1: I was WAY past the point where I really and truly enjoyed overeating. I was like an alcoholic who drank to get drunk, you know? Not because I particularly liked it, but because it was the only thing I knew how to do. The thing that is almost impossible to describe is that my cravings and appetite really have gone away. I ate 1/3 of a grilled sandwich the other day -- one of my very favorite foods -- and I was as happy as could be with that little bit. I think the hardest thing would be if I still had a lot of active food addiction issues. If food is your main coping mechanism, it'll be very hard to give that up, and you'll need a lot of support. I've been in therapy for a while and it's been a lifesaver for me. But bottom line: No regrets at this point.

I was told by my Dietitian that while losing weight rapidly your liver is working harder. So when you drink during rapid weight loss you are giving you liver something else to process so it isn't ideal. Which is the primary reason they say no alcohol for a full year, since that is when you are losing the most rapidly. Just a helpful tip to think about.

LOL! Glittereyes, I've been married to a wonderful man who has spoiled me relentlessly for the last 36 years. I haven't had surgery yet, but he is cutting out all alcohol and snacks with me (a huge effort on his part!) and will be going on the same diet as I when "the time comes". Talk about 100% support!

To understand parts of my blog you should have a little background about me and the people in my life that you will see mentioned in my blog. About me... I'm 38, divorced and currently not in a real relationship. Relationships are a challenge for me, I just can't seem to figure them out. I am totally a people pleaser and give way to much of myself in relationships without expecting anything in return...You guessed it...the perfect setup to be used and taken for granted. Albeit by my own doing as I set the stage for such happenings. I'm working on fixing this character defect and trying to figure out a good balance which is why I am currently not in relationship..Another thing that makes relationships hard for me is the fact that I am very independent and self reliant and supported..I own my own house (my family and I physically built it ourselves) and make a decent living... I think that makes most men a little intimidated. PS to the guys out there who may read this...why wouldn't you want a woman who could take care of herself???....well enough on that subject. A little more about me...I have been trying to lose weight all of my life and I have made it a goal that if I was going to be fat at least I wasn't going to be weak so I have worked out a lot in the past yet, I am 100 pounds overweight. I'm a size 14-16 and wear and extra large shirt. I did this more for my health reasons than for looks...the looks thing that's icing on the cake...being able to get off my diabetes medicine and knowing I'm not damaging my body by not controlling the diabetes that's the important thing for me. Moving on... People in my life. Lets see. My mom, She's the reason I had the band put in. She's a walking medical book of her own. She has so many things wrong with her all because of being overweight and alcohol. She does not understand nutrition at all!!! She fell and broke her hip in July of 07 after my dad passed away in April from a broken hip, you can imagine how scared I was when I got that call. Three surgeries later she's finally able to walk and care for herself. My Sister Lisa, she and I were really close until she started working with me and couldn't separate work from home. Love my job but don't want to live it 24/7. She hates April because she blames her for taking me away from her. Totally not the case at all. My best friends April and Donna and Dalena. April, she's amazing. She has got to be one of the strongest people that I have ever met. She's under 30 and has lost two children. Serenity who was 20 days old and born with six major birth defects and Alex...My buddy...I miss him so much. Alex was four, he died September 10th, 2008 a day I will never forget because it was one of the hardest days of my life. To watch the life leave such an amazing little boy was heart wrenching. It makes me cry just to think about it. April has her days when it's really tough and the next six months I am sure are not going to be easy as we are coming up on the anniversary of his death and the Christmas holiday season. Most importantly I will be standing beside her and holding her close. Next is Donna. Donna she's complicated(She's my niece through marriage but also my best friend). She has the most amazing supportive attitude and helpful spirit. But, Donna like myself is morbidly obese. She's very frustrated about her weight and the fact that April and I are both losing weight and she feels lost. I try really hard to support her and have even set down and showed her the numbers of how many calories a day that she's putting in her body just by drinking soda(enough that by just stopping drinking soda would help her lose 12 pounds a month or at least not gain it). McDonalds or fast food of some type is a staple in her daily diet and it saddens me to watch her feeding that stuff to Payton my great niece who is 15 months old. I try to make suggestions such as order the apples instead of french fries. I think Donna wants to lose weight, but I don't think that she knows how to...Like so many of us. I see so many little changes that could make a big impact on her weight I just don't know how to approach the subject with her. I love her no matter how much she weighs or what she eats. I just feel a little guilty that I have this tool and I know that right now there is just no way that she could afford it with no insurance. Dalena...She's actually going to be moving in with me in a week. I'm a little nervous about that because she has a ten year old son and she doesn't drive. I live in the country and there is nothing within walking distance. I don't want to be a taxi service. We get along great I just worry that she will expect me to drive her around and that I will be the built in babysitter. Next the men in my life... Larry...I love him with all of my heart but know that he is a playa playa and totally the wrong man for me. I hired him two years ago. I could tell that he was into me because it was like he was making up reasons to come in just to "ask" me questions. I screwed up totally and fell into the game...I'm not a game player and had never been exposed to what would happen next. I dated Martin--Control freak--OTR truck driver...he broke up with me and I called my nephew who was working on the night crew to go and take all the pictures of Martin out of my office because I couldn't stand the thought of seeing them the next morning. Anyway...The next morning, Larry shows up in my office and makes the move...I ended up at his place that night and stupid me...yes, stupid stupid me slept with him!!!! DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB I would never do that again if I had it all to do over again. Anyway, this relationship without being in a relationship went on for a year and a half. I broke it off with him about two months ago because I knew that going into this lapband that I had to concentrate on me. T...Larry's best friend. He keeps asking me out, the only problems are one...He's Larry's best friend...Two He's Larry's best friend and Three he lives two hours away. Then there's Dave...He's awesome, we actually date, but he doesn't want a relationship either...GRRRRRR men they are so fickle. AM I JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO DATE? Lastly, Greg...HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT OH Did I mention he was HOT!!!!! He transferred in about four months ago. He and I just clicked, not sure why, normally I would probably never have talked to him because he is way HOT and I am Way bashful. I get the feeling that he likes me. The other night we were on the phone, I was booking a trip for him to Ireland. I asked him if he missed having me around this week and he said "No, because we're sleeping together...or at least that's the newest rumor" I laughed and said "Dang it! I missed it." We laughed ... Why is it that when I sit down with a guy at lunch the next thing I know it's going around that I'm sleeping with them?...not that I would mind at all with Greg but sheeeeshhhh come on people. The pets... Ruffaluf...Grey tiger stripped regal looking cat. He was born on my mom and dad's 47th wedding anniversary. Making him nine years old in September. Hotta hootta Houchy moooo...Other wise known as Hotta B or Obbitchywan...He's my baby. I had to bottle feed him because he was so little when we found him his eyes weren't even fully opened. He's been my baby ever since. Can you say SPOILED!!! He's a beautiful black tuxedo long haired cat that loves to snuggle in the morning. I love it when he pets my face to wake me up. Bear Bear...He's was an abused dog that Martin rescued that I got stuck with. He is a beautiful black lab. His name used to be Dr destructo but now he's starting to finally be a good dog except for when left outside alone he gets in the neighbors trash and drags it all over his yard...BAD BAD BAD DOG!!! That about wraps it up as to the important people in my life. Totally exciting huh????

That does suck - it seems like my worst acid issues were in the 2-4 month timeframe. Make sure you are eating only very small meals, maybe 5 to 6 times a day. Cut out anything that might upset your stomach - for example I literally can't eat bread without a bubbling cauldron happening after, so I don't eat it anymore. Cut back on coffee, alcohol, juice, anything acidic that may be making it worse. I hope you find some relief soon! BTW - omeprazole should be sufficient, but there are lots of different variations that could be more affective. I took Zegerid for a while and it helped and then switched back to the regular omeprazole. Good luck--

I ran across these tips a while back. Hope they help. Get my FREE eBook - The Top 10 WLS Fears and How to Kick Their Butt! Empowering Weight Loss Surgery newbies and veterans with confidence and knowledge to lose weight and keep it off for life 1. It is easier to get distracted from signals of physical hunger and satiety at social gatherings, especially if food is the main event. Make an effort to pay close attention to your body's signals. 2. Be a food snob. Skip the store-bought goodies, the dried-out fudge and the so-so stuffing. If the food you select doesn't taste as good as you expected, stop eating it and choose something else. Think of how much less you'd eat if you only ate things that tasted fabulous! 3. Think of your appetite as an expense account. How much do you want to spend on appetizers or the entree? Do you want to save some room for dessert? Go through this process mentally to avoid eating too much food and feeling uncomfortable for the rest of the evening. 4. Pace your eating prior to the event so you’ll be hungry but not famished at mealtime. But please, ignore the old diet advice of "eat before you go to a party so you won't be tempted." That is absurd! You want to be hungry enough to enjoy your favorites. 5. Socialize away from the sight of the food. People who tend to overeat are "food suggestible" so just hanging around food causes them to eat more than they need. 6. Survey all of the food at a buffet before making your choices. Choose the foods that you really want most at that time and remind yourself that you can have the other foods at a later time. 7. If the food is so special, give it your full attention rather than eating on autopilot. Eat mindfully by reducing distractions and sitting down to eat - even if it's just a cookie. Appreciate the appearance and aroma of your food and savor one small bite at a time by putting your fork down. You'll eat less food but enjoy it more. 8. If the food doesn't taste as good as you expected, stop eating it and choose something else. 9. Since the duration of the meal tends to be extended at social events, you may need to have your plate taken away (or put your napkin on it) once you are satisfied to avoid nibbling unconsciously. 10. Be aware of the effects of alcohol on your food intake. And don't forget that many beverages contain calories too. 11. Be cautious of "obligatory eating" - avoid eating just because it is on the table, on your plate, because you paid for it, it’s free, or because someone made it. Deal with Food Pushers with a polite but firm, "No thank you." If you're concerned about hurting their feelings, ask for the recipe or a small portion to take home with you for another meal. 12. It's common to have candy and snacks lying all over the place this time of year. Avoid indulging in food just because it's there. Grazing unconsciously leads to extra calories that you probably won't even remember enjoying. 13. Before having a cookie, a piece of fudge or other holiday treat that was laid in the break room, check your hunger level. If you’re hungry and you choose a favorite food to satisfy you, remember to sit down and eat it mindfully – no guilt. 14. At restaurants, the portion sizes are usually huge - almost always "two for the price of one." Request appetizer portions, co-order and co-eat with your dining partner, or have the server package up your meal to go as soon as you feel satisfied. Remember, "super-size" is no bargain if you didn't need that much food in the first place! 15. Look for opportunities for physical activity - take a walk after dinner to enjoy the lights, take a few laps around the mall before it opens to do some window shopping or take guests to local attractions. http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=FAHolidayEatingMMay

That would be hard! I did 25g NET carbs, so I didn’t count fibre nor sugar alcohols…