Search the Community

Why have the surgery? Because alcohol, like other things I put in my mouth, can be consumed in moderation throughout my lifetime. The surgery does not alter that. Because I collect and we plan on making wine in the future. I enjoy the craft of wine making, the artistry, the skill, it's pretty amazing. You speak as if it's all or nothing, but that's silly. It maybe for you, but many others enjoy having a drink on occasion. It will not be traveling unchecked to the liver (no medical basis for that statement) and if taken in moderation causes no damage to the body. Sure if we were talking a fifth a week or day...ya, get away from it, but to say never? That's just rediculous for most adults.

I agree that people should get a pass for making a mistake or three or ten. However the post operative diet is a prescription not a suggestion. If you had a friend who doubled up on their blood pressure medications or washing down a medication that has "DO NOT USE ALCOHOL WHILE TAKES NG THIS MEDICATION " written boldly that n the bottle what kind of friend would you be if you ignored it? Beautiful Diamond, one of the reasons that WLS has such a high "failure" rate is due to the behavior you described. Your friend needs counseling/treatment for her food issues. Instead of calling her out on her behavior can you meet up and talk while she isn't actively sabotaging herself. Tell her you are worried and talk to her about your concerns. And GOOD LUCK to you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So - I fessed up to dieting. I said I was working with my medical team to get healthier and was on a very strict diet, if I was asked. Generally at group events, I wasn't - e.g. conferences with multiple meals with other members. No one is looking at the food on your plate. Just push it around and re-arrange it to make it look like you are eating it. Cut things up and move stuff around - you know like you did when you mother gave you something you didn't like as a kid. As for the rest - I answer the question the same way after 2 years and 150 pounds from my highest pre-surgery weight - I worked with a medical team. I eat a diet that is very high in protein and have given up processed foods, white flour and all non-fruit based sugars. I do not drink soda or alcohol. I exercise at least 1 hour a day and log every bite of food with an app to be accountable. It hasn't been easy but it has been worth it. Generally, as soon as they hear you've given up sugar, bread, pasta and booze, they run for the hills and change the subject.

If you lose the weight relatively quickly, this summer is very possible. The waiting is also dependent on if they hire a new psychologist soon or not. They have been shorthanded for a while so I would hope that they are getting close to finding someone new. Other kaisers were helping out by doing some of the psych evals for fremont but last I heard, they pulled back and said they couldn't help anymore. I didn't start losing weight until a week AFTER I met with my surgeon(I met him the day before Christmas eve so enjoyed my holidays before getting serious). I lost 40lbs in my first 7 weeks. Once 1/1/17 hit, I went straight down to 1200cals. I have not had a soda, carbonated beverage, caffine, alcohol, fast food etc since. I added in a lot of the staples that they say are helpful post surgery, Greek yogurt, string cheese, eggs, etc and made sure i got my protein in from a lot of different sources. You could probably cut carbs and lose quicker but I didn't. I went high protein, low carb. I tracked my protein intake but not my carb intake, just kinda avoided excess carbs. I still have a piece of toast every morning but I don't usually have a carb with dinner. 2 thing to remember. 1, the most important part pre op is to build the right habits. A lot of people who do extreme dieting to lose weight preop quickly, really struggle with post op. You are dropping to 1200 cals, you will lose weight quickly regardless if you cut out all the carbs or not. 2, you have to maintain and continue to lose weight throughout the whole process. Especially because they are backed up, you can't gain weight after you hit goal. If they don't see you under your goal weight and continuing your weight loss progress, they won't approve the surgery. So however you decide to lose weight, it has to be sustainable.

If you lose the weight relatively quickly, this summer is very possible. The waiting is also dependent on if they hire a new psychologist soon or not. They have been shorthanded for a while so I would hope that they are getting close to finding someone new. Other kaisers were helping out by doing some of the psych evals for fremont but last I heard, they pulled back and said they couldn't help anymore. I didn't start losing weight until a week AFTER I met with my surgeon(I met him the day before Christmas eve so enjoyed my holidays before getting serious). I lost 40lbs in my first 7 weeks. Once 1/1/17 hit, I went straight down to 1200cals. I have not had a soda, carbonated beverage, caffine, alcohol, fast food etc since. I added in a lot of the staples that they say are helpful post surgery, Greek yogurt, string cheese, eggs, etc and made sure i got my protein in from a lot of different sources. You could probably cut carbs and lose quicker but I didn't. I went high protein, low carb. I tracked my protein intake but not my carb intake, just kinda avoided excess carbs. I still have a piece of toast every morning but I don't usually have a carb with dinner. 2 thing to remember. 1, the most important part pre op is to build the right habits. A lot of people who do extreme dieting to lose weight preop quickly, really struggle with post op. You are dropping to 1200 cals, you will lose weight quickly regardless if you cut out all the carbs or not. 2, you have to maintain and continue to lose weight throughout the whole process. Especially because they are backed up, you can't gain weight after you hit goal. If they don't see you under your goal weight and continuing your weight loss progress, they won't approve the surgery. So however you decide to lose weight, it has to be sustainable.

I don't see my NUT anymore unless I really need a consult, so I thought I would ask here. I am 11 weeks post op. Feeling great. Off all restrictions. When did you have alcohol the first time? I am well aware that I will only probably be able to drink 1/2 a beer once I drink one, but how long did you wait. I really want a beer. I'm not a big drinker, but I would like to be able to enjoy the occasional beverage.

I was down 14 pounds two weeks after surgery, and reached goal at 7 months (105 pounds lost). You are doing great! HOrmones can really mess with your mind, as well as the ketosis you are in. Ketosis can also result in high energy and feelings of euphoria, so that may be around the corner for you. I would guess that so many hormones are being released from the fat tissue and that is causing a lot of the depression. Hang in there. You will make it through this and you will be successful. You are already beating one of the most serious and difficult addictions known to humankind - alcohol, and you will beat this food addiction as well. Do you think you transferred the alcohol addiction to food? I hope you can get (or continue) some really good therapy to help you in this battle. We are standing with you!

Sugar free thinfs contain sugar alcohols which can cause dumping.

I just found this out in my nutrition class today. She told us to read all labels and try to stay away from sugar alcohols.

It's a bit of a side issue this, but I found myself wondering today 'If I no longer drink beer... what do I drink?' Obviously I know that there are a range of non-carbonated alcoholic beverages available, but I have to find the one that fits right as a manly beer replacement. For example, we all have afternoons where we meet the guys in a packed bar to watch an important sports game. That's really not the time to be asking for a look at the wine list. The hardcore manly drinks - say scotch - are probably a bit much mid-afternoon. But chuck a mixer in with a spirit and it immediately becomes a little camp: JD and Coke, Gin and Tonic, Vodka and Orange. Guiness is pretty flat, so that's my best solution so far... but it's bloody disgusting. So I'm on the lookout for sipping drinks that a guy can drink with pride. Any ideas?

I'd heard prior to having surgery that Lap-Banders have a higher rate of divorce than normal. The person losing weight becomes more confident and strong and able to make choices they'd been afraid to in their "prior" life. I was prepared for that and was not worried because I was totally in love with my husband (and truthfully still am). I've lost over 100 lbs in the last year and a half, during which my husband had his first and only severe bout of depression. I've tried to be understanding, loving, non-judgmental, encouraging, etc. I tried to be there every time he needed me and backed off when he didn't. I talked him down many times when he didn't see any point in moving on. He started volunteering working with animals to begin his bridge back to working (has been out of work for nearly 2 years). His lack of employment has been due to his emotional state, not due to lack of skill or opportunity. I've never once shown disapproval or asked anything of him, except to make the effort to get better. I've held his hand through drug abuse, self-medication with alcohol, public embarassment and more. I've never waivered in my support or unconditional love of him. He said recently, I was "an ideal wife". He says that I did everything a husband could ask for and more. So, imagine my confusion when I found out that my 42-year-old heavy and bald husband was not just sleeping with a college-aged girl, but exchanging "I love yous" with each other. I'm 35. He squashed any chances of us trying to work things out by faking "break ups" with her and resorting to name-calling and alcohol-induced rants where he displayed his inability for fidelity. I've never once, through this whole devastating process, raised my voice much less yelled at him or called him names. Someone explained that the non-Lap-Banded partner can feel insecure in their relationship and turn elsewhere for attention to validate their insecurity. I tried to be cognizant of this by telling him daily something I found attractive about him. I made sure that I let him know that he was often on my mind. I often made sacrifices for us financially (sewing my clothes instead of getting new ones as I lost weight, clipping coupons, etc) so he could have his comfort items - pipe tobacco, gummy bears and the like. So, I have to wonder, if I'd never had a Lap-Band, if I'd never lost the weight, would he have remained faithful? Was my losing weight the catalyst that drove him into the arms of another? I know he regrets his decisions and wishes he could take them back, but I also know he's not willing (or unable) to change that behavior and I won't continue to allow myself to live in a situation where I'm reminded daily of his girlfriend. He has many faults, as do I, and I have loved him just as much with those faults as I would have were he "perfect". I wish I could get to the point where I'm angry, but my heart is struggling to let go and move on. I feel like, while I look much better having lost weight, it's mostly with clothes ON. Clothes off in front of a long mirror serves as a reminder as to how I abused my body with inappropriate eating habits for so long. How can one expect to find another person who is willing to look past the skin that looks melted and saggy? Has anyone else experienced this situation and if so, how did you get through it? Sometimes I feel as though I'm at a breaking point and that my future looks pretty bleak. Thanks for any advice. And I know God is watching over me and he'll see me through, give me strength, etc.(my mother reminds me daily), but sometimes when it's quiet, I hear nothing and the silence is unbearable.

Floridays,,, thanks for your response as Ive said to you before I often loo for your advice and input as one of an 'expert' becuase you are so far along in your journey. I am not much of a drinker, actually the last time I "drank to much" was over 2 years ago. Yes I do party, but it mainly consists of dancing, and talking with my friends.. no other activites much beyond that. Interesting to me that you dont like alcohol much anymore, I could absolutely live without it now, but I do enjoy it once in a while. I wonder if I will have the same feelings as you. Only time will tell!! Thanks for your advice!!

I am 18 and here in New Zealand that's the legal drinking age. Since alcohol is heavily in our Barbecue/backyard/laid back life style I know it's going to be IMPOSSIBLE to cut Alcohol out completely. I plan on counting every alcoholic calorie and allowing for it once a week or so (and of course nothing carbonated.) I know it's not ideal but its what works for me!

Addictions come in all sorts of forms. The most common forms of addiction people think of are drugs and alcohol. And those are both, obviously, bad. There's other addictions too though. There's addictions to soda pop, bread, pasta, cookies, cakes and other pastries, food in general. I think most people that have gotten to "OMG I have to do something about my weight or I'm going to die" have some form of food addiction. I've been realizing, albeit way too slowly, that I am addicted to sugar. I may even be addicted to food in general. I was at the grocery store with my mom today and at the checkout are the candies. Reese's, Twix, Butterfingers, York Peppermint Patty, M&Ms...the list goes on and on. I nearly cried because I wanted some (and I really didn't care which one either) chocolate yumminess (that usually isn't all that yummy after I eat it) so badly. I am so glad I am going to be going to a therapist starting on Thursday. I HAVE GOT to get this crap under control before my surgery. I should already be at least 20 pounds down by now and I think I'm the same weight I was last month. I'm awful about not logging any meal that isn't good for me. I'll log all the ones that are right on track though. I don't even understand why I want the stuff. It doesn't taste good most of the time and then I feel all kinds of guilty after I eat it. Other times I'm just so depressed that I couldn't give a rats patootie what I eat, so I don't eat what I'm supposed to. Like tonight mom bought pizza for dinner. I could have run over here to my house and gotten the leftover chicken and broccoli from the other night. No carbs hardly at all. I could have been a good girl, but no. I just didn't care. I was tired, hungry, and depressed and so I ended up eating two pieces of pizza, a cheesy bread stick with marinara sauce, and a chocolate chip cookie since I figured I'd already blown the whole meal anyway. Now I'm just tired and even more depressed. How do you fight an addiction to food? I'm scared that I'm going to go from one extreme to the other. Going from a see food diet to a no food diet. I guess that's something for the therapist to deal with, huh? I hate this. I'm going to bed. Night night.

Addictions come in all sorts of forms. The most common forms of addiction people think of are drugs and alcohol. And those are both, obviously, bad. There's other addictions too though. There's addictions to soda pop, bread, pasta, cookies, cakes and other pastries, food in general. I think most people that have gotten to "OMG I have to do something about my weight or I'm going to die" have some form of food addiction. I've been realizing, albeit way too slowly, that I am addicted to sugar. I may even be addicted to food in general. I was at the grocery store with my mom today and at the checkout are the candies. Reese's, Twix, Butterfingers, York Peppermint Patty, M&Ms...the list goes on and on. I nearly cried because I wanted some (and I really didn't care which one either) chocolate yumminess (that usually isn't all that yummy after I eat it) so badly. I am so glad I am going to be going to a therapist starting on Thursday. I HAVE GOT to get this crap under control before my surgery. I should already be at least 20 pounds down by now and I think I'm the same weight I was last month. I'm awful about not logging any meal that isn't good for me. I'll log all the ones that are right on track though. I don't even understand why I want the stuff. It doesn't taste good most of the time and then I feel all kinds of guilty after I eat it. Other times I'm just so depressed that I couldn't give a rats patootie what I eat, so I don't eat what I'm supposed to. Like tonight mom bought pizza for dinner. I could have run over here to my house and gotten the leftover chicken and broccoli from the other night. No carbs hardly at all. I could have been a good girl, but no. I just didn't care. I was tired, hungry, and depressed and so I ended up eating two pieces of pizza, a cheesy bread stick with marinara sauce, and a chocolate chip cookie since I figured I'd already blown the whole meal anyway. Now I'm just tired and even more depressed. How do you fight an addiction to food? I'm scared that I'm going to go from one extreme to the other. Going from a see food diet to a no food diet. I guess that's something for the therapist to deal with, huh? I hate this. I'm going to bed. Night night.

I already put myself on restriction starting today. The remainder of July is dedicated to getting my exercise back on track. As far as my drinking, even Chris said I've had more alcohol since my band than in the entire decade. Alex, yes, I've been drinking too much... it's weird. It's been over 5 years since I've had so much as a glass of wine on a weekday. The whole port protrusion thing started it when someone offered me a glass of Zinfandel to help me relax. Of all things, I tolerated it better than broth, and it made me not care that tubes were sticking out of me. I swear, I turned into a drinker in one month at 41 years old. Yes, I drank a lot in my youth... 20 years ago. But it's so weird that suddenly I can understand the alcoholic mentality. Tonight I had a cherry slurpie. Not the best choice, but I worked my butt off today and didn't have dinner (yeah, restriction!) I can't even imagine making any more doctor appointments, but I guess I should. With my insurance, first I have to see my Primary, who refers me to the gastro. Then the gastro refers me to the lab. Then the lab refers me back to the gastro for results. So it's 4 appointments in the middle of the busiest I've been in years at work in addition to taking time off for 2 recent surgeries plus my camping trip. And my gastroenterologist just moved to the other side of Planet Vegas. Another reason I'm hesitant to have my band scoped is because other than the port incision, I'm not having symptoms. If I get scoped and they find erosion, it will only mean removal, which would put me over the edge right now because if someone told me they were removing my band, I'm sure I'd opt for a bypass. EEK. But I'm done being obese. Period. Meanwhile, I'm starting another round of antibiotics. Penni, sorry I chased you in the corner, but now it looks like it's my turn to cower. Guys, be tough with me cause I'm a stubborn one! As far as scaring new people away... Yes, I've been dragged through the mud with my band and port. Yes, it's cost me over $10,000.00 so far. Yes, I'm working 2 jobs to pay for it. Yes, I'm infected again. But YES, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

This might be the wrong place to post this??? Hi All, Welp I am almost 1 yr post op (Jan 17th) and I hit my goal. The reason I am writing is to find out if anyone in the Lake Stevens, WA area would like to get together? I feel really silly putting this out there...it's kinda lame I know... It would be wonderful to get together and share a plate somewhere. I am 37 and very happily married. I work for Boeing. I have 3 kids (19, 18 and 10). I have been told I am normal and I love to laugh. I would just like to meet a friend that has had WLS and who understands meals of string cheese and having absolutely no alcohol tolorance. Please let me know...

I got chafed around my belly button last month, first time that has happened. I dried it out with alcohol, yeah it burned like hell, but I find it works really well. Before I discovered body glide for my thighs, I used to always chafe there and I always used alcohol to clear it up. Oh btw I mean rubbing alcohol, not the kind you drink, lol

Hi! I haven't posted in several years. I'm 5.5 years out from my sleeve surgery, and maintaining at about 10 lbs above my "perfect weight" goal. Still down 105, though, and trying to exercise the ten pounds back off. So I consider my journey thus far to be a major success. I eat everything I want EXCEPT sugar and white stuff. Period. That's my secret. No refined sugar, ice cream, fruit juices, alcohol, bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, and rarely fruit, corn and peas. Other than that, I eat whatever I want. So here's my best tip: If you decide that you will NEVER eat any of the foods listed above, then you never have to decide whether or not to eat something. If it's on that list, it's a NO. If it's not, it's a YES. Every food decision is pre-made. How simple is that? And once you leave those foods behind for a while, you don't miss them anymore. As long as you don't ever open that door, the boogeyman can't tempt you. Two other tips: Get your 64+ ounces of fluids in every single day, and ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN whenever you're away from home. I never go to a party, get-together, or even a long drive without bringing my Crystal Lite iced tea and a bag of almonds. Those two items can carry me through any situation. (And they have, many times!) So that's my system. It's worked for over 5 years with excellent results, so I don't see any reason to change it. Good luck to all in maintenance!!!

Here's a bunch of topics with a lot of replies to the great soda debate. This is my standard reply: I'll throw out my experience just for s&g's. . . I've been drinking soda for a year, and have zero ill effects from it. I rarely drink diet soda because most are sweetened with aspartame which I hate. I recently found Diet Shasta cream soda which is sweetened with Splenda so this one is doable. I can say without a doubt that drinking soda has not changed my sleeve capacity in the least. Nor has it effected my weight loss in a negative manner. My restriction is the same as it was a year ago unless I cheat (take longer to eat my meal, sip throughout my meal, drink a glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage before my meal, drink hot fluids like coffee or tea before my meal) to get more in. I don't even let it go flat before drinking it. Early out, I would get a gas bubble, burp and it was over. The whole soda leaching Calcium from our bones is obviously a concern, but in my opinion, moderation is key. There is ZERO scientific evidence that soda drinking causes stretching. Even for RNY patients, there is no proof that soda causes the pouch to stretch. We have a normal stomach with a pyloric valve intact. The fluids, be it soda, Water, crystal light, all go in, hit the pyloric valve and dump into our intestines. It isn't like the soda is sitting in there brewing for hours on end. Plus, there is NOT enough tissue left to stretch out our sleeves if the surgery is performed correctly. There is only so much stretch that can occur. It isn't like the stomach tissue regenerates, or can stretch back to pre-op size. It just is not physically possible. Not that I'm advocating going against any particular surgeon's recommendation, but this has been my experience and my opinions on soda drinking post-bariatric surgery. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/15947-the-diet-coke-debate/page__p__134881__hl__soda__fromsearch__1#entry134881 http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/13580-carbonated-beverages/page__p__116756__hl__soda__fromsearch__1#entry116756

Hello my fellow Gastric buddies. I'm 3 weeks out from my surgery. I was told not to consume alcohol for a full year. In my nurses education class we were told that the chances of becoming an alcoholic after surgery has become a true fact. I usually have 1 drink in a year,so I'm going to just stay completely away from alcohol like I usually do.

Hi there, my name is Michelle, from southeast MI. 44 years old, married, mother of a daughter who is a sophmore in college. I have thought about surgery a few times, but ultimately, the gastric bypass just scares me, too invasive to me it seems. I didn't know much about the LapBand, briefly talked to my primary about it, and he was not opposed to me looking into it. Bottom line, I weigh over 300 pounds, I am at my all time heaviest. I have GERD (acid reflux), aches and pains, just found out recently that I am borderline diabetic and had breast cancer 3 and a half years ago. I have probably lost 500 pounds in my lifetime, you lose 100, gain 110, etc. So, I have taken the first step, I went to a seminar, then made an appointment for a consultation 2/17. I don't look at it as a cop out, it is a tool. For Pete's sake, drug addicts and alcoholics go to rehab and they are treated better than overweight people (the last acceptable discrimination). Another thing that has motivated me is that a friend at work had the LapBand done in September, down about 40 pounds so far, a friend in Chicago had about a month ago, down 27 pounds. I have gotten nothing but positive feedback from both of them. Sure, you are sore for a few days, sure you get tired of the Protein shakes, but I am more tired of feeling like crap all the time, and huffing and puffing just walking to my car in the parking lot!! I too am self conscious about going out to eat, movies, etc, I see the looks I get. First and foremost I am doing this for my health, I have just had enough, and again, this is a tool, it is forced portion control, and if it helps then great!! It is so easy for people that don't have a weight problem to say, you can do it on your own, sure you can, I have before, but gained it back and then some!! So, listen to yourself, and if you need a tool, then so be it!!

First, I want to thank everyone for your replies and support. It means SO much to me. I am generally not a weepy person - as a professor and counselor I've learned to keep pretty tight control of my emotions. Yesterday, however, I was crying at the drop of a hat! All day long. Even until I went to bed. Every time I would get a new response here in my email, I started all over again. What most people would not understand (except you guys!) is that the appointment itself was shocking and a disappointment, and I left feeling defeated - in ways I never would have imagined. I really felt like I got shafted yesterday. Not only with what I expressed earlier regarding the weight loss and Crohn's, but I went in expecting to be setup to see the nutritionist to start the supervised weight loss (ie. as required by insurance), to talk with someone about insurance and how much the total would be, etc. Instead, he seemed to just be going through the motions without any real plans to see me - just shuffled me out the door. To respond to everyone's questions/comments. The center IS one of the Center's of Excellence. My insurance company requires it - so they do have the full team of nutritionists, psychologists, etc. My insurance requires three months of supervision by one of the centers, as well. The doctor did not require the weight loss specific of me - the nurses told me before I ever saw him - he requires everyone to have a BMI below 55 before he will operate. The diet they gave me - their pre-op diet, IS a low-carb/high-Protein diet - unfortunately, many of the foods they are telling me to eat on it are foods I cannot eat due to my blood, for example. As for the surgery - I told them I was interested in the Sleeve. Although it is irreversible, which makes me more nervous, I did my research. Research says that it is better for patients with a higher weight, it is better for patients with Crohn's and Anemia (due to absorption issues, I am guessing), etc. Although some of the stats say RNY has a higher overall weight loss, the sleeve seemed a better option due to my own health issues - which I took into consideration before ever meeting with the doctor. In regards to the green stuff + blood thinners: It's not the blood thinners with which the green stuff is incompatible with, it's blood in general. Whenever you have blood clotting issues, you are suppose to eat a VERY limited amount of green, leafy items. Ie. cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, etc. Last year, they said that included other 'green' veggies, as well, as I was eating a lot of asparagus (it was my go-to veggie when losing weight) - it was messing up my blood. The 'green stuff' thickens your blood, in the same way alcohol thins it (it's the reason you are not suppose to take aspirin for a hangover - they both thin your blood). I mean, I guess I COULD eat a salad and then drink some alcohol, but that might be defeating the purpose As far as what I do now - I cut out salt years ago. If I DO ever drink soda, it's diet - I drink Water almost exclusively. I eat minimal carbs - I am simply not a bread, rice, Pasta type person. I use a Fitbit and walk a set number per day. I have been using LoseIt! for a couple of years and log every bite of food I eat and every minute of exercise I do. I go to water aerobics several times a week. So, in a lot of ways, I feel that I was somewhat ahead of the game in preparing. I acknowledge I've had a lot of health problems. Oddly, none of them are weight related! I have perfect BP, low cholesterol, etc. I would like to KEEP it that way! I have already called a clinic I went to several years ago which said they did NOT see any signs of the Crohn's. I have asked for my records. This can be 'proof' for him, with or without additional testing. As well, I have looked at another center. As I said, there are three in my state. He's about an hour away. The second I have seen mixed reviews. The third is about three hours away, but my general MD likes it. I looked on their website, and they require a weight below 400 lbs. That I can manage. I THINK I got everyone's questions...! Again, I appreciate all of the support. I have never opened up about my weight to anyone, and although I have a beyond supportive family, they simply do not understand. My mom keeps saying she has struggled with weight all of her life, and this is true, but not to the same extent. To everyone on here - keep doing what you do for everyone else on here. Your words of encouragement, no matter how strong the support system of others, are so much more meaningful than you can ever know...

A big reason they preach against drinking alcohol is because a fair amount of people end up becoming alcoholics after surgery. Essentially replacing food with a different addiction. I have some serious mourning for my craft beers despite not being a big drinker. There's a craft beer fest tomorrow that I won't be able to go to for the first time in years. It's sad, but I'll eventually get back to it. Unfortunately I've never been a wine guy! lol

Crown and Water is my first choice Riesling Chardonnay or white zin if they don't have Riesling Twisted Tea I've had hard cider and Mike's, but had to pour it over ice and let it set awhile. I had a rum and coke the other day, but the coke was VERY flat. Carbonation is the only thing I can't do. Alcohol doesn't affect me any differently postop. I barely get buzzed, so I usually don't drink that much anyways....the calories aren't worth the lack of effect. And I always feel a little dehydrated the next day.