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This is an interesting topoic, which points to a larger problem - we don't know who asked "can I cheat/eat something not on program" akin to one that I hear often with alcohol etc. I have seen videos of WLS failures who obviously went back to potato chips and high fat food. I think much of the touch love and goal shaming I see is a reminder to lurkers that "no you can't eat crap all the time." Yes we said "occasionally" but some of us think others are going to hear "it's OK, eat crap." I don't blame the people on these boards who offer cautionary advise, it is a important reminder. One that often can't be echoed enough. But for the most part I have found the people here to be very forthcoming about their struggles, their successes and very encouraging. We have a nice mix of caring nurturing types and tough love types. Between the two I think the message gets out to those who need to hear it. At least I hear it and appreciate it.

Many times when people come on here to post, especially to post questions about eating things before they should, I.e. advancing diet stages early, eating pizza or carbs, drinking alcohol, it is not that they are underprepared. They are seeking validation or at least trying to find others that have done the same without experiencing a negative outcome. I was given clear instructions on diet progression, what vitamins to take, foods to avoid, and even rate of weight loss to expect. Maybe there are a few programs out there with less preparation but most seem to have a 3-6 month prep time. This is just my experience from being here.

Someone asked that in the seminar. My doc's only comment was that once we have restriction and are eating smaller amounts, keep in mind that the alcohol may affect us more strongly. .

Not "faults". CHOICES. As long as your choices aren't endangering your health, share away. We've all been there. But if you're drinking multiple alcoholic beverages weeks out from surgery, prepare to get your ass handed to you. By most of us AND your doctor. And if you feel that drinking and eating things you shouldn't be just weeks out from surgery is justifiable, then I SMH at YOU.

I will be a self-pay and have no intention of wasting $15,000 on a drink of alcohol. My brother the alcoholic however would have cut himself open for a drink of alcohol. Most alcoholics justify their consumption in every way possible. Also from what I've read and been told, the affects of that bad choice might not be seen for weeks. So I hope no one experiences a leak and is hospitalized

I know the OP meant for this thread to be light and tongue and cheek. But I have to say, seeing some people consuming alcohol just weeks out from surgery kind of floors me a little. Not only do you have a line of staples going down the whole entire sleeve that haven't even begun to heal yet, you are already trying to sabotage any weight loss efforts by consuming empty, non nutritious calories at a critical time where proper nutrition is important for healing. Like I've said before, I don't care what people do after your'e all healed up. Drink alcohol, eat sweets to your hearts content. You're only hurting your chances of not reaching your weight loss goals and in danger of the whole surgery being all for not. That's none of my business. What I don't find funny and won't condone are people making light of behaviors that could potentially harm and put you right back in the hospital. For goodness sake, care enough about yourself to at least heal properly before you choose to continue self destructive behaviors that caused you to have surgery in the first place. I suggest you find a video of a sleeve procedure on YouTube and watch it just to see the amount of healing that needs to take place after you see your little sleeve that looks like Frankenstein when they are done. The doctors aren't telling you not to drink for a certain amount of time just for shits and giggles.

Most of the well-known bariatric surgeons in Mexico have done thousands more surgeries than those in the U.S. My guidelines say "No carbonated beverages or alcohol for 6 weeks."

Having read the statistics on those after bariatric surgery becoming alcoholics I'm not surprised by some of this but it certainly scares me so please guys look after yourselves and your bodies

Well I wanted to give a short account of my surgery so I can remember it later on... I checked in at 10:30 AM and the guy smelled of alcohol that was checking me in. I had to laugh... oh well. Went over and got into the pre op area. Made me take a pg test which of course is negative because effectively believe I am in menopause, am on day 40 something of my cycle, longest I have ever had but who knows if the stress of getting ready for this scared it away. They had to get a special IV nurse over because i have sort troublesome veins. Got that and then I got a shot of lovenox in the belly due to my father's history of blood clots I guess. (dunno) They started me on some kind of fluids in the IV. Pushed me over to the waiting area where the anthesigiologist spoke with me. Told him to be careful because I am a singer. (he didn't listen, I still have a little irritation LOL) Saw my doc and he asked me if I was ready and I said yup. Rolled me into the ER and I wiggled from gurney to operating table then they started strapping me down and put my arms out so I looked like a t. That's about all I remember. Woke up in post op and was pretty alert. They rolled some other chick in a few minutes later who was crying. I told the dude... get me out of here I don't want to listen to that. He made me breathe real deep to prove I could go out of there. Rolled me up to my room. Gave me more lovenox I think. Put something else in my IV. Put those inflating booties on my legs. Got a lovely room and bed. Overlooking the bay... large room looked like for VP, all mine. Husband came in. Got up and went for a walk rolling my IV with me. Night fell could see the sunset, pretty nice. Went back to room. Gave me some tray of some crap and told me to try to have it. I tried the lemonade and my throat was too iritated. Ate the ice chips. Decided to ask for osme malox and some pain killers. Got a bit loopy, was testing with friend, finally gave up and called her and then fell asleep. HUsband left to take care of our dog. Woke up by some respitory woman made me inhale into this thing. Said I was a champ. Went for another walk. Ate some more ice chips. Got them myself. Went back to bed but couldn't really sleep. Dozed on and off listening to my ipod. Nurse Came back and gave me some insulin because my blood sugar spiked a little due to the whatever's in the IV. Around 4 ish I asked from more pain killers more to go to sleep wasn't in much pain but the distention was driving me crazy. Got a little more insulin. Woke up around 6 or 7 and got up and took another walk and got some more ice chips. Tried to eat some Jello. Not too much fun. the tray it came on had a bug on it. Had to prove I could eat something so I ate some damn red popsicle. Someone came along and took out my IV. I went and got cleaned up and dressed so I could get out. Had a post op welcome to your new life class and went out on a wheelchair. Was feeling pretty crappy on the way home but stopped to get something at Walgreen's can't remember what it was... think it was maloxx or something. Damn curb nearly about killed me. Went home and got in my lazyboy sofa... and watched TV! Feeing like... damn get this thing out of me! Took a shower later on. Everytime I wake up, I feel a bit better. Today I don't feel like get this thing out of me... so... making progress.

I am not sure about the achohol thing... I know that I am supposed to be on all Clear liquids for 3 days prior to my surgery... i know that the liver lays on the stomach - and they have to move it to get to the stomach - and I know that alcohol affects the liver... but I dont know how much it affects it.

My date is August 26, 2014!!!!! I have a 2 day pre op liquid diet. I have been doing low carb for the past 3 months. I have a question. My friends are giving me a big celebration BBQ on the 23rd, is it ok to have alcohol 3 days before surgery? I will do the 2 day pre op as directed on the 24th & 25th.

I know the OP meant to be funny, but these threads often end up being a battle of who's rules are right. It's not so much each little detailed rule, it's the glib attitude toward "bariatric rebellion" that concerns me. It's "let me see how far I can push the envelope" and get away with it. Then to announce it, have others chime in, it ends up sounding like the no alcohol rule is silly and encourages behavior that does not lead to success. The hard, cold truth is that weight loss is hard, and maintenance is harder. One bad decision won't break any of us. One drink won't make us fat or drunks. However, a general attitude of "let me see what I can get away with" seems like a bad idea to me. For me, I know that I can't maintain perfection forever. None of us can. We are humans, and most of us are in this boat because we couldn't refrain from eating and drinking too much. So, knowing that, I do strive for perfection every day. If I set that as my goal, I figure I won't be too far off the mark at the end of the day. If I strive for less, I'd probably be further off. I know if I had allowed myself too much latitude in the beginning, I would be worse off today. I had to learn new behavior, and I had to learn that I AM capable of following a plan that leads to success, and I learned what it takes to do that. The early days are what set me up for success by establishing new habits. It's the easiest time to do that, so my advice is to take advantage of the gift you have.

My program is very conservative, particularly about alcohol. The transference of addictions was the main concern, as nutritionist, surgeons, psycholologist, and nurses all discussed with me during all stages of this process. I drank maybe a glass of wine a month before surgery, so didn't quite understand what the big deal was. Well after they showed the research during our various meetings...I no longer questioned the importance of being aware of this problem. Combine the research proven issues of addiction, empty calories, stress on the liver after a major surgery, not to mention my new tummy is so small I really don't want to waste space on alcohol...I choose not to go against my program's rules in regards to alcohol. Just not worth it in my opinion. But something I've learned on boards...some people rationalize/loosely interpret their programs rules...so my words or the words of way more experienced/successful others is taken offense to or just ignored anyways no matter how much logic is provided. Folks will do what they want to do period.

I'd like to know if there is any "valid" info on it as well! Instead of just everyone else's useless rude comments! Lol Why judge someone for being truthful when you could just give them insightful encouragement instead? I have not drank alcohol, soda, or anything else I wasn't supposed to but Lord knows if I did I wouldn't post it on this board people are way to hypocritical. Lol I'll ask my nut for real medical examples of why not to drink soda and alcohol and try to post it on here when I can.

Just an FYI...even though the buzz feeling goes away, the blood alcohol levels leave our bodies more slowly so you shouldn't drive because your blood alcohol level will still be elevated even though you maynot feel the classic effects of being buzzed.

So my grief counselor has suggested I try Wellbutrin. Things have been especially bad for me lately because its coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my friend's suicide. We've also been exploring some buried emotions from my brother's death that I never really got over (apparently drowning them in alcohol didn't make them go away ;(. ). At this point I'm having difficulties experiencing any sort of emotion besides sadness.....most of my days are spent going through the motions and putting on a show for others and quite frankly I'm exhausted. She thinks the Wellbutrin will help me with the biochemical issues I may be having that are hindering my healing process. So I'm going in to see my PCP on Friday to get his OK for the Rx. So anyone else taking it for depression? How's it working for you? Just wondering if there are any weight loss/weight gain/appetite issues I could expect by taking this medication. Any other weird side effects? I've taken Prozac and other SSRIs in the past for anxiety and stress, but the main problem was I could not sleep while on them. Not sleeping was worse than the reasons I was taking them in the first place so I had to stop.

Well, here's my take... 1. At this point, if you can eat a whole yogurt, you are probably definitely full! I was on liquid only for two weeks after! A yogurt would have definitely filled me to the brim. 2. When you can eat more than you should and are still hungry before it's time for the next meal, you need a fill. 3. At this point, if you eat a solid you take the risk of moving your band. It is probably tacked in place but if you over fill your pouch or eat something solid, you could displace it and it wouldn't heal properly. Also, as you eat solids, your stomach will have to churn more to digest them and that could also cause problems. You have come to far...don't risk it! 3. Yes, you will likely be physically able to eat the things you love again in smaller portions. I was only banded in July, but I can already eat anything I want, really. (That is I haven't tried anything I can't eat if I chew well.) With that being said, only you know if you can mentally eat just a little. If you are a food addict, don't tempt yourself with something that would be like liquor to an alcoholic. Does that make sense? I LOVE pizza. Now I eat a piece (or two really small ones) of very thin crust if I must have pizza. Before, I could have and sometimes did eat the whole pizza. For me, this is the answer...what it's all about. I've lost weight plenty of times in the past by eliminating all "bad" foods. I can t-total it, but only for a while. Eventually, I would go back to eating whatever I wanted because I couldn't help myself. As a result I regained everything and more back. This time around, I am working for a lifestyle change. I will continue to eat anything I want, but in small portions. I can live that way forever, but I don't think I could realistically never eat pizza or chocolate again. Ya know?

Mine was really easy. But I really worked hard getting ready for it. I researched all the worst case sceneros. I did a great deal of emotional work ahead of time. I worked out and walked as much as I could. I weaned off caffeine and alcohol weeks before and stuck to my pre-op diet. I also tried all the foods I was going to eat post op, sampled many Protein drinks, practiced eating slow at lunch, found out coffee warmers would keep my food warm when it took such a long time to eat. There was always the very small chance that something could go wrong, and being a single dad, I also took care of my estate planning and worked with my business partners to set up contingencies in case something went really wrong. The end result, was I was on my feet and walking almost immediately after surgery and I was working on the internet the same day. Now I will admit, I was a fairly healthy fat guy, but there were enough warning lights going off to make me realize this wasn't always going to be the case. Plan, Prepare, Act and Evaluate everything going in. I self paid in Mexico so I did all this research myself. and to tell you the truth, knowing me, I think I would have been bored to death doing this through a typical program. But I still had fears the last week despite all of this. But in the end, could not have worked out better.

Discussed ad nauseam: https://www.bariatricpal.com/search/?q=alcohol&sortby=relevancy&search_in=titles You'll find both sides of the argument explored and talked about in agonizing detail and breathtaking recklessness.

I don't drink often but when I do I just drink hard liquor on the rocks or with water. I have never been a beer or wine drinker really. I will have a few sips of wine with a meal if it compliments the meal. My alcohol tolerance is exactly the same. Insanely high. I couldn't get drunk if I tried.

I agree with you. That's my experience. I got to a point that alcohol wasn't affecting me. That was dangerous. I'm still learning to deal with that. Alcoholism among weight-loss patients is a very real danger. Good luck!

I gave up alcohol entirely because of the empty calories.

So when did everyone have their 1st drink? Be honest ppl

I only had a 4 day pre op because I had been traveling and my doc said he'd do it just after I got back- probably because I was a lower bmi. He said my liver wasn't fatty at all when he went it which totally surprised me- my gi had said a year before that my liver looked like an alcoholics liver even though I barely drink. I lost 6 pounds in those 4 days. Mich W Hw 223, SW 217 CW 199 GW 135

I only had a 4 day pre op because I had been traveling and my doc said he'd do it just after I got back- probably because I was a lower bmi. He said my liver wasn't fatty at all when he went it which totally surprised me- my gi had said a year before that my liver looked like an alcoholics liver even though I barely drink. I lost 6 pounds in those 4 days. Mich W Hw 223, SW 217 CW 199 GW 135