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Hi I am 5 months into my journey after a bypass. I'm having a few issues but doing ok. I was wondering why alcohol isn't allowed for 12 months? Does it damage your new pouch or is it normal health advice? Can anyone shed any light on this please? Thanks 👍

I share this story in hopes that it may help someone to never pick up a drink after VSG or to at least be hyper-vigilant about the dangers of drinking post weight loss surgery. I was sleeved in August of 2015 @ 310 lbs. Quickly lost most of the weight needed and began running 5k. Not really setting the world on fire, but it was really good for me. Prior to surgery, I had always enjoyed drinking with friends. Typical guy stuff - couple beers @ a football game or watching the game on Sunday, meeting for drinks after work, etc. Never an issue or problem. Never anything that i had to have. My doctor warned me against alcohol, sodas, and transfer addictions, but I thought "never me". WOW, was I wrong. I remember the first couple times I had a beer after the surgery (I waited 6 months), it was very fizzy and uncomfortable. I convinced myself that it would get easier, and unfortunately it did. Next came the rum and coke zero. Wow, that tastes great, and I get a buzz very quickly. That fast buzz turned into getting very drunk, very quickly. Our new bodies absorb the alcohol in 1/2 the time that a normal internal system would. Over the last couple yeaars there have been many episodes of drinking way to much, blacking out, and not remembering what happened. I have had to apologize for my behavior more than once after a night of drinking. I even started drinking every day. I would make a drink as soon as I got home each day. 1 turns into 2 or 3. Just like lays potato chips you can not have just 1. Alcohol consumed my every thought. When can I have a drink? How can I make sure I can get a drink? It amazed me how I was able to justify that if creamer was good in my morning coffee, how great would Rumchatta be (it's damn good, by the way). I am living proof that transfer addiction is a real thing. I am now in counseling for my alcohol addiction. Transfer addiction is definitely a real thing. Prior to VSG surgery I was over 300 pounds because I had an addiction to food, and all the wrong kinds of food. My new addiction is alcohol and it's best friend is food addiction. what goes with beer = chicken wings, or nuts and pretzels, what goes with a margarita = tacos, etc. Alcohol also makes it impossible to lose weight. So if you are really dedicated to clean eating but you drink, your weight may stay the same, but it surely will not go down. I have packed on 60 lbs of the 120 that I lost. And, I am slowly changing behaviors to get back to where I want to be. It is a journey,, but I am worth it. I will overcome. Addiction is sacrificing everything for that one thing ! Recovery is sacrificing that 1 thing to have everything !

Hi everyone! When did everyone have their first sip post surgery? I’m 7 months out now & on vacation. I want to have one cocktail but I’m kind of nervous since I have drank in forever and I don’t eat much.

I'd like to know y'all's experience with sugar alcohols/sugar substitutes. When I was in my pureed stage, my diet/menu information stated that I could eat sugar-free pudding. I had one and experienced harsh stomach pain for the entire night until the next morning. However, I recently treated myself to some plain oatmeal and added stevia packets and had no issues. I looked up the ingredients to the Jello brand sf pudding and each cup has 4g sugar alcohols. It doesn't state exactly which "itol" it has, though. Stevia (depending on how it's combined) is mostly erythritol. I'm looking for some dessert-ish foods that can satiate my sweet tooth (also trying to help my 16-yr-old daughter by replacing her regular foods with low calorie, low carb, low sugar options). When I started on my WLS journey mid-May, she became inspired and has lost 17 lbs so far! Ideas? Suggestions? Experiences?

It's a funny thing! So I learned last night that the 6 weeks of not drinking before and after my surgery apparently brought my tolerance DOWN! I was toast after 1 1/2 drinks - I mean you would not have wanted to be in public with me! Next time I go out I'll try 1/2 a drink at tops!

Anyone else noticing that as they address the food issues, and can no longer use food to compensate, that alcohol has gained in attractiveness? Seriously I used to drink once every six months. Now I find I am looking for booze a couple times a week. Any one relate?:faint:

I'd like to know about people's experience with alcohol post-op. How much do you drink? Last night while I was on a plane back home to LA I ordered a mix drink with my dinner, after 4 ounces I knew I'd reached my limit, I felt very sleepy lol.

My question is why exactly we aren't supposed to have alcohol, or when I can drink again. I really enjoy a drink when I go out and I just want to know when is it ok? 6 months? a year? what did you surgeon say? Any bad experiences?

Hello everyone. This is more for the longer post opers. Have any of you tried drinking alcohol? If so, how was it? I like to drink the occasional beer or 2 and want to know what others have experienced. Thanks!! Sent from my LG-D800 using the BariatricPal App

Its getting really bad. My brother is 43 years old. He lives with my parents for the last 2 years or so. He is unemployed. He drinks about 2 5th a day. He does have a drivers license but that will be revoked soon since he has been missing his driving classes. He has had multiple DUIs, bicycle crashes, ambulance rides, detoxes, rehabs, etc. etc. The longest time he has been sober the last couple years is approximately 2 months. My parents need to get a grip. They have told him numerous time they will evict him, take him out of the will, etc. Nothing has helped. How can a person hit rock bottom when they have a place to live? How can you see them killing themselves right before your eyes and not be able to do anything. Nothing has helped. My parents sent him to rehab twice in the last year.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long you need to wait after surgery to partake in an alcoholic beverage? I am also looking for any advice on what would be the beverage to have. My family is having a surprise party for my mom the first Saturday in April and I know that there will be some alcohol. I don't really want to drink alot but I know it would look funny if I didn't have at least on drink. By this time I will almost be one month post op, so I am thinking it will be ok but thought I had better check. I am also making sure that my Aunt is having something on the menu that is considered the mushy phase since I can't have solids for at least one month after surgery

My birthday is in 2 weeks. ..i will be 6 weeks post op at that time. Do you think I could have a drink or two????

Hello...I have 8 years clean and sober and I am being banded in Mexico on April 16, 2009...I feel like I am checking back into rehab now that I have a surgery date...I am looking to see if there is anyone local to me who would be interested in correspondence/support. It seems like staying clean is easy-just stay away from it, BUT WE ALL HAVE TO EAT!! UGH...I am taking it second by second.HOLDING ON!!!

Also I heard briefly you can never have Motrin again? Ever. What pain killers are allowed after surgery

I know it's bad for you, full of calories, and a sin. But I'm going to the beach next week and I would really like a drink. I have always been a bourbon or rum and coke guy. Is it okay to have carbonation every once in a while like that?

Hey everyone I was wondering when is it ok to go out for drinks like beers or liquor I'm 2 months out I know I sound stupid but it's gonna be 4th of July and I want to Celebrate Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I stumbled on this support section on the forum last night and feel it was for a reason... I need some help . I am feeling like presently I am not only using food but alcohol as well to numb me and stuff everything down. I have had some complications and have been basically unrestricted and going crazy eating since May... I gained like 35 back now.... I also have been drinking as well all along and even when I was close to goal for the past four years... I am at a point emotionally where I realize I need professional help for my head and that I really need to sort out the baggage. It can't be pushed down anymore if I am using food and alcohol as my only source of comfort. Even when it was only a three ounce piece of salmon and pureed vegtables it was my source of focus and soothing always with an "expensive" glass of wine or more...Going "out" to a nice place was a n entire experience for me to make myself feel better... Is this so wrrong? I guess when you can'e control your eating and drinking it is... I am considering a 12 step...I have been to AA before a few years back but of course decided that I really did not have a problem ... I also had trouble finding a group I felt comfortable with. The person I asked to be my sponsor flaked out and I was scared off. I have been to Food Addicts for awhile. I have never tried OA . I just need some advice and connection with someone on here. I am banded ,,,soon to be re-banded and not your average case. I am feeling awful right now.

Hi, I haven't had my sleeve yet, I just did step 3 my psche eval, he told me I could never have alcohol drinks again, not that I drink alot but at celebrations I like wine etc, is it true that you never can have it again? just thought I ask, I'm going thru old posts to get all my answers but just thought I post, also no gum or straw uses? thanks for help Jenn

i'm 2 weeks out from surgery... i really really want a drink... how long did everyone wait til they started drinking again?