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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?

Has anyone started drinking after surgery? If so, how long did you wait? Sent from my iPhone using VST

I was banded Dec 2nd and I know I shouldn't have but I drank vodka on New Year's Eve. My stomach didn't hurt while I was drinking or really the next morning. But I have been getting sharp pains around the lap band and when I eat it burns. It feels like a combination of the inside of my stomach hurting and the stitches internally. Did I mess something up?? Was the alcohol to harsh for my new stomach? Will it go away? Anyone else had this experience?

Do I have to stop drinking after the surgery.. I mean forever? I usually like to drink vodka and slimline tonic when I'm gigging, so I have a fair few of those once a week... I do enjoy the occasional drink. I assume that as tonic is carbonated, I will have to find a different mixer, maybe a juice, but I'm keen to know whether I have to give up alcohol altogether?. At gigs I have to admit I do get a little merry every now and then, would be a shame to give it up altogether so I just need to understand what having the sleeve means in terms of alcohol consumption post surgery? Thanks.

I've noticed a lot of low Carb and Atkins friendly items state these things on the labels...what do we think about these concepts?

Banded 9/4, first fill was on last Thursday, 4cc. I don't feel any different since the fill, but I always take small bites and eat slow:-) Went to a wedding last night, I was nervous about what they were going to serve to eat. I had chicken, green beans and mashed red skin potatoes! No problems with any of the food, thank goodness. I did have my first cocktails since being banded and I can drink just like I did pre-band:-) I only drink on occasion, had water with black cherry mio and whipped vodka, yummy! Low calorie, non carbonated:-) danced the night away (cardio) and had a blast! Now I know I can survive a get together just fine with my new band:-)

I have not had the band done yet..... hopefully in Dec once insurance approves :smile2: But im wondering and afraid my social life will be ruined. Im only 22 so im still in the bar/club stage and is wondering how I will be able to have a cocktail or two? Does anyone still drink beer or mixed drinks? Can you even drink any of that? Does your band restrict it? I am looking forward to going to the bars/clubs in a sexy outfit tho It won't take me hours of trying to feel comfortable in jeans and a black shirt (to make me look slimmer) cant wait :mad:

21st birthday is in about 15 days ... What drinks doesn't upset your stomach?

How long after surgery before you have a drink?

Believe it or not all of these have one thing in common! I was banded 7/11 so 23 days ago.. since day 5 post surgery I have been able to burp (thank goodness because when my stomach is empty, I burp, a lot..) I am really not a big fan of hard alcohol or wine. I enjoy a beer or two every once in a blue moon, have read several previous threads with mixed responses and a lot of them warn against beer due to carbonation, but if I am able to burp without any problem does that make it different? Oh only have 5 oz in my band if that makes any difference... dr said ok but expect swelling but surgeons heavily warn against any alcohol due to erosion potential

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

Are you allowed to have these after the lapband? ~Jodie

Hi everyone. So far, so good...3+ months out and just over 48 lbs lost. I feel great and am exercising nearly every day. My question is - I chew a lot of sugar free gum. I also have been having problems with my stomach for the last two weeks or so. I saw where someone else called it "unconstipation". That is a very good way to describe what happens to me. It's several times a day, very nasty and somewhat painful. It just occurred to me in the last few days that it could be from the gum. I've always been sensitive to the sugar alcohol in SF candy, etc., but never really thought about the gum. Is it possible? Any opinions? Thanks! Stephanie

I'll be a month out of surgery on Tuesday. And I was wondering is it possible to drink a little alcohol? I turned 21 about 6 months ago, and HONESTLY, I'm not a big drinker to begin with, truly. I would just like to sip on a frozen drink throughout the night of the 4th. What do you think?

I had my surgery 5 months ago And I haven't drank a month before it and my friends are going out tonight .... Am going too but I want to drink ... 3 glasses maybe of vodka and cranberry juice its my low carb day and I am afraid of gaining weight as I had a High carb day yesterday! i will be drinking today! Will i gain weight ? will it effect my weight loss! thanks

Hi everyone, does anyone know how many weeks after surgery i will have to wait before having any non-carbonated alcoholic beverage ???

I was told I can't drink for the first 6 months is this true if so why? I'm thinking about thanks giving I usually have wine and was wondering if it would be ok. also can anyone tell me their experience with alcohol after being banded thank you in advance!

when are you allowed to drink after being sleeved? I am 4 weeks out now.

Ok This Thursday I will be 3 weeks post op. I have a party to go to on Friday night and there will be alcohol served. My doctor says 6 months before having alcohol, but a few people that I know have the band started drinking pretty early on, at least sooner than 6 months out! I'm not worried about calories, I just want to know if anyone had alcohol as soon as 3 weeks post op? Thanks in advance!